ChicagoBullsFan
Registered User
Which players from Europe do you guys think will make the roster, beside Kakko.
Oliwer Kaski and Veini Vehviläinen at least.
Lets see more when liiga semifinals and finals are over then we'll know better.
Which players from Europe do you guys think will make the roster, beside Kakko.
That depends wholly on what our centre situation is. For example, if we have him and Barkov, Kotkaniemi, Borgström, and an euro reliable or two, Hintz will be the first to go on wing.Hintz goes C on international stage
I would put Hintz to C over BorgströmThat depends wholly on what our centre situation is. For example, if we have him and Barkov, Kotkaniemi, Borgström, and an euro reliable or two, Hintz will be the first to go on wing.
I wouldn't, if putting him on wing is the only way to insert him into the top-six. And even less so if the motivation is to shoehorn Kakko into the top unit. I want to see him in the team as much as the next guy, but let's not kid ourselves and think the kid will take preference over established, scoring unit NHLers. If it's him and a bunch of grinders, then sure.I would put Hintz to C over Borgström
Kakko-Barkov-LehkonenI wouldn't, if putting him on wing is the only way to insert him into the top-six. And even less so if the motivation is to shoehorn Kakko into the top unit. I want to see him in the team as much as the next guy, but let's not kid ourselves and think the kid will take preference over established, scoring unit NHLers. If it's him and a bunch of grinders, then sure.
But let's first wait and see who's available before we start arguing about who goes where, shall we?
Lehkonen and Armia likely won't join, since both will be out of contracts. As will, in fact, be most of our NHL wingers. Only quality winger who looks probable to join if available is TT. In that kind of situation a guy like Hintz will be a godsend to pad the top line.Kakko-Barkov-Lehkonen
Armia-Kotkaniemi-Hintz (Kotkaniemi can be changed around, whatever works)
Someone-Borgström-Someone
Anttila & Company
They're not the level of players who need to skip WHC because of contract talks.Lehkonen and Armia likely won't join, since both will be out of contracts. As will, in fact, be most of our NHL wingers. Only quality winger who looks probable to join if available is TT. In that kind of situation a guy like Hintz will be a godsend to pad the top line.
If we get two established NHLers with top-unit experience who can play wing, they will at least start the tournament as Barkov's wingers. In fact, even if we get only one, and that one is Teuvo, Kakko probably won't be on the other side, because he's too similar in profile to TT. The reason I'm offering Hintz is because he fits nicely that big, scoring power forward profile. Kakko can then be the skill guy in the second line.
But like I said, way too early to speculate with this stuff, since the only top-shelf player we can presently pencil in with somewhat reliable odds is Barkov. In the meanwhile, feel free to play with your shiny new toy.
Both are established NHLers looking for a raise - and while neither probably won't get a multi-year, multi-million contract, they will still be looking at a greatly diminished bottom line if they enter the talks injured.They're not the level of players who need to skip WHC because of contract talks.
We'll see, I supposeBoth are established NHLers looking for a raise - and while neither probably won't get a multi-year, multi-million contract, they will still be looking at a greatly diminished bottom line if they enter the talks injured.
Which players from Europe do you guys think will make the roster, beside Kakko.
Lindell doesn't have a contract. So that leaves Heiskanen and Nutivaara as potentials.Im secretly hoping that Stars and/or Blue Jackets get bounced in the 1st round so we may get either Heiskanen&Lindell or Nutivaara at least. Otherwise that LD might look very bad...
What are our other options?
It's a bit early to say how it's gonna look, but not due to lack of options. Overall, I'd call it the area of least concern. I'm fairly confident we'll get at least a couple of NHLers, since the contract situation is pretty good, and a fair number of our top-shelf guys should be out of their day jobs by the time the games begin. Of the names of any worth, Lindell and Honka are the only ones who got negotiations coming up, and Honka's situation is of the kind that he might be looking to raise his stock despite that. It's pretty safe to say he has no future with the Stars.How about Honka? Kivihalme Hakanpää. How is our D going to look?
Kakko-Barkov-Leskinen
Lehkonen-Kotkaniemi-????
MaGranlund-Borgström-Armia
Osala-Lammikko-MaAnttila
Kupari
Heponiemi
Lepistö-Ristolainen
Vatanen-Hakanpää
Ohtamaa-Kaski
Jokiharju
Kivihalme
(Virtanen)
Lehkonen, Armia, Lammikko and Ma Granlund
won't be available for men's worlds this spring due to contract negotiations.
Lehkonen, Armia, Lammikko and Ma Granlund
won't be available for men's worlds this spring due to contract negotiations.