Team Finland WC 2023

[Mestaruus]

Yeah i guess it was a bit optimistic. I think there might be more Euro players than people here are predicting. I'll do one more with a bit more realistic touch and then i promise i won't post these for a while.

Laine - Barkov - Kapanen
Mi Granlund - Manninen - Hartikainen
Pesonen - Suomela - Armia
Lammikko - Björninen - Anttila
Ma Granlund

Välimäki - Lehtonen
Määttä - Vatanen
Ohtamaa - Pokka
Lindbohm - Tuomisto

Säteri
Olkinuora

Its good that you fixed Suomela in because in my opinion you can't leave him out right now. He might not have NHL status right now but I consider him the caliber of a guy that some of our NHL players at the moment are. Winger vs center comparison, but I rather have Suomela in my team than Kapanen and I think that Kapanen is very good despite of the ackward season he had. I'm definitely a Kasperi Kapanen believer. Suomela is the SHL league MVP and he proved it in the Norway games that he's still on fire. He was the MVP of those two Norway games. We could've lost one of the games vs Norway without Suomela. Jalonen didn't put him on the ice in the Denmark games because he's most likely locked to be in the final squad already, unless he plays horribly in the upcoming games and I doubt that will happen.

 

[FiLe]

There's no counting one's chicks before they've hatched and all that, but Florida is now in a hole they're probably not getting out of. And while we all know who the big fish is, Jalonen probably won't say no to the other two either. If we get all three, them plus Manninen is going to create one heckuva game of musical chairs down the middle lane.

Sure, we can slot some of them at wings, but another thing to take into account is that Colorado-Seattle is going to release at least one top-six caliber winger no matter what. And we also have a bunch of quality Euro ones in the pipeline, like MaG, Härski and Pesonen. And yeah, Dallas-Minny is still wide open. And we still haven't heard anything from MiG either.

Like I said, dream case scenarios rarely come to pass, but even half of these names being available would mean it freakin' sucks to be Suomela.

 

[Kibe]

Its good that you fixed Suomela in because in my opinion you can't leave him out right now. He might not have NHL status right now but I consider him the caliber of a guy that some of our NHL players at the moment are. Winger vs center comparison, but I rather have Suomela in my team than Kapanen and I think that Kapanen is very good despite of the ackward season he had. I'm definitely a Kasperi Kapanen believer. Suomela is the SHL league MVP and he proved it in the Norway games that he's still on fire. He was the MVP of those two Norway games. We could've lost one of the games vs Norway without Suomela. Jalonen didn't put him on the ice in the Denmark games because he's most likely locked to be in the final squad already, unless he plays horribly in the upcoming games and I doubt that will happen.

I think Suomela's spot is depending on how many of Barkov, Hintz, Lundell we get. If it's all of them then there's no place for Suomela, 2/3 then maybe if Manninen (or Hintz) moves to wing. But if it's only one like in my post, then yeah at that point Suomela would be a lock.

EDIT: But i have to add after watching Boston - Florida last night. Barkov doesn't look like himself. Might be playing through some injury.

 

[FiLe]

I think Suomela's spot is depending on how many of Barkov, Hintz, Lundell we get. If it's all of them then there's no place for Suomela, 2/3 then maybe if Manninen (or Hintz) moves to wing. But if it's only one like in my post, then yeah at that point Suomela would be a lock.

What slims Suomela's chances is not just the potential addition of top shelf centers, but all the quality wingers being available too. Of the latter kind, we already have Laine, Kapanen, MaG, Hartikainen and Pesonen. All you have to do is add just one of Rantanen/Lehkonen/Tolvanen/MiG/Armia and it's starting look real crowded in top-9 - and that's before we start slotting any excess centers on the wings.

This, of course, is nothing but a good kind of problem to have.

But i have to add after watching Boston - Florida last night. Barkov doesn't look like himself. Might be playing through some injury.

Maybe he's just torn between doing his job and getting to play in his hometown with his BFF...

Okay, kidding aside, it's an observation to consider, sure. But it's hard to see a healthy Barkov saying no, for the reason mentioned above.

 

[Kibe]

What slims Suomela's chances is not just the potential addition of top shelf centers, but all the quality wingers being available too. Of the latter kind, we already have Laine, Kapanen, MaG, Hartikainen and Pesonen. All you have to do is add just one of Rantanen/Lehkonen/Tolvanen/MiG/Armia and it's starting look real crowded in top-9 - and that's before we start slotting any excess centers on the wings.

This, of course, is nothing but a good kind of problem to have.


Maybe he's just torn between doing his job and getting to play in his hometown with his BFF...

Okay, kidding aside, it's an observation to consider, sure. But it's hard to see a healthy Barkov saying no, for the reason mentioned above.

