New Prospect Oskar Osala Just Wants a Chance
by Bob Wage on Mar 14, 2010 2:49 PM EDT
16 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes made a number of deals on trade deadline day and acquired several new assets in a short period of time. The most fruitful trade, at least at this point in time, is the one that sent Joe Corvo to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Brian Pothier, Oskar Osala, and a second round pick in the 2011 draft.
Pothier has been a perfect fit in the room and has contributed immediately. The Carolina franchise is stockpiling draft picks and the second rounder will certainly come in handy next year.
But several fans have the most hope for Osala, a young prospect from Finland who has the size, (6' 4), most scouts drool over, and potential upside to be a scorer in the NHL.
The winger was recently interviewed by a Finnish website and one of our friends from Finland, Markus, was nice enough to bring the article to our attention and translate it.
An interview from YLE, March 9, 2010 (YLE Urheilu / Ilkka Palomäki)
Osala: A good trade for my career.
At some level Osala sensed the possible trade but when the deadline expired, he already had a time to think that the trade wouldn’t happened.
"It was quite an amazing thing, because I haven’t previously been traded. I think that this was a good move for my career. You never know but I believe that chance to play in NHL is better here than it was in Washington," Osala says.
"I knew that some trades will happen. I had heard that some teams had been interested in me, so I was somehow prepared for this. However, it is always a bit surprising. It was also a funny situation when this trade became public after the trade deadline."
Osala played last season two games with the Capitals, but otherwise he has played in Hershey. Osala won the Calder Cup last spring and also this season Hershey is dominating the AHL. However, playing in a successful team has a shadow side - Osala was left a relatively short ice time (responsibility).
"That championship (Calder Cup) will remain in long-lasting memories. It was so incredible and strange because I had never won anything before that. It was a really big thing for me; it leaves the lasting emotional ties to the team," Osala says.
"I haven’t had much responsibility during the last few years - especially in special teams - and it might have even slowed my development. I think that this trade was a very good for my development."
Also in Carolina he was sent to the AHL. Osala have already played two games last week, and his time on ice - also with special teams - immediately took a completely different way. Accustomed to short time of ice, Osala laughed, that there was at first even too much ice time.
"In the first game I was quite tired because I haven’t played so much in two years. I just haven’t enough strength to skate at the end of the game. The second game was better because I wasn’t anymore so nervous. I got a lot of ice time also in that game, especially if you think my skating shape right now", Osala laughed.
"I think they are trying to get a younger team to Carolina. I hope that I will be also in the mix. I just have to show that I’m at least worthy of chance. And I have to play as good as possible to get that shot, either this or next season."
Osala hasn’t any compelling goals for this remaining season. However, after a short thinking, he finds a good goal.
"It would be great to play against Hershey in the playoffs. Currently, it is even likely in the second round. If I could play in a big role and drop them in the playoffs, it would be awesome."
Once again, a huge thank you to Markus for his help.
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I got a lot of ice time also in that game, especially if you think my skating shape right now", Osala laughed.
What does that mean exactly? rough translation I guess. I really like the chances for him to be on our 3rd or 4th line next season. I think it will come down to what JR does in the off season who stays who goes. Since were down to only a few more weeks of hockey (14 games left) its gonna be a LONG summer waiting around to see how the team shapes up for next year.
Jos olet suomalainen jääkiekkoilija se tarkoittaa sitä potkaise aasi ja pisteet suuria tavoitteita.
Long, Long Summer
I am dreading the long, long summer. I wish the Albany Rats would come to Raleigh and practice with Sutter using whatever power skating coach Sutter used last summer. I am very enthusiastic about Osala from what I’ve seen thus far.
I think he was basically saying it was alot of ice time especially if you consider my skating shape right now. I guess meaning he is used to playing 7 or 8 mins a game and needs to get his legs under him to log the minutes he will continue to get in albany.
thats how I took it. Maybe wrong, IDK
by CarolinaCanes on Mar 14, 2010 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Osala-nin
Be awful sweet if he’s the forward we need. Canescup is right about this summer. Man it’s gonna drag on like dead whale behind a minibike.
Anybody got word on Sutter-nin?
A
Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.
He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors
We must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately
It sounds like he should be available on Tuesday-thank the hockey gods.
And it was nice meeting you last night!
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
Indeed! It was great to put a face with the name. I guess that means I have to be nice to you now?
Tuesday, whew, thank the gods! Man that was a stinker of a game wasn’t it?
A
Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.
He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors
We must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately
Off topic, a bit:
Did either of you get pictures at Casino Night? I could not go, just arrived home from trip to Chicago. (Rain, cold, crappy – but concert was great).
Go Canes!
We took a few – Raccoon Fink still needs to post them. LTD was also there with camera in hand. Or maybe it’s just a permanent appendage at this point.
It’s a permanent appendage at this point for sure.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
by caniacgirl on Mar 15, 2010 10:13 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I just looked at LTD’s on her flicker site. Just realized that I’ve seen her and her appendage around and never knew it was HER. Geez, she even had on a Finland jersey. Man, I am dense. Gotta say hello next time.
Go Canes!
Please do! I’m much more old and less hip in person which is probably why you didn’t make the connection before.
And for the record, between the photoshops and the videoboard/FOG appearances, I am NEVER wearing that Suomi jersey in the arena again. Waaaaaay too conspicuous. The appendage is bad enough LOL.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
Awww! I looked for you at Saturday’s game, if I saw you I was going to introduce myself. Hopefully, if you’re there Thursday, my wife would like to meet you. I’m sure much Ruutu gushing would occur. :)
I hadn’t been able to get to a game since November, so I was kinda surprised when I saw myself and a friend on one of the video montages before the game. I was like —> O_O. I also got to save a girl from being knocked in the head with a practice puck, so it’s all good. :)
Can someone please get Manny a new shirt? He DESERVES one.
You don’t have to do anything but pay taxes and die (and even then one of those is optional), but wouldn’t it be harder to be mean to me now that you’ve met me in person?
And yeah the game was horrible. I don’t think I had seen them get shutout before Saturday night. It’s a crummy feeling.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
by caniacgirl on Mar 15, 2010 10:15 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Coyotes Game was Better Watching it on Video
I went back and watched the first two periods on video yesterday and will watch the rest tonight. The game actually was played much better than I thought when watching at the RBC. The Hurricanes had a ton of scoring chances and couldn’t bury them.
Also, I liked much better on video Cole’s skating than I did in person. I am interested in how enthusiastic the team and coaches are about Cole’s return. They give tremendous credit to Cole for his hitting and speed. I’ve seen and heard that so much, I have to re-evaluate how I am analyzing Cole’s play. Clearly, I am off-base because people with far more expertise than me are adamant Cole is an essential ingredient to the team.
Great Job !!!
And Osala got some good ice time in the rats vitory against the crunch today…he shot a booming shot towards the goal from the left side and while it didn’t get in the net, it made on heck of a noise going past it…and the other new guy Mc.Nichols did really well and Lawson looked comfortable but didn’t hear his name called too often…Yes the up coming draft and the 2010-2011 season does hold lots more promise than this years was…good shot of O2 there LTD!! enjoy the rest of your week end folks…Go Canes !!
Relax !! Even Micro Wave Popcorn takes time !! Go Canes !!
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