Finland's status and reputation in the hockey world (merged)

[toewsintangibles]

I think Finland is a top 4 country, what do you think?

They have beaten Russia, for one, now 4 times in a row when its best on best.

Click to read more...

 

[hyduK]

well i mean, yeah...they can't finish below 4th...

 

[Vicente]

I think Finland is a top 4 country, what do you think?

They have beaten Russia, for one, now 4 times in a row when its best on best.

Top 4 for a while already have been Canada / USA for North America and Finland / Sweden for Europe. Which also could be the semifinals btw.! Which would mean that really the best play the best for the medals.

 

[rduck1]

Duh.

That's what I think.

 

[PriceIsGod]

They we're my pick to be a surprise this tournament. They have incredible goaltenders and are a very under-rated team.

 

[Reaganomics]

Absolutely. No matter the roster they always have the necessary team-game. Russia on the other hand.. Pathetic performance.

 

[Past Considerations]

Are we just trolling this tournament?

 

[Cynick]

Finland has the top 1 goaltender and a coaching staff that continues to demonstrate you don't need to dress four forward lines of superstars to win hockey games.

 

[vanskillZ]

Russia has so many good players but they simply cant perform when it matters. Little physical play from Komarov and Ovechkin hid under a rock for the rest of the game. A team of players that aren't driven to perform like team Finland, have no chance against team that is

 

[Shoalzie]

With their goaltending, they should compete for medals.

 

[redgrant]

Hockey is really only a 6 nation sport. So top 4 in itself puts you in the middle percentile.

 

[Brooklanders*]

They are in the discussion and can win GOLD.
One of five who have the best chance barring any huge upsets.

 

[Ismellofhockey]

Even without Koivu, Koivu, Filpulla and Barkov...

Russia needs a new batch of defencemen. The dropoff after Markov and Voynov is ugly.

 

[JJTT]

Even without Koivu, Koivu, Filpulla and Barkov...

Russia needs a new batch of defencemen. The dropoff after Markov and Voynov is ugly.

Why can't Russia produce elite D anymore? There was Zadorov last year but nobody since Kulikov and Voynov.

 

[SweYote]

Not on paper but in reality they just proved that they are. Well done Finland.

 

[theicebox]

Olli Maatta. All-World.

 

[aemoreira1981]

Finland has the top 1 goaltender and a coaching staff that continues to demonstrate you don't need to dress four forward lines of superstars to win hockey games.

To that end, with all due respect to Canada, I'd hope that the USA and Finland meet for the gold medal, as both teams appear to be cosntructed similarly...with an emphasis on the defensive side of the puck, and playing as a unit. (Sweden-Finland woudn't be too shabby either.)

You're assembling a team...not an All-Star squad. Depth also helps, as both Koivus and Barkov aren't playing because of injury.

 

[Eichel 9]

I mean, there's really only 5 teams that have a realistic chance at Gold these days- Canada, Sweden, US, Russia, Finland. Not really a stretch to say they are top 4. Russia is better on paper but the whole stereotype that they are more individual players does seem to be true.

The top 3 in my mind in order is definitely Canada, Sweden, US. The US is close to Sweden but they lack the star power.

 

[TaLoN]

They we're my pick to be a surprise this tournament. They have incredible goaltenders and are a very under-rated team.

They play a great team game and have the speed to close all the gaps when mistakes are made. They are the single toughest team to matchup against as a result. No weaknesses that are exploitable.

 

[toewsintangibles]

I mean, there's really only 5 teams that have a realistic chance at Gold these days- Canada, Sweden, US, Russia, Finland.

How exactly does Russia have a chance when they cant win 1 in 5 against Finland?

 

[Trap Jesus]

I think there's a clear top 3 with Canada, USA and Sweden. Russia was on the brink of that group and I think this performance probably pushes them out of that group. Very impressed with how well Finland has played with all those injuries, but I never really get the feeling that they can win it all in a true best-on-best tournament. Very arguable who's #4 between them and Russia though, obviously with the popular pick looking like Finland right now.

 

[Blueblood9]

To that end, with all due respect to Canada, I'd hope that the USA and Finland meet for the gold medal, as both teams appear to be cosntructed similarly...with an emphasis on the defensive side of the puck, and playing as a unit. (Sweden-Finland woudn't be too shabby either.)

You're assembling a team...not an All-Star squad. Depth also helps, as both Koivus and Barkov aren't playing because of injury.

thats gonna be a great game tuuka vs hank im salivating just think about it

 

[rduck1]

I mean, there's really only 5 teams that have a realistic chance at Gold these days- Canada, Sweden, US, Russia, Finland. Not really a stretch to say they are top 4. Russia is better on paper but the whole stereotype that they are more individual players does seem to be true.

The top 3 in my mind in order is definitely Canada, Sweden, US.

Czech Rep has a shot even with their aging roster. Their future is a bit unclear, but I think they'll be there for the foreseeable future.

 

[Eichel 9]

How exactly does Russia have a chance when they cant win 1 in 5 against Finland?

I don't mean for the remainder of the tournament, I meant going into the Olympics.

 

[Eichel 9]

Czech Rep has a shot even with their aging roster. Their future is a bit unclear, but I think they'll be there for the foreseeable future.

I guess you could say an outside shot, but people would be shocked if they won gold, whereas any of the top 5 teams winning gold wouldn't be surprising.