I don´t see this roster as medal contenders at all.
Pennanen and his guys are good. But at the same time, just compare this team with Russia, Canada. Sweden the US and even this years Slovakia etc.
I wish them all the best and Pennanen knows probably what he's doing and so on... But let us be honest? This roster is so damn boring and doesn't excite me one bit. That's quite rare when it comes to the WJC´s because I´m always hyped up and excited over Finlands great youth development and the different attitude these Finnish youngsters usually show compared to players born 91 and earlier generations.
My thoughts after seeing the roster? God do I miss Aatu Räty. I was so excited to see him show his talent after last years tough season and his draft and all. I think he could've been just as important as Lundell was last year. Bummer!
Lambert has been underwhelming this year, just like Helenius and Kapanen. Perhaps the latter has been affected by his earlier injuries.
I know a player like Samu Tuomaala hasn't showed anything special in Liiga but it would be a tad more fun to follow him with his speed and shot than forwards like Nikupeteri, Karvinen, Päivärinta etc. I mean give the kid a playmaker and he will produce. Nothing against those guys and glad for them at the same time but still, I feel like these selections are so meh...
Tuomaala is far from the only guy either. Jani Nyman?
The defense is a bit overrated as well. I will miss Määttä. Besides Viro and especially Niemelä there isn't anything special to get our hopes up for. Puutio is decent or above but Heimosalmis season hasn't been the best so far. The others? Not worth mentioning and Nurmi was horrendous when I saw the u20 games one month ago. Brutally bad awareness and defending. Let's say I hope i will be wrong here.
I won't be surprised if we have a hard time against the Czechs either. They have a decent group of top6 forwards in Novak, Mysak, Brabenec, Gut, Kulich.
Jiricek and Svozil are good. Wonder why Konecny isn't participating.
Last but not least, I think it's a joke a lot of fans here see Helenius as a first center or even second. I believe and would hope he could be a great role player and fill his spot. But as a leader? If you wanna compete against this years Russia, Canada, Sweden, Slovakia and the US? I´m skeptical.
Let´s hope Järventie can bring his ass and attitude to this years tournament as well. He's lucky he got a second chance and that this years Finland seems a bit weak.
I hope players like Simontaival, Hirvonen, and perhaps even Koivunen (higher on him) are a bit better than what I believe they are.
Half a year ago I was stoked about this years eventual roster and thought the goalies were a bit of a question mark. But now? Second and especially the third pair concerns me more than our goalies. I thought our forward group would be stacked and I guess I was wrong back then. It's now a weakness in my opinion.
My prediction for this year? As usual, everything can happen but I feel the other group is a lot tougher and that we could lose the quarter against Slovakia, Sweden or the US. Actually, I think that will most likely happen.
