World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team Finland

[BB88]

I've seen a lot of comments from Finns critical of Jokinen's play and that's crazy to me. He was a PPG player at the Worlds and he was their best possession forward by a significant margin. He may not have always handled passes in offensive zone the best possible way but he drove play, helped get his teammates in position to make plays and helped stymie opposing forwards. He's not a big goal scorer but very underrated

In the early games he seemed like the guy who was struggling the most to transfer his game to European rink, Barkov seemed to be ready to take his line to next level but Jokinen was holding them back.
Ofcourse his playing on the LW side was affecting on his commentory.

A bit tough to say for last 3 games with Barkov/Lajunen situation, but Jokinen is a better suited for NHL rink.

 

[FiLe]

Rask
Rinne
Koskinen

What's with people suddenly suggesting Koskinen? He just had a solid WHC yes, but it's not like he's our 3rd best small ice goalie (not to mention the 3rd best overall). And while the 3rd string should be someone who doesn't mind just hanging around the squad, we have good suitable NA names even for that. Marjamäki should of course first ask Niemi and Lehtonen's willingness to take the role - and if both say no, the choice should be either Korpisalo or Raanta.

Besides, it's not even "politically" smart. I'm sure SKA would have a thing or two to say if their starter is suddenly supposed to spend two weeks on an extended practice in the other side of the world while their own games are underway - especially since Finland has a fair number of other goalies who would be less occupied at the time.

 

[illone84]

What's with people suddenly suggesting Koskinen? He just had a solid WHC yes, but it's not like he's our 3rd best small ice goalie (or even the 3rd best overall). And while the 3rd string should be someone who doesn't mind just hanging around the squad, we have good suitable NA names even for that. Marjamäki should of course first ask Niemi and Lehtonen's willingness to take the role - and if both say no, the choice should be either Korpisalo or Raanta.

Besides, it's not even "politically" smart. I'm sure SKA would have a thing or two to say if their starter is suddenly supposed to spend two weeks on an extended practice in the other side of the world while their own games are underway - especially since Finland has a fair number of other goalies who would be less occupied at the time.

Korpisalo/Lehtonen/Niemi. Although not sure it really makes a big difference, because the third goalie more than likely won't be seeing any games, but never say never!

 

[Periwinkle]

What's with people suddenly suggesting Koskinen? He just had a solid WHC yes, but it's not like he's our 3rd best small ice goalie (not to mention the 3rd best overall). And while the 3rd string should be someone who doesn't mind just hanging around the squad, we have good suitable NA names even for that. Marjamäki should of course first ask Niemi and Lehtonen's willingness to take the role - and if both say no, the choice should be either Korpisalo or Raanta.

Besides, it's not even "politically" smart. I'm sure SKA would have a thing or two to say if their starter is suddenly supposed to spend two weeks on an extended practice in the other side of the world while their own games are underway - especially since Finland has a fair number of other goalies who would be less occupied at the time.

The third goalie is not going to play anyway barring some very unusual circumstances. However, being selected in a best-on-best tournament is a merit in itself and after just being selected the best goalie in the Worlds it would make sense to give him the nod, rather than Niemi/Lehtonen who finished their season in a less than stellar way. But sure, I would have no issue with e.g. Raanta instead.
KHL politics I care not about.

 

[FiLe]

KHL politics I care not about.

It's not about what you care or care not about, all that matters is if SKA cares about it. And lemme tell you, it would be pretty senseless to name a third string from the KHL, especially one who is the starter of his club. There's no room in professional hockey for courtesy nods when your club team's season is already underway. There's no need for Koskinen in this team, so you can be certain they'd tell him not to go.

 

[TheRealDeal88]

Laine would be nice choice from marketing perspective. Could NHL tell Finland management to just pick him for buzz or how this works. Would make sense for lets say 13th forward instead of some grinder who is better atm but noone really cares about at all. Quite minor ofc but why not get some extra clicks/hype for incoming draft and a nice story line to otherwise a bit boring Team Finland for WC.

 

[Periwinkle]

It's not about what you care or care not about, all that matters is if SKA cares about it. And lemme tell you, it would be pretty senseless to name a third string from the KHL, especially one who is the starter of his club. There's no room in professional hockey for courtesy nods when your club team's season is already underway. There's no need for Koskinen in this team, so you can be certain they'd tell him not to go.

The team I posted was my selections- hence, KHL politics is not really relevant.

But for argument's sake:
Senseless for whom? For Koskinen, who will rather play for his KHL team rather than be 3rd goalie? Cool, he can keep playing there. Senseless for KHL team- ok, maybe, but why do I care, or should I care, or the Finnish Hockey Federation? If they say no, they will say no.
Senseless for the Lions? I guess it matters quite little who is the 3rd goalie, however NT should be a meritocracy and Koskinen earned a spot based on his play, and the message is quite odd IF he wants to come but would be passed over for guys with less merits this season.

