Time for another series at McKeen’s from our scouting staff. The 2026 NHL Draft season is well under way and our scouts have been busy soaking in the action around the globe. Analyzing early season play can be difficult; perhaps even a bit of a ruse. Hot starts aren’t always sustainable and cold starts are not always indicative. However, players can still catch our attention in positive ways and that’s what this series intends to highlight.
This is FINLAND
Jeremy Rivet - Regional Scout for Finland
Vertti Svensk
Defense - SaiPa U20
6-foot-0, 165 pounds
Svensk has developed into one of the most heavily relied-upon young defensemen in Finland’s U20 circuit this season. After progressing quickly through Jokipojat’s system, (jumping from U18 Mestis to U20 Mestis as a 16-year-old) he earned a midseason loan to SaiPa in 2024–25 and hasn’t looked back since. His role has expanded significantly in 2025–26: he now logs upward of 25 minutes a night for SaiPa’s U20 team while also earning his first call-ups to both Mestis (Ketterä) and Liiga action with SaiPa. That trajectory speaks to both his talent, and the trust coaches have placed in him.
Svensk’s biggest strength remains his skating. He is a fluid, dynamic skater with excellent edge control and separation speed, capable of carrying the puck end to end and evading pressure through quick directional changes. Whether skating through the neutral zone or walking the blue line on the power play, he plays with pace and confidence. His mobility allows him to join the rush as a trailer and recover defensively without much issue. At his best, he breaks pressure with small area passes or quick feet, showing flashes of deception and offensive poise.
However, his game still reflects the inconsistency of a young, high-usage defenseman. While he generates offense in transition and contributes on both special teams, his reads and execution can be uneven. He’s prone to holding on to the puck too long under pressure, and his decision-making in the defensive zone can lead to positional lapses or overextensions. He remains a work in progress defensively, relying heavily on skating recovery instead of anticipation and body positioning.
Svensk’s upside relies on his modern, mobile, puck-moving defenseman style but his ceiling and his potential role will depend on how much he is able to use his strengths to create offense. Before the season, we wanted to see more production from him and up to now, he has done that. For now, he’s an exciting, high-event player trending as a boom-or-bust type prospect whose skating foundation gives him every chance to grow into an impactful pro if his game matures.
(#7 - Yellow)
This is a great example of how Svensk can use his mobility and speed on the defensive side. Here, he makes a trackback on the puck carrier and quickly closes time on space to take the puck away. After that, he switches into offensive mode and starts the transition as he carries the puck through the offensive zone. In this sequence, Svensk also showcases smooth hands to break the defensive line even though there is an offside.
(#7 - Yellow)
A part of Svensk’s game that he needs to work on is his game in the defensive zone. However, even if it is not perfect, he is still engaged without the puck. Like in this video where he closes the blue line with a good stick, he is involved in the puck battle along the board and he marks his man to deny the middle of the ice.
(#7 - Yellow)
But the part of the game where Svensk shines the most is definitely with his skating and his puck movement ability. Like in this clip where he retrieves the puck after a little chip-in in his zone, opens the jets to beat the pressure and carries the puck in the neutral zone. The decision he makes with the puck on the zone entry is maybe not the best and that is the kind of play that can make something, and it makes us wonder how high his hockey IQ really is.
(#7 - Yellow)
However, he can also make plays like this one in the offensive zone. Here he showcases good playmaking ability with a nice deceptive pass where he fakes a shot to freeze everybody in defense.
Samu Alalauri
Defense - Pelicans U20
6-foot-2, 198 pounds
Alalauri has steadily climbed the Finnish development ladder, evolving from a promising two-way defender at the U16 level into a top-pair presence for Pelicans U20 and a key piece for Finland’s national teams. Over the past two seasons, he has established himself as one of Finland’s most reliable 2007-born defensemen, logging heavy minutes in all situations and recently earning time with Finland’s U18 squad at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and international events. His role continues to expand, and his mature, well-rounded approach has translated into consistent performances in the U20 SM-sarja this season.
His style is defined by poise, structure, and a strong sense of control. Alalauri plays a composed, efficient game, rarely forcing plays or panicking under pressure. His skating is solid though not explosive, but smooth enough to maintain tight gaps, close plays early, and handle retrievals calmly. He’s at his best when using his body positioning and stick detail to contain attackers rather than relying on physicality. In transition, he makes clean, precise passes and shows flashes of confidence walking the blue line, especially on the power play where his low, heavy shot can create rebounds or deflections.
