Following the Habs signing Janne Lahti, we decided to ask Mika for as much insight as possible into the Janne Lahti acquisition, very little is known about Janne and what the incentive was for him to sign with the Habs after a stellar seaon in Finland. Mika asnwered our questions and more !
Question 1 - Lahti has had success in the SM Liiga this year during the
season and in the playoffs, how much of his success is given to playing
on a team with Makiaho and Uusikartano who have also had good years ?
I think both Mäkiaho and Uusikartano made Lahti's life much easier
during the season, but in the playoffs those two guys didn’t show up.
At the same time Lahti had six goals against Helsingin IFK in the
quarterfinals end led HPK to the semifinals against Helsingin Jokerit.
Lahti’s problem is that sometimes as winter goes by it looks like he loses interest in the regular season. One he hits the playoffs, everyone loves him. That's probably the most underrated part of his game. Just name one coach who wouldn’t take a
player on his team who will single handedly execute other teams in the playoffs? When we are looking at the big picture, it has taken many years before Lahti broke
into the Finnish elite. We’ve been talking about three years that this
for this to be his year, but it took longer than anyone expected.
The Last two years he has been a very important player for us and last spring when HPK won their first Finnish Championship Lahti was very big piece of it, actually I
could say the biggest. I’m sure that HPK and Hämeenlinna will miss this guy
next season.
Question 2 - What did Lahti bring to HPK this year that made it such a
difficult team to beat ?
Well, Lahti is a big guy with a big heart. If you look at his play in the
lineup, his power in corners gives his teammates more time on the ice to make
some plays. Add to that he is one heckuva scorer.
When I look back on his career I can't believe the ammount of scoring chances this guy missed Nowadays he really is a good powerforward and the last two years he has
shown that he can put it in the net when it counts.
Question 3 - What do you think are his chances in regards to adapting to
North American Hockey ?
It’s always very hard. Our problem in Finland is that we don’t have
superstars like Ovechkin, Malkin or Crosby. We have just players who can
play strongly at both ends. When we need some snipers, we just have
all around players. And that is Lahti’s problem too. I’m 100% sure that if
they give him a right role, he is ready to play in NHL. He’s big, strong,
athletic and a good scorer, so I have no doubt about that. But if he had to
play with little icetime at fourth line and defensive role – you can send
him home already!:) He’s better than that, I think. But also we have to
remember it takes some time to settle down and learn the American way to
play hockey. So I believe he can play at NHL, but I doubt if he gets
opportunity to show it.
Question 4 - Lahti has had alot of ups and down throughout his 7 years
in the Liiga, what are his shortcomings ?
As I said, he has been one of the most important players in HPK last two
years. Before that there was just a player with huge potential. He stole
the show in the Finals (2005-2006) against Porin Ässät when he had nine
(5+4=9) points in thirteen games. Against Ässät he scored every game and
was one of the biggest reasons that we made our first title. This year he
was our best forward in the playoffs and as I said he led HPK to the semifinals
against Jokerit.
Question 5 - How would you describe his game as a player ?
He is a strong winger and good scorer. Offensively he can make some
surprising moves and he plays his best hockey always in playoffs.
Defensively he’s not that good, but usually defensive end is always that
part of the game forwards should made better.
Question 6 - Do you feel there are alot of underrated players in the
Liiga as over-agers ? whom do you think after this years champonship was
a revelation ?
- no I don’t think so. We have only allround players and most of them are
not that good that they could play in NHL. They can be underrated, but not
international stars. Player who dominate in Liiga usually not do it at
NHL. Theres many examples of that. We don’t have stars, only hard workers.
Best Wishes !
