When did Jussi Jokinen ever play as a center for the NT? I don't recall.He could have made a difference as a center still. Very creative and smart.
When did Jussi Jokinen ever play as a center for the NT? I don't recall.He could have made a difference as a center still. Very creative and smart.
06 IIRC.When did Jussi Jokinen ever play as a center for the NT? I don't recall.
I remember the semi-final when we lost to Cze and Olli Jokinen fought or tried to fight Kaberle.06 IIRC.
I know Nummelin was still there and Saku was not. He played exclusively center until Olli or someone else joined from the NHL. It was ages ago at least..
You don't recall quite correctly. Finland's centre lineup before OJ joined mid-tournament was Esa Pirnes - M.Koivu - Jari Viuhkola - Riku Hahl. Tommi Santala was the extra centre, he only played in one game. After OJ joined, Viuhkola and Pirnes alternated as the 3rd line C game in, game out, while the other was 13th forward.06 IIRC.
I know Nummelin was still there and Saku was not. He played exclusively center until Olli or someone else joined from the NHL. It was ages ago at least..
Is there a decent chance that he will play?It will be a treat to watch Vesalainen in WHC this year. Hopefully he stays healthy.
Is there a decent chance that he will play?
It wouldn't feel right if they didn't select him. He should've been in the Olympics already. What more can he do to earn that spot? Only if our top-6 are filled with NHL players could danger that. I think he should be selected regardless.
I mean he can still start playing bad but it's unlikely when he has played like this for the entire season. Best player of Finland in U20 too. Doesn't matter what team he is in, he's just a beast this season.
What more younger players in Finland's world championships team this year that better for future.
I'm tired to see those old farts like Kukkonen etc every ****ing year in world championships.
If we ( Finland) wanna win a medal 2022 winter Olympics in Beijing we have to start rebuild our national team now not later.
I somewhat agree with you but maybe Kukkonen wasn't the best example as he will most likely be there if he wants to as Marjamäki and him have so much history. Kukkonen is fine by me if we don't get a proper captain like Koivu.
Need a good mix of experience and youth in this WHC. Marjamäki was bolder than I expected with his Olympics selections and I want him to be even bolder now but there has to be some veteran presence as well.
Hard to predict what happens in the playoffs as usual, but I'm hoping that the Wild drop in the first round.
Koivu is getting older, and his chances to get another gold are fading. I see him playing for maybe 3 more years in the nhl.
Also, Granlund has no contract issues like he did last year.
Suter's injury was the last nail in the coffin. It already looked really bad before Suter's injury for Minny and now they are just done without their all-star level defenseman unless miracles happen. Jets are not so experienced in playoffs so we will have to see the series first though.
Koivu declines is my feeling and Granlund would join. Just guessing.
Well then again, Wild have no pressure in the playoffs this year, so they might surprise even if Jets are the heavy favorites.Suter's injury was the last nail in the coffin. It already looked really bad before Suter's injury for Minny and now they are just done without their all-star level defenseman unless miracles happen. Jets are not so experienced in playoffs so we will have to see the series first though.
Koivu declines is my feeling and Granlund would join. Just guessing.
Last spot should be reserved for Laine in case Jets don't beat Nashville.Stanley Cup Playoffs
A lot of Finns will be free no matter what after playoff round one if it stays like this.
These are the biggest Finn on Finn projected match ups as of now:
Jets vs Minnesota
Columbus vs Pittsburgh
Nashville vs Colorado
Colorado is in a very tight race with St. Louis for a playoff spot, but Avalanche is leading that race currently and they won't beat Nashville anyways... It would be surprising if Rantanen declined the NT invitation.
I don't see Winnipeg losing to Minnesota at all when Suter is injured. So almost safe to say Granlund and Koivu will be out.
Then that second PO round is projected to be Jets vs Nashville and it should be possible for those players to join last minute or something.
Agreed. As mentioned earlier, I have a hunch that he'll be playing in Denmark next month.Let's not forget about Tolvanen. I can't of course tell if the Preds rather want him playing or sticking around as an extra, but it certainly doesn't look like he'll be a major part of their playoff run. So if they want him playing, he'll be back to Europe soon.
Last spot should be reserved for Laine in case Jets don't beat Nashville.
Best case scenario
Laine-Barkov-Rantanen
Aho-Haula-Teräväinen
Donskoi-Koivu-Granlund
Let's not forget about Tolvanen. I can't of course tell if the Preds rather want him playing or sticking around as an extra, but it certainly doesn't look like he'll be a major part of their playoff run. So if they want him playing, he'll be back to Europe soon.
One thing is certain. Tolvanen will play if Nashville survives to the deep end. Look last year what they had to do when injury wave hit predators hard, they had to replace Forsberg and Fiala with AHL caliber wingers. I would think they'd rather replace their star players with Tolvanen if and WHEN injuries occur.Let's not forget about Tolvanen. I can't of course tell if the Preds rather want him playing or sticking around as an extra, but it certainly doesn't look like he'll be a major part of their playoff run. So if they want him playing, he'll be back to Europe soon.
Maybe we could get Raanta?
Thanks, didn't notice. Awesome news!Yep, it's official. They've signed him.
Arizona Coyotes agree to 3-year extension with Antti Raanta
Hopefully he plays in Denmark!