While he may not have a single elite tool, his all-around toolkit is well-developed. He has good skating, good puck skills, good reads but the next step will be identifying and sharpening a defining trait that separates him from peers. Defensively, his reads can occasionally lag when play speeds up, particularly in front of the net or on quick rotations, and he’ll need to add urgency and assertiveness in boxouts and puck retrievals.
Overall, Alalauri projects as a steady, intelligent two-way defenseman with pro potential. His combination of size, maturity, and calm execution gives him a strong foundation, and with added pace and conviction, he could grow into a dependable middle-pair blueliner at the professional level.
(#56 - Dark blue)
Alalauri is more the type of defenseman that will do simple and efficient plays, but he is not afraid to use his good skating ability to carry the puck in transition like we can see in this clip.
(#56 - Pale blue)
Is it generally not easy to play against Alalauri in the offensive zone because he uses his mobility and his reach to close the middle of the ice. Also, even though he is not a punishing defenseman, he is not afraid to use his body to kill the play along the board.
(#56 - Pale blue)
Another great example of how Alalauri uses his skating to close the gap at the blue line, makes a good stick to stick and finish the play with a check along the board which allows his teammates to retrieve the puck to start the zone exit.
(#56 - Dark blue)
Alalauri might not have a big upside offensively but like he showed at the Hlinka-Gretzky tournament, his shot from the blue line cannot be underestimated. He likes to take low shots from the point which can create scoring chances. In this video, he scores a goal with a nice and precise low shot from the blue line.
Jakub Frolo
Center/Winger - Ilves U20
6-foot-1, 163 pounds
Frolo’s move from Czechia to Finland in 2023 has proven to be a key step in his development. After emerging as a productive offensive presence in Vsetín’s junior system, he joined Ilves for the 2023–24 season and quickly adapted to the Finnish game. Now in his draft year, Frolo has become one of Ilves U20’s most impactful forwards. He sees ice on both special teams and he is a player trusted to take key defensive-zone draws. He has also earned minutes in the Champions Hockey League with Ilves’ Liiga squad, further evidence of his rapid progression.
Frolo plays a mature, detail-oriented two-way game. His competitiveness and ability to agitate make him a difficult matchup, and he brings steady effort on both sides of the puck. He’s a reliable defensive center who supports low in the zone, closes space effectively, and tracks back with commitment. He finishes checks, battles hard for body position, and plays with the kind of edge and energy that often frustrates opponents.
Offensively, Frolo’s playmaking ability is what separates him. He shows poise and creativity in tight spaces, regularly delaying on entries to manipulate defenders before finding teammates through seams. His sense for spacing and timing allows him to create offense without relying on elite speed. Though his skating was once a weakness, it has improved considerably and now projects as roughly average by NHL standards with better posture, stride efficiency, and balance. His quick hands and deception help him compensate when carrying the puck, and he’s shown flashes of craftiness on the power play, operating from the half-wall.
Frolo’s physical maturity and growing confidence with the puck suggest legitimate upside as a bottom-six NHL center or winger who can kill penalties, provide secondary offense, and bring a competitive, agitating presence. His combination of vision, work rate, and hockey sense make him one of the more intriguing Czech-born forwards playing abroad this season. Continued strength gains and quicker decision-making under pressure will be key to unlocking the next level of his game.
(#34 - Yellow)
So far this season, Frolo has mainly stood out with his playmaking ability as he got 10 assists in 12 games which puts him ninth in assists in U20 SM-Sarja (at the time that this was written). However, he likes to shoot as well, and he has a pretty good shot.
(#34 - Green)
This is a shift that he made in the game he played in the Champions Hockey League against the reigning champions. This sequence showcases his good play along the board with good puck protection and also his playmaking ability.
(#34 - Green)
Another example of his playmaking ability and how patient he can be with the puck to find the passing lanes. Here, he is patient with the puck, protects it and finds his open teammates for a primary assist.
(#34 - Green)
Again, great play in puck protection along the board, quick change of direction to beat the pressure and create space for himself, attacks the net and find an open teammate in front of the net for a primary assist.
Arttu Myllymäki - Regional Scout for Finland
Juho Piiparinen
Defenseman, Tappara (Liiga)
6-foot-11, 201 pounds
Juho Piiparinen is a big, smooth-skating defenseman who continues to impress with his poise and maturity well beyond his years. Now in his third season within the Tappara’s organization, Piiparinen made the jump to the Liiga level this year and has handled the transition to professional hockey with remarkable composure. Born in August 2008, he represents the younger side of his draft class yet already looks physically and mentally capable of competing against men.