I don't know how KHL teams will release players. Maybe there will be a league-wide ban on letting players participate. That will certainly be unfortunate for our defense. Maybe teams will decide by case-by-case basis. We'll see.

 

[mattihp]

Laine would be nice choice from marketing perspective. Could NHL tell Finland management to just pick him for buzz or how this works. Would make sense for lets say 13th forward instead of some grinder who is better atm but noone really cares about at all. Quite minor ofc but why not get some extra clicks/hype for incoming draft and a nice story line to otherwise a bit boring Team Finland for WC.

If they can arrange for the coaching staff to add former NHLers to this bogus tournament.. They can do pretty much anything.

Last time around Karalahti was not allowed to play because he as an atheist did not want to go through a christian anti substance programme and handles his issues in Finland instead...

 

[Ippenator]

What's with people suddenly suggesting Koskinen? He just had a solid WHC yes, but it's not like he's our 3rd best small ice goalie (not to mention the 3rd best overall). And while the 3rd string should be someone who doesn't mind just hanging around the squad, we have good suitable NA names even for that. Marjamäki should of course first ask Niemi and Lehtonen's willingness to take the role - and if both say no, the choice should be either Korpisalo or Raanta.

Besides, it's not even "politically" smart. I'm sure SKA would have a thing or two to say if their starter is suddenly supposed to spend two weeks on an extended practice in the other side of the world while their own games are underway - especially since Finland has a fair number of other goalies who would be less occupied at the time.

Lehtonen and Niemi are unfortunately Swiss cheese in tougher games, and I'm not sure if even Raanta can be trusted with his small amount of play time. I have the feeling that Korpisalo would be the best choice after Rask and Rinne, if Koskinen is not chosen. Koskinen truly showed now in the latest WHC that he is capable to do almost anything if he has a good defensive system in front of him. He will still have it, when Marjamäki is the coach of team Finland. What I am afraid though is that the offensive playing style will suck as badly as it did with Kari Jalonen as the coach.

 

[FiLe]

Lehtonen and Niemi are unfortunately Swiss cheese in tougher games, and I'm not sure if even Raanta can be trusted with his small amount of play time.

It's a pre-season tournament, every player will come in out of vacation time and summer training, so how much a goalie has played the preceding season matters zilch.

 

[canswetoxic]

weak team but a dark horse.

 

[Ippenator]

It's a pre-season tournament, every player will come in out of vacation time and summer training, so how much a goalie has played the preceding season matters zilch.

Not exactly like this. But feel free to have your opinion by all means. I anyway see the issue very differently.

 

[FiLe]

Not exactly like this. But feel free to have your opinion by all means. I anyway see the issue very differently.

Raanta hasn't played in roughly three months once the tournament begins. But neither have Rask and Rinne - or any other goalie in that tournament. There'd be zero difference between their "game touches", so to claim something like this is pure poppycock. The last two names mentioned are of course better goalies overall - but you can't really argue that one should be dropped due to not having played, given the timing of the event. I repeat, no one - no skater, no goalie - has played recently when the team gets together.

 

[Mestaruus]

I'd also select Haula and Laine for sure. Haula is just an obvious choice and we lack a monster goal scorer of Laine's caliber on the PP.

The 3rd spot would be between Rantanen and Salomäki depending what the team needs since those 2 are little bit different type of players. It's almost same to me which of these 2 will be chosen but maybe Salomäki.

 

[illone84]

This is the roster prediction I made on January 31, 2016.

Granlund-Barkov-Donskoi
Filppula-Koivu-Jokinen
Teräväinen-Lehterä--Komarov
Rantanen-Haula-Korpikoski
Pulkkinen

Määttä – Ristolainen
Vatanen – Lindell
Jokipakka – Lindbohm
Lepistö

Rask
Rinne

My final roster prediction before the roster is announced.

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

Määttä – Ristolainen
Vatanen – Lindell
Jokipakka –Pokka
Lepistö

Rask
Rinne
Lehtonen

 

[Booster*]

This is new, finnish hockey has too much forward depth, some good players gonna get scratched.

I dont know LM´s coaching style, but Laine should be 13th forward, get a few shifts here and there, and 2 min PP time, best shot in the team is reason enough.

The other two, well one MUST be Haula. Then it stands between Aho, Rants, Salomäki or Pulju for a long shot.

 

[Ippenator]

I have to say that it is really idiotic that most of the players for the World Cup team had to be announced already. Why the hell you can't decide your final team just before the tournament is starting? This is really stupid and leads into that, that players that are the best at that moment, might not be even chosen. On the other hand some players who have had an injury problem and might still be recovering in some way from, might be in the lineup. In Finland's case at least Määttä and Teräväinen are these kind of players. On the basis of their injuries and health problems so late in the season, I think neither of them should most probably be chosen to the final World Cup team.

Well the tournament is anyway a complete joke with the teams that will be taking part. So why should I even care? For some strange reason I seem to care at least a bit...

