Finland in Turin without NHL/AHL players

Carefree speculation is fun. In this scenario, a new CBA was agreed upon in September 2005, which still discouraged players to cross the pond in the offseason. North American leagues won't release players to the Olympics. Essentially, what's your picture of Finland's European national team a year and a half from now? I'd go with:

Goalies

Niklas Bäckström
Teemu Lassila

Surprisingly the weakest link. From a growth-seeking point of view Norrena will need to be replaced by then. Bäckström hasn't played well for the Lions and isn't booming right now, but he still stands the best chance.

Defense

Nummelin - Karalahti
Mäntylä - Eskelinen
Saravo - Niemi
Söderholm

A strong defense crops with players already proven in int'l games. Lepistö doesn't have enough time, Niskala and Kukkonen's development has stalled.

Forwards

Pärssinen - Immonen - Kuhta
Peltonen - Filppula - Kallio
Jokinen - Voutilainen - Hentunen
Nokelainen - Viuhkola - Somervuori
Kontiola

The first line works much like IFK's trio. Hopefully Kuhta can maintain his scoring touch. The second line is packed with talent, even if it's not projected to be the most solid combination. The third line features immensely dominant players, while the fourth submits to defense.

Norrena will be 32 during the Olympics, do you really think it's old enough to write him off ? And Kimmo Rintanen is having a very strong season, he might sneak into the team.

Neither of them is too old, but generally improving players perform better than stagnant ones, even if they were seemingly equally good. Besides, it's more fun to bring in new talent.

I doubt Jokinen, Immonen and Viuhkola are playing in Europe. Put Raipe in :D

I agree. I think that at least Immonen and Jokinen are in US at the moment. I would add Virkkunen who has been very good for this season and last and Saarela for just perfect scoring touch. Also if Rontti starts to produce points he would be competing for the spot with Eskelinen and Saravo. He is already among the top 10 in defensive defenders here in Finland (a way to go though).

But actually I think that there would be only few players from SM-liiga, because Finnish players are moving outside Finland as continous drift.

Me thinks that Kallio might very well be playing 3rd or fourth line with say Nashville or Minnesota.

Immonen, Jokinen, Filppula and Viuhkola are sure bets to be in the NHL by then me thinks...


Voutilainen, Kuhta, Nokelainen and Somervuori might be there too...

Also I think some completly new sniper will arise from one of the lesser teams in the SM-liiga.

Wouldn't surprise me one bit if Lassila has moved over to by then and either Karjalainen or Reunanen is at the reign of TPS.