Olympics: Team Finland 2022

[illone84]

I have to say these two EHT teams have been stronger in participation than some of ours recent WHC teams. Almost everyone who is someone in Finnish hockey at the moment have been in. Only one who I can name is Juha Metsola and Jori Lehterä who haven´t been in the teams (Sallinen has been injured).

looking fwd to seeing Granny, Manninen, Hartikainen!!!

 

[FiLe]

I guess that everyone of them except Komarov are more realistically competing for home WHC spots instead.

There's also a third squad they're checking players out for - the contingency olympic team, since NHL participation is still conditional until Jan 10th. More players from this EHT team than just Komarov will be locks for that one. Komarov, of course, is the one with the biggest chance to make even the primary selection.

If he gets selected, well, him being on the 4th line wing or an extra forward won't make or break the team, but... I admit, I do feel that we also have more deserving players, even if it's just for a marginal role.

As an additional note, it's kind of amusing to see some news outlets treating Komarov's return to the NT a huge surprise, as it was in fact telegraphed months ago - he was invited to the coffee klatch. Guess it kinda slipped through the cracks thanks to the Ristolainen brouhaha.

 

[Fables]

Ok, it's time to make my team assuming all chosen players will be healthy.

There are a few positions where I still put two optional players in.
I would choose the ones making better progress going forward.

Like nearly all have said we could use 1-2 better defenders but offense looks great.

Laine - Barkov - Rantanen
Teräväinen - Hintz - Aho
Grandlund - Lundell - Kakko
Kapanen - Kotkaniemi/Haula - Puljujärvi

Extra forwards/HMs: Tolvanen/Luostarinen/Donskoi

Lindell - Heiskanen
Mikkola/Määttä - Jokiharju
Heinola/ Lehtonen - Hakanpää

Saros
Koskinen
Raanta (or Rask if he will be available)

 

[Sanf]

So I guess here is my team.

Laine-Barkov-Rantanen
Teräväinen-Aho-Puljujärvi
Hintz-Granlund-Kakko
Kapanen-Lundell-Armia
extra F Haula and Donskoi

I like the second line, but still my first leaves bit question marks even for myself. There are injuries and what kind of Laine will we get. Still Barkov-Laine is the strongest bet to work. Puljujärvi compliments Aho-Teräväinen well. For the third I swapped Hintz and Granlund from what I have originally planned. In fourth line Lundell has managed to impress me enough to get spot. Kapanen is probably in case of injuries or other problems moving part to the upper lines.

With Extra F I went conservative. With so many Top 3 center options I don´t think we need Kotkaniemi. If Lundell is running out of gas from the point of selection to olympics Haula is the most safe option. Tempted to even pick Filppula because he is playing a lot now (Though Jalonen may pick Luostarinen). From wings biggest worries is where Kakko is at the time of olympics. If Kapanen moves up Donskoi comes to fourth.

Heiskanen-Ristolainen
Lindell-Vatanen
Määttä-Jokiharju
Ohtamaa-Hakanpää

Ristolainen is having slump and there are risks with him. Still I believe here is the biggest reward possibility. Vatanen sold me in EHT. With Ohtamaa... I know I know. I just feel that he is eating big minutes and he gets edge because of that even it is lesser league. But can be Mikkola in there too. I think the current injury is eating Lehtonen´s chances.

Saros
Lankinen
Raanta (Rask)

Saros is the one we go. Chicago and Lankinen are having rough time, but still I trust Lankinens technical abilities more than others. In such short tournament if we need to use third goalie we are already in troubles. So actually throwing risky selection with Rask could be option. But he might comeback too late. I selected Raanta as third because I consider him the third best goalie we have in NHL right now. Odds that he is healthy is almost as big as with Rask.

 

[FiLe]

With Ohtamaa... I know I know. I just feel that he is eating big minutes and he gets edge because of that even it is lesser league. But can be Mikkola in there too.

It's otherwise a lineup with little to disagree with, but I honestly don't get how someone can favor Ohtamaa over Mikkola with the way Mikkola is playing right now. If he keeps seeing minutes through all of December, he's going to make it.

