WJC: 2017 Finland Roster Talk

[Hockeyisl1fe]

If Oilers really release Puljujärvi to world juniors then why Bob McKenzie tweets Puljujärvi won't play in world juniors.
So which is lying is it Bob McKenzie or Finnish sport media.

I think it's more of a case of McKenzie or Rautakorpi lying. Rautakorpi said very clearly that the negotiations are on with the Oilers, I find it hard to believe that he would lie about it. I think McKenzie is just assuming too much here. Whether Oilers release him or not, will be seen.

The lines I'd like to see In a best case scenario:

Palmu Kuokkanen Pulju
Tolvanen Nättinen Vesalainen
Luoto Borgström Koivula
Björkqvist Räsänen Vidgren

I prefer the latter, but alternative could be:

Kuokkanen Nättinen Pulju
Tolvanen Räsänen Vesalainen
Palmu Borgström Koivula/Luoto
Björkqvist Mattila Luoto/Vidgren

Huge upgrade

 

[JJTT]

^ Ruotsalainen was dominant in the WJEC and was the captain last time he played with the national team. Hard to see somebody like Vidgren or Luoto pushing him out of the lineup.

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

^ Ruotsalainen was dominant in the WJEC and was the captain last time he played with the national team. Hard to see somebody like Vidgren or Luoto pushing him out of the lineup.

Haven't seen him play much I admit, but his stats in FEL this season surely aren't that overwhelming tbh. I don't see a place for him in the top lines with Pulju in. I see Vidgren/Luoto being better suited on the 4th line with their physical play. I also have concerns about his size in the smaller rink. Could be wrong tho, maybe he makes the team.

 

[FiLe]

Soon we will see your proteges in these games, mr. FiLe? And you behind the bench?

There are some names who might be coming up in the U18 bubble in a couple of years.

But let's get real here: Don't take me for a miracle man. If even one of those guys ever make it to the U20 WJC, that alone is going to make me extremely proud.

As for your second question... that's a shot even far longer. Well, I guess you should never say never. If I stumble upon the right sauna at the right moment, anything's possible I guess...

Ruotsalainen was dominant in the WJEC and was the captain last time he played with the national team. Hard to see somebody like Vidgren or Luoto pushing him out of the lineup.

It's certainly going to be at least a moderate surprise if Ruotsalainen doesn't make the final cut, even more so now that Saarela is out.

And no, I don't imply he'll be the direct replacement, but some dominoes are going to bounce regardless and make room for another centre.

 

[Loffer]

There are some names who might be coming up in the U18 bubble in a couple of years.

But let's get real here: Don't take me for a miracle man. If even one of those guys ever make it to the U20 WJC, that alone is going to make me extremely proud.

As for your second question... that's a shot even far longer. Well, I guess you should never say never. If I stumble upon the right sauna at the right moment, anything's possible I guess...

Great top hear, mr. FiLe. Just keep doing the good work and the prize will be there; in the work itself and in its natural results. Especially if you remember to smile to right guys and laugh to their jokes never mind their quality. (They can be almost as good as the best ones of mine here; or even much much worse than any of my worst brain farts. Lol.) Yeah, it is called playing one's cards well. The game of hockey takes place in a much more subtle and wider social game one should handle also like a pro to get the best opportunities, as a coach, yeah, as a coach especially. Best of luck on that journey. (The player development needs no luck but competence you surely have.)

 

[SpeedDemon]

Not surprised Laine isn't on this squad. The Jets aren't exactly in a secure playoff position but a week and a half without their best winger ........... wouldn't exactly do wonders for 'em.

I'm surprised Aho and Puljujarvi are not on the squad thugh. I mean the Hurricanes aren't exactly lightning up a storm. And Puljujarvi isn't exactly lighting it up in oil country either. I'm wondering if it might be the Canada factor for the Oilers. After all they wouldn't release Draisaitl in 2015 and he was back to juniors not ling after.

 

[jj cale]

Not surprised Laine isn't on this squad. The Jets aren't exactly in a secure playoff position but a week and a half without their best winger ........... wouldn't exactly do wonders for 'em.

