Just Who Is…Markus Niemelainen ?

Back in late June, I gave the Edmonton Oilers a good review based on their draft. In my personal mock draft, I had Jesse Puljujarvi, Tyler Benson and Markus Niemelainen all being drafted in the first round. Instead, they were all grabbed by the Oilers in three consecutive picks!

Today’s focus on on the towering, left handed shot defenceman, Markus Niemelainen. While Puljujarvi was a gift from Columbus and Tyler Benson was an easy pick, Niemelainen joins a prospect pool that is very deep at his position. As Lowetide dubs it, The Leftorium adds another lefty. However, beyond the handedness, there is some good traits from Niemelainen.

So…Just Who Is Markus Niemelainen?

Back in June, I used The Hockey Writer’s Draft Profile and The Hockey News Draft Preview as resources. One of the first things you notice about Markus Niemelainen is his frame. Niemelainen stands at six feet and five inches. At the time of writing my draft grades, Niemelainen weighed at 189 pounds, which is a bit slim for that frame.

Niemelainen is a Finnish defenceman who last played in the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit. Last season was his first season on an North American rink and required a transitional period for the young Fin. When it comes to Niemelainen’s game, it’s one of those jack of all trades master of none. He’s not the type of defenceman that will wow you offensively. Yet, he does not struggle at moving the puck as he has a solid outbreak pass. He’s mobile, but you won’t say that Niemelainen is a speed demon on the ice.

No, the best part of Niemelainen’s game is the defensive part. Thanks to his frame, Niemelainen possesses an outstanding reach. While his frame is lanky, he is not easily displaced for net battles.

What Can We Expect?

Niemelainen is an interesting position with Saginaw. Saginaw was not a good team in the OHL and I would assume that he will be returning there.

Under a draft +1 season, I expect some progress in his overall game. From the scouting reports, Niemelainen sounds pretty secure defensively. To develop further, he needs to have a bit more offensive production (posted 1 goal and 27 points last season in 65 games).

As mentioned before, I would also like to see Niemelainen bulk up in regards to his frame. His size reminds me of a draft day Martin Marincin back in 2010: a very tall and very lanky defenceman. If he can get to the 210 range in a few years, I think that would be ideal.

However, most of these will not come all at once. As a defenceman, Niemelainen joins a position that develops like fine wine. Defenceman are notorious to take longer development wise compared to forwards. Add in having only one season of North American hockey under his belt, Niemelainen will require some time in the minors before getting a call to the Edmonton Oilers.

Will He Be A Long Term Oiler?

As with any draft pick, it’s difficult to say. As I mentioned with the Patrick Russell post, these type of prospects are going to require time to develop. Niemelainen unlike Russell, faces a huge logjam at his position on the left side.

Above him on the organizational depth chart includes: Oscar Klefbom, Andrej Sekera, Brandon Davidson, Darnell Nurse, Griffin Reinhart, David Musil, Jordan Oesterle, Mark Fraser, Joey Laleggia, Caleb Jones, Dillon Simpson and Ben Betker.

Unless in a few years something changes, Niemelainen could end up stuck in the log jam. Luckily, time is on Niemelainen’s side as a prospect to develop.