WC: 2016 Team Finland Pt. II

[Snaibberi]

He has had time to show, but his level has dropped even with those 4 line minutes he should be more effective. If you don't believe it, check this video where they analyze his stats (right in the beginning of the video):

http://www.urheilulehti.fi/jaakiekk...n-lavassa-tamanko-takia-he-eivat-mahdu-nhlaan

So bring Rantanen in soon if Pulkkinen doesn't step up. Tonight 2 NHL playoff series are on the line so we might get some clarity on the situation.

Pulkkinen has been best player in his line. He is skating his ass off. He also seems to be very good and fast skater these days. Pulkkinen just is not the guy who creates scoring changes from thin air. He like 99% of players need some support from his linemates. His PP time has also been limited. Just because first PP-line scores everytime they are in the rink. And second PP has been kinda lost in those few short moments on ice.

I just dont understand people who whine about a player not being able to produce while he skates in fourth line with stonehand linemates. I agree that Rantanen should be in the team, but not in the place of Pulkkinen. Pyörälä out and Rantanen in!

 

[MMANumminen]

Aho can shoot. It's proven many times. Koivu and MiG not so much.

 

[FiLe]

Aho *can* shoot, but he's not really a player with shoot-first mentality.

Also, he seems to be the line's designated guy for corner battles, which is mental, given his somewhat underwhelming frame and physicality (which may get better in the future, but as of right now are still developing), and he's become the box player on PP, another "odd" slot for him.

Sure, he has somehow managed to pot points here and there regardless, but it would just be defying the logics of hockey to see that being the recipe for going all the way. Of course, we've seen these kids pull some pretty logic-defying stunts already, but deliberately relying on that as the plan going forward still rubs me the wrong way.

But eh, as I alluded already, there's little need to debate this now. We have the perfect game awaiting tonight, at least what comes to answering these questions. If what they're doing now proves to be a winning formula vs. USA as well, then there's really no reason to complain or suggest adjustments.

 

[schmiedi]

Normaly with this offense power and a good pp we have to win against the US.

I think this offense can score 3 ore more goals against every team in this tournament and 3 goals "normaly" should be enough to score for a finish team

I hope saros can outplay this "only big" Koskinen

 

[teravaineSAROS]

Pulkkinen has been best player in his line. He is skating his ass off. He also seems to be very good and fast skater these days. Pulkkinen just is not the guy who creates scoring changes from thin air. He like 99% of players need some support from his linemates. His PP time has also been limited. Just because first PP-line scores everytime they are in the rink. And second PP has been kinda lost in those few short moments on ice.

I just dont understand people who whine about a player not being able to produce while he skates in fourth line with stonehand linemates. I agree that Rantanen should be in the team, but not in the place of Pulkkinen. Pyörälä out and Rantanen in!

I agree, people are so harsh on Pulkkinen he was good against Belarus too and created chances on his own working hard in the offensive zone.

removing Pulkkinen from the line-up is out of questing in my eyes, just let him play with Aho or put him in Koivus and Granlunds line instead (3 two-way playmakers in one line while keeping a sniper in a line with no playmakers makes no sense to me)

Pyörälä out, Rantanen in.

 

[HockeyHistorian]

I just think it sucks when Pulkkinen scored 4 goals in 3 games before the tournament and then he gets to play with Pihlström and Sallinen. As I said before the 2nd PP line hasn't utilized Pulkkinen's shot at all, which I find particularly annoying. Not that the 2nd PP has gotten that many minutes, because the 1st PP has been so damn good. Hopefully the 2nd PP gets something going tonight.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

This brings to mind a scenario where they use the 13th forward (either Rantanen or Pulkkinen) to take some of Laine's ES shifts whenever he spends a ton of time on PP. It's potentially not that bad news for Pulkkinen either, since they can and should use him for the first minute or so if Laine has just been on ice when the penalty is drawn.

Although, KJ's words may not mean that intends to have Laine playing the entire PP - simply that he intends to send him there with whatever unit goes out first.