 

[Sanf]

It's otherwise a lineup with little to disagree with, but I honestly don't get how someone can favor Ohtamaa over Mikkola with the way Mikkola is playing right now. If he keeps seeing minutes through all of December, he's going to make it.

I admitt that haven´t seen him play this past two weeks. Heard good things. But there is also the problem. He has been in lineup regularly few weeks. And I´m fairly conservative with my selections. In month he may be back as 7th D and when the olympics start he may have beein in stands for month. Want to see longer stretch of quality effort. When the selection are made early it´s hard to pick "hot" players.

Obviously Mikkola has been fine in NT before and I don´t see huge problem in his selection either. Maybe have bit of soft spot for Ohtamaa and his steady play. Mikkola is better at skates, but I have always seen him overplay certain situations and he can be mistake prone in easy plays.

edit. To make examples he sometimes have too much drive to go for the big hit and he makes too difficult passing attempts. Needs to take time and simplify things sometimes.

 

[FiLe]

I admitt that haven´t seen him play this past two weeks. Heard good things. But there is also the problem. He has been in lineup regularly few weeks. And I´m fairly conservative with my selections. In month he may be back as 7th D and when the olympics start he may have beein in stands for month. Want to see longer stretch of quality effort. When the selection are made early it´s hard to pick "hot" players.

Right now, Mikkola is objectively a better player than Ohtamaa. And he seems to be getting the opportunities to prove it. It becomes close again if he stops getting them, and we should know real soon if that's looking like the case. Faulk is the only staple d-man presently sidelined from the Blues' lineup, and he's DTD. If Mikkola sticks around after Faulk returns, we can safely say he's among his coach's six preferred d-men.

 

[Icejoker]

Komarov has as good of a chance to play in these Olympics as I do. The guy plays in the KHL and still sucks there. Can't afford to waste a roster spot for a player like that no matter how much you like him on a personal level.

Look at Islanders, as long as Komarov look at the game they started better than last season but when he go to Russia the team totally crashed.

 

[David OSullivan]

So I guess here is my team.

Laine-Barkov-Rantanen
Teräväinen-Aho-Puljujärvi
Hintz-Granlund-Kakko
Kapanen-Lundell-Armia
extra F Haula and Donskoi

I like the second line, but still my first leaves bit question marks even for myself. There are injuries and what kind of Laine will we get. Still Barkov-Laine is the strongest bet to work. Puljujärvi compliments Aho-Teräväinen well. For the third I swapped Hintz and Granlund from what I have originally planned. In fourth line Lundell has managed to impress me enough to get spot. Kapanen is probably in case of injuries or other problems moving part to the upper lines.

With Extra F I went conservative. With so many Top 3 center options I don´t think we need Kotkaniemi. If Lundell is running out of gas from the point of selection to olympics Haula is the most safe option. Tempted to even pick Filppula because he is playing a lot now (Though Jalonen may pick Luostarinen). From wings biggest worries is where Kakko is at the time of olympics. If Kapanen moves up Donskoi comes to fourth.

Heiskanen-Ristolainen
Lindell-Vatanen
Määttä-Jokiharju
Ohtamaa-Hakanpää

Ristolainen is having slump and there are risks with him. Still I believe here is the biggest reward possibility. Vatanen sold me in EHT. With Ohtamaa... I know I know. I just feel that he is eating big minutes and he gets edge because of that even it is lesser league. But can be Mikkola in there too. I think the current injury is eating Lehtonen´s chances.

Saros
Lankinen
Raanta (Rask)

Saros is the one we go. Chicago and Lankinen are having rough time, but still I trust Lankinens technical abilities more than others. In such short tournament if we need to use third goalie we are already in troubles. So actually throwing risky selection with Rask could be option. But he might comeback too late. I selected Raanta as third because I consider him the third best goalie we have in NHL right now. Odds that he is healthy is almost as big as with Rask.

In every one of my predictions I have laine on the first line with barkov and rantenan as I feel it will get the best out of him to play with those 2 and it gives incredible options like hintz to the 3rd line creating 3 great lines. But no doubt in my mind the best first line would be hintz barkov Rantanen. That line would be almost unplayable.

But then where does laine go. Not to the second line for me. Puljujarvi is perfect blend of size and speed to create space for aho teuvo magic.

