more likely somebody in the wings front office has been playing eastside hockey manager 2007… on which leino is something of a cheat player, scored 65 points in his rookie season on my game. if he’s even half that good in real life, the wings have (another) steal.

Posted by fredster on 05/12/08 at 07:55 AM ET

That’s encouraging news.
And thank you for the point to James Mirtle’s blog. He has some good stuff on there. His is the second top notch hockey blog I’ve discovered in the past several weeks-the first is yours/Kukla’s Korner (incidentally, I discovered you by linking from The Wayne Fontes Experience).
Being new here, I may be simply rehashing an old topic, but why Abel to Yzerman (aside from their equal status as hockey gods)? Abel to Yzerman kind of suggests your blog runs the gamut ‘from A to Z’(or Y, as the case may be). What about Abel to Zombo (other than the uninspiring insinuation of mediocrity, of course)?

Posted by BobS. on 05/12/08 at 08:34 AM ET

Bait and switch. I love it, and the Wings will have another 30 goal two-way forward.

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 05/12/08 at 09:15 AM ET

and the Wings will have another 30 goal two-way forward.

I wouldn’t count on that.  Leino’s current reputation is built on him being a goal-scoring winger, a sniper that’s a good fit, but with defensive deficiencies.  Jokerit have put him at center in an effort to address those problems, but he’s still much more comfortable at wing where the responsibilities are fewer.  So I wouldn’t call him two-way just yet.  Of course, if he makes the Wings roster, Uncle Mike will kick his ass six ways from Sunday every time he has a defensive lapse.  And if Leino is as good as they say, he’ll learn quickly from his sore butt.  If he doesn’t, it’ll be Griffs for him.  That being said, he’s as defensively responsible as Brunnstrom—it’ll be interesting to see how he does in Dallas’ team defensive system.

Intriguing theory about Wunderkind Holland, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he had been playing his cards close to his chest, switching the shells, until the SM-Liiga season was concluded and Ari Vouri was solidly in place.  Risto Pakarinen is a savvy journo; I’ve read some of his stuff elsewhere and he has a good eye for players.  So if he thinks Leino is the real deal, it bodes well for his chances next year.  And of course, if Vouri turns out to be the next Hakan Andersson, I’ll do a little jig.  And poat it to YouTube. 

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from the CSS offices, laughing at their ineptitude on 05/12/08 at 09:51 AM ET

‘Poat’=Post.  Who put that A key next to the S?  Bettman, I’m looking in your direction…

And I meant to say ‘A sniper that’s a good fit with a playmaking center.’

It just hasn’t been my day on the keyboards.  Look for me to accidentally insult someone’s mother tonight on the liveblog.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from my bedroom, blaming my sore uh...wrists... on 05/12/08 at 10:00 AM ET

Here’s some info from his Red Wings Central page…

SCOUT COMMENTS
“He’s a heck of a competitor — he probably led the (Finnish SM-Liiga) in practice fights. He loves to come to the rink, he loves to practice, he loves to put his equipment on and compete. He’s strong on the puck down low, he’s a good cycle guy, and he draws a lot of penalties because of his puck control.” — Jokerit Helsinki head coach Doug Shedden (May 2008).

STRENGTHS
Plays a puck-possession style that fits the Red Wings’ current system to a T ... Exciting, dynamic offensive player who has the upside to be a real home-run acquisition ... Good playmaker ... Strong down low on the cycle ... Controls the puck well along the boards ... Great puckhandler who is dangerous 1-on-1 ... Soft hands ... Finishing ability has come a long way from his earlier years in Finland ... Competitive and determined ... Capable of playing center and right wing.

WEAKNESSES
Will need heavy defensive schooling ... Doesn’t have top-flight speed ... Needs to show his high skill level will translate to the pace, strength and physicality of North American hockey ... Overhandles the puck ... Poor shot-pass selection, sometimes opting for neither, and eventually loses the puck ... Needs to add muscle strength to emerge as an NHL player.

PROJECTION
Leino was signed after a stunning breakthrough season in Finland, for which he earned the country’s player-of-the-year award. There is a good chance he will start the 2008-09 season in the American Hockey League with the Grand Rapids Griffins adapting to the rigors of North American hockey.

My favorite line is “...he probably led the (Finnish SM-Liiga) in practice fights.” So, he either is great when practicing fighting…or he fights a lot in practice. Either way, it’s a very strange comment.

My least favorite line is “...Poor shot-pass selection, sometimes opting for neither, and eventually loses the puck…” Oh, please God, not another Sammy. One is more than enough.

Anyway, the bottom line is that Holland, once again, proves just how brilliant he and the rest of the Wings brain-trust really are. Kudos to them.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 05/12/08 at 11:24 AM ET

Doesn’t have top-flight speed

This will have to change. We love fast players and need them to play our defensive system; get working on those sprints kid (who is almost my age).

Posted by Osrt on 05/12/08 at 12:00 PM ET

Hudler isn’t the quickest skater around, either, but he’s doing alright.

He’s young and seems to be smart - he’ll learn.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/12/08 at 12:03 PM ET

OTC:
The fighting comment was indeed strange. Maybe incorrect language translation?

As for being like Sammy, the “poor shot-pass selection” comment didn’t thrill me, but at least we know Leino has a good shot. At times I’m trying to figure out if Sammy’s even trying to aim for the net or thereabouts.

I’m with Baroque on this: the kid will learn. Besides, based on the Great Grigorienko Experiment we know Leino will have to earn his spot.

Posted by Aphaea from Pennsylvania on 05/12/08 at 12:20 PM ET

At times I’m trying to figure out if Sammy’s even trying to aim for the net or thereabouts.

I’m guessing someone on the coaching staff told Sammy to ‘pick corners’ when he shoots.  Unfortunately, he interpreted that to mean the corners of the rink.

Posted by O-Joe on 05/12/08 at 12:31 PM ET

they should tell Franzen to aim for the goalie’s chest.  that way, since his shots are off by a few feet all the time, he’ll hit the corners.

sort of like when Mickey told Rocky: “hit the one in the middle”

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/12/08 at 04:11 PM ET