World Cup: 4 Nations Tournament - Team Finland (2025)

[Hollowmoon]

Artturi Lehkonen - Aleksander Barkov - Mikko Rantanen
TT - Sebastian Aho - Laine (if healthy)
Eetu Luostarinen - Anton Lundell - Mikael Granlund
Roope Hintz - Erik Haula/Kotkaniemi - Jesse Puljujärvi


Esa Lindell - Miro Heiskanen
Niko Mikkola - Henri Jokiharju
Juuso Välimäki - Rasmus Ristolainen
Olli Määttä / Hakanpää (if healthy)

Juuse Saros
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Joel Blomqvist

 

[Eye of Ra]

Crazy to think that Finns are actually pretty huge, avg height has to be around 190cm and weight over 90kgs also. We are known to be small and fast, but this time we are big, physical and fast.

Physical? Who among the forwards will throw body checks? There is no Ruutu brothers. Komarov or Nieminen on this team. Being big and strong does not equal playing physical. Both Finland and Sweden are lacking forwards who will hit alot.

 

[jaa]

Artturi Lehkonen - Aleksander Barkov - Mikko Rantanen
TT - Sebastian Aho - Laine (if healthy)
Eetu Luostarinen - Anton Lundell - Mikael Granlund
Roope Hintz - Erik Haula/Kotkaniemi - Jesse Puljujärvi


Esa Lindell - Miro Heiskanen
Niko Mikkola - Henri Jokiharju
Juuso Välimäki - Rasmus Ristolainen
Olli Määttä / Hakanpää (if healthy)

Juuse Saros
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Joel Blomqvist

No kakko or maccelli? I'd take both before pulju or laine or maybe even kotkaniemi. Kakko is ok defensively, has been producing lately, he can manage himself in the corners. Great complimentary player in any of our lines. For depth, I'd even consider him with barkov. Would even out our firepower for other lines.

Maccelli is creative playmaker, who has been steady performer points per minute -wise for a while now. I think he would be great with hintz and rantanen, both who can score goals.

I'd do

Kakko - Barkov - Granlund
Maccelli - Hintz - Rantanen
TT - Aho - Haula
Lehkonen - Lundell - Luostarinen

2nd and 3rd line for the easiest faceoffs against opponents worse lines. 1st and 4th are the shut-off responsible lines with the capability to score. All in all, balanced roles and depth in every line I think.

On D, top4/5 is pretty much locked, maybe Ristolainen/hakanpää is the only debate at this point.

 

[Erikfromfin]

No kakko or maccelli? I'd take both before pulju or laine or maybe even kotkaniemi. Kakko is ok defensively, has been producing lately, he can manage himself in the corners. Great complimentary player in any of our lines. For depth, I'd even consider him with barkov. Would even out our firepower for other lines.

Maccelli is creative playmaker, who has been steady performer points per minute -wise for a while now. I think he would be great with hintz and rantanen, both who can score goals.

I'd do

Kakko - Barkov - Granlund
Maccelli - Hintz - Rantanen
TT - Aho - Haula
Lehkonen - Lundell - Luostarinen

2nd and 3rd line for the easiest faceoffs against opponents worse lines. 1st and 4th are the shut-off responsible lines with the capability to score. All in all, balanced roles and depth in every line I think.

On D, top4/5 is pretty much locked, maybe Ristolainen/hakanpää is the only debate at this point.

The petition not to have Maccelli is they already got Granlund and Teräväinen two similiar playmaking types do we need 3? maybe don't know.

 

[ManWithNoName]

Has Laine been ruled out? What does Finnish media say? I’d love to see him with Barkov.

Finland has a really good team even though the D is weak, outside of Heiskanen and maybe Mikkola. Don’t think they’ve had a better team ever. Barkov is a bloody mutant of S. Koivu and Lehtinen. Rantanen is no Selänne, but he is still a top player in the league. Aho is always fun to watch as well.

Good luck against Canada and the US. Not against us though

 

[SantosHalper]

Finland has a really good team even though the D is weak, outside of Heiskanen and maybe Mikkola.

Criminal-level underrating of Lindell continues but yeah D is weak, Mikkola has step up to be a legit top-4 D in NHL. Rest of them are 3rd pair material, it wouldn't change that much if rest of the D would come from Europe. Our player development needs drastic changes but luckily FIHA is on it.... building a 3-on-3 hockey league .

