The Saint Mikael Granlund hypetrain part 2 (saucer passes turning to wine!)

[thomast]

@Loffer: the fact that I said they weren't super passes, was an answer to the other poster. I'm not saying you have to make great passes all the time or ever in fact. The important thing is to get the puck in the net. The fact remains that against Norway it was Immonen who saved the game not Granlund, he did help a lot though. With the goals, the greater achievement was the shot not the pass that's why I said the passes weren't especially great. Any top 2 team center in the NHL would have put them through.

Again, Sweden and Canada both tend to play below par in group stages. So, it's no big surprise Sweden lost to Norway. Canada and the USA won, I don't see how you can use that as an argument. Watched the USA - Norway game and USA dominated pretty much the whole game. Switzerland is always a roller coaster, they beat Canada and lose to France or something.

Someone bashed Pääjärvi for only getting points in the group stages. People forget that if everyone only gets points in playoffs, the team will never make the playoffs. And this year, Finland for example had only one easy game in group stage, which was against Denmark. So I wouldn't say group <<< playoff.

I will say this, he had a great game against Norway, really great game against Russia, and a good game against Sweden. And in that tournament he was the second best player for Finland, close to best. But again big rink. I won't be singing praises on rooftops until he dominates NHL or Olympics. The WC are not even close to the same level as Olympics or World Cup. And it's a known fact that Canadians don't really care about WC and USA never have a good team in WC. The win against Russia was impressive though, they had a good team. Sweden was also missing their best players hands down. Czechs had a pretty good team.

And I'm not saying he is bad player, in fact he is a great player. However, he is still one of the most overrated players on hfboards. People think of him as a God around here, especially Finns. Let us just wait and see what he does in the NHL before going completely nuts with praise.

Yeah but Pääjarvi had 1 pt against tought country an assist against Czechs at group stage. Other games were clear wins by sweden and he racked up points at those games. It's clear to say that Granlunds performance was much better than Pääjarvi had. Granlund was dominant at times against tought countries. Granlund stepped up in crucial moments. Pääjärvi racked up points in blowouts. Big difference IMO.

 

[Loffer]

I don't get it. Why just Pääjärvi? Because he struggles now? So, Granlund will struggle? Besides, I just checked the scoring leaders in the last WC and Pääjärvi had 2 + 5 = 7 points, not nine points...
But e.g. Mathis Olimb (NOR) had 1 + 8 = 9 (only 7 games played) and John Tavares 5 + 4 = 9 (7 gp). Obviously, you cannot make strong predictions based on this data.

 

[thomast]

I don't get it. Why just Pääjärvi? Because he struggles now? So, Granlund will struggle? Besides, I just checked the scoring leaders in the last WC and Pääjärvi had 2 + 5 = 7 points, not nine points...
But e.g. Mathis Olimb (NOR) had 1 + 8 = 9 (only 7 games played) and John Tavares 5 + 4 = 9 (7 gp). Obviously, you cannot make strong predictions based on this data.

Year before that. Because saekki stated that Pääjärvi had as good WC at 2010 as Granlund at 2011. There is big difference to score against tought countries instead of weak. Granlund WC performance at 2011 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Pääjärvis WC performance at 2010

 

[Loffer]

I see. Sure, it's tempting to compare these two. 10 th overall 2009 and 9 th overall 2010. 9 points at WC 2010 and nine points at WC 2011. So, going on - Granlund will put up something like 34 points next season and the sophomore slump is to be expected after that...

But if Granlund's performance at WC 2011 was indeed stronger than Pääjärvi's a year earlier we can see how he will put up more than 34 points in his rookie season and will avoid the sophomore slump subsequently.

On the other hand, Pääjärvi was selected to the all-star lineup at 2010 WC. Granlund somehow missed that honour at 2011 WC. But then again, Granlund decided to stay one more year in Finland after that. So, we may conclude that this argument as a whole is invalid.

Who knows...

