2012/13 Prospect Stats & Updates Thread

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

They used to anyways. Only 6 Finnish goaltenders played more than 1 game in the NHL this season. Only 1 (Rask) will be under 30 when the calendar year expires.

"Only 1 will be under 30 when the calendar year expires" = 4 out of 5 Finnish starters for next season are 30 or under. (Lehtonen, Rask, Rinne, Niemi.) (This is assuming that Kipper retires and Rämö will not be our starter.)

I'd also like to point out that this season on the top 30 list by games played, Finland had the second most goalies after Canada, and quite possibly next season will also begin with only Canada having more starters under the age of 30.

(As if 30 is some kind of a magic age anyway.)

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by Itse

I think he would have been in, but since we're all guessing who knows.

As to goalies, Raanta shut out Slovakia and looked much better than Ortio, so the #1 spot is very much his to lose now.

I'll be a little surprised if Raanta plays more than a season here in Finland, and if he puts up a couple more performances like that, KHL might come calling as soon as next season.

Raanta's agent says that they're talking to five interested NHL teams. I think that's something that happens with the top European players every year and doesn't mean he'll sign a contract, but it would be surprising if he didn't at least go to the KHL next season. No one seems to believe that he'll actually play for HIFK in Finland. I don't know if that has any implications with regard to Ortio though.

http://www.iltalehti.fi/mmjaakiekko2...80876_jc.shtml

[Henry Fool]

Ortio played against France yesterday. Finland won 3-1. Didn't really watch but I hear that they were pretty anemic and did just enough to win. The goal Ortio allowed wasn't his fault.

[Henry Fool]

Ortio with a 7-2 win over Austria. Goaltending didn't play much of a role in the game. Goals were good scoring chances, could have made the saves but nothing bad.

[Enoch Root]

I thought Wotherspoon looked really good last night - he is rock solid defensively and a real calming influence.

Would like to see him be a bit more physical, and also work on his offensive game, but other than that, he is a very smart player.

I can see him being an NHLer very soon - probably one year in Abby.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I thought Wotherspoon looked really good last night - he is rock solid defensively and a real calming influence.

Would like to see him be a bit more physical, and also work on his offensive game, but other than that, he is a very smart player.

I can see him being an NHLer very soon - probably one year in Abby.

Hopefully he can turn into another Regehr for the Flames. Wouldn't surprise me to see him play the latter part of next season in the NHL, maybe after they trade Sarich at the deadline? Physically I think he is ready.

[Freeway]

I see Wotherspoon more as an Andrew Ference.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Freeway

I see Wotherspoon more as an Andrew Ference.

Exactly what I was going to say.

What he is not is a Regehr. Though I do agree that physically, he is pretty much ready to make the jump.

I have seen a fair bit of Portland over the past couple years and one thing I have always felt about him is that he takes a while to gain his confidence. I fully expect him to need a stint in the AHL, and take a while getting dominant there, before cracking the Flames lineup.

[Johnny Rotten]

Originally Posted by Freeway

I see Wotherspoon more as an Andrew Ference.

...with a little more size.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by Freeway

I see Wotherspoon more as an Andrew Ference.

I keep coming up with "mobile Pardy" (mostly because of the height and weight comparables) and "big Ference" as my descriptors of him. Either way, he looks to be a nice depth player for the Flames.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by kirant

I keep coming up with "mobile Pardy" (mostly because of the height and weight comparables) and "big Ference" as my descriptors of him. Either way, he looks to be a nice depth player for the Flames.

Sounds like a useful player either way. Riding the confidence of a Memorial Cup run I could see this guy pushing for a spot at camp.

[Roof-Daddy]

I'll take a 6'2, 210lb Andrew Ference with late 2nd rounder any day.

[Freeway]

Wotherspoon is my prospective Horak for 13-14.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by kirant

I keep coming up with "mobile Pardy" (mostly because of the height and weight comparables) and "big Ference" as my descriptors of him. Either way, he looks to be a nice depth player for the Flames.

I'll take a Big Ference or a version of Adam Pardy that doesn't trip over his own feet any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I'll take a Big Ference or a version of Adam Pardy that doesn't trip over his own feet any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Ya, but where is he from??

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Ya, but where is he from??

do we miss loubo?

[Henry Fool]

Joni Ortio has been named a candidate for the Urpo Ylönen trophy (best goaltender) in the Finnish league, along with Antti Raanta and Juha Metsola.

http://www.sm-liiga.fi/arkisto/assat...ai-raanta.html

Raanta will win in it, but it's still nice to see him nominated. Ortio has better physical tools for an NHL career than Raanta. Hopefully he keeps progressing.

[nik-]

I forget, but is he coming over again next year?

[Cheese]

^^^see the very first thread on this page.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by nik-

I forget, but is he coming over again next year?

Don't see how there is room for him if the Flames sign Ramo unless Brossoit or Ortio will be starting the season in the ECHL.