WJC: 2022 Team Finland roster talk

[Jarvinen]

I'm really hoping Eetu Liukas makes the team this time. I was really surprised when he wasn't on the first roster.
Watching this guy in the Liiga playoffs impressed me. Scored some goals and threw some big hits. Seems like the type of player who would suited for smaller ice.

I dunno, feels like there might be a high risk he.... Slips off the team...

 

[Jukurit]

I dunno, feels like there might be a high risk he.... Slips off the team...

It's a good thing he is going to HPK next season.
Hopefully plays with Pihlström.
I think those 2 would make a great pairing.

 

[Rengorlex]

Kiviharju should be on the team.

 

[Jukurit]

Kiviharju should be on the team.

I don't think so.

 

[TheFinnishTrap]

I don't think so.

Historically it's not unheard of for the d-1 top prospect to get on the WJC team, and there isn't that much time between this tournament and the December/January one... However I'd assume they won't be changing the team much apart from guys like Räty being in.

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

delete

 

[Jukurit]

Historically it's not unheard of for the d-1 top prospect to get on the WJC team, and there isn't that much time between this tournament and the December/January one... However I'd assume they won't be changing the team much apart from guys like Räty being in.

I thought Kiviharju looked so slow at U18s though. Could he keep up at U20s? Of course, it has been months, so maybe he's gotten faster.

 

[TheFinnishTrap]

I thought Kiviharju looked so slow at U18s though. Could he keep up at U20s? Of course, it has been months, so maybe he's gotten faster.

At his age a summer's worth of training can do wonders, and given his showings and trajectory so far, he absolutely should be able to win a spot on the U20 team later this year. Working backwards from that I think he would at least survive at the U20s already. This is all speculation though, and I wouldn't really say he "should" be on the team in August.

 

[Lartsaman]

The roster looks good right now. I´m not worried about goaltending, even though Blomqvist was cut. Meriläinen was decent last time. Kiviharju gets his chance at the next tournament I think.

 

[De Montreal]

This tournament is a joke if Jamsen doesnt play

 

[Jukurit]

This tournament is a joke if Jamsen doesnt play

He wasn't even on Finland's "B" team, so clearly not gonna play.

 

[FinPanda]

I don't see a way Kiviharju would be on this team. Most players going are from the cancelled tournament so there is no room for many additions outside of it.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

I thought Kiviharju looked so slow at U18s though. Could he keep up at U20s? Of course, it has been months, so maybe he's gotten faster.

What a hell?
Did you even watch U18 WJC's this past April.
I did and i watched all Finland's games and i can say this without hesitation.

Kiviharju wasn't slow he was fast and clearly best Finnish defenseman in that tournament.
Finland 1st defence pair Kiviharju Kulonummi was very good.

Kiviharju out played probably all other Finnish dmans in that tournament.
If there was someone who was slow and bad it was Otto Salin not Aron Kiviharju.

If Kiviharju stays healthy, develops, and avoid serious injuries he might go TOP3 in 2024 NHL draft.
Kiviharju impressed me positively and he probably is best Finnish dman talent after Miro Heiskanen.
I wouldn't be surprised if Kiviharju is someday even slightly better than Heiskanen.
And Heiskanen is awesome player already now so think about that.

 

[NCAA Hockey rules]

ChicagoBullsFan has an agenda with some players and he really hypes Aron Kiviharju. He exaggerates Kiviharju’s skating speed. Kiviharju is very talented, but he was clearly the slowliest skater of the Finnish team in WJC May 2022. He has a lot to do with his skating technique. I don’t give much credit for this kind of false statements.

 

[Jukurit]

ChicagoBullsFan has an agenda with some players and he really hypes Aron Kiviharju. He exaggerates Kiviharju’s skating speed. Kiviharju is very talented, but he was clearly the slowliest skater of the Finnish team in WJC May 2022. He has a lot to do with his skating technique. I don’t give much credit for this kind of false statements.

Yeah, I'm not sure what he was seeing when he thinks Kiviharju was "fast"? Very clearly obviously he wasn't.
And I'm not saying that Kiviharju played bad. In fact, I think he was Finland's best d-man. But it's the combination of small size combined with slow speed that concerns me, especially when we're talking about a defenseman.

 

[MBrodeur]

The roster looks good right now. I´m not worried about goaltending, even though Blomqvist was cut. Meriläinen was decent last time. Kiviharju gets his chance at the next tournament I think.

Meriläinen's save percentage looks terrible this year. I haven't watched him in the OHL so I'm not sure if there's any context to it.

