Vancouver Canucks 2017 NHL Draft Profile: D Otto Latvala
On the hunt for a defenseman that can make the difference, the Vancouver Canucks should keep an eye on Otto Latvala.
Although Vancouver Canucks defenseman Erik Gudbranson is living proof of the fact that size isn’t everything in the NHL, big, strong, defensemen are always interesting targets at the draft. This year, 6-foot-6 Nicolas Hague and 6-foot-4 Callan Foote are prime examples.
But, there will be more hulking blueliners available later on.
One of them is Otto Latvala of HPK U20 in the Finnish Jr. A SM-liiga.
Name: Otto Latvala
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Birthdate: 1999-07-14
Height, weight: 6’5”, 190 lbs
Team, league: HPK U20, Jr. A SM-liiga
Stats (from eliteprospects.com):
G
A
P
PIM
+/-
47615216110
Rankings:
#41 by NHL Central Scouting (EU Skaters)
Risk, Reward: 2/5, 2.5/5
NHL-potential: Top-six defenseman
Draft Range: Fifth to seventh round
Strengths
Otto Latvala has a huge frame, and he knows how to use that to his advantage. The Finn does not fit the European stereotype of a skilled but physically weak player — the opposite is the case. Latvala loves to use his body to lay big hits and pin opponents against the boards. He is constantly on the lookout for opportunities to hit and make his physical presence felt.
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But, that’s not the only way Latvala uses his frame. One of his standout attributes is his long reach, which he uses frequently to knock pucks loose or to intercept passes. Latvala displays strong defensive awareness and positioning, allowing him to intercept passes before they can lead to danger. In defensive one-on-one situations, getting past him is a difficult task, as he his incredible reach allows him to get his stick blade into attempted dekes easily.
Though this is not a major standout attribute, Latvala is a strong skater for his size. He has good four-direction mobility that, along with his reach, gives him an edge in one-one-ones. Latvala is not an outstanding skater, but it’s certainly enough to defend against speedy forwards, and to carry the puck with confidence.
Lastly, Latvala is a strong passer who can play perfect tape-to-tape breakout passes after gaining possession defensively. He is steadily developing his offensive play as well, giving him some — though not much — two-way upside.
Weaknesses
Latvala is a big, physical shutdown defenseman. Nothing more. In today’s NHL, players that can do nothing more than hit and defend, like Gudbranson, have a very tough time. Big blueliners are in no way disappearing completely, but they need the two-way skill of a Colton Parayko to really succeed.
What’s more, Latvala sometimes overcommits on the physical aspect, going for big hits when he should have sat back. Especially against smaller, quick and agile skaters, that can lead to trouble. Latvala knows how to defend the rush responsibly, using his stick and feet to make plays, but he still tries to go for that old-school hitting style a little too much.
The biggest question is how much of an impact players like Latvala can still have in the NHL. He is a solid skater who displays strong defensive smarts, and he can play smart, accurate breakout passes, which is a great start. But he still has to iron out some issues in his game as well, and if he can’t do that, or can’t develop more of a two-way game, he might never make it to the NHL.
Final Thoughts
Fact is, most drafted players don’t make it to the NHL. And since Latvala should be a candidate for the later rounds of the draft, never seeing him in the NHL would not earn the GM that picked him much criticism. There is a lot to like about Latvala, which should definitely be enough to draft him.
Latvala is as much the opposite of a power-play quarterback and offensive defenseman as a player can be, so he won’t fill that major need the Canucks have. But, the first two or three rounds are likely where that need should be addressed anyway.
Next: All 2017 NHL Draft Profiles
Latvala will simply be an option for Vancouver in the later rounds, depending on how much they like him, and how much offensive upside they see in him. The Canucks own picks 95, 112 and 188. The fourth-rounders might be a little early for him, but he could well be gone by 188. So, unless they acquire a fifth or sixth-round selection on draft day, 112 is probably the pick that could be Latvala.