[IMGL="white"]http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/tc_0960_thumb.jpg[/imgl] As Kings’ fans prepare for next season, it seems worth time to figure who out on the farm has a real shot of being a part of this team’s future. In 2004, the draft class then might surprise some, (as it did me), to see where Lauri Tukonen ranked and who he was ranked with by The Sporting News:
“Of the top five building blocks going into this year's entry draft, which will be June 26-27 in Raleigh, N.C., three are from Europe:
1. Alexander Ovechkin, LW, 18, 6-2/210, Moscow Dynamo;
2. Evgeni Malkin, C, 17, 6-3/195, Magnitogorsk Metallurg;
3. Cam Barker, D, 18, 6-3/215, Medicine Hat Tigers;
4. Lauri Tukonen, RW, 17, 6-2/200, Espoo Blues
Strengths: Tukonen, competitive and tenacious, plays as if he does not know the word quit. He has the creative hockey sense to become a scorer, but his physical presence could make him a power forward. He has an excellent shot in close, with a quick release, and is a strong skater. Tukonen makes solid decisions with the puck and has a knack for finding rebounds and loose pucks in the slot.
Weaknesses: Although he is expected to make the jump to the NHL quicker than most, he needs to work on his game when he doesn't have the puck--namely his angles and plugging the gaps while limiting the opposition's options.
Scouting buzz: "I was surprised to see how dominant he was one-on-one and how he controls the play."
Plays like: Marian Hossa, Senators
5. Andrew Ladd, LW, 18, 6-2/210, Calgary Hitmen.”
Sporting News Top Five Picks for 2004 Draft
While hindsight is always 20/20, looking back four years and where these players are today, no one would put Tukonen, Ovechkin and Malkin in the same sentence EVER again. This is more proof of how much of the draft is the roll of the dice and the general consensus can be wrong. Really.
In case some think the Sporting News held these opinions alone, check out the Red Line Report’s take:
Here is Red Line's final list of the top draft eligible prospects for the NHL's 2004 Entry Draft in Raleigh on June 25-26.
NO. PLAYER POS HT/WT S DOB TEAM
1. Ovechkin LW 6-1/195 R 17 SEP 85 Dynamo
2. Evgeni Malkin C 6-3/186 L 31 JUL 86 Magnitogorsk
3. Cam Barker D 6-3/206 L 04 APR 86 Medicine Hat
4. Alexander Radulov RW 6-1/178 L 05 JUL 86 Dynamo
5. Lauri Tukonen C-RW 6-2/196 R 01 SEP 86 Espoo
Red Line Report’s 2004 Draft Selections
Now that I am thoroughly sobored as to the possibilities, lets take a gander at what Tukonen has done since being drafted by the Kings at 11th overall in 2004. Here is what Taylor had to say about him prior to the 2006 season:
"We're not really eager to uproot a (young player)," said Los Angeles General Manager Dave Taylor. "But in Finland he didn't have a steady opportunity for his development. It was good for him to come over to Manchester, plus we also loaned him out for the World Junior tournament, and he played very well there.
I think for him it’s just maturity, said Taylor. He’s got a good frame, he’s just got to add to it. He’s pretty solid on his skates, and he’s an above average skater for a guy (his size). He can move through the neutral zone well, and he’s gotten some big goals for us. We like his upside. He’s got the tools and the defensive awareness to play in the top nine.”
Taylor’s Take on Tukonen
Fast forward yet again, here is Crawford’s take on him after his first NHL game:
[IMGR="white"]http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/6/2/2/Hartford103005-015Tukonen.jpg[/imgr]
“Tukonen played just under seven minutes. Early on, he was with Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Sometime early in the second period, Crawford started using him with Brian Willsie and Jamie Lundmark. He said afterwards of the debut, “Tukonen looked better [when he was] with Lundmark and Willsie.” Overall, the boss seemed happy with the Finn’s 13-shift effort.
Hockey's Future on Tukonen
Some fans debated the merits and future of Tukonen, where amongst other things, his injury woes were mentioned. Here is one fan’s take, Hollylyn, as well as the link to read the entire thread:
“I think he realized that he's in a bit of a precarious position as far as trade options go as a player to slightly sweeten the pot, as well as realizing that he's no longer the best skater and puck handler on the team and decided that if he wanted to stay in Manchester and get another shot up with the Kings he needed to step his game up.
The basics of his style are still the same, strong skating, strong handling, decent playmaking. However, he no longer plays like he's afraid of physical contact with other players. I know that he's had a few head injuries which naturally make a player somewhat wary, but he used to play as if it were a no contact game. Now there are times when I'll be like "Who the hell was that?" only to realize it was Tuk. He's gotten much more aggressive about going after the pucks and frequently is the first of his line to charge in to battle for it in the corners.
Hell, there was one night that he challenged the goalie for the puck, which is something that two, three months ago he never would have even thought about doing.
Fans Discuss Tukonen
The Daily News recently interviewed the Manchester Monarchs’ head coach, Mark Morris, who had this to say about Tukonen’s play of late:
“I think Lauri Tukonen has also really turned it up a notch. He’s getting more physically involved, scoring some big goals and we’ve even put a letter on his sweater because he is starting to speak up in the locker room. This being his third year, his game has really started to take off. His game has been inconsistent, but as of late, playing with guys like Brian Boyle, those two guys have really complemented one another quite well.”
Morris on Tukonen
For some face to face time with Tukonen, watch these:
Two Minutes with Tukonen 2006 Junior Championship’s #7th Best Goal from Tukonen
The jury is obviously still out on Tukonen. It nonetheless bodes well that Tukonen is finishing his season strong in Manchester. His future is no doubt in his hands. I will end with one thing my Father told me that has stayed with me for two decades. Once you arrive at your goal, no one asks how long it took, or what it took to get there, others just see you at the finish line and go from there.
If Tukonen gets to the NHL level, the fact that at one time he was compared to Ovechkin and Malkin will never be mentioned again. At worst, he will merely be called a late bloomer. And, there is nothing wrong with that.
Carla Muller Carla.hockeygal@att.net