Piiparinen’s skating stands out immediately; he’s a dynamic and fluid mover for his size, maintaining excellent posture and balance through his stride. He plays with his head up at all times and processes the game at a high level, which allows him to make calm, confident decisions under pressure. His first passes are clean and accurate, and his ability to break the puck out efficiently makes him a stabilizing presence on the back end. Despite limited minutes and little to no special-teams time so far, he has consistently made the most of his shifts, playing mistake-free hockey and showing dependable defensive awareness.
Physically, Piiparinen already holds his own in board battles and around the crease, using positioning and leverage effectively rather than relying solely on strength. What’s most impressive is his consistency, he rarely takes a shift off, and his game rarely wavers regardless of the opponent or situation.
Looking ahead, Piiparinen projects as a well-rounded, top four defenseman capable of logging heavy minutes in all situations. To continue his development, increased ice time, potentially including stints in the U20 SM-sarja, would be beneficial. With his combination of size, skating, and maturity, Piiparinen possesses legitimate first-round potential and could become a cornerstone two-way defender at the NHL level.
#57 blue/orange
Here we can see how Piiparinen is actively moving in the offensive zone which helps him to get to the loose puck quickly, goes decisively between two opponents in a tight space and makes a great setup to the slot that leads to a goal.
#57 white
This clip shows what Piiparinen does consistently well. He retrieves the puck behind the net, positions his body well covering the puck and gives a great pass to the center which leads to a controlled zone exit.
#57 blue/orange
Piiparinen shows his physical tools and makes a couple of nice plays to keep pressure in the offensive zone. In addition, he makes a spinorama move with the puck creating some space for himself showing his mobility and agility.
Oliver Suvanto
Center, Tappara (Liiga)
6-foot-3, 209 pounds
Oliver Suvanto is a big-framed, intelligent center who continues to show why he’s considered one of the more intriguing young forwards in his draft class. Born in September 2008, he’s among the youngest eligible players this year, yet already plays with the confidence and poise of someone much older. Started with TPS Turku, now in his second season with Tappara, Suvanto has steadily adapted to higher levels of competition while maintaining his trademark energy and detail-oriented approach to the game.
Suvanto turned heads earlier this season at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he not only impressed with his work ethic but also managed to produce offensively. He carried that momentum into the U20 SM-sarja, opening the season with three goals in his first three games before earning regular ice time in the Liiga lineup. Although production has slowed since moving to the pro level, he’s averaged around 12 minutes per game and has often been trusted to play alongside some of Tappara’s top players, a strong indication of the coaching staff’s confidence in his maturity and hockey sense.
What stands out most in Suvanto’s game is his ability to find space in the offensive zone. He consistently positions himself well in the slot, reading rebounds and loose pucks with impressive instincts and quick reactions. His sense of timing and anticipation allows him to arrive at scoring areas first, often creating second-chance opportunities. Defensively, he’s reliable and well-positioned, reading the play effectively and supporting his defensemen early in transitions. Suvanto also shows a strong understanding of spacing, preferring to keep the game wide and play east–west to open passing lanes.
Suvanto projects as a smart, two-way center with pro-level habits already in place. As he continues to mature physically and earn more minutes, his combination of size, awareness, and energy gives him legitimate middle-six potential down the road that NHL teams are looking for in the second round of the draft.
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Here Suvanto makes a small body fake to avoid the contact, covers the puck well against two opponents and makes a pass to the slot nicely creating a scoring chance.
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This is a great example of the skillset Suvanto has. He recognizes that the defenseman is in a vulnerable position and stepping up late and then he plays the puck nicely over the defenseman's stick, controlling the bouncy puck while gaining a lot of speed. Then with slick stickhandling gets a wide open net but just fails finishing.
#89 Blue/orange
Suvanto makes a controlled zone entry and slows down a little bit waiting for the second wave. After he sees that the passing lane is open he goes for a cross-ice pass that, if went through, creates a good onetimer opportunity from a dangerous area to his teammate.
Vilho Vanhatalo
Winger Tappara (U20 SM-sarja)
6-foot-4, 194 pounds
Vilho Vanhatalo is an explosive, attack-minded winger with a natural goal scorer’s instinct and has a really strong and dangerous shot. His game is defined by pace, hunger, and a constant drive to attack. Vanhatalo reaches top speed in just a few strides and glides effortlessly through the neutral zone, maintaining his momentum with smooth, powerful strides. He’s elusive in tight spaces, using sharp edgework and quick changes of direction to escape defenders and create separation.
