Without Joachim Kemer, Finland lacks the potential of blue-chip companies like Sweden, Canada and the United States. With no first-round picks on the roster, the talent gap between the countries is quickly becoming apparent. Finland still boasts some interesting prospects with legitimate fantasy her hockey upside. Once you’re done here, check out the rest of the world’s top fantasy hockey prospects in my International NHL Prospects series.
Finland went into the tournament expecting to challenge for a medal, and that’s exactly what happened. But no one expected the Czechs to have such a wild ending in the bronze medal match. Heartbroken, Finland was disappointed and wondered what had just happened.
Let’s dig deeper…
Fantasy Hockey Prospects Review: Team Finland
Kunimitsu Nikko, G, Seattle Kraken
2022 Draft, 2nd round, 58th overall
At 6 feet 4 inches tall, Cocco is a big goalie. The first thing you notice about Kokko is that he likes to stay awake longer than most people. He didn’t have his best performance at the World Juniors, going 1-4 with a 3.86 goals-against average and .860 save percentage.
The Finnish defense didn’t give him much relief. It wasn’t the strongest thing they brought into the tournament.
Cocco has a contract with La Liga for another season. It won’t be until 2025-2026 that he gets a chance to start his career in North America. There’s a lot to note about Kokko’s potential, but there’s also a lot to be wary of.
There’s a good chance I’ll be away from him for at least three or four years. If you have a wealth of prospects, consider adding him. In a league where roster spots are at a premium, I would keep him on my watchlist for a few years and see how he develops before assigning him a roster spot.
Artu Kalki, D, Vegas Golden Knights
2023 Draft, 3rd round, 96th overall
His first OHL season is just getting started. Kalki joined the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds in style, scoring 14 goals in his first 16 games. His 16 goals in 26 games are tied for the team’s top goalscoring total.
He needs to improve the pace of his game if he is to take the next real step in his development. He continues to play junior hockey for one more year before moving to the AHL.
His shot is his greatest asset. He has the potential to develop into a top-four defenseman who can run the power play.
The timeline for most third-round picks to play in the NHL typically takes three years or more. However, they may need to act a little sooner to add Karki, as the OHL production will be noticed quickly. Be prepared to take several years to see a return.
Jani Nyman, LW, Seattle Kraken;
2022 Draft, 2nd round, 49th overall
At 6-foot-4 and 216 pounds, Nyman is an imposing figure who loves to shoot the puck. Nyman plans to be a high-shooting goal scorer at the NHL level. There are concerns that he shoots the puck too much, and he could develop his plays a little more.
It will probably be another year, maybe two, before he knocks on the Krakens’ roster door. It will probably be three to four years before he makes a real impact at the NHL level.
He is only registered in 6% of Fantrax leagues. He’s probably sitting on your waiver wire right now. In a shallow prospect pool, I still wouldn’t claim him. The time axis is too far away. In deeper pools he is worth stashing.
Rasmus Kumplainen, C, Minnesota Wild
2023 Draft, 2nd round, 53rd overall
Kumplainen, another Finnish player who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 200 pounds, is a long-term project and plans to be a middle-six center someday. I say “someday” because Kumplainen has a similar wait time as Kokko.
Kumplainen’s biggest concern is skating. That’s one of his biggest indicators when looking at future prospects. How his skating and agility improve over the next two years will impact projections and his ceiling.
The one to watch at the moment is Kumplainen. He has 27 points in his first 27 OHL games, a very strong start to the season. Once he turns pro, his skating will become a more prominent issue. At this point, it will be another two years before he seriously considers drafting or claiming.
Add him to your watchlist now.
Leni Hamenaho, RW, New Jersey Devils;
2023 Draft, 2nd round, 58th overall
Like Kumplainen, Hamenaho needs to add speed and pace to his game.
His game style could easily translate to the NHL. Coaches like players who excel on the boards and are willing to go to the net. This is where Hameeenaho lives. He grinds for the puck and gets dirty around the net.
At this point, he looks more like a third-line winger than an impactful top-six forward. There’s still some good news here, but for now he’s a “wait and see” outlook. Rather than claiming Haminaho as a prospect or drafting him now, it would be better to claim him as a free agent once he reaches the NHL (in a few years).
Kasper Haltunen, RW, San Jose Sharks
2023 Draft, 2nd round, 36th overall
He is a big, sturdy winger who moves well for an 18-year-old at 6ft 3in. He’s a goalscorer first. His 20 goals in 28 games for the London Knights backed up his words. He does not rely on a single type of shot and can score in multiple ways.
The still-inexperienced Haltunen will likely return to London for a second season before moving to the AHL. He’s an interesting prospect with legitimate offensive upside, even if his skillset isn’t yet polished.
Like the players on the Finnish junior team mentioned in this article, he has been waiting for a few years. With a safe middle-six, Haltunen could develop into a modest but solid top-six winger.
This concludes our review about Finland. Most of these players could return to the national team next year, making them a very interesting team.
thank you for reading.
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