WC: Team Finland 2022 roster talk

[Mestaruus]

It would get really interesting what Jalonen would do if someone like Donskoi would like to come as well. As a player I see him very similar to Armia. Donskoi nowadays is a PK guy and a bottom-6 guy in Seattle. Though it wasn't too long since Colorado was getting good offensive production of him in a more offensive role. It could be possible to reignite that if he could play with some star caliber players but it sounds risky to me to use him in such offensive role.

I don't think that what I'll say next will happen, but imagine if Jalonen doesn't see this line of Mäenalanen-Björninen-Anttila locked. The reason for that would be the fact that we didn't have good penalty killing in the Olympics. In general the special teams left something to hope for during that tournament. In their defense there wasn't a lot of time to prepare for the tournament like there is now and Anttila got sidelined because of that covid thing but it would be interesting to get inside Jalonen's head if he would actually break this trio to make space for the likes of Donskoi, Armia and possibly for other players as well.

Björninen is an absolute 100000% lock. Anttila is hard to leave out no matter how bad he would look in Liiga because he has that ability to shine in the important games of team Finland. Not to forget his leadership. Mäenalanen has looked good in Liiga but maybe he would be the most likely to be left out if Jalonen would see it necessary to make room for more NHL players. Again I give this something like a 5% chance to happen, but it would get interesting if many of these mid level NHL players would want to join, regardless of their contract statuses. What would Jalonen do then is the question.

 

[Mestaruus]

That's the good thing about Armia, he can play solely defensive role very well. Maybe he replaces Anttila on the 4th line. Armia has a long stick as well.

Anttila is a god in the important games though. At least that's the case in the national team. It's a rare quality in a player and perhaps the most important quality a player can have to be the player or one of the players that wins you the game in a game of death kind of scenario. I wouldn't usually grant players spots in new tournaments based on old merits but in Anttila's case it's necessary in my opinion. I think that other teams' fans would be really happy not to see Anttila play for team Finland.

 

[The Cannon of Tesoma]

There will be room for Mörkö in Jalonen's team. Only very unlikely scenarios would leave him out.

I'm little bit ambivalent about him myself, but what Jalonen decides must have it's merits, and it's clear that Anttila has earned consideration anyway. Clutchest player ever laced skates in Leijonat, with apparent leadership qualities, locker room presence, full dedication to meidän peli, and the physical frame that itself can be kind of X-factor. "Sexy", media friendly outcoming.

The embodiment of recent years success of Leijonat.

 

[mattihp]

I want Mörkö there, but Jalonen is open to options. When Komarov showed he was way better than reported Jalonen was pondering if Mörkö would sit...

 

[ijuka]

Anttila isn't even good enough for Liiga, there's no way he belongs in world championships. Would be a ridiculously bad decision.

I'm not sure I've ever seen a player get more overrated just because he scored 2 fluke goals. Not a national team quality player for sure.

 

[Mestaruus]

Today's line up vs Denmark:

#45 Jussi Olkinuora (varalla #35 Frans Tuohimaa)

Puolustajaparit
#18 Kalle Maalahti – #7 Oliwer Kaski
#3 Niklas Friman – #42 Sami Vatanen (C)
#34 Nuutti Viitasalo – #38 Juuso Hietanen (A)
#52 Arttu Pelli – #2 Ville Pokka

Hyökkäysketjut
#41 Petrus Palmu – #65 Sakari Manninen (A) – #70 Teemu Hartikainen
#82 Harri Pesonen – #15 Miro Aaltonen – #20 Niko Ojamäki
#23 Markus Nenonen – #24 Hannes Björninen – #37 Eemil Erholtz
#21 Juuso Könönen – #25 Ville Petman – #39 Valtteri Ojantakanen

MaG & Nättinen skip this game for health reasons.

Nyt valmistaudutaan MM-kotikisoihin: Leijonat kohtaa Tanskan tällä nipulla

Suomi kohtaa Tanskan harjoitusotteluissa keskiviikkona ja torstaina.

www.iltalehti.fi

It comes from TV by the way. TV5 20:00 Finnish time.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Jalonen loved Maccelli few years ago in EHT. Maccelli was the only really young surprise pick for the EHT tournament in Finland/Karjala cup or what ever it's called and the tournament went pretty well for Maccelli. I see a camp invite happening if Arizona's AHL affiliate isn't doing some playoffs in the AHL. It won't be easy task for Maccelli to break into the team though with this good Olympic core we got and especially if we'll have more NHL forwards joining.

