DPR Episode 83: European Free Agents and Draft Prospects with Jokke Nevalainen

Jokke rejoins the podcast to help shed some light on this years crop of free agent talents potentially signing in the NHL, top prospects crossing the pond, and of course, draft eligible prospects.

First up is Top players coming tot he NHL. Kirill Kaprizov may be the best player outside the NHL and his highly anticipated NHL debut seems to be on the horizon. Is he going to have an impact like Artemi Panarin, or Vadim Shipachoyv?

Jokke has an even better comparison.

Is Alex Romanov going to be worth the hype? Is he the Habs next franchise defenseman?

Ilya Sorokin looks to be coming to North America. Will the NY Islanders prospect have the same type of immediate impact as Igor Shestorkin had with the Rangers?

Other prospects expected to play somewhere in North America covered include: Nils Lundkvist (NYR), Samuel Fagemo (LAK), Grigori Denisenko (FLA), Jesse Ylonen (MTL), Arttu Ruostalainen (BUF), Tim Berni (CBJ), and Andrei Altybarmakyan (CHI).

Prospects that may take a little longer that were also briefly touched on include Nils Hoglander (VAN), Dominik Bokk (CR), Justus Annunen (COL), and Mattias Macelli (ARI)

Free Agents coming to North America are always a tempting fantasy hockey add, and sometimes they pay dividends. This years crop is underwhelming but includes...

Alex Barabanov - Recently signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Don't expect similar upside as last years find in Ilya Mikhayev.

Mikko Lehtonen may be the jewel of the bunch, if he is in fact a free agent. Jokke explains more on that.

Julius Nattinen, previously an Anaheim prospect has rediscovered his game in Europe and may be headed back to North America.

Artyom Zub, links have him potentially headed to the Ottawa Senators.

Johannes Kinnvall, and Eemeli Suomi (Captian Finland) wrap up this segment.

2020 European draft prospects are all players Pete wanted to learn more about and include Shakir Mukhamadullin, Alex Pashin, Kasper Simontaival, Helge Grans, Noel Gunler, Zion Nybeck and Germans Stutzle and Peterka.

Jokke brings the good stuff for this episode, enjoy and thanks for listening!

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