WC: Team Finland 2025

[santeri]

I think Pärssinen should be on the top line center.

I also wouldn't mind having Pärssinen there but I put him with Pyyhtiä because they know each other and Pyyhtiä won't be in the first line. But if putting Pärssinen in the first line then you could get something like this:

Tolvanen - Pärssinen - Teräväinen
Pesonen - Järvinen - Hämeenaho
Puistola - Lammikko - Merelä
Pyyhtiä - Björninen - Ikonen

 

[FinPanda]

It's sad to see how we struggle so badly against smaller hockey nations. I don't know if it's a coaching problem or a player problem. Maybe both. We were missing out on so much talent. I don't understand all the decisions Pennanen has made.

 

[Svedu]

In all fairness, I don't really know what we are supposed to expect from this roster and team. Because nations like Latvia, often Germany as well and lately Austria have come to compete. Rarely is it simple anymore and specially on bigger ice and so on. It is what it is when you don't get like a dozen or more NHLers. I mean, we aren't having any skilled players from Swiss league either. I can't imagining Julius Nättinen being any worse of an individual than bottom6 wingers or Puistola even.
Also, I don't feel I can expect anymore from an individual like TT. I mean he's basically being the best player every game, a lot like the WJC's 13/14.
The only thing that makes me hoping for a gold that the team suddenly start executing in special teams and learns how to shutdown opponents and the biggest factor? TT and Saros having similar performances as they had in Malmö during the WJC's, spectacular that is. That would actually be sick and the biggest upset gold I've ever seen from a Finnish team. But yeah, very unlikely.

So guys, who do you want to see us face in QF? I don't mind the Czechs to be honest. We being underdogs. Wouldn't get mad if they win like I would with the US or Germany, because of different reasons. I mean Czechia and Swiss could be a coin toss. But after the US won against Germany... I now don't want to face the Americans in the first game to be honest.
With Czechia having a better roster than us but I feel like it's a bit more certain which players Pennanen should focus on closing down and which D's he wants to play against their stars. Pasta, Necas, Zadina, Cervenka, Sedlak.
If the US get it started they have a whole other depth amongst forwards with that individual skill of beating every D-man in our team 1-1. If awake Cooley, Keller, Beniers, Nazar will skate circles around us. While the Czechs mostly have Necas with the same skating ability.

 

[FiLe]

Lammikko is obviously in the wrong place on the 1st line. He's decent at faceoffs and good at creating screens, which makes him not quite one-trick but a two-trick pony, which isn't quite enough for the role.

I've said it before and I say it again - Pärssinen is the best overall center in this squad. It's, of course, far from an ideal situation in the first place when a statement like that is true (so, no, I don't think he's some kind of star caliber player), but you'll have to make do with what you've got. And presently Pärssinen goes underutilized.

And if Lammikko were to be plucked out of the 1st, Pärssinen is the only viable replacement. We can't get much better than Santeri's suggestion above. Perhaps find room for Oksanen somewhere.

We'll see if any changes happen, though. Pennanen is something of a Jalonen acolyte - and Jalonen, frustratingly, did have some fixations he got stuck on for far too long. So we'll see if Pendo is like his mentor with this "Lammikko as 1C" idea. It usually happens when the idea works partially, which leads the coach to having "I'll give it time" mentality as he hopes that the time solves the bits that don't quite click yet. I have no statistical data to back this up, of course, but I feel like it doesn't work quite as often as it should. Or it does in a different environment, but not in tournament hockey where time is rarely a luxury.

 

[Svedu]

Lammikko is obviously in the wrong place on the 1st line. He's decent at faceoffs and good at creating screens, which makes him not quite one-trick but a two-trick pony, which isn't quite enough for the role.

I've said it before and I say it again - Pärssinen is the best overall center in this squad. It's, of course, far from an ideal situation in the first place when a statement like that is true (so, no, I don't think he's some kind of star caliber player), but you'll have to make do with what you've got. And presently Pärssinen goes underutilized.

