3 Finnish Prospects to Watch at the 2026 NHL Prospect Games

Following a look at Finnish prospects at the Rookie Faceoff, the NHL Prospect Games, set to take place from September 12th to 15th at the BELFOR Training Center in Detroit, will feature the Red Wings hosting the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets. This event offers another opportunity to scout Finnish talent, with Dallas's Niilopekka Muhonen potentially facing off against Detroit's Jesse Kiiskinen and Luka Arkko. While these players are further from NHL readiness than those at the Rookie Faceoff, they represent important checkpoints for assessing each team's Finnish prospect pool.

Niilopekka Muhonen, a Mobile Big Defenseman

Dallas selected Muhonen 158th overall in the 2024 draft, taking a chance on a 6-foot-5 defenseman with raw tools that required development. After leaving Finland's Liiga team, KalPa, he moved to the Western Hockey League. In his first North American season, he became a key player for Medicine Hat, helping them win the Ed Chynoweth Cup and reach the Memorial Cup final. Dallas signed him to a three-year entry-level contract in July 2025, and he will begin his professional career with the Texas Stars in the American Hockey League (AHL) this season.

Muhonen's offensive contributions are minimal, which is secondary to his primary role. Last season's statistics highlight his defensive prowess: averaging two hits per game, winning 58 percent of his puck battles, contributing to the penalty kill, and executing passes with 84 percent accuracy to clear pucks from danger. His offensive numbers were negligible, yet he finished with a plus-27 rating in 39 games for the successful Medicine Hat team, despite missing time due to upper-body injuries.

His significant size and skating ability are his key assets, though scouting opinions vary on their long-term potential. At Dallas's development camp in July, he displayed remarkable agility for his height, demonstrating confidence on his edges and comfort carrying the puck under pressure. A notable moment was his forced turnover leading to a clean neutral-zone pass that set up a teammate for the first goal of a mini-game. In some games, he can overcommit with his physicality and stick work, leading to lost zone entries and a lack of offensive projection, suggesting his most likely role is a depth defenseman focused on the penalty kill. Regardless of these reads, his skating for his size makes him a worthwhile prospect, with his defensive timing in transition being the main hurdle to reaching the NHL.

Jesse Kiiskinen, a Sniper Transitioning Full-Time

Nashville drafted Kiiskinen 68th overall in 2023, a third-round pick for a shooter some scouts had ranked higher. A year later, Detroit acquired him in a trade that sent defenseman Andrew Gibson to Nashville in exchange for Kiiskinen and a 2024 second-round pick. He gained significant attention at the 2025 World Juniors, where he served as an alternate captain for Finland and, after a quiet start, scored six goals in the final four games to help his team secure a silver medal. He then returned to the Liiga, where he led all junior-aged scorers with 44 points in 46 games for his hometown team, HPK, in the 2024-25 season.

His performance in the subsequent season saw a slight dip, with 28 points in 54 games. However, this decrease was primarily in assists, as his goal total increased to 17. This aligns with both statistical tracking and video analysis. He shoots frequently, averaging over five attempts per game according to box scores, but many shots are blocked or taken from the perimeter and one-timer positions rather than high-danger areas. He rarely creates significant offensive opportunities for his linemates. Video reviews suggest he plays as a high-energy winger rather than a primary offensive driver, limited by a lack of high-end playmaking ability, with a projection as a third-line two-way winger.

He possesses a powerful and accurate shot, along with a strong one-timer. Away from the puck, he forechecks with an aggressive edge. His skating speed and stride length are considered potential long-term limitations. He played a three-game stint with the Grand Rapids Griffins at the end of last season, recording a goal and an assist, but was not included in their playoff roster. He is now based in North America permanently and is expected to play a top-six role for a developing Griffins team. If he continues to progress, the trade that brought him to Detroit will prove to be a significant asset.

Luka Arkko, the Most Raw Prospect

Arkko is the youngest and least experienced of the three, an 18-year-old drafted 175th overall by Detroit in June. His potential is more complex than his 6-foot-3, 212-pound frame might suggest. He played last season in Finnish junior leagues, dividing his time between the Pelicans' under-20 and under-18 teams, where he accumulated 33 points. Shortly after, the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League selected him in the import draft, indicating his move to North American junior hockey this season.

He can best be described as a power forward, though that label doesn't perfectly capture his style. He is effective around the net, battling for rebounds and screening the goaltender, and he protects the puck well along the goal line. However, he rarely engages physically and plays more like a smart, complementary winger than a bruising player. Consistent scouting reports highlight a similar concern: while his off-puck awareness, net-front instincts, and flashes of skill were evident during the 2026 Draft evaluation, his skating form requires significant improvement. His stride is stiff and upright, with poor separation between his upper and lower body, hindering his ability to leverage his size against stronger competition.

Despite being a sixth-round pick, he shows potential. In a preseason game last summer, he executed a coast-to-coast rush, deked through defenders, and finished through pressure, showcasing the kind of play that justified Detroit's investment. The Prospect Games will be Arkko's first opportunity to play in a Red Wings uniform against older and faster opponents. The key observation will be whether his skating can match his offensive skills. He is a long-term project for Red Wings fans to follow patiently.

These three prospects are at different stages of development and are worth watching for distinct reasons. Muhonen possesses the highest ceiling and the longest developmental runway as a large, mobile defenseman still refining his professional game and defensive transition timing. Kiiskinen appears closest to contributing at the NHL level, provided his shot can compensate for his skating in the AHL. Arkko represents a more speculative pick, likely years away from an NHL roster spot.