Position: Defence Height: 6-1 Weight:
200 Shoots: Left Last Team: Calgary League: NHL Birthdate: September 25, 1977 Home: Lahti, Finland
Toni Lydman
Regular
Season
Playoffs
Year
Team
GP
G
A
PTS
+/-Â
PIM
GP
G
A
PTS
PIM
97-98
Tappara
48
4
10
14
--
36
4
0
2
2
0
98-99
HIFK
42
4
7
11
--
36
11
0
3
3
2
99-00
HIFK
46
4
18
22
--
36
9
0
4
4
6
00-01
Calgary
62
3
16
19
-6
30
--
--
--
--
--
MISCELLANEOUS
Lydman separated his shoulder in training camp last season. despite that, he did not look out of place in the the practices and scrimmages...Made his club team in Finland as an 18-year-old, barely playing any junior hockey. So, he has been playing against men for a long time. That should help his adjustment to the National Hockey League...No fewer than 13 teams called Craig Button in the summer looking for a trade for Lydman. The Calgary general manager turned them all down. Basically, Lydman has a spot on the roster that is his to lose in training camp.
SCOUTING REPORT
Played well enough to make the Calgary Flames last season during training camp despite being hampered by a shoulder injury...Strong on his skates he doesn't mind playing a physical game, something of a rarity in Finnish defencemen...Has strong puvkhandling and skating skills.
PROJECTION
Calgary fans saw two distinctly different Toni Lydmans last season; a jittery, mistake prone version in October, and a heads up effective defencemen in March and April. If he continues the latter he should move into a permanent home in the top four spot on defence. Either way he will be a starter again all season. Will likely see power play time...Can develop into a solid, two-way defenceman because he can handle the puck and he can play the body...His development may allow the Flames to trade a defenceman in the future, perhaps for a strong forward.
NOTES
2001 Highlights: Had a strong training camp, but struggled early in the 2000-2001 season. Didn't hide from his mistakes, was the first to admit blame if blunders led to opposition goals. One of the first noticeable benfactors from a coaching change as Lydman received more ice from Greg Gilbert.
2000 Highlights: 2000 Highlights: Had a clause in his contract allowing him to return to Finland rather than play in the American Hockey league last season...was very impressive on his return to Finland as he played with plenty of confidence and had one of his best seasons.
Background: Lydman was taken 89th overall (4th round) in the 1996 Entry Draft ... Winner of the 2000 Pekka Rautakallio award named after the former Calgary Flame given to the Finish Elite league's top defencemen.
