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Finland`s international golden era has just begun

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I can`t wait to see 1st line with Rantanen - Barkov - Laine 2-3 years from now :yo:

while Tolvanen - Aho - Puljujärvi as a 2nd unit
 
Maybe, maybe not.

The USA's run of success at the U-18s hasn't translated into success at the senior level so it remains to be seen if a couple quality years for Finnish junior hockey will amount to anything down the road.
 
Canuckistani said:
Maybe, maybe not.

The USA's run of success at the U-18s hasn't translated into success at the senior level so it remains to be seen if a couple quality years for Finnish junior hockey will amount to anything down the road.
Click to expand...

but there was good point about next U20 and world champion tournament
 
Nothing in that article an enlightened hockey follower does not know already, especially on a forum dedicated to hockey's future.

So posting the link is at best preaching to the choir and at worst a blatant attempt to toot one's own horn.
 
FiLe said:
Nothing in that article an enlightened hockey follower does not know already, especially on a forum dedicated to hockey's future.

So posting the link is at best preaching to the choir and at worst a blatant attempt to toot one's own horn.
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This. We know the Finns are due to be the #1 challenge to Canada. I still think Swedens depth on D keeps them ahead in best-on-best, but Finland is on the rise big time.

True fans of international hockey already know this.
 
Finland does well at these tournaments because they've mastered Big Ice defense. I used to cheer for Finland after Canada, but I just can't do it anymore. Its such uninspired hockey. It's not really their fault as they are a very small nation that produces a lot of talent, but it is the absolute worst hockey to watch in the world.

The way they play is bad for the game, and it's why the NHL could never go to the big ice. Too boring.
 
therealdeal said:
Finland does well at these tournaments because they've mastered Big Ice defense. I used to cheer for Finland after Canada, but I just can't do it anymore. Its such uninspired hockey. It's not really their fault as they are a very small nation that produces a lot of talent, but it is the absolute worst hockey to watch in the world.

The way they play is bad for the game, and it's why the NHL could never go to the big ice. Too boring.
Click to expand...

What about the WJC this year in Finland? 6-5 OT gold medal game :)

With more talent coming up for the Finns, I think their style will become more entertaining, as their talent level will be able to compete with the other big nations with out trapping them.
 
illone84 said:
What about the WJC this year in Finland? 6-5 OT gold medal game :)

With more talent coming up for the Finns, I think their style will become more entertaining, as their talent level will be able to compete with the other big nations with out trapping them.
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Oh, if we need to trap, we will trap. It will depend on the opponent and their weaknesses and strenghts.
 
Jussi said:
Oh, if we need to trap, we will trap. It will depend on the opponent and their weaknesses and strenghts.
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Ideally this. This year's WHC final made it somewhat obvious though that K.Jalonen only had one page in his playbook, and he was stripped of all assets once Canada dismantled his plan.

Here's hoping Marjamäki's style is more reactive.
 
canswetoxic said:
success at junior level doesn't automatically mean success at the senior level.
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We'll cheat by playing the juniors at the senior level then. Throw some guy in his thirties or forties into the same line with them for smokescreen, no one'll notice nothing.
 
Karjala takaisin said:
Can't wait when Laine, Barkov, Puljujärvi, Ristolainen, Aho, Rantanen, Tolvanen etc. are in their prime.
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Me too. Future looks very bright for Finnish hockey.

What are your thoughts on Juolevi? He looks like a good offensive defenseman, needs to work on his physical game a bit. But him and Risto have first pairing potential for Finland. Maata's game has slipped a little bit lately.
 
Canuckistani said:
Maybe, maybe not.

The USA's run of success at the U-18s hasn't translated into success at the senior level so it remains to be seen if a couple quality years for Finnish junior hockey will amount to anything down the road.
Click to expand...

I don't think you can compare US with Finland regarding the senior IIHF WC, as it is obvious US absolutely don't care about it. When we take a look at last two olympics, I think one silver medal and one 4th place finish for the US isn't that bad.
 
canswetoxic said:
success at junior level doesn't automatically mean success at the senior level.
Click to expand...

Finland starting to hit more and more TOP10 picks is a lot better indicator. We are going to have great individual talent we have lacked before. Add these guys to superb Finnish teamwork system and enjoy of the results.

2015 2nd overall, C Aleksander Barkov
2016 2nd overall, W Patrik Laine
2016 3rd overall, RW Jesse Puljujärvi
2016 4-7th overall, LD Olli Juolevi
2013 8th overall, RD Rasmus Ristolainen
2011 9th overall, C/W Mikael Granlund
2015 10th overall, W Mikko Rantanen

And some other future core guys
2012 18th overall, C/W Teuvo Teräväinen
2012 22nd overall, LD Olli Määttä
2014 22nd overall, RW Kasperi Kapanen
2015 35th overall, C/W Sebastian Aho
2009 106th overall, RD Sami Vatanen

Nice new future core building up, just defensive depth is missing. Vaakanainen and guys will help on becoming drafts.
 
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therealdeal said:
Finland does well at these tournaments because they've mastered Big Ice defense. I used to cheer for Finland after Canada, but I just can't do it anymore. Its such uninspired hockey. It's not really their fault as they are a very small nation that produces a lot of talent, but it is the absolute worst hockey to watch in the world.

The way they play is bad for the game, and it's why the NHL could never go to the big ice. Too boring.
Click to expand...

Licensed hockey players-wise, they are not small
Registered players per country
1.Canada 721,504
2.United States 533,172
3.Czech Republic 109,103
4.Russia 99,172
5.Finland 75,871
6.Sweden 60,089
7.Switzerland 23,296

Finland is top 5 in in the world. I would certainly not say they are significantly producing more elite talent than for example Sweden or Switzerland / registered skater. It's just the sport is by a large margin the most important sport in Finland. But in Sweden and Switzerland there is so many other sports that takes young talent from the hockey. Fx Football, handball, floorball, skiing and Tennis. These sports is sports were Sweden, Switzerland seperately or both is on a high level, you could also include Finland in floorball and tennis but in other big sports like football, finland is a non-factor.


Regarding these boards, Finland is the Toronto maple leafs of international teams.
 
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fredligh said:
Licensed hockey players-wise, they are But in Sweden and Switzerland there is so many other sports that takes young talent from the hockey. Fx Football, handball, floorball, skiing and Tennis. These sports is sports were Sweden, Switzerland seperately or both is on a high level, you could also include Finland in floorball and tennis but in other big sports like football, finland is a non-factor.

Regarding these boards, Finland is the Toronto maple leafs of international teams.
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This is not correct. Finland does pretty well in big sports like volleyball and basketball too and produces good results considering resources and is able to beat top-10 and even top-5 countries in a single game.

2014 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, Finland 9th place

2011 EuroBasket, Finland 10th place
2013 EuroBasket, Finland 9th place
2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Finland 22nd place

On the floorball Finland is the only heavy challenger to Sweden, which is currently #1 in the world.

Overall, Finnish team sports is doing very well right now. There is more or less hype going on in all these sports.
 
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fredligh said:
Licensed hockey players-wise, they are not small
Registered players per country
5.Finland 75,871

Finland is top 5 in in the world. I would certainly not say they are significantly producing more elite talent than for example Sweden or Switzerland / registered skater. It's just the sport is by a large margin the most important sport in Finland. But in Sweden and Switzerland there is so many other sports that takes young talent from the hockey
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There are 127 000 licensed soccer players in Finland, so you can definitely argue, is hockey #1 sports in finland. Of course it is popular, but so is soccer (more popular when you compare these numbers).
 
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