WC: Team Finland 2022 roster talk

[FiLe]

Innala > Pesonen for me at this point. Rajala VS Pesonen is maybe a tie.

Do you really see Pesonen not making it? He's so deep into the familiar territory that he'd have to seriously mail it in for Jalonen to even consider cutting him. (So, virtually the same debate people are having over Anttila.) I do see Innala, too, having good chances of making it, but his final fate does hinge somewhat on what kind of top-six firepower we get from overseas - both from the get-go and after the first round.

Pärssinen and/or his line mates come to mind.

I've been thinking about them too, and would they ever deserve a look on the EHT, but the problem here is that there may not be room for that look. It all depends on what kind of other prospective players Jalonen wants to evaluate in Sweden Hockey Games. For example, how many overseas additions and hopefuls are joining at that stage? Jokiharju and Armia will likely be there, but what about Maccelli, Kuokkanen, Ruotsalainen? What adds to the issue is that those games also likely have the dual purpose of trying lineups that would be as close to the final form as possible - so not just players on a tryout but the ones guaranteed to make the final team may end up eating that space. (So even bigger prizes like Donskoi might end up factoring, slim hopes for even Laine.)

So, yeah, if 4-5 new forwards are joining from elsewhere, adding a ton of hopefuls from Liiga finals may become an impossible juggle. It's just three games, after all. Levtchi has the advantage of having broken his EHT cherry already - he was in the Channel One Cup squad before the olympics, and didn't look out of place at all, even potted a goal.

Ironically, what might improve the chances of those TPS kiddies is losing the next two games on their schedule, because then they could possibly make this Czech Cup roster - where there's more room for evaluation. Of course, they will certainly be wasting zero thoughts on that.

 

[Mestaruus]

I don't see Carolina losing in the 1st round, but it's smells like a full seven games series. Do the losing team's players have any energy, after long and disappointing series? I would say no, Florida and Colorado both of them are going to the 2nd round. Only help might come from Dallas, but im not very surpise to hear if they say "it's been a tough season mentally and physically, and i can't give 100% performance on ice so i must decline and start preparing for the next season".

My feeling is that Armia, Jokiharju and possibly Ruotsalainen and Säteri are the only players from NA.

It could be a long series if it's Boston vs Carolina or could be Boston schooling them with their greater playoff experience. They still have many of their old players around so.

Armia is an interesting one because he hasn't played recently. I don't know what's up with him, but then I found this:

April 19 - Cbssports.com - "Canadiens' Joel Armia: Granted personal leave".

"Armia will not be with the team for the time being after being granted a leave of absence Tuesday, John Lu of TSN.ca reports. The team didn't provide an update on when the 28-year-old winger might be cleared to return to action"

I feel like we haven't been very lucky lately. Armia has something going on and Laine injured himself. At this rate maybe Jokiharju gets injured next. Hopefully Kuokkanen or Donskoi would have interest in coming. I want few decent NHLers from the teams who won't make the playoffs.

Säteri hasn't looked amazing. It might be because of Arizona being perhaps the worst team in the NHL, so I'd love to have him on EHT Sweden tournament because Olkinuora hasn't looked amazing either in my opinion. I'd say that Tuohimaa has been slightly better so far than Olkinuora, but who knows how it really is when the teams played against were weaker teams, Denmark and Norway.

Dallas won against Seattle last night and Nashville lost to Tampa Bay. There's still a small chance that one of these teams get eliminated. We need Vegas to do well, especially in the Vegas vs Dallas match.

Nashville has some very tough opponents remaining:

Minnesota at Nashville - Minnesota's record is 7-1-2 in last 10 games. 4 game win streak.
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Calgary at Nashville - Calgary's record is 8-1-1 in last 10 games. 2 game win streak.
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Nashville at Colorado - Rantanen hasn't played lately so their team is a bit worse now. 7-3-0 Colorado's last 10 games but 3 game lose streak. They need Rantanen back.
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Nashville at Arizona - should be an easy win for Nashville.

