Team Finland WC 2023

[David OSullivan]

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.

Granlund and Lankinen would be locks to be fair. So still a maybe.

Armia is a great add. He can fit up and down the lineup as said.

Laine, Kapanen, Maatta, Armia and counting. Already very good but hoping they keep coming.

 

[Mestaruus]

With only confirmed players. 5 righties on the wings by the way.

Pesonen-Suomela-Laine
MaG-Manninen-Kapanen
Lammikko-Ruohomaa-Armia
Pakarinen-Björninen-Anttila

But we know it won't stay like that, because more people are coming but that's the the minimum we will have. For example Ruohomaa won't be in the final team at all. I would assume that Lammikko will be tested on the wing in the upcoming games if Florida will be eliminated. That would be a sign that at least one of the Florida centers had said yes before we would hear it from Lehtinen. Though that could mean Filppula as well instead of a Florida center.

 

[SantosHalper]

My prediction aged well , positive way.

 

[Mestaruus]

My prediction aged well , positive way.

You had the same one exactly? Oh you were talking about something else, never mind .

 

[FiLe]

Armia is a great add indeed, and won't be the last to cross the pond either. Apart from the already eliminated players whose status is not yet confirmed, we're bound to get at least some from Florida (barring any miracles, that is), and COL-SEA will likely provide something, too.

Ironically, this is shaping up to be a team much like Jalonen's 2016 WJC squad. They're building one heckuva forward unit...

 

[Eye of Ra]

With only confirmed players. 5 righties on the wings by the way.

Pesonen-Suomela-Laine
MaG-Manninen-Kapanen
Lammikko-Ruohomaa-Armia
Pakarinen-Björninen-Anttila

But we know it won't stay like that, because more people are coming but that's the the minimum we will have. For example Ruohomaa won't be in the final team at all. I would assume that Lammikko will be tested on the wing in the upcoming games if Florida will be eliminated. That would be a sign that at least one of the Florida centers had said yes before we would hear it from Lehtinen. Though that could mean Filppula as well instead of a Florida center.

Ruohomaa had a horrible season in SHL. There must be better options.

 

[FiLe]

But we know it won't stay like that, because more people are coming but that's the the minimum we will have.

We can safely add Hartikainen to the mix, I'd say. They won't announce him before the Swiss league finals are over, but there was some recent interview or other where he pretty much confirmed he wants to join.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Kapanen-Suomela-Laine
MaG-Manninen-Hartii
Pesonen-Flippula-Armia
Pakarinen/Sallinen-Björninen-Anttila

 

[mattihp]

Ruohomaa had a horrible season in SHL. There must be better options.

That's why he said Ruohomaa won't be on the final team.

 

[Eye of Ra]

That's why he said Ruohomaa won't be on the final team.

Good. I only checked the lineup. Whats the deal with Tikka?

 

[Mestaruus]

Ruohomaa had a horrible season in SHL. There must be better options.

I put him because I thought that he has looked good in Finland's preparation games. He's just a place holder anyways. I'm not a Ruohomaa fan. I just thought he'd deserve it before he gets replaced.

We can safely add Hartikainen to the mix, I'd say. They won't announce him before the Swiss league finals are over, but there was some recent interview or other where he pretty much confirmed he wants to join.

Interesting. I didn't know that. Let's hope that he stays healthy because all kinds of things can happen in those finals. Tomorrow is the next Swiss league final. Betting odds are favoring Biel by just a little bit. I think because they are the home team if I'm not mistaken.

3 wins - Geneve-Servette
2 wins - Biel-Bienne

 

[Kibe]

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.

Difficult season would be good enough reason for Mikke. He's been very loyal in the past.
With Lankinen i honestly wouldn't be that suprised if he didn't get an invite. Säteri and Olkinuora just won OG and WHC for us so they have rightfully earned Jalonen's trust. Though Lankinen has international merits of his own too.
But like you said we shouldn't count them out yet even if Lehtinen made it sound a bit like that.

 

[EK47]

Larmi had the strongest overall playoff-performance I’ve ever seen from an SHL goalie. Today he dropped his stick to make an insane save with his stick hand.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Larmi had the strongest overall playoff-performance I’ve ever seen from an SHL goalie. Today he dropped his stick to make an insane save with his stick hand.

