Salminen did not post a huge raw-stat jump in his second Denver season, but his case looks steadier and cleaner now. Denver named him an alternate captain before the year, and through the Pioneers’ Frozen Four berth he had 11 goals, 18 assists, 29 points, 72 shots, and a plus-23 in 41 games, essentially holding last year’s production pace while generating more volume and carrying more trust inside Denver’s lineup. His late-season push mattered most. He had a four-point night against Arizona State in November, then earned NCHC Forward of the Week in early March after a four-goal, five-point regular-season closing sweep of ASU, while also leading Denver in faceoff wins and draw percentage at that point. In the postseason, he scored the overtime winner against Western Michigan in the NCHC semifinal, helped create Denver’s opening goal in the Frozen Faceoff title game, and then scored again in the NCAA regional final that sent Denver back to the Frozen Four. The read now is a more mature, detail-driven complementary forward, not a primary driver, but one with enough puck support, interior timing, and matchup utility to project as a useful pro piece

Samu Salminen made the most of his transfer to Denver, putting up 10 goals and 28 points in 44 games, a solid jump from the 17 points he posted at UConn the year before. He has always shown strong off-puck instincts and a knack for finding soft areas, but this season he looked more confident with the puck and more consistent in transition. It was not a breakout year, but it was a clear step in the right direction. He still projects more as a complementary middle-six forward than a play-driver, but if the upward trend continues, an ELC offer from the Devils next spring may be in the books.

Salminen’s original projection as a middle-six center has been stymied a bit, but it’s possible that there is more in the tank for the 21-year-old. In the early goings of the NCAA season, he has relied more on his shot than in previous seasons, and it has worked out – his wrist shot has become more dangerous. Intelligence is still how he gets his points, but the shot, skating, and passing abilities are becoming more of an issue for the opposition.

After two productive seasons at Connecticut, Salminen moves on to the University of Denver, bringing veteran experience to a championship Pioneers squad. He has modest stats with seven goals and 17 points in 35 games, but he continues to showcase craftiness offensively and uses his size well in his own end. Skating has made some positive improvements as well. There is potential for Salminen to become a well-rounded bottom-six forward.

Salminen has been tearing up the Finnish U20 league with 48 points in 44 games, leading his team by a margin of 10. He sits seventh league-wide for points, although he stands as the only drafted prospect in the top-100, as most post-draft players with significant fantasy value make the jump to Division 1 or 2 pro hockey at this point in their careers. Jokerit’s men’s team plays in the KHL, and likely wants to keep its roster as pro-ready as possible, with the level of competition being drastically high in Russia’s top men’s division. Expect Salminen to be playing pro next season, as his development furthers and he continues to grow his off-puck game and physical strength.

The young Finn has been slowly creeping closer to the first round on many public draft boards. Samu Salminen is a skilled center that has a projectable frame at 6’3″ and 194lbs and the skill to play the modern game. His biggest concern is his mobility which could force him to the wing at the next level. Salminen is an incredibly smart player who has a knack for being in the right spot at the right time at both ends of the ice. His effort defensively can be very hit-or-miss but he has the length and puck skills to get into passing lanes and create turnovers. At the offensive end of the ice, Salminen can be very impressive. He has a good shot from the faceoff dots and he has quick hands that elevate in tight. He is very crafty around the net and can display some interesting moves as he tries to create from the net front or beside the net. When he spots an open man across the zone, he has the soft touch to feather a pass through traffic and find his teammates. He works the cycle well at the junior level and shows some decent strength around the walls but hasn’t played against men to show how he’d fair against that level like many of his European counterparts. Salminen has a very intriguing game and if his mobility was a bit better, he would likely be a late first-rounder without question.