The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted a hulking defenseman in Eemeli Rasanen on Saturday, taking the Finn in the second round at No. 59.
Rasanen models his game after countryman Rasmus Ristolainen, according to The Athletic's James Mirtle. Ristolainen is a cornerstone on Toronto rival Buffalo's blue line.
If you thought Ristolainen's tall at 6-foot-4, Rasanen's got him by three inches. Only 18, he'll be adding to his 208-pound frame, no doubt. And the kid's confident, too, believing he can play in the NHL in a year or two.
Rasanen had six goals and 39 points in 66 games with Kingston in the OHL last season, his first in North America after coming over from Finland.
He's a right-handed shot who can quarterback a power play and move the puck, but the biggest knock to his game is his skating, which must improve.
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