Previewing the 2010 NHL Draft: Mikael Granlund

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jun 15, 2010 1:00 PM EDT in 2010 NHL Draft

Name: Mikael Granlund

Position: RW

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 172 lbs

Age: 18

Home Country: Finland

Playing For: HIFK (Finland)

Scouting Reports After the Jump....

SI.com:

He's small and Finnish and dominant in his age group, but don't buy into the lazy comparisons to Saku Koivu. Euro Scout's Take: "He doesn't have the same kind of intensity. He's very clever with the puck and has a good shot, though. I like his confidence. He's a 17-year-old kid playing in the top league in Finland and he's leading his team in scoring. He's not fancy but he makes things happen."

Andrew Stars Page:

Was the leading rookie scorer in Finland's top league with 40 points (13 goals, 27 assists) in 43 games. Led Finland in scoring with 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists) in 6 games at 2010 World Junior Championship. Registered 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) in 6 games as Finland won bronze at the 2010 Under-18 World Championship. Finished first in assists and third in points at the tournament.

SNYRangersBlog:

Called the smartest player in the draft, Granlund isn't ranked as highly as he probably should be. He is playing in the Finnish Elite league and averaged nearly a point per game. He is small, but if he has the same drive and determination, not to mention skill set as Koivu, he shouldn't be looked at as a risk of a pick. If players like Jeff Skinner and Vlad Tarasenko are off the board by ten, the Rangers wouldn't be making a bad pick by taking him and having him come over in a year or two.

"Saku Koivu clone. He's small, but no one's told him he's small. He has a really good, winning attitude, works very hard. He's tough, and he has very good hockey sense." --Goran Stubb, NHL Director of European Scouting

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If he’s truly not coming over for a year or two, with the team generally Hartfording guys for at least a year after the transfer, I’m not on board with him at 10.

Ideally they should be using that pick to get somebody ready to go quickly, and on time with the Grachev/Stepan’s of the world.

Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay

by George E. Ays on Jun 15, 2010 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

I agree would rather see them get someone who is maybe a year away. If they pick a Fin would like to see them grab Pulkkinen in round 2 if he lasts.

by Kmp on Jun 15, 2010 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

+1 smurf

by klh2009 on Jun 15, 2010 1:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

+1 to Smurf and Kmp… though I’d take a chance with Beukeboom in round 2.

by Kritikal on Jun 16, 2010 6:08 AM EDT up reply actions

In order: El Nino, Tarasenko, Johansen, Skinner, Etem, Forbert, with Skinner and Etem interchangeable. That’s what the Rangers should be looking at.

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by Dave Shapiro on Jun 15, 2010 2:39 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed, it should be absolutely offense first with this draft. I still think Etem’s at 10 is a bit too high, but anything that stands to boost our 222 goals scored and soon is the focus.

And the more “NHL-ready,” the better. Though I doubt highly anyone should crack the lineup, mostly cause I don’t trust Torts to give them the correct playing time.

Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay

by George E. Ays on Jun 15, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I think if Etem is the only one available at that point, the Rangers should trade down and look to grab a 3rd round pick and nab Etem around 13-15.

From what I understand Tarasenko could crack an NHL lineup, and is the most underrated player in the draft. It’s the KHL agreement that is the issue.

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by Dave Shapiro on Jun 15, 2010 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Tortorella is a much more serious issues than the KHL agreement to me, between Zherdev and Lisin, it appears his love for Russian players isn’t high. (though of course “Russian” is not the only two adjectives they have in common.)

Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay

by George E. Ays on Jun 15, 2010 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Lisin and Zherdev were lazy and didn’t play defense. As long as Tarasenko shows he cares, he will be fine. Torts hates lazy players.

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by Dave Shapiro on Jun 15, 2010 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

This goes for Kotalik as well.

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by Dave Shapiro on Jun 15, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Well he seems to like anisimov well enough

"Mes que un club"
"You're a pro or you're a noob. That's life"

by Scratch and Snif on Jun 15, 2010 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, consistently burying him on the 4th line, giving him less average ice time than PA Parenteau, despite the fact AA is better both offensively and defensively certainly reeks of affection.

Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay

by George E. Ays on Jun 15, 2010 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions

PA parenteau never plays in the NHL. We can’t compare their ice time. Do you really think AA is second line material already? Can he handle 16 mins a game? We can’t rush his development, Torts is doing well enough with him.

"Mes que un club"
"You're a pro or you're a noob. That's life"

by Scratch and Snif on Jun 15, 2010 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually, given PA came up this year and played 22 games, I think it’s a fair comparison.

And is AA “2nd line material?” On this team, i don’t see why not. Did you know AA and Matt Duchene had nearly identical QComp, QTeam, and P/60?

How about that he had 3 fewer points than Tavares, and 7 fewer than Duchene at ES, despite the drastic difference in ice time (though yes, Tavares had harder Comp than both of them).

Where’s the evidence he’s not ready?

Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay

by George E. Ays on Jun 16, 2010 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree except for Tarasenko, too many good North Americans to choose from. Buekeboom might there with the 2nd round.

by Kmp on Jun 15, 2010 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

Tarasenko will come over from the KHL, that’s not a concern. He’s the most NHL ready of that group anyway.

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by Dave Shapiro on Jun 15, 2010 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

really last I read that was still a concern.

by Kmp on Jun 16, 2010 4:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Is there any indication that the Rangers are happy with their position at #10, or whether they have someone targeted that they would like to trade up to get?

by Hoggo on Jun 15, 2010 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

Well theres no

indication that they’re NOT happy with they’re spot. I think if slats is going to move it will before the end of wednesday. I personally don’t think he’ll be doing any moving around draft wise the day before unless someone REALLY catches his attention.

I could get more love from a Cactus then you..........

by ReverseLife on Jun 16, 2010 12:03 AM EDT reply actions

dont know much about some of these euro players but i think sather does no the euro talent like nobody else so i trust sather with the euro players he drafts . i would be fine with him at the 10 spot .

lohaus #54

by lohaus#54 on Jun 16, 2010 9:53 PM EDT reply actions

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