Team Finland WC 2023

[stonec]

No it definitely isn’t. Missing Heiskanen, Lindell and Vatanen is huge. Olkinuora has also had an absolutely rubbish season and shouldn’t even be in the team just because he was great last season. Too much vet love and too much mediocre defencemen. Not that great offence even - outside of Rantanen of course. If Finland really manages to get gold after all it is even more about Jalonen’s magic than last season. And probably Rantanen has been delivering very well then too. Well see of course soon. I just don’t have the best feeling about this team. And no, its’s not that impressive even on paper, outside of Rantanen.

Yes, defense is worse. On paper, no, I don't agree that Jalonen should have to drag this team. Have you looked at the rosters of other teams? They are, ehm, not impressive. No Russia and the big teams all have worse rosters to my eye than in the previous year.

Finland is the number one favorite based on roster alone. They also have the best player of the tournament in Rantanen. JJ magic made 18 newcomers win over star-packed NHL rosters of Sweden, Russia and Canada in 2019. Nothing can top that in terms of a coaching achievement and unfortunately JJ doesn't have much other than to lose this year with this roster unless Finland wins or at least goes to the final.

 

[Ippenator]

There were times when Finland became world champions without an Elite Defender. The offensive is stronger than it has been since 2016. I trust Määtä to have a strong World Championship and Lehtonen is always strong in these tournaments anyway. Rantanen could reach around 2 PPG. Also e.g. Kakko and Kapanen over 1 PPG. The squad is good enough for great deed.

You seriously think that this offence is better than in 2018?! Seriously??? Finland had then Rantanen, Aho, Teräväinen, Granlund, Tolvanen and our alltime best offensive (allaround as well) defenceman in Heiskanen. Do you really seriously think that this year’s team has better offence? Not even close. Heck, even the defence isn’t even close to the defence that year. Of course we had awful Märjamäki as coach, so Finland was eliminated right away by Switzerland in the first round with one of the best WHC teams that we have ever had - on paper.

 

[Lambo]

You seriously think that this offence is better than in 2018?! Seriously??? Finland had then Rantanen, Aho, Teräväinen, Granlund, Tolvanen and our alltime best offensive (allaround as well) defenceman in Heiskanen. Do you really seriously think that this year’s team has better offence? Not even close. Heck, even the defence isn’t even close to the defence that year. Of course we had awful Märjamäki as coach, so Finland was eliminated right away by Switzerland in the first round with one of the best WHC teams that we have ever had - on paper.

As you already wrote, Lauri Marjamäki was the coach. What interests 2018? Mikko Rantanen is much stronger in 2023 than in 2018. Tolvanen wasn't that strong then. Of course Aho and TT were special. No question. But of course the Leijonat under JJ has also become a completely different one. A good mix of European gold winners who know how to beat big star teams (Who won't exist at this Worlds this time) + Rantanen, Kakko, Kapanen, Armia and Määtä. A really strong team with the right mentality.

 

[illone84]

You seriously think that this offence is better than in 2018?! Seriously??? Finland had then Rantanen, Aho, Teräväinen, Granlund, Tolvanen and our alltime best offensive (allaround as well) defenceman in Heiskanen. Do you really seriously think that this year’s team has better offence? Not even close. Heck, even the defence isn’t even close to the defence that year. Of course we had awful Märjamäki as coach, so Finland was eliminated right away by Switzerland in the first round with one of the best WHC teams that we have ever had - on paper.

We could have lost to that same Swiss team (which was really good btw with their best nhlers for the most part) with our best on best Olympic team had paskamäki been the coach. Also, Heiskanen wasn't even in the nhl yet and Tolvanen was very raw, too.

 

[Ippenator]

As you already wrote, Lauri Marjamäki was the coach. What interests 2018? Mikko Rantanen is much stronger in 2023 than in 2018. Tolvanen wasn't that strong then. Of course Aho and TT were special. No question. But of course the Leijonat under JJ has also become a completely different one. A good mix of European gold winners who know how to beat big star teams (Who won't exist at this Worlds this time) + Rantanen, Kakko, Kapanen, Armia and Määtä. A really strong team with the right mentality.

