The St. Louis Blues have built a pipeline of overseas prospects from Dalibor Dvorsky to Adam Jiříček to Otto Stenberg, with hopes that the young players can turn the team around in the near future. One of those players is Aleksanteri Kaskimäki, a 2022 third-round selection from Finland who has stood out in the Springfield Thunderbirds forward unit.
Kaskimäki has 16 goals and 18 assists in his second season in the American Hockey League. Usually, it takes time for overseas prospects to fit in as they must learn a new game and play in a smaller rink. Kaskimäki had 34 points in his rookie season and has fit in on the Thunderbirds' top line.
The Blues are in a tough spot as they try to balance retooling, rebuilding, tearing things down, and staying competitive at the same time. It’s why they might need their prospects sooner than expected. Kaskimäki can make that jump to the NHL, especially with how he’s played this season.
Kaskimaki’s Hockey IQ Stands Out
The Thunderbirds started their weekend with a 5-3 road win over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. In the second period, Kaskimäki’s touch pass to Dillon Dube allowed the veteran forward to find Chris Wagner for an open look and a goal that would give them a 2-1 lead. While Kaskimäki wasn’t credited with the assist, it’s plays like those that separate him from most forwards in the league.
Kaskimäki’s hockey IQ is noticeable when he’s on the ice. He makes the right plays and knows where he’s supposed to be in all three zones. It’s why the new head coach, Steve Ott, has used him in all situations.
“Kaskimäki is a young player but he’s developing, and he’s such a high hockey IQ player that he fits right in,” Ott noted in a conversation with The Hockey News. The Thunderbirds under Ott play a technical game where they look for the smart play and the quality shot compared to the easy or quick one. It’s made Kaskimäki someone they rely on because he can adapt to any situation and play like a true top-line skater.
He Fits on the Top Line
The Thunderbirds aren’t a talented AHL team. It’s why they are tied for sixth place in the Atlantic Division. That said, they have a top line that can score. The Kaskimäki, Dube, and Wagner trio has 102 combined points this season and has become the line Ott has relied on in all situations.
“What’s good about that line is the 200-foot game they have. We can start them in the D-Zone faceoff, in the O-Zone faceoff; they can play against the toughest matchups,” Ott noted after the 5-3 win over the Phantoms, a game where the three skaters scored three of the Thunderbird’s goals.
The line is known for its ability to score. However, they’ve also defended well and played a physical game when needed. “More importantly, they play the right way,” Ott added, with Kaskimäki’s skills fitting right in. Dube and Wagner are two veterans who have played this way for a while, so it speaks volumes that Kaskimäki can play alongside them.
Kaskimaki’s Skill Makes Him A Star AHLer, His 200-Foot Game Will Get Him To The NHL
The talent was always there with Kaskimäki. The question was how it would translate as he came over from Finland to North America, and whether his defensive play would hold up as well. The AHL can make top prospects look lost and out of position, which leads to bad habits like defensive breakdowns or penalties. Kaskimäki has only 10 penalty minutes all season.
This season, particularly, he’s stood out on the defensive end. Kaskimäki uses his speed to backcheck and close in on skaters with the puck while getting himself into position. With a great understanding of the game, he also has his stick in the right place to help out the defense. It’s why he’s usually on the ice late in tight games to close things out.
Kaskimäki plays the 200-foot game, and it’s made him stand out for the Blues. While his scoring will help the Thunderbirds, the Blues need him to step up in every situation before calling him up. It’s why the home stretch is pivotal for Kaskimäki as he can make a strong case to join the NHL team by the time next season rolls around.