teravaineSAROS
Registered User
- Jul 29, 2015
- 3,888
- 1,597
who?
eurgh watch Rantanen have a super season next year (he actually did this year) just like Ristolainen did the season after not making the team....
WC: 2016 Team Finland Pt. II
- Thread starter Jussi
- Start date
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who?
eurgh watch Rantanen have a super season next year (he actually did this year) just like Ristolainen did the season after not making the team....
So the counter to other top teams' aggressive forechecking is to go back to the 12+8 formation, using four full units.
Though I'd like to see some lineup changes as well...
Though I'd like to see some lineup changes as well...
More tier-F defenders, more minutes for elite talent such as 34-year old Pyorala......
Jokinen-Barkov-Laine
Granlund-Koivu-Aho
Donskoi-Lehterä-Pulkkinen
Pyörälä-Koskiranta-Komarov
San Jose & St.Louis drops out.
Granlund-Koivu-Aho
Donskoi-Lehterä-Pulkkinen
Pyörälä-Koskiranta-Komarov
San Jose & St.Louis drops out.
While I can understand people wanting to see the circuses certain younger, flashier players would bring (not that I would mind it either), Pyörälä's actually been mistake-free in his own, specific role. But every team needs its whipping boy, I guess. Though I'm glad to see even the most obstinate boneheads have ceased to harp on Pihlström.
That being said, I wouldn't mind seeing Pyörälä being dropped down in the lineup, to have a clear 4th line role. While I'm still vouching for giving Pulkkinen a try with the Minny duo, even swapping him and Pyörälä head-to-head would be an improvement.
teravaineSAROS
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teravaineSAROS
Registered User
- Jul 29, 2015
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I'm open to being wrong about Pyörälä, I just feel like even if Rantanen could make more mistakes he would still bring more hunger and clutch to the game + he's big and creative.
But I know I have a bias towards Rantanen due to him being an elite name for the future.
People who think Pyörälä is dead weight are wrong about him already. He is doing exactly what is asked of him. Nothing less, nothing more.
Of course, we can always present the question whether Rantanen could be able to do the same - and more. I'd like to see that too.
Oh well. The 2nd round of NHL playoffs is done by the time our guys meet France. By then I'm 100% certain we either have new forwards in the lineup or at least the promise of some.
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He's too small to my liking and lost too many board battles that I think even someone like Rantanen could win. Just because Pyorala has the reputation as a defensively responsible forward doesn't mean he actually does his own designated job better than someone like Rantanen.
I'm sure Rantanen can defend, crash the net, and dump the puck more effectively than Pyorala while bringing more to the table in other aspects.
I don't necessarily feel as strongly about this though as the overrating of Pulkkinen, overhyping of Pihlstrom (the guy must give blowies to Mertaranta the way he hypes him up), and the poor shot selection of the defenders playing PP at the same time as Laine...
Conspiracy Theorist
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- Jan 30, 2016
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Donskoi-Lehterä-Komarov would be elite.
Salomäki would also be an improvement over Pyörälä.
Salomäki would also be an improvement over Pyörälä.
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Kukkonen won't play tonight. He is fine but precaution. Seems like KJ knew this last night already cause Kivistö was told then already that he is playing (before Määttä's Pittsburg advanced).
Ok thanks for the info.
Ok thanks for the info.
Juuse Saros
Glad to see Juuse is in Russia playing for Finland,but bummed his Milwaukee Admirals lost in the first round of the AHL playoffs a few weeks ago. I so hope Juuse comes back to Milwaukee next season,he played awesome for my home team.
Glad to see Juuse is in Russia playing for Finland,but bummed his Milwaukee Admirals lost in the first round of the AHL playoffs a few weeks ago. I so hope Juuse comes back to Milwaukee next season,he played awesome for my home team.
BB88
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- Jan 19, 2015
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If Blues drops I wouldn't mind seeing,
Laine-Barkov-Aho
Granlund-Koivu-Komarov
Jokinen-Lehtera-Rantanen
top9.
Just have to wish whoever drops in the NHL will say yes for the team.
That would have some serious depth and be strong both defensively and offensively, defense needs every help they can get.
Edit,
there's lot of work to do with this team, Koivu line is not the #1pp unit, just realize it already Jalonen.
Faceoffs, we need to start using a shooter more in those situations, small move but that's not happening on this team.
Laine-Barkov-Aho
Granlund-Koivu-Komarov
Jokinen-Lehtera-Rantanen
top9.
Just have to wish whoever drops in the NHL will say yes for the team.
That would have some serious depth and be strong both defensively and offensively, defense needs every help they can get.