For me in this case it would be third with granlund playmaking. I'd drop Kakko in favour of kapanen to bring some much needed speed to the line.

So a slight alternative thought:

Hintz barkov rantanen
Teuvo aho puljujarvi
Laine granlund kapanen
Haula lundell armia

 

[Puckluck]

Niemelainen is turning heads in Edmonton. Maybe it is too late for him to be able to prove himself on a consistent basis to be considered for an olympic spot. Nevertheless, it is a fun thought to have Hakanpaa, Ristolainen and Niemelainen on the same team.

 

[heksagon]

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of Laine playing with Granlund instead of Barkov.

I'm afraid that with Laine, Barky would force passes to his buddy, and Laine would be heavily marked. I'd like Barkov to play more selfishly and shoot more, while Granny will be a pass first player no matter what, and with his passing form this season he will find Laine's tape. That leaves us with top lines built around 3 "tutkaparis", Barkov-Rantanen, Aho-Teräväinen and Granlund-Laine. Next, need to find players to complement those duos.

My team right now, with top 3 lines having somewhat similar TOI:

Kapanen - Barkov - Rantanen (The idea is that Kasperi plays a similar role to Anthony Duclair next to Barkov: Speed, speed and some finishing ability. Barky and Moose can both pass, shoot and defend.)
Teräväinen - Aho - Puljujärvi (The Carolina duo is a no brainer, and Pulju has some history playing with Aho. He also brings speed, strength and straigth forward play.)
Hintz - Granlund - Laine (Granlund passes, Laine scores. Hintz brings much needed speed to the line, and he is a scoring threat on his own, so that Laine can't be hard focused on without risk.)
Lehkonen/Kakko - Lundell - Armia/Donskoi (Lundell has deserved the last center spot in my mind with his solid two-way play. Lehkonen-Armia have experience playing together and are used to small minutes, but Kakko has been playing well lately while Armia hasn't been that great. Donskoi is playing okay but very snake bitten. Tough choice, I'd go with whoever is playing the best at the time of the selection.)

Lindell - Heiskanen (Duh. This pairing will have to play big minutes. The rest of the pairings should rotate with similar TOI's, as I don't see any Finnish pairing after this handling huge minutes well.)
Määttä - Ristolainen (Size, L-R handedness and NHL experince. Might be a bit hazardous in the own zone, but we don't have better options. I trust in Jalonen to get the most out of them.)
Ohtamaa - Vatanen (EU BASED PLAYERS IN MAH OLYMPIC TEAM? Yes. Only these two though. Vatanen impressed in EHT, has lots of NHL experience and fills a need. He has always played the best with solid defensive D-men like Ohtamaa, who is also Jalonen's trusted workhorse. Vats would play on the PP a lot, as after Heiskanen we are lacking in PP quarterbacks.)
Mikkola/Jokiharju - Hakanpää (Solid defensive bottom pairing with size. Välimäki is in the dog house, so he can't even show what he has right now. Jokiharju is more established than Mikkola, but the latter has played well and is a leftie. Again, pick whichever is playing better.)

Saros
Husso
Raanta

These are the best goalies in my mind. Rask is a big question mark at the moment, so I left him out. I would pick Saros over Tuukka even if he returns, as he might be out of form. Husso and Raanta have been solid this season. Lankinen has been disappointing, and I just don't quite trust Koskinen even with his winning record this year.

 

[heksagon]

I realised that my team is quite close to Sami Hoffren's team. Huh, I guess I agree with something wrote on Ilta-Sanomat for once.

 

[Sanf]

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of Laine playing with Granlund instead of Barkov.

I'm afraid that with Laine, Barky would force passes to his buddy, and Laine would be heavily marked. I'd like Barkov to play more selfishly and shoot more, while Granny will be a pass first player no matter what, and with his passing form this season he will find Laine's tape. That leaves us with top lines built around 3 "tutkaparis", Barkov-Rantanen, Aho-Teräväinen and Granlund-Laine. Next, need to find players to complement those duos.