True but if it's more wingers than centers joining then it could be MaG's/Pesonen's spot on the line before Suomela's. And regarding Barkov i think he would absolutely join if healthy. Players play through minor injuries in the playoffs all the time. I hope that's not the case here.

 

[JabbaJabba]

I think Barkov might be playing injured. Doesn't look very engaged. He has never been the most physical player but he looks so cautious on ice. I wouldn't be surprised if he declines the invitation.

 

[Mestaruus]

There's no counting one's chicks before they've hatched and all that, but Florida is now in a hole they're probably not getting out of. And while we all know who the big fish is, Jalonen probably won't say no to the other two either. If we get all three, them plus Manninen is going to create one heckuva game of musical chairs down the middle lane.

Sure, we can slot some of them at wings, but another thing to take into account is that Colorado-Seattle is going to release at least one top-six caliber winger no matter what. And we also have a bunch of quality Euro ones in the pipeline, like MaG, Härski and Pesonen. And yeah, Dallas-Minny is still wide open. And we still haven't heard anything from MiG either.

Like I said, dream case scenarios rarely come to pass, but even half of these names being available would mean it freakin' sucks to be Suomela.

In tennis terms its 3 match balls for Boston and the way Boston is playing right now gives Florida really small odds to turn that series around. I don't believe in Florida's chances at all. To me it seems like Boston also has the better goalie, while Florida isn't even sure who their starter is. Doesn't seem like having Bergeron gone matters much. Also Tkachuk might get suspended for going after Boston's goalie Ullmark in last game reducing Florida's chances even more.

I got no problem in releasing MaG or Pesonen if it comes down to having a chance to get Tolvanen/Kakko or something. Sure, we won't get the full UFA line, but we have done well with just Manninen+Hartikainen in the past without MaG so I don't have a problem in letting MaG go. I did notice that MaG has had a good season so it would suck letting him go, but someone has to go. One of Pesonen or MaG could have the role of being selected to the team but not playing all games. So that would give a better feeling to me that they don't get 100% rejected like that. MaG has already suffered that fate at least once and Pesonen has been a good piece of the recent years' success. What would also make easier to release MaG is if his brother decides not to join. I'm still feeling like we will get MiG though.

I'm not shocked if Hartikainen says no for the invitation. For so many years while playing in the KHL he rejected invites and now he has got a lot of international success, so he might feel like he'll take a breather. Having his mate Manninen in does increase the chance of getting Hartikainen though. It might mean more to Manninen compared to Hartikainen for being in this WHC team, because I imagine it wasn't fun to play a full season in that buss league which is AHL. I don't think that Manninen's full potential can shine in a league like that. Manninen in the Swiss league would've resulted in over point per game pace.

 

[Mestaruus]

True but if it's more wingers than centers joining then it could be MaG's/Pesonen's spot on the line before Suomela's. And regarding Barkov i think he would absolutely join if healthy. Players play through minor injuries in the playoffs all the time. I hope that's not the case here.

I think this is how it is indeed that MaG/Pesonen leaves before Suomela. I got a feeling that Jalonen doesn't have any problem in putting both Luostarinen and Lundell in the wing if he can put Suomela in. It's just based on my feeling that Jalonen is as excited as me about Suomela. Not even impossible that Jalonen will test Suomela as a winger in the upcoming games vs Sweden and in the EHT Czechia tournament.

 

[David OSullivan]

No word on MiG, Lankinen or Armia yet?

 

[SantosHalper]

2 "friendly games" + 3 EHT games left. I think it's good time to predict the final team for the first time this spring.

Ma.Granlund - Mi.Granlund(C) - Laine
Rajala - Manninen - Pakarinen
Pesonen - Suomela - Kapanen
Sallinen - Björninen - Anttila(A)
Lammikko, Ruotsalainen

Lehtonen - Seppälä
Määttä - Välimäki
Lindbohm - Saarijärvi
Ohtamaa(A) - Pokka

Säteri
Olkinuora
Lehtinen

- Barkov and Jokiharju declines due to injuries.

- Lankinen, Tolvanen, Pärssinen, Luostarinen and Lundell wants to start preparing for next season and have a healthy summer, because after next season their contracts are up. Armia also wants to heal fully and prepare for next season.

- Filppula, Hartikainen and Vatanen are celebrating Swiss championship and they have no energy left.

 

[Kibe]

2 "friendly games" + 3 EHT games left. I think it's good time to predict the final team for the first time this spring.

Ma.Granlund - Mi.Granlund(C) - Laine
Rajala - Manninen - Pakarinen
Pesonen - Suomela - Kapanen
Sallinen - Björninen - Anttila(A)
Lammikko, Ruotsalainen

Lehtonen - Seppälä
Määttä - Välimäki
Lindbohm - Saarijärvi
Ohtamaa(A) - Pokka

Säteri
Olkinuora
Lehtinen

- Barkov and Jokiharju declines due to injuries.

