Samu Tuomaala really is making a good impression with Lehigh Valley (Flyers)

Photo Credit: The Lehigh Valley Phantoms

The Flyers have tried to address goal scoring for the past few drafts, and have drafted some snipers with the likes of Tyson Foerster, Cutter Gauthier, Matvei Michkov, and one could add Samu Tuomaala to that list, as well now.

With the 46th pick at the NHL Draft in 2021 Chuck Fletcher and the Flyers top brass selected Samu Tuomaala. Tuomaala hails from Oulu, Finland, and he played for Kärpät in the Liiga league where he torched his opponents for 15 goals and 16 assists for 31 points in 30 games played in 2020-21. Tuomaala then played a handful of games for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms the following season, before being shipped to Europe to further develop and hone and on his skills with less pressure. He struggled the next few seasons in Europe, but Sami Kapanen never wavered hope on him, as he was mentoring him.

“He’s a guy we targeted. We kind of thought he would probably go at the end of the first or somewhere in the 20s and he fell. A real talented winger. Great skater. Real dynamic speed. Loves to shoot the puck. Talented kid. He’s going to take a little time to get stronger and put on a little weight. A talented kid that has real good offensive upside.” – AGM Brent Flahr

This young man in Tuomaala models his game after David Pastrnak. Tuomaala has repeatedly said that he has to improve one-on-one battles for the puck, and he wants to get stronger physically. For his efforts, he has learned the English language, and has led a breakout season for the Phantoms. Tuomaala’s speed is stood out to most to me. Aside from points (27 in 33 games played), his speed has opened up space for him and his teammates. He continues to score big goals, take for instance the overtime winner on Saturday night, but it’s his speed that has created his offense. He bolts through the neutral zone with speed and it is creating clean zone entries, enough for him to create.

Adding muscle (Bigger and stronger) is usually the common theme of young prospects at his age of 18. They are usually a bit raw, but fill out in a year to two years. Tuomaala loves to shoot the puck. He’s typically a shoot first player, not a playmaker, so it’s great to see he’s found success in his game in a different way than he’s used to.

The Flyers have had playmakers a plenty, especially with the man advantage. Tuomaala possesses a quick wrist shot, and he can quickly move his hands to change the angle on it. He has an accurate shot, and it generates a ton of power. Don’t forget about his good slap shot and one-timer.

Tuomaala is also a good defensive player. He is strong positionally, and he will fight for pucks. Tuomaala just has a knack for the puck, and he’s a good skater. The Flyers really got a high value pick here at 46.

“A quick sniper who plays a lot heavier than his measurements may indicate, Tuomaala teamed up with fellow winger Ville Koivunento to lead Karpat U20 to within one game of the SM-Sarja championship. He also put on a show for Finland at the under-18 world championship, posting a team-best 11 points in seven games.” – Steve Kournianos, The Draft Analyst

Believe it or not, Tuomaala was selected by the Sudbury Wolves at the 2020 CHL Import Draft. Bringing Tuomaala from overseas to North America was always the Flyers goal as soon as he was drafted. However, Tuomaala had to do what was best for him and his family, and obviously it has paid off in his first pro season in North America. It hasn’t been all roses, but in the end it appears he has developed well. Ian Laperrière and his coaching staff get a ton of credit for developing this young prospect into what appears to be a solid pick.

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An 18-year-old in Tuomaala was the first Finn drafted by the Flyers since 2006 in Joonas Lehtivuori. How will Tuomaala pan out is anyone’s guess, but the Flyers definitely drafted a shoot first or sniper in Tuomaala.