I'm surprised Aho and Puljujarvi are not on the squad thugh. I mean the Hurricanes aren't exactly lightning up a storm. And Puljujarvi isn't exactly lighting it up in oil country either. I'm wondering if it might be the Canada factor for the Oilers. After all they wouldn't release Draisaitl in 2015 and he was back to juniors not ling after.

If there was a Canada factor they would be sending Mcdavid, that would sure help Canadas chances far more then withholding Pulju from the Finland team. .

There is never a nationalistic factor in these things,nhl teams do what they think is best for the team.

Let's save the 911 truthers stuff for the political board shall we?

Because that is where this sort of silliness belongs.

 

[SpeedDemon]

If there was a Canada factor they would be sending Mcdavid, that would sure help Canadas chances far more then withholding Pulju from the Finland team. .

There is never a nationalistic factor in these things,nhl teams do what they think is best for the team.

Let's save the 911 truthers stuff for the political board shall we?

Because that is where this sort of silliness belongs.

I think its more of what's best for the player as opposed to the team.

I'll demonstrate with the McDavid issue.

Firstly- McDavid is the captain.
Secondly- he is their #1 center and leading scorer (If I'm not mistaken). and the Oilers are currently in a dogfight for first in the division if not the western confernce (Which actually surprises me i picked them to finish 7th in the division).
And then there's the issue that Canada is loaded with talent even without McDavid.

so in this instance sending McDavid would hinder the Oilesr heavily. I don't see how Sending Puljujarvi (who has what 9 points 27 games into the season??) wouldn't exactly be a nail in the coffin.

I did however read a peace on Draisaitl a couple of years back where Edmonton didn't want to release because Canada and Germany were in the same division. Of course Germany wasn't going to accomplish much anyway. I think the quote was something like "didn't want him playing against Canada just to keep his country from being relegated."

Or it could have been the possibility that they wanted him to focus on improving his game to make the Oilers sooner rather than later.

So it is possible management thinks playing in the WJC and having to readjust to the playing style twice (once when coming over and second when coming back) could be hinderance to his game. Or they don't ewant to risk losing him to injury in an outside event.
on a side not I was never connect sports to politics. If I was i wouldn't an native of South Portland, Cheering against the U.S. everytime this tourney rolls around.

 

[jj cale]

Firstly- McDavid is the captain.
Secondly- he is their #1 center and leading scorer (If I'm not mistaken). and the Oilers are currently in a dogfight for first int the western confernce (Which actually surprises me i picked them to finish 7th in the division).
And then there's the issue that Canada is loaded without talent even without McDavid.

so in this instance sending McDavid would hinder the Oiler heavily. I don't see how Sending Puljujarvi (who has what 9 points 27 games into the season??) wouldn't exactly be a nail in the coffin.

I did however read a peace on Draisaitl a couple of years back where Edmonton didn't want to release because Canada and Germany were in the same division. Of course Germany wasn't going to accomplish much anyway. I think the quote was something like "didn't want him playing against Canada to keep his country from being relegated."

Or it could have been the possibility that they wanted him to focus on improving his game to make the Oilers sooner rather than later.


on a side not I was never connect sports to politics. If I was i wouldn't an native of South Portland, Cheering against the U.S. everytime this tourney rolls around.

Where did you happen to read this "peace" anyway?, I would consider the source if I were you.

It is really way out there when people suggest these things, I may as well say the U.S based teams are trying to **** Canada over if they do not loan out Beauviller,Crouse and Chycrun to our team.

Cmon, let's be serious around here.

 

[FiLe]

Not surprised Laine isn't on this squad. The Jets aren't exactly in a secure playoff position but a week and a half without their best winger ........... wouldn't exactly do wonders for 'em.

I'm surprised Aho and Puljujarvi are not on the squad thugh. I mean the Hurricanes aren't exactly lightning up a storm. And Puljujarvi isn't exactly lighting it up in oil country either. I'm wondering if it might be the Canada factor for the Oilers. After all they wouldn't release Draisaitl in 2015 and he was back to juniors not ling after.

