IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
We already have M.Koivu, Immonen, Kapanen, Kontiola, Nokelainen and even Granlund (though likely to play wing). Saku would only have been a minor improvement to that sextet.
Our winger situation is a bit different though. It's adequate right now, but if we are to acquire one highly motivated Teemu Selänne, finding some room would not be an issue.
Someone tell IS that it isn't the early 2000s anymore.
"Superstar not coming to the WC".
I had the same reaction... Another thing is the prospect hype. Any young player who scores is titled as "from-another-galaxy-youngster-next-super-star". I guess most of Finnish players are superstars and the rest are just stars.
Glad that Sakke is not coming, he would have made the team slower and older. The centers that we have currently are IMO all better than Sakke anyways. One less sauna buddy for Jalonen to pick instead of the better player.
As I said before, Selanne is about the only older forward that I'd want on this team as he is still playing at an elite NHL level.
Looks like Vancouver could face an upset, but not counting on Salo to lace them up for the NT in any way. 99% sure he doesn't come if he gets the call.
Our team is basically set, with question marks for Selanne and Ruutu. Otherwise it is what it is, and I think that it's as good if not better than last year.
Ouch. Aaltonen is out after all. Sakari Salminen re-invited.
Not that I'd normally pine this hard after JMA, but this means the hunt for that final top-six forward is on again. There just currently isn't a true-and-tried candidate for necessary offensive role in the camp roster. Jokinen-Koivu-Pyörälä/Pihlström doesn't quite sound like a 1st line in a team that aims for WHC success. Okay, there's Peltonen, but... best not go there.
Could Sakari Salminen rise to the occasion and perform a complete blindside entry to the final team? It's also bit of a shame that Armia got injured. He'd been a legitimate darkhorse in this situation.
Okay, Teemu or Filppula join and the issue goes away, but still, it'd be nice to have more fall-back options. Any useful forwards left in the top-4 SM-liiga teams? Pulkkinen is in a total slump. I.Filppula?
Ouch. Aaltonen is out after all. Sakari Salminen re-invited.
Not that I'd normally pine this hard after JMA, but this means the hunt for that final top-six forward is on again. There just currently isn't a true-and-tried candidate for necessary offensive role in the camp roster. Jokinen-Koivu-Pyörälä/Pihlström doesn't quite sound like a 1st line in a team that aims for WHC success. Okay, there's Peltonen, but... best not go there.
Could Sakari Salminen rise to the occasion and perform a complete blindside entry to the final team? It's also bit of a shame that Armia got injured. He'd been a legitimate darkhorse in this situation.
Okay, Teemu or Filppula join and the issue goes away, but still, it'd be nice to have more fall-back options. Any useful forwards left in the top-4 SM-liiga teams? Pulkkinen is in a total slump. I.Filppula?
Filppula's been injured and might still be, rumors of him needing groin surgery. He was even less impressive in the playoffs than Pulkkinen who looked to have regained his form and skating after coming back.
Chance that Ruutu will join is 80%. It seems very likely that he's coming since he's wife is said to give birth maybe in the new few days already. My fear was that it's next 2 weeks. That would've probably made him stay at home.
Chance that Teemu will join is 35%. Before Saku's decision I had it somewhere around 60%. I don't think he'll come now, because he's easily the oldest player there, but it really wouldn't matter because he's a special case and saying yes wouldn't be good in Teemu's mind as every other old veteran like Nummelin etc have said no with their little excuses ("I have a small injury") and he probably doesn't like to have special treatment as he's said in interviews that he's embarrassed for the special attention he's got this year for everything, so for all that he feels obligated to say no.
However since it was already mentioned by someone else in this thread that many of Teemu's teammates Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan, Fowler are joining and Finland will meet USA & Canada 100% in the starting group might turn his decision in the other direction as these guys might have joined the tournament partly (small part) to be able to play against Teemu and them assuming that he'd join since it's Finland home WC etc. Also Teemu's sons would probably like their dad to play one more time in the NT is my guess.
Chance that Ruutu will join is 80%. It seems very likely that he's coming since he's wife is said to give birth maybe in the new few days already. My fear was that it's next 2 weeks. That would've probably made him stay at home.
Hang on, so you're saying Ruutu's holding out because he's simply waiting for his wife to give birth, and after that he's free to join?
I'm no woman, but if I was and had just pushed out my firstborn and my husband was there like "Aww, isn't it cute? Kthxbye, take care of it, I'm off to play in the worlds!" without spending any more time with 'em, I'd seriously consider changing the locks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mestaruus
Chance that Teemu will join is 35%. Before Saku's decision I had it somewhere around 60%. I don't think he'll come now, because he's easily the oldest player there, but it really wouldn't matter because he's a special case and saying yes wouldn't be good in Teemu's mind as every other old veteran like Nummelin etc have said no with their little excuses ("I have a small injury") and he probably doesn't like to have special treatment as he's said in interviews that he's embarrassed for the special attention he's got this year for everything, so for all that he feels obligated to say no.