But answer to the question, no, i don't believe that Laine has been ruled out.

 

[MarkT]

Here's my roster

FORWARDS

Artturi Lehkonen - Aleksander Barkov - Mikko Rantanen
Lehkonen and Rantanen are used to playing together, and Barkov has to be the #1. I think this could be a pretty good shutdown and scoring line overall.

Teuvo Teräväinen - Sebastian Aho - Roope Hintz
The old Carolina connection returns. I think the speed of Hintz is a good fit with these two on the wing.

Eetu Luostarinen - Anton Lundell - Kaapo Kakko
Luostarinen and Lundell play together, so they're an easy fit, and with Kakko I think this could be a pretty good second shut-down line, which this team will need given their defense.

Matias Maccelli - Mikael Granlund - Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Not a traditional 4th line, but rather a secondary scoring line. These are the guys you start purely in the offensive zone while lines 1 and 3 get all the defensive zone starts.

Erik Haula
There were a few guys I could have put here, but I like Haula's experience and versatility.

DEFENCE

Miro Heiskanen - Henri Jokiharju
I expect Heiskanen will be playing about 30 minutes a game, so Jokiharju is mostly a placeholder, and I expect to see Ristolainen here as well. That being said, statistically, Jokiharju has been one of the better defensemen listed here, but that's not saying much.

Esa Lindell - Juuso Välimäki
This is the closest I could get to a shut-down pair. It's a shame Lindell hasn't been playing better.

Niko Mikkola - Rasmus Ristolainen
Big, bruising bottom pair, altought I'm not sure how much I trust them.

Olli Määttä
I considered Urho Vaakanainen from Anaheim here, but I decided to go with Määttä's experience instead.

GOAL

Juuse Saros
The obvious starter. How for Finland goes in the tournament will mostly be on Saros' shoulders.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
The clear #2. He's been up and down, but still good enough to be on the team.

Justus Annunen
He hasn't been consistently amazing this season, but when he's on his game he's nearly unbeatable. That plus he's a young guy who could be a mainstay on future national rosters.

 

[illone84]

Lehkonen - Barkov - Rantanen
Laine- Aho- TT
Granny - Hintz - Kakko
Luostarinen - Lundell - Armia
Pulju

Heiskanen - Lindell
Mikkola - Jokiharju
Määttä - Ristolainen
Heinola

Saros
Lankinen
UPL

 

[Svedu]

Ristolainen? No thank you. He can't handle skilled nor fast forwards. I don't trust his IQ nor his defensive abilities. No matter how big or strong he is.

 

[Svedu]

Lehkonen-Hintz-Rantanen (Those wingers don't need Barkov and he should therefor be with "Weaker" wingers. Hintz is very good and has some speed)
TT-Barkov-Kakko (Now this should be chemistry. Barkov can carry anyone and TT has the IQ and skill to match and Kakko can be sound in defensive awareness and some strength and size in corners where TT lacks).
Granlund-Aho-Maccelli ( I could see these guys really outplay their opponents. Aho being the best finisher perhaps and I do think both wingers could match his IQ and have chemistry)
Luostarinen-Lundell-Puljujärvi (Pulju, Kotkaniemi, Haula or Armia is a toss up. Luostarinen and Lundell are cemented in the lineup with those above them.

Kotkaniemi-Haula-Armia

Pärssinen-Kupari-Tolvanen
Kiviranta-Samuel Helenius-Hyry

Laine if in shape should play in second or third line and first PP.

Heiskanen-Lindell
Määttä-Hakanpää (Shut down D's) (If Hakanpää is in shape, otherwise Välimäki).
Vaakanainen-Jokiharju (Vaakanainen and Jokiharju had chemistry during junior years and Vaakanainen compensates Jokiharjus uneven defensive performances)
Välimäki-Niemelä

Sedoff-Ottavainen
Matinpalo
Ristolainen


1. Saros
2. UPL
3. Lankinen
4. Blomqvist.

 

[FiLe]

Saros
Luukkonen
Lankinen

Our three best goalies ATM. 'Nuff said.


Heiskanen - Lindell
Mikkola - Jokiharju
Välimäki - Määttä
Hakanpää

Snubbing Risto because of all his previous declinations. (Realistically, though, I doubt Pennanen will overlook him, due to the slim pickings.) Otherwise picking the names who have played the most this season. Plus Hakanpää, as he's the most seasoned of those left.