 

[thomast]

I see. Sure, it's tempting to compare these two. 10 th overall 2009 and 9 th overall 2010. 9 points at WC 2010 and nine points at WC 2011. So, going on - Granlund will put up something like 34 points next season and the sophomore slump is to be expected after that...

But if Granlund's performance at WC 2011 was indeed stronger than Pääjärvi's a year earlier we can see how he will put up more than 34 points in his rookie season and will avoid the sophomore slump subsequently.

On the other hand, Pääjärvi was selected to the all-star lineup at 2010 WC. Granlund somehow missed that honour at 2011 WC. But then again, Granlund decided to stay one more year in Finland after that. So, we may conclude that this argument as a whole is invalid.

Who knows...

Different players. Pääjärvi is bigger yes, faster yes. Granlund is much more skilled and his vision is way above Pääjärvi.

Pääjärvi had 0.37 PPG at SEL 0.09 PPG at playoffs before going into NHL. Granlund has 1PPG at FEL at age of 17-19. +1PPG at playoffs. Was leading scorer at 2011playoffs in FEL. FEL champion, WC champion.

We are talking about 2 differend calibre of players. Granlund is just so so much talented than Pääjärvi. Stats tell it, achievements tell it. Pääjärvi was bottom 6 player for edmonton last year? and had 34points. Granlund is atleast top 6 player and most likely #1 player at PP. Without Injuries 40 points is piece of cake for Granlund. +60pts not suprised if +70.

 

[Loffer]

Different players. Pääjärvi is bigger yes, faster yes. Granlund is much more skilled and his vision is way above Pääjärvi.

Pääjärvi had 0.37 PPG at SEL 0.09 PPG at playoffs before going into NHL. Granlund has 1PPG at FEL at age of 17-19. +1PPG at playoffs. Was leading scorer at 2011playoffs in FEL. FEL champion, WC champion.

We are talking about 2 differend calibre of players. Granlund is just so so much talented than Pääjärvi. Stats tell it, achievements tell it. Pääjärvi was bottom 6 player for edmonton last year? and had 34points. Granlund is atleast top 6 player and most likely #1 player at PP. Without Injuries 40 points is piece of cake for Granlund. +60pts not suprised if +70.

I can see that. but there are so many variables at play here that one may make the case for anything. Size, strength, speed - aren't those the most valuable characteristics even in the modern NHL?
Does Granlund have the NHL calibre speed nowadays? Can he make the space and time for himself in a small rink? And finally: how is he better than - 50-60 point Bouchard (who is also faster)?

 

[thomast]

I can see that. but there are so many variables at play here that one may make the case for anything. Size, strength, speed - aren't those the most valuable characteristics even in the modern NHL?
Does Granlund have the NHL calibre speed nowadays? Can he make the space and time for himself in a small rink? And finally: how is he better than - 50-60 point Bouchard (who is also faster)?

Bouchard doesen't have as good vision as Granlund or as good shot. Granlund can control the pace of the game and is very patient with the puck. Granlund is tougher than Bouchard. Granlund speed have improved alot and still inproves. Granlund has just higher calibre of skills compared to Bouchard and granlund is better in two-way game aswell. Jeff Skinner isn't fast skater and he is small. Had +60pts.

 

[Jussi]

He was sporting a Jersey Shore'esque haircut at the President's Ball. Epic fail.

 

[cenas*]

If Granlund scores in this shindig he will truly be something else

 

[SPMaximus]

who is he most likely to score (on)?

 

[Chrisd]

The wild

The wild should just sign Selanne for 1 more year next year...

roll out a line with grandlund-koivu and teemu and give all finnish fans a orgasm.

 

[Jussi]

who is he most likely to score (on)?

I'be all over that aerobics girl (world champion?) Irina Matilainen.

 

[JabbaJabba]

The wild should just sign Selanne for 1 more year next year...

roll out a line with grandlund-koivu and teemu and give all finnish fans a orgasm.

Or just use that line in next WC if the players are available because Selänne isn't going anywhere.

