hmmm...Ahonen, Ahonen....

so, aside from a marty admirer, I liked it when Ahonen was in the river rats, and the few times he played with the devils, perhaps he was drafted when he wasn't needed, but he has/had the talent, after all, that's why he went 21 overall, with a team used to have late first rounders.

This may sound weird, but what if Ahonen pulls a Lundqvist?

Is there any remote chance, that after he didn't met the standards in the AHL, Lou decided to send him to europe, see if he can get his game back, and perhaps sign him in a few seasons, when Marty hangs them?

He has been playing pretty good in Frölunda, and he's only 25, do the devils still retain the rights to him?

Not to mention a few euro goalies who have come and made an impact, Backström, Thomas, Norrena, and I think Noronen should have a shot at an NHL team too.

Perhaps this might be the shortest discussion topic ever, but I'd like to read your thoughts on it.

interesting thought but prolly not very likely. but i also thought he should have gotten a better look when he was around

I wouldnt mind him coming back, but i highly doubt it.

never liked Ahonen. Was always a Clemmer fan so i no place for Ari in my life!

Ahonen hasn't really impressed with Frölunda so far. This year Frölunda signed Johan Holmqvist, and he will most likely be the #1. IMO this shows that Frölunda wasn't too happy about his play last season and that they doesn't really trust Ahonen as a #1. If he can't retain a his position as the #1 in the SEL, I doubt he's NHL calibre.

No doubt that Ahonen´s career is at watershed, though he had his moments last year, and thios upcoming season will be a good indicator, whether he´ll be able to take the step to next level, to which he has the tools to reach. He did play well, but definetely wasn´t a prime stopper game in and game out.

Johan Holmqvist will give him the competition needed and if and when Ulf Dahlén gives Ahonen some chances, he´d better use them well. It´s a long season and it seems that Frölunda has a solid duo in Holmqvist and Ahonen.

One might come up with Niklas Bäckström who was once at the same state as Ahonen now - considered as a bust and doomed to be a mediocre goaltender. It took him a couple of years and he finally got it together at 25. Since then his stock has reached the rooftops.

I´m not suggesting that Ahonen will be a late-bloomer like Bäckström, but it is a possibility. I believe it´s about finding his confidence. On couple of games there I managed to see Ahonen play last year, it seemed that he was struggling with keeping his cool and just not to give up an easy one after some great save. But on the other hand he picked his game up towards the playoffs and if he can keep it up, there might be some light at the end of the tunnel.

Just my few confused cents.