Rasmus Ristolainen
Defense
Born — Turku, Finland
Height 6.03 — Weight 207 — Shoots Right
Team: TPS Turku League: SM-Iiiga GP: 52 Goals: 3 Assists: 12 Points: 15 PIM: 32
Finland (U20) WJC-20 6 2 4 6 20
Rasmus Ristolainen played this past season for for TPS Turku in the SM-Liiga, the top men’s league in Finland. This is very impressive when you consider that when he played his first games in the league he was just 16 years old. His experience playing against older players should make his transition into the NHL a little easier than some of his draft competition.
Rasmus Ristolainen
He is a talented defenceman that generates a lot of offense from his defensive position. Ristolainen is very poised with the puck. He is a good stick-handler that makes a good first pass and makes smart plays coming out of his teams end.
RR is considered a good skater with good mobility for a big man. His speed is above average which allows him to join the rush.
Defensively, Ristolainen is a punishing physical hitter that loves to throw the body and can deliver some big hits. He battles hard in the corners and in front of the net, and plays with a bit of an edge. Like most 18 year olds, he will need to bulk up and add upper body strength before he can play his style of game at the NHL level.
Ristolainen’s top end potential has him projected to be a top pairing defenceman that can be used in all situations. Rasmus Ristolainen will be probably be gone long before the Jets pick. I see him going in the 5-8 range.
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