Uhh... no U20 eligible player who is a regular fixture in an NHL team is going to get loaned out. To say you're "not surprised" at that is like saying you're not surprised that water is wet.

Aho isn't going to be part of this squad either, that's been clear as day for a while. He's a fixture with the Canes. There's still hope for Puljujärvi, but no one will consider it an anomaly if the final answer from the Oilers is no. And the club team's current situation or nationalistic factors have nothing to do with that. If the player's paymasters figure they want a player sticking to his day job because he - you know - just happens to be part of the squad, then that's what the player is going to do.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

I think it's more of a case of McKenzie or Rautakorpi lying. Rautakorpi said very clearly that the negotiations are on with the Oilers, I find it hard to believe that he would lie about it. I think McKenzie is just assuming too much here. Whether Oilers release him or not, will be seen.

The lines I'd like to see In a best case scenario:

Palmu Kuokkanen Pulju
Tolvanen Nättinen Vesalainen
Luoto Borgström Koivula
Björkqvist Räsänen Vidgren

I prefer the latter, but alternative could be:

Kuokkanen Nättinen Pulju
Tolvanen Räsänen Vesalainen
Palmu Borgström Koivula/Luoto
Björkqvist Mattila Luoto/Vidgren

Huge upgrade

Kuokkanen might be listed as center,but
he has played the entire season LW for Knights
Pu has played the center.

Palmu is 100% fist line player for us

 

[Artorius Horus T]

With Puljujärvi:

Kuokkanen-Nättinen-Palmu
Tolvanen-ARäsänen-Puljujärvi*
Vesalainen-Borgström-Tuulola
Koppanen-Somppi-Koivula
Mattila

Juolevi-Saarijärvi
Välimäki-Heiskanen
Niemeläinen-ERäsänen**
Salo

* this line had insane chemistry at the last U18 games
** id still take this huge guy to be in our team,he has been the
biggest finnish surprise in the OHL,especially in the PP,
Vaakanainen has been a huge disappointment this season,
i wouldn't pick him just because his name is Vaakanainen

That would make it 15 players from NA and i like it
because the games are played there.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Why is everyone forgetting Eetu Tuulola - Everett Silvertips (RW)
Flames 6th (156th overall) pick from 2016 draft
from their line ups and i'm the only one who is not.

Eetu Tuulola is a great player,big and bulky 190/102kg
can skate,can play defensive role really well,
but also can produce goals and points if needed.

 

[Quethas]

Why is everyone forgetting Eetu Tuulola - Everett Silvertips (RW)

Because he is not part of the camp roster? Without massive amount of injuries, no-one outside the camp roster except for the NHL players will make it to the WJC.

Finnish camp roster can be found here.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Tuulola is very raw but he's also got a really interesting package if it all comes together. Really impressed me in Calgary this year. Surprised he's not there but what can you do.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Because he is not part of the camp roster? Without massive amount of injuries, no-one outside the camp roster except for the NHL players will make it to the WJC.

Finnish camp roster can be found here.

Hows that a final u20 camp roster? This is only the first camp roster
is it not?. Because if thats the roster from were picking our players...
no gold for us.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Because he is not part of the camp roster? Without massive amount of injuries, no-one outside the camp roster except for the NHL players will make it to the WJC.

Finnish camp roster can be found here.

Vidgren,Ruotsalainen,Juhola,Luoto,Väyrynen,JeMattila,
Parikka,Rautanen,Vaakanainen

No place for these u20 wjc's for those players

Our goaltending trio looks weak,
don't trust Vehviläinen at all,we won that gold because of
our superior forwards,not because of Veini,need
Ukko Pekka for this,many says these games came too soon
for him,i beg to differ,if Veini fails,need that Ruusu fella,
and well..,thats no good.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

From that roster,without Pulju:

Kuokkanen(186) (18 yrs)-Nättinen(189) (19 yrs)-Palmu(170) (19 yrs)
Tolvanen(178) (17 yrs)-Räsänen(183) (18 yrs)-????
Vesalainen(190) (17 yrs)-Borgström(191) (19 yrs)-Koivula(193) (18 yrs)
Björqvist(186) (19 yrs)-Mattila(180) (19 yrs)-????
????