Edit,
there's lot of work to do with this team, Koivu line is not the #1pp unit, just realize it already Jalonen.
Faceoffs, we need to start using a shooter more in those situations, small move but that's not happening on this team.
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Aho and Komarov changed lines at 2nd period and it lasted till end of the game. I wonder if this is permanent change.
Periwinkle
Registered User
- Apr 3, 2014
- 1,027
- 104
There is just this vibe that something is off and not working. Are we back at lack of scoring even with these forwards? Ugh.
In case we don't get anyone from NHL
Jokinen-Koivu-Granlund
Laine-Barkov-Aho
Komarov-Koskiranta-Rantanen
Pihlström-Sallinen-Pyörälä
Pulkkinen->out of lineup
In case we don't get anyone from NHL
Jokinen-Koivu-Granlund
Laine-Barkov-Aho
Komarov-Koskiranta-Rantanen
Pihlström-Sallinen-Pyörälä
Pulkkinen->out of lineup
Bruce Granville
Registered User
- Oct 11, 2014
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- 4,900
tigervixxxen
Optimism=Delusional
Thanks for the info on Rantanen, I'm trying to keep up myself but it's frustrating. I completely understand you all want what's best for the team and to win the gold. I just wish it was handled differently. If they weren't going to use him then don't name him to the team. All the Avs fans and even media that covers the team think he's on the team and don't understand why he's not playing, it's a bit of an embarassment to him isn't it? After everything he's accomplished this season he doesn't need this. He's been away from home all year and now he's just sitting in Russia for a month doing nothing. But I guess we'll see how it works out.
I don't think there's any sense in getting apocalyptic based on this game. The opponent was of a low quality, which the team knew beforehand. It's not easy to gear up for a game like this after a much tougher one. They got things done, and that's what matters. Finland's played games like this one nearly every year ever since I started watching hockey. Of course there are things they clearly need to work on (and who knows, maybe we'll be out in the QF anyway), but this game itself doesn't really worry me. But I agree with you that Pulu should probably go to the pressbox. He seems very frustrated, which is understandable but we can't afford to have him on the 4th line taking stupid penalties.
BB88
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- Jan 19, 2015
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He should be playing, but our coach is driving many of us crazy.
If he doesn't sit Pulkkinen for Rantanen after this game I don't know what to say anymore.
We have now seen 4 games, and the 5on5 play is just not working, that's good enough sample size for tourney this short.
And Aho looked far more visible after that, as if someone had planted a spotlight on him. Found Koskiranta immediately too, which is no surprise since they practically spent the entire camp together.
I did find myself wishing though that the third piece in that line was someone else than drab safety player like Pyörälä...
---
Well, I'm pretty sure now we'll have a new forward either already in or incoming for the game vs. France. How's that "good looking" 5on5 play now, KJ?
Who's gonna make room, well... Pyörälä still has his use on PK, but given how Pulkkinen was turned into a box player on PP, the switch does look obvious. Just take Pulu out and drop Rantanen in his stead. Or if you have NHLers incoming... I'm sure you'll work something out. Don't dare to guess what.
As far as lineups go, I guess Komarov is going to stick to MiG and Koivu now. They don't really need a sniper I suppose, Leksa can make some room for the Minny duo to work their magic between themselves. Sounds like a far more effective combination than having Aho there, who was for the most time nothing but a third wheel for them.
Barkov line obviously stays as it is, but how 'bout it Jalonen... just tell Jokinen that Laine plays on the left now. Pretty please with sugar on top?
As far as the bottom-six goes... well, I'm solely hoping here now, but if Pyörälä stays, just bury him to the 4th. Similarly, don't waste Rantanen like you did Pulkkinen and make him play with Pihlström.
Therefore...
Granlund - Koivu - Komarov
Laine - Barkov - Jokinen
Aho - Koskiranta - Rantanen
Pihlström - Sallinen - Pyörälä
Something like this, Jalonen, please.
As far as goalies go, if you intend to start Koskinen vs. France, give Saros the Slovakia game. If you go with Koskinen vs. Canada and he's shot to smithereens, you can start Saros reliably fresh in the game of death.
Regards, your humble adm... err... adviser,
FiLe
What worries me about Koskinen is that he can play awesome game but I don't trust him to play 3 awesome games in a row (QF,SF,Final). I fear he will play at least one bad game in one of the games which leads Finland to eliminate.
Periwinkle
Registered User
- Apr 3, 2014
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It's not just this game. Next up is France, then Slovakia, and even if we win those (presumably we will, Slovakia has been disappointing) even with mediocre/bad play, then it's Canada. If that turns out to be a disaster, the next game is already a do-or-die game. I'd rather start making adjustments now.