He is a good goalie yes. But you should know that finns consider SHL to be a shit league. Its rare you see finns from SHL make it to Team Finland.

 

[EK47]

He is a good goalie yes. But you should know that finns consider SHL to be a shit league. Its rare you see finns from SHL make it to Team Finland.

Normally they have 1-3 players. I’m pretty sure they don’t consider it a shit league. Amongst the finns on here there seems to be a consensus that SHL is the best leauge in Europe after the KHL. Thats besides the point though.

 

[FiLe]

He is a good goalie yes. But you should know that finns consider SHL to be a shit league. Its rare you see finns from SHL make it to Team Finland.

SHL gets shit coverage in Finland. Which might lead to some random schmoe thinking it's not much of a league. But they don't get to say who makes Team Finland and who doesn't.

There have been at least a couple of skaters from SHL in Team Finland almost every year. Goalies have been a bit more rare, though, because we tend to get those from the NHL or the KHL. Which may change now that nobody wants nothing to do with Russia.

Larmi being on this team - even as the starter - would be perfectly fine. But Jalonen might just prefer his regular tandem of Säteri/Olkinuora (despite the latter having a not-so-stellar season).

Amongst the finns on here there seems to be a consensus that SHL is the best leauge in Europe after the KHL.

Some might rank the Swiss league higher. But there's no question that whatever the order, Sweden and Switzerland are the go-to places in Europe now that Russia's become the forbidden zone.

 

[EK47]

SHL gets shit coverage in Finland. Which might lead to some random schmoe thinking it's not much of a league. But they don't get to say who makes Team Finland and who doesn't.

There have been at least a couple of skaters from SHL in Team Finland almost every year. Goalies have been a bit more rare, though, because we tend to get those from the NHL or the KHL. Which may change now that nobody wants nothing to do with Russia.

Larmi being on this team - even as the starter - would be perfectly fine. But Jalonen might just prefer his regular tandem of Säteri/Olkinuora (despite the latter having a not-so-stellar season).


Some might rank the Swiss league higher. But there's no question that whatever the order, Sweden and Switzerland are the go-to places in Europe now that Russia's become the forbidden zone.

Almost forgot about the Swiss leauge.. the money is huge there.

On Larmi, he just has to get a serious shot in the NHL after this. He’s just too good.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

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.

I'm sure savon sonni ( THE bull of savo ) Pakarinen would be excellent Härski's replacement.
Pakarinen was HIFK's top players in liiga playoffs so great to see him into team.

Almost forgot about the Swiss leauge.. the money is huge there.

On Larmi, he just has to get a serious shot in the NHL after this. He’s just too good.

Larmi already tried in North America but he was AHL goalie mainly.

 

[EK47]

I'm sure savon sonni ( THE bull of savo ) Pakarinen would be excellent Härski's replacement.
Pakarinen was HIFK's top players in liiga playoffs so great to see him into team.


Larmi already tried in North America but he was AHL goalie mainly.

That’s why I said a real shot and not just a shot.

Zero NHL games.

 

[Kibe]

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.

Larmi had the strongest overall playoff-performance I’ve ever seen from an SHL goalie. Today he dropped his stick to make an insane save with his stick hand.

Unfortunately for Larmi, Jalonen will most likely go with his guys Säteri/Olkinuora and then Lehtinen or Taponen is likely the 3rd goalie. Larmi propably wouldn't be intrested in a 3rd string role after the season he just had.

He is a good goalie yes. But you should know that finns consider SHL to be a shit league. Its rare you see finns from SHL make it to Team Finland.

This is just not true at all.

 

[David OSullivan]

I think the forward group will be very strong for Jalonen style even without any additions. One thing I would say is keep Laine and Kapanen on separate lines unless the center is Bjorninen. Otherwise I don't see the line having much defensive quality. Not that they are terrible defensively but both together would be bad I think. You need the compliment guys. So far my top six is:

Laine Suomela Armia
Ma.Granlund Manninen Kapanen

Already very very good WC top six. Fully expecting additions to change this.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

With only confirmed players. 5 righties on the wings by the way.

