WJC: Team Finland 2018 U20 WJC Roster Talk

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Ikonen's been playing well lately, should get a top 6 center spot and big role on the PP. He's always played well vs kids, should have a good tournament.

If he can play as a centerman that would be great. Could bump Räsänen to 3C.

 

[Jorma Heart]

If he can play as a centerman that would be great. Could bump Räsänen to 3C.

He's played whole season as a centerman because he is better C than W.

 

[DatDude44]

Salivate at your guys D-Core. Heiskanen, Valimaki, vaakanainen, salo, rasanen, kotkansalo and juolevi? all look to be the real deal. Am i forgetting anyone?

 

[DoingItCoolKiwi]

Salivate at your guys D-Core. Heiskanen, Valimaki, vaakanainen, salo, rasanen, kotkansalo and juolevi? all look to be the real deal. Am i forgetting anyone?

Jokiharju. He has been great in WHL this season

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

What are your expectations on Ikonen? He has been struggling this year. How do you think he will do playing against younger competition?

His whole team was struggling in the first two months. He has been picking it up with the team lately.

 

[Maitz]

Hey guys, just wondering if Ikonen is a lock to make the team and if you think he will have an offensive role, thanks!

 

[Patrik Barkov]

Quick roster prediction. Feel free to criticize.

Heponiemi-Kuokkanen-Tolvanen
Vesalainen-Räsänen-Turkulainen
Koivula-Kupari-Moilanen
Koppanen-Luostarinen-Nurmi
Ikonen

Juolevi-Heiskanen
Välimäki-Jokiharju
Salo-Räsänen
Vaakanainen

Luukkonen
Lehtinen

If I remember correctly, Heiskanen played on the right side a lot last season so I put him there since at least one lefty will have to play the right most likely.

 

[DoingItCoolKiwi]

Quick roster prediction. Feel free to criticize.

Heponiemi-Kuokkanen-Tolvanen
Vesalainen-Räsänen-Turkulainen
Koivula-Kupari-Moilanen
Koppanen-Luostarinen-Nurmi
Ikonen

Juolevi-Heiskanen
Välimäki-Jokiharju
Salo-Räsänen
Vaakanainen

Luukkonen
Lehtinen

If I remember correctly, Heiskanen played on the right side a lot last season so I put him there since at least one lefty will have to play the right most likely.

I dont think they'll play Kupari as C in his 1st high level u20 tourney, so I'd guess Koppanen will do that job

 

[DFAC]

That backend is absolutely stacked. Any idea on what the pairings will end up being?

 

[Keke]

My pairings:

1a) Juolevi - Välimäki
1b) Heiskanen - Jokiharju
Vaakanainen - Räsänen
Salo/Kotkansalo

Edit. Few reasons:

Heiskanen and Jokiharju have played together quite a lot and in a short tournament having a good chemistry is critical.

Juolevi and Välimäki complement each other very well and I would have them play the toughest match ups. While Heiskanen and Jokuharju are incredible and could very well handle these minutes as well (and Heiskanen is our best dman defensively), Juolevi and Välimäki are both one year older. Even if 2016 WJC didn't show it, this is a 19 years' old tournament.

Finally in the 3rd pair I would have another right-hand shot in Räsänen. Gives us a bit versatility and an offensive weapon. Put him with a defensively responsible dman Vaakanainen and it can create some damage.

Then as the 7th dman I would put the one who is better in the camp.

This defence is ridiculously good.

 

[DatDude44]

Jokiharju. He has been great in WHL this season

omg that's right lol. unreal d-core. Sweden, finland, canada and US are going to be so fun to watch this year.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

Getting a terrible feeling that our roster is gonna be super overrated and we'll go home without a medal. Im still having nightmares from last year.

 

[FinPanda]

Getting a terrible feeling that our roster is gonna be super overrated and we'll go home without a medal. Im still having nightmares from last year.

It wouldn't surprise me. We have lost many times in the QF when we have had a great team. Czechs, Russians, USA, Canadians and Swedes scare me.

I just hope we beat the Danes this time.

 

[JJTT]

Räsänen is not playing regular minutes in this tournament over Salo or Vaakanainen, might make it as a the 7th defenseman, playing shifts here and there though.

 

[Gurilla]

Blows my mind that Laine is still eligible for this team

 

[L4br3cqu3]

Damn, can't wait to see your team going, especially vs Canada, very interesting FWD lines, but that defense, absolutely stacked, damn...

 

[DJJones]

Excited to be able to watch Valimaki more. Everything I've seen from the kid screams NHL talent.

 

[Erikfromfin]

Heponiemi - Kuokkanen - Tolvanen
Vesalainen - Ikonen - Turkulainen
Koivula - Räsänen - Kupari
Nurmi - Koppanen - Tuulola
Moilanen

Vaakanainen - Heiskanen
Juolevi - Välimäki
Kotkansalo - Jokiharju
Räsänen

Luukkonen
Lehtinen
Halonen

 

[antiqueslivers]

Blows my mind that Laine is still eligible for this team

came here to post the same thing.

 

[illone84]

It's true that when Fin gets hyped they underperform. But to be honest, Ahokas gives me a lot of confidence. The core guys are 19 and the defense is pretty damn good. Heiskanen and Tolvanen will be fire. If we don't get gold, shit happens. But I am still expecting to see this team at the final. I'm not scared of Canada, USA, Sweden. These guys are there to win.

 

[Hagged]

Blows my mind that Laine is still eligible for this team

But the question remains whether Jets release him. His TOI has been dropping lately so there's a chance.

 

[Statsy]

But the question remains whether Jets release him. His TOI has been dropping lately so there's a chance.

They have a better chance of getting Teemu Selanne for this tournament.

 

[Patrik Barkov]

But the question remains whether Jets release him. His TOI has been dropping lately so there's a chance.

 

[BB88]

Getting a terrible feeling that our roster is gonna be super overrated and we'll go home without a medal. Im still having nightmares from last year.

I wouldn't say overrated, my fear is they'll just underperform, and there's a good chance with this tourney being in Buffalo.
NA tourneys for us seem to be a big ??????

My pairings:

1a) Juolevi - Välimäki
1b) Heiskanen - Jokiharju
Vaakanainen - Räsänen
Salo/Kotkansalo

Edit. Few reasons:

Heiskanen and Jokiharju have played together quite a lot and in a short tournament having a good chemistry is critical.

Juolevi and Välimäki complement each other very well and I would have them play the toughest match ups. While Heiskanen and Jokuharju are incredible and could very well handle these minutes as well (and Heiskanen is our best dman defensively), Juolevi and Välimäki are both one year older. Even if 2016 WJC didn't show it, this is a 19 years' old tournament.

Finally in the 3rd pair I would have another right-hand shot in Räsänen. Gives us a bit versatility and an offensive weapon. Put him with a defensively responsible dman Vaakanainen and it can create some damage.

Then as the 7th dman I would put the one who is better in the camp.

This defence is ridiculously good.

I don't really get that when Heiskanen is dominating a mens league and has played for mens national team.
This is weaker competition easily.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

It's true that when Fin gets hyped they underperform. But to be honest, Ahokas gives me a lot of confidence. The core guys are 19 and the defense is pretty damn good. Heiskanen and Tolvanen will be fire. If we don't get gold, **** happens. But I am still expecting to see this team at the final. I'm not scared of Canada, USA, Sweden. These guys are there to win.

Shit happens and best team doesn't always win but nothing suggests that Finland couldn't go all the way in this tournament.