WJC: 2017 Finland Roster Talk

[teddy83]

Laine had the better tournament, despite having less points.

No he didn't. And personally i don't think Edmonton is loaning Pulju to WJC, because (this is a weird logic but anyways) i don't think Edmonton wants to give the reigning WJC Champions any firepower whatsoever, imagine how much Canada would blame Edmonton brass if we would shock everybody again because Pulju would score 3ppg?? There would be riots (at least in Vancouver)

 

[Statsy]

No he didn't. And personally i don't think Edmonton is loaning Pulju to WJC, because (this is a weird logic but anyways) i don't think Edmonton wants to give the reigning WJC Champions any firepower whatsoever, imagine how much Canada would blame Edmonton brass if we would shock everybody again because Pulju would score 3ppg?? There would be riots (at least in Vancouver)

No, us Vancouverites save our riots for Stanley Cup losses.
If the Oilers thought it would be better for their team in the long run to let Puljujarvi get more experience in this tournament, then they would just go ahead and do it. With that said, the thinking might just be that as last year's top scorer and MVP, there is nowhere to go but down. That might also be in the back of his mind as they would first ask him if he actually wanted to go. Just a thought.

 

[teddy83]

No, us Vancouverites save our riots for Stanley Cup losses.
If the Oilers thought it would be better for their team in the long run to let Puljujarvi get more experience in this tournament, then they would just go ahead and do it. With that said, the thinking might just be that as last year's top scorer and MVP, there is nowhere to go but down. That might also be in the back of his mind as they would first ask him if he actually wanted to go. Just a thought.

I see your logic but Pulju went to u-18 world championship when there was basically no upside whatsoever he was even dealing with a injury at the time, so i don't think he would hesitate for a second if the opportunity presented himself to go to the WJC.

 

[Periwinkle]

Of course the next few weeks will tell where Pulju will play but I'll never agree with the reasoning that is good for a 18 year old to be healthy scratched in the NHL/playing very limited minutes, rather than playing in a big role in AHL.

No wonder Oilers are largely viewed as such a dumpster fire of an organisation.

I wish they at least do the reasonable thing and release him for WJC's. I'm not too hopeful.

 

[Statsy]

I see your logic but Pulju went to u-18 world championship when there was basically no upside whatsoever he was even dealing with a injury at the time, so i don't think he would hesitate for a second if the opportunity presented himself to go to the WJC.

Fair point. Slightly different scenario, mind you, but you may be right. For some people, that desire to play for one's nation trumps all other factors. That's an idea that I happen to share.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

No he didn't. And personally i don't think Edmonton is loaning Pulju to WJC, because (this is a weird logic but anyways) i don't think Edmonton wants to give the reigning WJC Champions any firepower whatsoever, imagine how much Canada would blame Edmonton brass if we would shock everybody again because Pulju would score 3ppg?? There would be riots (at least in Vancouver)

If Oilers release Puljujärvi upcoming world juniors of course it's good for Finland.
But if Finland won't get Puljujärvi that's understandable.

Even without Puljujärvi Finland will have good offence of course it's not so high scoring oriented than in Helsinki but still OK.
Finland has at the moment 17-18 junior players playing in North America and that's something what Finland has not previously been.

If we look those guys who will carry the responsible for Finland's scoring.
There's guys like Kristian Vesalainen, Eeli Tolvanen, Henrik Borgström, Petrus Palmu, Janne Kuokkanen, Otto Koivula, Julius Nättinen and Aapeli Räsänen.

Also Olli Juolevi,Vili Saarijärvi,Miro Heiskanen, Juuso Välimäki and Urho Vaakanainen has chances score for Finland.
Only question-mark for Finland's medal chances is goalies but defense will be better than in Helsinki and offence is at least OK.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

No, us Vancouverites save our riots for Stanley Cup losses.
If the Oilers thought it would be better for their team in the long run to let Puljujarvi get more experience in this tournament, then they would just go ahead and do it. With that said, the thinking might just be that as last year's top scorer and MVP, there is nowhere to go but down. That might also be in the back of his mind as they would first ask him if he actually wanted to go. Just a thought.

Did Vancouver release Jake Virtanen 2016 world juniors in Helsinki without AHL assignment?.
If they did let's see will Oilers do same for Puljujärvi.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

http://www.leijonat.fi/maajoukkueet...jonien-mm-leiriryhma-nimetty-tassa-nimet.html.

Finland's training camp roster in World juniors.
Is Niemeläinen injured or why he isn't that roster.

Edit Also Aleksi Saarela is gone.

 

[JJTT]

^ Niemeläinen is having a tough year and he is a year younger than Leskinen, Rautanen and Parikka who have been playing solid hockey as of late.

