Petteri Rimpinen (G, L, 5’11”, 176, Kiekko-Espoo, 04/25/2006)
Draft Year: 2025 (Second-Year Eligible, Undrafted in 2024)
Strengths: Why Rimpinen Should Be Drafted
- High-End Hockey IQ and Anticipation
Processes the game at an elite level for a goaltender, reading plays ahead of time and understanding passing lanes better than most of his peers.
Recognizes offensive layers and second/third waves of attack, giving him a positional edge before the play develops.
Tracks one-time shooters vs. catch-and-release players exceptionally well, making him difficult to beat with lateral puck movement. - Strong Save Percentage and Highlight-Reel Ability
0.910 save percentage in Liiga—despite being undersized speaks to his positioning and ability to track the puck efficiently.
85% save rate on Grade “A” scoring opportunities is above average – elite ability to react quickly and square up to high-danger chances.
2.7 high-danger saves per game – he is capable of stealing goals and making momentum-changing stops. - Above Average Puck-Handling for a Goaltender
86% pass completion percentage is above average for a goalie – he acts as a reliable third defenseman in breakouts.
Quickly transitions the puck after making saves, helping his team exit the defensive zone cleanly and reducing time spent under pressure.
Weaknesses: Why Rimpinen Might Not Be Drafted
- Undersized for the Modern NHL Goalie
At 5’11”, 175 lbs, Rimpinen is significantly smaller than the average NHL goaltender (6’3″ – 6’5″), putting him at a disadvantage, especially in traffic while playing against the biggest and best in the World.
Lower save percentage in shootouts (71%) and breakaways (86%) – his size limitations hurt him in one-on-one situations? - Issues With Post Integration and Rebound Control
While positionally sound, he can be exposed on low-to-high plays where bigger goalies are more likely to not get boxed out at the top of the crease.
Rebounds directed into dangerous areas – he must be more fluid and quicker than larger goalies to recover and reset. - Second-Year Draft-Eligible
Went undrafted last year – likely due to his size.
Final Verdict: Draftable or Not?
Projected Late-Round Pick (7th Round) / Priority Free Agent
Why Draft Him?
Elite hockey IQ, anticipation, and ability to read plays make him a legitimate NHL prospect.
Strong Liiga performance (.910 SV%) against professional competition despite size disadvantage.
Handles the puck well, which fits modern NHL systems emphasizing goalie puck movement.
Ability to make highlight-reel saves – he has the reflexes and reaction time to overcome some of his size limitations.
Why Not Draft Him?
Size is a major concern in today’s NHL.
Struggles in shootouts and breakaways suggest potential issues with lateral coverage.
Projection:
Best-Case NHL Upside: Backup goaltender with elite hockey IQ and strong puck-handling ability.
Most Likely Path: Liiga development, potential NHL free agent signing if he continues to post strong numbers.
Draft Range: 6th-7th Round / Undrafted Free Agent with NHL backup upside.
Conclusion:
Petteri Rimpinen is a high-IQ, technically sound goalie with excellent anticipation and puck-handling skills. However, his lack of size remains a major concern at the NHL level. While his ability to track the play and make difficult saves gives him a chance at a pro career, NHL teams may hesitate to use a draft pick on him. If he continues to put up strong Liiga numbers and refines his rebound control, he could earn an NHL contract as a free agent.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images