MARKUS HANNIKAINEN - Left Winger - 26 - RFA in 2019-2020
LAST UPDATED 8/1/19
Hannikainen, a former star for JyP HT Jyvaskyla of SM-Liiga in Finland, has fit in well in the Blue Jackets organization and looks poised to potentially seize the opportunity for more ice time he's been afforded thanks to Columbus' free agent exodus. Hannikainen is a skilled player at heart. He's not a massive winger, nor is he a strong two-way player. His defensive positioning is lacking and he isn't gritty enough to reliably win board battles or create sufficient pressure on opposing puck carriers to be considered anything other than a marginal defensive contributor, despite his best efforts. His production at the AHL level has been strong, and suggests that he has more NHL upside than his most recent seven point campaign would indicate. He's a decent skater and has strong offensive instincts. He knows where to go and where to be in the offensive zone, but his shot is only average at best and he lacks elite puck skills. He's shown the ability to be a strong playmaker at lower levels of hockey but it just has not translated into NHL success. At 26 years old, Hannikainen's time as a prospect is probably over, so 2018-19 is likely his last chance to cement himself as an NHL player, because right now he's not there yet.
Hannikainen, a former star for JyP HT Jyvaskyla of SM-Liiga in Finland, has fit in well in the Blue Jackets organization and looks poised to potentially seize the opportunity for more ice time he's been afforded thanks to Columbus' free agent exodus. Hannikainen is a skilled player at heart. He's not a massive winger, nor is he a strong two-way player. His defensive positioning is lacking and he isn't gritty enough to reliably win board battles or create sufficient pressure on opposing puck carriers to be considered anything other than a marginal defensive contributor, despite his best efforts. His production at the AHL level has been strong, and suggests that he has more NHL upside than his most recent seven point campaign would indicate. He's a decent skater and has strong offensive instincts. He knows where to go and where to be in the offensive zone, but his shot is only average at best and he lacks elite puck skills. He's shown the ability to be a strong playmaker at lower levels of hockey but it just has not translated into NHL success. At 26 years old, Hannikainen's time as a prospect is probably over, so 2018-19 is likely his last chance to cement himself as an NHL player, because right now he's not there yet.
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