IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
Finland is probably pretty similar with our current team. Something like this:
Forwards:
Tuomo Ruutu - Mikko Koivu - Jussi Jokinen
Valtteri Filppula - Olli Jokinen - Niklas Hagman
Lauri Korpikoski - Mikael Granlund - Antti Miettinen
Sean Bergenheim - Petteri Nokelainen - Leo Komarov Bubbling under: Niko Kapanen, Jarkko Immonen, Ville Leino, Mikko Lehtonen, Jesse Joensuu, Oskar Osala, Toni Rajala, Jori Lehterä, Teemu Hartikainen, Petri Kontiola, Riku Hahl, Janne Pesonen, Antti Pihlström
- Lot of players for the 3rd and 4th line. Not much talent for the top 6.
Defenders:
Joni Pitkänen - Toni Lydman
Kimmo Timonen - Janne Niskala
Sami Vatanen - Topi Jaakola
Sami Lepistö Bubbling under: Ossi Väänänen, Anssi Salmela, Mikko Lehtonen, Lasse Kukkonen, Jyri Niemi, Ilkka Heikkinen, Teemu Laakso, Mikko Jokela, Ville Koistinen
- We have pretty many offensive defenders, but we need more Lydman's. That's why Jaakola is there. That could be Väänänen too though. We need someone for our own end. Timonen might still be around in 2014.
Goalies:
Miikka Kiprusoff
Tuukka Rask
Antero Niittymäki Bubbling under: Niklas Bäckström, Pekka Rinne, Kari Lehtonen, Harri Säteri, Karri Rämö... you name it
- Goalies tend to continue longer so Kipper might still be our first goalie. Then again it probably doesn't matter who we have there. Rask is a good option.
Pulkkinen needs to convince me still and keep progressing. I'd probably promote him into the playing squad if he did so. He'd go instead of J.Jokinen who was a disappointment last time when he played for team Finland. I don't think Pulkkinen could be put in line #2 (other than power play) because I really don't want to break Immonen+Granlund and the line needs a physical player like Korpikoski and i'm also not convinced how well Pulkkinen can defend. Korpikoski should be great in front of the goalie. Pulkkinen will be replacing Korpikoski on the powerplay, shooting one timers in of the passes of Granlund/Immonen.
Kapanen would be in playing squad right now but something tells me he wont be as good in couple of years as he is now. If he stays good he has a chance to replace Nokelainen in #4, really tough choise which one to center that line. Also Petrell/Hartikainen/Philström fight for the same spot and it's really close.
Since Lydman and Väänänen will be replaced for powerplay it's only good as they will be playing short handed alot if needed.
This would be Finland's offense, however it may change alot as its hard to say will the young guys develop and how much and will the stars keep their status till 2014.
T.Ruutu - M.Koivu - J.Jokinen Veterans and good chemistry here, Koivu and Ruutu always played good together mixed with Jokinen who can score important goals.
Pulkkinen - Granlund - Immonen Granlund and Immonen just can't be split. Also Pulkkinen & Granlund have always had a good chemistry together aswell.
Korpikoski - Filppula - Leino A bit more defensive line but with speed and skill, Leino's most important job is to keep the puck in the offensive zone. Korpedo and Filppula are excellent two-way forwards which makes it easier for Leino to play his own game.
Komarov - Lehterä - Salomäki Another defensive, yet physical lineup. Was thinking to already set Barkov in 4th line but then remembered Lehterä who is playing better than ever.
Bergenheim Very good shorthanded player who can be put in any line
Korpikoski - M. Koivu - Mi. Granlund
J. Jokinen - V. Filppula - Hartikainen
Leino - Immonen - Bergenheim
T. Ruutu - Nokelainen - Petrell
Impossible to guess the team at this point. There are too many guys who can develope enough to crack the lineup and injuries always play the role. Lehterä, Joensuu, Komarov, Pulkkinen, Puustinen, Lajunen, Mikko Lehtonen (forward), Osala...
If our young generation developes as I hope, these could be the possible lines. Also Leino must pick up his game and take a few steps forward as an NHL-player. Määttä may be a suprising name on the list. After he gets drafted he plays a great season in OHL or in SM-liiga and an incredible half-season in either one. He would be 19-20 by the time OGs start.
Something tells me we'll be back with the 13-7 skater model (even if Jalonen is still coaching), considering the concept of taxi squads was removed from the equation for olympic hockey beginning from Vancouver. You'll have the 20 skaters you name and if one or more of them gets sidelined, woe for you.
Anyway, here's a Jalonen version...
Rinne (Niemi)
Niskala - Vatanen
Timonen - Lepistö
Lydman - Väänänen
Järvinen
No, I didn't forget Pitkänen. He will simply get snubbed, because Jalonen has the cojones to do that due to Joni not being a Meidän peli kind of guy. Leino won't get an invite for the same reason, unless he suddenly starts producing like back in Philly.
That being said, I do hope for two things for the upcoming season... 1) Armia plays the lights out and makes the WHC squad, and 2) Määttä does the same.
Players such as Leino can make the team if they are playing well. Still have almost 2 years to develop and guys like Leino can be very strong canditates for top 6 role then. I think O. Jokinen is out (said his NT career is over - and tbh im more than happy without him), Immonen wont be good enough and Selanne has retired by then. We have many players for the 4th line but thats pretty much the best lineup we can have then IMO.
I think some people here are overrating our young players like Pulkkinen. I mean, its not like they suddenly turn into stars in a season and half, we are talking about Olympics. The competition level is much higher than in the WHC, experience playing against the best in the world is almost a must for this tournament.
What concerns me is our D. Timonen and Salo will be 39, Lydman 36 and Vaananen 33. I hope they can all keep up with the tempo.
J.Jokinen - M.Koivu - T.Ruutu - Tuomo will have special instruction; SHOOT
Granlund - Filppula - Bergenheim - Immonen will be two years older...
Korpikoski - S.Koivu - N.Hagman - N.Hagman could be replaced by a Petrell or Pihlström or even Salomäki
Komarov - Nokelainen - Hartikainen - Energy and pretty alright shots as well..
I don't see Leino making it as a checking centre and if it's still Meidän peli.. He just can't fit into the system!
Timonen - Vatanen - Problems against bigger teams? You haven't seen Kimmo enough...
Pitkänen - Lepistö - I still haven't given up on Lepistö...
Lydman - Laakso - Still believe Laakso vill find another level of play..
Järvinen - Väänänen - Getting the trash out!
Rinne
Rask
Bäckas (if still playing and willing to mentor the younger guys)
Just asking, how are the Finnish forwards doing in NHL? In WC we had some NHL players but most of our players had very bad shooting accuracy. I think we need some finnish malkin's to have a chance. Too bad there's no such thing.
Just asking, how are the Finnish forwards doing in NHL? In WC we had some NHL players but most of our players had very bad shooting accuracy. I think we need some finnish malkin's to have a chance. Too bad there's no such thing.
We dont have pure goal scorers thats for sure. But we should already be used to it. Its the same **** every year.
This new generation (Pulkkinen, Armia, Teravainen etc.) have so much more goal scoring potential than our current players but its going to take couple years before we'll see them in action.
We dont have pure goal scorers thats for sure. But we should already be used to it. Its the same **** every year.
This new generation (Pulkkinen, Armia, Teravainen etc.) have so much more goal scoring potential than our current players but its going to take couple years before we'll see them in action.
Yeah, but we have the scoring problem in WC. Our WC team has max 5 NHL players every year, some players haven't played there in long time (e.g Timonen). So how are those players doing in NHL? Can they give us the goals we need?
), well hmm....