- Lankinen, Tolvanen, Pärssinen, Luostarinen and Lundell wants to start preparing for next season and have a healthy summer, because after next season their contracts are up. Armia also wants to heal fully and prepare for next season.

- Filppula, Hartikainen and Vatanen are celebrating Swiss championship and they have no energy left.

IMO Mikke needs to be on the wing where he is more effective. Even if we should be so unlucky to get all those declines i would prefer him on the wing and bump up Suomela to 1C and Lammikko to 3C and drop Rajala. But i think we get atleast one NHL C so it won't come to that.

 

[santeri]

2 "friendly games" + 3 EHT games left. I think it's good time to predict the final team for the first time this spring.

Ma.Granlund - Mi.Granlund(C) - Laine
Rajala - Manninen - Pakarinen
Pesonen - Suomela - Kapanen
Sallinen - Björninen - Anttila(A)
Lammikko, Ruotsalainen

Lehtonen - Seppälä
Määttä - Välimäki
Lindbohm - Saarijärvi
Ohtamaa(A) - Pokka

Säteri
Olkinuora
Lehtinen

- Barkov and Jokiharju declines due to injuries.

- Lankinen, Tolvanen, Pärssinen, Luostarinen and Lundell wants to start preparing for next season and have a healthy summer, because after next season their contracts are up. Armia also wants to heal fully and prepare for next season.

- Filppula, Hartikainen and Vatanen are celebrating Swiss championship and they have no energy left.

Quite good. I mostly agree but here's my take (being a bit more lucky with less players declining):

Laine - Barkov - Luostarinen
Mi. Granlund(C) - Lundell - Armia
Ma. Granlund - Manninen - Hartikainen
Kapanen - Björninen - Anttila(A)
Lammikko, Pesonen

Lehtonen - Seppälä
Määttä - Välimäki
Lindbohm - Saarijärvi
Ohtamaa(A) - Pokka

Lankinen
Olkinuora
Säteri

 

[SantosHalper]

IMO Mikke needs to be on the wing where he is more effective. Even if we should be so unlucky to get all those declines i would prefer him on the wing and bump up Suomela to 1C and Lammikko to 3C and drop Rajala. But i think we get atleast one NHL C so it won't come to that.

That would work but i wanted more scoring threath to the line up and i was trying to get similar players next to Manninen as Makke and Härski. It could be Ruotsalainen there as well.

Quite good. I mostly agree but here's my take (being a bit more lucky with less players declining):

Very balanced lineup but im not so sure about Kapanen in the 4th line, he's becoming more all-around but Pesonen and Lammikko fits better.

 

[Kibe]

That would work but i wanted more scoring threath to the line up and i was trying to get similar players next to Manninen as Makke and Härski. It could be Ruotsalainen there as well.

Very balanced lineup but im not so sure about Kapanen in the 4th line, he's becoming more all-around but Pesonen and Lammikko fits better.

I meant Granlund bros as 1&2 LW so no need for Rajala or Ruotsalainen in the lineup.

 

[santeri]

That would work but i wanted more scoring threath to the line up and i was trying to get similar players next to Manninen as Makke and Härski. It could be Ruotsalainen there as well.

Very balanced lineup but im not so sure about Kapanen in the 4th line, he's becoming more all-around but Pesonen and Lammikko fits better.

Yeah, they do fit in there. The only reason I put Kapanen in there is because he's extremely fast, which was also Mäenalanen's case. So he's just be taking his old role in that line. But Pesonen and Lammikko fit well in there. If Armia doesn't come then Kapanen or Pesonen could take his sport and Lammikko could be in the fourth

 

[SantosHalper]

I meant Granlund bros as 1&2 LW so no need for Rajala or Ruotsalainen in the lineup.

Yeah, i got that. I meant my line up, the 2nd line could Ruotsalainen - Manninen - Pakarinen and Rajala in the stands. Since i wanted more hands.

 

[Kibe]

Yeah, i got that. I meant my line up, the 2nd line could Ruotsalainen - Manninen - Pakarinen and Rajala in the stands. Since i wanted more hands.

Well let's hope we get all the hands we need from Florida.

 

[SantosHalper]

Well let's hope we get all the hands we need from Florida.

Yup but im not holding my breath.

 

[Mestaruus]

Ma.Granlund - Mi.Granlund(C) - Laine
Rajala - Manninen - Pakarinen
Pesonen - Suomela - Kapanen
Sallinen - Björninen - Anttila(A)
Lammikko, Ruotsalainen

Very pessimistic guess on the Florida guys, but if that was to happen the lines look pretty good, but maybe Lammikko > Pakarinen. Lammikko is a better back up face off guy for Manninen also and Jalonen seems to often love to have two center type players per line. Lammikko scored more points in less amount of games compared to Pakarinen and Pakarinen plays in Liiga, while Lammikko plays in Switzerland. There's a big difference with offensive production there. Defensively no big difference between those guys, except I see Lammikko winning more face offs and that can be a defensive ability as well. I guess that you really wanted a right handed guy on that line?

