TARRYTOWN, NY - SEPTEMBER 18: .Philadelphia Flyers Forward Samu Tuomaala (56) turns with the puck during the New York Rangers Development Camp Rookie Game between the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers on September 18, 2021 at the MSG Training Facility in Tarrytown, NY (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Icon Sportswire
The only question left was when the young 18-year-old sniper in Samu Tuomaala was going to play. He needs to play, and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms could not offer him enough ice time. Finally today, he was loaned to the Kärpät in the Liiga League in Finland. I presume he wanted to be closer to home, thus electing to play in the Liiga League, as opposed with the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL.
Tuomaaala speaks a little bit of English, but it will take more time to understand everything about the language, “Very excited and happy being here,” Tuomaala said. “It’s very, very big thing to me and my family. I’m very happy,” Tuomaala said in reference to signing an Entry-Level-Contract.
Of course, the AHL is a league that consists of men. There aren’t many 18-year-olds that are able to play in this league on a consistent nightly basis. Usually prospects take time to grow muscle and build strength to handle the rigors of a full AHL season. Tuomaala could benefit from playing in the Liiga league to build strength and muscle, and can be re-evaluated by the Flyers next offseason
Tuomaala is a good skater, but like most prospects he can improve upon this area, but he has a great pair of hands. He stands at 5’10, weighs 176 pounds. Tuomaala is a versatile player as he can play both center and wing.
The young, slick gifted shooter in Tuomaala plays a solid two-way game. He gets to the dirty areas to score, and has a lethal wrist shot, as well. His heavy shot is one of the best that this stock of players has. Tuomaala plays in all situations the coaching staff asks of him, and he plays with an aggressive edge. Moreover, this slickster in Tuomaala tallied 15 goals, and 16 assists in 30 games played for Kärpät in the Liiga U20 league. Tuomaala’s passing is just crisp tape to tape, and he has a knack for the net. This pick in Tuomaala is a high valued one, and one that will pay huge dividends in the future, “I need to improve my physical and defending game” Tuomaala said at training camp.
Hopefully, the Flyers will benefit from a gifted player in Tuomaala in the future. This selection was a great start to the draft for the Flyers, who are apparently in a “Win-Now,” mode according to Fletcher. The proud orange clad fans deserve this selection. They have supported the Flyers through the thick and thin, and it’s time the fans start reaping some of the benefits.
Flyers Practice Update:
Carter Hart is in net tomorrow, as expected.
Ryan Ellis has a chance to play tomorrow.
Kevin Hayes will not return until next Tuesday at the earliest. He is day to day at this point.
