Two years ago, Charle-Édouard D’Astous stayed in a cabin in Kouvola and traveled by bus with KooKoo. Now he plays in the bright lights of the NHL. Olli Salo tells what kind of player he is.
Charle-Edouard D’Astous was injured shortly before the Olympic break and missed five games. After the break, he returned effectively to the box. PDO
KooKoo’s head coach Olli Salo saw at once that Charle-Édouard D’Astous is not in his comfort zone now.
– The boy was quite tense in every way. I was already sweating before the test, Salo recalls.
He talks about the VO2max running test that KooKoo’s players did in the fall of 2022 before the start of the league season. The test measures the body’s maximum oxygen uptake capacity.
The gestures of the Canadian defender showed that he would rather be somewhere else.
– He had never done such a test before, and he didn’t run much anyway. In North America, we cycle quite a lot, Salo says.
Then it was D’Astous’s turn. He stepped on the treadmill and put the plug in front of the other. Salo was satisfied after the test.
– He was in great shape and scored a top result.
“Mistakes happened”
D’Astous spent two seasons in Kouvola, after which the defender’s journey continued through Brynäs under the Tampa Bay sun. Now he shines in the NHL.
– I am really happy that he has had the opportunity to show his skills on the other side of the pitch, and he has taken his place well, says Salo.
D’Astous has scored a comfortable 19 (3+16) points in 44 games so far in his debut season. Even more important than the points is the fact that D’Astous has been a clearly positive player on the ice. When he’s been on the field, Tampa Bay has clearly won 5-on-5 in both expected goals (57.68%) and dangerous goals (58.09%).
In autumn 2022, the flight was not quite the same in Kouvola. Few believed at the time that the defenseman would play so well three years later in the NHL’s top team.
– He had a bit of getting used to the big rink and our way of playing. It was no bed of roses. There were mistakes and at first there were no points, says Salo.
But the top coach immediately saw that the defender had one big strength.
– D’Astous understood the game very well. His absolute strength is how he sees the field and knows how to relate it to where the opponents are.
Ambitious
D’Astous were the best defenders in the SM League in the 2023–2024 season. Elmeri Elo / AOP
D’Astous scored only 23 points in 56 games in his opening season with KooKoo, but Salo was satisfied with how the Canadian’s game progressed throughout.
– He picked himself up after a difficult start and was already excellent at the end of the season. The next season was quite a cannon season.
In the 2023–2024 season, D’Astous was third in the SM league package exchange Sami Nikun and Luke Martin after. He scored as many as 46 (17+29) points in 54 regular season games.
– He was very ambitious. He was thirsty for responsibility and wanted to move forward in his career. It was reflected in everything we did, Salo says.
It also worked outside the rink.
– He had no problems. He was great to work with.
A bit of luck
Salo has followed D’Astous’s career even after the defender left the SM league. He sent his former credit card encouraging messages in Sweden.
In the end, D’Astous’s move to the NHL did not come as a surprise to Salo.
– Of course, in the NHL it’s always a little bit about luck, that you hit the right place at the right time, but how well he knew how to play this game, he had every chance to make it to the NHL.
D’Astous started the season in Tampa Bay’s farm, but due to injuries, he got a spot in the NHL. At the beginning of January, Tampa Bay offered the defenseman a one-way extension, so the club sees him as an NHL defenseman.
Although many in Finland remember D’Astous as a puck player, according to Salo, he can also play without the puck.
– He can defend well, which means he is quite an all-round player.
Head up
D’Astous spins superiority from the blue line with his head up. PDO
When Salo has followed D’Astous’s games in the NHL this season, he has seen a very similar style of player to KooKoo.
– He does the same things as in Kouvola. His eyes are always up, he sees the field really well and can pass. Very balanced.
In Kouvola, D’Astous’s offensive potential came out even better, because the level of the series was not that tough, but Salo believes that D’Astous will be able to take on greater responsibility with the puck in the NHL in the future.
– As he gains more experience, he will learn to relate his own playing even better to the NHL level. That will surely give you more courage.
Sensation packs
Tampa Bay is swinging at the top of the Eastern Conference, despite the team’s credit packages Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh have been sidelined for most of the season due to injuries.
In addition to D’Astous, a former AHL roller Darren Raddysh has supported the team with tremendous power. Raddysh has already scored 52 (17+35) points in 50 games.
Tampa Bay’s puckish and clear style of play helps the sensation packs to shine, but the power points still don’t come by themselves. They require special skills.
In Salo’s opinion, D’Astous’ strengths are very clear.
– Supporting attacks, working on the line with your eyes up, quick shots and protecting the puck.
Olli Salo saw NHL potential in his credit pack already in Kouvola. Tomi Natri / All Over Press