Well, there's still Peltonen with whom he can play yahtzee during intermissions.
Sorry if I sound like a tool, but are you a medium? I mean, such speculations are fairly unnecessary unless one knows said players personally or has a direct line inside their heads. They'll come, or they don't. And that's about it.
There was an article on YLE about a week back or so that did give sort of positive vibes about Selänne's will to join and some might figure that him backing out of the "decision deadline" could mean he's seriously considering it. On the other hand, it could also mean the complete opposite, because there was another interview a few years back where Selänne stated how hard it is for him to say "no" even when he'd like to. He referred to an incident from when Aravirta was head coach and he resorted in making himself deliberately unavailable, because he figured if Ara got a hold of him, he'd talk him over.
So yeah, maybe he's coming over, maybe he isn't, but the odds are about 50-50 till we hear him say this or that. Same goes for Ruutu as well.
However, the truth is that currently the roster does need a winger to complete Mikko Koivu's line, unless one is willing to break the Immonen-Granlund pair (and I don't think Immonen should play wing in Jalonen's system, since he's so ingrained to centre play in it), so where do we find one? As stated already, one of Teemu, Tuomo or Valle come and the issue goes away, but unless we hear a piece of news from one or more of them, I'd still like to spend my main energy wondering who's to get the nod if none of 'em answer the call.
Will Jalonen resort to someone safe, but boring (Pyörälä, Peltonen, p'haps Pihlström) or will he try to replicate the Granlund success story by giving a shot to a young wild card (Salminen, Salomäki)? Or does he still have some wicked move coming out of his backside no one's able to see yet? What about Komarov? I mean, he's being damn impressive with his club team currently, but it's hard to say how his playing style would fit together with Jokinen and Koivu.
Hang on, so you're saying Ruutu's holding out because he's simply waiting for his wife to give birth, and after that he's free to join?
I'm no woman, but if I was and had just pushed out my firstborn and my husband was there like "Aww, isn't it cute? Kthxbye, take care of it, I'm off to play in the worlds!" without spending any more time with 'em, I'd seriously consider changing the locks.
This. And even if his wife was cool with that (which she probably won't be), there's no guarantee that his wife will give birth near the estimated time. My sister had her estimated time 2 weeks ago Sunday, she gave birth yesterday.
Hang on, so you're saying Ruutu's holding out because he's simply waiting for his wife to give birth, and after that he's free to join?
Well my theory is that even his wife wants him to go to the home WC as long as the birth isn't delayed too much, knowing how happy he became last year after winning that gold. At least he seemed pretty happy about it, althought very drunk . It's also not like she can't live without Tuomo for a month. They'll fly Tuomo's parents and her parents to assist her if needed etc. So yes i'm pretty sure he'll join. Well no idea if Tuomo's wife is Finnish, but if I remember right she is, so she should know how important home WC is for a Finnish hockey player of Tuomo's age. Also she can fly to Finland and Tuomo can check on the baby now and then after games. Of course Tuomo wont be there every day, but I'm sure he gets to see the baby every 2 days at least or so.
Yes there should be plenty of bingo clubs for Teemu & Peltonen in Helsinki indeed . Well, apparently tomorrow we'll hear Teemu's decision according to Finnish media. I doubt that he can move the dead line much further than announcing it tomorrow.
I don't mind Komarov being in top-2 line. Rather him than Joensuu/Peltonen/Pihlström etc.
I really don't think Jalonen will give any new really young guys like Salomäki a chance unfortunately. I remember very clearly how difficult it was even for Granlund to convince Jalonen. Granlund should've been in WC a year before last year already.
Well my theory is that even his wife wants him to go to the home WC as long as the birth isn't delayed too much, knowing how happy he became last year after winning that gold. At least he seemed pretty happy about it, althought very drunk.
Gah. Just... stop... theorizing. Either he comes or he doesn't. End of story.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mestaruus
I remember very clearly how difficult it was even for Granlund to convince Jalonen. Granlund should've been in WC a year before last year already.
Disagree. In 2010, Granlund was there skillwise and mentally, but he wasn't there physically. There were some quite clear indicators for that during that EHT he participated in.
Salomäki is there physically and skillwise, but I have to admit I'm a bit worried of his mental side. Over the season he's been involved in some... unfortunate incidents. I'm not implying that he's consciously prone to play dirty, but there's that youngster enthusiasm that can lead to some overly rough play. On a stage as big as home ice WHC, it's the kind of enthusiasm that can be cranked up to eleven - and while it could lead some impressive plays, it can also lead to yet another nasty incident if it comes out in a wrong way.
Still, I hope Jalonen gives him a fair chance to show what he can do, because he definitely has great potential to be a huge asset to the team.
Possible hopes if their playoffs end are: Lepistö, Korpikoski, Bergenheim, Filppula.
And really big wildcards would be Juuso Puustinen and Teemu Hartikainen from AHL. Teemu maybe less risky.
