Samu Salminen

July 2025 – Samu Salminen made the most of his transfer to Denver, putting up 10 goals and 28 points in 44 games, a solid jump from the 17 points he posted at UConn the year before. He has always shown strong off-puck instincts and a knack for finding soft areas, but this season he looked more confident with the puck and more consistent in transition. It was not a breakout year, but it was a clear step in the right direction. He still projects more as a complementary middle-six forward than a play-driver, but if the upward trend continues, an ELC offer from the Devils next spring may be in the books. Puneet Sharma

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

March 2022 – Salminen has been tearing up the Finnish U20 league with 48 points in 44 games, leading his team by a margin of 10. He sits seventh league-wide for points, although he stands as the only drafted prospect in the top-100, as most post-draft players with significant fantasy value make the jump to Division 1 or 2 pro hockey at this point in their careers. Jokerit’s men’s team plays in the KHL, and likely wants to keep its roster as pro-ready as possible, with the level of competition being drastically high in Russia’s top men’s division. Expect Salminen to be playing pro next season, as his development furthers and he continues to grow his off-puck game and physical strength. Hadi Kalakeche

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