Observations:

October 2017- In the 2015-16 season the Finnish netminder played in Bakersfield for the Condors of the AHL. He managed to play 18 games posting a 3.42 GAA and a 0.907 save percentage. In 2016-17, due to a crowded crease, he was sent to the ECHL where he played in just 11 games putting up a 3.77 GAA and a 0.881 save percentage. Now, at the start of the season he is back overseas playing for JYP in the Finnish Liiga. The quick netminder might never see ice time again for the Oilers organization, not because of skill but because the Oilers have a strong goaltending pool with names like: Stuart Skinner, Dylan Wells, and Nick Ellis. Spencer Pomoty

May 2015 – The Oilers signed Eetu Laurikainen to a two-year entry level contract. The 22-year-old was undrafted while playing top dog for the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos between 2012-2014. A product of Finland’s junior hockey pipeline, Eetu spent last season backstopping the Espoo Blues, where he was third in the league in save percentage (.933%) and best among all rookie goaltenders. He also posted 17 wins, a 2.10 goals against average and four shutouts, all remarkably impressive for a rookie goaltender playing in Finland’s top league. To put that in perspective, Pekka Rinne’s best save percentage of his SM-Liiga career was .927%. The two seasons prior, Laurikainen posted a .914% and .922% save percentage respectively for Swift Current. The lanky Laurikainen will certainly challenge for a spot on the big club right away after a year of experience playing against men. It is most likely that he ends up in a tandem with either Laurent Brossoit or one of Richard Bachman and Tyler Bunz depending on who the Oilers elect to re-sign. While it is too early to compare Laurikainen to Rinne or any other Finnish goaltender that has adapted quickly to life in the NHL before him, there are certainly high hopes for him right off the bat. Tyler Thomson

Fantasy Outlook: C-

It is unclear how soon Laurikainen will be given an opportunity. If he impresses early and the Oilers improve then he could be a dark horse backup within the year.

Footage:

Laurikainen profile for Swift Current:

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Eetu Laurikainen Statistics

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