Topias Vilén

December 2022 – Vilén has been exceeding all expectations this season with Pelicans, as he’s already scored 10 points in 21 games, which is almost double his last season’s total (in 50 games). He’s got a lot bigger role with the team and some PP time on the blue line in his team’s 2nd PP unit. He’s been developing his offensive and on-puck game a lot, and will likely be one of Finland’s leading defenders in the upcoming World Juniors. Eetu Siltanen

March 2022 – Vilén’s six points in 50 games to date in the Finnish Liiga represent a decrease in production compared to his draft year, although the Pelicans haven’t truly been putting together a special season so far. The prospect still needs to improve his clunky puck skills in order to make a net positive impact at the next level, but is still 18 and has a bunch of time ahead of him. Hadi Kalakeche

July 2021 – The New Jersey Devils drafted Vilén with their 129th overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft. A stocky, rangy defensive defenseman whose offensive tools lack finesse, Vilén mostly relies on short passes or dump-outs to break the puck out of his zone and seems a bit clunky with the puck. His skating is decent, and his anticipation allows him to close off scoring chances more than efficiently. Vilén will continue his development with the Lahti Pelicans in 2021-2022, and will try to add more offensive tools to become a more well-rounded defenseman, but projects as a bottom-pairing blueliner as he stands right now. Hadi Kalakeche