Le CH repêche Aatos Koivu avec le 70e choix (danslescoulisses.com)
Scouting report from Eliteprospects head of European scouting Lassi Alanen:
«Koivu is in many ways a traditional centreman. He makes sensible decisions with his positioning, always providing defenders and wingers with a pass option into the centre and supports his teammates well in all situations. The toolbox also includes one of the best shots on this list (of Finnish prospects), which makes Koivu a real threat from the left wing, especially on the power play. His repertoire includes a heavy and accurate one-timer as well as the ability to surprise goalkeepers with an inside-foot wrist shot.
However, it has to be said that Koivu was not yet a dominant player at U20 level. He had great difficulty breaking through to the centre ice at times and into prime goal-scoring areas with either passes or dekes, which led to long rotations in the corners and on the perimeter. The reasons for this can be found, at least in part, in his skating, where he provides a handicap for almost every foward ranked higher on this list. Last season's points tally at U20 level (31 in 28 games) is certainly flattering, but more than half of Koivu's goals and points came on the power play, which can be seen as something of a red flag.
But for Koivu, it is above all about what he could be in a few years' time, given how much progress he has made in the last year. It is possible that his ranking in this list will look silly even in the short term if things continue to develop as they did last year.»
Lassi Alanen sur X : "Koivu didn't yet dominate the 5v5 play at the Finnish U20 level; the majority of his production came on the power play. That being said, he's a late-bloomer who took a big developmental leap over the past year. You're banking on that trend continuing in the future. #GoHabsGo https://t.co/DVufLOqBM O" / X
PS Anthony Martineau sur X : ""Mon père et ma mère me parlent toujours de leur amour pour Montréal." En attendant de pouvoir avoir les première réactions d'Aatos Koivu, je vous offre notre entretien complet réalisé au Combine il y a à peine 3 semaines. Un super jeune homme, posé, qui connaît sa valeur. https://t.co/NOsQM9Lxv M" / X
Aatos Koivu sur son jeu : "I think I'm a two-way center who can play both directions responsibly. My strengths are my skating, my shot, my ability to read the game and I think a type of player that reminds me of myself is Sebastian Aho"
Pris sur HF Boards : «He is a late bloomer because of injuries and after that, a late growth spurt giving him 20 centimeters in the last 1½ years or so. At some point he was 180cm and 57kg ( 5'9 and 125lbs) which is obviously really skinny. Toolbox is there but right now missing the tools. Could be a gem of a pick.»
B/R Open Ice sur X : "Aatos Koivu, son of Saku, pulled off this SILKY shootout winner for Finland’s U18s 😮💨 https://t.co/KpDff9tbP i" / X
Ajout: J'ai lu qu'en plus de son bon tir, un bon coup de patin, il est très fort sur le cercle des mises en jeu.