WJC: Finland 2021 Roster Talk

[Dion TheFluff]

how have Niemela, Hirvonen and Kokkonen looked in camp so far?
where do you figure they would slot in?

 

[Statsy]

Tell me what those questionable cuts are.
I don't know what a hell you have done last months
but clearly you haven't put any attention on that how much Puistola and Räty
have struggled and regressed with their games and scoring this season.

There are clear reasons why Puistola and Aatu Räty are out of U20 WJC's.
Räty's stock and draft ranking is dropping like a rock
and he's regressed with his game over a year almost.

And yes Aatu Räty hasn't showed ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
why he should be 1st overall in 2021 draft.

If your country has afford to keep some freaking charity social hockey
and take two players in the team who have regressed and struggled
like Puistola and Räty then so be it
but guess what Finland doesn't need to have that.

Every guy who's made Finland's U20 WJC roster has earned it.
Puistola and Aatu Räty are right there ( watching U20 WJC's in their homes )
where they belong right now.

And just an notice.
Even Goran Stubb has publicly said that Aatu Räty
can forget being 1st overall 2021 that's not gonna happen.

Though I never did get into an argument about Raty, one of the things I posted about Puistola was that his points-per-game is actually UP over what it was last year. You can continue to defend his exclusion all you want, but it looks to most observers to be a clear mistake. Ultimately, a team’s roster choices will be judged on their success or failure, but if this team struggles to score, don’t be surprised if the “I told you so” lineup starts to form outside your door.

 

[Zub]

Lambert choosing Team Finland is a nice thing to see even though i always knew he would, now if we can get a medal this tournament i'll be happy (aslong it's not Silver ofc)

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Though I never did get into an argument about Raty, one of the things I posted about Puistola was that his points-per-game is actually UP over what it was last year. You can continue to defend his exclusion all you want, but it looks to most observers to be a clear mistake. Ultimately, a team’s roster choices will be judged on their success or failure, but if this team struggles to score, don’t be surprised if the “I told you so” lineup starts to form outside your door.

Let me tell you something.
I don't care piece of shit about that how Finland success in these U20 WJC's.

I don't also have any expectations to this Finnish U20 WJC team.'
If they make quarterfinals then tournament has been good.
And that what Finland achieves after quarterfinals is only a plus.

I will not lose my night-sleeps just because Finland didn't won GOLD in 2021 WJC's.
And so what if Finland lose and is out of medals it's won't be first time.

Stay safe and don't get Covid-19.
This was all what i had to say.
Have a nice new week.
Bye.

 

[Svedu]

Aaltonen sucks, and I say that as a Rangers fan.

Tell me more please. I´m not saying he should've made it to the final roster, but is-has he been worse then Aku Räty, Simontaival, Mäntykivi, Korhonen?

I´m not even saying Puistola or Aatu Räty has been good this year, but in what kind of way has Aku been better than Aatu? Actually, when looking at numbers it's really strange to pick players like Aku and Korhonen before Leevi Aaltonen for the lower lines and even more questionable to select these players before Aatu.

Stubb said that Aatu Räty looked dominant at u-20´s with three shots on the post. I mean if those had went in he would of had decent numbers at least. I just feel that the expectations are bigger on him and there for he paid the price even more. Because it was a "good time" to be controversial and put him on the side because he will still be available next year.


With this said, I guess i trust Pennanen even if Canada and Russia are big favorites this year. He is a good coach and will build a strong team. His merits are very impressing.
Did he choose the best players? No, not at all. Therefor everything lesser than a bronze medal will leave me disappointed. Just because he left a lot more talented player in Aatu at home. Questionable with Puistola and people tend to forget Veeti Miettinen as well. Veeti who is probably better than half of these wingers on this current roster.

 

[Svedu]

Tell me what those questionable cuts are.
I don't know what a hell you have done last months
but clearly you haven't put any attention on that how much Puistola and Räty
have struggled and regressed with their games and scoring this season.

There are clear reasons why Puistola and Aatu Räty are out of U20 WJC's.
Räty's stock and draft ranking is dropping like a rock
and he's regressed with his game over a year almost.

