World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team Finland

[BusQuets]

Watching Lepisto playing i think he's pretty much a lock. After Vatanen,RR and Maatta he is the best defenceman.

 

[Raimo Sillanpää]

I wonder what number Barkov is going to use in the National team now that #16 is retired. It'll be weird to see him without #16

That's the reason freezing Peltonen's number was so ridiculous. Best ever Finnish #16 can't wear his number.

 

[mattihp]

I don't see why National teams should retire jersey numbers. They could just honor the player in a ceremony and be done with it...

 

[jalperi]

That's the reason freezing Peltonen's number was so ridiculous. Best ever Finnish #16 can't wear his number.

For that case, i think only number which should be retired is Jarmo Wasama´s number on NT. Maybe #14 I can accept too, but others are unnecessary

 

[FiLe]

For that case, i think only number which should be retired is Jarmo Wasama´s number on NT.

I don't mean to disrespect, but why? Ilves already honored him, and rightfully so, but suffering a tragic fate should not be a reason for veneration everywhere, just because.

That being said, if there is one number that belongs up there for all services rendered, it's #14.

If one absolutely must, a case could also be made - with some consternation - to #17 and #8 (though I'd prefer not), on the merit of their careers as a whole, not just in the NT... but retiring #11, #16 and #26 was one of the most idiotic stunts by Liitto to date. Koivu, Peltonen and Lehtinen can't get enough respect, but by retiring them, Liitto set the bar awfully low. While they were arguably leading players of their own generation, they were not players whose achievements will surpass all generations.

In fact, you can fully expect that numbers like #9, #64 and others wrap up their careers with similar records, paragons of their own generations. And what then? Do they go up to the rafters too? Because if one intends to retire 3-4 numbers every 15 years, the future's heroes need to start wearing jerseys with three digits by the end of the ongoing century.

 

[mattihp]

Meh, go to Letters instead of numbers

 

[IceHockeyDude]

This is my fresh line-up for the World Cup team.

Teräväinen-Barkov-Jokinen

Barkov and Jokinen two team mates from the Panthers and Teräväinen has shown some chemistry(who doesnt?) with Barkov

Granlund-Koivu-Filppula

Granny and Koivu team mates as well from the Wild. Very balanced line with Filppula.

Rantanen-Lehterä-Donskoi

Surprising (?) choice young Rantanen in the World Cup team. I think he deserves the spot.

Korpikoski-Haula-Komarov

Incredible fourth line that has speed, strength and also some scoring ability.

Pulkkinen (13th forward)

He could get some minutes on the powerplay and could be tryed as a winger in any of the lines.

Ristolainen-Vatanen
Määttä-Lindell
Lepistö-Jokipakka
I have no idea who could be the best option as the 7th dman.
Lindbohm, Pokka, Honka, Jaakola, Kukkonen?

Rinne
Rask
Lehtonen/Korpisalo

The goalies are phenomenal at least on paper.

 

[gwh]

What is the effect of KHL not stopping the games to the Finnish team?

 

[kabidjan18]

What is the effect of KHL not stopping the games to the Finnish team?

Little if any. Individual releases are still projected to take place. Behind that they still have good depth. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[gwh]

Behind that they still have good depth. I wouldn't worry about it.

Sorry.

We have 3 NHL level D in Finland. Maatta, Ristolainen and Vatanen. The rest is crap.

If all KHL players are out, Finland will field AHL scrubs and maybe Kukkonen from FEL. Fantastic tournament.

 

[jalperi]

Sorry.

We have 3 NHL level D in Finland. Maatta, Ristolainen and Vatanen. The rest is crap.

If all KHL players are out, Finland will field AHL scrubs and maybe Kukkonen from FEL. Fantastic tournament.

I would count Jokipakka also NHL-level defenseman.

 

[kabidjan18]

Sorry.

We have 3 NHL level D in Finland. Maatta, Ristolainen and Vatanen. The rest is crap.

If all KHL players are out, Finland will field AHL scrubs and maybe Kukkonen from FEL. Fantastic tournament.

I'm on mobile so I can't see your flag but if you're Finnish you have no excuse for this ignorance in regards to the Finnish team. Jokipakka is a solid NHL LEVEL defenseman. More embarrassingly those "AHL scrubs" you're talking about are Ville Pokka and Julius Honka. Pokka is the top Blackhawks defensive prospect and Honka would be the Star's if he weren't behind Esa Lindell. They're all top 10 defensemen in AHL scoring and I really don't think there's a Finnish KHL defenseman other than maybe Lepisto and Heitanen who would as good or slightly better than these top prospects. Perhaps Lajunen of the -15 +/-. Finland's defense is not Sweden's or Canada's, everyone knows this, but not having KHL players vs. having them is not going to make a big difference, and the news that came out today has zero affect on whether you will be able to get Lepisto or not.

 

[jalperi]

Perhaps Lajunen of the -15 +/-.

Actually I think at least Jaakola, Kukkonen and Salmela are front of Lajunen on our depth chart.

 

[Gaps]

I don't mean to disrespect, but why? Ilves already honored him, and rightfully so, but suffering a tragic fate should not be a reason for veneration everywhere, just because.

That being said, if there is one number that belongs up there for all services rendered, it's #14.