I just pointed out that this year’s team isn’t for sure the best team offensively that Finland has had, although you yourself claimed that it was. I don’t think you should claim something like that, as it simply isn’t true.

You also don’t seem to remember too well how good Rantanen was already in 2018. He had that season already 84 points in the NHL and 11 points in the WHC tournament. Granlund had also a magnificent season in the NHL with 67 points, which was his second best season in the NHL so far.

As I said myself, Jalonen gives Finland always chances for medals or even for gold. But I just don’t like how this year’s team looks on paper. Too many declining Euro-veterans. Might not work anymore, or might even work, if all goes well. I just feel it’s a bit too cocky from us Finns to claim that Finland is for sure winning gold. It isn’t sure with any team, and especially with the team Finland has now.

We could have lost to that same Swiss team (which was really good btw with their best nhlers for the most part) with our best on best Olympic team had paskamäki been the coach. Also, Heiskanen wasn't even in the nhl yet and Tolvanen was very raw, too.

I think some people here are still a bit too sure about Finland. Let’s hope for the best of course, but nothing is sure after all. You can lose with any team in the playoffs. It can happen even to Jalonen.

 

[David OSullivan]

This looks like a Jalonen team to me. I'm well excited.

 

[illone84]

I just pointed out that this year’s team isn’t for sure the best team offensively that Finland has had, although you yourself claimed that it was. I don’t think you should claim something like that, as it simply isn’t true.

You also don’t seem to remember too well how good Rantanen was already in 2018. He had that season already 84 points in the NHL and 11 points in the WHC tournament. Granlund had also a magnificent season in the NHL with 67 points, which was his second best season in the NHL so far.

As I said myself, Jalonen gives Finland always chances for medals or even for gold. But I just don’t like how this year’s team looks on paper. Too many declining Euro-veterans. Might not work anymore, or might even work, if all goes well. I just feel it’s a bit too cocky from us Finns to claim that Finland is for sure winning gold. It isn’t sure with any team, and especially with the team Finland has now.


I think some people here are still a bit too sure about Finland. Let’s hope for the best of course, but nothing is sure after all. You can lose with any team in the playoffs. It can happen even to Jalonen.

I agree. Nothing is guaranteed. And if we don't win gold it's nothing to be ashamed of. Have been to the finals already 3 years in a row with 2 golds like every knows. Anyhow, we are not going to win gold every year but I still think we have a very good chance to win back to back for the first time.

 

[Lambo]

I just pointed out that this year’s team isn’t for sure the best team offensively that Finland has had,

Correction! I didn't write that either! I've been writing since 2016! Nevertheless, Rantanen is stronger today than it was then. Also, the 2018 tournament had a much better cast overall than the current one. So there is reason for optimism.

 

[EK47]

Whatever happens you probably have the best goalie outside the NHL in net.

 

[Ippenator]

Whatever happens you probably have the best goalie outside the NHL in net.

If Larmi plays most of the games, then yes. Although if Olkinuora is played as the number one goalie, like some Finns seem to want, then Finland might even have some problems.

I know he was magnificent last season, but he has been rubbish this season. You should play the hot goalies and not the ones who were heroes in the past.

 

[EK47]

If Larmi plays most of the games, then yes. Although if Olkinuora is played as the number one goalie, like some FInns seem to want, then Finland might even have some problems.

Haha. Never seen anyone like Larmi in the SHL before. I’ll tell you that much.

Rantanen is the best player by a mile and a half. Jalonen is Jalonen whatever people say he’s probably the best around.

Also Finland has invented a unique style that is hard for anyone to play against.

 

[Mestaruus]

This is ironically the best team we've had in a long time, even without Laine. And we've won everything possible in Euro level, i just don't see any reason to be sceptic whatsoever.

I don't think people even understand how big Rantanen will be on this level. Yeah people can also say things about Kakko so far, but on this level he's a huge player too. And hopefully we'll still get someone like Tolvanen or Haula, or if Dallas is losing to Seattle..