 

[Mestaruus]

Do you really see Pesonen not making it? He's so deep into the familiar territory that he'd have to seriously mail it in for Jalonen to even consider cutting him. (So, virtually the same debate people are having over Anttila.) I do see Innala, too, having good chances of making it, but his final fate does hinge somewhat on what kind of top-six firepower we get from overseas - both from the get-go and after the first round.

Pesonen will most likely be a selection to the team, but a top-12 forward? Jalonen would recycle players during the tournament because some opponents are weaker, but would he be in the active line up? I'm not sure. In my opinion it's very close between Innala and him and we need more footage from the upcoming EHT games to determine that I feel or perhaps there will be room for both. As I stated in my previous post, Armia's situation is interesting. Perhaps Rajala loses to Pesonen at the moment, despite of me calling it a tie between them recently. I have to correct that one.

In my opinion comparing Pesonen to Anttila is not a bad comparison because Pesonen is sort of like poor man's Anttila. He seems to over perform in the national team slightly.

 

[FiLe]

Pesonen will most likely be a selection to the team, but a top-12 forward?

Pesonen is the archetype of an utility forward - no remarkable strengths but no real weaknesses either. He's a good complementary piece to almost any line, top-six or bottom-six. Innala, in turn, is more of a top-six guy who can bring some skill, so - like I said - if we don't get big names from overseas, his odds improve. But if it's a third line role, then Pesonen's your man.

Also, Pesonen *has* been quite productive in major tournaments - 4+3 in the 10 games in 2019, and 3+1 in his six games at the olympics. Also, he consistently hangs around the 0.7-0.8PPG mark in his club teams, meaning he is a rather steady secondary scorer. And, like Anttila, he has a knack of producing at pretty big moments, such as the "goal out of nowhere" that practically settled the GMG in 2019, or the OT winner against Sweden in the olympics.

Bottom line, Pesonen may not be flashy, but he is pretty damn reliable. And thus he'll have room in the active lineup.

 

[mattihp]

Pesonen is the archetype of an utility forward - no remarkable strengths but no real weaknesses either. He's a good complementary piece to almost any line, top-six or bottom-six. Innala, in turn, is more of a top-six guy who can bring some skill, so - like I said - if we don't get big names from overseas, his odds improve. But if it's a third line role, then Pesonen's your man.

Also, Pesonen *has* been quite productive in major tournaments - 4+3 in the 10 games in 2019, and 3+1 in his six games at the olympics. Also, he consistently hangs around the 0.7-0.8PPG mark in his club teams, meaning he is a rather steady secondary scorer. And, like Anttila, he has a knack of producing at pretty big moments, such as the "goal out of nowhere" that practically settled the GMG in 2019, or the OT winner against Sweden in the olympics.

Bottom line, Pesonen may not be flashy, but he is pretty damn reliable. And thus he'll have room in the active lineup.

Pesonen is Miettinen. Utility guy with a nice wrister

 

[FiLe]

Pesonen is Miettinen. Utility guy with a nice wrister

Not a bad comparison, either. If he's on the top line, your team's probably lacking something; but he won't look out of place in your middle-six, unless it's an absolutely stacked lineup.

 

[Mestaruus]

I was asking a bit on Montreal sub forum and apparently Armia has travelled or is travelling very soon to Finland even before Montreal's season will end. So he got a special permission to do that.

Montreal is trying to tank aka lose some games in hopes for a better chance for a higher pick in the draft, so it would be understandable if they would let Armia go already. Montreal is actually in the last place in the NHL now, even behind Arizona.

It still remains a mystery if he left early to be able to focus on the home WHC earlier or if there is something more like a serious problem with a family member or something like that. The best case scenario would be to see Armia playing in EHT Czech tournament already, but might be that he would join for EHT Sweden instead because he's locked to be in the final team anyways and maybe Jalonen wants to test other players before that.

 

[Mestaruus]

Armia's girlfriend is pregnant and about to give birth so that's the reason and explanation I was wondering about Armia's absence. Good to know that there's no injury or something like that.

If MaG doesn't return, I'd love to see M.Aaltonen with Manninen+Hartikainen.