Timonen, Salo etc. are not coming.
We could really use Lepistö goz our defense is just awful. And where is Arto Laatikainen and Jere Karalahti even Olli Malmivaara would be great.
Both are still elite defensman.
Pasi Puistola-Topi Jaakola
When SM-league ends i hope Jalonen is in contact with Laatikainen.
There's nothing laughable about these two. Both are solid, reliable d-men. Easily on par with all the world's laatikainens and malmivaaras. Lepistö wouldn't be a huge improvement either. He was passable last year but not a standout. And I'm not sure if being the pressbox D-man for Blackhawks has done him any favors.
Our defense is what it is. It's nothing too flashy but far from godawful. Sure, it could be better but these names you mentioned are far from improvements - maybe save for Karalahti. He could be an asset but too bad he declined already in February.
Well no idea if Tuomo's wife is Finnish, but if I remember right she is, so she should know how important home WC is for a Finnish hockey player of Tuomo's age.
Having your first born >> WC's, even at home
Quote:
Originally Posted by FiLe
Salomäki is there physically and skillwise, but I have to admit I'm a bit worried of his mental side. Over the season he's been involved in some... unfortunate incidents. I'm not implying that he's consciously prone to play dirty, but there's that youngster enthusiasm that can lead to some overly rough play. On a stage as big as home ice WHC, it's the kind of enthusiasm that can be cranked up to eleven - and while it could lead some impressive plays, it can also lead to yet another nasty incident if it comes out in a wrong way.
I'm not. There's as big of a chance that Pihlström or Komarov does something stupid too. Give the kid a chance Jalonen, pretty please.
I agree. I don't see Lepistö as an improvement, just same level as those other defenders we are getting atm from KHL. Playing in NHL doesn't make him automatically better than some KHL players. 5 minutes per game and every 1/4 games? There's probably a good reason for that. I'd rather take Söderholm for example than Lepistö. At least he's got some minutes this season.
I don't like to speculate about rosters, but Salomäki needs to be in the team. I really liked his game against Norway, very good skater and tough. He was unlucky that the Norwegian goalie pulled a super save, he would of scored already in his second national game.
"5 minutes per game and every 1/4 games? There's probably a good reason for that."
He has played full games this season. 26 Games(some of them full) +/- = +3 in Chicago its hard to get ice time for a new guy just like Leino in Detroit. And Lepistö in Phoenix 66g 11pts 14+.
And there is probably a good reason why Lepistö is in NHL and Puistola or Jaakola are not. Lepistö over those two anyday.
Ossi Väänänen and maybe Niskala are the only defensman that i fully trust.
I really hope he will, Kurri is the coach and what i read was Kurri, Selännes idol?
Kurri is the GM, actually, but I suppose that doesn't make the statement any less valid.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LizardKing1
And there is probably a good reason why Lepistö is in NHL and Puistola or Jaakola are not.
They actually prefer playing hockey instead of, you know, comparing the quality of popcorn between different arenas?
Lepistö has unfortunately never been anything more than a bottom-pair or 7th defenseman on NHL stage. If Puistola and Jaakola were to cross over, their roles would probably be pretty much the same. But these guys apparently figure it's better to be big fish in a small pond... an so forth.
I'm not saying Lepistö is a bad d-man. But neither are Puistola or Jaakola. What comes to their trustworthiness, I suggest you check some stats instead of letting names on back and league abbreviations cloud your judgment. Both have constantly been on the positive side of the +/- spectrum when playing in major tournaments under Jalonen. So please, cut the drivel.
The bottom line is, these guys you like to mouth down are far more accomplished in major tournaments than any of these alternate names, and as long as they're healthy and performing well when it counts, why should we replace 'em? Just for the heck of it?
There are about five names who might be more useful than the guys we already have on the camp or are about to enter it. Two of these are in the NHL playoffs, two have declined and one is injured. All the rest are pretty much interchangeable. And you really can't blame Jalonen for picking up his old familiars because he knows he doesn't have to teach them every page in the gamebook from scratch. Unless you're a JYP fan... which would explain a thing or two, I suppose.
And I don't wish to dis Lepistö, but him getting to hang around the Blackhawks team is more of an indicative of their cap situation than anything else. They've got some top line players tied down in huge contracts which means they need to have some pretty cheap guys in the lower echelons. Lepistö gets his 5 minutes in the NHL playoffs due to being cost-effective, not because he's some NHL god-child.
. It's also not like she can't live without Tuomo for a month. They'll fly Tuomo's parents and her parents to assist her if needed etc. So yes i'm pretty sure he'll join. Well no idea if Tuomo's wife is Finnish, but if I remember right she is, so she should know how important home WC is for a Finnish hockey player of Tuomo's age. Also she can fly to Finland and Tuomo can check on the baby now and then after games. Of course Tuomo wont be there every day, but I'm sure he gets to see the baby every 2 days at least or so.
