IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
But it's not about this one game, it's about the fact that our top players are all well in their 30's with no equal players in sight. These Olympics were the last games for what is no doubt the greatest generation of Finnish players, these guys won't be at Sochi four years from now and no-one knows who's going to take their place.
That's why everyone's freaking out.
I think Finland has good junior players coming up. Maybe there is not (yet) the next Selanne, but Granlund has already achieved more than the national team mainstay Koivu had at the same age.
And at the time Koivu was the future and the top prospect of Finnish players, the only core players in NHL were Tikkanen, Kurri and Selanne.
I do not think the junior coaching of Finland lives in vacuum either. They will adapt.
And regarding to Finnish success in international competition, I believe that the coaching is equally good to any other nation.
I think these olympics are the kind of farewell that Team USA had in 06, the end of the current generation. But I don't believe the future is bleak at all.
That's what I was saying in another thread, Finland will be on Switzerland/Germany/Belarus level in Sochi.
The Finns goaltending is now and will be in 2014 still to good to be on that level, Hiller brings the Swiss above the Germans and Belarus for 2014 and the Finns will still have comparable goaltending but much deeper on forward and D.
They may be the favourite but they will still be a top 7 team and anyone in that group can beat anyone as long as they have the tender.
I'm the ass? I'm not one of the Finns that thinks their hockey tradition is 10 times better than America's even though we've won two Olympic golds and a World Cup, whereas Finland has nada. (World Championships aren't best-on-best because of the NHL playoffs)
I'm the ass? I'm not one of the Finns that thinks their hockey tradition is 10 times better than America's even though we've won two Olympic golds and a World Cup, whereas Finland has nada. (World Championships aren't best-on-best because of the NHL playoffs)
To those who think Finland is a top 4 hockey country, wake up. The games against Sweden and USA really showed how fair this team is from the top 4, we had absolutely no business in those games.
Take out those who were +30 in this team and what we got left?
(counted only players in the nhl.)
Forwards: M.Koivu, T. Ruutu, Miettinen, Filppula, Nokelainen, Bergenheim, J.Jokinen, Korpikoski and Leino.
So, a decent 1st line center, a second line center, a decent 4th line center, 2 x second line wingers, 1 3rd line winger, and few 4th line wingers / ahl guys.
Defensemans: Pitkänen, Lepistö, Salmela and Koistinen
One decent top 4 guy, 2 3rd pairing guys and a guy that wont be in the nhl anymore.
Most of these guys are 25-30y old.
And its not like we got much good prospect, specially on the defense. Without a change, Finland will be out of the top 6 in few years. I really hope that this team wont win the bronze game. Even if it doesnt i am afraid what we'll hear after the tournament goes like this "For a such a small country like Finland, the result was still good." and there wont be any changes.
Sorry there are probably some typos and stuff but a bit drunk right now.
Where did you list the goalies? Ah, that's right... that's Finland's strength. They currently have 7 NHL goalies including 2 awesome young keepers in Rask and Rinne, two of the best young net minders in the game.
If Finland is going to continue to hang with the United States, Russia, Sweden and Canada they need to get better play out of their best players... ie Their Net Minder.
And at the time Koivu was the future and the top prospect of Finnish players, the only core players in NHL were Tikkanen, Kurri and Selanne.
Difference is that back then the junior system was still producing this obviously great generation. Currently the junior system is not and it needs to be rectified asap.
I'm the ass? I'm not one of the Finns that thinks their hockey tradition is 10 times better than America's even though we've won two Olympic golds and a World Cup, whereas Finland has nada. (World Championships aren't best-on-best because of the NHL playoffs)
Scoreboard speaks for itself. 6-1
I gave you the benefit of the doubt for your first post (even if you did not delete it), but you just confirmed that your a clone of the Ugly American, as implicitly confirmed by a few of your compatriots.
Maybe Finland should stop developing goalies and actually start to produce quality hockey players. They're going to have about 10 goalies who could make their 2014 Olympic team.
I'm sure they'll have somebody like a Kane or Kopitar coming up over the next four years who can be an elite player. If they don't, then they're screwed.
We really dont have future in defense right now. Vatanen will be good but there really isnt others. In offence there will be Granlund, Rajala, Pulkkinen and Donskoi but i really dont know if they will be good enough (NHL level). It will be really hard for Finland in the future right now it seems.
I wonder why Teemu Aalto don't make team. Always like guy and though he has some future in NHL. It's shame Kukkonen and Niskala made team over Vaananen and Aalto.
I wonder why Teemu Aalto don't make team. Always like guy and though he has some future in NHL. It's shame Kukkonen and Niskala made team over Vaananen and Aalto.
I know Kukkone is ****. I really wanted to see Ossi instead of him but whatever. Its not like we lost because of that. But Lasse was pretty brutal.
