Flyers Fans, I introduce to you: THE BIG MU

OHHHHH YEAH, BABY! BIG MU SAMU IN THE HOUUUUSE! *Siren noise*

*Cue’s up Bad Boys Theme music* Big Mu, Big Mu whatcha gonna do when he comes for you…

If you have not caught on yet, yes, I am talking about new Flyers prospect and 46th overall pick in the 2021 Draft, Samu (SAAMMMMMUUUUUUUUU) Tuomaala.

I gotta say, if there is one Flyer prospect I would be excited for in the future, it’s the prospect of having a 5’10 Finnish sniper with the hands of God and the shot of Jack The Ripper flanking Sean Couturier’s right wing FOR THE REST OF ETERNITY.

Well, not really the rest of eternity, just until 2030 when Couturier’s contract ends. Not asking a whole lot. Not at all. Don’t judge me. We go on.

As I’ve already mentioned, Tuomaala, an 18 year old right-handed RW is one of my favorite prospects heading into the future and there’s only one reason for that: Big Mu LOVES to shoot the burnt biscuit.

High & Wide Hockey’s own prospect and draft writer, John Gove, seems to have high praise for the Finnish lad:

https://twitter.com/PodStreetGove/status/1431345499521568776?s=20

https://twitter.com/PodStreetGove/status/1431344653358489603?s=20

Seriously, how long has it been since we were able to type the words, “shoot first” and “Flyers” in the same sentence? Since the likes of Jeff Carter? Simon Gagne? His holiness, Daniel Briere? No matter how you slice the cookie (pie?), it’s a characteristic that a Flyers player has not had in quite some time.

(I think Jakub Voracek just *passed* on reading that paragraph)…. sorry it was too easy, and yes, I know I’m not funny.

With a potential consistent 30-goal scorer like Joel Farabee, the addition of Cam Atkinson and a shoot-first honey badger like Wade Allison showing promise, adding a guy like “THE BIG MU” to that list is a reason for excitement.

If I was a coach and had the opportunity to say one thing to Tyson Foertster and/or Samu Tuomaala:

"If you don't shoot the fukin puck every time it touches your stick, you're getting bag-skated until Joel Farabee graduates from high school."

— Johnny (Flyers) Hockey (@FlyersJohnny) August 16, 2021

So what are the scouts saying about our coveted Scandinavian prince?

Well, well, well… I bet you’d like to know. No, seriously. I’m actually going to tell you.

According to Dobber Prospects, “Tuomaala has a shooter’s mentality and he isn’t afraid to show it. He thrives on shot generation and forcing the goaltender to make saves all over the ice. Tuomaala is fleet of foot, able to quickly move the puck up ice and evade a back check.”

According to Scott Wheeler from The Athletic, “When he plays an up-tempo, energizing game, he’s very effective. His skill makes him a lot of fun to watch when he’s surrounded by talented players, too.”

Additionally, from TheHockeyWriters, “He [SAMU] loves to shoot but doesn’t do it without regard. He’s fast enough to get breakaway opportunities, which he can often convert on due to his good shot. He creates space for himself with his skating but also is adept at giving up the puck and finding more open space to either create or shoot.”

More from Ben Kerr, Last Word on Sports, “Tuomaala has an outstanding array of shots. He is amongst the best shooters in the class. His wrist shot has a lightning-quick release and he can quickly move his hands to change the angle on it, fooling goaltenders. He is very accurate as well as generating a ton of power.”

And lastly, let’s sprinkle in some Mike Morreale from NHL.com, “”Tuomaala is an energy-type forward with good speed, quickness and puck control. The 18-year-old has good offensive skills, including a hard, accurate shot.”

I mean… thats exciting, i guess. Right? RIGHT?!

Even Charlie O’Conner of The Athletic and Jordan Hall from CSNPhilly are chipping in from Flyers Development Camp on August 30th:

Tuomaala's skating really pops at this camp. Far from a finished product, but in a prospect pool that lacks dynamic speed, he stands out on every rep just for that alone.

— Charlie O'Connor (@charlieo_conn) August 30, 2021

A glimpse of Samu Tuomaala, Finnish winger that can fly and score. He’ll definitely stand out in these drills where it’s purely offense, 1-on-none. pic.twitter.com/KoKcWzwivQ

— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) August 29, 2021

Yes, yes Mr. Kirk Cousins, I do, indeed, like that. Thank you.

A translation of all of this, to keep it professional with strictly hockey nomenclature, this man loves to get his hand in the cookie jar and sniff the jar for cookies. HE LOVES GOALS. HE LOVES TO SHOOT AAAAND HE’S OURS. AH, BLISS.

Now, now, now…I’m the last person that gets excited for prospects, but how could you not with MU-MU? Yes, THE BIG MU is a few years away from touching the NHL but he is a player to keep close tabs and monitor over the span of the next few years. According to most scouts, Samu will have to work on his decision-making and responsibilities in the defensive zone before making the next step.

According to Samu, he will either play in the AHL or in the OHL for the 2021-2022 hockey season.

Samu Tuomaala said he will play in North America this year. Would like to play in AHL but open to OHL. "We will see." pic.twitter.com/L1DR6bkiqJ

— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) August 29, 2021

IT’S TIME TO START BUYING IN ON ‘THE BIG MU’. “SECOND HALF, COMING UP NEXT!”

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