 

[SantosHalper]

Very pessimistic guess on the Florida guys, but if that was to happen the lines look pretty good, but maybe Lammikko > Pakarinen. Lammikko is a better back up face off guy for Manninen also and Jalonen seems to often love to have two center type players per line. Lammikko scored more points in less amount of games compared to Pakarinen and Pakarinen plays in Liiga, while Lammikko plays in Switzerland. There's a big difference with offensive production there. Defensively no big difference between those guys, except I see Lammikko winning more face offs and that can be a defensive ability as well. I guess that you really wanted a right handed guy on that line?

Pakarinen took face offs in the Olympics. There's big difference in the style of game in Liiga and NL, in NL there is much less trap hockey than in Liiga. I believe Pakarinen could produce the same numbers there, even Sallinen had 36 points in 51 game.

Pakarinen also had a better PPG in putin hockey league and in WHC tournaments Pakarinen has 7 goals in 20 games and Lammikko has zero in 17 games. Pakarinen also had 3 goals in 6 games in the Olympics. Pakarinen is very underrated offensively, best replacement for Härski. Right handness doesn't hurt.

 

[Mestaruus]

Pakarinen took face offs in the Olympics. There's big difference in the style of game in Liiga and NL, in NL there is much less trap hockey than in Liiga. I believe Pakarinen could produce the same numbers there, even Sallinen had 36 points in 51 game.

Pakarinen also had a better PPG in putin hockey league and in WHC tournaments Pakarinen has 7 goals in 20 games and Lammikko has zero in 17 games. Pakarinen also had 3 goals in 6 games in the Olympics. Pakarinen is very underrated offensively, best replacement for Härski. Right handness doesn't hurt.

Well it's a good point about WHC goals production. I like that one, but if I have to guess Jalonen will have Lammikko little bit ahead, because there is a difference between league strengths even if the play styles differ in those leagues. If we look at their +/- differences, there is +17 Lammikko vs +7 Pakarinen as well. Decision could be made based on these upcoming games in Sweden and in the Czechia EHT tournament.

Speaking of the EHT tournament, we might actually see Laine playing in 10 days from now along with few other NHL guys. So we don't have to wait much longer.

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]27.4.2023[/TD]
[TD]20.00[/TD]
[TD]Ruotsi – Suomi[/TD]
[TD]Harjoitusottelu[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]29.4.2023[/TD]
[TD]16.00[/TD]
[TD]Ruotsi – Suomi[/TD]
[TD]Harjoitusottelu[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]4.5.2023[/TD]
[TD]19.20[/TD]
[TD]Suomi – Tshekki[/TD]
[TD]Tshekin EHT[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]6.5.2023[/TD]
[TD]13.00[/TD]
[TD]Sveitsi – Suomi[/TD]
[TD]Tshekin EHT[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7.5.2023[/TD]
[TD]13.00[/TD]
[TD]Ruotsi – Suomi[/TD]
[TD]Tshekin EHT[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

12th of May - WHC starts.

25th of May - WHC playoffs start - aka game of death for all remaining teams.

 

[FinPanda]

Armia confirmed



"- Seuraavan kerran uusia lisäyksiä joukkueeseen tulee mahdollisesti sitten, kun Euroopan sarjojen finaalit ja NHL:n pudotuspelien ensimmäinen kierros on pelattu, Lehtinen paaluttaa."

So no Granlund or Lankinen? Sounds like it. Or maybe they just add locks from now on.

 

[weklof]

What are Emil Larmis chances of making the team? He has beem dominant in the SHL playoffs. He just made a highlight real save in game 5 imorgon the finals.

 

[mattihp]

Armia confirmed is nice. Can slot in pretty much anywhere.

 

[Mestaruus]

"- Seuraavan kerran uusia lisäyksiä joukkueeseen tulee mahdollisesti sitten, kun Euroopan sarjojen finaalit ja NHL:n pudotuspelien ensimmäinen kierros on pelattu, Lehtinen paaluttaa."

So no Granlund or Lankinen? Sounds like it. Or maybe they just add locks from now on.

To me it sounds a bit like that they want to give the current team that's on the camp and playing soon against Sweden to have some kind of peace. We might get a motherload of announcements with the Florida guys + Mi. Granlund + those Euro finalists announced at the same time. Also remember that even if Lehtinen says that the announcements are done for now, we might still hear about leaks from other sources before Lehtinen announces anything regarding this. I'm personally not giving up hope on MiG until I hear the reason for why he won't join.