Ben Shelley: Otto Koivula Analysis

Koivula hopefully is our 3rd line center of the future if not this year most likely next year.

would love to have a 6' 4" 3rd line center flanked by dal colle and ho sang

Good times

Good times
- Cptmjl

Exciting times to be a hockey fan.

Exciting times to be a hockey fan.
- ses111

Unbelievable excitement. Especially for Islander fans.

Unbelievable excitement. Especially for Islander fans.
- Cptmjl

Maybe your idea of Lou being a teacher is spot on. Maybe most GM's think they are teachers. Let's move the offseason to winter.

Unbelievable excitement. Especially for Islander fans.
- Cptmjl

- nyisles7

This makes me happy for you.

This makes me happy for you.
- Cptmjl

I K

All I can go by is my own untrained eyes, but Koivula was a good, smart player in the handful of B-port games I saw him in. Even on a team with a lot of solid AHL vets, he looked like one of the more complete players out there...super calm; rarely out of position (which was kind of surprising since he was a winger who was only converted to center that season); took good, direct paths to the net; and usually knew when to pass, when to shoot, and when to get back on D.

All the write-ups talk about his skating as his biggest weakness, but that didn't really stand out to me in a noticeably bad way. I think his production could pick up beyond what he did last season, too. He had a lot to learn...new systems along with the rest of the team, but it was also his first season in North America and he was playing a new position that's not the easiest one to learn. With that all behind him, maybe even better numbers will come.

Dal Colle probably has the inside track on a roster spot out of all the young guns, but it wouldn't surprise me if Koivula cracks the roster at some point this season over some of the other more talked-about BPort options.

would love to have a 6' 4" 3rd line center flanked by dal colle and ho sang
- nyislsbossy

Is there still hope that those two will be NHL players? They're 23 years old now, no?

Is there still hope that those two will be NHL players? They're 23 years old now, no?
- BINGO!

Dal Colle seems to be a viable bottom six option. I think he's probably a player, albeit not a particularly valuable one.

Ho Sang has the skill, he's just mostly empty between the ears. If he doesn't stick wit the big club this year (unlikely, in my opinion) my guess is they dump him at some point and someone takes a low-cost chance on him. I doubt he ever figures it out, he's an odd duck.

I K
- nyisles7

Yes

Dal Colle seems to be a viable bottom six option. I think he's probably a player, albeit not a particularly valuable one.

Ho Sang has the skill, he's just mostly empty between the ears. If he doesn't stick wit the big club this year (unlikely, in my opinion) my guess is they dump him at some point and someone takes a low-cost chance on him. I doubt he ever figures it out, he's an odd duck.
- eichiefs9

Ho sang is a star in the making. Lameriello and Trotz are ruining him. Couple of racists.

Ho sang is a star in the making. Lameriello and Trotz are ruining him. Couple of racists.

You forgot Garth and Doug, they ruined Ho sang too, never HIM, ALWAYS someone else!

Dal Colle seems to be a viable bottom six option. I think he's probably a player, albeit not a particularly valuable one.

Ho Sang has the skill, he's just mostly empty between the ears. If he doesn't stick wit the big club this year (unlikely, in my opinion) my guess is they dump him at some point and someone takes a low-cost chance on him. I doubt he ever figures it out, he's an odd duck.
- eichiefs9

This.

I don’t think it’s out of the question to view MDC as Martin’s replacement.

Yes
- Cptmjl

Very Fair

Dal Colle seems to be a viable bottom six option. I think he's probably a player, albeit not a particularly valuable one.

Ho Sang has the skill, he's just mostly empty between the ears. If he doesn't stick wit the big club this year (unlikely, in my opinion) my guess is they dump him at some point and someone takes a low-cost chance on him. I doubt he ever figures it out, he's an odd duck.
- eichiefs9

That makes sense.

Ho sang is a star in the making. Lameriello and Trotz are ruining him. Couple of racists.

You forgot Garth and Doug, they ruined Ho sang too, never HIM, ALWAYS someone else!


- HolyDiver83

They are racists and so are you white devil.

All I can go by is my own untrained eyes, but Koivula was a good, smart player in the handful of B-port games I saw him in. Even on a team with a lot of solid AHL vets, he looked like one of the more complete players out there...super calm; rarely out of position (which was kind of surprising since he was a winger who was only converted to center that season); took good, direct paths to the net; and usually knew when to pass, when to shoot, and when to get back on D.

All the write-ups talk about his skating as his biggest weakness, but that didn't really stand out to me in a noticeably bad way. I think his production could pick up beyond what he did last season, too. He had a lot to learn...new systems along with the rest of the team, but it was also his first season in North America and he was playing a new position that's not the easiest one to learn. With that all behind him, maybe even better numbers will come.

Dal Colle probably has the inside track on a roster spot out of all the young guns, but it wouldn't surprise me if Koivula cracks the roster at some point this season over some of the other more talked-about BPort options.
- UIF

his skating is fine right now. I dont think its a weakness or something that would keep him out of the NHL... its fine.. and if it improves though watch out. saw him all of last season and he dominated at times.. he did tire and fade down the stretch probably since he has never played so many games but I expect big things from him in the AHL and I think he will be knocking on the door sooner rather than later

his skating is fine right now. I dont think its a weakness or something that would keep him out of the NHL... its fine.. and if it improves though watch out. saw him all of last season and he dominated at times.. he did tire and fade down the stretch probably since he has never played so many games but I expect big things from him in the AHL and I think he will be knocking on the door sooner rather than later
- Dan Petriw

- nyisles7

😂

his skating is fine right now. I dont think its a weakness or something that would keep him out of the NHL... its fine.. and if it improves though watch out. saw him all of last season and he dominated at times.. he did tire and fade down the stretch probably since he has never played so many games but I expect big things from him in the AHL and I think he will be knocking on the door sooner rather than later
- Dan Petriw

Thank You Dan and UIF for the scouting report! Very interesting that Boyle has not been signed by the Isles. Seemed to be some talk.

Thank You Dan and UIF for the scouting report! Very interesting that Boyle has not been signed by the Isles. Seemed to be some talk.
- ses111

Not really interesting.