Olympics: Finland Roster Discussion (Roster in post 1)
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The only AHLers allowed to go will be the ones that have minor league contracts. So unless I'm mistaken, the AHLers you've listed there unfortunately won't be available.
Other than that I like the lineup you've started off with. I wonder if Lauri Korpikoski gets some consideration, there's rumors of him signing in the Swiss League per eliteprospects. Also, what's the deal with Jesse Joensuu and Team Finland? Is he just not seen as good enough anymore? It's been a while since he's played internationally.
Oh and some of the old-timers/coach favorites could find their way on- Kukkonen/J. Aaltonen
I'm not the expert really. Just fell in abosolute love with the sport of hockey through my Finnish wife. I'm sure there are others on here who watch Liiga/KHL and other european leagues religiously who could better advise on the players you mention but for me Joensuu wouldn't make it. Nothing major against him but I just wouldn't have role I would put him in. Doesn't score enough for top six and better options for bottom 6.
Korpikoski is interesting but would really need to see how he gets on.
Kukkonen is getting on for me but could definitely be there given the coach.
J.Aaltonen is benched right now for club despite good scoring. He will need to get his game together. Hopefully he does because he's definitely an asset when on form. I haven't seen him play this season yet but apparently its defensive issues.
Right now I'd probably go with:
Tolvanen-Immonen-Puustinen
Saivenen-Kontiola-Palmu
Osala-Kempainen-Hartikainen
Pihlstrom-Koskiranta-Anttila
Lepisto-Heitenen
Ohtamaa-Lehtonen
Heiskinen-Jarvinen
Koskinen
I like the familiarity in some of the lines at club level, and also the physicality and experience of the team. Could go a long way in my opinion.
Korpikoski is interesting but would really need to see how he gets on.
Kukkonen is getting on for me but could definitely be there given the coach.
J.Aaltonen is benched right now for club despite good scoring. He will need to get his game together. Hopefully he does because he's definitely an asset when on form. I haven't seen him play this season yet but apparently its defensive issues.
Right now I'd probably go with:
Tolvanen-Immonen-Puustinen
Saivenen-Kontiola-Palmu
Osala-Kempainen-Hartikainen
Pihlstrom-Koskiranta-Anttila
Lepisto-Heitenen
Ohtamaa-Lehtonen
Heiskinen-Jarvinen
Koskinen
I like the familiarity in some of the lines at club level, and also the physicality and experience of the team. Could go a long way in my opinion.
Haha that's awesome, I cheer for Finland after the USA because my mom's Finnish.
But anyways, I can pretty much agree with your projected roster. Jokipakka might find his way on to the defense though
I know. Met her 10 years ago, she was a hockey fan and I was converted within seconds of the first game. Honestly it was like taking the blue pill in the matrix. Given I'm Irish and our hockey team is well.....developing lets say.....I'm 100% behind the Finns who I have to say are bloody awesome nation to follow.
More than happy for Jokipakka to join the group as 7th defenseman. I like at least one big defensive defenceman on the ice at all times.
More than happy for Jokipakka to join the group as 7th defenseman. I like at least one big defensive defenceman on the ice at all times.
tony d
New poll series coming from me in June
Should be interesting to see a Team Finland sans NHLers. They're a good hockey nation so I don't expect them to lose a step.
Maybe Miika Koivisto is a man for the team ? Last year he was nr 1 TOI in liiga, this year he is in top for points by defenders.
Tolvanen-Kontiola-Palola
Hartikainen-Kemppainen-Palmu
Heponiemi-Immonen-Jormakka
Osala-Anttila-Joensuu
Lepistö-Hietanen
Heiskanen-Koivisto
Tuulola-Virtanen
Koskinen
Kähkönen
Hartikainen-Kemppainen-Palmu
Heponiemi-Immonen-Jormakka
Osala-Anttila-Joensuu
Lepistö-Hietanen
Heiskanen-Koivisto
Tuulola-Virtanen
Koskinen
Kähkönen
ChicagoBullsFan
Registered User
Yes but only in Olympics.
Heponiemi will be Finland's world junior roster if he stays healthy.
ChicagoBullsFan
Registered User
As cool it obviously would be to see Heiskanen in Olympic team i don't see that happening.
Heiskanen is just recovered of his concussion which kept him away Dallas Stars training camps.
In world juniors Heiskanen will be Finland's team
Heiskanen plays in men's national team for sure in this season.