My team right now, with top 3 lines having somewhat similar TOI:

Kapanen - Barkov - Rantanen (The idea is that Kasperi plays a similar role to Anthony Duclair next to Barkov: Speed, speed and some finishing ability. Barky and Moose can both pass, shoot and defend.)
Teräväinen - Aho - Puljujärvi (The Carolina duo is a no brainer, and Pulju has some history playing with Aho. He also brings speed, strength and straigth forward play.)
Hintz - Granlund - Laine (Granlund passes, Laine scores. Hintz brings much needed speed to the line, and he is a scoring threat on his own, so that Laine can't be hard focused on without risk.)

I do like those top three line combos. When I was making my own I had the gut feeling that something isn´t right with Rantanen-Barkov-Laine. Barkov-Laine can really work or absolutely don´t. The fact that Laine is quite predictable and can be easily frustrated out of picture worries me. Granlund has the ability to feed Laine. It´s 8 years ago and sure hockey changes all the time, but Granlund managed to squeeze out the remaining goals out of Selänne who at that point was very one dimensional goal scoring threat. But that line absolutely needs Hintz on the other wing to bring speed and hustle to prevent the line being to predictable.

 

[heksagon]

I do like those top three line combos. When I was making my own I had the gut feeling that something isn´t right with Rantanen-Barkov-Laine. Barkov-Laine can really work or absolutely don´t. The fact that Laine is quite predictable and can be easily frustrated out of picture worries me. Granlund has the ability to feed Laine. It´s 8 years ago and sure hockey changes all the time, but Granlund managed to squeeze out the remaining goals out of Selänne who at that point was very one dimensional goal scoring threat. But that line absolutely needs Hintz on the other wing to bring speed and hustle to prevent the line being to predictable.

Agreed. Barkov-Laine could work very well, but it also has a risk of being predictable and not working. 50/50. The thing is, Barkov doesn't need Laine next to him, he plays well with pretty much anyone. Laine on the other hand needs to be with a good playmaker to make the most out of him; luckily we have a plethora of those available! Aho, Teuvo, Rantanen, Granlund are all great passers.

As for Hintz, exactly. Granlund and Laine aren't the fastest, so Hintz brings all the legs and we have 3 great scoring lines.

 

[FiLe]

There's definitely more than one way to skin the cat with such an unprecedentedly rich selection of forwards. I myself am presently debating whether I'd like to see Granlund or Hintz manning the middle lane. And while I'd like to see Barkov and Laine start together, they're not such a stapled pair in my mind as Aho and TT are. No doubt Granlund would be able to get a ton of mileage out of Laine as well.

Regarding defense, I think the final slots should ultimately be decided by how many of our righties are going to make the selection. If it's four - Hakanpää, Jokiharju, Vatanen and RR - and then the three obvious lefties in the form of Heiskanen, Lindell and Määttä are included, it leaves room just for one of Mikkola/Ohtamaa. And in his present form, it should be Mikkola - no effing question here. However, if only three righties get picked, then there's room for both. (What might upend things here is Lehtonen returning in time or Välimäki getting out of the doghouse, which needs to happen real soon.)

 

[Mestaruus]

So I guess here is my team.

Laine-Barkov-Rantanen
Teräväinen-Aho-Puljujärvi
Hintz-Granlund-Kakko
Kapanen-Lundell-Armia
extra F Haula and Donskoi

I like the second line, but still my first leaves bit question marks even for myself. There are injuries and what kind of Laine will we get. Still Barkov-Laine is the strongest bet to work. Puljujärvi compliments Aho-Teräväinen well. For the third I swapped Hintz and Granlund from what I have originally planned. In fourth line Lundell has managed to impress me enough to get spot. Kapanen is probably in case of injuries or other problems moving part to the upper lines.

With Extra F I went conservative. With so many Top 3 center options I don´t think we need Kotkaniemi. If Lundell is running out of gas from the point of selection to olympics Haula is the most safe option. Tempted to even pick Filppula because he is playing a lot now (Though Jalonen may pick Luostarinen). From wings biggest worries is where Kakko is at the time of olympics. If Kapanen moves up Donskoi comes to fourth.

Heiskanen-Ristolainen
Lindell-Vatanen
Määttä-Jokiharju
Ohtamaa-Hakanpää

Ristolainen is having slump and there are risks with him. Still I believe here is the biggest reward possibility. Vatanen sold me in EHT. With Ohtamaa... I know I know. I just feel that he is eating big minutes and he gets edge because of that even it is lesser league. But can be Mikkola in there too. I think the current injury is eating Lehtonen´s chances.

