It’s playoff time in Europe. Liiga playoffs are underway and teams are jockeying for a spot in the quarter-finals. A few notable prospects are playing meaningful minutes for their Liiga clubs, but not many are making a big splash. This edition of Liiga Roundup will highlight the few who are really turning it on, along with some late additions to your Finnish watch lists.

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Ville Ruotsalainen, LHD, 5-10 — undrafted 22-year-old

KalPa – 0G, 3A, 7GP (playoffs) / 7G, 13A, 19GP

Here’s the problem: Ruotsalainen is roughly the same size as Quinn Hughes and Lane Hutson, but he is not oozing with the same level of talent. However, what he is doing in Finland’s top pro league is tantalizing.

He had a great year last season with 14 points in 41 games, but 20 in 19 games this year is remarkable. He is turning 23 this summer and is currently set to be a free agent. NHL teams would be wise to call his agent. This kind of production from a defenseman in European professional leagues does not occur often, especially when the player is under 23 years old.

In today’s NHL, Ruotsalainen’s fast-paced, cerebral style of play would fit in well. He has a wicked slap shot. It is deceptively powerful while remaining accurate, and he gets the puck through traffic more often than not.

If he can prove himself on North American ice, he would be a sneaky addition to a weak defense corps that needs a boost. I could see him playing in the AHL next year and even getting a call to show his chops at the NHL level. He is worth adding in the deepest dynasty formats.

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Kasper Kulonummi, RHD, 6-0 — 84th overall in 2022 (NSH)

Kiekko-Espoo – 2G, 2A, 5GP (playoffs) / 7G, 14A, 42GP

Over the last three seasons, Kulonummi has improved each year. His first real look at consistent Liiga minutes came in his D+2 year in 2023-24, where he logged 0.10 points per game through 40 games. He followed that with 0.36 PPG through 47 games in 2024-25, and has really impressed with 0.50 PPG in 42 games while serving as a top-four staple this year.

Kulonummi is up for a new contract and looks poised to make the move to North America next year. He scored two goals and added two assists in four playoff appearances, really stepping up when it counts. That is exactly the type of elevated play teams look for in their young defensemen.

He is a mobile, intelligent, responsible puck-moving defender. His edgework is not elite, but combined with his acceleration, his skating makes him a constant force in transition. Whether joining the rush or backchecking, Kulonummi is almost always a step or two ahead of every skater on the ice. He knows how to position himself and how to make the first pass count from the back end.

Kulonummi is projecting well as an effective third-pairing defender in the NHL, but he could be a late bloomer and develop into a top-four option.

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Kim Saarinen, G, 19, 6-4 — 88th overall in 2024 (SEA)

HPK – 4-2-0, .962 SV%, 1.18 GAA (playoffs) / 12-14-12, .916 SV%, 2.11 GAA

This name is going to be a lot more well known next season. Saarinen already had an underrated season as one of the best goalies in the league, and he is not getting talked about enough. The playoff run he is on is going to be the turning point for that discourse.

Saarinen has secured four wins in his team’s first six playoff games, boasting a spectacular .962 save percentage. His goals-against average sits at 1.18. This run could turn out to be one of the best goalie performances in Liiga playoff history by a U20 player.

Expect the Kraken to see if they can pry Saarinen out of Finland this off-season. Their AHL team could use some competition in net, as Kokko has locked down the starter role but does not seem ready for the NHL.

Saarinen could push Kokko harder than anyone, as his potential is sky-high. In any reasonably competitive dynasty format, go pick him up immediately. Then just hold that stock.

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Ondrêj Kos, LW, 6-2 — 81st overall in 2024 (STL)

Ilves – 1G, 1A, 4GP in March

The Czech winger was given a shot to play Liiga minutes this month, and he ran with it. With only ten minutes of ice time per night, Kos showed his physicality and tenacity. He was always visible on the ice, trying to make a difference. Sometimes it burned him, but he has shown he is a quick learner at the junior level.

He had a two-point performance in his second game, and in his next two appearances he pushed the pace more and more. Kos has the potential to be a valuable prospect, projecting as a bottom-six pest who can score.

He is not worth adding just yet, but watch him early next season as he continues to build on his professional play. If he starts out hot, he could be one of the next young players to break out in Liiga. The tools are extremely raw, unpolished, and inconsistent, but he flashes high-impact potential when it all comes together.

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Liiga 2025 Season Watchlist

This list maintains the prospects covered in the Dobber Prospects monthly Liiga updates. Player ranks are based on fantasy upside and updated with every new article. Contract status and NHL team situation are considered.

1. Smits
2. Rautiainen
3. Kulonummi
4. Rimpinen
5. Suvanto
6. Keskinen
7. Saarinen
8. Kulonummi
9. Boelius
10. Kiviharju
11. Kiiskinen
12. Joki
13. Huovila
14. Ruotsalainen
15. Sulku
16. Saarelainen
17. Koivu
18. Kuhta
19. Somervuori
20. Soini
21. Bednar

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Final Thoughts

Next year, I would expect even bigger things from the youngest players in Liiga. The steps taken this year were positive, and Finland’s top clubs are leaning into the youth movement. The willingness to play even the youngest draft-eligible players is becoming more common in Liiga. As more players graduate from the junior system, expect the hype around prospects coming out of Finland to grow.

If any players are available from the top ten of this ranking, and maybe some further down depending on your format, add them before it is too late. Also be sure to familiarize yourself with the top junior and Mestis players in Finland right now, because those are the names that will seemingly come out of nowhere, like Keskinen, Rautiainen, and Saarinen.

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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