IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
I'd guess Switzerland will add about 10 more players, so it's probably about half of the IHWC-team. But of course Finland has more potential.
My bad. About 2/3 then.
It's just that I recognized roughly three fourths of those names from the get-go and assumed a thing or two considering I don't get much vibes from the Swiss team outside these yearly WHCs. Perhaps I'm subconsciously more observant than I figured...
We had a thread about this going under 'Hockey talk by country - Finland' forum, but IMO it would be time to move the focus here. Here's the old thread:
I pretty much agree with your lines and player picks, but one thing makes me think. Leino & Granlund in same line can be a problem, both like to have the puck so I don't think we want to have these two in same line. What about this change:
So i'd forget the Carolina duo's chemistry thing/advantage and put them on different lines. Selanne-Koivu-Leino wouldnt be good either.
You had 4th line like this:
Leo Komarov - Lennart Petrell - Antti Pihlstrom
Shouldn't it be:
Lennart Petrell - Leo Komarov - Antti Pihlstrom
My 4th line would be:
Komarov-Nokelainen-Petrell/Pihlstrom (too hard to choose out of these two, but since I read that Pihlstrom was quite invisible in the 0-3 Switzerland practise game Petrell is ahead atm)
Please no Miettinen, noooo . I also don't want Janne Lahti anywhere near the team. Joensuu and Pyörälä are good reserve picks. I agree with those, especially Pyörälä. Välivaara declined about joining.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sebastian Bach
Buffalo is out, so I really hope that we finally get to see what Leino can do in the wc.
Wouldn't it be funny if Jalonen refused to take Leino at all and then we'd get that 'Why didn't you pick him' again that we had with J.Jokinen @ last olympics.
Tuomo Ruutu - Mikko Koivu - Jussi Jokinen
Teemu Selanne - Saku Koivu - Jarkko Immonen
Ville Leino - Niko Kapanen - Mikael Granlund
Leo Komarov - Lennart Petrell - Antti Pihlstrom
Nokelainen/Miettinen
Joensuu/Pyorala
Let's say relatively realistic, as there are still some disrepancies.
First of all, Välivaara has already declined. Secondly, I don't think Petrell will play centre, even more since you have an abundance of centre forwards in that team as it is.
I also think that Saku and Teemu are longshots after their recent comments, but granted, they didn't yet explicitly say "no" either.
Here's what I'd roll using those 12 forwards Mr. Bach picked...
It's still not what I see us going with, but the realism factor is up now.
My turn. Considering we don't know who's going to be available from the first round, this one is what I think Jalonen would form by using players available right now.
The biggest oddity you may note is that I have Komarov so high. But it's actually not so odd at all. Leksa has taken HUGE strides in his offensive game, and just take a look at Dynamo Moscow's lineup. He IS a top-six forward there - and playing like one.
Of course, if we are to gain more aids from NHL playoffs, he is likely to slink back to his usual 4th line role, but if we are not to get anyone... he's definitely worth the nod.
The goalie situation is quite delicate at the moment, especially if the rumors are true that Jalonen has already got Vehanen in by promising him a backup spot at worst. It means there's room for only one NHL goalie to add. And even if Lehtonen and perhaps Bäckström would be willing to come, they might still choose to play the waiting game to see if Rinne might show up.
And in case Nashville falls but Rinne decides to opt out, they have already lost their playing touch which means we may end up getting none of 'em.
I'll make new offensive lines based on if Nashville eliminates Detroit and we get Filppula!
T.Ruutu-M.Koivu-Leino
Granlund-Filppula-Selanne (some skill in this line ^^ and some feeding for Selanne)
J.Jokinen-S.Koivu-Immonen
Komarov-N.Kapanen-Petrell
Reserves: Nokelainen, Pihlström, Pyörälä
If Immonen plays poorly, since his stats weren't amazing in his club this season he can be replaced by Pihlström.
Maybe my line #2 is overkill tho and it would be too easy for opponent teams to target this line and try to shut it down as hard as they can? However line #1 and #3 can't be ignored either!
I also think that Saku and Teemu are longshots after their recent comments, but granted, they didn't yet explicitly say "no" either.
Saku's 'I want to play in Sotshi' comment made me think he'll play in this year's WC as well and I think he needs to if he wants Jalonen to give him a spot for the olympic team, but yeah if he has contract negations now, in that case i'm not so sure.
One would think Saku and Teemu would only come as a pack, but I think Selanne would come alone as well this year, because if we'll win a medal and next NHL season is canceled, it's a nice way for Teemu to end his career (silver not so much).
Maybe my line #2 is overkill tho and it would be too easy for opponent teams to target this line and try to shut it down as hard as they can? However line #1 and #3 can't be ignored either!
In the modern hockey, those OMG-this-one's-loaded -lines usually end up performing very poorly, espcially under a coach that doesn't give 'em too many liberties.
Also, I think the reason Immonen has been lacklustre this season is due to him mostly being forced to play wing in Kazan. He's just so much more organic as centre. So don't look at his stats, just consider what he can do when placed in a token slot under a familiar coach like Jalonen - I'm willing to bet my grandma that he doesn't fail to deliver.