Haula doesn't have a contract, so I don't think it will be him. Dallas is down 1-2 now in wins. Heiskanen got a puck in the head and he played just 11 minutes. I'm not sure if this is just a dentist case or did he actually get a concussion of the puck. If you get a hard shot to the side of the head, it can do some damage even something as big as a concussion.

 

[Mestaruus]

No it definitely isn’t. Missing Heiskanen, Lindell and Vatanen is huge. Olkinuora has also had an absolutely rubbish season and shouldn’t even be in the team just because he was great last season. Too much vet love and too much mediocre defencemen. Not that great offence even - outside of Rantanen of course. If Finland really manages to get gold after all it is even more about Jalonen’s magic than last season. And probably Rantanen has been delivering very well then too. Well see of course soon. I just don’t have the best feeling about this team. And no, its’s not that impressive even on paper, outside of Rantanen.

It feels to me that other teams are also weaker on paper so I feel all right about the current roster. Hopefully Jalonen chooses the line combinations well so we're ready right from the start of the tournament, because our main opponents are USA in the first game and Sweden in the third game. After that our faith might be sealed and we're just watching how the other group shapes up and who is our opponent. Winning the preliminary round group might be important, because I think that it's Slovakia that we want and before the tournament starts I'd say that Slovakia will be 4th of that group... Switzerland, Czech and Canada feel scarier to me. None of the potential QF opponents are easy though. Slovakia is tired of losing to Finland at men's level.

 

[Mestaruus]

If Larmi plays most of the games, then yes. Although if Olkinuora is played as the number one goalie, like some Finns seem to want, then Finland might even have some problems.

I know he was magnificent last season, but he has been rubbish this season. You should play the hot goalies and not the ones who were heroes in the past.

I hope it's like this. I hope that both of the goalies get a top country, assuming that the competition for the top goalie spot is still open, but I'm also fine with the idea of having Larmi play vs both USA & SWE. I do trust Larmi a bit more at this point. If Olkinuora had bit stronger stats from this ackward season, which must've been weird for him having to play on two different continents I'd trust Olkinuora more, because he's the reigning WHC gold starting goalie. If Larmi plays vs USA and plays bad, it would increase the chance that Olkinuora would play vs Sweden.

May 12 - USA - Olkinuora or Larmi.
May 13 - GER - The goalie plays that didn't play vs USA.

May 15 - SWE - Larmi.

 

[Mestaruus]

I think that Jalonen does this:

Rantanen-Manninen-Hartikainen
Kakko-Suomela-Kapanen
Pesonen-Lammikko-Armia
Oksanen-Björninen-Anttila

For the above, Armia as a rightie joins the first line and that is our PP1. Lammikko and Oksanen/Sallinen forms a PK pair and because Armia from Lammikko's line is already playing PP, I don't want to put him in double duty if not needed. I just feel like throwing out MaG like that means that Jalonen is already planning to insert Rantanen with Manninen & Hartikainen. Jalonen has most likely known for few days already that Laine won't be joining.

I want this:

Rantanen-Suomela-Kapanen
Kakko-Manninen-Hartikainen
Pesonen-Lammikko-Armia
Sallinen-Björninen-Anttila

I think that what will happen is that we get 1 more superstar level guy from the NHL, possibly even 2 if injuries won't happen to the current WHC players. Jalonen and Lehtinen will even wait till game 7's of round 2. They have probably some info from some of the players already that they will come if their team drops out. I'm mainly thinking that Lehtinen's good connections to his old team Dallas has already made him to be quite sure that Hintz/Heiskanen/Lindell have a lot of interest to join if Dallas gets eliminated and from Dallas management side these players will be cleared fast with their post season medicals and exit interviews, also because of Lehtinen's good relations to Dallas. It is interesting to see if Heiskanen got a concussion from the puck to the head or was it just some dental thing.

As mattihp already kind of suggested, I think that they saw the case of Merelä as a close battle with MaG and Merelä is easier to replace with an NHL player or he'd be sort of like more accepting of the fact that he might not play any games, because the expectations of him being selected to the team were low anyways.