Forward lines are very good. I'm also starting to think that Hintz may have to go to the wing and it's better to have Granlund as the center. We're really spoiled with those centers. Hintz is so good center nowadays. I'd swap Kakko and Kapanen probably because Kapanen is sometimes a beast when he plays with better players. He'd do more points than Kakko if it's points that we want.

I'd definitely have Mikkola in there and Ristolainen just sucks too much right now + his history with national team. Can just leave him out now. If Mikkola played in Philly instead of Ristolainen with Ristolainen's role and minutes, their team would do better. Head coach fired or not, Ristolainen has been the worst D-man of Philadelphia of the ones that get to play most games.

Oh and one more thing. It is possible that we don't get Laine at all. In that case Hintz could maybe keep that center spot and Granlund could be in Laine's place. I mean who knows what Laine is thinking right now. His father was so big figure for his ice hockey career that Laine might not even care about Olympics and they may come too soon for him.

 

[Mestaruus]

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of Laine playing with Granlund instead of Barkov.

I'm afraid that with Laine, Barky would force passes to his buddy, and Laine would be heavily marked. I'd like Barkov to play more selfishly and shoot more, while Granny will be a pass first player no matter what, and with his passing form this season he will find Laine's tape. That leaves us with top lines built around 3 "tutkaparis", Barkov-Rantanen, Aho-Teräväinen and Granlund-Laine. Next, need to find players to complement those duos.

My team right now, with top 3 lines having somewhat similar TOI:

Kapanen - Barkov - Rantanen (The idea is that Kasperi plays a similar role to Anthony Duclair next to Barkov: Speed, speed and some finishing ability. Barky and Moose can both pass, shoot and defend.)
Teräväinen - Aho - Puljujärvi (The Carolina duo is a no brainer, and Pulju has some history playing with Aho. He also brings speed, strength and straigth forward play.)
Hintz - Granlund - Laine (Granlund passes, Laine scores. Hintz brings much needed speed to the line, and he is a scoring threat on his own, so that Laine can't be hard focused on without risk.)
Lehkonen/Kakko - Lundell - Armia/Donskoi (Lundell has deserved the last center spot in my mind with his solid two-way play. Lehkonen-Armia have experience playing together and are used to small minutes, but Kakko has been playing well lately while Armia hasn't been that great. Donskoi is playing okay but very snake bitten. Tough choice, I'd go with whoever is playing the best at the time of the selection.)

I think it's a good idea in theory but Laine and Barkov are just too good mates and I think that Laine would be more motivated on Barkov's wing. They apparently do a lot of summer training together and Laine will most likely join Florida Panthers some time soon. It would be a shock to me if Laine chooses something else than Florida Panthers and I do think that Florida Panthers want to see how that would work out. Hintz-Granny-Rantanen would be sick too if like you said top-3 lines would have equal TOI.

 

[hirawl]

Finland needs the puck on Barkov's, Aho's and Heiskanen's sticks as much as possible. That to me means Aho and Barkov should not be on the same line. That's 1C and 2C locked. Hintz is a centerman as is Lundell. Do NOT put these guys on the wing. So we got it all figured out down the middle.

Barkov obviously can play with anybody and make them look elite but it still is most logical solution to pair him up on the 1st line with Rantanen. One of the best wingers and a horse. Those two can do everything but now that we have them together we instantly realize that the other winger also needs to be able to cycle the puck for days. It's not Aho that we covered already. Laine? No cycle game. Kapanen? No no. The most sense makes actually either Kakko or Puljujarvi. Kakko has the better cycle game but since Pulju has gotten serious experience playing with McDrai we give him the spot. Am I surprising myself? A little. The more I think about it the warmer it makes me feel. The size of that line makes me chuckle. Come get it if you can. News flash: you can't. If it doesn't get going swap Pulju and Kakko in the line-up.

On the second line we got Aho. Ok Teravainen goes with him. Do NOT separate them. Another thing Finland needs is to utilize Laine's special talent to the max. And I really can't think of a better spot for Laine to play to his strengths than on the 2nd line with these two magicians. This line will be f***ing deadly.