What immediately stands out is his shooting ability, his release is lightning-fast and deceptive, able to generate power and accuracy from minimal movement even in traffic. He doesn’t need much time or space to get his snapshot off, and he consistently looks to test goaltenders from all angles. That shoot-first mentality makes him a constant threat, forcing defenders to respect his release and opening up passing lanes for teammates. When defenders overcommit, he’s capable of sliding clever feeds into dangerous scoring areas, adding a secondary playmaking layer to his offensive game.
Early this season, Vanhatalo has been highly productive, scoring at roughly a half-goal and nearly a point per game pace. His confidence with the puck and attacking mindset have made him a focal point of his team’s offense. Beyond his scoring, his energy and competitiveness stand out, he plays every shift with purpose and doesn’t shy away from physical or contested areas, especially around the net and along the boards.
Stylistically, Vanhatalo shares some similarities with two years older Cole Eiserman, combining elite shooting mechanics with explosive quickness and an instinctive feel for where scoring chances develop. As he continues to round out his game away from the puck, he projects as a high-upside winger capable of becoming a top six offensive contributor at the NHL level so I’d project him to be a first-round pick.
#34 Blue/orange
Vanhatalo can easily gain speed with couple of crossovers and get to a breakaway straight from the faceoff
#34 Blue/orange
Here’s a great look of Vanhatalo’s release on powerplay. He delivers the puck into the short side top corner over the shoulder even from a sharp angle. The execution’s done really fast.
#19 White
Strong defensive effort, even exhausted at the end of the shift, forces the opponent's defenseman to make a mistake, steals the puck and escapes to a breakaway.
Simon Johansson - European Video Scout
Albert Smits
Defenseman - Jukurit
6-foot-3, 205 pounds
Albert Smits is a rare Latvian born draft eligible player that produced solid numbers for a D-1 defenseman at the SM-sarja U20s. His last 4 years have been spent away from his home country and been playing at different Finnish junior leagues. After completely dominating the U20s this season, Jukurit could not hold him down there any longer and his game has not changed one bit playing pros.
Albert Smits is a breakout machine. In my opinion, his transition game reminds me a lot of Matthew Schaefer’s. He’ll make smart first passes in his own end, make breakout passes, break the puck out himself or simply just skate from end-to-end. He is this successful because of so many factors. The skating to gain separation speed, the puck handling to stickhandle through high speeds and the hockey IQ to make the smart transition decisions, all of this accumulates to a dangerous puck moving defenseman.
Other than his great transition game, there are other parts of his game that simply are incredible. He’s got good skating ability, especially for his size. He uses crossovers to move laterally, pivots to quickly change direction and has quick first few steps to gain great speed quickly. The puck handling is incredibly smooth, he’s difficult to knock off the puck and has the deceptiveness in his hands to dangle through the neutral zone and not get disrupted. His long reach helps him when stickhandling. He’s got quick hands and when he pulls from the outside to the inside, he covers great distance and makes the defenders get out of position. By mainly combining these amazing traits Albert is also able to drive play. He’s everywhere on the ice and defending against a behemoth of his size while being able to move as fast as he can has to be a nightmare for defenders.
Albert Smits is a very intriguing draft eligible player. His arsenal of tools are exceptional and he’s the stereotypical defenseman that you look for in a #1 defender. He has been producing well so far but there are some questions about how translatable his offense will be in the NHL. I do think that this is a potential top 4 defenseman, maybe top 2 if his offense translates, and dare I say that he could be the best Latvian born player in recent memory?!
VIDEOS
#23 in the clip
Strong along the boards and strong on the puck, Albert shields the puck incredibly well and drives around the offensive zone. Yes he’s doing this at 17 years old in the Liiga.
#23 in the clip
Again, drives around the offensive zone, using crossovers to move laterally and pivots to evade forecheckers. High level stuff.
#23 in the clip
Albert utilizes his long wingspan together with quick hands to deke from his backhand to forehand, creating great distance in movement and getting the defender out of position.
#3 in the clip
Here Albert awaits the attacker until he’s close enough to then immediately make a cross ice pass, eliminating the incoming forechecker from play. Had he made the pass earlier before the forechecker was close enough, that same player could’ve changed direction and covered more ice, making the breakout harder.