 

[Svedu]

Leijonat - Alle 20-vuotiaiden maajoukkue ja haastajamaajoukkue heinäkuussa Vierumäelle – Katso kokoonpanot

Talvella koronan vuoksi keskeytetyt U20-ikäluokan MM-kisat pelataan 9.–20.8.2022 Edmontonissa. Heinäkuussa Vierumäellä on kaksi joukkueellista pelaajia (U20 ja U20 haastajajoukkue), joista valitaan MM-kisapelaajat. Alle 20-vuotiaiden maajoukkueen kokoonpano heinäkuun M...

www.leijonat.fi

So reading this gives my some thoughts:
Huuhtanen, Tuomaala, Malinen, Salminen, Suomi, Nyman, Rönni, Kaskimäki, Vilén, Matikka and Konsta Kapanen have a big chance to show what they got and earn a spot. I would rank them in that order as well and yes, I prefer a bit more skill and talent in these outsiders in this specific tournament. More than other tournaments.
I would love to see how Huuhtanen has progressed. Tuomaala is somewhat of a high risk- high reward in my opinion. With the right center? Perhaps Räty och Lambert? I really do believe he could be productive.
Salminen is a bit of a name and considered as a big prospect but just like Tuomaala he comes from a underwhelming year. Actually, his brothers was decent prospects as well, not the same level of course, but they were clearly bigger prospects then what they eventually became... Reminds me a little bit of the story with the Honkas. Then again, Anttonis career has just begun.
Back to the point, Salminen needs to stand out in the game to get a top 9 role in this roster.
Nyman could be another Järventie. They need to be productive and I don't se them in a bottom6 role.

The goalies are more or less settled but I´m mad about Blomqvist. That's just a shit*y and childish reasoning from the staff and Pennanen. Not professional in my opinion.

Players from the "First" squad who could lose their spot then? I believe it could be a couple.
Among forwards: Joel Määttä, Kalle Väisänen, Roby Järventie, Rony Karvinen, Elias Koponen and Mäenpää
Among D´s: Nurmi, Rami Määttä, Rajaniemi and Ottavainen.

 

[Jukurit]

Players from the "First" squad who could lose their spot then? I believe it could be a couple.
Among forwards: Joel Määttä, Kalle Väisänen, Roby Järventie, Rony Karvinen, Elias Koponen and Mäenpää
Among D´s: Nurmi, Rami Määttä, Rajaniemi and Ottavainen.

Don't agree with these. I think Joel Määttä played real good at the couple of games at WJC. Seems like a perfect 4C. I've liked Rami Määttä what I've seen of him. Just a solid defender. He was gonna make the team first time, but COVID messed it up.

I thought Järventie showed more hustle in this past WJC than last time, so I think he should be given a chance to "redeem" himself. 33 points in 70 games in AHL is "decent", so shouldn't probably have issues on small ice.

The rest are "whatever" to me. No strong feelings for making or not making the team.

 

[Svedu]

Don't agree with these. I think Joel Määttä played real good at the couple of games at WJC. Seems like a perfect 4C. I've liked Rami Määttä what I've seen of him. Just a solid defender. He was gonna make the team first time, but COVID messed it up.

I thought Järventie showed more hustle in this past WJC than last time, so I think he should given a chance to "redeem" himself. 33 points in 70 games in AHL is "decent", so shouldn't probably have issues on small ice.

The rest are "whatever" to me. No strong feelings for making or not making the team.

Wow, you didn't agree with Määttä, that's like one player? It would have been a bigger surprise if you would've agreed with every opinion

I agree regarding Rami Määttä. So far, what I´ve seen I prefer him before players like Nurmi.
Suomi was horrendous at the u-18 WC`s as well.
But I still wouldn't call Rami as safe as a bet like Viro and Niemelä? Do you get my point?

Yeah, so more or less we do actually agree in a majority of the picks? Regarding Järventie then, that's my point, it's his spot to lose. I thought that was somewhat clear.

Overall i do prefer a bit more speed or skill in the lower lines when the tournaments are played in NA. That was the impression I was trying to give. That I would like to see Huuhtanen, Tuomaala or why not even Matikka before some others.
Among the forward names I mentioned I mostly focused on Karvinen, Koponen and perhaps Väisänen. But neither did you ask me or mention those names.
Mäenpää was decent in PP if remember correctly but do I believe there are others who could be just as good or better? Perhaps I do.

Last but not least, to be absolutely sold on Määttä feels a bit like an overstatement in my opinion as well. Yes, he did he's job but nothing to special like you are picturing it. We have different opinions and that's good.

 

[Jukurit]

Wow, you didn't agree with Määttä, that's like one player? It would have been a bigger surprise if you would've agreed with every opinion

I agree regarding Rami Määttä. So far, what I´ve seen I prefer him before players like Nurmi.
Suomi was horrendous at the u-18 WC`s as well.
But I still wouldn't call Rami as safe as a bet like Viro and Niemelä? Do you get my point?

Yeah, so more or less we do actually agree in a majority of the picks? Regarding Järventie then, that's my point, it's his spot to lose. I thought that was somewhat clear.

Overall i do prefer a bit more speed or skill in the lower lines when the tournaments are played in NA. That was the impression I was trying to give. That I would like to see Huuhtanen, Tuomaala or why not even Matikka before some others. Perhaps

Last but not least, to be absolutely sold on Määttä feels s bit like an overstatement in my opinion as well. Yes, he did he's job but nothing to special like you are picturing it. We have different opinions and that's good.

Just didn't agree with some players that "could" lose their jobs. Seems unlikely to me.