Third line then centered by Hintz. That's some luxury right there let me tell you. On the wings I'd put Granlund and Kakko. That's a pretty complete line. These gentlemen are 1st liners in their respective teams. There's speed and vision and board play and goal scoring and 200 ft game. They've got it all. This could be the line that gets the matchups and makes the best of it.

4th line we got Lundell at C. For the wings we got some nice options. For speed and game breaking ability put Kapanen in. For versatility and PK duties dress Armia. If endless motor and puck hounding needed let's go with Lehkonen. For overall high iq game and shootouts Donskoi is the guy. Ice guys according to need and who gets going.

Puljujarvi - Barkov - Rantanen
Teravainen - Aho - Laine
Granlund - Hintz - Kakko
Kapanen - Lundell - Donskoi
Lehkonen/Armia

Luostarinen might get in for basically any of the last four mentioned. Because you can never have too much centermen. There are a lot options as it is but things happen.
I like him lot and am ok if he gets the nod.

Who plays left and who plays right wing is something to think about since almost everyone plays right wing in the show. Most could easily be swapped if wanted. No problem there.

Defense. Hmm. I don't like playing guys on their off side on d. So we go

Heiskanen - Hakanpaa
Lindell - Jokiharju
Maatta - Ristolainen
Mikkola
Vatanen

No rocket science. Heisk needs to be activated big time and Hakanpaa's role is to make sure that can happen. I trust Risto to be a positive asset to this team.

Vatanen is the dark horse here and could be a real surprise. Both ways. He's an excellent PKer cause he gets to loose pucks better than anybody. He's also got a great outlet pass.
But his offensive game is kind of overrated and I hope he does not get picked to QB a power play. Although there's a need there as well. Valimaki? Niemela? Heinola? Dunno.


Goalies are pretty easy since I doubt Rask is ready to go.

Saros - the main guy. No other way. Lock it.
Raanta - fantastic goalie when healthy and on his game. Can get scorching hot which is a bonus in a tournament.
Lankinen - only gets minutes if everything goes wrong and if that happens I think he's a more suitable option than Koskinen.

Let's go.

 

[IceHockeyDude]

I'll leave Kakko, Tolvanen, Donskoi, Haula and Kotkaniemi out at this point. Same with Kuokkanen, Kupari and Ruotsalainen. Worth noticing how much depth there are since.. ever before?
My top 9 still looks like:

Laine-Barkov-Rantanen
Teräväinen-Aho-Bison
Granlund-Hintz-Kapanen

Fourth line could look like
Lehkonen-Lundell-Armia(dispate having a controversial a weak first quarter)

I like having three offensive lines and fourth focusing on defense. That's my preference.

Any ideas who would be the options for the fourth line if it was defense-oriented? Some big guy maybe?

Locks for the defense are:

Heiskanen
Lindell
Jokiharju
Hakanpää

Not great not terrible.
If Jalonen wants to go with four pairs then there needs to be four more added.

Who do you guys think at this point will fill the remaining spots?
Mikkola
Määttä
Ristolainen
Salo
Niemeläinen
Välimäki
Niku
Thomson

Or perhaps
Vatanen
Ohtamaa

 

[FiLe]

Locks for the defense are:

Heiskanen
Lindell
Jokiharju
Hakanpää

You can safely add Määttä among the locks. He's seeing steady minutes in LA and became a trusted unit for Jalonen last spring. A no-brainer choice.

 

[Mestaruus]

Ismo Lehkonen just wrote his lines and he didn't select Laine because it might be that Laine won't be in good shape in the Olympics. Of course he put his son Artturi there, but can't blame him cause Artturi has been playing pretty well now.

Ismo Lehkonen's lines (without Laine):

Rantanen-Barkov-Puljujärvi
Aho-Granlund-Teräväinen
Kakko-Hintz-Kapanen
Lehkonen-Lundell-Donskoi

+Armia, Luostarinen

Heiskanen-Ristolainen
Lindell-Hakanpää
Mikkola-Määttä
Ohtamaa-Jokiharju

Saros, Koskinen, Lankinen

Sauce:
Patrik Laine ulos Leijonien olympiajoukkueesta? Juuri nyt Ismo Lehkonen tekisi tylyn päätöksen – tässä Yle Urheilun asiantuntijoiden valinnat

What he said about Ristolainen there is some pretty funny Turku bias. I still think that the way it is going Ristolainen is a borderline top-8 selection. Not a #1 pairing with Miro.

