Though there was little expectation that Rasmus Kupari would spend this season with the Los Angeles Kings, the team officially announced today that the young forward has been loaned to Karpat of the Finnish Liiga for this season. That means the entry-level deal he signed just a week ago will slide by one year and (potentially) begin in the 2019-20 season.
Kupari was selected 20th overall by the Kings in June and could have gone even higher based on his skill and position. With experience at center in a professional league, Kupari could end up being one of the best at the position in this draft, especially if his offensive game blossoms in Finland this year. The 18-year old spent almost the whole year at the highest level last season, recording 14 points in 39 games against players sometimes ten years his senior while almost exclusively playing in the middle. He’s just starting to fill out a 6’1″ frame that gives him a nice wingspan to use his incredible puck skills and offensive talent.
Los Angeles is creating quite a crop of young talent, and Kupari should be recognized as one of the gems in their system. While we won’t see him in North America full-time this year, he’s a lock to be at the World Juniors in Vancouver at the end of the year. His star has shone brightly on the international stage before, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him among the point leaders in the tournament if given the opportunity this year.