Finnish roster in a best-on-best an absolute favorite together with the US and Canada?

[Svedu]

For me? Without a doubt. Even if Finnish prospects and hockey future in the long term are having difficulties I do wish for a best-on-best sooner than later. Heiskanen for me being more of a two-way D than offensive is just outstanding right now.
We now do not only have Saros but one of the (for me) most exciting goalies in the league in UPL.
Lindell, Välimäki and others aren't dogs*t. And I do believe a lot of people underestimate some Finnish players and their ability in accepting and handling roles in a team build. Määttä and Hakanpää are very clear examples of this for me.

4 absolute elite centers imho. Aho, Barkov and Hintz are great. Lundell is young and underrated. One of those young prospects who has the ability to produce and score if he gets the opportunity. Both his mature two-way ability like the older ones, the fact that he can play PK as well? I just don't believe people understand how well balanced of a team, at least at center position Finland could have.
Then you have Lehkonen and Maccelli who became a bit more than people perhaps thought from the beginning. Even if Laine career is on a stall right now...
Also those two guys would still not be top6 wingers for me.

Sometimes I do think people tend to forget about centers and players like, say Bergeron. Crosby was always the biggest piece in Canadas dominance and later on perhaps even McDavid and perhaps Bedard will reach the same level. Even if i hold Crosby higher than Mcdavid as a "Winner". My point was, Canada also had those Bergerons etc. Those who rarely would lose against the opponents best players on ice.
And this is why I do believe Finlands best players with Jalonen would be top three favorites for me even if Sweden, Czechs and others are just up there and Sweden considered by the majority the better nation. Could be true when looking at individual stats in the NHL but that's not what builds teams nor wins you any trophies alone.
Last but not least, just check the playoffs and you will see some successful Finnish players, especially at the center position. And they are known for their two-way game more than flashy dangling etc.

Click to read more...

 

[These Are The Days]

Gonna do the neighborly thing and stir the pot yelling "USA IS GONNA BE BETTER" drink it in maaaaannnnnnnnnn. Revenge for the golden goal is imminent

 

[swissdude]

those who care will see it in the crappy 2025 NHL 4 nations face off

 

[kudla]

Nah

 

[namttebih]

You forgot about Russia

 

[Mountlaine]

Sweden is much better. Their every defenceman is on Heiskanen's level or near it

 

[JackSlater]

Since the roster is worse than Canada or USA will ice and there is no recent best on best information to use... I don't see how that is possible. I also find it hard to believe there could be three favourites.

 

[CanadienShark]

Guys like Suzuki, Thomas, etc. are excellent two way, roughly PPG centres. We'd be fine.

 

[GeeoffBrown]

Finland roster is solid. Will be tough to score against but maybe missing gamebreaking offensive talent

 

[WarriorofTime]

They play the same style whether it’s u16 or the Olympics so they tend to do well at senior levels.

 

[Czechboy]

No doubt in my mind they could win a best on best. They have a potential gold generation going here. Not the Fav but definitely a reasonable Gold candidate. Good Olympic history too!

 

[1Gold Standard]

Sweden, Finland, Canada and the US are Olympic Gold Medal contenders.

Everybody else no chance.

 

[HockeyinLV]

You forgot about Russia

Theres no reasone for anybody to remember Russia.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Theres no reasone for anybody to remember Russia.

Why not? They are an excellent hockey country.

 

[Czechboy]

I'd also add Sweden should be in the title.

 

[danisonfire]

Finland Finland greatest hockey power. Before us all others cower.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Not without best coaching, i do not trust the new guy and who knows whom he chooses as his assistants.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Nobody homers like HF Finland.

Now and forever.

 

[jj cale]

Would anyone who knows anything really be surprised if Finland won?

I would think not, I sure wouldn't be.

 

[jfc64]

150 M$ - 120 in cap hits with realistic teams, advantage Sweden (15+8+3 players)

 

[Ben White]

Roster quality and depth:
Canada/USA
Sweden



Finland

 

[FinPanda]

Nobody homers like HF Finland.

Now and forever.

Its a fair question if Finland is on that level and currently no. We still got work to do, but our first two lines and top pair D will be pretty good.

 

[Ben White]

Weird Finnish bias bs thread.

Roster quality and depth:
Canada/USA
Sweden



Finland

And that is without Russia in the mix. Otherwise something like this:
Canada/USA
Sweden

Russia


Finland

Finland has 4 maximum 5 skaters that would take a spot on team Sweden. They have like 3 skaters making the USA or Canadian roster. Laughable thread.


Canada with Finns:
Thomas-McDavid-Marner
Bedard-MacKinnon-Rantanen
Verhaege-Crosby-Point
Marchand-Barkov-Barzal

Toews-Makar
Morrisey-Dobson
Heiskanen-Pietrangelo


USA with Finns:
Tkachuk-Matthews-Tkachuk
Eichel-Hughes-Rantanen
Robertson-Barkov-Guentzel
Connor-Aho-Miller

Hughes-McAvoy
Slavin-Fox
Heiskanen-Hanifin


Sweden with Finns:
Forsberg - Pettersson - Rantanen
Bratt - Barkov - Nylander
Hintz - Eriksson Ek - Raymond
Karlsson - Aho - Kempe

Hedman - Karlsson
Brodin - Dahlin
Heiskanen - Lindholm

 

[MeHateHe]

What's the format for that dumb NHL tournament? If it's a single round robin followed by single-game knockout, any of the four teams could win.

Me, I'm hoping for a Sweden-Finland final, which, at 0-0, goes into quadruple over time and ends with the two teams alternating icing the puck and laughing at Gary Bettman.

 

[TLEH]

I mean they play a very consistent and frustrating game but their roster on paper does not compete with USA, Canada, Sweden, or Russia if Russia is allowed.