Aleksanteri Kaskimaki: A Rising Star for the St. Louis Blues
Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, a promising prospect for the St. Louis Blues, showcased his abilities in the pre-season opener against the Dallas Stars last night. At just 21 years old, Kaskimaki is building on a solid first year in the American Hockey League (AHL), where he posted 11 goals and 34 points over 63 games playing for the Springfield Thunderbirds, ranking him eighth in goals and sixth in total points on the team.
Pre-Season Performance
Before facing the Stars in a tight 2-1 shootout loss, Kaskimaki had already made waves during the prospects tournament and displayed remarkable energy and skill throughout training camp. In the game against a solid Stars lineup that included NHL players such as Mavrik Bourque and Sam Steel, Kaskimaki logged 16 minutes and 55 seconds of ice time, contributing a shot on goal and a physical hit.
Partnered with Nathan Walker and Alexey Toropchenko, Kaskimaki has displayed strong chemistry with his line, excelling in puck battles in the offensive zone. Despite a minor setback involving a risky turnover in overtime that led to a penalty, Kaskimaki was instrumental in generating the Blues’ only goal. He assisted by passing the puck to Dylan Holloway behind the net, then moving toward the crease to provide an option for a quick strike from Justin Carbonneau, who ultimately scored after receiving a pass from Logan Mailloux.
Playing Style and Skills
Kaskimaki’s game is characterized by a fast pace. He is adept at controlling the puck through the neutral zone and igniting offensive plays. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 181 pounds, he mixes clever deception with skillful puck handling to create offensive opportunities, often using his opponents’ positioning against them. His unique approach involves sliding the puck under defenders’ legs to change shooting angles, a strategy he excelled at during his time in Finland’s Liiga, where he registered 10 goals and 17 points in 48 games at the age of 19.
Future Prospects
Selected 73rd overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, many observers believe Kaskimaki has the tools to excel in a bottom-six NHL role. With further development in the AHL, he may soon earn an opportunity at the NHL level. Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong expressed high hopes for Kaskimaki, recalling his impressive performance at the World Junior Championships in Sweden, and noted his strong understanding of critical game situations. Armstrong indicated that if Kaskimaki continues to perform well in training and fulfills expectations, he could see NHL action as early as next season. While the possibilities for making the team this year might be slim, Kaskimaki is certainly positioning himself as a contender with his remarkable display so far.
