Carolina Hurricanes Prospects: Rasmus Rissanen a Dark Horse Candidate on Defense
Between now and the start of the preseason, Cardiac Cane will preview every Carolina Hurricanes prospect as they enter the 2015-2016 season and what we expect from them in the coming year and beyond.
Player: Rasmus Rissanen
Position: Defense
Date of Birth: July 13, 1991 (24)
Birthplace: Kuopio, Finland
Height/Weight: 6’3″/217 lbs.
2015-2016 Team: Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) and/or Charlotte Checkers (AHL)
Scouting Report:
Rissanen is a defensive defenseman with solid size and a good physical game. Plays with grit and emotion, and won’t back down from anyone. With that, some penalty trouble can follow. Owns a good shot and a decent outlet pass. Could improve his skating skills. (ELITE PROSPECTS)Rissanen is a big defender with little flash to his game. Sometimes undisciplined, he plays with emotion and effort and doesn’t back down from anyone. He has a strong shot. Though he is more of a stay-home defender, Rissanen is capable of making a quick outlet pass and also solid as a point man on the power play. He must improve his mobility and foot speed but his size and strength are attributes that make him a legitimate prospect. (HOCKEY’S FUTURE)
Among the crowded group of defensemen competing for a spot in the NHL this season with the Carolina Hurricanes, Rasmus Rissanen is unique in many ways, including his style of play and amount of experience.
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A 6th round draft pick of the Hurricanes back in 2009, Rissanen is nearing the end of prospect days, which makes this season even more important for him and his development.
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Prior to being drafted in 2009, Rissanen played two years of junior hockey in his native country of Finland, evolving as a dominant shut down defenseman and physical force. He was able to translate that effective style of play to North America in 2009.
In the 2009-2010 season, Rissanen suited up for the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League. In 74 games played as a WHL rookie, he tallied 15 points and was an impressive +18. He also racked up a staggering 103 minutes in penalties. He played in a very defensive role in Everett in his first year in North America.
In 2010-2011, Rissanen not only suited up for year 2 in Everett, but he also competed in the U20 World Junior Championship with Finland.
He picked up 12 points in 68 games with Everett while playing in an alternate captain role. His plus/minus fell to -17 and he had 89 penalty minutes.
Rissanen was held off the scoreboard in the WJC. He was a +1 with 14 penalty minutes in 6 tournament games.
2011-2012 marked Rasmus Rissanen’s rookie season as a professional hockey player, and he played well in a limited role. He picked up a minutes 6 points in 64 games, but he was an even plus/minus. He spent 57 minutes in the penalty box.
In his sophomore season, Rissanen bumped up his numbers, got bigger, and started to move up the prospect rankings. In 61 games, he had 9 points and 84 penalty minutes.
Another good season in 2013-2014 threw the young Fin into the discussion for an NHL call-up, as he put up then-career-highs in points (10) and penalty minutes (91) with the Charlotte Checkers. He also stepped up in a much bigger role with the club.
Three solid seasons in the AHL brought him into year four in 2014-2015. In 52 games in Charlotte, Rissanen had a career-high 11 points, 10 of which were assists. Good play throughout the season earned him his first NHL call-up with the Carolina Hurricanes on March 2.
Before sustaining a season-ending MCL injury, Rasmus Rissanen was left off the scoreboard in 6 games played. He averaged 14:04 of ice time per game with the Canes in his only call-up. He provided a big, physical presence on the blue line, despite having hiccups in his defensive positioning and overall play in his own end.
Carolina Hurricanes
The massive Finish blue liner brings a lot of heart and physicality to the ice every night. He plays hard every shift, and it shows through his compete level and tenacity. Because of this, he does take plenty of penalties and gets into a lot of fights. He stand sup for his teammates and takes pride in his game, which is something that can make him a fan favorite at any level.
Rissanen is great on the physical side, and he has the potential to be a good stay at home defenseman, but he is a slow skater and lacks the quick movements that can take him to the next level. He also lacks offensive upside, and excluding his powerful shot, he doesn’t offer much on the opponents side of the ice.
He is largely a one-dimensional player, which does put a limit on just how good he can be in the NHL, if he ever turns into a regular at the highest level
Down the road, his defensive acumen and physical dominance can make him a good bottom pairing or seventh defenseman. He is definitely a role player and penalty killer, and he doesn’t seem to be much more.
If coached correctly and played in the right spots, Rasmus Rissanen can be an effective NHLer as soon as this season with the Carolina Hurricanes.
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Rissanen will attend Hurricanes training camp in September and will likely be in the running for a spot at the NHL level to start the season. He will have stiff competition, however, with guys like Noah Hanifin, Haydn Fleury, Ryan Murphy, Michal Jordan, and others also trying to make a name for themselves amongst the coaching staff.