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Lahti Pelicans GM Janne Laukkanen on Jesse Ylönen, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and the shrinking gap between Liiga and the NHL

Janne Laukkanen, Sport Manager with the Lahden (Lahti) Pelicans, is a harsh critique when it comes to Montreal Canadiens draft pick Jesse Ylönen. But Laukkanen knows what it takes to reach the NHL; he has over 400 games in the league to his name.

”He wasn’t as good as we expected, but when he got the touch and confidence, he had a chance to show up. I think he took that spot [in the lineup] because you have to remember that it’s 25 players and you have to find that spot or fight for one spot.