--------

YLE's other "expert's" Topi Nättinen's lines:

Laine-Barkov-Rantanen
Teräväinen-Aho-Puljujärvi
Kapanen-Granlund-Hintz
Donskoi-Lundell-Armia

+Kakko, Luostarinen

Heiskanen-Lindell
Vatanen-Määttä
Hakanpää-Välimäki
Ristolainen-Ohtamaa

Saros, Koskinen, Lankinen

You can safely add Määttä among the locks. He's seeing steady minutes in LA and became a trusted unit for Jalonen last spring. A no-brainer choice.

Lately Määttä didn't play though. I'm guessing it's a healthy scratch. Doesn't however matter to me. I'd still include Määttä in my top-8.

 

[IceHockeyDude]

You can safely add Määttä among the locks. He's seeing steady minutes in LA and became a trusted unit for Jalonen last spring. A no-brainer choice.

Isn't he too slow to be a lock?

 

[hirawl]

Isn't he too slow to be a lock?

You don't need to fly anywhere if you're always where you need to be.

 

[Lartsaman]

Looks like the tournament will be played with euro-guys. I think this would be the best available roster or Finland. Joonas Kemppainen haven´t played for Finland since 2018 Olympics, neither have Juha Metsola. So I guess they are unavailable. Jori Lehterä haven´t been selected in EHT-rosters this season. Hietanen is getting old and no use for Anttila anymore.

Granlund - Manninen - Hartikainen
Innala - Filppula - Pakarinen
Pesonen - Aaltonen - Ojamäki
Mäenalanen - Björninen - Komarov
Ruohomaa, Rajala

Ohtamaa - Vatanen
Lehtonen - Kaski
Lindbohm - Pokka
Koivisto - Sund

Olkinuora - Säteri - Juvonen

Finland can very well battle for gold along with Canada, Sweden and Russia.

 

[loudis]

Ismo Lehkonen just wrote his lines and he didn't select Laine because it might be that Laine won't be in good shape in the Olympics. Of course he put his son Artturi there, but can't blame him cause Artturi has been playing pretty well now.

Ismo Lehkonen's lines (without Laine):

Rantanen-Barkov-Puljujärvi
Aho-Granlund-Teräväinen
Kakko-Hintz-Kapanen
Lehkonen-Lundell-Donskoi

+Armia, Luostarinen

Heiskanen-Ristolainen
Lindell-Hakanpää
Mikkola-Määttä
Ohtamaa-Jokiharju

Saros, Koskinen, Lankinen

Sauce:
Patrik Laine ulos Leijonien olympiajoukkueesta? Juuri nyt Ismo Lehkonen tekisi tylyn päätöksen – tässä Yle Urheilun asiantuntijoiden valinnat

What he said about Ristolainen there is some pretty funny Turku bias. I still think that the way it is going Ristolainen is a borderline top-8 selection. Not a #1 pairing with Miro.

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YLE's other "expert's" Topi Nättinen's lines:

Laine-Barkov-Rantanen
Teräväinen-Aho-Puljujärvi
Kapanen-Granlund-Hintz
Donskoi-Lundell-Armia

+Kakko, Luostarinen

Heiskanen-Lindell
Vatanen-Määttä
Hakanpää-Välimäki
Ristolainen-Ohtamaa

Saros, Koskinen, Lankinen



Lately Määttä didn't play though. I'm guessing it's a healthy scratch. Doesn't however matter to me. I'd still include Määttä in my top-8.

Dear lord. Nättinen had every d-pairing The wrong way, this is not NHL22.
Both of them have Granlund at C, while The guy has career 45% faceoffs and a 0.25 seasons with good results as a C pointwise.

Barkov, Aho, Hintz, Haula are above average faceoff men, go with them. Donskoi and Lehkonen should not be in starting lines.