Good luck to those guys who trying to choise Finland's defenders after Kiviharju and Pieniniemi. Concretely, there is not even a single certain choice besides them.
WJC: Team Finland 2025 U20 WJC roster talk
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JabbaJabba
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I don't know man. Nykyri and Nieminen seem like obvious choices.
Nykyri was perhaps Finland's worst defender in the Imatra tournament. Sure, he does have experience in the Liiga, but let’s be completely honest, the level of Liiga at the start of the season has been terrible. (It’s certainly not Nykyri’s fault but rather reflects the overall level of Finnish hockey.)
How is level of Liiga has been any worse than last few seasons? Atleast by tactical and entertaining value Liiga has been imo way better than it has been in years. Finally playstyles are trending that could be useful for prospects that are looking to transfer to NA. Also Lassi Alanen liked what he saw from Nykyri on that tournament. And I have to add that I hope Nykyri is not in big role if he is chosen to WJC, he is not that good yet, but looks promising.
Svedu
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I believe Kangas is a player that could get selected for third pairing. Don't believe all the "Best" D's when it comes to skill will get picked. So yeah, the third pairing and- or perhaps the second could consist of surprises.
Also, what about Soini? I mean isn't Ilves one of the most competitive teams or rosters for a young guy? Muhonen is another one like Kangas, could be a lower pairing D. Junkkari and so on. These guys could go before someone like Nieminen, Nykyri and Jokinen.
Otherwise like you've mentioned, very difficult to guess the D lineup in the end.
Hemming, Väisänen and Nurmi have pretty weak showings over the seas so far. Especially Hemming who probably gets more opportunities. Väisänen could likely have played himself out of the roster already.
For me right now:
Locks: Rimpinen, Vali and probably Saarinen because of Vinnis injury.
Kiviharju, Pieniniemi.
Kumpulainen, Miettinen, Helenius, Vesterinen, Saarelainen, Rautiainen, Halttunen, Hynninen, Kiiskinen.
Will probably get selected but not locks: Uronen, Koivu, Kuusla, Hemming.
Outsiders amongst forwards: Huttu, Alasiurua, Sinivuori.
Overall i have to write that the depth amongst the 2006 born players is pretty deep compared to earlier and following years. The 2007's just shouldn't be mention from a Finnish perspective lol.
Also, what about Soini? I mean isn't Ilves one of the most competitive teams or rosters for a young guy? Muhonen is another one like Kangas, could be a lower pairing D. Junkkari and so on. These guys could go before someone like Nieminen, Nykyri and Jokinen.
Otherwise like you've mentioned, very difficult to guess the D lineup in the end.
Hemming, Väisänen and Nurmi have pretty weak showings over the seas so far. Especially Hemming who probably gets more opportunities. Väisänen could likely have played himself out of the roster already.
For me right now:
Locks: Rimpinen, Vali and probably Saarinen because of Vinnis injury.
Kiviharju, Pieniniemi.
Kumpulainen, Miettinen, Helenius, Vesterinen, Saarelainen, Rautiainen, Halttunen, Hynninen, Kiiskinen.
Will probably get selected but not locks: Uronen, Koivu, Kuusla, Hemming.
Outsiders amongst forwards: Huttu, Alasiurua, Sinivuori.
Overall i have to write that the depth amongst the 2006 born players is pretty deep compared to earlier and following years. The 2007's just shouldn't be mention from a Finnish perspective lol.
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jaa
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I'm biased because he plays in my home town team, but I think that Saarelainen would be great bottom6 player in wjc. He is such a smart and mature player for his age, better than average junior A player in terms of smarts and defensive side of the game. Seems to fly under the radar for most people.
Svedu
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Svedu
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Honestly quite baffled by Veeti Väisänens unimpressive numbers this year. He has some great talents in his roster offensively. Other D's have lot better numbers in his team as well. Feel like he has played himself out of a roster.
Hemming is also a big letdown with unimpressive production since he will not be the best two-way option and if he's not been a big producer I just can't see how he would earn a top6 spot and as a fourth liner I rather see Jesse Nurmi instead for an example. Question is if Hemming takes top9 spot or not. Where I see forwards like Vesterinen being a better fit.
Kiukas has some very impressive numbers for his Saipa these last two seasons. Won't probably get picked but should get a look perhaps.
I know I'm being a bit repetitive and spamming but WJC's are great fun and I love watching the young lions and being a nerd. But I promise, this will be my last one.
Sure locks by now if not injured:
Goalies: Rimpinen, Vali, Saarinen.
Vinni has been injured far too long and Vedenpää seems to be declining or something.
Do believe this crop of goalies born 2005-2006 and also 2007 later on will give us at least one NHL starter at the end. Not near Saros or UPL level of prospects but perhaps a tire under Blomqvist or even up there.
Forwards: Helenius, Miettinen, Kumpulainen, Hynninen, Vesterinen, Uronen, Rautiainen, Saarelainen, Kiiskinen, Halttunen.
Fighting for those two other spots and 13th forward: Kuusla, Koivu, Hemming, Nurmi, Alasiurua, Ruohonen, Sinivuori, Huttu, Ylitalo, Leppä.
I can buy it of others prefer or hold Koivu higher than say Saarelainen and Hynninen but no more than that. Uronen could be a player like Hemming in the way that It depends on what role he will get and how he can handle it.