Huuhtanen and Matikka have only played in junior leagues, so seems unlikely that they would make the team, because WJC coaches usually prefer Liiga players.

Tuomaala was pretty useless when he played with Jukurit. Also seemed to be pretty useless when he played with Sport. Already have as RW: Simontaival, Kemell and Lambert. Does Finland need Tuomaala? Probably not.

Lastly, yes, I'm sold on J. Määttä. The fact that Pennanen played Määttä as the 1C on WJC shows that Pennanen also likes him. I think playing Määttä as 4C with guy like Eetu Liukas on his wing would make for a great, "heavy" fourth line.

 

[bebl]

Atleast Kalle Väisänen out, Liukas in imo

 

[Svedu]

Just didn't agree with some players that "could" lose their jobs. Seems unlikely to me.

Huuhtanen and Matikka have only played in junior leagues, so seems unlikely that they would make the team, because WJC coaches usually prefer Liiga players.

Tuomaala was pretty useless when he played with Jukurit. Also seemed to be pretty useless when he played with Sport. Already have as RW: Simontaival, Kemell and Lambert. Does Finland need Tuomaala? Probably not.

Lastly, yes, I'm sold on J. Määttä. The fact that Pennanen played Määttä as the 1C on WJC shows that Pennanen also likes him. I think playing Määttä as 4C with guy like Eetu Liukas on his wing would make for a great, "heavy" fourth line.

Huuhtanen played in a smaller rink and did it really good. That should count for something. He has both size and skill as well. He´s absolutely a contender in my opinion and should get a fair chance to compete.

I think you are making things a bit too easy. Lambert could get a role as a center as well?
Simontaival was actually not that good and I do get the impression he's to comfortable at times with a low intensity to his game. Something that doesn't translate that well in NA when it's time for the playoffs. Simontaival is in a big need of others who can skate to make up for his weaknesses in the game, that's my opinion. Even if he is skilled with a good shot etc.
Again, Kemell and Lambert are like two wingers with one of them a possible center? I just don't by your argument, fine?
Regarding Tuomaala then, so? Lambert was bad in Liiga as well? Joel Määttä hasn't been that good in the NCAA? Järventie was complete garbage last year but you know what? Things can change.
Suomi also, horrendous in last years u-18 but that doesn't mean that he hasn't talent and can't turn things around?
I just don't think yo have a point here, simple.

Again buddy, I´m not arguing against you in that. Huuhtanen could perhaps fill a spot in a fourth line together with Määttä and Liukas?
Whatever Pennanen does and believes is always perfect? Is that your opinion? I actually think he handled the Blomqvist-situation pretty badly.

Last but not least, the overall impression you give me is that everything is black or white for you.
Rarely anything in life is like that.

 

[Jukurit]

I think you are making things a bit too easy. Lambert could get a role as a center as well?
Simontaival was actually not that good and I do get the impression he's to comfortable at times with a low intensity to his game. Something that doesn't translate that well in NA when it's time for the playoffs. Simontaival is in a big need of others who can skate to make up for his weaknesses in the game, that's my opinion. Even if he is skilled with a good shot etc.
Again, Kemell and Lambert are like two wingers with one of them a possible center? I just don't by your argument, fine?

Whatever Pennanen does and believes is always perfect? Is that your opinion? I actually think he handled the Blomqvist-situation pretty badly.

When was the last time Lambert played center with NT? Didn't play with U20 or U18 so far. Was it U17 or even U16? So why would he be put playing center now, when he hasn't done it previously at this level? Doesn't make sense to me.

Simontaival scored 4 goals and 7 points in 2021 WJC, so I think that about seals his spot on the team.

No, whatever Pennanen does is not "perfect". But he clearly likes Joel Määttä, so seems likely that he will be on the team.

 

[Svedu]

When was the last time Lambert played center with NT? Didn't play with U20 or U18 so far. Was it U17 or even U16? So why would he be put playing center now, when hasn't done it previously at this level? Doesn't make sense to me.

Simontaival scored 4 goals and 7 points in 2021 WJC, so I think that about seals his spot on the team.

No, whatever Pennanen does is not "perfect". But he clearly likes Joel Määttä, so seems likely that he will on the team.

No i understand that already. You seem to have a hard time thinking outside the box? Perhaps sometimes it could be beneficial?

Yeah, did I write anything that gave the impression of me thinking he hasn't a secure spot? I only explained my opinion and thoughts and that's a difference. Perhaps you could take the time to read once more?

Well go figure, we agree on something.

 

[Jukurit]

No i understand that already. You seem to have a hard time thinking outside the box? Perhaps sometimes it could be beneficial?

Yeah, did I write anything that gave the impression of me thinking he hasn't a secure spot? I only explained my opinion and thoughts and that's a difference. Perhaps you could take the time to read once more?

Well go figure, we agree on something.

Well, you wrote this:

Players from the "First" squad who could lose their spot then? I believe it could be a couple.
Among forwards: Joel Määttä, Kalle Väisänen, Roby Järventie, Rony Karvinen, Elias Koponen and Mäenpää
Among D´s: Nurmi, Rami Määttä, Rajaniemi and Ottavainen.