| Valtteri Koskela | JYP | Liiga | L | D | 5’10” | 157 | Jyväskylä | 2002 | 2020-2021: B- |
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, February 2021: To me Koskela is a really smart heady defender who is always thinking about the next play. He’s poised with the puck and understands how to suck the forecheckers to him so his partner has more time and space. I genuinely love his willingness to take a hit to make a play, but I’d like to see him draw the forechecker into space rather than along the walls because at some point a big body is going to make real contact. He defends with his stick on the ice which makes him seem larger than his listed 5’10”. I like that he has the hockey sense or body awareness to always have piece of himself in the passing or shooting lane. Honestly there is a lot to like about his hockey future, but there is no doubt that he will need to gain strength and stamina to have a chance in the NHL.
Liiga: JYP vs HIFK, January 2020: This was our first game watching Koskela play in the Liiga and we saw more of the same. In transition his touches were clean and he worked for his partner or low support. On dump-ins he retrieved the puck with his head on a swivel, was willing to take a hit to make a play and we loved his ability to draw forecheckers to him for a long corner to corner reverse. He made finding the center breakout option look easy and he routinely jumped into the play passed the lazy backchecker. Defensively Koskela was positionally sound and patient. He maintained net side positioning, tied up sticks and is willing to block shots.
SM-sarja U20: JYP U20 vs Ilves U20, November, 2020: Koskela was poised with the puck and in transition worked to be an outlet option for his partner. His first touch was smooth and he was always thinking ahead to the next passing option. He moved his feet after winning puck battles or receiving passes and he showed good speed when joining the rush as a secondary option. On the few times he carried the puck over the offensive blue line while leading the rush Koskela made nice button hooks up the wall to find the late attacker. His gaps were tight and his wide powerful base allowed him to end line rushes early and win loose puck battles. His effort and anticipation away from the puck are excellent.
Neutral Zone’s Ed Besinger, June 2021: Valtteri is a late 2002 birthday and a Finnish left-shot defender. He stands 5’10’’ and 157 pounds. He played this past season for JYP in both the U20 Division and the Liiga in Finland. He scored 12 points at U20 and had eight points in the Liiga from the back-end. He is scheduled to play again for JYP in the Liiga next season. He is not a big defender but is strong on his skates and has a wide base. He is athletic and has a smooth stride around the ice. He skates backwards well and is balanced. He keeps good gaps and attacks forwards before they are able to enter his zone. He has a slick stick to breakup passes and poke-check pucks. He sees the ice well and is confident carrying the puck out of his zone. He makes smooth passes to teammates in space or will take ice as available. He is quick and changes direction quickly. Reacts to forwards cutting back and can stick on them. He closes well coming out of the corners and plays physical when needed. He has some touch on the puck and wins board battles with finesse plays. Will need to get stronger but solid foundation and will continue to get better.