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Toronto Maple Leafs November Prospect Update Vol. 2 – Europe

By Patrick Morrison

VICTORIA , BC - DECEMBER 31: Pontus Holmberg #29 of Sweden versus Kazakhstan at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 31, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)
VICTORIA , BC - DECEMBER 31: Pontus Holmberg #29 of Sweden versus Kazakhstan at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 31, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 02: Eemeli Rasanen #7 of Finland controls the puck against Canada during a World Jr. Summer Showcase game at USA Hockey Arena on August 2, 2017 in Plymouth, Michigan. The Canada defeated Finland 6-5 in O.T. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eemeli Rasanen
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 02: Eemeli Rasanen #7 of Finland controls the puck against Canada during a World Jr. Summer Showcase game at USA Hockey Arena on August 2, 2017 in Plymouth, Michigan. The Canada defeated Finland 6-5 in O.T. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eemeli Rasanen /

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.

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