Pesonen-Suomela-Laine
MaG-Manninen-Kapanen
Lammikko-Ruohomaa-Armia
Pakarinen-Björninen-Anttila

But we know it won't stay like that, because more people are coming but that's the the minimum we will have. For example Ruohomaa won't be in the final team at all. I would assume that Lammikko will be tested on the wing in the upcoming games if Florida will be eliminated. That would be a sign that at least one of the Florida centers had said yes before we would hear it from Lehtinen. Though that could mean Filppula as well instead of a Florida center.

i think Jalonen picks Ruohomaa over Suomela, Jukka likes Ruohomaa a lot, how he olays and his effort.

i dont see Suomela making it, not that i think Ruohomaa either but, yeah.

Panthers are 1 game away from elimination, that sets our top 6 six center duo.

 

[David OSullivan]

i think Jalonen picks Ruohomaa over Suomela, Jukka likes Ruohomaa a lot, how he olays and his effort.

i dont see Suomela making it, not that i think Ruohomaa either but, yeah.

Panthers are 1 game away from elimination, that sets our top 6 six center duo.

Suomela is having a great season and performed really well in latest friendlies. I think he s almost certainly surpassed Ruohomaa now.

I get your point though. Will Jalonen like Suomela further down the lineup? I think this may be a year where we just have to possibly accept three positive scoring lines. Plus there's a high chance of plenty top level players that can balance the lines. Armia, Lundell, Luostarinen etc. If the players I think come, then my suspicions are that Suomela makes one of the C spots with one of Luostarinen or Lundell taking a winger spot. If Barkov comes that probably means Suomela is out or extra. Similar if MiG comes, he s under pressure. Right now, I think Jalonen's pecking order of Cs are Bjorninen, Manninen, Suomela. I think almost certainly another C comes overseas.

 

[Mestaruus]

So the chance to get Kakko increased a lot with the New York - New Jersey series being at 2-2 now. I do think that Jalonen & Lehtinen would ask him. It would be silly not to. I don't think we'll get Haula or Mikkola due to their contract situations.

Mäenalanen's Winnipeg is down in the series 3-1 now. Scheifele is injured. So that series is most likely done. Mäenalanen doesn't have a contract, but I think he's crazy enough guy (like Lammikko one other season) to come play for his coach regardless of the contract situation and the feeling might be mutual on Jalonen's side. We have that type of grinders already in the team, but it wouldn't surprise me if Mäenalanen will end up as a surprise addition in the team regardless of all this.

Then of course the very interesting Colorado - Seattle series is now at 2-2. A chance to get Mikko Rantanen or Tolvanen for the team. I assume Jalonen & Lehtinen would ask Tolvanen. I don't see Lehkonen coming, because he isn't most likely fully healed from his surgery and his dad being a NHL fanatic will tell him behind closed door's that it doesn't do any good for his Artturi's career to be in that tournament now. On the other hand what speaks for Lehkonen joining would be the magnet effect of our team shaping up to be a stacked team, which sometimes attracts more players. Many of his Turku training camp friends could be in the team with Laine, Rantanen and Kakko.

Tonight will be interesting mainly because of Dallas - Minnesota 2-2 situation. Florida unfortunately doesn't play tonight. Swiss league finals game 6 tonight also.

i think Jalonen picks Ruohomaa over Suomela, Jukka likes Ruohomaa a lot, how he olays and his effort.

i dont see Suomela making it, not that i think Ruohomaa either but, yeah.

I don't know if you are being serious or not. I see almost zero chance for that. This is not the Suomela of some other year and I think that Jukka Jalonen is smart enough to see that, because he is a really smart coach. Suomela is a completely different beast now. NHL teams will have a lot of interest in getting Suomela for the next season. If I remember right his NHL rights have expired now so it would be an open competition between the teams of who will offer him a good one way contract. Sort of like Manninen last summer, but I don't think Suomela will suffer the same fate of not getting to play any NHL games like Manninen, because Suomela has been in NHL before and in my opinion he played quite solid there.

 

[Muuri]

Suomela will have big boots to fill in offensive role, unless Jalonen gets two centers from NHL.
Good tourney here and he will be back in North American hockey.

I like Lankinen, but there is no urgent need. Olkinuora-Säteri-Larmi would be a good trio. I'm tempted to give Larmia a start or two.