Looking forward a bit. Skipping EHT Czech so this kind of line up composition for EHT Sweden or for the actual WHC tournament would interest me:

M.Aaltonen-Manninen-Hartikainen
Armia-Filppula-Innala
Pesonen-Sallinen-Rajala
Mäenalanen-Björninen-Anttila

Bolded are close to confirmed players.

Non bolded can be replaced with any of these: Kuokkanen, Donskoi, Maccelli, Ruotsalainen, but in a way that the line in question is balanced in the defensive end too. Also have to check until the end if one of Nashville or Dallas will mess up their wild card spot.

If MaG returns - Rajala out:

MaG-Manninen-Hartikainen
Armia-Filppula-M.Aaltonen
Pesonen-Sallinen-Innala
Mäenalanen-Björninen-Anttila

 

[Eye of Ra]

Why Sallinen? Tyrväinen is twice the player he is.

 

[mattihp]

Why Sallinen? Tyrväinen is twice the player he is.

Clockwork needs the right cogs, not more well-oiled with the wrong shape. And twice the player? Nope. Maybe marginally better physically.

 

[Lartsaman]

Why Sallinen? Tyrväinen is twice the player he is.

The problem with Tyrväinen is that when he ends his season, the roster will be pretty much sealed. There ain´t gonna be any Liiga-finalists on the final roster either. Jalonen likes to lock the team early. He might... just might leave some spots open for the Dallas guys IF they are ready to come.

 

[Mestaruus]

Why Sallinen? Tyrväinen is twice the player he is.

Sallinen looked quite good as a center in the few Norway games in my opinion. Pesonen formed a good line with him. If Tyrväinen is really that good now, I wouldn't mind seeing him in the line up over Sallinen but I don't know if Jalonen would change his mind when his guy Sallinen played well enough so far. Tyrväinen has history with Jalonen as well so we'll see what happens.

If I remember right Jalonen didn't choose Sallinen for the Olympics. He was probably healthy. He might have been one of those "taxi squad guys". Remind me because I don't remember. So if that was the case Jalonen might see Sallinen as an expendable piece again despite of their history together.

 

[FiLe]

He might have been one of those "taxi squad guys". Remind me because I don't remember.

He wasn't. The taxi squaddies were all KHLers, because the KHL was on break during the olympics. NLA wasn't.

The way I see it, Aaltonen is still designated as a center in our final lineup - unless we get an NHL center, that is. In the current selection, he is still among the best playmakers we have.

Manninen-Aaltonen-Filppula-Björninen, with Sallinen as the extra body.

With an NHL center, we get:

NHL-Manninen-Filppula-Björninen, with Aaltonen on the wing. Having Aaltonen play both positions during the preliminaries is good preparation for both scenarios. And the idea of him subbing for MaG in the case we have another option for top-six center doesn't look that outlandish, IMO.

Also, let's not forget that Björninen is presently sidelined, and they haven't said yet that he *will* return, but that they're evaluating his status after the Czech EHT. If he isn't healthy enough, then Sallinen will get his spot.

The lineup looked good in those Norway games and had some good hustle going, but let's try not to read too much into the things here. There are still moving parts and pieces in the air. At least I'd wait 'til we know what's coming from overseas before the first round - we'll have a clearer picture then.

 

[Mestaruus]

The way I see it, Aaltonen is still designated as a center in our final lineup - unless we get an NHL center, that is. In the current selection, he is still among the best playmakers we have.

Manninen-Aaltonen-Filppula-Björninen, with Sallinen as the extra body.

With an NHL center, we get:

NHL-Manninen-Filppula-Björninen, with Aaltonen on the wing. Having Aaltonen play both positions during the preliminaries is good preparation for both scenarios. And the idea of him subbing for MaG in the case we have another option for top-six center doesn't look that outlandish, IMO.

My feeling is that Jalonen might already see Aaltonen & Filppula as a pair and we all know how Jalonen likes to hold on to pairs that seem solid. Why I suggested Aaltonen+Manninen+Hartikainen would be to test if there could be even something better. I think that Manninen+Hartikainen didn't find their 3rd guy yet but it could be that Jalonen already knows that MaG will return.