But it happens in hockey world championships in Denmark next May.
Eh, I don't follow the logic and you don't even explain it in your post at all.
In my opinion, if Heiskanen is good enough it's completely obvious he plays in the olympics.
In my opinion, if Heiskanen is good enough it's completely obvious he plays in the olympics.
Conspiracy Theorist
Registered User
- Jan 30, 2016
- 5,860
- 2,097
Only Russia has better team on paper so why not hockey come February. It will be interesting to see the young players who wouldn't have had a shot otherwise.
ChicagoBullsFan
Registered User
So you want an explanation why i don't see Heiskanen in Olympic team.
https://www.suomikiekko.com/2017/10...man-syyn-takia-nhlssa-ollaan-hyvin-skeptisia/
Here's your explanation.
Have a nice day.
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BusQuets
Registered User
- Jul 16, 2010
- 12,099
- 3,094
I could understand if you were talking about WJC or WHC but it's the Olympics. It's not about beating the best but getting the gold medal. No matter what sport in the Olympics no one cares/remembers how you got it. It's just reads that you are Olympic champion, gold medalist and now it's great chance for Finland's hockey team to get to history books as a Olympic gold medalist.
Of course it would be great to see all the best players there but it will be as exciting to watch as always.
Fully 100% Agree. That's why I don't understand flooding the roster with youth just to progress them and see how they get on.
This is a great opportunity for Finland with a strong contingent battle hardened, experienced professionals ie. Kontiola, Immonen, Koskiranta, Hartikinen, Kempainen, Liepisto, Hietenan, Philstrom, Koskinen + More. They have all been to the well and know what tournament play is all about.
There is always place for the youth that excels at senior level such as Tolvanen. He clearly deserves a spot. I think Palmu can be exceptional aswell.
But Finland have a real shot this year. Playing a youth heavy roster takes the advantage they have away. I expect the coach to go more so with experience and I view this as the correct decision. Also, I don't care what Russia have this year, Finland can take them. Just Watch it happen
BB88
Registered User
- Jan 19, 2015
- 41,757
- 22,244
Sadly atleast for me it won't be. Olympics is about best going against the best, and we all know it's not happening. The quality of hockey will be a lot weaker than it has been. The -06 loss is still eating me and I bet this year won't make that kind of impact.
Tolvanen absolutely deserves to be on that roster, and he brings excitement back to the roster, same could go with Heiskanen, he's playing 24mins a game and could bring what the hockey is about, skill& speed to a boring Finnish system.
Kontiola and Immonen? Their good time is over!Fully 100% Agree. That's why I don't understand flooding the roster with youth just to progress them and see how they get on.
This is a great opportunity for Finland with a strong contingent battle hardened, experienced professionals ie. Kontiola, Immonen, Koskiranta, Hartikinen, Kempainen, Liepisto, Hietenan, Philstrom, Koskinen + More. They have all been to the well and know what tournament play is all about.
There is always place for the youth that excels at senior level such as Tolvanen. He clearly deserves a spot. I think Palmu can be exceptional aswell.
But Finland have a real shot this year. Playing a youth heavy roster takes the advantage they have away. I expect the coach to go more so with experience and I view this as the correct decision. Also, I don't care what Russia have this year, Finland can take them. Just Watch it happen
Without NHLers, Finland's biggest issue will be filling the middle lane. In the current centre environment, Kontiola is a shoo-in, will be top-two, and Immonen has good odds to feature too. I expect Jarno Koskiranta will be there, and Kemppainen likely too. Then there're regular bottom-line options like Jani Lajunen and Tomi Sallinen. Then there're some names who could get a look on the EHT and thus a chance to establish themselves, like Mika Niemi and Antti Suomela, and perhaps someone else.
Well... maybe finding serviceable bodies isn't an issue, but finding enough playmaking skill may be. Apart from Kontiola, the rest of those guys feel more like plugs for that need. Immonen's been good for Liiga environment, but he's always been a diesel engine and he isn't young anymore. Still, can't write him off.
Wingers won't be an issue. Will be mostly NT regulars from our KHL ranks. Hartikainen, Osala, Pihlström, Jormakka, Joensuu, etc etc... A solid Liiga performer may also sneak in. Juuso Puustinen's been on my radar, but no reason to write him in yet, the EHT will show. If Korpikoski doesn't get an NHL contract, he's one easy pick.