Is it just me who would be perfectly fine with having Laine play on both power play units? he's efficient with his skating I think he could manage

 

[teravaineSAROS]

I just think it sucks when Pulkkinen scored 4 goals in 3 games before the tournament and then he gets to play with Pihlström and Sallinen. As I said before the 2nd PP line hasn't utilized Pulkkinen's shot at all, which I find particularly annoying. Not that the 2nd PP has gotten that many minutes, because the 1st PP has been so damn good. Hopefully the 2nd PP gets something going tonight.

I agree, Pulkkinen has been surprisingly good at other things than just sniping. I want him to play with Aho or Koivu-Granlund so bad.

most underrated player of team Finland so far along with Rantanen and Saros

 

[Gaps]

Also, he seems to be the line's designated guy for corner battles, which is mental, given his somewhat underwhelming frame and physicality (which may get better in the future, but as of right now are still developing), and he's become the box player on PP, another "odd" slot for him.

Agreed. Aho makes MiG look like the Hulk. I have no idea why Aho does most of the corner battles, considering that last night a mere celebratory bump from Koivu nearly sent him on his ass. Koivu can go to the corners, get the puck to the boys and then head to the net to wait for the puck.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

Ridiculous how Pulkkinen seems to be getting the exact same treatment as in Detroit...

Yep, I never saw him play in Liiga I wasn't following Liiga at the time, but when you watch him the talent is there and he creates chances on his own too.

 

[FiLe]

Agreed. Aho makes MiG look like the Hulk. I have no idea why Aho does most of the corner battles, considering that last night a mere celebratory bump from Koivu nearly sent him on his ass. Koivu can go to the corners, get the puck to the boys and then head to the net to wait for the puck.

Yeah, they should retool their internal rolings to have Koivu do the stuff Aho does now. However, that could create another problem, since part of Koivu's current duties is the two-way game and helping out defense, which sort of requires him to hang back at most times.

Sure, you could have Aho take over Koivu's two-way duty, but that would not have Aho playing to all of his strengths either, not to mention we have better options even for that. So IMO the optimal answer to the problem is finding a whole another solution altogether, one that is far more suitable for most of the stuff Aho does now. That solution's name is Rantanen.

 

[Ippenator]

Yeah, they should retool their internal rolings to have Koivu do the stuff Aho does now. However, that could create another problem, since part of Koivu's current duties is the two-way game and helping out defense, which sort of requires him to hang back at most times.

Sure, you could have Aho take over Koivu's two-way duty, but that would not have Aho playing to all of his strengths either, not to mention we have better options even for that. So IMO the optimal answer to the problem is finding a whole another solution altogether, one that is far more suitable for most of the stuff Aho does now. That solution's name is Rantanen.

You seem to overestimate Rantanen like there is no tomorrow. And at the same time I have realized that you seem to have an agenda against Aho. If after how all Finnish players have played so far in the first two games you can really think of cutting one of the clearly best players in the Finnish team, you are not thinking with your right mind. The only forwards who have played even better than Aho, have been Granlund and Laine. Aho has definitely been on the same level with Komarov, Barkov, and Jokinen. Koivu has been a slight disappointment so far, and Pulkkinen has been almost useless, and Sallinen has been a waste of his roster spot, even in his role. If any player should be switched for Rantanen, it should be either Pulkkinen or Sallinen. Koivu can't for sure be even considered, and he will anyway become much better the longer the tournament continues. Swapping also Sallinen would only make sense if Lajunen as a center would substitute for him. So there is not really much other options than to ditch your golden boy, Pulkkinen.

Your agenda and devaluing against young super talents is really getting tiring here. Before the tournament you were seriously saying that Pulkkinen should be the number 1 sniper option compared to Laine and even questioning if Laine would have a spot in the playing roster. Maybe youth doesn't really mean that much as a bad thing as you seem to think? Have you paid attention how Laine has been really much better than Pulkkinen in almost everything. Pulkkinen doesn't have the drive and the hunger. And for sure he doesn't have the talent that Laine has, except to some extent a similar slapshot and onetimer. But no wrister and not even close the hands or passing skills.