Lehkonen - Barkov - Rantanen
Teräväinen - Aho - Kakko
Maccelli - Hintz - Haula
Granlund - Lundell - Luostarinen
Laine

Here I was simply picking based on how the season's gone so far, while trying to make combos with players who have history together. Well, Laine is an exception - don't have too many people with his kind of talent and potential. Best case, he's in form by February and easily makes the regular lineup.

 

[illone84]

delete

 

[Jussi]

So with Hakanpää possibly injured for who knows how long, we're now walking a thin line of not having enough defensemen for the tournament.

 

[Svedu]

Hakanpää would've been important as a shutdown right hand. I trust him more than say Ristolainen.

Välimäki has a weak season. Määttä seems to have bounced back a bit in Utah.

We also have prospects like Niemelä, Sedoff, Ottavainen, and Tuomisto in the AHL and Matinpalo. But yeah, would've been nice to have D's from the NHL of course.
Even if, say Niemelä or someone would get a chance and then take it and perform? That would have been nice and who knows, perhaps helped them to make the NHL as well.
I don't think Ristolainen is any better than these AHL options, perhaps Tuomisto who seems like a similar type.
Sedoff has been overseas a long time and should be familiar with the smaller rink as well.
But yeah, I rather se Matinpalo than Ristolainen for an example. That's only based on the simple reason that I believe he can defend in a better way than Ristolainen.

Also a shame that Heinola has been injured so long. This could have been a golden opportunity for him to shine and show other franchises that he's a future NHL'er.
I would almost want to claim that in a PP, he's the one I would trust the most after Heiskanen amongst our D's. Välimäki hasn't just stepped up. Of course, if Heinolas is fit and in shape to perform. And now he isn't.

 

[Svedu]

Heiskanen-Lindell
Mikkola-Jokiharju
Määttä-

Vaakanainen, Välimäki, Matinpalo,

That sixth position is a toss up for me right now. Välimäki is the biggest name perhaps and clear option for many. But in a role, say for PK and so on? Is there anyone who can confirm he would be any better than say Vaakanainen or even Matinapalo? Because I just wanna see the Finnish team win at the end of the day.
Don't care if Välimäki is considered as one of our best because quite frankly, he hasn't shown anything impressive these last seasons and if we are being honest, if anything it looks like he's either declining or playing injured.
So let's speculate, say the PP2? Would there be a big difference between Jokiharju and Välimäki? Let's take BP then, there I can surely say I rather see Määttä and probably even Vaakanainen if healthy.

It's a shame Välimäki hasn't progressed as hoped for. I just don't see him being better than Mikkola, quite the opposite because Mikkola is probably better when it comes to defending. Also, Jokiharju is the only right handed D with Risto, Hakanpää and say Matinpalo that are realistic options. And those other three with Hakanpää injured are not certain options. Therefor Mikkola is a better match because I wouldn't trust Välimäki and Jokiharju together for one bit.

One very similar scenario is this years WJC's, pretty difficult decisions for the coaching staff when it comes to the Finnish D's. Heiskanen for the men and Pieniniemi for the juniors being above others but behind them it's quite even.
Well, of course Lindell and Mikkola are like Kiviharju for the juniors. Pretty safe bets but nothing spectacular.

 

[BigTomBomber]

It's a shame Lindell hasn't been playing better.

He's been great - 22min a night and even chipped in 9 points (it's not a lot overall, but Miro only has 13 and Harley 12 and they get all the PP time)

 

[JabbaJabba]

Ristolainen is playing fine and he can actually skate. Hakanpää is fine but probably won't be able handle the speed, especially after his recent injury. I have no problem having Ristolainen on the team.

 

[karhukissa]

Laine should be in. Just for that x-factor shot if not anything else.

 

[Erikfromfin]

So where and how and any streams to roster revelation shows?

 

[king89]

Ristolainen is making the team

 

[illone84]

Ristolainen is making the team

Laine is also making it.

 

[weklof]

Jokiharju snubbed?!

 

[TheDoldrums]

did they select Hakanpaa so they could have a spot to replace later? He's played two games, he can't stay healthy

 

[ponder719]

 

[FiLe]

The only real surprise is Jokiharju not making it, he's more established than Hakanpää and Välimäki.

Other than that, nothing we couldn't see coming.