Since I don't have anything better to do on this Long Friday morning, I'll offer my revision based on that thing above...
I hope many NHLers decline and we get a crappy team...even hoping we get to play relegation games. It would be perfect slap in the face for Kummola and the whole organization and their ridiculous milking and whoring.
I would have gotten to see one pre quarter final game for free (not Finland's game) (ticket about 200eur) but I declined. If it means one more empty seat in the stands it's good.
I hope many NHLers decline and we get a crappy team...even hoping we get to play relegation games. It would be perfect slap in the face for Kummola and the whole organization and their ridiculous milking and whoring.
I would have gotten to see one pre quarter final game for free (not Finland's game) (ticket about 200eur) but I declined. If it means one more empty seat in the stands it's good.
Pfff, so you're hoping that things for finnish hockey goes badly just because you can't afford the tickets and you're sour at Kummola and co. for making people pay too much? This is a possibility to take finnish hockey to another level if the tournament is a success. And obviously they're milking every penny they can get because improving the hockey scene we need as much money as possible. It's just basic supply and demand. I don't get the sourness. Watch the games from tv if you can't afford tickets (just like myself) and be happy finnish hockey is getting money to improve the infrastructure.
If Filppula joins, I'd love to see him play wing. If he plays as well as he has in the NHL he could be one of the best players in the tournament. Plus, with the Koivus, Immonen and Kapanen we already have enough depth at center. Id try something like this:
Ruutu - M. Koivu - Leino
Filppula - S. Koivu - Selänne
Granlund - Immonen - J. Jokinen
Komarov - N. Kapanen - Petrell
Joensuu/Nokelainen/Hartikainen
Edit: O. Jokinen also stated in some interview that he might be interested. What then, where to fit Olli?
Pfff, so you're hoping that things for finnish hockey goes badly just because you can't afford the tickets and you're sour at Kummola and co. for making people pay too much? This is a possibility to take finnish hockey to another level if the tournament is a success. And obviously they're milking every penny they can get because improving the hockey scene we need as much money as possible. It's just basic supply and demand. I don't get the sourness. Watch the games from tv if you can't afford tickets (just like myself) and be happy finnish hockey is getting money to improve the infrastructure.
I could afford but who the hell would pay 200eur for a Worlds Game? Not even the Final isn't worth it. I'm thinking about the normal true fans here. Kummola and co. made these games for business audience and you will see it in the athmosphere or in the lack of it. Many kids (the future) will see these games only from tv cause their parents can't afford to pay those prices...instead there is people in the stands that don't give a crap about hockey.
Edit. if that makes hockey better financially in longer run, ok, but what about the lost fans in the process...doesn't matter?
Ruutu - M.Koivu - Selänne - I want some good passer feeding Selanne here, M.Koivu is good in it, but we got better ones, so I don't want to waste Selanne
Filppula - S.Koivu - Leino - I'm just doubtful about Leino+Filppula, I'm afraid this line would be invisible for some reason, I rather replace Leino with some energy (or physical) player here. Again I'd feel like someone would be wasted and it could be Filppula.
I basically want to build our top#2 lines around Selanne and Filppula. Should they be in same line or not is another question.
YARR got the lines pretty good as he managed to keep Granlund+Immonen in the 3rd line and Immonen as a center. I think #3 line is where they belong if we get all these players untill they prove otherwise by playing well, considering how both have played lately, maybe not their best game.
Do we need to have 2 different threads for the same thing. Maybe we'll get some nonfinnish views what team Finland should be under the 'International Tournaments' forum which could make the thread more interesting here, as it seems like almost no one outside Finland checks this forum and isn't that what these forums are for, for international discussion as Finns can talk together in jatkoaika together and in Finnish:
Pfff, so you're hoping that things for finnish hockey goes badly just because you can't afford the tickets and you're sour at Kummola and co. for making people pay too much? This is a possibility to take finnish hockey to another level if the tournament is a success. And obviously they're milking every penny they can get because improving the hockey scene we need as much money as possible. It's just basic supply and demand. I don't get the sourness. Watch the games from tv if you can't afford tickets (just like myself) and be happy finnish hockey is getting money to improve the infrastructure.
If things go well, nothing will change in the Finnish hockey association. How the **** is that going to "take finnish hockey to a whole new level"? They'll never use the money to build new rinks or make the hobby cheaper. Instead it'll go to paying that lard-ass Kummola's restaurant bills.
I hope we suck badly and get those greedy, idiotic, parasites out of the organization.
A funny thing I've noticed lately. No one has Aaltonen in their lineups, i'm quite sure he'll end up being in Jalonen's team at the end. We'll see... I definately wouldn't include him in mine so just saying.
Aaltonen? Kontiola? If Teemu wants to return for another season, he shouldn't play...
I think Selanne is just looking for that high note finish either with club or NT and then he'll quit so if Selanne thinks like that, not joining for this spring's WC would be a wasted opportunity for him. I mean although his individual stats are great he'll rather have success with team and quit after if he'll get some success.
. I also don't want Janne Lahti anywhere near the team. Joensuu and Pyörälä are good reserve picks. I agree with those, especially Pyörälä. Välivaara declined about joining.