I think that MaG's NT career is done now. He won't join Jalonen's teams again and I'd fully understand if he chooses to do that. I would've loved it if they had selected MaG, but I think that they already have a plan for the third link of Manninen + Hartikainen line, so they didn't think that full UFA line was needed.

So as I said, I see that Merelä would be the first cut player if we get another NHL player. If we would get two more NHL guys from round 2 of NHL playoffs, either Sallinen or Oksanen won't get his tournament passport stamped. I'm aware that all of those NHL series, except Florida series with Finns in them seem to most likely be long series, but I still got a feeling that Jalonen & Lehtinen will wait even til after game 7's.

 

[santeri]

New options now that MaG and Laine are out:


Rantanen-Manninen-Hartikainen
Pesonen-Suomela-Kakko
Kapanen-Lammikko-Armia
Oksanen-Björninen-Anttila

or

Kapanen-Rantanen-Kakko
Pesonen-Manninen-Hartikainen
Lammikko-Suomela-Armia
Oksanen-Björninen-Anttila

 

[Kibe]

Wait wait wait... Whaaaat.. Our first game starts 16:20 on a weekday?!?!? Someone needs to get fired for this colossal f*ck up.

 

[David OSullivan]

My choice for starting would be:

Kakko Suomela Rantanen
Armia Manninen Hartikainen
Pesonen Lammikko Kapanen
Sallinen Bjorninen Antilla

First line I'd prefer to keep Rantanen natural and switch Kakko.

I think Manninen and Hartikainen need a more Armia type than scorer. He is a better version of Granlund essentially.

Kapanen and Pesonen had some chemistry so let's keep together. Plus the whole line is not high IQ. Don't mean it in a bad way. Just mean they are not playmakers. Personally think that might be beneficial. All speed and power and can shoot. There will be a lot of shots from this line.

Fourth line is tried and tested.

 

[Kibe]

So instead of setting up a nice kisastudio and getting to an atmosphere for a friday night game with friends, everyone will have to rush home straight from work to watch the game. What a bummer.

 

[mattihp]

Wait wait wait... Whaaaat.. Our first game starts 16:20 on a weekday?!?!? Someone needs to get fired for this colossal f*ck up.

worse for me. It will be 15:20. I usually quit work at 16:15..

 

[Kibe]

worse for me. It will be 15:20. I usually quit work at 16:15..

Feel for you man. It's just stupid and i don't see any logical reason for it.

 

[SantosHalper]

You guys still at work on fridays after 13:30?

I don't even remember the last time when i was still at work on friday past 13:30, 11:00 lunch,
11:30ish-12:30 cleaning the jobsite, 12:30(sharp)-13:30 afterworks, 14:30 at home. And still i had a 8 hour day according to my hour-list.

 

[Mestaruus]

Put your recording devices recording and turn off cell phones and don't talk to anyone then. Easier said than done lol. Someone will spill the results.

I wonder when we will hear the first leaks of the practice lines. I'm guessing tomorrow and latest on Wednesday. Rantanen's line and position is the most interesting thing to me. Second is Suomela's line mates. Thirdly who is our starting goalie, but we don't really know that until after Sweden game earliest, which is Finland's third game.

 

[illone84]

Put your recording devices recording and turn off cell phones and don't talk to anyone then. Easier said than done lol. Someone will spill the results.

I wonder when we will hear the first leaks of the practice lines. I'm guessing tomorrow and latest on Wednesday. Rantanen's line and position is the most interesting thing to me. Second is Suomela's line mates. Thirdly who is our starting goalie, but we don't really know that until after Sweden game earliest, which is Finland's third game.

Sorry if it already has been mentioned but is there still a chance for any second round exits? I know a full roster has been named and even though it's at home, I guess the kisapassit still have to be stamped. So wondering if Jalonen left a few spots open or the aforementioned roster has all players locked in?

 

[Isola]

Sorry if it already has been mentioned but is there still a chance for any second round exits? I know a full roster has been named and even though it's at home, I guess the kisapassit still have to be stamped. So wondering if Jalonen left a few spots open or the aforementioned roster has all players locked in?

Yes, there is a chance. I think Jalonen will start with 13+7, so there would still be 2 spots open.