Kinda wanted to see Jokiharju and Turkulainen there since we are short of right handed shots.

 

[Jussi]

Saarela's reasons for opting out of the tournament: http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jaakiekko/art-2000004894717.html?ref=rss

 

[Eye of Ra]

does not look that good....

joni ikonen should have made it, he looks great in shl.

 

[Statsy]

Did Vancouver release Jake Virtanen 2016 world juniors in Helsinki without AHL assignment?.
If they did let's see will Oilers do same for Puljujärvi.

There are some different rules regarding juniors coming up from the CHL. They are ineligible to play in the AHL. It's either the NHL or back to junior. With Puljujarvi coming from Europe, the AHL is an option.

As for Virtanen, he was actually with the Canucks when they sent him to the tournament. I'm a big believer in what the WJC can do for a player's development, however it's not without risk. He was one of the few examples of a player who had a nightmarish tournament and was actually branded in the Vancouver media as a goat and responsible for Canada's loss. It was a pretty messed up situation for a while.

 

[Statsy]

Saarela's reasons for opting out of the tournament: http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jaakiekko/art-2000004894717.html?ref=rss

I read through the entire article, but just after I was done I suddenly realized that I didn't know how to read finnish. Can somebody give me the gist of what that said?

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

I read through the entire article, but just after I was done I suddenly realized that I didn't know how to read finnish. Can somebody give me the gist of what that said?

The reason why Aleksi Saarela is out of this upcoming world junior tournament is next.

Saarela is already U20 world champion so he lacks motivation to participate Finland in Montreal.
Also he had surgery earlier this year which is affected his game and also his FEL team Rauman Lukko needs him now more than Team Finland.

Saarela wish all the best for Finland and he'll cheer our lions in home.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

There are some different rules regarding juniors coming up from the CHL. They are ineligible to play in the AHL. It's either the NHL or back to junior. With Puljujarvi coming from Europe, the AHL is an option.

As for Virtanen, he was actually with the Canucks when they sent him to the tournament. I'm a big believer in what the WJC can do for a player's development, however it's not without risk. He was one of the few examples of a player who had a nightmarish tournament and was actually branded in the Vancouver media as a goat and responsible for Canada's loss. It was a pretty messed up situation for a while.

OK thanks for that information.
As for Jake Virtanen he was undisciplined in quarterfinal against Finland.
And yes those penalties what he took hurt Canada very badly but that's not the main reason for Canada's loss.

Mackenzie Blackwood was really shaky as Vehvilainen was for Finland.
Dave Lowry did bad mistake when he didn't pull Blackwood out like Jalonen did for Vehvilainen.

Also i think Jake Virtanen was a bit nervous to play in his father's home-country.
But honestly said whole Team Canada should watch in the mirror especially Lowry. He lost tactical battle for Jalonen 6-0.

I will remember that 2016 world juniors quarterfinal between Finland and Canada to rest of my lifetime.
It was a classic which will be remembered for a long time.

Sorry off topic.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

I really hope that is not the roster where from Rautakorpi
picks the players for the world juniors.

it's said that its only the first camp roster,but...i fear
that too many players comes from europe and we
don't pick the right players.

Although,if Pulju becomes available...

---

Leskinen,Rautanen are strange picks for D
Juhola,Vidgren for F

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

I really hope that is not the roster where from Rautakorpi
picks the players for the world juniors.

it's said that its only the first camp roster,but...i fear
that too many players comes from europe and we
don't pick the right players.

Although,if Pulju becomes available...

---

Leskinen,Rautanen are strange picks for D
Juhola,Vidgren for F

When i saw that roster i was like wtf Rautakorpi is thinking.
Finland's defence will be in serious troubles without big-sized and physical stay at home dman ( Markus Niemeläinen or Eemeli Räsänen or even both).

Also offence looks mediocre if Edmonton won't release Puljujärvi.
Goales are already big question-mark and those strange picks ( Mattila,Rautanen, Parikka and Leskinen in defence) is near disaster.

Damn Jokerit why they had hire Jukka Jalonen their new head-coach.
Jalonen if any knows North American hockey and he can choose right players in the team.

 

[Jussi]

I read through the entire article, but just after I was done I suddenly realized that I didn't know how to read finnish. Can somebody give me the gist of what that said?

He said he's been fully healthy only the past 3-4 games. The surgery he had was a "lower body" and he couldn't really do anything at the Hurricanes camp. 15-20 minutes on the ice before it got too painful. He had groin issues before the national team break, playing basically on one leg. He didn't go on the ice during the break and spent the following week rehabing the groin. Also says he didn't want to miss out on 9 Liiga games for Lukko.

