Somevuori and Willis

How are these guys doing? Any chance of either of these guys being called up soon?

How are these guys doing? Any chance of either of these guys being called up soon?

ok. no

It's hard to get more elaborate than TB_Fan's warm reply, but I'll try...

(Ex, correct me if I'm wrong on any of this, since you've been following these two closer)

Since scoring in the Bulldogs first game Somervuori has been kind of quiet. He usually gets a few shots on goal per game and hasn't played poorly. Still adjusting to N.A. hockey.

Willis started the year on fire with Hershey and hasn't let up too much. Word from "the inside" is he's the first winger in line for a call-up -- which many of us have been howling for. He'd look great on Lecavalier's line right now, but Dmitry Afanasenkov - aside from not burying some Grade-A scoring chances - is playing pretty well since being benched and Modin - since moving up to the Lecavalier line - has played well.

With Alexeev out for possibly the season Willis and Somervuori become the first options for scoring line call-ups.

They are behind Afanasenkov right now, but a few lackluster games from Affy could spark a change. Cibak, currently playing center in Tampa, has played both wing and center in his career, so he could slide into an open spot in Tampa as well. Winger Ruslan Fedotenko has been a healthy scratch the last two games, and would be in line above Eero and Willis, also... or so it would seem.

Willis has reportedly looked better in his own end and in his physical game, so that will help him get back to Tampa. I know I'm looking forward to the day when Willis and his "shoot-first" mentality is on a scoring line in Tampa rather than a somewhat hesitant Afanasenkov (though he's been better in that dept. lately) or the invisible Fedotenko. I think once Willis comes back to Tampa, he'll be there for a while. The key is to get him back to TB.

agreed


Willis, Perrien, and Eero are our three guys most likely to get called up. They are producing and doing fine, but no imminent call up unless Fed continues to struggle offensivly or someone goes down. Tort's likes to tinker but I highly doubt he'll give one of them the nod.

The only thing I'd add to Chad's excellent analysis is this:

Willis is playing in Hershey as you probably know, and that this affiliation primarily belongs to Colorado. But the Avs have had a string of injuries on their roster, and have basically gutted Hershey's forward lines in order to ice three or four lines in Denver.

In the last two/three weeks, the Avs have recalled five forward prospects from Hershey. Two other Avs forward prospects have been injured, and one Bolt forward prospect has been injured. These circumstances have literally decimated Hershey's depth at forward.

What this means for Willis (and Perrin too), is that no matter how good they are playing right now, even the Pope himself couldn't recall Willis until the Avs get healthier and start sending back down some of those forwards. Willis and Perrin both are ppg'ers for Hershey and can't afford to lose one of them right now.

Re: Somervuori... I've got nothing more to add to what Chad said. Maybe HiggsFan can shed a little more light on what Somervuori has been up to recently.

From my knowledge of Somervuori, he's very over-rated by some people. I don't think he will ever be the NHL player some people think he will be. That's not saying much, but there you go. I'm usually correct on this sort of thing. I've been following scouting reports on alot of Europeans for the past couple of years.

Now, as for Willis: what does TB management has against this guy? I've heard he's had a good training camp the past two seasons, yet he can't crack the lineup? This guy has already proven he can score in the NHL, and he's not a big defensive liability. If he is over his fear of skating through the middle of the ice, they should give him a chance.

I've been following scouting reports on alot of Europeans for the past couple of years.

How many SM-liiga games have you seen from Fayetteville, NC to come to that conclusion? Just wondering...

-Pete Choquette

If he is over his fear of skating through the middle of the ice, they should give him a chance.

That's the crutch the TBL keep leaning on to keep Willis down. But IMO it's not valid. It's been over 12 months now, but my memories of Willis at last year's camp are that he played a pure skill game in scrimmages (and racked up a team-leading 8 goals) and then played a very physical game in the exhibition/pre-season matches. This year he did pretty much the same, although he was less productive in scrimmages (mainly because he was on a line with, like, Tim Taylor and Chris Dingman or something like that). Still, he put up a point per game in pre-season and didn't shy away from physical contact while doing it. To me, there's got to be another reason they're keeping him down. What it is, I have no idea.

Have you seen Eero play, WH16?

Thanks very much for the reports guys.

Have you seen Eero play, WH16?
A good question.

Most people who knock Somervuori 1) haven't seen him play and/or 2) think all of his production in Finland was due to his linemates (Dallas fans esp.). I guess we'll find out.

Thanks very much for the reports guys.

No problem. Stop by any time.

Go Gunners!

Have you seen Eero play, WH16?

Nope, just going by what some scouts have been saying the past couple of years. When ESPN and the usuals were touting him as being a first/second line winger on opening day I knew that wasn't going to happen. Hockey people overate everyone until they play in the NHL. Hockey is the easiest sport to put prospects in perspective; they are all overated until they play consistently.

Nope, just going by what some scouts have been saying the past couple of years. When ESPN and the usuals were touting him as being a first/second line winger on opening day I knew that wasn't going to happen.

Well this is based on one game, but Eero was skating in the middle of the ice. Though I think some saying he is 1st line material is a little far fetched. I can see him as a 3rd line checking winger with some upside of having a scoring knack.

Somervuori is struggling lately. Hamilton is on a hot streak, but the offensive contribution is coming mostly by the first line (formed by Pierre Dagenais, Benoit Gratton and Alexander Perezhogin). After being off to a good start, he's been very quiet in last few games, and didn't manage to create as much scoring chances as we used to see from him in the past.

So, basing myself from what I have seen from Eero, I think it's fair to say he's not ready for NHL responsibilities, and needs to prove he can be dominant at the AHL level first before making the big step. Same for Andreas Holmqvist.

Same for Andreas Holmqvist.

So what is up with all the scratches for Holmqvist, Higgs? Is he effectively the #7 d-man up there?

Basically. Should be with the ECHL to get SOME icetime.