Atro Leppänen was signed by Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman this spring. Despite taking the Finnish Liiga by storm and leading the league and setting a record for points by a defenseman with 63 in 60 games, he was a relative unknown.
At 26 years old, he had flown under the radar and only made his debut in the top league in his home country in 2023 at the age of 24. Before then, he had played in the second tier Mestis.
There, Leppänen found success notching 23 goals and 58 points in 51 games in his final season at that level. It took him until only his second year in the top league to put up similar numbers with Vassan Sport.
Despite this level of production at every level, it seems like most people are not even considering the possibility that Atro Leppänen could make the Oilers roster.
Can Leppanen make the roster?
I believe that Leppänen is unlikely to make the Oilers roster. There are plenty of established options that are and should be above him on the depth chart.
At this point, both Riley Stillman and Troy Stecher appear to be on the outside looking in for consistent playing time in the lineup. Yet, the club still sought after this player and went out of their way to sign him. It would be naive to assume that the lineup is set in stone and that Kris Knoublach and the Oilers brass will not give the Finnish blueliner a shot at to prove himself.
He brings a unique skillset, he’s quite mobile with quick and agile feet. He also shows good offensive vision and is capable of making quick decisions and snapping passes over to teammates, finding open seams. This could pair up nicely with the more rugged, right-shot Ty Emberson on the Oilers presumptive third pairing.
In saying this, it is not crazy either that Leppanen does not make the cut. We have seen this happen time and time again with standout European free agents, especially when they are in their mid-late 20’s.
Recently, players such as Hardy Haman Aktell and Marcus Sylvegård were highly regarded and established players in Europe who were signed but unable to make it to the NHL and returned shortly after. This has happened even with previous Oilers signings like Joakim Nygård and Joel Persson.
It is unclear what the Oilers have in mind for their newest blueline acquisition. Will he fill a John Klingberg type role where he comes and can provide some secondary puck-moving ability? Or is he seen as a Cam Dineen, someone who can be called up due to injuries or to get a different look?
Training camp is just over a month away so we will have to wait and see until then. But don’t be surprised if Leppänen can secure a roster spot.