Juolevi(191) (18 yrs)-Saarijärvi(178) (19 yrs)
Välimäki(188) (18 yrs)-Heiskanen(182) (17 yrs)
Niemeläinen(197) (18 yrs)-Salo(184) (18yrs)
????

Vehviläinen(184) (19yrs)
Ruusu(188) (19yrs)

8 x 19 year olds 8 x 18 year olds,awful lot if you ask me,Rautakorpi relies
too much on "experience" instead of youth.

Not that, that roster looks bad,but doesn't look like gold team either,
if we could get Pulju,he could be the difference maker and
we might escape this one with the gold.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Hows that a final u20 camp roster? This is only the first camp roster
is it not?. Because if thats the roster from were picking our players...
no gold for us.

I am as disappointed as you are but there's nothing what we ( Finnish Hockey fans) can do.
Rautakorpi and his coaching staff are made their choices and we must to deal with it.

I'm too very skeptic for Finland's medal chances.
Coping to semifinal is very good result for this team and everything else ( medal games) is a huge plus.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

From that roster,without Pulju:

Kuokkanen(186) (18 yrs)-Nättinen(189) (19 yrs)-Palmu(170) (19 yrs)
Tolvanen(178) (17 yrs)-Räsänen(183) (18 yrs)-????
Vesalainen(190) (17 yrs)-Borgström(191) (19 yrs)-Koivula(193) (18 yrs)
Björqvist(186) (19 yrs)-Mattila(180) (19 yrs)-????
????

Juolevi(191) (18 yrs)-Saarijärvi(178) (19 yrs)
Välimäki(188) (18 yrs)-Heiskanen(182) (17 yrs)
Niemeläinen(197) (18 yrs)-Salo(184) (18yrs)
????

Vehviläinen(184) (19yrs)
Ruusu(188) (19yrs)

8 x 19 year olds 8 x 18 year olds,awful lot if you ask me,Rautakorpi relies
too much on "experience" instead of youth.

Not that, that roster looks bad,but doesn't look like gold team either,
if we could get Pulju,he could be the difference maker and
we might escape this one with the gold.

Niemeläinen is injured ( upper-body injury) that's why he isn't camp roster.
In addition he has been big problems with his self-confidence so it's better he isn't in the team this year.

Next years ( 2018) world juniors Finland's team will be better than this years team.
Jussi Ahokas is next U20 national team's head coach and based on the result in Grand Forks ( U18 WJC Gold medal) i'm sure for that Ahokas will choose right players in the team.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Maybe we will have Laine? Jets are probably okay with it.

Laine-Kuokkanen-Puljujärvi
Vesalainen-Nättinen-Tolvanen

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Maybe we will have Laine? Jets are probably okay with it.

Laine-Kuokkanen-Puljujärvi
Vesalainen-Nättinen-Tolvanen

Forget Laine jets won't release him.

 

[FiLe]

Maybe we will have Laine? Jets are probably okay with it.

For posterity, this comment should end up in every dictionary under the entry titled "sarcasm".

 

[Loffer]

For posterity, this comment should end up in every dictionary under the entry titled "sarcasm".

Indeed. Even more so since Laine scored that thing of beauty in Jets own net the other night... That kind of swagger and showmanship you won't come across that often. Actually it is as rare as to find. a new Mozart or Picasso on skates or something.

P.S. Is this Ruotsalainen kid Reijo Ruotsalainen's son or grandson, nephew or totally unrelated namesake?

 

[FiLe]

P.S. Is this Ruotsalainen kid Reijo Ruotsalainen's son or grandson, nephew or totally unrelated namesake?

They're not related.

Not a surprise, though. There are 10 million ruotsalainens on this planet, so they all can't be.