Wake up call again! You don't ditch a player like Aho from this Finnish roster, as he is the best skater (with top speed Pillu has the edge, but otherwise), best defensive forward (with Barkov) and best passer and playmaker (at the same level with Granlund and Barkov here).

The only thing I agree with is, that maybe Aho should not be playing with Koivu and Granlund, although I can see that Aho-Granlund might have some chemistry, but the whole line doesn't seem to work as well as I would hope. Aho could be better used with Barkov and Laine, and Jokinen or Komarov could probably fit better with Koivu and Granlund. Or the other option would be to put Aho back to Koskiranta's line and put Pyörälä to the 4th line instead of Pulkkinen.

Thank God at least even Koojii is not so conservatively thinking that he would be ditching Aho. I can't in fact think of any real hockey expert doing that...

 

[Gaps]

You seem to overestimate Rantanen like there is no tomorrow. And at the same time I have realized that you seem to have an agenda against Aho. If after how all Finnish players have played so far in the first two games you can really think of cutting one of the clearly best players in the Finnish team, you are not thinking with your right mind. The only forwards who have played even better than Aho, have been Granlund and Laine. Aho has definitely been on the same level with Komarov, Barkov, and Jokinen. Koivu has been a slight disappointment so far, and Pulkkinen has been almost useless, and Sallinen has been a waste of his roster spot, even in his role. If any player should be switched for Rantanen, it should be either Pulkkinen or Sallinen. Koivu can't for sure be even considered, and he will anyway become much better the longer the tournament continues. Swapping also Sallinen would only make sense if Lajunen as a center would substitute for him. So there is not really much other options than to ditch your golden boy, Pulkkinen.

Your agenda and devaluing against young super talents is really getting tiring here. Before the tournament you were seriously saying that Pulkkinen should be the number 1 sniper option compared to Laine and even questioning if Laine would have a spot in the playing roster. Maybe youth doesn't really mean that much as a bad thing as you seem to think? Have you paid attention how Laine has been really much better than Pulkkinen in almost everything. Pulkkinen doesn't have the drive and the hunger. And for sure he doesn't have the talent that Laine has, except to some extent a similar slapshot and onetimer. But no wrister and not even close the hands or passing skills.

Wake up call again! You don't ditch a player like Aho from this Finnish roster, as he is the best skater (with top speed Pillu has the edge, but otherwise), best defensive forward (with Barkov) and best passer and playmaker (at the same level with Granlund and Barkov here).

The only thing I agree with is, that maybe Aho should not be playing with Koivu and Granlund, although I can see that Aho-Granlund might have some chemistry, but the whole line doesn't seem to work as well as I would hope. Aho could be better used with Barkov and Laine, and Jokinen or Komarov could probably fit better with Koivu and Granlund. Or the other option would be to put Aho back to Koskiranta's line and put Pyörälä to the 4th line instead of Pulkkinen.

Thank God at least even Koojii is not so conservatively thinking that he would be ditching Aho. I can't in fact think of any real hockey expert doing that...

I don't think anyone's suggesting taking Aho out of the lineup, he just needs to play on another line. If they do end up double-shifting Laine on PP, I think Pulu goes to the pressbox in the next game.

 

[FiLe]

I don't think anyone's suggesting taking Aho out of the lineup, he just needs to play on another line.

This. That was one heck of a way to jump to conclusions there. I have not criticized Aho's individual play at all, just the way he looks like a bad match with MiG and Koivu.

 

[Mestaruus]

I just dont understand people who whine about a player not being able to produce while he skates in fourth line with stonehand linemates. I agree that Rantanen should be in the team, but not in the place of Pulkkinen. Pyörälä out and Rantanen in!

I just don't understand people who give certain players too many chances. We got Rantanen waiting and he's a better option on even strength.