If one absolutely must, a case could also be made - with some consternation - to #17 and #8 (though I'd prefer not), on the merit of their careers as a whole, not just in the NT... but retiring #11, #16 and #26 was one of the most idiotic stunts by Liitto to date. Koivu, Peltonen and Lehtinen can't get enough respect, but by retiring them, Liitto set the bar awfully low. While they were arguably leading players of their own generation, they were not players whose achievements will surpass all generations.

In fact, you can fully expect that numbers like #9, #64 and others wrap up their careers with similar records, paragons of their own generations. And what then? Do they go up to the rafters too? Because if one intends to retire 3-4 numbers every 15 years, the future's heroes need to start wearing jerseys with three digits by the end of the ongoing century.

I fully expect them to retire Kime's and Numminen's jerseys as well before we even need to discuss retiring #9 (which might get retired as well, especially considering the bar that has now been set, as you said). Eventually they'll have to draw the line somewhere, preferably before we get to triple digit jersey numbers or start going into decimals, 16.1 anyone?

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Sorry.

We have 3 NHL level D in Finland. Maatta, Ristolainen and Vatanen. The rest is crap.

If all KHL players are out, Finland will field AHL scrubs and maybe Kukkonen from FEL. Fantastic tournament.

Not crap but they are still developing. We will probably need Lepistö and Kukkonen.

 

[kabidjan18]

Actually I think at least Jaakola, Kukkonen and Salmela are front of Lajunen on our depth chart.

My tone was derision haha

 

[FiLe]

What is the effect of KHL not stopping the games to the Finnish team?

Potentially losing Lepistö. That's all.

Määttä, Vatanen, RR, Lindell - already picked. Add Jokipakka, that will be five.

Sixth would be Lepistö hands down, but if he won't get to go, we'll likely see either Kukkonen, Lindbohm or Pokka there. And especially including the latter two would pay off come 2018 (if the NHL breaks, that is). Also, I don't see Jokerit saying no if they decide to ask for Jaakola.

 

[gwh]

So 3 players + Jokipakka (almost a player now).

Then AHL scrubs.

Well at least no worries for US to get shutout again.

 

[FiLe]

So 3 players + Jokipakka (almost a player now).

Then AHL scrubs.

Well at least no worries for US to get shutout again.

You obviously haven't watched Lindell play lately. Calling him an "AHL scrub" is not doing him justice.

And Jokipakka is enough to play in a 3rd pair shutdown role. In case you haven't noticed, it happens to be his day job in the best hockey league in the world.

Meaning we'll have five d-men who match the qualities of this tournament. Digging up a sixth might take some creativity, but it's not like Lepistö, while clearly belonging there, is so much above Lindbohm or Pokka that it will be a deciding factor.

However, the more important question here is this: Why do you deride? It's a gimmick tourney, not even international, there's little prestige in winning it. Even if they chose to feature half of our U20 defense there, it would matter little. Lindell, Lindbohm and Pokka will all be NHL regulars come 2018, and likely shoo-ins to the tournament that really matters (if we are to presume the league lets its players go, that is). And for them, featuring here would be nothing but beneficial when you think two years forward.

 

[Booster*]

If the World Cup would be now, based on current performance Finland could form this roster.

Jokinen-Barkov-Komarov
Haula-Koivu-Donskoi
Laine-Teräväinen-Puljujärvi
Rantanen-Lehterä-Korpikoski

Aho/Salomäki/Granlund/Lehkonen/Saarela


Lindell-Ristolainen
Määttä-Vatanen
Lepistö-Jokipakka
Lindbohm

Rask
Rinne
Raanta

 

[mattihp]

Anyone above Granlund is silly..

 

[gwh]

However, the more important question here is this: Why do you deride? It's a gimmick tourney, not even international, there's little prestige in winning it. Even if they chose to feature half of our U20 defense there, it would matter little. Lindell, Lindbohm and Pokka will all be NHL regulars come 2018, and likely shoo-ins to the tournament that really matters (if we are to presume the league lets its players go, that is). And for them, featuring here would be nothing but beneficial when you think two years forward.

Because I like my team to win.

If we can't field a competitive D, then winning is not likely. 30yo 1D KHL vets > 22yo AHL rookies.

 

[FiLe]

If we can't field a competitive D, then winning is not likely. 30yo 1D KHL vets > 22yo AHL rookies.

I'd buy this view if we didn't already have a direct point of comparison between these KHL "vets" and AHL "rookies". Namely, did you watch the last year's WHC?

In that team, we had Lepistö, Hietanen, Jaakola... basically all of our KHL d-men worth something. And then it had Lindell. And Jokipakka.


And who was the best of the bunch, by a mile? That one "AHL rookie". Also, Jokipakka did not stand out among the rest negatively either. On the contrary, those "KHL vets" seemed to be struggling far more.

 

[MMANumminen]

My dream team, locks bolded

Jokinen-Barkov-MiGranlund
Donskoi-Filppula-Pulkkinen
Haula-Lehterä-Teräväinen
Komarov-Koivu-Hartikainen
Aho

Ristolainen-Vatanen
Määttä-Lepistö
Jaakola-Niskala
Järvinen-Jokipakka
Honka

Rinne
Rask
Lehtonen

 

[FiLe]

My dream team, locks bolded

"Locks" in what manner, since your lineup excludes players already selected?

And if it's simpy your personal dream team and you don't care who's been picked and who's been not, what's the point in having locks and non-locks in the first place?