And if Lammikko were to be plucked out of the 1st, Pärssinen is the only viable replacement. We can't get much better than Santeri's suggestion above. Perhaps find room for Oksanen somewhere.

We'll see if any changes happen, though. Pennanen is something of a Jalonen acolyte - and Jalonen, frustratingly, did have some fixations he got stuck on for far too long. So we'll see if Pendo is like his mentor with this "Lammikko as 1C" idea. It usually happens when the idea works partially, which leads the coach to having "I'll give it time" mentality as he hopes that the time solves the bits that don't quite click yet. I have no statistical data to back this up, of course, but I feel like it doesn't work quite as often as it should. Or it does in a different environment, but not in tournament hockey where time is rarely a luxury.

But without Pärssinen in the second then? We basically get a first line if lucky and if they mesh that is. And then more or less... Nothing behind them?
I prefer this "Panthers" kind of setup. Let Pärssinen carry the second line at 5v5.
The tournament is long and intense. I don't wanna gas out a first line out before the playoffs even. Also, I'm hoping this actually helps Pärssinen grow with the situation and scenario. That he carries the biggest responsibility in his line and takes them forward and makes them compete.
Teräväinen can produce on his own if Tolvanen is there.

Regarding special teams and PP is another thing. I want to see the best out there together with TT, Tolvanen etc.

It's another question to actually question Pennanens selection. Because that's what got us in this scenario from the get go. No matter if we don't know how the NHLers responded or not.

 

[Shocker]

Lammikko is obviously in the wrong place on the 1st line. He's decent at faceoffs and good at creating screens, which makes him not quite one-trick but a two-trick pony, which isn't quite enough for the role.

I've said it before and I say it again - Pärssinen is the best overall center in this squad. It's, of course, far from an ideal situation in the first place when a statement like that is true (so, no, I don't think he's some kind of star caliber player), but you'll have to make do with what you've got. And presently Pärssinen goes underutilized.

And if Lammikko were to be plucked out of the 1st, Pärssinen is the only viable replacement. We can't get much better than Santeri's suggestion above. Perhaps find room for Oksanen somewhere.

We'll see if any changes happen, though. Pennanen is something of a Jalonen acolyte - and Jalonen, frustratingly, did have some fixations he got stuck on for far too long. So we'll see if Pendo is like his mentor with this "Lammikko as 1C" idea. It usually happens when the idea works partially, which leads the coach to having "I'll give it time" mentality as he hopes that the time solves the bits that don't quite click yet. I have no statistical data to back this up, of course, but I feel like it doesn't work quite as often as it should. Or it does in a different environment, but not in tournament hockey where time is rarely a luxury.

Lammikko is rather useless and Oksanen should be in the press box anyways, but as this squad is so barren of talent and the head coach is an idiot, the roles seem to be completely f***ed.

Quarters exit seems likely, Semis if Saros goes godmode, too many holes in the squad.

 

[FiLe]

So guys, who do you want to see us face in QF? I don't mind the Czechs to be honest. We being underdogs. Wouldn't get mad if they win like I would with the US or Germany, because of different reasons. I mean Czechia and Swiss could be a coin toss. But after the US won against Germany... I now don't want to face the Americans in the first game to be honest.

It's not actually guaranteed that our QF opponent comes from the other group. If Sweden and Denmark look poised to face each other in the QF (e.g. Sweden wins our group and Denmark is 4th in their own), then the QFs will be played inside the group, putting us against Sweden or Canada.

But without Pärssinen in the second then? We basically get a first line if lucky and they mesh that is. And then more or less... Nothing?

Well, it's not like Pärssinen's present unit has been so magical that it should be deemed untouchable. Right now, we have two semi-reliable lines as our top-six. If promoting Pärssinen to 1st makes that line fully reliable and then building something around Järvinen on the 2nd with the pieces we've got, it could give us one fully reliable line and another semi-reliable one. And that's an improvement in my book.

And it's not like Lammikko couldn't lead one more semi-reliable line as the 3rd.

