The Red Wings take another defenseman to kick off the 2nd round; they took Antti Tuomisto with the no. 35 pick.
Here’s what we know:
Vitals
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Born: Pori, FIN
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 194 lbs.
What are other people saying?
Here’s what Future Considerations says:
Big and strong on skates, Tuomisto is a huge defenseman with big potential. He displays powerful strides and is hard to knock offthe puck. He also possesses good mobility and speed for a big guy like him. his frame is not a deterrent in this regard. He needs to learn to use his size better in front of the net and in the corners, but overall he’s already an effective player in the defensive zone. He’s able to limit space for opposing players in the defensive zone due to solid gap control. He sometimes overcommits on hits, which result in him being out of position. He’s a strong presence on the ice and reads the game well.
Here’s what The Draft Analyst says:
Tuomisto is poised under pressure and uses a series of turns, pivots and cut-backs to avoid a harassing forechecker. He is a reliable puck handler, one who recalculates if he smells something fishy in coverage. Tuomisto is a sharp breakout passer but uses the standard stretch pass rather than float or saucer one over traffic. Using the same method, however, occasionally gets him into trouble when opponents telegraph his intentions. His wide-based skating style is a big hunched andawkward, but he’s quick to the outside and will take the puck into the offensive zone with a controlledconfidence. Tuomisto’s posture inside opposing territory is very aggressive, as he drops down to keepplays alive, will involve himself in a cycle or weave, and sneak into the high slot for a hammer blow off the pass.
Quick Analysis
I haven’t gotten a good look at Tuomisto, and Prashanth’s model did not have him, but from what I’ve gathered, he’s a towering defenseman who has a booming shot. He was on the top pair for both Assat U20 and Finland’s under-18 squad. In 45 games, he posted 35 points (9-26—35) this season.
My hope that either Kaliyev or Brink would fall to 35, but both players went in the picks leading up to Detroit’s pick. It’s clear that the Red Wings have had their scouts deep into Euro hockey this season. Tuomisto strikes me as a very raw, undeveloped talent. He’ll likely spend a few years playing in Finland before we see him in the AHL or NHL.
