Samu Salminen

October 2024 – Salminen’s original projection as a middle-six center has been stymied a bit, but it’s possible that there is more in the tank for the 21-year-old. In the early goings of the NCAA season, he has relied more on his shot than in previous seasons, and it has worked out – his wrist shot has become more dangerous. Intelligence is still how he gets his points, but the shot, skating, and passing abilities are becoming more of an issue for the opposition. JP Gambatese

July 2024 – After two productive seasons at Connecticut, Salminen moves on to the University of Denver, bringing veteran experience to a championship Pioneers squad. He has modest stats with seven goals and 17 points in 35 games, but he continues to showcase craftiness offensively and uses his size well in his own end. Skating has made some positive improvements as well. There is potential for Salminen to become a well-rounded bottom-six forward. Austin Kelly

July 2021 – Salminen was selected in the third round, 68th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2021 NHL Draft. Nick Richard

March 2021 – The young Finn has been slowly creeping closer to the first round on many public draft boards. Samu Salminen is a skilled center that has a projectable frame at 6’3″ and 194lbs and the skill to play the modern game. His biggest concern is his mobility which could force him to the wing at the next level. Salminen is an incredibly smart player who has a knack for being in the right spot at the right time at both ends of the ice. His effort defensively can be very hit-or-miss but he has the length and puck skills to get into passing lanes and create turnovers. At the offensive end of the ice, Salminen can be very impressive. He has a good shot from the faceoff dots and he has quick hands that elevate in tight. He is very crafty around the net and can display some interesting moves as he tries to create from the net front or beside the net. When he spots an open man across the zone, he has the soft touch to feather a pass through traffic and find his teammates. He works the cycle well at the junior level and shows some decent strength around the walls but hasn’t played against men to show how he’d fair against that level like many of his European counterparts. Salminen has a very intriguing game and if his mobility was a bit better, he would likely be a late first-rounder without question. Pat Quinn