I personally count one of the biggest achievments of Curt Lindström the player meeting on 1993 when he was selected as national coach. He invited every player that he considered to play in NT. The situation at the time was bit of mess. There were many disgruntled players, unofficially retired players or players just counted out from NT at the time. I´m going totally out of memory, but there was a group of over 70 players that came? Only one declined.
There had been already some very good results, but I have always felt that was one of the most important steps to be one of the big countries. We had all of our bests in the NT.
It was over 30 years ago, but something similar would be needed. There are all sort of good reasons to decline the national team, but I feel that we have come to point where it such a big nuisance for the players to join NT. And this is absolutely not Pennanens fault. But he could try to fix it. (I mean Westerlund would be perfect for this kind of job, but it should be the head coach).
This team is fine and almost as good as it can be under the current circumstances. But why not try to fix the circumstances.
Loved reading this, thanks. But... Do you get the impression Pennanen is the man to take this initiative? That he has that aura or authority presence? I surely haven't got that impression so far. Would be gladly surprised if I was wrong. Let me speculate about this matter and especially the upcoming Olympics. I have a hard time seeing him leading Barkov, Rantanen and such stars. Even harder to see him handle overrated Hintz and later on a Lehkonen who believes he is "Him" when he's a complementary player at best if in a top6 role.
The problem or issue for me is a combination of lacking leadership and some players getting to struck with their success and perhaps believe they are better than other top nations forwards. Hintz, Lehkonen stand out the most followed by Aho. They've never impressed me for Leijonat for what, like a decade? I mean they need to f*cking fight for their spots as well. Because if they think they are Barkov, Lundell or Rantanen they are delusional. Why then? Hintz seems to be carried by Rantanen and Granlund now more than the other way around, he's not a driver for me. He hasn't won a dime after the WJC's. Granlund on the other hand? He always shows up with everything he has no matter what. Lundell, the guy hasn't done anything else than winning during his whole career and always contributed in someway. Truly underrated player because he's not flashy. Lehkonen lost to the Finnish line when playing with Necas and MacKinnon. He produces in the NHL, but has he played with players on his own level or lower? I think not. I mean who says Laine, TT, Kakko and others wouldn't be just as successful playing with MacKinnon and others? Not me at least.
What about Aho then? Has anyone seen Canes as a serious contender for the Stanley while Aho is leading their team? I surely haven't. He is no Barkov and that's that. In a best-on-best I see him as a top9 or bottom6 depending on linemates. With Lehkonen and another one they would be a fourth line for me. With say Laine, Nyman or say Kakko as wingers, I see a top9 role for Aho.
Lehkonen then, in a best-on-best he should be given the similar role Kiviranta has gotten for the Avs. Finland have a lot bigger depth than Avs amongst their forwards imo.
I hope Pennanen has the courage of picking hot and rising players but I haven't got the impression of that so far.
Both Nyman and Hämeenaho should be able to "Steal" Lehkonens and Armias spot. TT, Kakko, and plenty of others should be able to do that as well this upcoming season.
I totally get the the "Roles" argument and so on. But take Armia as an example. In no way do I believe he would be a lot better option than Luostarinen, Kupari and someone else anymore. The Habs are already tired of him and his lack of intensity and so on. And know this, I've been a big fan of Armia for a long time. But there is no room for being sentimental in elite sports if you want to win.
With all this said, if we are going to win a best-on-best olympics this is the time. Therefor I won't be kind towards Pennanen or "Give him time". Hopefully some D's take the step in the right direction this upcoming year. A couple of wingers following the same path wouldn't hurt either.
But we won't get a new prime Barkov, Rantanen or Heiskanen for a long, long time. We won't get a young winning centerman like Lundell who can log minutes in every special team for a long time either. Just like Barkov is HIM, Lundell is a very important second piece.
I would rather see Jalonen get assisted by say Pennanen for the Olympics. Something with Pennanen seems a bit... Off? During 4nations he looked pretty stargazed at times? The fact he didn't split Hintz and Aho. Benched or changed the first line with exchanging Lehkonen faster than he did worried me a bit. Also insisting on Lankinen and not letting UPL get one game when Lankinen didn't impress in a single game.
Imo UPL is the better goalie currently. You just can't get a correct picture when netminding the Sabres.
Last but not least, I hope Laine gets traded. He needs to be healthy and get a lot of PP time. My hopes is he gets a top9 role with very good linemates in Leijonat and that he can be lethal for us in PP. Otherwise, I actually see some serious potential in Nyman replacing him. Nyman is a lot stronger than him and Tolvanen but has that sniper aura written all over him. I saw him for the Kraken and he already showed he belongs there, without a doubt. The kid is hungry to score, you see it his movement and when he shoots his mind and body has 100% presence. He competes in the corners and I do see him and Kakko being able of rising their stocks a whole lot this upcoming season. The qualities they bring with their size are very welcomed as well.
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- when Arttu Ruotsalainen outplayed him as a stand in center in Västra Frölunda - when he is a born winger?!
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