And yes, I expect Tolvanen will be there too. But apart from him, I don't really see other U20 eligibles to feature. Heponiemi definitely won't be there, and throwing Palmu's name around feels somewhat scoffable as well (even though he's '97 and out of U20's reach).
Defense... easy picks, mostly. Pretty much the same guys who have been our WHC staples for years now. Lepistö, Hietanen, Ohtamaa and Jokipakka are locks. Mikko Lehtonen probably punched his ticket thanks to his last spring's WHC performance. And to complete the set, any three of Kivistö, Salmela, Kukkonen, Jaakola and Lajunen will do. Perhaps we also see some younger guy get a slot, like Niko Mikkola. Tuulola maybe. Koivisto, Vittasmäki, Eronen... dwindling odds, but still on the bubble. Heiskanen is on the bubble too, but he'll be with the U20 for the first half of the season, and with the selection above, his services aren't essentially needed.
Goalies... Koskinen will be the starter, despite having played the 2nd fiddle in SKA this season. Then pick any two of names like Metsola, Engren, Ortio and who else. Perhaps Kähkönen will get a look on the EHT.
Well... maybe finding serviceable bodies isn't an issue, but finding enough playmaking skill may be. Apart from Kontiola, the rest of those guys feel more like plugs for that need. Immonen's been good for Liiga environment, but he's always been a diesel engine and he isn't young anymore. Still, can't write him off.
Wingers won't be an issue. Will be mostly NT regulars from our KHL ranks. Hartikainen, Osala, Pihlström, Jormakka, Joensuu, etc etc... A solid Liiga performer may also sneak in. Juuso Puustinen's been on my radar, but no reason to write him in yet, the EHT will show. If Korpikoski doesn't get an NHL contract, he's one easy pick.
And yes, I expect Tolvanen will be there too. But apart from him, I don't really see other U20 eligibles to feature. Heponiemi definitely won't be there, and throwing Palmu's name around feels somewhat scoffable as well (even though he's '97 and out of U20's reach).
Defense... easy picks, mostly. Pretty much the same guys who have been our WHC staples for years now. Lepistö, Hietanen, Ohtamaa and Jokipakka are locks. Mikko Lehtonen probably punched his ticket thanks to his last spring's WHC performance. And to complete the set, any three of Kivistö, Salmela, Kukkonen, Jaakola and Lajunen will do. Perhaps we also see some younger guy get a slot, like Niko Mikkola. Tuulola maybe. Koivisto, Vittasmäki, Eronen... dwindling odds, but still on the bubble. Heiskanen is on the bubble too, but he'll be with the U20 for the first half of the season, and with the selection above, his services aren't essentially needed.
Goalies... Koskinen will be the starter, despite having played the 2nd fiddle in SKA this season. Then pick any two of names like Metsola, Engren, Ortio and who else. Perhaps Kähkönen will get a look on the EHT.
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Maybe Janne Pesonen and last year Jesse Virtanen was Nr 1 inpoints in Liiga by defender and this year he is Nr 1 in SHL.
http://liiga.fi/tilastot/2016-2017/...ay=&player_stats=players&sort=P#stats-wrapper
http://stats.swehockey.se/Players/Statistics/DefensemenLeaders/8121
http://liiga.fi/tilastot/2016-2017/...ay=&player_stats=players&sort=P#stats-wrapper
http://stats.swehockey.se/Players/Statistics/DefensemenLeaders/8121
Pesonen is another good candidate. Like I said, wingers won't be an issue. And since Pesonen was mentioned... some of you are probably going to groan now, but I can see JMA sneaking into this squad too.
Can't write off Virtanen either, but if there's something we won't be lacking of, it's solid left-hooked all-around defensemen. He's another to the pile to pick from.
If there's a concern with defense, it's the relative lack of righties. Hietanen is a no-brainer, but behind him I don't see many candidates besides Lajunen. Not that it's going to matter that much. A player's hook should never be that much of a factor. If you've two equally good players and it's the only way to distinguish them, then sure. But never should one leave off a better lefty to make room for a righty who's worse.
Can't write off Virtanen either, but if there's something we won't be lacking of, it's solid left-hooked all-around defensemen. He's another to the pile to pick from.
If there's a concern with defense, it's the relative lack of righties. Hietanen is a no-brainer, but behind him I don't see many candidates besides Lajunen. Not that it's going to matter that much. A player's hook should never be that much of a factor. If you've two equally good players and it's the only way to distinguish them, then sure. But never should one leave off a better lefty to make room for a righty who's worse.
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