And yes Aatu Räty hasn't showed ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
why he should be 1st overall in 2021 draft.

If your country has afford to keep some freaking charity social hockey
and take two players in the team who have regressed and struggled
like Puistola and Räty then so be it
but guess what Finland doesn't need to have that.

Every guy who's made Finland's U20 WJC roster has earned it.
Puistola and Aatu Räty are right there ( watching U20 WJC's in their homes )
where they belong right now.

And just an notice.
Even Goran Stubb has publicly said that Aatu Räty
can forget being 1st overall 2021 that's not gonna happen.

Bruh! Chill the f*ck down will you. Same Stubb said that Aatu dominated the last game he scouted. In what way has players like Benjamin Korhonen, Aku Räty been better? Tell me that buddy. And you know what, while you are at it, why not include Simontaival and Mäntykivi? Simontaival has 7 games 0 goals and one assist. Really impressive. Mäntykivi then? 17 freaking games and 0 goals, 4 assists and -5. Aku and Benjamin then? 0 points, zero, big zit zero.

I´m not stating they are worse, but to do the opposite is just as foolish because those numbers don't lie, not when you've managed zero points or goals! God damn.

With that said, I'm glad that players who could be classed under the radar as Puhakka is getting a chance because he has actually managed to produce something this year.

 

[Nate070]

Can you read at all ?
Take your eyes out of your ass and watch again that roster Puhakka IS IN THE TEAM.

Mr, maybe you should take a chill pill?

 

[Pandaman11]

Yup. Well the second the tournament starts I suppose.

Really? Nigel Dawes played U20 for Canada but as adult for Kazakhstan. Or have they changed the rules?

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Really? Nigel Dawes played U20 for Canada but as adult for Kazakhstan. Or have they changed the rules?

I mean there are avenues to switch after being locked for a nation but they are pretty time consuming and would involve him not playing for Finland for a long long time. In all reality he is locked into Finland going forward.

 

[Howe Elbows 9]

Really? Nigel Dawes played U20 for Canada but as adult for Kazakhstan. Or have they changed the rules?

Dawes (along with Bochenski and Dustin Boyd) were able to represent Kazakhstan after receiving Kazakhstani citizenship via naturalization. I'd agree with the earlier post saying that it's a time consuming process.

 

[jj cale]

I must say I am looking forward to seeing Lambert play, I wonder how much ice time he will realistically get to be given a chance strut his stuff?

 

[Zub]

I must say I am looking forward to seeing Lambert play, I wonder how much ice time he will realistically get to be given a chance strut his stuff?

Well, Lambert is arguably the 2nd best player on the team as of now behind Lundell, Lundell being 2 years older with more experience puts him on top, so i'd say Brad will get plenty of ice time to work with, Heinola is probably the 3rd best on the team even though i find him overrated.

 

[jj cale]

Well, Lambert is arguably the 2nd best player on the team as of now behind Lundell, Lundell being 2 years older with more experience puts him on top, so i'd say Brad will get plenty of ice time to work with, Heinola is probably the 3rd best on the team even though i find him overrated.

Hmm, it does sound then as if he will get substantial time, that's good. I was concerned maybe the coaching staff would be cautious with his time due to his age.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Tell me more please. I´m not saying he should've made it to the final roster, but is-has he been worse then Aku Räty, Simontaival, Mäntykivi, Korhonen?

I´m not even saying Puistola or Aatu Räty has been good this year, but in what kind of way has Aku been better than Aatu? Actually, when looking at numbers it's really strange to pick players like Aku and Korhonen before Leevi Aaltonen for the lower lines and even more questionable to select these players before Aatu.

Stubb said that Aatu Räty looked dominant at u-20´s with three shots on the post. I mean if those had went in he would of had decent numbers at least. I just feel that the expectations are bigger on him and there for he paid the price even more. Because it was a "good time" to be controversial and put him on the side because he will still be available next year.