 

[SantosHalper]

Latvia has been tough nut to crack for years now but W is W, but most important thing is Saros finding his groove back. Win the the right games, like before.

2022: Suomi-Latvia 2-1
2021: Suomi-Latvia 3-2 OT
2018: Suomi-Latvia 8-1
2014: Suomi-Latvia 2-3
2013: Suomi-Latvia 3-2 OT
2011: Suomi-Latvia 3-2 SO

 

[FiLe]

Latvia has been tough nut to crack for years now but W is W, but most important thing is Saros finding his groove back. Win the the right games, like before.

Yeah, the days when Latvia was a dispenser of points are long in the past. Let's not forget that they even won their first medal, a bronze, a couple of years back. They're obviously not an elite country yet, but firmly in that 2nd tier these days.

The result is not troublesome in itself. But it's still hard to give any points for style, which is a bit worrysome. Of course, there are none in hockey to begin with, but it still feels like this team and its management are not doing enough to make sure our chances of medaling are as high as they could be. I mean, it's not like they don't try, but perhaps they're not trying the right things.

Well, we have a pretty good goalie. And it's not like doing nothing but riding Saros to a medal can't succeed.

 

[FiLe]

So, we advance. Yay.

 

[santeri]

Today's lines: Pärssinen still not in the first line but several other changes. I like how the fourth looks

Eeli Tolvanen – Juho Lammikko – Teuvo Teräväinen
Patrik Puistola – Juuso Pärssinen – Lenni Hämeenaho
Mikael Pyyhtiä – Jan-Mikael Järvinen – Eemil Erholtz
Harri Pesonen – Hannes Björninen – Waltteri Merelä
13. hyökkääjä Ahti Oksanen

Mikko Lehtonen – Vili Saarijärvi
Atro Leppänen – Nikolas Matinpalo
Jesper Mattila – Mikael Seppälä
Rasmus Rissanen

 

[ORRFForever]

Congrats to Finland. Good game.

See you in the playoffs.

 

[SantosHalper]

WOOOOO Let's F'n go!!! Team unites more, confidence is riding high. With this effort we can bag in QF and go ruin other countries parties in the medal round. Because thats what we do!

 

[santeri]

Directly from MTV3: Teräväinen ja Saros are resting. Larmi playing and Salo still out



20 Tolvanen Eeli – 91 Lammikko Juho – 25 Ikonen Joona
4 Lehtonen Mikko – 18 Saarijärvi Vili

21 Puistola Patrik – 61 Pärssinen Juuso – 15 Hämeenaho Lenni
37 Leppänen Atro – 23 Matinpalo Nikolas

27 Pyyhtiä Mikael – 41 Järvinen Jan-Mikael – 29 Oksanen Ahti
62 Mattila Jesper – 50 Seppälä Mikael

82 Pesonen Harri – 24 Björninen Hannes – 19 Merelä Waltteri
2 Rissanen Rasmus

47 Erholtz Eemil

 

[illone84]

Directly from MTV3: Teräväinen ja Saros are resting. Larmi playing and Salo still out



20 Tolvanen Eeli – 91 Lammikko Juho – 25 Ikonen Joona
4 Lehtonen Mikko – 18 Saarijärvi Vili

21 Puistola Patrik – 61 Pärssinen Juuso – 15 Hämeenaho Lenni
37 Leppänen Atro – 23 Matinpalo Nikolas

27 Pyyhtiä Mikael – 41 Järvinen Jan-Mikael – 29 Oksanen Ahti
62 Mattila Jesper – 50 Seppälä Mikael

82 Pesonen Harri – 24 Björninen Hannes – 19 Merelä Waltteri
2 Rissanen Rasmus

47 Erholtz Eemil

good move in resting TT and Saros. We'll need them in top form for the QF against Suisse, most likely.

 

[Svedu]

We will be massive underdogs in QF i we face either Czechia or the US. But if the US are now stepping up their game i think i prefer Czechia in the QF.

