Tarmo Reunanen

March 2022- Reunanen traded to Carolina for Center prospect, Maxim Letunov. The move is simply a numbers game, as the Rangers are very deep in defense prospects, including newly signed College UFA Brandon Scanlin. Brendan Ferry

March 2021 – As with so many prospects due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the beginning of Reunanen’s season was relatively disorienting in terms of his organizational assignment. Beginning his campaign in October on loan to  TuTo of Finlands second-tier professional league, Mestis, Reunanen played heavy minutes and contributed regular offence. His performance in Mestis quickly led to a mid-November promotion to Liiga where he joined HPK. By this point in his season, Reunanen had already shown significant growth in his poise and composure. He was recalled from his loan in February when the AHL resumed to play. During his recent development, Reunanen has gained a reputation as a bit of a powerplay specialist. Although he’s unlikely to overthrow any current Rangers for that role anytime soon, he appears to be next in line for promotion to the big squad. His first game with the Blueshirts came on March 15th where he earned an even-strength assist playing alongside Brendan Smith. Brayden Olafson

January 2020 – Reunanen’s first year under contract with the Rangers has been spent on loan with his Liiga club, Rauman Lukko. Production thanks to his strong evasiveness and puck skills have seemingly come to a plateau in the Liiga. On one of the leagues most productive teams, it’s a bit of a disappointment to see his offensive trajectory stall, especially since he’s always been regarded as a player whose value stems from his ability to contribute offensively. As he progresses through his entry-level contract, the biggest question surrounding his development will be whether or not the Rangers would prefer to see him overcome this stall in Finland, or come overseas to face an entirely different kind of competition. Brayden Olafson

June 2019 – The Rangers inked Reunanen to a three-year entry-level contract. This signing means that the Finn will make an attempt to convert his success from the top Finnish league to success in North America, and likely the AHL. It’s also yet another sign that the organization is taking steps towards revamping its farm development system with an infusion of young talented prospects. Brayden Olafson

March 2019 – Reunanen’s first full season in the Finnish Liiga has been a massive success, offensively speaking. The 21-year-old has tallied five goals in addition to just under twenty assists, which puts him in relatively elite company for his age bracket. There have been only five other Finnish defensemen under the age of 22 to reach the same level of offence – among the names: Sami Vatanen (x3), Sami Niku, and Esa Lindell. His ceiling is on the rise as a result. Brayden Olafson

September 2018 – Since being drafted in the summer of 2017, Reunanen has been in constant circulation between three of the top leagues in Finland. So far, this fall, it’s looking like he’ll be a fixture on the Liiga squad, Rauman Lukko. Rangers’ director of player personnel noted that he believes Reunanen possesses “elite hockey sense and elite hands”, high praise for a former fourth-round pick, and obvious high hopes for his future. Brayden Olafson