Pikkarainen continued developing with TPS in Liiga while representing Finland at the World Junior level. The forward was part of the Finnish WJC roster alongside several other prospects on this list (Soini, Vedenpaa, Kumpulainen), which confirms the national program’s confidence in his trajectory. His Liiga usage has been growing, and the skating ability and hockey sense that earned him a Devils draft pick remain visible. At 20, the timeline is long, and New Jersey has a deep forward pipeline that does not require him to rush to North America. The offensive production in Liiga will determine whether he earns an ELC. Fantasy managers should monitor in deep dynasty formats. He has the skill to project as a middle-six option if the offensive game matures, but the sample at the men’s league level needs to grow before committing a roster spot.

Pikkarainen saw his season derailed by a serious knee injury that limited him to just one game with the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels. After parting ways with Red Deer, he has returned to Finland to restart his development with HC TPS, a club that underperformed last year and is in need of fresh talent. At 18, time is still on his side, but the injury has cast some uncertainty over his trajectory. A full, healthy season will be key. His game, built on physicality and two-way play inspirited by shades of the Tkachuk brothers, remains compelling. If he finds his rhythm, he could work his way back into NHL conversations and earn a spot with Finland’s World Junior squad. For now, the focus is on staying healthy, regaining form, and proving why New Jersey took a swing on his upside in the third round.

Pikkarainen has the raw tools to become a bottom-six NHL talent, but there are some growing pains to get through first. For one, his skating needs drastic improvement, from straight-line speed to acceleration to quickness in turns. His size and physicality are already NHL caliber, but he needs to elevate his more offensively-focused toolkit to be a threat for an NHL spot in a few years.

Pikkarainen was selected 85th overall by the New Jersey Devils.

Kasper Pikkarainen is a big winger with some interesting tools that haven’t yet come together. Pikkarainen is at his best when playing in the offensive zone, as he can snap a shot or pass the puck efficiently in tighter spaces. Anni Karvinen