Syracuse Crunch

Fantasy Summary

Playmaking center with two-way ability and strong offensive instincts, though he struggles with pace and will need to work his skating ability to make it as an effective pro.


Observations

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June 2023 – Four lacklustre years from Somppi in the Tampa Bay Lightning organization were followed by a return to Finland for the young center. The Fin made his Liiga debut with Lukko this past season and has already signed a two-year contract with Tappara, beginning this fall. It’s somewhat unclear if Tampa Bay still holds his signing rights, but it doesn’t seem like Somppi has any intention of returning to North America. Wade Messier

November 2019 – Otto Somppi has secured a steady role with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, and in the early moments of the 2019-2020 season has already bested his AHL totals from 2018-2019. Through 10 games with the Crunch, Somppi currently sits at three goals and seven points, which bodes well for his overall projection. Should Somppi continue to find his footing at the pro level, there remains optimism that the young Fin can develop into a quality NHL forward. Brandon Holmes

March 2019 – Somppi has had a hard time fitting into Tampa’s farm system in his first pro season, as he’s primarily found himself split between a depth role on Syracuse or in the ECHL with the Orlando Solar Bears. Thus far in his AHL career, Somppi has struggled with the pace of the pro game and has largely been ineffective on the offensive side of the puck with just 2 points in 21 games, though his ECHL numbers are much more optimistic with 14 points in 12 games with the Solar Bears. Skating remains the biggest issue for Somppi and will be the biggest hurdle for him to overcome in order to push his way further up the lineup at the minor-pro level. However, there is still hope for Somppi because of his natural skill level. Brandon Holmes

April 2018 – In his final Major-Junior rally, Somppi made significant strides as an offensive weapon with the QMJHL’s perennial gold-standard for prospect development, Halifax Mooseheads. The former seventh-round pick was left off of Finland’s World Junior squad and has since made the decision seem extremely foolish, more than doubling his points-per-game rate from his draft+1 campaign. The Lightning will seek to sign the 20-year old this summer so that the Syracuse Crunch can put him to the test against some more developed competition. His trajectory is looking extremely positive, but so is his competition’s on the Lightning farm, a 2020-21 NHL arrival would be realistic in his current standing. Brayden Olafson

January 2018 – Somppi continues to show strong development at the junior level with the Halifax Mooseheads. He’s trending upwards offensively but despite the trend of smaller players making an impact in the NHL, he will need to prove that he is capable of converting in the AHL next season before having a chance with the Lightning. Regardless of his future development, Somppi being picked in the late seventh round appears to have been a savvy selection so far. Brayden Olafson

October 2017 – After an offseason upper-body injury, Somppi has returned to the Halifax Mooseheads and broken out offensively in the early going. The seventh-round-pick will look to join Team Finland for a chance at redemption in the World Junior Championship over the holidays, and so far is showing that he could become a leader for the National team. Expectations for Sompii are not high but the 19-year old seems to be exceeding his seventh-round pedigree just a little over a year removed from his draft. – Brayden Olafson

June 2017 – The Finnish pivot concluded a second season with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads posting no offensive growth, in yet another injury-shortened season. The 2016 seventh-round pick has proven to be a responsible playmaker at the junior level, and will likely get one more shot at refining his offense next year with Halifax before jumping into a crowded Lightning farm system. Another year of junior is certainly in Somppi’s best developmental interests. Brayden Olafson

June 2016- Somppi had a good rookie season with the Halifax Mooseheads, putting up 46 points in 59 games. A slick playmaking center, Somppi has quick hands and can dish the puck to the open man with consistency. Definitely needs to bulk up before making the transition to the pro game. Great value as a seventh-round pick, but Will need to add strength in order to fill the potential role of bottom forward. Skating is another area of concern that will need to improve to have success at higher levels.

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 1.0
NHL Certainty 1.0
Country FIN
Position C
Roster Type Europe, Free Agent
Shoot/Glove Left
Date of Birth January 12, 1998
Height 6‘0”
Weight 183 lbs
Drafted 2016 Round 7; Overall: 206

Stats

 Season Team League GP G A TP PIM      Playoffs GP G A TP PIM 
 2012-2013 Jokerit U16U16 SM-sarja Q9 6 612 8|        
  Jokerit U16U16 SM-sarja30 14 2337 20|Playoffs10 2 810
  Jokerit U18U18 SM-sarja2 0 11 0|        
 2013-2014 Jokerit U16U16 SM-sarja7 7 310 14|Playoffs2 0 22
  Jokerit U18U18 SM-sarja45 23 2346 28|Playoffs9 1 67
  Finland U16 (all)International-Jr11 4 812 4|        
 2014-2015 Jokerit U18U18 SM-sarja3 4 812 0|Playoffs10 3 710
  Jokerit U20U20 SM-sarja38 6 713 10|Playoffs2 0 00
  Finland U17WHC-176 3 36 2|        
  Finland U17EYOF1 0 00 0|        
  Finland U17 (all)International-Jr19 7 1118 10|        
 2015-2016 Finland U18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup5 1 23 14|        
  Halifax MooseheadsQMJHL59 13 3346 25|        
  Finland U18WJC-187 1 12 2|        
 2016-2017 Halifax MooseheadsQMJHL60 17 2441 30|Playoffs4 0 11
  Finland U20 (all)International-Jr5 1 01 0|        
 2017-2018 Halifax MooseheadsQMJHL59 28 5583 28|Playoffs2 0 11
  Syracuse CrunchAHL0 0 00 0|Playoffs3 0 00
 2018-2019 Syracuse CrunchAHL27 2 24 10|        
  Orlando Solar BearsECHL21 12 1224 8|Playoffs3 0 00
 2019-2020 Syracuse CrunchAHL45 5 1318 24|        
 2020-2021 PelicansLiiga9 1 23 0|        
  Syracuse CrunchAHL32 12 1426 22|        
 2021-2022 Syracuse CrunchAHL50 5 1823 14|Playoffs3 0 00
 2022-2023 LukkoLiiga59 5 1419 10|Playoffs6 1 01
 2023-2024 TapparaLiiga57 15 1227 20|Playoffs16 1 67
  TapparaChampions HL6 1 23 2|        
 2024-2025 TapparaLiiga19 3 36 8|        
  TapparaChampions HL5 0 22 0|        

Highlights