 

[Aurinko]

Juuse = Jumala (god)

 

[Mestaruus]

USA beat Czechia and USA became #2 in their group. Regardless of how today's game went between USA and Czechia, I rather take USA as our QF opponent. That means Canada needs to take 1 point from Sweden. Overtime loss minimum for Canada is needed.

On the other hand, if Finland is the #2 of the group, then there's no need to travel to Denmark. So which option to take is a hard one.

 

[Svedu]

No, USA has a lot more depth than Czechia if they get rolling. Sweden will win easily against Czechia.

Also I think the speed that many US forwards possess will give our slower D's bigger problems.
Cooley, Beniers, Keller, Garland, Nazar...

 

[illone84]

No, USA has a lot more depth than Czechia if they get rolling. Sweden will win easily against Czechia.

USA does have scary potential but it is what it is. I still reckon we can beat USA. On the other hand, I can see Czechia upsetting Sweden. The svedus are under lots of pressure to deliver on home-ice and the Czechs are masters of exploiting that kind of pressure. Pasternak comes up big, although it might not be enough for a win. Two close qf's are in the making!

 

[Svedu]

USA does have scary potential but it is what it is. I still reckon we can beat USA. On the other hand, I can see Czechia upsetting Sweden. The svedus are under lots of pressure to deliver on home-ice and the Czechs are masters of exploiting that kind of pressure. Pasternak comes up big, although it might not be enough for a win. Two close qf's are in the making!

I hear you. But I think this loss against Canada will make Sweden a lot more ready to face Czechia. Necas is good but is he Celebrini good by his own? I mean when he came to Avs they lost against the Stars... I've always loved his speed and agility though. Pasta is great but alone. He is on the same level as Crosby and MacKinnon. But he's alone. Canada is a better team this year than Czechia. Is Vladar any good? Haven't seen him. Vejmelka has never had a game where he impresses me like say Markström nor Saros.

While the US besides those speedy players have the huge Tage, Skilled Smith, Werenski, the rat Gauthier etc. Yeah, more depth than Czechia.

 

[illone84]

I hear you. But I think this loss against Canada will make Sweden a lot more ready to face Czechia. Necas is good but is he Celebrini good by his own? I mean when he came to Avs they lost against the Stars... I've always loved his speed and agility though. Pasta is great but alone. He is on the same level as Crosby and MacKinnon. But he's alone. Canada is a better team this year than Czechia. Is Vladar any good? Haven't seen him. Vejmelka has never had a game where he impresses me like say Markström nor Saros.

While the US with those speedy players have the huge Tage, Skilled Smith, Werenski, the rat Gauthier etc. Yeah, more depth than Czechia.

True. Czechia will be in a tight spot to beat Sweden, just as Finland will be in for a bumpy ride with USA. That being said, I am more confident in Finland beating USA than Czechs beating Sweden but wouldn't be surprised at all to see Czechs win. Whatever happens, happens. Ainsi va la vie.

 

[illone84]

I hear you. But I think this loss against Canada will make Sweden a lot more ready to face Czechia. Necas is good but is he Celebrini good by his own? I mean when he came to Avs they lost against the Stars... I've always loved his speed and agility though. Pasta is great but alone. He is on the same level as Crosby and MacKinnon. But he's alone. Canada is a better team this year than Czechia. Is Vladar any good? Haven't seen him. Vejmelka has never had a game where he impresses me like say Markström nor Saros.

While the US besides those speedy players have the huge Tage, Skilled Smith, Werenski, the rat Gauthier etc. Yeah, more depth than Czechia.

I must admit though whatever the outcome is in this year's skoda cup, I'll be proud of the boys. I'm happy to see Saros has come back to life and should still be the starting goalie next year in Italy. I could see Lehtonen joining the NHL boys on defense and TT has redeemed himself in my books after a weak performance in the 4 nations. As an afterthought, it's cool to know that at least 1 Finn is guaranteed to win the stanley cup. Imagine a Dallas vs Florida final? Insane. Hyvä suomi!!!