Roadrunners are already out of the AHL play-offs, having 41 losses in 61 games does that

 

[David OSullivan]

Is Granlund injured. I ve been thinking a lot about where to fit Maccelli and I ve been thinking Granlunds spot with Manninen and Hartikanen and moving Granlund to another line.

I like the line Pesonen Aaltonen Ojamaki a lot. This could be a line.

 

[mattihp]

Is Granlund injured. I ve been thinking a lot about where to fit Maccelli and I ve been thinking Granlunds spot with Manninen and Hartikanen and moving Granlund to another line.

I like the line Pesonen Aaltonen Ojamaki a lot. This could be a line.

If Granlund is there he plays on his line..

 

[JJTT]

From remaining Liiga players, I'd love to see Pyyhtiä. 20 goals in his last 28 games.

And after another terrible game from Anttila yesterday, I just can't see any reason to pick him.

 

[Eye of Ra]

From remaining Liiga players, I'd love to see Pyyhtiä. 20 goals in his last 28 games.

And after another terrible game from Anttila yesterday, I just can't see any reason to pick him.

Joona Luoto and Juuso Pärssinen have also been great in the playoffs. Could be worth trying them in any of the EHT tournaments before WC.

 

[Mestaruus]

I checked about some key dates. I'll share if someone is interested:

NHL regular season ends May 1st.
Czech EHT tournament ends May 1st.

Sweden EHT tournament ends May 8th.
World Hockey Championships start May 13th.

So we will see a lot of NHL players in that EHT Sweden tournament, but none of them in the EHT Czech tournament.

Regarding the NHL playoffs first round exit teams, there won't be a lot of time to practice with the team for those players, unless you consider the preliminary round practice games. It would still be worth it to get some big time NHL star players at that point.

Joona Luoto and Juuso Pärssinen have also been great in the playoffs. Could be worth trying them in any of the EHT tournaments before WC.

Yeah worth a camp invite but the problem is who do you leave out? So many want in. I see either of those guys have VERY low chance at making the final team.

From the two games against Denmark in my opinion Harri Pesonen looked a lot more useful than Ojamäki. Petrus Palmu looked pretty good, but who doesn't with Manninen + Hartikainen. I expected better from M.Aaltonen. M.Aaltonen can be put to wing though and he beats both H.Pesonen and Ojamäki though.

MaG-Manninen-Hartikainen
Laine-X-X
Armia-Filppula-M.Aaltonen
Mäenalanen-Björninen-Anttila

X = NHL upgrades.

Selections to the team but not playing many games or being place holders for NHL playoff first round exit players:
H.Pesonen, Ojamäki, Palmu.

 

[David OSullivan]

Do you think Laine will join Mestaurus? Just a felling or has there been something in media about him willing to join? I still think contract will mean he won't join unless he s said something different.

I like Ruotsilainen for a center spot unless someone big comes from NHL round one. He s flying it and has performed for Finland in WC before. Also Maccelli for a winger spot. Not sure if I mentioned that name before

 

[Artorius Horus T]

That's the good thing about Armia, he can play solely defensive role very well. Maybe he replaces Anttila on the 4th line. Armia has a long stick as well.

I hope not

Anttila is our team, team guy.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

After Sm-Liiga play-offs

1 Laine(CBJ)-Pärssinen-Maccelli(ARI)

- Maccelli loves to make plays from the right side in the O-zone
also he loves to slow the game down, in the O-zone,
would be ideal player for Laine and for his shot

- Pärssinen is a big, skilled center, who is good
at corners and middle areas, front of net too
i think he would complement both Maccelli
and Laine's game

2 MaGranlund-Manninen-Hartikainen

- The former KHL line

3 Kuokkanen(NJD)-Filppula-Armia(MTL)

This line would be our key defensive line
(with 4th) but would bring lots of additional
scoring, 3 players with really good two way
game, good skaters with skill, who can quickly bring
the puck in and create dangerous scoring chances
and needed long offensive zone attacks

4 Lammikko(VAN)-Björninen-Anttila

Not much to say about these 3,
they can do pretty much anything,
also surprise you with goals

Borgström(CHI), Ruotsalainen(BUF)

Borgström is excellent two way forward
who can play all forward positions, can jump
to the bottom six if theres an injury

Ruotsalainen is highly skilled, fast skater
who has an effort of a lion, can easily
temp in for top 6 spot

Jokiharju(BUF)
Vatanen

one or two of;
Niku(MTL), Vaakanainen(ANA), Heinola(WPG)
Thomson(OTT), Salo(NYI)

should make the team

3-4 defensive d-men from Europe,
i don't want Lehtonen this time.
- but i think Jalonen is going to select him

Choose 3 goalies from Europe

 

[karhukissa]

Anttila isn't even good enough for Liiga, there's no way he belongs in world championships. Would be a ridiculously bad decision.

