Hartikainen Hauling KalPa Through The Playoffs
by Derek Zona on Apr 6, 2010 9:45 AM MDT
in Prospects
Email
Print
Teemu Hartikainen
#35 / Left Wing / KalPa
6-1
201
May 3, 1990
Round 6, 2008 #163 overall
Wasama Trophy Winner, 2008-2009
KalPa is getting more of a fight than they expected from Tappara in the SM-Liiga playoffs. Though they are up 3-2 in the series, two of KalPa's wins have come in overtime and KalPa only has a 15-13 advantage in goals scored thus far. The big story of the series has been Teemu Hartikainen's performance. When I posted my last update of the series, Hartikainen had thrown ten shots on goal and scored once in a KalPa overtime win. He had a goal in each of the first three games of the series. What I missed, however, was that Hartikainen had been promoted to the first line to begin game three as Sami Kapanen was struggling and KalPa coach Pekka Virta decided that Hartikainen was the best bet to get Kapanen going.
In game four, Hartikainen scored again. Four goals in four games and KalPa had only scored eleven total goals in the first four games. Hartikainen also found himself in the penalty box for fourteen minutes in game four - twice for minors and a ten-minute misconduct for arguing a high-sticking call.
KalPa lost forward Tuomas Kiiskisen for the rest of the season when he broke his hand - requiring surgery to repair the damage. Kiiskisen is a versatile right wing for KalPa and his loss puts a dent in their chances for a title.
In game five, Hartikainen again skated on the first line with Sami Kapanen, and responded with an assist and five shots on goal and a +3 as Kapanen finally heated up with a hat trick in another overtime win for KalPa.
Five games, four goals, five points and twenty three shots on goal. Hartikainen is on a roll right now in the playoffs, and he's doing it against tough competition. For those of you that love tournaments of small sample sizes, try to catch the Hartikainen bandwagon before it leaves town.
In other Hartikainen-related news, Teemu did an interview with Kuopio newspaper Savon Sanomat, which can be viewed here. In it, Hartikainen says that he's undecided on next season and that he hasn't made any plans either way. As if there isn't already enough excitement about the Oklahoma City AHL team next year, now there is a possibility that Hartikainen will join the squad.
15 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Hartikainen may be undecided, but don’t the Oilers have to sign him before June 1st, or he goes back into the 2010 draft?
I know the two year time limit has been a bit screwed up because of the lack of transfer agreements with some countries, but isn’t there an agreement with Finland?
There is an agreement with Finland – they signed it last summer IIRC – but I’m not sure about retaining rights.
by Scott Reynolds on Apr 6, 2010 11:28 AM MDT up reply actions
Hartikainen may be undecided, but don’t the Oilers have to sign him before June 1st, or he goes back into the 2010 draft?
Indeed they do.
Hartikainen – VandeVelde – Eberle in ’10 !!!
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Sign him up
I suspect T.Hart is also the kind of player who helps score goals for his team by screening and hitting, and his official numbers don’t show that.
by David Staples @ The Cult of Hockey on Apr 6, 2010 10:47 AM MDT reply actions
KalPa won the tight game six today leading our team for semi finals. Härski did tremendous job again, though no goals tonight (he wasted one breakaway).
He’s been quite possibly the best player in these playoffs. Hartikainen has been hitting hard, getting powerplays, and just dominating through whole series. Teemu wants to win at all costs and it shows on the ice. Very inspiring stuff!
I suspect T.Hart is also the kind of player who helps score goals for his team by screening and hitting, and his official numbers don’t show that.
You’re correct. Hartikainen is screening a lot (esp. on powerplays) and just shoveling those rebounds in. He’s not afraid in the war zone when our star defender Adam Andersson, who happens to have one of hardest slap shots in our league, keeps on bombing all night.
Awesome. Thanks Waker. Our team absolutely needs guys who can go into the tough areas and actually do something while they’re in there. I thought Harski showed well at the World Jrs. in this respect.
Congrats on your playoff series win. What opponent will KalPa face now?
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
by Bruce McCurdy on Apr 7, 2010 2:27 PM MDT up reply actions
Thanks. Next we will be facing either HPK (Hämeenlinnan Pallokerho) or Oulun Kärpät. Game seven of JYP-Kärpät series will be tomorrow so it depents on the outcome. Exciting times.