With this said, I guess i trust Pennanen even if Canada and Russia are big favorites this year. He is a good coach and will build a strong team. His merits are very impressing.
Did he choose the best players? No, not at all. Therefor everything lesser than a bronze medal will leave me disappointed. Just because he left a lot more talented player in Aatu at home. Questionable with Puistola and people tend to forget Veeti Miettinen as well. Veeti who is probably better than half of these wingers on this current roster.

I was replying to the statement that a lot of decent players were left off. I don’t see much to believe that Aaltonen is a decent player right now.

 

[Jussi]

So is Lambert now officially locked to represent Finland international level ?

Apparently he said on Esko Seppänen's Urheilucast that representing Canada was never even an option.

 

[Jussi]

how have Niemela, Hirvonen and Kokkonen looked in camp so far?
where do you figure they would slot in?

Considering they were quarantining before the trip, do you think anyone actually got to see them?

 

[Statsy]

Apparently he said on Esko Seppänen's Urheilucast that representing Canada was never even an option.

I don’t think anyone other than some guys on the Canada thread really were considering it an option. I think his name makes people think his connection to Canada is stronger than it actually is.

 

[Zub]

I don’t think anyone other than some guys on the Canada thread really were considering it an option. I think his name makes people think his connection to Canada is stronger than it actually is.

Thing is i also said earlier that there is no way he wouldn't play for team Finland being he grew up here and has a Finnish mother.

 

[Statsy]

Thing is i also said earlier that there is no way he wouldn't play for team Finland being he grew up here and has a Finnish mother.

And you were correct.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

I don’t think anyone other than some guys on the Canada thread really were considering it an option. I think his name makes people think his connection to Canada is stronger than it actually is.

Yea I don't get what the deal is. USAs 2019 WJC roster had Samuelsson and Wahlström on it, both with very Swedish dads who were brought up and played in Sweden.

 

[Zub]

Yea I don't get what the deal is. USAs 2019 WJC roster had Samuelsson and Wahlström on it, both with very Swedish dads who were brought up and played in Sweden.

Guess playing for Finland is a greater honor Although, maybe it was for the best for Sweden because Wahlström surely hasn't made a name for himself with the way he's carried himself in team USA these WJC's..

 

[violaswallet]

Yea I don't get what the deal is. USAs 2019 WJC roster had Samuelsson and Wahlström on it, both with very Swedish dads who were brought up and played in Sweden.

Samuelsson and Wahlstrom both played in the US for their teen years so it’s not terribly surprising that they feel more closeness to Team USA. Pretty sure their moms are American too.

It is rare to see players that grow up in a country with citizenship not represent the country on the national level...

 

[mattihp]

Heinola looked amazing in the NHL. When he came back he seemed a bit down because he had performed as well as he did, but he is picking it up again. More suited to NA ice, but wow. What a guy.

 

[karhukissa]

Apparently he said on Esko Seppänen's Urheilucast that representing Canada was never even an option.

Yeah he did. Also people should listen the latest Urheilucast which had Pennanen as a guest. For example he explained briefly why he left Puistola and Räty out.

Also people should understand how big position U20 head coach is. Pennanen is highly successful coach so it's not a make it or break it situation for him career wise, but for sure it's one of the worst positions to be if your team plays badly.

He is extremely smart coach, not Raipe Helminen. It's easy to say here on HFboards that "What a mistake, why didn't he choose this or that player!", but it's Pennanen who takes full responsibility of his choices. If Finland doesn't play well, media and fans will pretty much butcher him and will remind him about leaving Räty/Puistola out. If he is willing to take that big of a risk, he must be 100% sure that team is better without than with these guys.

Last year this would've been more debatable, but now we have way more depth. Even current Lundell vs Kupari last year as a #1 star/leader makes a huge difference going in to this tournament. This team is nowhere near comparable to last years roster.

 

[Zub]

Heinola looked amazing in the NHL. When he came back he seemed a bit down because he had performed as well as he did, but he is picking it up again. More suited to NA ice, but wow. What a guy.

Did he really though? I mean i don't catch alot of WPG games but to me he's being a bit overrated. Guess this WJC will be his chance to prove me wrong