At the end of they day. If the team has chemistry and the coach can coach them? I consider Finland as an outsider but serious contender and should be better than last year. Not a single player has a "Wow" factor or star aura. Helenius hasn't been that kind of a player before nor showed those strengths but I like and trust him being a factor this year.
We will also need a D or three stepping up playing like Heinola, Niemelä, Jokiharju, Vaakanainen, Laaksonen and others have before.
Sometimes when we've have a weak D-core it has been awful to watch them against NA teams in smaller rinks. Shit scared without no confidence when holding the puck, carrying it upwards nor making a decent or crisp pass.
Pieniniemi and Kiviharju should be one of those, on paper at least. But I'm quite intrigued right now because even if Väisänen is a letdown there seem to be others in Liiga who has developed in the right direction.
D's and locks: Pieniniemi. For me the only lock. Even if we know which players are considered it's very even. The depth is perhaps not lacking but as stated, even and somewhat decent- high level.
Others: Kiviharju, Muhonen, Kangas, Kiukas, Nieminen, Soini, Nykyri, Jokinen, Väisänen, Peltonen, Junkkari.
No more and the end. Lol.
Hemming is also a big letdown with unimpressive production since he will not be the best two-way option and if he's not been a big producer I just can't see how he would earn a top6 spot and as a fourth liner I rather see Jesse Nurmi instead for an example. Question is if Hemming takes top9 spot or not. Where I see forwards like Vesterinen being a better fit.
Kiukas has some very impressive numbers for his Saipa these last two seasons. Won't probably get picked but should get a look perhaps.
I know I'm being a bit repetitive and spamming but WJC's are great fun and I love watching the young lions and being a nerd. But I promise, this will be my last one.
Sure locks by now if not injured:
Goalies: Rimpinen, Vali, Saarinen.
Vinni has been injured far too long and Vedenpää seems to be declining or something.
Do believe this crop of goalies born 2005-2006 and also 2007 later on will give us at least one NHL starter at the end. Not near Saros or UPL level of prospects but perhaps a tire under Blomqvist or even up there.
Forwards: Helenius, Miettinen, Kumpulainen, Hynninen, Vesterinen, Uronen, Rautiainen, Saarelainen, Kiiskinen, Halttunen.
Fighting for those two other spots and 13th forward: Kuusla, Koivu, Hemming, Nurmi, Alasiurua, Ruohonen, Sinivuori, Huttu, Ylitalo, Leppä.
I can buy it of others prefer or hold Koivu higher than say Saarelainen and Hynninen but no more than that. Uronen could be a player like Hemming in the way that It depends on what role he will get and how he can handle it.
At the end of they day. If the team has chemistry and the coach can coach them? I consider Finland as an outsider but serious contender and should be better than last year. Not a single player has a "Wow" factor or star aura. Helenius hasn't been that kind of a player before nor showed those strengths but I like and trust him being a factor this year.
We will also need a D or three stepping up playing like Heinola, Niemelä, Jokiharju, Vaakanainen, Laaksonen and others have before.
Sometimes when we've have a weak D-core it has been awful to watch them against NA teams in smaller rinks. Shit scared without no confidence when holding the puck, carrying it upwards nor making a decent or crisp pass.
Pieniniemi and Kiviharju should be one of those, on paper at least. But I'm quite intrigued right now because even if Väisänen is a letdown there seem to be others in Liiga who has developed in the right direction.
D's and locks: Pieniniemi. For me the only lock. Even if we know which players are considered it's very even. The depth is perhaps not lacking but as stated, even and somewhat decent- high level.
Others: Kiviharju, Muhonen, Kangas, Kiukas, Nieminen, Soini, Nykyri, Jokinen, Väisänen, Peltonen, Junkkari.
No more and the end. Lol.
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ChicagoBullsFan
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/img-s3.ilcdn.fi/7fba82fa7e92a797f7d3f48bbd80c54543f2e43604534419a37ddf0702f8cf00.jpg)
Nuorille Leijonille NHL:stä huippuvahvistukset MM-kisoihin
Konsta Helenius, Emil Hemming ja Kasper Halttunen nähtäneen nuorten MM-turnauksessa Ottawassa.
www.iltalehti.fi
I was a little worried those NA f**ers would screw us over again as they have with Kemell in the past for example. For some reason they are always quite eager to realease players to Canada and the US but not to us..Konsta Helenius, Emil Hemming and Kasper Halttunen all getting released to U20 WJC's.Nuorille Leijonille NHL:stä huippuvahvistukset MM-kisoihin
Konsta Helenius, Emil Hemming ja Kasper Halttunen nähtäneen nuorten MM-turnauksessa Ottawassa.
Svedu
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Funny that iltalehti and Hockeysverige mentions these three as stars though. There is no indications of Hemming being a star at this level, this year that is. 12 points in 20 games in OHL? That is not impressive whatsoever.
Vesterinen, Hynninen and perhaps even Saarelainen are just as impressive or more this year.
But thankful and glad over Helenius and Halttunen. Could be two important pieces in a PP1 formation. Even if I don't expect Helenius to dominate, he doesn't seem to be that kind of player. I still do expect him to win his shifts against every opponent.
Vesterinen, Hynninen and perhaps even Saarelainen are just as impressive or more this year.
But thankful and glad over Helenius and Halttunen. Could be two important pieces in a PP1 formation. Even if I don't expect Helenius to dominate, he doesn't seem to be that kind of player. I still do expect him to win his shifts against every opponent.
