No way Pärssinen makes it. At best I see him as top18.
Tolvanen is top 15 at this very moment and if he has a good upcoming season he should get an invite. TT is a better player than Lehkonen imo.
Lot of if's coming up but I feel excited because there could be plenty of options at the end of the day. Kakko, Tolvanen, Laine, Nyman and a couple of others could be big risers and vice versa. Especially after that very weak performance during 4nations.
One thing that is noteworthy is that if Kakko and Tolvanen or even Nyman get to play together in the same line the whole upcoming year? And they mesh? Then I have to say that it makes them even stronger candidates because Lehkonen looked bad everywhere and Aho and Hintz must play at center position, no buts.
With this said. Aho is not a clutch player for me. It's crystal clear for me now when Canes are playing against Panthers. He isn't better than Lundell and his line is weaker than Panthers third line. I know Lundell with his companion Luostarinen feels more like a bottom line than what Aho feels like a fourth center but I really hope Pennanen and his staff are open to realize and recognize this. Lundell is currently the better player for me compared to Aho. Hintz gets saved because he's already a fit with his Stars companions.
I have a strong feeling that evenly strong lines is the way to go this time. The first line and overall a couple of wingers are competing about it and I hope the coaches are open for a new season and new impressions. I've stated I haven't liked Lehkonens performances in Leijonat nor his attitude. Armia is a player I earlier liked but he's declining and looks very slow imo. A decent bottom NHLer perhaps but not for Leijonat in olympics anymore. Haula has nothing to do for us in a best-on-best anymore. It's time to select the best players and give them a system that helps them to win. Not only that, coaches job, and it should be EASY! To find chemistry between different types and players in this upcoming roster because most of Finnish forwards are considered smart forwards. Pennanen has been nothing but hot d*gshit regarding this department. Actually so bad I think he should be replaceable already.
If he insists on having either Aho or Hintz on the wing or autopilot pick players like Haula, Armia and Lehkonen we won't medal and it's a damn promise.
I' ll only mention forwards because that's where some spots should be quite open imo:
Laine-Barkov-Kakko
(If Tolvanen plays together with Kakko this upcoming season and Laine is injured. I can really see Tolvanen-Barkov-Kakko meshing as well. Kakko is able to build momentum with Barkov in the Ozone and I'm convinced they will be a good fit and that Barkov can help strengthen Kakkos strengths if that makes sense. I'm certain that if Kakko has a good season I want them together. I would prefer a good scorer together with them so it's up for grabs between Lehkonen, Tolvanen, Laine and Nyman.
Granny-Hintz-Rantanen. Lock.
Luostarinen-Lundell (locked)-
TT-Aho-Tolvanen (TT and Aho have old chemistry and it's easy to say that TT's playmaking qualities meshed very well with a snipers touch like Tolvanen.
Lundell and Luostarinen should be in the third line and not fourth and they should play BP.
So that takes us or me to the players I can see compete for those 3-4 wing spots at the end: Lehkonen, Tolvanen, Laine, Nyman, Maccelli, Koivunen, Oliver Kapanen, Kotkaniemi, Kiviranta, Kupari, Hyry. Depending on what you prefer or want, not only form. I could see Kupari being a role player because he's one of few really good skaters and has size. Also able to play in different positions.
Second tier: Konsta Helenius, Samuel Helenius, Pärssinen, Puljujärvi, Armia, Haula, Aatu Räty.
This upcoming season and their current status and form should matter a lot and perhaps more than ever and they should compete for those spots. TT is more of a lock than Lehkonen ever will be for me. Lehkonen can be a good completion player. TT usually makes his teammates better, that's the biggest difference.
