Brief Update on Korpikari
Oct 22, 2004 9:40:11 GMT -5
Post by NWTHabsFan on Oct 22, 2004 9:40:11 GMT -5
I stumbled across Marksman2 in HF. He lives in Finland and is a supporter of Karpat, which is Oskari Korpikari's sm-liiga team. Osku is injured right now with a broken ankle, but I managed to ask Marksman2 how he was looking so far this season and here was his response:
Korpikari was looking like a regular to me, I'm guessing he bumps one of the oldtimers into bench warming duties when hes back. Seems to have had excellent training season and has matured both mentally and physically. Hes calmer with the puck and displays some mean streak aswell. Hes officially listed at 188cm/94kg (6'3"/207lbs) instead of that 6'1" 198 hes listed here on this site. Which I tend to believe slapping his back at the local sports bar couple months ago - I'm only skinny 5'11" myself, that guy has hands like shovels.
No points at the SM-league level yet, but part of that has to do with poor PP rates Kärpät produced in their first ten or so games. I dont know if the coach told him to make safe plays or if it is his own choise, but in my view he could try making outlet pass more often. Still, no complaining Osku is an effective mobile stay at home defender already in this league and clearly has reserves for more. Its only a matter of time now he starts putting points to the board. Kärpät is playing with high confidence right now, their offensive game has been improving lately, I'm hoping the coach starts encouraging him to take chances and jump into offensive side more often. I guess it doesnt hurt to train and play with NHL pro like Janne Niinimaa on your team either.
If hes able to get the offence going and put few more pounds, watch out Ron Hainsey.
Korpikari was looking like a regular to me, I'm guessing he bumps one of the oldtimers into bench warming duties when hes back. Seems to have had excellent training season and has matured both mentally and physically. Hes calmer with the puck and displays some mean streak aswell. Hes officially listed at 188cm/94kg (6'3"/207lbs) instead of that 6'1" 198 hes listed here on this site. Which I tend to believe slapping his back at the local sports bar couple months ago - I'm only skinny 5'11" myself, that guy has hands like shovels.
No points at the SM-league level yet, but part of that has to do with poor PP rates Kärpät produced in their first ten or so games. I dont know if the coach told him to make safe plays or if it is his own choise, but in my view he could try making outlet pass more often. Still, no complaining Osku is an effective mobile stay at home defender already in this league and clearly has reserves for more. Its only a matter of time now he starts putting points to the board. Kärpät is playing with high confidence right now, their offensive game has been improving lately, I'm hoping the coach starts encouraging him to take chances and jump into offensive side more often. I guess it doesnt hurt to train and play with NHL pro like Janne Niinimaa on your team either.
If hes able to get the offence going and put few more pounds, watch out Ron Hainsey.
