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WJC: 2016 — Finland Roster Talk

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MortiestOfMortys said:
Anybody seeing any of Niko Mikkola lately? Blues fan here, and I'd love to get some insight on what to expect out of him.
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Big, reliable utility d-man. With a bit of luck, you'll get another Petteri Lindbohm.

fr9dd9 said:
who is this guy?? never heard of him.

but he is apperantly the 9th youngest player ever in swedish history to play in an shl game, BIG finnish winger!
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We have a whole thread for this kind off topic here. Vesalainen is mentioned, among others.
 
When do they camp and when the cuts will be made? What is the per-tourney roster? Already settled? I am noob in this one. No time to follow every turn and twist. So, enlighten me. Once again. :D
 
Loffer said:
When do they camp and when the cuts will be made? What is the per-tourney roster? Already settled? I am noob in this one. No time to follow every turn and twist. So, enlighten me. Once again. :D
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http://www.worldjunior2016.com/en/news/host-team-final-camp/

Prior to the tournament Finland will play two exhibition games – on 21st of December in Hameenlinna against Switzerland and on 22nd of December in Lahti against the U.S.
The final roster for the hosts will be announced after these games.

Sounds like December 23 :handclap:
 
^Let's add to the above that from that list three defencemen (from ten down to seven) and three forwards (from 14 down to 11) will be cut + they'll add Kapanen and Rantanen (arriving at 13F total).

The goalies are set.
 
FiLe said:
^Let's add to the above that from that list three defencemen (from ten down to seven) and three forwards (from 14 down to 11) will be cut + they'll add Kapanen and Rantanen (arriving at 13F total).

The goalies are set.
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Okay, thanks. Both of you. -So, Kapanen and Rantanen are locks? I mean, the Leafs and Avs let the kids play at the WJC?

If so, the team is pretty stacked to say the least. And the minimum should be advancing to the final.

E: Do you think Urho Vaakanainen has a realistic shot to make the team?
 
Loffer said:
Okay, thanks. Both of you. -So, Kapanen and Rantanen are locks? I mean, the Leafs and Avs let the kids play at the WJC?
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Barring injuries, their participation has been confirmed by their club teams. Kapanen will join the squad sometime next week, Rantanen just before the tournament begins.

And yeah, it'll be a darn good group. To my memory it's the best on-paper squad we've ever iced. Whether it can achieve befitting greatness on ice as well remains to be seen of course, but the reasons to be excited sure aren't in short supply.

Loffer said:
Do you think Urho Vaakanainen has a realistic shot to make the team?
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Jalonen said he does, but we pretty much have six spots locked down on defense already (Tuulola, Niku, Mikkola, Sopanen, Saarijärvi, Juolevi), and he's not the frontrunner to grab the remaining ticket. I trust the deck is not deliberately stacked against him, but in my book it's still a long shot.
 
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illone84 said:
What do you guys think the PP lines will look like?
Aho will definitely be on one of them?
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Kinda hard to tell at this point.

X-X-Rantanen
Laine-Saarijärvi

Puljujärvi-X-Saarela
Repo-Juolevi

With Hintz/Nättinen/Aho/Kapanen filling the remaining 3 spots.
 
illone84 said:
Aho could definitely pull that off.

What do you guys think the PP lines will look like?
Aho will definitely be on one of them?
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There are quite a few options there, certainly more than you can fit on two units. Rantanen and Kapanen are probably locks to start, and Repo and Laine with 5ppgs each in Liiga are pretty good bets too. Saarijärvi is a pretty obvious choice as well. For centers, two of Hintz, Saarela and Nättinen will likely feature, unless Rantanen or Repo can be relied on for draws. Then some combination of Aho, Puljujärvi, Juolevi, Tuulola and Niku will probably fill out the rest. That's my vague thought on the topic at least, someone who has seen more games this year can probably tell more accurately what the units have looked like in earlier tournaments.
 
For Finns, the December issue of Jääkiekkolehti has a decent preview for the WJC, focuses mostly on the players, good head-to-head comparison between Puljujärvi and Laine.
 
Aho will have to pull one awesome magic trick to be the leading scorer of team Finland. Because Laine will be the leading scorer of the tournament.
 
hirawl said:
Aho will have to pull one awesome magic trick to be the leading scorer of team Finland. Because Laine will be the leading scorer of the tournament.
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Statistically Aho has been better scorer than Laine in FEL.
Aho's stats in FEL are 26 games 10 goals 11 assists = 21 points.

