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

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I have always seen Finland as one of the top teams. Not in the same category as the Swiss (as suggested by OP).
And I fully expected them to beat Russia.
 
From a talent perspective they are not as deep and high end as the Big 4, this is the only reason I can think of. But Finland does get a lot out of their system and players. They play the same way it seems all the time regardless of who is in the line up.

This is their strength.
 
obskyr said:
The drop between the "Top 3" and "below the Top 3" is too profound to claim the existence of the "Top 4".
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I kind of agree, but let's say that we're going to try and peg #4 anyway. Fair enough to say that Finland, regardless of anyone's expectations, pretty reliably finishes in the top 4 when it comes to international play (Olympics, for example). But if we're talking about "hockey countries", I think there's a huge accounting to be done in terms of both the size/quality of any country's domestic league and the size/quality of talent pool that they're exporting to the NHL (i.e. the highest testing ground for league play in the world) before Finland can lay claim to the #4 overall spot.

I think it's fair to say that Canada, the US, and Russia all have a decided advantage over the rest in terms of success internationally across all organized levels, size and strength of domestic professional league, and the overall number and quality ("on paper", if some prefer) of player passing the NHL "test". If Sweden and Finland are to be the next up for reckoning, I don't think Finland is a "no brainer" for #4 just because they pull out some inspired performances in some one-and-done 2 week tournaments. Sweden's domestic league is "pretty damn good", and by hockeyreference's count there are 250 Swedes in the NHL vs 168 Finns.

So unless there is a way of really, really up-selling the case of a lot of those Finns, I think Sweden still has the stronger case for #4 based on at least 2/3 of this simple (yet sort of "wide-scoped") kind of reckoning (international results weighing probably requiring a thread's worth of discussion itself). Is there enough in the difference based on relative international success across all levels to raise Finland above Sweden? I'm not so sure, but I'd read anyone's case.
 
Because we stupidly assume Teemu Selänne is eventually going to get old and not be able to carry the team to huge underdog wins. Plainly, this is not true. The man is a cyborg. An awesome, awesome cyborg. He will never retire, and I am ok with this.
 
How does Sweden's domestic league compares to FEL? And how to take KHL into account, I mean KHL aint just Russia?
 
Because some people are nationalist homers, incapable of logic or reason, and refuse to respect countries which are not their own.

This can apply to any fans.
 
Podgornik said:
As a Minnesotan, Finland is my go to team after the US. Hell, the Wild are a core of American and Finnish players. Of course I love Finland. I hope to see a USA v FIN final, would've been even better to see M. Koivu get to play. FIN would've been even more dangerous had Koivu, Filppula and Barkov been healthy.
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For your lucky, we are now "just competitive". Also as a Wild fan, I'm cheering for USA against Sweden at finals.
 
CapsWolverinesUSA said:
Because we stupidly assume Teemu Selänne is eventually going to get old and not be able to carry the team to huge underdog wins. Plainly, this is not true. The man is a cyborg. An awesome, awesome cyborg. He will never retire, and I am ok with this.
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As Jagr stated in an interview, "I don't grow old man."
 
CapsWolverinesUSA said:
Because we stupidly assume Teemu Selänne is eventually going to get old and not be able to carry the team to huge underdog wins. Plainly, this is not true. The man is a cyborg. An awesome, awesome cyborg. He will never retire, and I am ok with this.
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Thats like saying Finland dont have young talents.
 
I'm a North American and I respect Finland.

They always bring great speed, great team defense and great hustle.

Not to mention stellar goaltending.
 
Finland didn't gain respect from me (not that I really care all that respect bull****) after their game vs Canada. Why? They play the sort of game an inferior team would. The 6 goalie, collapse to the net, generate zero offence kind of system/game that you'd expect out of the Swiss, Latvia or other lesser team.

Note that I'm only discussing the Canada game and see them as a top 5 hockey country.
 
coldsteelonice84 said:
I think today was the end of Russia being considered the third or fourth best team. It's pretty clear there is a distinct top 4 and it's USA, Canada, Finland and Sweden.

Canada
USA
Sweden
Finland


Russia


Czech Republic
Slovakia


Switzerland

Austria

Germany

Latvia
Norway
Denmark
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It is an obnoxious experience to agree with a Hawks fan. This is how I have it.
 
Yes Finland is a top 4 Hockey Country. Finland has won medal in the 3 of the past 4 olympics. in 1998 the won Bronze (beat Canada), in 2006(they won Silver), in 2010 (they Won Bronze).

I dont understand why people dont consider Finland a top 4 hockey country. Finland has been better than Russia for years now. Finland gets disrespected all the time and as a hockey fan its sad to hear and see.
 
Starbuds said:
Finland didn't gain respect from me (not that I really care all that respect bull****) after their game vs Canada. Why? They play the sort of game an inferior team would. The 6 goalie, collapse to the net, generate zero offence kind of system/game that you'd expect out of the Swiss, Latvia or other lesser team.

Note that I'm only discussing the Canada game and see them as a top 5 hockey country.
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So you'd give more respect towards us if we'd have gone all gung-ho againts you and lost 9-2?
 
Eidyia said:
So you'd give more respect towards us if we'd have gone all gung-ho againts you and lost 9-2?
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Don't mind him. I can't speak for all Canadians, but pretty much every hockey fan I know see it like:

Canada
USA
Sweden
Finland
Russia

In no particular order
 
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Onehitwonder said:
I have followed lot of international hockey conversations here and in other places, and I always see this same story. Lot of north americans see finland as a mid class team. Similar to swiss or so. Then when I see europeans talking about finns (even swedes) they always consider finland as one of the favourites, an opponent that is to be feared. Why is this?
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You obviously haven't caught any of my posts around here then... I've been talking UP Finland all tournament! I said that I'd rather face Sweden than Finland, and that Finland can give ANY team fits!

They play such a great team game, but then even if/when they do make a mistake, they have the speed to close the gaps, and after all of that, they have some of the best goaltending in the world to back them up!

They are the one team I fear most after team Canada, because they have no real weakness that can be exploited, making them a matchup nightmare!
 
Starbuds said:
I wouldn't "give respect" either way. Both examples have Finland playing inferior.
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I don't see anyone saying we weren't inferior, we lost after all. Sorry that our players played for the win and not for your entertainment.
 
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