I’m really hoping that Teemu would head to the AHL next season to learn the North American style of play properly.
I’m really hoping that Teemu would head to the AHL next season to learn the North American style of play properly.
Has there been any talk of it outside of this interview?
Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.
Has there been any talk of it outside of this interview?
Not any that I know of. It’s all just speculation at this point. I’m aware that some NHL scouts (from Edmonton’s organization?) have been watching Teemu’s play in a couple of playoff games. The same thing happened with Porin Ässät’s young goaltender Jussi Rynnäs during the final games of regular season. Jussi is currently one of the hottest free agents out there. At least Oilers, Flyers, Ducks, Stars and Canadiens are after him.
As you have noted, the time limit of Hartikainen’s signing is running up soon. It’s highly probable that he will heading across the pond for next season.
Is it reasonable to suppose that the Oilers won’t – or even can’t? – talk formally to Hartikainen’s camp until his (contracted) season with KalPa has ended? I don’t mind waiting two more series! I just don’t want any Riley Nash-like whispers about re-entry, not after Derek has built my hopes up that we may have a keeper in this guy. There’s still lots of time to get a deal done, hopefully it’s just a formality that is waiting for its proper time.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
by Bruce McCurdy on Apr 8, 2010 12:30 PM MDT up reply actions
“Teemu Hartikainen” is Finnish for “Matthew Lombardi”.
Also, I am 99% sure that you can still negotiate with European players in leagues with a transfer agreement when their contracts are in place. Most European prospects are in contract when they come to North America but have release clauses.
by Benjamin Massey on Apr 8, 2010 12:47 PM MDT up reply actions
Yeah, that’s true. Nonetheless, aren’t said release clauses actually activated to enable the signing? Whereas obviously KalPa wouldn’t be releasing Harski just now.
I just hope Oilers don’t say “we’re offering you 6th rounder money, or half the airfare from Helsinki”. Hartikainen has improved his stock in the manner of Omark, who it seems to me got “overpaid” for his draft number.
In the main I’m happy with the job the org. has been doing in getting guys under contract this spring, so hopefully Hartikainen is simply one of the next in the series.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
by Bruce McCurdy on Apr 8, 2010 2:21 PM MDT up reply actions
It occurs to me, just now, that Edmonton and Hartikainen may already have a deal agreed upon or at least very close. Why isn’t it signed? Because that would activate Hartikainen’s release clause and take him out of the SM-liiga, which neither club nor player would want.
More plausibly, doubtless Hartikainen’s agent is hoping to use a strong playoff run to pad the contract a little. Right now, there’s nothing to worry about. The Oilers should never be letting players like this get away: this isn’t the old days where there was no money, and while he’s in the AHL it’s not like he counts on the cap.
by Benjamin Massey on Apr 8, 2010 3:31 PM MDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on The Copper & Blue
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Oilers Schedule
Last 5 Games
@
Vancouver
|
Sat 04/07 | L 0 - 3 |
|
Anaheim
|
Thu 04/05 | OT - L 2 - 3 |
|
@
Los Angeles
|
Mon 04/02 | L 0 - 2 |
|
@
Anaheim
|
Sun 04/01 | W 2 - 1 |
|
Los Angeles
|
Fri 03/30 | L 1 - 4 |
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Monday’s Three Stars: Parise scores, Brodeur saves in Game 4 Devils win
- Zach Parise, Devils respond after a quiet Game 3 to even series with Rangers in Game 4
- Mike Rupp shoves Brodeur, sparks Game 4 chaos as Devils, Rangers coaches squabble (VIDEO)
- Devils try to even series with Rangers; watch the ‘Sandley Cup’ get built (Playoff Puck Previews)
- Sean Avery: Not in NHL playoffs, getting a handle on semi-nude modeling (PHOTO)
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Brodeur, Parise lead Devils to 4-1 win over rattled Rangers; East final tied 2-2
- Brodeur, Parise lead Devils to 4-1 win over rattled Rangers; East final tied 2-2
- Wild prospects lead Saint John past Edmonton
- Labrie stars in Admirals 1-0 overtime win over IceCaps; Norfolk leads series 3-0
- Frattin scores twice, including winner, as Marlies defeat Barons 5-3 in Game 3
