He does have that Kane-like puck control. When he has it, all attention is focused to him, and the game seems to slow down. Only the best players can affect the play like that. You can tell that Granlund has a lot of confidence with the puck.
He does have that Kane-like puck control. When he has it, all attention is focused to him, and the game seems to slow down. Only the best players can affect the play like that. You can tell that Granlund has a lot of confidence with the puck.
He really does have. And you have to remember that he's playing against big men instead of juniors... I think the whole Finnish hockey world is amazed by this kid right now.
He's #64 (embedded for the lazy people on the boards)
Quote:
Originally Posted by State of Hockey
He does have that Kane-like puck control. When he has it, all attention is focused to him, and the game seems to slow down. Only the best players can affect the play like that. You can tell that Granlund has a lot of confidence with the puck.
Agreed. He's gonna be a stud IMHO. He's physically alot like PK too. I'm so excited to see him play... I hope the Avs get him but somehow they probably won't be picking top 5.
Okay head coach of finlands national team told in finnish newpaper in a interview that Granlund is lock for Sweden EHT tournament in february if he stays healthy. He is going to make finnish mens national team debut vs TOP european elite players as 17 years old. He can make to Mens WC too if he does well in national games does well in camp and keep dominating FEL.
Okay head coach of finlands national team told in finnish newpaper in a interview that Granlund is lock for Sweden EHT tournament in february if he stays healthy. He is going to make finnish mens national team debut vs TOP european elite players as 17 years old. He can make to Mens WC too if he does well in national games does well in camp and keep dominating FEL.
That is HUGE. If after this some american guys are still underrating him, im gonna hang myself. WAKE UP NA!
Okay head coach of finlands national team told in finnish newpaper in a interview that Granlund is lock for Sweden EHT tournament in february if he stays healthy. He is going to make finnish mens national team debut vs TOP european elite players as 17 years old. He can make to Mens WC too if he does well in national games does well in camp and keep dominating FEL.
Wow, do you have a link for this info? That sounds kind of rushing it. Not to take anything away from Granlund who has been awesome, but mens national team?
Wow, do you have a link for this info? That sounds kind of rushing it. Not to take anything away from Granlund who has been awesome, but mens national team?
Read 6.11.09 Kauppalehti page 14 u will find jukka jalonens interview.
Okay head coach of finlands national team told in finnish newpaper in a interview that Granlund is lock for Sweden EHT tournament in february if he stays healthy. He is going to make finnish mens national team debut vs TOP european elite players as 17 years old. He can make to Mens WC too if he does well in national games does well in camp and keep dominating FEL.
There's just one problem with that idea. LG Hockey Games tournament takes place in April. There's a bigger tournament taking place in February.
Another possible scheduling conflict, U-18 WJC take place on the same day the SM-liiga semifinals are taking place. IF HIFK are still in the playoffs then, where will Granlund play?
There's just one problem with that idea. LG Hockey Games tournament takes place in April. There's a bigger tournament taking place in February.
Another possible scheduling conflict, U-18 WJC take place on the same day the SM-liiga semifinals are taking place. IF HIFK are still in the playoffs then, where will Granlund play?
So Granlund in the Olympics, here we come!
I'm sure Granlund's contractual obligations to HIFK trump the U-18 in this case. Besides, even in the eyes of the scouts, I can't see how U-18 would be more important than playing an important role in the semis. Just look at how much breaking the point record in the U-18 did for Rajala's stock
I'm sure Granlund's contractual obligations to HIFK trump the U-18 in this case. Besides, even in the eyes of the scouts, I can't see how U-18 would be more important than playing an important role in the semis. Just look at how much breaking the point record in the U-18 did for Rajala's stock
In Rajala's case his size (mainly weight) and reputation as a perimeter played had more to do than his scoring. One could ask how low would he have been drafted without breaking the record? I personally think Granlund's people (agent) and propbably himself will push for the U-18 tournament, especially if he has a less than stellar showing at the U-20 WJC. Also, there won't be any scouts watching the SM-liiga playoffs at the time.
I haven't really followed the SM-Liiga that closely in a long while, but when comparing his numbers to guys who played 10 years ago, we should remember how terrible the SM-Liiga is now compared to before.
I mean, here's a list of guys who played just for HIFK between the years 1997-2001, as an example:
Brian Rafalski
Kimmo Timonen
Marek Zidlicky
Toni Lydman
Olli Jokinen
Tuomo Ruutu
Jarkko Ruutu
Niklas Hagman
Niklas Backstrom
So it's a bit different putting up big numbers against guys who wouldn't have cracked the top 2 pairs just ten years ago.
In Rajala's case his size (mainly weight) and reputation as a perimeter played had more to do than his scoring. One could ask how low would he have been drafted without breaking the record? I personally think Granlund's people (agent) and propbably himself will push for the U-18 tournament, especially if he has a less than stellar showing at the U-20 WJC. Also, there won't be any scouts watching the SM-liiga playoffs at the time.
Considered the expectations (which admittedly were just too much, though), Rajala did go suprisingly low, considered his play and hype though. At least IMO.
I understand there are no scouts, or if there are, they will be scarce at the FEL semifinals, but as I would definately say that if the U-20 would be #1 for him as regards to draft position when compared, I really don't see how U-18, in which the competition level really ain't even close, I can't see why
a) Granlund, let alone his scout, think that achieving big things would be more amazing than excelling at a very high competition level against men
b) Scouts in general would value dominating U-18 players more than being one of the best players in your men's team in the semi-finals in the FEL
c) HIFK would let Granlund go play in a U-18 tournament, when as far as I understand, they don't have an obligation to. Especially when he is one of their most important players (top point scorer ATM with Jerry Ahtola IIRC).
All this is of course only IMO, and only if the situation stays the same, i.e. Granlund will continue to be one of the leading players with HIFK.
I understand there are no scouts, or if there are, they will be scarce at the FEL semifinals, but as I would definately say that if the U-20 would be #1 for him as regards to draft position when compared, I really don't see how U-18, in which the competition level really ain't even close, I can't see why
a) Granlund, let alone his scout, think that achieving big things would be more amazing than excelling at a very high competition level against men
b) Scouts in general would value dominating U-18 players more than being one of the best players in your men's team in the semi-finals in the FEL
c) HIFK would let Granlund go play in a U-18 tournament, when as far as I understand, they don't have an obligation to. Especially when he is one of their most important players (top point scorer ATM with Jerry Ahtola IIRC).
All this is of course only IMO, and only if the situation stays the same, i.e. Granlund will continue to be one of the leading players with HIFK.
Because all the available scouts will be at the U-18 WJC, not domestic league playoffs. They can get a much better comparison against players he's "competing" against at the Draft, like some of the Russians. That factors heavily come Draft day, how did he fair against player X when they faced each other or other players from him own age group.
Teams are obligated to release players for the national team, you should know this by now from all the EHT whinings at jatkoaika. Though this could be the first time there is a scheduling conflict between SM-liiga playoffs and a U-18 WJC.
Because all the available scouts will be at the U-18 WJC, not domestic league playoffs. They can get a much better comparison against players he's "competing" against at the Draft, like some of the Russians. That factors heavily come Draft day, how did he fair against player X when they faced each other or other players from him own age group.
Teams are obligated to release players for the national team, you should know this by now from all the EHT whinings at jatkoaika. Though this could be the first time there is a scheduling conflict between SM-liiga playoffs and a U-18 WJC.
I know it is for men's national team, but thought it wouldn't have involved the U-18 team. My bad.
I still doubting the first one, but like said, this is simply my opinion, which really ain't worth anything in this matter, simply saying how I would see it
