Professional – SHL & KHL
Pontus Holmberg
Drafted – 2018, Round 6, #154
Age-20, Centre/Winger, 5’11, 179lbs
Pontus Holmberg is still grinding away with the Lakers of the SHL, he’s now at 5 points (2-3-5) in his first 16 games played. He has been given opportunities primarily as a middle 6 forward this year, an improved role from 2018-19.
There is much to like about Holmberg as a prospect. While he doesn’t have glamorous numbers, he has been a lock on a professional team for the best part of two years now and his production has come exclusively at 5 on 5.
Eemeli Rasanen
Drafted – 2017, Round 2, #59
Age-20, Right handed Defenceman, 6’7, 225lbs
I still don’t understand this, and I fear I never will. Eemeli Rasanen was drafted with a ton of potential, a monstrous right shot defenceman with very good production numbers and a real old school edge.
Rasanen seemingly wasted an opportunity to join the Marlies a couple seasons back and potentially join the ranks of Marchment, Gauthier, Dermott and others on the list of talented players with skating deficiencies that were fixed whilst in the system. Instead, he chose to waste away in the KHL, a decision he appears to be doubling down on.
The biggest concern remains Rasanen’s usage as a 20 year old. He was loaned to the Mestis while Jokerit had a break in their schedule where he was given good minutes and produced (1-1-2) in 4 games.
Since returning to the KHL he has returned to his usual- dressed but doesn’t play, routine. Currently his last game played at the KHL level was in September, 9 games ago!
Something needs to change here; this is currently a re-run of last season and proving to be a waste of potential.