 

[illone84]

Well, Finland might only play 3 games. They must win 2 out of 3 in order to get to the semi-final.
If they lose 2/3 they are done. Either way, it will most likely be US or Canada in the semi, and no consolation prize game.

Min 3 games, max 4 to 5.

Yes, Indeed, a joke of a tournament.

 

[FiLe]

Picking players as early as March for a tourney to be played in September is pretty damn idiotic indeed. But hey, marketing. (That should tell you all about how seriously you should take this cash grab. Zero prestige, simple as that.)

Picking the players now, with the season effectively done save for the SCF, is whole another matter. No one's going to distinguish themselves by three months of summer training. And if some of those players are unable to play once autumn rolls around, it's not like they can't be replaced.

 

[illone84]

Yes, it's a bona fide marketing tournament for the promotion of the NHL. It's a joke. 3 games and then a semi final? What kind of tournament is that? I'm crossing my fingers that nhl players can participate in 2018, because this is laughable, considering this might be a replacement tournament for the Olympics.


At least in 2004, they played a qf, and luckily Finland played in the final so we got to see 6 games played.

Meh, I hope Laine, Rantanen and Haula are the added forwards tomorrow.

 

[Gaps]

Picking players as early as March for a tourney to be played in September is pretty damn idiotic indeed. But hey, marketing. (That should tell you all about how seriously you should take this cash grab. Zero prestige, simple as that.)

Picking the players now, with the season effectively done save for the SCF, is whole another matter. No one's going to distinguish themselves by three months of summer training. And if some of those players are unable to play once autumn rolls around, it's not like they can't be replaced.

Another thing that makes this tournament even more ridiculous is that the team management for Finland basically consists of every Finn who's ever been someone in the NHL. Yet another marketing ploy by the NHL. If this was the Olympic tournament, I would be absolutely livid over including all those former players who most likely won't be able to help themselves and will stick their noses into other people's business. For example, I honestly couldn't care less whether Teemu understands Marjamäki's system or not, but I'm sure he'll tell the coaching staff exactly what he thinks.

 

[Jopo]

As 'World Cup' have as high value as scrap metal nickel in this kind hollywood-technicolor-Best-to-Cash tournament (Yes. I remember those myriads comments about small sample sets, lack of importance of WCH, "Nation X sent only it's team D+" -arguments. etc.), maybe it would be best that Team Finland would be composed from players that have no NHL careers at all... yet, whom are not even drafted yet, KHL and European league, etc.

World Cup is total Joke in it's format, high profile training/tuning up games, at least it could be used for demonstrating and introducing new players to the NHL. No doubt best line of the tourney maybe Mickey Mouse (Disney) - Santa Santa Claus (Coca Cola Co.) - [insert your numbers here] (Consortium X.).

Losing in that kind Money'n'joke -"tournament" wouldn't mean a **** for Finns, thus risks-benefits evaluation strongly suggest we should send our G-K team of Men-with-no -names.

 

[Lempo]

Oh shush with the negativity. Just don't watch if you're not interested.

... I actually got chuckles from the Leijonat site where they say they will announce the final.team tomorrow along with information about the televising of the event. I gather Viasat will have problems if they try force-sell people a tournament where Finland can be out after three games.

But anyways, rather tell my why is it that when everyone else is wearing the similar national emblem (where available) looks on both the home and visitor jersey, our lot got the other one to be a homage to the classic Suomi-joggers? Is Adidas up to shenanigans for to shame and humiliate us? Has the country brand taskforce gone all in for this one? Wha?

 

[fouba]

Maalivahdit:

Tuukka Rask

Pekka Rinne

Mikko Koskinen

Puolustajat:

Esa Lindell

Olli Määttä

Rasmus Ristolainen

Sami Vatanen

Sami Lepistö

Jyrki Jokipakka

Ville Pokka

Hyökkääjät:

Aleksander Barkov

Joonas Donskoi

Valtteri Filppula

Mikael Granlund

Jussi Jokinen

Mikko Koivu

Leo Komarov

Lauri Korpikoski

Jori Lehterä

Teuvo Teräväinen

Erik Haula

Patrik Laine

http://www.iltalehti.fi/jaakiekko/2016052721632859_jk.shtml

 

[VictorLustig]

Maalivahdit:

Tuukka Rask

Pekka Rinne

Mikko Koskinen

Puolustajat:

Esa Lindell

Olli Määttä

Rasmus Ristolainen

Sami Vatanen

Sami Lepistö

Jyrki Jokipakka

Ville Pokka

Hyökkääjät:

Aleksander Barkov

Joonas Donskoi

Valtteri Filppula

Mikael Granlund

Jussi Jokinen

Mikko Koivu

Leo Komarov

Lauri Korpikoski

Jori Lehterä

Teuvo Teräväinen

Erik Haula

Patrik Laine

http://www.iltalehti.fi/jaakiekko/2016052721632859_jk.shtml

Got worried there for a sec that Laine didn't make it while scrolling down your post. Will be awesome to watch him play in this tournament.