Laine's stats are 24 games 8 goals 8 assists = 16 points.
Also we have to notice that Aho is 1 year older than Laine.

Aho is 18 and Laine is 17 yrs old.
If i have to predict who'll be Finland's leading scorer it'll be Rantanen he's been impressive in San Antonio.

Laine can be tournaments best goal scorer, but not leading scorer.
Leading scorer of the tournament will be one of these guys W Nylander / Rantanen / Marner / Matthews / Tkachuk / Strome / DeBrincat / Dvorak
 
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FinnHockeyFan said:
Statistically Aho has been better scorer than Laine in FEL.
Aho's stats in FEL are 26 games 10 goals 11 assists = 21 points.

Laine's stats are 24 games 8 goals 8 assists = 16 points.
Also we have to notice that Aho is 1 year older than Laine.

Aho is 18 and Laine is 17 yrs old.
If i have to predict who'll be Finland's leading scorer it'll be Rantanen he's been impressive in San Antonio.

Laine can be tournaments best goal scorer, but not leading scorer.
Leading scorer of the tournament will be one of these guys W Nylander / Rantanen / Marner / Matthews / Tkachuk / Strome / DeBrincat / Dvorak
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Point could easily lead as well
 
Dont think Tkatchuk will lead the team in scoring let alone the tournament. He hasnt ever been on a team where hes the go to guy. And hes 17 , late birthday and all but still. Should be one of the older guys or Marner/Strome.
 
It's a bit difficult to believe an underager will lead Team Finland, let alone the entire tournament in points. (Not that I'll complain if that happens.)

However, Finland is a deep team for once and Jalonen will doubt cycle a very even rotation, so the wealth can spread suprisingly wide. Once all is said and done, even some not-so-obvious name like Hintz or Repo may have racked up most points.

Thinking about it more closely, if Hintz and Nättinen are our top-two centers, I'd keep them in contention. Since their main job will be dishing the puck to two great scorers on one's wings, while maybe potting one or two themselves.
 
Last year Kapanen was a total desaster...but lots of finns players too, kapanen wasn't the only desapointed players...powerplay was a total mess


If Kapanen plays like I saw him play in leafs pre-saison games, expect him to be a top 10 scorer and a huge impact player on your roster...speed...skills...and defensive efforts...witch kapanen we will see? that the main point...selfish, desesperate star or more mature player

he need to plsy with a good player too...
 
Okay, this all boils down to this. Can this Jalonen dude create such an athmosphere in the team that the home crowd and expectations turn into a resource and strength. Sure, he should be capable to handle the individulals also. Both. And I am pretty reliable on that part of the puzzle.

I trust his experience also as a coach of a disciplined and structured collective game.

So, all in all: Gold is Finland's to lose. No kidding. I think they can pull it off like that Karri Kivi's bunch did two years ago. At junior level a capable tactical coach can do wonders. And Jalonen is no green horn.

So, see ya all at the market square come the 3rd (??) of Januray. :nod:

Well, I will not be there but in the spirit. :D
 
Loffer said:
Okay, this all boils down to this. Can this Jalonen dude create such an athmosphere in the team that the home crowd and expectations turn into a resource and strength. Sure, he should be capable to handle the individulals also. Both. And I am pretty reliable on that part of the puzzle.

I trust his experience also as a coach of a disciplined and structured collective game.

So, all in all: Gold is Finland's to lose. No kidding. I think they can pull it off like that Karri Kivi's bunch did two years ago. At junior level a capable tactical coach can do wonders. And Jalonen is no green horn.

So, see ya all at the market square come the 3rd (??) of Januray. :nod:

Well, I will not be there but in the spirit. :D
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My expectations for Finland is Gold nothing less especially being on Home Ice, Jalonen is a coach I can trust but this isn't the 2014 team, this years team has more Depth, has more scoring potential and more overall talent. If this team wins Gold, coaching won't be the only reason why.
 
Buchenevich19 said:
My expectations for Finland is Gold nothing less especially being on Home Ice, Jalonen is a coach I can trust but this isn't the 2014 team, this years team has more Depth, has more scoring potential and more overall talent. If this team wins Gold, coaching won't be the only reason why.
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Quite right; but didn't they crash down one year earlier with a relatively 'deep' team coached by mr. "chance"?

And Rasmus Ristolainen is the go to guy in the D this team lacks. But just how desperately come the knock out games?
 
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