I'm not sure I've ever seen a player get more overrated just because he scored 2 fluke goals. Not a national team quality player for sure.

So he played well in the olympics but few months later he doesn't belong to world championships?

Jalonen doesn't make "ridiculously bad decisions". Anttila is good for one specific thing, you need to see the big picture. Jalonen doesn't think lineup as a group of individuals, he sees them as like a puzzle parts. Anttila brings x thing to that 4th line and 2 other guys brings their own thing, and they equal something good. So Anttila doesn't need to do same things as he should do in Liiga, he can just focus on that one or two things he's good at.

That's why people often think that "how can he play like that on a national team". It's like his role is perfectly tailored and his linemates give him perfect support so they kinda like complete each other. Same thing goes with many other national team players, that's the whole point of "Meidän Peli".

 

[Mestaruus]

Do you think Laine will join Mestaurus? Just a felling or has there been something in media about him willing to join? I still think contract will mean he won't join unless he s said something different.

I like Ruotsilainen for a center spot unless someone big comes from NHL round one. He s flying it and has performed for Finland in WC before. Also Maccelli for a winger spot. Not sure if I mentioned that name before

No there hasn't really been anything about Laine joining nor not joining. It's kind of a coinflip but for me that coinflip goes over 50% to something like 60%+ for various reasons despite of his contract status. It's his home town, familiar coach, he has money and Ristolainen his buddy will most likely join the team. Perhaps some other Columbus players will join the tournament as well like Merzlikins and Voracek and it could be fun to play against them. Maybe him and Kekäläinen can sort out that contract before the tournament or maybe not. I just don't think that contract is the factor for keeping Laine away from the Tampere WHC tournament. Small injury would however tip the scale for Laine not joining.

I didn't see much of Ruotsalainen lately but based on stats Ruotsainen is doing good. That's AHL however which is about Liiga level. Doing PPG there isn't THAT amazing. He's a familiar guy to Jalonen indeed. I would personally take M.Aaltonen as a center over him but currently I'm placing M.Aaltonen to wing while hoping for a real star level NHL center. If Vegas keeps winning and Nashville and Dallas both don't win all of their games, then one of those teams might loose their wild card spot. That would mean Hintz or Granlund for center and some more players. Saros would be amazing to have as well. There is also a chance to get some of them after the first playoff round but it would be easier and better to get them faster than that.

 

[Mestaruus]

1 Laine(CBJ)-Pärssinen-Maccelli(ARI)

- Maccelli loves to make plays from the right side in the O-zone
also he loves to slow the game down, in the O-zone,
would be ideal player for Laine and for his shot

- Pärssinen is a big, skilled center, who is good
at corners and middle areas, front of net too
i think he would complement both Maccelli
and Laine's game

Laine has become a better and more well rounded player but I'm still a bit worried about that line leaking to the defensive end. I don't consider Maccelli a defensive player at all. He's worse than Laine at it. Pärssinen would have to do the most at that department but he's still young. I think that they would have some OK games defensively and some disasters that could cost a lot. Jalonen loves more experienced players per line than that. He wouldn't take that risk. The average age of players in the Olympics was really high for Finland.

 

[BB88]

There’s just no way Laine is joining without a contract.

He has a shot at getting paid this summer and injury would mean another short term deal

 

[Mestaruus]

There’s just no way Laine is joining without a contract.

He has a shot at getting paid this summer and injury would mean another short term deal

The guy is rich. This is the only time during his career when Tampere is hosting this tournament so it could mean even more for him than best on best Olympics. It's possible. If there is even a small injury he won't come because it's pretty close already.

Another thing on this could be that he had a short season because he was injured for quite some time and maybe he wants to extend his season a bit. It seems like he is having fun out there playing now so it seems to me like he could be motivated to continue.

