Florida Panthers: Does Aleksi Heponiemi Make the Jump this Season?

Following an incredibly sensational season in Finland during the 2019 season, Aleksi Heponiemi finally signed an entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers. However, will the Finnish sensation make the all-important jump to the NHL during the 2020 campaign?

The 20-year-old was previously selected by General Manager Dale Tallon of the Florida Panthers with the 40th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. Since being drafted by Florida, Heponiemi has gone on to dominate at both the WHL, Liiga, and international levels.

During the 2017-18 pro-hockey season, Aleksi Heponiemi would proceed to annihilate the competition in the WHL. While participating in 57 regular-season games for the Swift Current Broncos, “Hepo” would record a historic slash line of 28 goals, 90 assists for 118 total points.

Essentially, Aleksi proved he longer belonged at the WHL and needed to play against more skilled opponents. Hence, he would subsequently take his talents to Finland, where he would play for Karpat during the 2018-19 season.

Despite being undersized and much younger, Aleksi Heponiemi would still dominate the Liiga as a mere rookie. While playing in 50 contests for Karpat, Heponiemi registered a superb line of 16 goals, 30 assists for 46 total points.

Overall, Heponiemi continued to dominate regardless of where and who he played with. In addition, he showcased his all-world talents on the international stage, playing against the best of the best within his age class.

While representing Team Finland during the 2019 U20 International Tournament, Heponiemi would record a phenomenal tally of 6 goals, 11 assists for 17 total points in only 12 games played. Aleksi’s performance at the international stage ultimately helped Team Finland clinch the World Junior Classic Gold Medal.

Following the conclusion of Heponiemi’s season, the Panthers were able to finalize an entry-level contract with the promising forward from Finland. However, since the Cats are set in terms of their top-six forwards, the wise move would be to allow Aleksi Heponiemi to play the entire 2020 hockey season in the American Hockey League.

A year of development and experience at the AHL level with the Springfield Thunderbirds would unequivocally prepare Heponiemi for a top-six role at the NHL level in the foreseeable future. With the contracts of Mike Hoffman and Evgenii Dadonov expiring after the 2020 season, the Panthers could potentially have Heponiemi fill a spot in the top six at the start of the 2021 NHL season.

However, the Panthers shouldn’t necessarily rush Heponiemi’s development at the current moment of time. The Cats currently contain plenty of depth at the wing position, so playing the entire season with Springfield as their top winger would be more ideal for Heponiemi’s overall growth and development.

Realistically speaking, I do not believe that Aleksi Heponiemi will make the jump to the National Hockey League during the 2020 campaign. The Cats will not risk hindering his development by sticking him on their fourth line.

Essentially, one season of experience at the AHL level will better prepare Aleksi, both mentally and physically, for the playing style of the NHL.

In essence, do not expect to see Aleksi Heponiemi wearing a Florida jersey in the upcoming season. However, the Finnish sensation has a good shot of beginning the 2021 season with the big club, and will likely dominate at the NHL level for years to come.