Over the weekend, Lassi Alanen from EliteProspects.com reported that Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Kalle Loponen will be joining KooKoo in Liiga (Finnish Elite League) next season.
Loponen was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 7th round of the 2019 NHL draft with the 204th overall pick. He is one of a handful of prospects that Toronto general manager Kyle Dubas has drafted out of Finland in recent years.
The decision to switch teams is a good one for Loponen. He should be able to get more playing time with KooKoo than he would with Karpat next season.
Although he did well with the Karpat U20 team this season, it is now time for him to move on to better his development.
Toronto Maple Leafs Prospect Kalle Loponen’s 2020-21 Season
As previously mentioned, Loponen spent this season with Karpat U20 in Liiga. He recorded 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points in 36 games. Those stats resulted in him being named the league’s best defenseman.
Ilta-Sanomat reports that Kalle Loponen (TOR) will be joining KooKoo for next season.
— Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) April 25, 2021
Loponen added 11 goals and 33 points in 36 games with Kärpät’s U20 team this season and was named the league’s best defenceman. #LeafsForever
He also finished the season with a +29 rating and 26 penalty minutes. Loponen registered one assist in five playoff games for Karpat U20 to end the season.
What Comes Next for Loponen
The young right-shooting defenseman has proven he can play well at the junior level. Now he needs to prove he can play and compete in the Men’s league.
A full season with KooKoo should give him every opportunity to prove that he belongs. Loponen should see plenty of ice time this season with KooKoo. That will allow him plenty of time to learn from any mistakes and correct them.
The one area where he needs to improve the most is his defensive game. He has established himself as a good offensive defenseman, but he still needs to be a good defender in the defensive end of the ice.
Kalle Loponen Scouting Reports
Jokke Nevalainen from DobberProspects.com: “Smallish defenseman who thrives in transitions and on the power play. Has a powerful slap shot and likes to throw his body around. Needs to work on his defensive game.”
Bill Placzek from Lines.com: “Undersized defender who plays with the jam of a bigger man due to his core strength. Good skater with good hands who is skilled in both receiving pucks and passing them on at full speed. Can spin away from forechecking pressure and use his strong wrists to quickly get the biscuit up in transition. Can make thread the needle to the long pass out. Knows when to pinch on the attack, and will join rushes. Will walk the blue and get the puck to his forwards. Can place pucks over shot blockers and has a hard pass. Long term developmental guy.”
Loponen had a good season in 2020-21, but next season will be a big test for the young defenseman. If he can prove that he can compete at the men’s level in Liiga, then I think it will help his chances at being signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
It wouldn’t hurt the Toronto organization to have another right-shooting defenseman in their prospect cupboard.