 

[BB88]

No, it wouldn't.

It would help. He might be the best player at the tournament, but a player who can't stick in the NHL currently will not make Finland the favorite.

Had that player been Laine, then maybe you can say one player makes them the favorite, but players like Laine, McDavid, Werenski who are playing very well in the NHL are not going to be released for this tournament.

Pulju has been completely dominating against juniors for years.
He's just very raw for NHL still, but that doesn't change what he can do against juniors.

He didn't even deserve to get benched, he had 4 points in the last 6 games with impressive defensive game.

I read through the entire article, but just after I was done I suddenly realized that I didn't know how to read finnish. Can somebody give me the gist of what that said?

Injuries, he's had a broken season.
Really tough start to the season and now he wants to train and play with Lukko to get his game going.

 

[FiLe]

Apart from the opt-out of Saarela, I must say there's nothing in Rautakorpi's list that really surprises me. No strange additions nor snubs.

Gotta feel for Jonne Tammela. Last guy to be cut last year and now he's injured.


And yes, that indeed is the list from which the final team will be picked, save for perhaps Puljujärvi being loaned. (There's obviously zero chance for Aho or Laine.)

A good rule of thumb for all stargazers out there: players with no previous experience from U20 NT are usually highly unlikely selections - especially if they're still underage. Coaches just don't pick players they haven't had a chance to instruct themselves. So throwing 'round names like E.Räsänen and Heponiemi were nothing but typical uninformed utopian's talk.

 

[Statsy]

Thanks for the Saarela info, guys. That's going to be a tough loss. Hopefully the team lucks out and gets Puljujarvi as an early Christmas present.

 

[Grant McCagg]

When i saw that roster i was like wtf Rautakorpi is thinking.
Finland's defence will be in serious troubles without big-sized and physical stay at home dman ( Markus Niemeläinen or Eemeli Räsänen or even both).

Also offence looks mediocre if Edmonton won't release Puljujärvi.
Goales are already big question-mark and those strange picks ( Mattila,Rautanen, Parikka and Leskinen in defence) is near disaster.

Damn Jokerit why they had hire Jukka Jalonen their new head-coach.
Jalonen if any knows North American hockey and he can choose right players in the team.

The last thing you need to worry about is Finland's defence...it should be the class of the tourney. The top dman from last year's tournament is returning...Juolevi, Salo, Valimaki, Heiskanen and Vaakanainen are more than capable of playing sound defensively at the junior level. Juolevi and Valimaki are dominant in the CHL and the other three are all playing 19+ minutes in the FHL.

Niemalainen is getting burned constantly in the CHL this season and lost his confidence..it would only be worse at the WJC. Rasanen perhaps could have been an invite but there are at least 7 better than him at this time...he'll get his chance next season.

 

[FiLe]

There's indeed nothing funny about those defensive picks, even outside the names everybody recognize. By wondering about their inclusion, one is only revealing that one knows woefully little about the subject one's talking about.

Leskinen and Parikka are Liiga regulars. Mattila could be considered a bit more suspect, but he's hung in the U20 bubble a while, which makes him a coach's familiar. And Rautanen, well, he's played 14 KHL matches this season, which is obviously not an everyday feat for an U20 eligible player. He's not been phenomenal, but he's certainly held his own. So no wonder he's getting a look as well.


If I had to take a guess at the final roster, I'd say...

Vehviläinen
Ruusu
Kaarlehto

Juolevi
Saarijärvi
Välimäki
Heiskanen
Salo
Vaakanainen
Rautanen

Nättinen
Borgström
Kuokkanen
Ruotsalainen
Räsänen
Björkqvist
Tolvanen
Koivula
Vesalainen
Palmu
---
Vidgren
Juhola
Väyrynen

If Puljujärvi is loaned, cut one of the fillers under the line.

 

[puck swami]

Henrik Borgstrom, who is having a monster year for the University of Denver, missed last weekend's Denver series with Colorado College due to an undiagnosed illness - a rivalry series that I am sure he wanted to play in...

Coach Montgomery said "The doctors can't yet pinpoint the illness - Borgstrom "is drained...lethargic and sleeping a lot... It's not good."

Hopefully he'll be back on the ice soon.

 

[Statsy]

Henrik Borgstrom, who is having a monster year for the University of Denver, missed last weekend's Denver series with Colorado College due to an undiagnosed illness - a rivalry series that I am sure he wanted to play in...

Coach Montgomery said "The doctors can't yet pinpoint the illness - Borgstrom "is drained...lethargic and sleeping a lot... It's not good."

Hopefully he'll be back on the ice soon.

I suffer from that same illness.