You may not have heard a single name before today’s article. Some of these players have really gotten hot, like Keskinen, while others have slumped but are still worth monitoring. If you are reading this Liiga Roundup, you are a keen fan of Columbus, Nashville, or Detroit — or you are a hockey fanatic, maybe both.
Liiga is one of the top professional hockey leagues in Europe. Prospects that can produce and make an impact at this level are worthy stashes.
Let’s jump in.
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Oiva Keskinen, C/LW, 6-0 — 193 overall in 2023, CBJ
10G, 10A, 32GP
After finishing his rookie campaign as a finalist for Rookie of the Year in Liiga, Keskinen continued to develop his game. He is a shoot-first winger and pivot, and the accuracy of his shot is a weapon in itself. But it is his consistent ability to get it off through traffic, in transition, and off the pass that makes Keskinen a constant threat.
He started the 2025–26 season with a modest 10 points through the first 22 games, and he has since exploded with as many points in just 10 games. Keskinen is proving that despite average size, his above-average skill, shot, and work rate make him a projectable NHL prospect.
He is one year into a three-year contract with the Blue Jackets. Keskinen is set to move to North America in his D+4 season. He is an unknown name in most formats, but like Luca Pinelli before him, he could burst onto the scene in Columbus’ AHL system. If he can translate his impact from Liiga to the AHL with ease, Keskinen is on track to become a valuable third-line NHLer.
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Jesse Kiiskinen, RW, 6-1 — 68 overall in 2023, DET
12G, 8A, 38GP
Kiiskinen has had a tumultuous year in Finland, highlighted by not being named to the World Juniors roster. Last year, Kiiskinen wore the ‘A’ for Finland after racking up a point-per-game season in Liiga.
Now, he is on pace for 28 points in 52 games — a far cry from his 44 points in 46 games the year prior. He was featured in October in a Liiga Roundup edition after racking up 12 points in his first 17 games, but he has scored only eight since.
A trajectory is never a straight line, but Liiga has produced high-end prospects who have shown consistent, high-level production in that league. Not being able to maintain that bar does not bode well for his ceiling.
Kiiskinen has been much less engaged and has been limited mostly to perimeter play. His calling card last year was constant engagement, aggressive forechecking, and wreaking havoc in the slot.
If Kiiskinen can finish the year strongly in Finland and make the jump to the AHL next season, his ceiling still screams middle-six NHLer. However, if he cannot acclimate his game quickly in North America, he may become irrelevant in even the deepest formats.
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Kasper Kulonummi, RHD, 6-0 — 84 overall in 2022, NSH
6G, 10A, 27GP
For a 21-year-old right-shot defender, 0.59 PPG in one of Europe’s most competitive professional leagues is extremely impressive. Kulonummi is a puck-mover whose defensive game is just as sound as his offensive impact. He is not a large defender, but he effectively uses his length to poke pucks away from attackers and retrieve possession.
His skating is his true edge, allowing him to maintain gap control and leverage his weight against opponents when they do not expect it. This all adds up to Kulonummi being an absolute hound on the puck, with his team largely controlling play when he is on the ice.
Kulonummi has played at a high level consistently on a nightly basis in a top-four role for his club. The Predators can expect him to make the jump to North America next year, but they might be surprised to see him earn NHL reps early.
His floor is that of a third-pairing NHL defender, but Kulonummi is just a few steps away from raising his ceiling to a top-four NHL defenseman who can impact the game offensively.
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Jere Somervuori, LW, 6-0 — undrafted in 2025, D+1 Player
5G, 6A, 41GP
This is where you might get the most bang for your buck in any reasonably deep dynasty format. Somervuori was passed on in the 2025 draft after an average season in Finland’s U20 circuit.
This year, however, he has taken massive strides at the professional level. Somervuori has 11 points through 41 games, which is on par with Jesse Kiiskinen’s D+1 season and several other notable prospects who went on to have stellar D+2 years in Liiga.
He is the hardest worker on the ice at any given moment. Somervuori engages defenders and attackers alike on both the forecheck and backcheck with intensity. He is not big — clocking in at 159 lbs — but he is deceptive and fast. He often strips opponents of the puck and immediately distributes it into transition plays or scoring chances.
Somervuori is eligible to be selected in 2026. With an August birthday, he is still just 18 years old. That amount of runway, combined with a solid start to his professional career, indicates he is a strong candidate to be drafted as a re-entry player.
He is worth picking up and stashing in 32-team dynasty formats with deep minors — potentially free money.
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Jan Bednar, G, 6-4 — 107 overall in 2020, DET
16-11-8, .915 SV%, 2.29 GAA
The oldest player on this list, Bednar was once a highly touted goalie prospect. He has since bounced around the QMJHL and ECHL, and even logged a very successful four-game stint in the AHL. Bednar was loaned to Ässät in Liiga this year, and he has been one of the league’s best goaltenders.
He currently has the most games played and is tied for the most wins at 16. His 2.29 GAA and .915 SV% are sparkling in a league that has seen increased scoring and weaker goaltending across the board.
Goalies take years to develop and often do not make an impact in the NHL until their age-23 to age-26 seasons. Bednar’s development has not stalled at any point — he has taken steps forward at every level.
The next step for Bednar is proving he can dominate the AHL and then hold his own at the NHL level. If he can do that, he is tracking toward earning a legitimate NHL opportunity.
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Liiga 2025 Season Watchlist
This list will maintain the prospects covered in the Dobber Prospects monthly Liiga updates. The player ranks will be based on fantasy upside and updated with every new article. Contract status and NHL team situation is considered.
- Smits
- Rautiainen
- Kulonummi
- Rimpinen
- Suvanto
- Boelius
- Kiviharju
- Kiiskinen
- Keskinen
- Joki
- Koivu
- Bednar
- Huovila
- Kuhta
- Somervuori
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Final Thoughts
Most of these prospects, if not all, will be available in your dynasty leagues. Liiga is being led by young players earning premium ice time. It is becoming more of a developmental league, and if you train your eye to spot diamonds in the rough, you are sure to find them. Players like Hämeenaho — drafted in 2024 — have already contributed at the AHL and NHL levels. The league consistently produces responsible, impactful young players.
Not every player will pan out, but the ones that do are worth grabbing as soon as they hint at their potential.
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Thank you for reading this article on Liiga prospects. I’m Arden — a Vancouver-based Online Journalism and Broadcasting student with a passion for community storytelling, hockey, and photography. You can find more of my work and my contact information on my website: ardenmcleod.ca