Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman began his first full offseason with a flourish, and in the days to come will complete the summer’s business by signing the best player in the game to a long-term deal. When Connor McDavid puts pen to paper and commits to the organization for another contract (rumoured to be up to four years in length), it will come with the understanding it’s “Stanley or bust,” as Leon Draisaitl said a couple of years ago.

Bowman’s early moves included re-signing Evan Bouchard and Trent Frederic, and procuring Andrew Mangiapane in free agency on July 1. A massive prospect trade brought scoring phenom Ike Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning in what was the “expect the unexpected” move of this summer in Edmonton.

The Oilers also signed an unusual talent from Finland’s top league, the Liiga. He hasn’t gotten a lot of attention, but he’s a name you should know. Here’s the story.

Atro Leppänen

Atro Leppänen is a late-developing left-handed defenceman whom Bowman signed in mid-April of this year. First blush impressions included more than a little surprise at his supreme offensive output (he led the league in points, including all forwards and defencemen). His foot speed ranked him No. 9 among Liiga defenders a year ago; that should play in the NHL, and his puck skills should also play if he makes it to the world’s best league. He was also among the top passers in the Liiga one year ago.

Leppänen is a little over six feet tall and weighs 183 pounds. The speed will help, but he’s small for the NHL. The biggest curiosity is age. He is 26 and did not play in the Liiga until 2023-24.

We do know he was on NHL radar before signing with Edmonton in the spring. Corey Pronman wrote about him at The Athletic in February and ranked him No. 2 among all European, college and CHL free agents. Quoting Pronman, “his sharp development is interesting. He’s a good skater with decent hockey sense and a big point shot. His defending and compete aren’t massive selling points, though.”

Defensive coverage and chaos may be the reason Leppänen spent so much time in Finland’s second league (Mestis) before being elevated to the nation’s top circuit at age 25. If he is unable to adapt to the North American style (smaller ice surface, more attention to tight coverage), it could be a quick tour of Alberta and a season spent with the Oilers AHL affiliate (Bakersfield Condors).

The #Oilers have signed defenceman Atro Leppänen to a one-year entry-level contract for the 2025-26 season. The 26-year-old led Finland’s Liiga in scoring this year, setting a record for points by a blueliner with 63.

Learn more about Leppänen ⤵️ https://t.co/fd9d3oIDK6

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 13, 2025

Comparables

One way to project Leppänen into the NHL or AHL is to examine players from the past who followed similar paths to North American hockey. There are only three worthy of discussing in regard to Leppänen; all are problematic, but they do a good job showing the outrageous range of possible outcomes.

Brian Rafalski represents the outer-marker comparable. He enjoyed a strong NHL career after joining the New Jersey Devils at the age of 25 in 1999-2000. An outstanding puck mover who could also defend, he was a smaller player (5-foot-10) than Leppänen but was also thick enough to survive in the NHL. In his final European season (at 24), Rafalski averaged a point per game in the Liiga with Helsinki HIFK. He played in the NHL as a regular the following season.

Sami Niku is a more comfortable player comparable in size (both are around six feet tall), but Niku came to North America (and thrived) when he was 21. In the AHL as a rookie for the Manitoba Moose, he scored 54 points in 76 games, after posting 27 points in 59 Liiga games the previous season. Niku was not the offensive dynamo Leppänen was in Finland, but did make the NHL for 67 games. He returned to Finland and played in Switzerland last season (age 27).

Oilers fans of a certain age can’t be blamed for mentioning Reijo Ruotsalainen as a comparable outlier. Ruotsalainen was much smaller (5-foot-8) and more of a rover than a defenceman. His electric style with the puck was both intoxicating and effective in all leagues, including the NHL. Ruotsalainen played only two seasons with the Oilers, and even then didn’t play a complete campaign either time. Including regular season and playoffs, he would wear the Oilers uniform for a total of 69 games, scoring 10 goals, 41 points and helping to secure the Stanley Cup in both seasons. The scouting report on Ruotsalainen included praise for his elite dynamic offensive flair, with severe criticism of his defensive game.

Since there is much unknown about Leppänen, the ceiling-to-floor possibilities seem infinite. It’s fitting that his comparables over the years vary widely.

Bottom line

It’s late August, and Oilers fans are waiting for the details of the McDavid contract while many hope to see a goalie upgrade before training camp. It’s impossible to keep track of all the Oilers’ happenings with the leaves turning and the final truly warm days of the season in the forecast next week.

Remember the name Atro Leppänen. The city of Edmonton and its fans have seen over 40 NHL training camps and preseasons, and there have been players with his resume who flopped in one week and were never heard from again. The same fate may await Leppänen. Still, there’s something about his spike one year ago that lingers and drives the imagination. How could he be a complete unknown before flattening a good league with impossible numbers?

This fall, in Edmonton, we may find out.

(Photo of Atro Leppänen (left) and Fredrik Olofsson (right): Christine Olsson / TT News Agency / AFP via Getty Images)