Just seen this interview and at the end Osala talks about his game and the player he would like to emulate being Erik Cole.
Kids pretty big too already at 6'4 and 225lbs
Was the Finnish rookie of the year this past season
Has good hand eye, can score goals
Is a strong hitter and finishes his checks.
Like is if Osala achieves his goal and becomes a Cole type player that is so scary in Washington.
Ovechkin is a very physical player and then having the threat of throwing another power forward out there who hits hard, Osala will have nowhere near the offensive game as Ovechkin but if he has the physical game, in the playoffs that's deadly will just destroy opposing defenses over a seven game series.
lots of Caps fans are high on Osala and cannot wait to see him play in Hershey... what's not to like? Big, solid, good skater, loves the physical side, good shot, pretty fast too...
There is nothing wrong with 30G 60Pts, 200hits and reliable in the defensive end per season.
Yeah. Ppl are expecting a bit too much from every1... I mean just 28 players scored last season 30goals or more. And just 63 players had 60points or more.
So obviously being 30 goalscorer and 60pts hitting is very good and every team would take winger like that. Even without too much physical presence, but if having 200hits, well even more so.
So if Osala could do it, well that would be very good.
He looks like a pretty good prospect. I want to actually see him play before I make to many comments. But from what I understand he should become a pretty solid player.
Oskar Osala was easily my favourite player last year in Finland outside of my own team. I´m very excited to see how he performs in Hershey and maybe few games in the Caps too.
He could be useful in the Caps lower lines the whole season but I think it would be better for him to get bigger minutes and role in Hershey. You are going to love him there!
Finland haven't had a prospect like him (power forward type) in ages...
Osala looked very good in the Caps-Flyers rookie game this past Thursday. They guy is a big rig and know how to use the body to impose his will on the ice.
Since when does wanting to be like Erik Cole make you into a potential Erik Cole-ish player?
Hate to poop on everyone's party, but the kid's one year removed from finishing 9th in scoring on the Mississauga Ice Dogs in his post-draft year, behind forwards younger than him like Legein and Caputi. And the SM-liiga ROY sounds impressive, until you realize that he was 5th in team scoring, and his name joins the list of other Finnish rookie luminaries over the past few years like Tuomas Suominen, Perttu Lindgren, and Simo Vidgren.
He could end up a nice player, but let's not go overboard here. If he were to become like Cole, he'd be blowing away anyone's reasonable expectations.
Since when does wanting to be like Erik Cole make you into a potential Erik Cole-ish player?
Hate to poop on everyone's party, but the kid's one year removed from finishing 9th in scoring on the Mississauga Ice Dogs in his post-draft year, behind forwards younger than him like Legein and Caputi. And the SM-liiga ROY sounds impressive, until you realize that he was 5th in team scoring, and his name joins the list of other Finnish rookie luminaries over the past few years like Tuomas Suominen, Perttu Lindgren, and Simo Vidgren.
He could end up a nice player, but let's not go overboard here. If he were to become like Cole, he'd be blowing away anyone's reasonable expectations.
You also forgot to mention that he was dynamite at all the Caps camps, going as far as impressing Bruce Boudreau who has said he could win a spot in camp as soon as this season.
But of course Bruce does not know what he is talking about.
Since when does wanting to be like Erik Cole make you into a potential Erik Cole-ish player?
Hate to poop on everyone's party, but the kid's one year removed from finishing 9th in scoring on the Mississauga Ice Dogs in his post-draft year, behind forwards younger than him like Legein and Caputi. And the SM-liiga ROY sounds impressive, until you realize that he was 5th in team scoring, and his name joins the list of other Finnish rookie luminaries over the past few years like Tuomas Suominen, Perttu Lindgren, and Simo Vidgren.
He could end up a nice player, but let's not go overboard here. If he were to become like Cole, he'd be blowing away anyone's reasonable expectations.
I've read and heard that the Ice Dogs coach was an idiot and had Osala playing low minutes. Also look at Osala's world junior numbers, he was great.
Since when does wanting to be like Erik Cole make you into a potential Erik Cole-ish player?
Hate to poop on everyone's party, but the kid's one year removed from finishing 9th in scoring on the Mississauga Ice Dogs in his post-draft year, behind forwards younger than him like Legein and Caputi. And the SM-liiga ROY sounds impressive, until you realize that he was 5th in team scoring, and his name joins the list of other Finnish rookie luminaries over the past few years like Tuomas Suominen, Perttu Lindgren, and Simo Vidgren.
He could end up a nice player, but let's not go overboard here. If he were to become like Cole, he'd be blowing away anyone's reasonable expectations.
Oh, mr.Reasonable guy.
In OHL he had problems with coach.
As for SM Liiga, err a 19 y.o. finishes 9 points away from teams top scorer(2nd best team in Liga) and 2nd on team in goals. How's that not impressive? You're saying like all this stuff is an ordinary thing but it isn't.
As for SM Liiga, err a 19 y.o. finishes 9 points away from teams top scorer(2nd best team in Liga) and 2nd on team in goals. How's that not impressive? You're saying like all this stuff is an ordinary thing but it isn't.
Didn't he set or tie a playoff record for goals (or points?) (by a rookie)
You also forgot to mention that he was dynamite at all the Caps camps, going as far as impressing Bruce Boudreau who has said he could win a spot in camp as soon as this season.
But of course Bruce does not know what he is talking about.
Yeah, winning a spot in camp and becoming Eric Cole are two different things. Like I said, it's very possible the kid becomes a player - he's got the frame and physical play, as well as some good offensive instincts. But it's beyond premature to say he's got Cole upside, or beyond that, as has been suggested in this thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Garl
Oh, mr.Reasonable guy.
In OHL he had problems with coach.
As for SM Liiga, err a 19 y.o. finishes 9 points away from teams top scorer(2nd best team in Liga) and 2nd on team in goals. How's that not impressive? You're saying like all this stuff is an ordinary thing but it isn't.
P.S. Lindgren is a decent prospect btw.
I like how you added the bit about Lindgren at the end, seeing as how he actually finished 2nd on his Liga team in scoring, and 2nd in goals, at 18.
But I don't think anyone's doing cartwheels over him or calling him the next Erik Cole.
Here's a list of Osala comparable '87s from just last year in the Liga:
It's a fairly regular occurrence. I'm not trying to disparage the kid, but let's be a little realistic here. His #s in '07-'08 aren't anything terribly special. Good, but certainly nothing jaw-dropping, and pretty much in line with his draft-year Finnish peers.
