On May 18, 2018, the Carolina Hurricanes signed Finnish winger Saku Maenalanen
to a one-year entry-level contract (ELC) at a value of $925,000, plus potential
 performance bonuses. Originally a fifth-round pick by the Nashville Predators
back in 2013, Maenalanen returned to his SM-Liiga team, Karpat, in Finland
after his draft day to continue his development, and he ultimately became an
NHL free agent. This past May, Maenalanen officially signed his first NHL
contract with the Hurricanes a week before his 24th birthday.

There is plenty of reason to believe that this signing may actually prove to be
 impactful on the Hurricanes'; roster during the 2018-19 season. With the
flurry of moves happening in and around the Canes organization since the end of
 the regular season, it isn't at all surprising how this signing flew under the
 radar, but Maenalanen may not be some guy they signed just to play in
Charlotte with the Checkers. Here we will break down Maenalanen's pedigree, his
 road to the NHL, and his potential impact in North America.Standing Out Early

Saku Maenalanen lit up Finnish U-18 leagues leading up to his draft. Both in
Junior B and Junior A, Maenalanen was well over a point per game from 2010 to
2013 and even had a strong showing in international stints during his draft
year. As mentioned previously, his abilities convinced an organization that has
 proven to have strong scouting employees in the Nashville Predators to take
him in the fifth round, 125th overall, at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. It was
after his draft day, however, that Maenalanen faltered.Saku Maenalanen of Oulu
Karpat wants to play a pass during the Champions Hockey League match between
Krefeld Pinguine and Karpat Oulu at Konig Palast on Aug. 18, 2016 in Krefeld,
Germany. (Photo by Krefeld Pinguine/Champions Hockey League via Getty Images)

Maenalanen seemed to struggle to find the same offensive production he enjoyed
with Karpat's U-18 and U-20 squads during his stints with the senior team, as
he even spent considerable time on loan stints between 2013 and 2015. Whenever
he returned to Karpat's junior team, Maenalanen was a force offensively, but he
 failed early on to make a comparable impact in lesser roles playing with men.
Presumably, it was for this reason in particular that Maenalanen never earned a
 contract with the Predators, and he continued his career in Finland.Rise to
Prominence

After a loan assignment with Lahti in Liiga and Kajaani in the Mestis league,
Finland's second-tier league behind Liiga, Maenalanen finally settled into a
full-time position with the Karpat senior club in late 2015, and it was with
Karpat that he began to reach his potential, improving his points per game
ratio every year since 2015.

Maenalanen really showed his prowess as a more of a complete offensive threat
for both his club and country during the 2017-18 campaign, where he was 11th in
 Liiga in scoring, produced four points in four Champions League games, and had
 a strong showing with Finland's IIHF World Championship squad playing with his
 future teammates Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen. Maenalanen appears like
he could be a bit of a late bloomer, as his game has matured vastly in just a
few short years.

Welcome, Saku Maenalanen! pic.twitter.com/qUVzS2rrV3

- Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) May 18, 2018

As reported by Chip Alexander of the News & Observer back in May, Hurricanes
general manager Don Waddell said this of Maenalanen: "Saku is a big, strong
winger who can really skate...Our scouting staff has been tracking this player
for a long time." There is clearly a level of excitement toward being able to
bring in not only a player that plays like Maenalanen, but who has shown so
much improvement over the past few years. Considering he just turned 24,
Maenalanen is also entering the prime of his life when it comes to physical
status.Maenalanen a Roster Player?

The details concerning Maenalanen's contract cannot be overlooked when it comes
 to projecting his status with the team and his place on the pecking order. A
one-year, maximum value contract (for an ELC) for a guy leaving behind a likely
 larger payday in Europe does not line up with a season with the Charlotte
Checkers for Maenalanen. Of course, every player, including Maenalanen, will
have to earn their spot on the Hurricanes roster, but considering all of the
young players-and specifically young wingers-projected to have a legitimate
shot, Maenalanen must be in the cards as well.

Also, while Canes are expecting/hoping Svechnikov and Necas will be on their
opening night roster and be impact players this season, Brind'Amour said
prospects such as Valentin Zykov, Warren Foegele and Saku Maenalanen will have
to earn jobs in camp. No guarantees.

- Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) July 27, 2018

It is entirely in the realm of possibility that Maenalanen beats out guys like
Warren Foegele, Phil Di Giuseppe, and Valentin Zykov for a chance to play for
the Hurricanes if he impresses at camp. Especially with Jeff Skinner now gone,
the door on the wing is wide open for Maenalanen to make some noise. He is also
 exactly what the Hurricanes need more of, too: A true power forward.

A disclaimer in all of this is that not all of the guys who play for the
Hurricanes on opening day against the New York Islanders will play all 82 games
 for the Hurricanes. Injuries, performance, and losing streaks can all shake up
 the roster. Maenalanen has a good chance at making the roster for day one, but
 whether he does or does not, his status in not set in stone.

Saku Maenalanen has the potential to make a decent impact in the National
Hockey League, and it would not be surprising if the Canes' brass would like to
 test that theory out.

*All statistics from EliteProspects.com.

The post Hurricanes Prospect Maenalanen Could Shake Up Camp appeared first on
The Hockey Writers.

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