Maki and Puustinen to Finland - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

FlamesAddiction · 04-26-2008, 01:27 PM

I just noticed on Eurohockey.net that Maki (Jokerit) and Puustinen (Blues) signed in Finland over the past week.

For Maki, I can see why he might want to resume his career in Finland. He is getting older and was looking to be an NHL long shot. He can probably have a more rewarding career over there.

For Puustinen, I'll be disappointed if he doesn't come back and give it a shot. He has a lot of skill but needs a lot of development time still.

Any thoughts on this?

http://www.eurohockey.net/transfers/...tname=&days=31

Ranchlander · 04-26-2008, 01:48 PM

There go more of our prospects....

kn · 04-26-2008, 02:13 PM

Will Sutter continue taking chances on Europeans?

Gravitykillr · 04-26-2008, 02:16 PM

Puustinen is comfirmed and Maki isn't on the listing anymore, it could very well just be a case of signing something in case Calgary doesn't give him a deal

Reggie Dunlop · 04-26-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

timbit confirmed these in another thread. Maki I'm meh about, Pustinen wouldn't have been ready for two years anyway, so we can still watch for him.

I would have to think Puustinen is now done with the organization without a NHL contract. There's a two year window from the draft to sign Europeans now (same as North Americans).

He conceivably could be re-drafted, but that's probably unlikely.

Svartsengi · 04-26-2008, 08:01 PM

I would not give up on Puustinen just yet. He may have an escape clause in his contract with this Finnish team. Signed the deal as a back up plan to ensure he has a place to play next season. Help him get a few more bucks from Sutter because now he has some leverage.

Maki could have returned for good. He had already spent a couple of years over here but might have an escape clause too.

I don't want Sutter to give up drafting Euros. European talent has always been a weak spot in the organization.

Dorkmaster · 04-27-2008, 11:43 AM

So do we lose Puustinen's rights after this year?

If we do... that really sucks.

MrMastodonFarm · 04-27-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorkmaster

So do we lose Puustinen's rights after this year?

If we do... that really sucks.

If he isn't signed to a contract then the Flames wouldn't retain his rights this summer. Don't know how much NHL upside he has, but it probably won't be a lose. I would prefer to see him given a chance, but whatever.

JiriHrdina · 04-27-2008, 04:13 PM

Well for what it's worth Puustinen has been highly unimpressive whenever I've seen him (limited viewings of course).

Some offensive skills but didn't like his compete level or overall play.

Not heart broken if he leaves.

Sylvanfan · 04-27-2008, 07:27 PM

Puustinen didn't exactly take the step forward this year that you like to see from a 18 year old playing his first year in North America becomes a 19 year old playing who knows the game. In fact his production was down, and his team was weaker, even though they should have been better. Really Puustinen looked to be okay until he was invited to go oversea's to Finlands WJC camp last year than failed to make the team and he never ever seemed to move on after that. IIRC he seemed to go over with the attitude of well they won't pay your plane ticket unless you've basically made the team. Maybe he'll figure it out one day, but I seems like the type of thing that would show that the kid didn't have it right now to bounce back from an adverse situation which ultimately may be why the organization may not want to give him a contract.

arloiginla · 04-27-2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Well for what it's worth Puustinen has been highly unimpressive whenever I've seen him (limited viewings of course).

Some offensive skills but didn't like his compete level or overall play.

Not heart broken if he leaves.

Interesting, I had heard so many good things about him.

JiriHrdina · 04-27-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arloiginla

Interesting, I had heard so many good things about him.

Well don't take my word as gospel or anything, just passing on what I've seen. He isn't a prospect I was very excited about.

But I'm wrong a lot when it comes to evaluating players.

chris lindberg · 04-27-2008, 08:32 PM

Darryl Sutter said he thought Puustinen could be a top six foward (after the WJC) I think he may have just been talking CHL or maybe AHL though?

arloiginla · 04-27-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Well don't take my word as gospel or anything, just passing on what I've seen. He isn't a prospect I was very excited about.

But I'm wrong a lot when it comes to evaluating players.

I just remember various organization (such as Future Watch I think and that other one we all kow about) being quite high on him. Do remember Sutter's top-six comment as well.

Whether he was a good prospect or not, the last thing we need is another guy defecting. Quantity is every bit as important as quality for the Flames prospect pipeline right now, it is getting quite thin.

SparkyOne · 04-27-2008, 10:11 PM

Nothing certain, but I heard this weekend (from someone who would know) that Maki will be back next season. The Jokit contract is only insurance....

I hope this is true and Maki is back. The kid gives 110% every night.

Flame4Ever · 04-28-2008, 02:46 PM

While Puustinen did seem to take a step back this year, it's hard to say for sure. He led his team in scoring this year, so it's hard to say that he wasn't playing well.

Personally, I think Puustinen has the potential to be a decent middle 6 forward who can pot 20 goals while providing a good 2 way presence.

604flames · 05-02-2008, 10:48 PM

Puustinen may have led his team in scoring, but the Blazers were a train wreck this year. Still, he showed a bit of flash the few times I saw him live the last couple years.

Canada 02 · 06-02-2008, 09:16 AM

it would appear as though the Flames will retain the rights to Puustinen (as well as Per Jonsson)

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15508

troutman · 06-02-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kn

Will Sutter continue taking chances on Europeans?

Sutter is done with Russians and Czechs, but is focusing on Scandanavia.

dustygoon · 06-02-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada 02

it would appear as though the Flames will retain the rights to Puustinen (as well as Per Jonsson)

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15508

Good find. I think this is good news. I am ok with something that keeps players over in Europe until they are ready as well. Maybe the adjustment time to north american style of play happens a little quicker this way (ie no major junior or AHL to get accustomed), but if it is what is needed as part of a new transfer agreement then fine.