| Oliver Suni | Karpat | Finland-Jr. | R | F | 6’2″ | 187 | Oshawa Generals | Kempele, FIN | 2002 | 2020-2021: C+ 2019-2020: B- |
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, February 2021: I thought Oliver should have been drafted last year. It was his first year playing in North America, never mind the OHL, and he played very well on a veteran Generals team finishing with 32 points in 43 games. There were times that he may have been too much of a perimeter player and that probably kept him from getting drafted, but I would have taken him because he’s scored goals every place he’s played. Add to the fact that he’s 6’2″ 190 pounds and I think he’s got a real chance to be a player.
Neutral Zone’s Ed Besinger, June 2021: Oliver is a Finnish right-shot forward that measures 6’1’’ and 188 pounds. He played in North America during 19-20 for Oshawa in the OHL prior to Covid. Last season he was in back in Finland playing for Lukko. He scored 14 points (nine goals) in 13 games. He also played two games in the Liiga. He is scheduled to be in the Liiga this season, again playing for Lukko. Bigger, stronger player that has a long, fluid stride. Gets around the ice fairly well but could increase his quickness and straight line speed. He has a high motor and competes hard on the forecheck. Not overly physical but uses his body well to separate players from the puck. Quick set of hands let him make plays in tight or in space. He plays a direct game and drives the puck wide and to the net. He is always around the net in the offensive zone looking for rebounds. Good along the walls and has some finesse winning board battles and winning loose pucks. He has a quick release on his shot and he shoots to corners. Skilled winger that can make plays.
OHL: Oshawa Generals vs Erie Otters, April 2020: Oliver is a really steady hockey player and every game I see I know exactly what I’m going to get. As usual, he kept it simple and was very dependable. Oliver consistently makes smart decisions with and without the puck, and although there are times that I wish he was more of a physical presence, very rarely do I ever say that he put the Generals in compromising positions. His style has to be very reassuring for the General’s coaching staff and team management. Tonight was more of the same. He showed the puck skills to make plays in all three zones, but when it comes right down to it Oliver makes the right hockey play. There were a number of times late in shifts where Oliver used his quick feet and puck protection skills to get the red line and get it deep for a clean line change. It might not be very sexy, but a simple play like allowing his teammates to change and get fresh legs on the ice are the little details that matter in the NHL. Offensively Oliver was in the paint all game causing chaos and blocking clear sight lines for the Otter’s goalie. Late in the third he was rewarded for his consistency when he was a middle drive on a power play line rush. His timing was excellent allowing him to be able to redirect a pass into the net. Another game where Oliver showed his high hockey IQ and reliability. Game Grade: B
OHL: Oshawa Generals NHL Draft Prospects , December 2019: A bit of a quiet game for Oliver. He does a good job patrolling his wing, but in this outing he did not play with the pace we think he is capable of. However, unlike some OHL draft eligible prospects who are in their second OHL year, Oliver is a true rookie having come over from Finland this year for his first North American exposure. Yet as a rookie has entrenched himself on Oshawa’s second unit power play and is high in OHL Rookie power play goals with 4 at time of this writing. Game Grade: B
OHL: Oshawa Generals NHL Prospects, October 2019: Oliver is getting more and more comfortable with playing in the Ontario Hockey League. And while we have concerns over his consistency, we have little doubt about his skill level or ability to make plays. No matter what is going on around him, Oliver plays the game with his head up and has the ability to make puck plays when it appears there is little opportunity around him. He is a very smooth skater who we feel needs to develop more explosiveness for high level success in the National League. We would also like to see him be more assertive. There are times where it appears Oliver relies on his teammates to get him the puck rather than taking charge and creating turnovers. Oliver has high level upside and is going to continue to have the scouting World’s eyes him. Performed at a B level in this viewing.
OHL: North Bay Battalion at Oshawa Generals, October 2019: This was our first look at the prospect from Finland. We found him to be a very smooth skating winger with a great stick. We liked the fact that his stick was always on the ice. In the defensive zone being available for breakout passes, through the neutral zone as a pass option or upon entry and going to the net, Oliver’s stick was ready to receive the puck at all times. When in possession of the puck he can zip a pass or make the deft one touch redirect to place pucks right on teammate’s sticks. On one particular play in the offensive zone, he twice used stick still to avoid checks by the opposition, then fed a pass perfectly to a streaking line mate who then set up another for an easy tap in goal. But the hard work was done by Oliver avoiding the checks. At present, he is Oshawa’s scoring leader and displays the ability to set up or bury. NZ NHL’s early feeling for Oliver is that he will need to develop some explosive skating to go with his smooth skating if he is to move up in the draft ratings. Grade B+