WJC: Team Finland 2025 U20 WJC roster talk

[Svedu]

To be honest, a complete disaster tournament would be better because that would (hopefully) start the changes in player development faster, than another QF loss. After another QF loss, coaching and FIHA would just repeat the old jargon, "small margins etc.. better luck next year etc.."

This is a good and valid statement. I probably agree even if I always wish for gold when Leijonat are playing.

 

[Svedu]

Two games so far and an early impression... Sorry this is going to be a long one but who knows someone could appreciate or share some similar opinions regarding this finnish team and Finlands current youth development.
Hemming should get benched one game. Reminds me a bit of Järventie back in the days. Even if he was worse perhaps.
Kumpulainen was better than Hemming in the first game and Hynninen should get better when he's bounced back after being sick.
Saarelainen had a tough and bad game like Pieniniemi against Canada. But I would rather see him in a third or fourth line than Hemming.

Overall Mikkolas lines are highly, highly questionable imho. I just don't think Pieniniemi and Kiviharju should play together. They should carry the offense by their own together with a defensively more sound D. Because I don't trust them together in our own zone against the better teams.
Also not picking Muhonen or say even Kiukas after seeing Nieminens performances and his actual defending in both games feels stupid. And while we are at it, why not try to use say Soini when neither Jokinen nor Nieminen impresses? Soini is right handed as well. Try him once at least, can't be that much worse?
Both Tuhkala and Väisänen are meh but trying. This makes me think about KooKoo, not a good organization for developing talent. I feel like both Väisänen and Nurmi stagnated for like 2-3 years. Leevi Aaltonen didn't take a single step there as well. Don't trust their developing system at all.

Only two positive surprises for me so far are: Rimpinen and Alasiurua.
I both hoped and wished Rimpinen to play tight and he's been so good this far and above expectations even. Loving see Finnish goalies like this. He's actually fun to watch as well because he reminds me a bit of a smaller Dostal and perhaps a bit of a bigger Saros. With that I mean his agility. He's lateral movement is fast and he seems to recover pretty good and as JabbaJabba mentioned, he's doing this wile giving the impression of staying calm and poised.
Alasiurua then? I honestly think he has been our best player so far. Not only good but also better than the rest. His skating is actually decent, he has some dekes in him and seems to be able to use them with good timing when needed- IQ. At least so far. He also puts effort in checking the D properly. I could see some fourth line potential in the NHL in him in the longer run. Very far from there now of course and everything has to go well with his development but he has something opportunistic in him in a good way. Perhaps a similar road like Kiviranta, who knows.

With that said you' ll understand the "Rest" have been pretty shit so far.
I expect so much more from following players: Helenius, you've been nothing special whatsoever. Quite the opposite. You need to lead your team. Kiviharju? Oh come on, they mention his confidence etc. Well you are the captain, show it and perform and don't only speak about being good. Show it against both the US and Latvia please. Pieniniemi had a bad game against Canada, if he's bad against the US it will mean he's weak against high forechecking and shit his pants when pressed. Pretty typical Finnish ability amongst D's against the NA teams in these WJC's. A decent game against Germany isn't something to brag about.
Kiiskinen, what is this? You are a complete non factor so far. Mr. anonymous himself like Hemming. You are supposed to be a first liner in this tournament, then freaking show it and start competing at least for f*ck sakes.
Besides Alasiurua being good Halttunen has at least competed. I hope Halttunen can score soon because he seems to have come here to battle. Before the tournament I wasn't sure but he has shut my mouth. Keep it going! Uronen bounced back against Germany and was the second best in that line. The fourth line against Germany is the only line that had some chemistry and performed. One out of two games and against the weaker opponent. Let's see against the US. Those other three lines feel pretty dead imo. Really underwhelming so far. Change them Mikkola, cause you've been shit so far with 1 and 1/5 of a tournament played. Convince us you have something worth mentioning.

Please, let Rimpinen rest one game! Important he's fresh when the playoffs begin. Doesn't matter if it's against the US or Latvia. Personally, I would rest him against the US. Why then? To wake the team up. To see if they can compete without Rimpinen saving their sorry asses. If not? Better to understand and get that insight before the playoffs rather than later. The other factor would be to see if Vali or Saarinen are with us if Rimpinen would have a bad game later on.
I remember when Bragin could be a bit cheeky with the goalie selection for team Russia back in the days. Sometimes even successful.

Lastly, regarding the forward lines:
I mean why have two centers on the wings when Ruohonen doesn't impress as a second center? He's not been any worse than others but still.

Keep the fourth line as it is for now.

Rautiainen-Kumpulainen-Halttunen
(Rautiainen has been a bit unlucky so far. Kumpulainen and Halttunen could be something. Wake Helenius and Kiiskinen because they are not leading the team so far.)

Miettinen-Helenius-Kiiskinen
(Instead of using Hynninen as a winger MIKKOLA!? When Miettinen is more used to it? Put him there, he can get his hand dirty and Helenius will need that because he and Kiiskinen have looked soft so far and Helenius trying to keep it too fancy, too often.

Vesterinen- Hynninen- Saarelainen
(Let these smallish players with decent motors show what they can do together. Vesterinen can be RW as well. If it doesn't work and Saarelainen can't figure it out? Then put Ruohonen there as a center instead and Hynninen to the wing. Thing is, I believe this line would work better than all top9 lines so far. But that's only my opinion or belief).

If someone read all this? Take a well deserved break lol.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I skimmed your post, Svedu!

I’m obsessed with Halttunen’s shot, but it actually needs to enter the net. Rest of the team aside from the goaltender has disappointed me.