Edmonton Oilers goaltending prospect Eemil Vinni had back surgery ahead of the 2024 NHL draft, according to In Goal Magazine’s Kevin Woodley.
Vinni, who was drafted by the Oilers in the second round of the draft, drew some concern from teams about the surgery, but it clearly didn’t deter Edmonton from shoring up their goaltending ranks.
It evidently didn’t tank his draft stock, as he ranked anywhere from 74th to 138th in different publications, but he didn’t rank on The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler’s list of the top 100 prospects. NHL’s Central Scouting had him as the best international goaltender in the draft.
Last season in the Joensuun Kiekko-Pojat, Vinni posted an .891 save percentage and a 2.72 goals-against average in 37 games, along with a 17-9-10 record and two shutouts. The young Finn also got some experience in the top level of Finnish hockey posting a .737 save percentage in two games with HIFK in 2022-23.
Although he didn’t play, Vinni was named to Team Finland for the World Juniors, where Finland finished fourth in the tournament after losing to Czechia in the Bronze Medal Game. There’s a solid chance he’ll get some games in next season’s tournament.
The numbers may not be great, and the back may have something to do with that, but Vinni may already be Edmonton’s top netminding prospect in the organization. He’s a sound netminder who is aggressive in the best type of way, with excellent skating and good hand-eye coordination.
Here’s some of what Daily Faceoff’s prospect guru Steven Ellis had to say of the player:
“Vinni’s stats might not be special, but it’s difficult being a starter in a pro league at 18. Vinni didn’t get a start at the World Juniors, but he’s arguably been Finland’s best goaltender in the U-20 national team competition this year. At 6-foot-2, he has decent size and, fortunately, he isn’t overcommitting on shots as much as he was a year ago. Vinni will need a lot of seasoning before becoming an NHLer, but I see potential there in how he commands himself in the crease. I think he’s one of those guys we’re going to see have a breakout season in Liiga before heading to the AHL and becoming an NHL backup.”
Ellis ranked Vinni as the third-best goaltender in the draft, behind Marcus Gidlof and Carter George, who were selected in the fifth and second rounds, respectively. George was selected by the Los Angeles Kings seven picks before the Oilers took Vinni.
Aside from Vinni, the Oilers don’t have much in the way of goalies in their prospect pool. Olivier Rodrigue is by far the most interesting of the bunch, as the 24-year-old posted a .916 save percentage along with a 2.73 goals-against average in 37 games in the American Hockey League. The 62nd overall pick in the 2018 draft had a 19-12-5 record with no shutouts, while also playing a game in the postseason, allowing two goals on 33 shots.
Nathaniel Day was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, but posted a dismal .868 save percentage and a 3.73 goals-against average in 54 games for the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League this year. That team isn’t great, but Day’s numbers regressed from the prior season. In the draft prior, the Oilers selected Samuel Jonsson, who only played three games last season where he didn’t quite perform all that well
Here’s hoping that Vinni recovers well this off-season, as he’ll almost certainly be playing in the top flight of Finnish hockey with international opportunities.
If you enjoy my content, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

SPONSORED BY bet365