Koivu finished his second full Liiga season with TPS posting nine points in 47 games (a modest improvement in raw total but a step back in rate from the eight he managed in 32 games the year prior) in a league known for suppressing offensive output from young players. At 20, the context matters: playing at the top level of Finnish professional hockey at his age is legitimate development, even if the numbers are thin. The offensive flashes that have surfaced in junior international play – a lethal shot and power play instincts that profile closer to an offensive finisher – have not yet translated consistently to the pro environment. How quickly the production climbs alongside his role on the TPS depth chart will ultimately determine whether Montreal shows interest in him beyond the name recognition that came with the pick. In a prospect pool as stacked as the Canadiens’, that alone will not carry him. A deep-format dynasty watchlist name only.

Through the first 21 games of the 2025-26 season in Liiga, Koivu has six points. He has nearly eclipsed the eight points in 31 games he produced in Liiga over the 2024-25 season, but he still has plenty of work to do to make dynasty fantasy managers make a spot for him on their watch lists. With that said, if he makes the 2026 Finnish World Junior team in a top-six capacity, he could spark a lot of interest by showcasing his shot.

Equipped with a lethal shot, Koivu has unfortunately been unable to use it to his team’s advantage, playing in the top Finnish league in 2024-25, where he scored once in 32 games. He will likely be able to score a bit more in 2025-26, but if he does not, it could mean he is not getting into the right positions to use his shot. Ultimately, that means limited NHL upside, especially in a prospect pool as stacked as Montreal has.

Aatos Koivu was drafted 70th overall by the Montreal Canadiens. His father, Saku, served as captain of the Canadiens for several years.

April 2024 Aatos Koivu is a well-skating center that has had a steep development curve during the season. He is physically quite raw which partly explains why he flew under the radar for so long. Koivu possesses a plus tool in his shot that he likes to fire frequently, especially from the half-wall. He also has a quite good hockey sense especially in the offensive zone where he is good at making himself available as an option to pass the puck to. He can play responsible two-way hockey and he’s already developed some mature habits like good scanning. Anni Karvinen

Aatos Koivu, the son of the former NHLer Saku Koivu, has taken huge steps during the season. The intelligent center started the season with the U18 team but was moved to play in the U20 and has also gotten a couple of Liiga call-ups already. While his physical play needs improving, he possesses a couple of nice tools in his toolkit with his shot and skating. Anni Karvinen