It is difficult to assess Joni Ikonen’s first full season playing with the professionals, especially considering that there are not enough NHL players from Finland that either stayed in Finland or went back to their native country for the season after the draft. It is interesting, however, to know where Ikonen stands at the moment in relation to the ones who did.
We have to remember that Ikonen played 10 games, with short minutes, in the SHL and three games under similar circumstances in the Champions Hockey League with Frölunda last year, showing promise but not being very successful.