 

[king89]

USA it is. Good. I rather play against them then Czechia. USA can't win in men's worlds. They are kind of like the leafs of the men's worlds..

 

[Svedu]

I must admit though whatever the outcome is in this year's skoda cup, I'll be proud of the boys. I'm happy to see Saros has come back to life and should still be the starting goalie next year in Italy. I could see Lehtonen joining the NHL boys on defense and TT has redeemed himself in my books after a weak performance in the 4 nations. As an afterthought, it's cool to know that at least 1 Finn is guaranteed to win the stanley cup. Imagine a Dallas vs Florida final? Insane. Hyvä suomi!!!

Saros when hot is our best goalie and a top10 goalie in the world. I also like UPL or "6K" quite a lot as well. He's underrated in the hockey world. Can be huge in the goal. Lankinen was actually a bit better a couple of years ago imho. When I've watched him recently I think he seems very slow and sluggish both in lateral agility but also a bit lacking in reaction especially compared to Saros.
If Lehtonen makes it I can't state anything else than that's a sign of weakness. Hella unlucky with all our d prospects during the years being extremely injury prone: Hakanpää, Välimäki, Juolevi, Vaakanainen. I mean those names together with Jokiharju and Laaksonen as prospects made me think we at least have 2 top4 guys there... Bummer. Hard to say where Heinola, Ottavainen, Sedoff, Heimosalmi, NIemelä and others stand next year. With Heinola being the only one with offensive ability but then again, if not in form he will barely be good enough defensively. I haven't watched Heimosalmi for quite a while but he was a good skater. Question is if he became another Honka or has added something else to his game.

TT didn't get a fair chance from Pennanen during 4nations either. He wasn't any worse than Hintz or Aho. Lehkonen was dogsh*t as well. I think TT could be matched with either Barkov-Kakko in the first line or Aho-Kakko (possibly Nyman) in the the third line. You never know if Nyman and Tolvanen can rise as well.
Tolvanen has been good as well. If Laine is injured next year and Tolvanen keeps growing I wouldn't mind him at all in the olympics. He really has a scorers mindset and a great shot. But needs a good center with either strength or speed or defensive awareness because he's quite slow for his size. But without Laine I want Tolvanen in a PP for sure. He can rip it.

But overall agreed, so far I'm satisfied with their performance. But of course, even when if we are big underdogs this year we still hope for a medal game. At least I do, it's a LEIJONAT thing. I think that jersey wears more pride than a lot of other hockey jerseys and I believe most Finnish players are often so honored to represent and therefor they give their all in every game. Very rare do we fall in the motivation-effort department.

Finns are nothing but exceptional this year. People are sleeping. They don't even understand that Panthers best line in the series vs the Leafs consisted of two Finnish players together with Marchand. Their third line.
I think if the players can stay healthy and have a upcoming season we will have medal contending team because of great forwards where the majority play a strong two-way winning game. Lundell and Luostarinen are so underrated when it comes to that aspect imo. They are top class level at just that.
If Tolvanen and TT can be good? Wow. If Kakko, Nyman, Kotkaniemi can grow or take the next step? If Laine can stay healthy, or even Maccelli bounce back? We will be stacked.
Lehkonen is the one irritating me at this very moment though. Not only was he shit for us in 4nations but he kept on getting a lots of ice time in two games and never stepped up. Did not participate in the WC's now... I mean Kakko was a lot better with Barkov than Lehkonen when he got the chance imho. Lehkonen can become a important peace but I really think he's the only one who is possibly overrated. Because he plays with MacKinnon and Necas and when he was bad for us and wasn't able to create anything? I'm not so sure.
Also, now when that Dallas line has and will build chemistry with Granlund-Hintz-Rantanen? It would be criminal to separate them. I would be glad if Rantanen and Barkov are separated. Aho and Hintz should play centers as well. Question is... Is Lundell too good to play in a fourth line? Possible. But no matter what, I will love if Pennanen has some guts and matches 4 strong center and even lines. In the long run, I do believe that will be the winning way and players like Rantanen has praised that philosophy.