Having Sallinen as 3rd center would mean that the offensive production of the team would kind of hurt. In the beginning I didn't want to see Sallinen in any other line than in the 4th line, but I liked what I saw in the Norway game.

Also, let's not forget that Björninen is presently sidelined, and they haven't said yet that he *will* return, but that they're evaluating his status after the Czech EHT. If he isn't healthy enough, then Sallinen will get his spot.

It would be interesting to know if Björninen only got some minor injury like a dentist visit or something like that or did he actually get a concussion, because I remember many cases where a player got a concussion from puck to the face. If it hits the right spot it can do that.

By the way Vegas had to go loosing one point in the last second of the game. That kind of sucked, but they are still on the hunt for Dallas' or Nashville's wild card spot. It's not fully in the hands of Vegas though even if they win in the match against Dallas. Sucky part is that both Dallas and Nashville will play against Arizona which maybe just wants to lose games to battle Montreal for the last place of the league for better chance in the draft.

 

[swissdude]

Also, he consistently hangs around the 0.7-0.8PPG mark in his club teams, meaning he is a rather steady secondary scorer. And, like Anttila, he has a knack of producing at pretty big moments, such as the "goal out of nowhere" that practically settled the GMG in 2019, or the OT winner against Sweden in the olympics.

Bottom line, Pesonen may not be flashy, but he is pretty damn reliable. And thus he'll have room in the active lineup.

Pesonen had 0.88 points per game in a non play-off team which scored 2.58 goals per game this regular season, that's not that bad of a production under these circumtances..

 

[FiLe]

My feeling is that Jalonen might already see Aaltonen & Filppula as a pair and we all know how Jalonen likes to hold on to pairs that seem solid. Why I suggested Aaltonen+Manninen+Hartikainen would be to test if there could be even something better. I think that Manninen+Hartikainen didn't find their 3rd guy yet but it could be that Jalonen already knows that MaG will return.

Well, in an ideal world Aaltonen would be a winger, as we'd have a top shelf NHL guy centering one of the top units. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, as we might get a decent indicator soon enough. Björninen's absence in Czechia is going to thin out the center depth somewhat, and placing Aaltonen to the middle would seem like a logical way of padding it out. But if he keeps playing wing, then I'd say it's safe to say Jalonen sees him as a winger first.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Tappara dominating in the finals.

Savinainen and Peltola was players i even saw some pencile in the Olympic team (without NHLers ofc).

Heljanko been great whole season.

Merelä could be a powerforward for the 4th line.

Then there is Seppälä and Leskinen, 2 defenders who is doing great.

(Luoto and Levtchi have already been mention).

Kivistö is doing a good job with Zurich in NLA. I think Zurich is dominating just like Tappara is doing. Up to 3-0 in their series.

Finns still in SHL playoffs are Lepistö (doing great, could be a nice add if he wants back), Honka, Nikupeteri and the demigod, Tyräväinen. From Rögle there is Sund and Kemiläinen. Last but not least there is Jesse Virtanen. I never seen him as good as he been this season. He turned into a monster in the playoffs and is even playing physical.

 

[Mestaruus]

Well, in an ideal world Aaltonen would be a winger, as we'd have a top shelf NHL guy centering one of the top units. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, as we might get a decent indicator soon enough. Björninen's absence in Czechia is going to thin out the center depth somewhat, and placing Aaltonen to the middle would seem like a logical way of padding it out. But if he keeps playing wing, then I'd say it's safe to say Jalonen sees him as a winger first.

I liked him as a winger in the Olympics.

Savinainen and Peltola was players i even saw some pencile in the Olympic team (without NHLers ofc).

Savinainen's name has been brought up during Liiga playoffs by the studio team few times as a possible candidate for the WHC team and he stepped up today with a goal once again. I see potential there.

Someone in this thread said something like Lepistö might be interested about joining the national team again, correct me if I miss read that. I haven't paid enough attention on how good he is now if Jalonen would favor him over some other D-men. Sund is a player Jalonen likes for sure, but same thing as with Lepistö, would Jalonen favor him over some of those other names... Not much time to be on the camp also if there's only EHT Sweden tournament for them to show case stuff in Jalonen's close proximity.

