SoupyFIN
#OneTerritory
- Nov 7, 2011
- 41,382
- 3,380
This past season 14 Finnish goalies suited up for at least one NHL game. Next season that number is going to hover around 8-9 (depends whether Rask retires and do any of the AHL guys get a chance). Two years from now looking at the worst possible scenario, as in everyone continuing their career paths based on the last few years, we'll be lucky to have four. Not fourteen like this past season, but four.
Saros is a safe bet to stick around despite his size.
Lankinen had a good rookie season, I don't see why he'd be out of a job.
Kähkönen tailed off towards the end, but should be in the mix.
Luukkonen might just make it purely because Buffalo doesn't have anyone better, obviously the potential is there as well.
I think the guys (Annunen for example) about to start in the AHL are too young and need more seasoning, but that's my four I'd predict to have an NHL job in two years. Now you might be looking at that and wondering where some guys are, I'll explain.
Rask has more than likely retired by this point, it might even happen this season.
Raanta has been injury prone for years and is getting up there in age, I think he goes back to Europe eventually.
Koskinen is KHL bound.
Korpisalo hasn't really done anything special outside of that bubble run, he needs to improve to stick around.
Husso same thing as Korpisalo with even less to show for.
Others probably aren't even worth mentioning.
TL;DR, we're f***ed. Well, not completely f***ed, but especially the top end goaltending is going to take a hit when Rask retires. Where's our next Kipper or Rinne?
Saros is a safe bet to stick around despite his size.
Lankinen had a good rookie season, I don't see why he'd be out of a job.
Kähkönen tailed off towards the end, but should be in the mix.
Luukkonen might just make it purely because Buffalo doesn't have anyone better, obviously the potential is there as well.
I think the guys (Annunen for example) about to start in the AHL are too young and need more seasoning, but that's my four I'd predict to have an NHL job in two years. Now you might be looking at that and wondering where some guys are, I'll explain.
Rask has more than likely retired by this point, it might even happen this season.
Raanta has been injury prone for years and is getting up there in age, I think he goes back to Europe eventually.
Koskinen is KHL bound.
Korpisalo hasn't really done anything special outside of that bubble run, he needs to improve to stick around.
Husso same thing as Korpisalo with even less to show for.
Others probably aren't even worth mentioning.
TL;DR, we're f***ed. Well, not completely f***ed, but especially the top end goaltending is going to take a hit when Rask retires. Where's our next Kipper or Rinne?