2004 Draft: Finnish Overagers

Three overage players made a breakthrough this season in Finland and could get drafted this summer. Last year, Esa Pirnes and Lasse Kukkonen were picked up at the draft, getting signed to NHL contracts immediately. Although the looming lockout could mean that immediate signings might not be as likely, here are the names to keep in mind as possible pickups.

Janne Niskala, D, Lukko Rauma, Age: 22

Had a career year in his third full SM-Liiga campaign .. amassed 21 goals, most by a defenseman in the league; third among blueline point-getters .. participated at the Finnish World Championship preparation camp ... an agile, fluid skater who moves laterally and keeps his feet moving well .. owes much of his offense to his great shooting game .. has an accurate slap shot and a sneaky wrister with a quick release .. excels at carrying the puck, generating offense with fluent puck skills and vision .. a confident and poised player, although at times erratic with his playmaking .. mostly a bystander in traffic, although he can handle the physical aspects of the game .. limited by lack of size and strength .. capable of making the jump to North American ice in about a year.

Kimmo Kuhta, LW/RW, IFK Helsinki, Age: 29.

Has always had a knack for scoring goals, but truly broke through this season .. finished second in both goals and points, although he was among the last cuts from the Finnish World Championships team .. won the gentlemanly player award for his play in the SM-Liiga ... a purely finesse player .. skating has kept him under the NHL radar for the past few seasons, but he’s made great strides in improving his quickness, although top speed still leaves a bit to be desired .. very smooth and balanced with the puck in full speed .. soft hands; scores most goals on wristers, but lacks a strong slapper .. has a remarkably quick stick .. not a suitable player for checking line duty; lack of strength strength/finesse style really limits him in that respect .. getting up there in years now.

Janne Pesonen, RW, Kärpät Oulu, Age: 22.

SM-Liiga rookie of the year .. had a very strong start but faded later on in the season and into the playoffs, where he amassed only two points in 15 games .. made his national team debut for Finland at the Sweden Hockey Games in Februrary ... has good raw skills and great wheels .. shifty skater is industrious and stealthy .. turns on a dime, but not the type to power around defensemen .. weakness is a tendency to overhandle the puck, but he’s fun to watch .. opportunistic and takes advantage of open lanes, through which he can explode .. an artist, but extremely raw at positioning himself and unproven at finishing .. worth the late-round flyer.