I also prefer having them both in line up but I got a feeling KJ doesn't want that. Maybe Pihlström should go. I think we got enough PK units without him and Pyörälä has chemistry with certain players, so better to keep him.

Anyways tonight some NHL teams might be eliminated so someone's tournament pass will be stamped soon.

 

[57special]

Wild fan wondering why Haula couldn't make it on the team? He might've been our best forward in the last half of the year and the playoffs, is above average on FO's, great defensively, and his speed gets him all kinds of scoring chances.

Are you guys that loaded up front, or did Haula decline an invite?

 

[FiLe]

Wild fan wondering why Haula couldn't make it on the team? He might've been our best forward in the last half of the year and the playoffs, is above average on FO's, great defensively, and his speed gets him all kinds of scoring chances.

Lower-body injury. It was revealed that he was popping pills and was under local anaesthesia in the playoffs. They would have had him otherwise.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Wild fan wondering why Haula couldn't make it on the team? He might've been our best forward in the last half of the year and the playoffs, is above average on FO's, great defensively, and his speed gets him all kinds of scoring chances.

Are you guys that loaded up front, or did Haula decline an invite?

Haula had some-kind injury and he played with injury in NHL playoffs.
That's why he isn't in the Finland's team.

 

[57special]

Oh yeah, it was a groin or something. It's not like he would be a superstar or anything, but he was definitely on a hot streak. Too bad. A lot of Wild fans have adopted the Finns as our team.

 

[kabidjan18]

Oh yeah, it was a groin or something. It's not like he would be a superstar or anything, but he was definitely on a hot streak. Too bad. A lot of Wild fans have adopted the Finns as our team.

Will Koskinen get a break vs. Hungary?

 

[JustABlackhawksFan]

How has Pokka been in the tournament so far?

 

[FiLe]

How has Pokka been in the tournament so far?

Solid.

 

[JJTT]

Can't believe how stubborn Jalonen is with his lines. Few lucky goals today, USA should've won tbh.

 

[FiLe]

I'd say that game was a good example of why we have these defensive vets in the team. There will be situations where they're far more valuable in this squad than those whiz kids.

I have to say, Laine was nearly useless the entire game, save for two or three PP opportunities. And as a result, he was benched in the 3rd, in favor of Antti "Dead Weight" Pihlström. Well, Laine's not exactly a defensive expert, so that was justified, but for some odd reason "our best defensive forward" Aho (as someone here called him) stopped seeing the ice too. I'll give it to Aho though, he does look better and better playing with MiG and Koivu when we can run the normal rotation. But not yet good enough for me to think he wouldn't look even better as part of some other line.

Anyway, the lesson learned: Role players are useful and there isn't too much of them in this team. In fact, I almost dread to think how tight the rotation would have been if we'd had Puljujärvi in the lineup as well. Even Pulkkinen looked more useful than them all game long (I won't say by a mile, though, but still). But he is, after all, a mature player with NHL experience.

I think for the next game, we must bring in a 13th forward, so he can sub the kids when things on ice get too nasty for them. Of course, the next opponent will be Hungary, so that doesn't actually call for any the changes since we seem to have no trouble against weaker opposition, but it's never too early to start prepping vs. Canada. And while I'm still vouching for Rantanen, I must also say I wouldn't be surprised if it's actually Lajunen getting the nod, if the idea is to sub the kids with a defensive expert.

I'm holding out hope for some other line changes as well, necessary for the next game or no. Time to mix things up.

What else? Well, I'd say it's time to give other goalies a look. Koskinen is... awfully hot'n'cold at the same time. He did get some good catches, but both of those he allowed were generally stinkers, especially the first one. Easy sector, no screen. Not accepted from a Finnish goalie on this level.

 

[behemolari]

Can't believe how stubborn Jalonen is with his lines. Few lucky goals today, USA should've won tbh.

You wont change a winning team, rule no.1

Yep, I never saw him play in Liiga I wasn't following Liiga at the time, but when you watch him the talent is there and he creates chances on his own too.

funny how hockey player is valued today isn't it? Pulkkinen is missing something maybe.