How can you not like a guy who unironically describes someone else as “strong like a bull”?

“Tapio Laakso is our center, he is strong like a bull and he can pass the puck very well.”

Is there any team in the NHL who needs a 3rd line centre who is strong like a bull & can pass the puck very well?

A 24 year old undrafted centre???

Hartikainen has been really good in last games. The wear and tear of WJC doesn’t really show – at all. I think there were couple of oppoturnities to score some extra too.

Tapio Laakso is a great centre to play with. He’s very strong (as Härski said) grinder type player. Good skater, good passer, pretty decent hands overall, tough as hell. The guy you want on ice when killing penalties. Laakso has leader qualities but is sometimes maybe even too unselfish and freezes occasionally when it’s time put the puck in. He used to crash the net a lot in the past but has changed his style in other direction lately.

I’d like to tell something about the organization Hartikainen Kuopio’s KalPa has a great junior academy and is one of the best places for rookies to develop. KalPa’s style of play is fast, modern and creative. Everything is about puck control, quality passing and everybody has to know how to defend.

I think so, yes. Hartikainen is excellent in making space for himself and is sometimes just unstoppable with the puck. He can’t tackle and receive hits as well as experienced Sami Kapanen for example but compensates those little shortcomings with his size and attitude. I think it could be some minor pacing problem. Finnish elite league is definitely more physical than Swedish equivalent and the kid is getting sparred really well now that he’s not incognito in the eyes of opponents anymore.

He tends to bail out and skate away when things get really hot in front of goal. It’s good that he’s so focused in the game itself and doesn’t draw stupid penalties, but on the other hand he might need to step up a bit more when playing in America to really win your team mates respect.

So nothing to worry there. His skating speed has grown by leaps and bounds, still an area to develop though. Positioning could be better too. I also wish he would use slapshot more often, it’s pretty good actually. He usually ends up taking a wrister. Can’t always do that in the Show, where’s no time and space you know.

Hartikainen has made 1+1 in two games, therefore continuing point streak of five games. Last year he ended with 23 points after 51 regular season games. Now Hartikainen tied his own record in only 32 games. You should notice that the goal-pass ratio is almost reversed (17+6 last season, 8+15 currently.) I’m expecting more goals and good playoffs from him.