 

[SantosHalper]

He has a shot at getting paid this summer and injury would mean another short term deal

I've been under the impression that Laine is looking for a short term deal, so he can sign with Florida eventually. Or is this just some Tappara fans propaganda?

 

[ijuka]

So he played well in the olympics but few months later he doesn't belong to world championships?

Jalonen doesn't make "ridiculously bad decisions". Anttila is good for one specific thing, you need to see the big picture. Jalonen doesn't think lineup as a group of individuals, he sees them as like a puzzle parts. Anttila brings x thing to that 4th line and 2 other guys brings their own thing, and they equal something good. So Anttila doesn't need to do same things as he should do in Liiga, he can just focus on that one or two things he's good at.

That's why people often think that "how can he play like that on a national team". It's like his role is perfectly tailored and his linemates give him perfect support so they kinda like complete each other. Same thing goes with many other national team players, that's the whole point of "Meidän Peli".

Of course Jalonen makes bad decisions, just like every other coach. He has some ridiculous favoritism with player selections year after year, for one - and that goes beyond Marko Anttila, though he's the clearest example.

That also isn't really the point of "meidän peli" at all. For example, he had Finland use it in u-20 WJC and it wasn't similar at all. It's just a framework, some of you really overromanticize these things. Jalonen has had success but I think he'd have even more success if he fixed some of his stubbornness.

 

[Mestaruus]

I've been under the impression that Laine is looking for a short term deal, so he can sign with Florida eventually. Or is this just some Tappara fans propaganda?

I think you are probably on the right track and I'm not a Tappara fan . I had that same impression that it's most likely a short deal.

On the other hand Laine looks pretty comfortable in Columbus now so I wouldn't be completely shocked if Jarmo over pays Laine with a mammoth deal and Laine would accept that, but I'll say it again that Jarmo has to pay him more than he is worth. Columbus certainly did well in signing Voracek. Another quality player that can feed Laine sometimes and they are giving Laine massive minutes so maybe they can make him stay. Also after Tortorella was gone Columbus has seemed like a better place for Laine in terms of Columbus' play style. So regarding his next contract it could be anything really in my opinion. He could be traded next summer as well maybe.

What ever his contract might be, I personally just don't think it affects his decision in playing at his home town. A small injury combined with that contract status would however be too many factors against Laine joining. So I'm just hoping he stays healthy and I'm guessing that he is healthy now, because there would be no reason to play injured Laine in a situation where playoffs aren't happening for Columbus.

 

[SantosHalper]

Leijonat - Leijonien MM-leiritys jatkuu ensi viikolla Joensuussa ja Kuopiossa – Leiriryhmään muutoksia
New players joining in.
Valtteri Filppula, Jere Innala, Saku Mäenalanen, Toni Rajala, Jere Sallinen, Atte Ohtamaa and Vili Saarijärvi.

Nuutti Viitasalo out due to injury, season over for him.

Iiro Pakarinen declined, personal reasons.

 

[Mestaruus]

Leijonat - Leijonien MM-leiritys jatkuu ensi viikolla Joensuussa ja Kuopiossa – Leiriryhmään muutoksia
New players joining in.
Valtteri Filppula, Jere Innala, Saku Mäenalanen, Toni Rajala, Jere Sallinen, Atte Ohtamaa and Vili Saarijärvi.

Nuutti Viitasalo out due to injury, season over for him.

Iiro Pakarinen declined, personal reasons.

Too bad about Iiro Pakarinen but it would've been hard to fit him in the line up. Could've been a selection but not playing games.

Saarijärvi might have a shot for being in the team.

I don't think that there's room for Toni Rajala if we get few more forwards from the NHL. Innala as well is some kind of back up option if we don't get many more NHL forwards. I like Innala over Rajala and Petrus Palmu.

Jere Sallinen is interesting and a bit unexpected for me, but there won't probably be room for him unless Anttila wouldn't come. In my opinion on international level Sallinen should be a 4th liner only, else the offensive production of the team will take a step backwards. I think that Jalonen chooses him to the final team yes but he will most likely eat a lot of pop corn during games. Maybe some of you want to stick him on the 3rd line but I wouldn't.

I wonder if Komarov and Lehtonen have any interest in joining. Could it be that Jalonen is just giving them some rest and they would join for the EHT Czech tournament?