Oh yeah and Kemiläinen from the Olympics. He must be the front runner D-men to join from SHL right?

 

[FiLe]

I liked him as a winger in the Olympics.

It certainly doesn't make much difference whether Aaltonen as an individual plays center or wing, as we seem to be getting good effort and performance out of him either way. But, once again, our present depth at the middle lane could be better - and Aaltonen is a way to improve that. At the same time, we're not exactly lacking decent wingers, both in the present squad and among those potentially still joining; my list of wingers who could feature in our top-9 is around 14-15 strong.

Oh yeah and Kemiläinen from the Olympics. He must be the front runner D-men to join from SHL right?

Kemiläinen falls into that oft-mentioned cohort of righty ODs we're not exactly lacking presently... between Jokiharju, Vatanen, Hietanen, Kaski and so forth, not sure we need another. Pokka is more of a DD, but he would likely prefer the right side too.

 

[Mestaruus]

Tonight is the Vegas vs Dallas game and Vegas better win that on regular time. Now it got harder with their #1 goalie, Lehner apparently getting injured, so we'll see what happens with that. That game is a true playoff game already.

 

[FiLe]

Eyeing all those potential first round matchups, we've been so fixated on the west that there's one we should definitely keep an eye on in the east: Boston vs. Carolina. (Not a clinched one yet, but looks probable.)

If this matchup becomes reality, both squads would have a Finnish center with a contract extending to the next season. And while most of us would without a doubt prefer the Carolina one, the Boston one's been in great form lately, and would likewise be a solid addition for us.

 

[SantosHalper]

Finns still in SHL playoffs are Lepistö (doing great, could be a nice add if he wants back),

Someone in this thread said something like Lepistö might be interested about joining the national team again, correct me if I miss read that.

Here's the story:

Case Sami Lepistö, we finally have a straight answer.
Sami Lepistön, 37, peli-ilo katosi Jokereissa – ”Suoraan sanottuna tuntui, että olen vain duunissa”


Rough Translation:
Since the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, he has not been seen on the national team.

- I said a couple of years ago before the Karelia tournament that I will not come in now, says the father of small children.

Since then, Lepistö has not been asked or otherwise contacted about the national team.

He emphasizes not lamenting the matter, but if the talents were seen enough, it would be nice to hear about the national team.

-----------------------------------------
Defense is locked already, injuries only can change that.
Lehtonen - Hietanen
X - Vatanen
Friman - Jokiharju
Ohtamaa - Pokka

It's the same defense as it was in the Olympics except, Jokiharju takes a spot from Kemiläinen. Lindbohm's spot goes to Ristolainen, if he wants to come but im not holding my breath. Dallas trio declines most likely and if Ristolainen declines too, then the last spot goes to Sund, M Seppälä or Leskinen. Kemiläinen is probably consired aswell since he part of the Olympic team but he's a righty and PMD, two things we got plenty of.

 

[illone84]

Here's the story:

-----------------------------------------
Defense is locked already, injuries only can change that.
Lehtonen - Hietanen
X - Vatanen
Friman - Jokiharju
Ohtamaa - Pokka

It's the same defense as it was in the Olympics except, Jokiharju takes a spot from Kemiläinen. Lindbohm's spot goes to Ristolainen, if he wants to come but im not holding my breath. Dallas trio declines most likely and if Ristolainen declines too, then the last spot goes to Sund, M Seppälä or Leskinen. Kemiläinen is probably consired aswell since he part of the Olympic team but he's a righty and PMD, two things we got plenty of.

I thought Risto is injured and his season is done?

 

[FiLe]

Kemiläinen is probably consired aswell since he part of the Olympic team but he's a righty and PMD

So is Risto.

With Jokiharju joining, one of the olympic team righties will likely end up cut/not invited, but there is another option - moving Pokka to the left. It's what he did in Omsk when paired with Kaski.

 

[FiLe]

I thought Risto is injured and his season is done?

For the players in teams not making the playoffs, *any* injury is season-ending at this stage.

Risto is listed as DTD with an unspecified upper body injury, so there's still a chance, I guess.