The NHL has not had a dominant young Finnish superstar since arguably Teemu Selanne. That may all change when Mikael Granlund becomes the first European player to be drafted when the 2010 NHL Entry Draft arrives in June.
Playing for HIFK’s junior team in the Finnish Elite League in the 2008-09 season, Granlund dominated the competition, scoring 57 points in just 35 games. After being promoted to the big league for the 2009-10 season, the 5'10" 180-pound center put up 40 points in 43 games as a rookie in the second-highest league in Europe.
"He doesn't have the same kind of intensity [as Saku Koivu],” a Sports Illustrated writer says, “But he's very clever with the puck and has a good shot. I like his confidence. He's a 17-year-old kid playing in the top league in Finland and he's third on his team in scoring. He's not fancy but he makes things happen."
Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Alan Bass