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Toronto Maple Leafs European Prospect Update

By Patrick Morrison

TORONTO, ON- SEPTEMBER 10 - Eemeli Rasanen is checked by Bobby Dow as the the Toronto Maple Leafs Rookie team plays the Ottawa Senators Rookies in the 2017 Rookie Tournament at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto. September 10, 2017. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON- SEPTEMBER 10 - Eemeli Rasanen is checked by Bobby Dow as the the Toronto Maple Leafs Rookie team plays the Ottawa Senators Rookies in the 2017 Rookie Tournament at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto. September 10, 2017. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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VICTORIA , BC – DECEMBER 26: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen #1 of Finland attempts to make a save on Pontus Holmberg #29 of Sweden at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 26, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)
VICTORIA , BC – DECEMBER 26: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen #1 of Finland attempts to make a save on Pontus Holmberg #29 of Sweden at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 26, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /

Professional – SHL & KHL

Pontus Holmberg

Drafted – 2018, Round 6, #154
Age-20, Centre/Winger, 5’11, 179lbs
Pontus was drafted having been somewhat of an underachiever in junior. However, when the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted him his coach had already stated he had plans for Pontus at the SHL level. He spent last season with Vaxjo, putting up 10 points (3-7-10) in 47 games.

This season Pontus has an improved role with Vaxjo and is producing at a slightly higher rate in his first 8 games, managing 3 points (1-2-3) so far. He is considered to be a tidy, intelligent player who likely fills out as a bottom 6 forward. Considering his current tools and at the ago of 20, he could be the kind of player who could come across and fill a role with the Marlies.

Eemeli Rasanen

Drafted – 2017, Round 2, #59
Age-20, Right handed Defenceman, 6’7, 225lbs
Eemeli Rasanen hasn’t made life easy for himself over the past couple seasons. After what was a complete waste of a season last year in the KHL, the big man was given a chance with the Toronto Marlies. Instead he chose to return to the KHL for another year.

Eemeli Rasanen was consistently a healthy scratch throughout the 2018/19 season with Jokerit, which isn’t ideal for a developing player. He decided to return to the team again for 2019/20 and has already watched 4 from the press box and was dressed for the latest game, but never set foot on the ice. This is all ontop of him playing less than 7 minutes in each of his last two games.

Eemeli Rasanen was a player with a strong draft calibre who deemed himself ready for the professional game too soon. Sadly for him, this could be the downfall of his North American hockey career as he this appears to be heading towards a second pivotal development year thrown away by the big Finn.

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