Sven Adjusting To VHL Level Play

[Devise 4,475]

To say it's been an adjustment period for highly touted S78 draftee Sven Reikkinen would probably be an understatement. Coaches and fans haven't really been "mad" at the D's play, as he hasn't really been a huge liability on the ice. It's just, much more offensively was expected out of the young Finn despite this only being his rookie season. However Sven has had some growing pains on the offensive side of the puck, which has resulted in the following stat line only 8 games in.

 

G: 0, A: 1, P: 1, +6, 0 PIM, 208 Minutes Played at an AVG of 26.01 per game, 1 Hit, 5 Hits Received, 6 Shots, 12 SB

 

When you go past the initial eye test of seeing an offensive D who is clearly struggling to get a shot off, there is some positives to be had. Sven leads his team in + despite being the 3rd highest D for minutes per game. His SB and lack of PIMs at all thus far have pointed towards him being a bit of a contributing passenger, but nothing more thus far this season. It very much feels like Sven is adjusting to the rigors of what it takes to play in the VHL, and his cautious approach probably has helped keep some goals out of the net. Still; London fans have to be wondering when will the offense, especially on the power play start to kick in?