 

[SoupyFIN]

Posted this on the wild board, thought I could share it with other fanbases too

MG @ The Presidential Independence Day reception

Arriving at the party

Handshake with the president

Like a boss

Deal with it

 

[Dominus]

I'be all over that aerobics girl (world champion?) Irina Matilainen.

Nah, MG wants more challenge. How about Silvia Modig? Member of the parliament and lesbian.

 

[Bookman]

Posted this on the wild board, thought I could share it with other fanbases too

I can see what Granlund is going to look like as an old man in that last picture.

 

[Jussi]

Nah, MG wants more challenge. How about Silvia Modig? Member of the parliament and lesbian.

Ewww... She certainly let her herself go after Rakel Liekki dumped her. Can't blame her, I'd slit my wrists if that happened to me.

 

[SoupyFIN]

Ewww... She certainly let her herself go after Rakel Liekki dumped her. Can't blame her, I'd slit my wrists if that happened to me.

A former pornstar dumps you and you would consider to slit your wrists?

 

[SaekkiPaelli]

Bouchard doesen't have as good vision as Granlund or as good shot. Granlund can control the pace of the game and is very patient with the puck. Granlund is tougher than Bouchard. Granlund speed have improved alot and still inproves. Granlund has just higher calibre of skills compared to Bouchard and granlund is better in two-way game aswell. Jeff Skinner isn't fast skater and he is small. Had +60pts.

I can't believe you just inadvertently compared skinners skating to Granlunds . Are you kidding me? Skinner is one of the best skaters in the offensive zone. He might not have the straight ahead skating speed, but there is no player in the NHL with as much agility in the offensive zone. Skinners skating ability is way above Granlunds.

About Pääjärvi, I just wanted to mention him as an example of how good WC, doesn't mean great NHL rookie season. Obviously they are different players, and Granlund will be the better player when he goes to the NHL, than Pääjärvi when he went. I also expect Granlund to put up better numbers than Pääjärvi. Something like 35-50, most likely will be ~45 points. Lower if he gets low PP time, a tad higher if he gets first rate PP minutes.

 

[urho]

Skinners skating ability is way above Granlunds.

Skinners skating is way above almost everybody in the hockey world.

Granlund >>> Pääjärvi, tho. If one of them was to have 70pt rookie-season, I'd pick Granlund 10 times of 10. I know, Pääjärvi had his rookie-season already but Granlund is a much better talent. Like I said earlier, I'd be satisfied with 40+ points and wouldn't be surprised if he gets 60. But if he has 70+season I'd be amazed...

 

[WayneBruce]

Skinners skating is way above almost everybody in the hockey world.

Granlund >>> Pääjärvi, tho. If one of them was to have 70pt rookie-season, I'd pick Granlund 10 times of 10. I know, Pääjärvi had his rookie-season already but Granlund is a much better talent. Like I said earlier, I'd be satisfied with 40+ points and wouldn't be surprised if he gets 60. But if he has 70+season I'd be amazed...

Yeah, Granlund will probably have a better rookie season. It is very easy now to say that Granlund is >>>Pääjärvi, mainly because of Paajarvis disapointing season so far. You have to remember though that Paajarvi was extremely hyped as well, people were saying he was going to score 60+ and win the calder etc etc.

The NHL is on a completely different level from all hockey played in Europe, some players make the transition and some don´t. Paajarvi was supposed to make the transition easy because of his size, strength and speed, but so far it has´t worked out for him. He is still young and will become better but it´s almost impossible to predict how many points a European rookie will have his first season.

 

[usernam*]

Yeah, Granlund will probably have a better rookie season. It is very easy now to say that Granlund is >>>Pääjärvi, mainly because of Paajarvis disapointing season so far. You have to remember though that Paajarvi was extremely hyped as well, people were saying he was going to score 60+ and win the calder etc etc.

The NHL is on a completely different level from all hockey played in Europe, some players make the transition and some don´t. Paajarvi was supposed to make the transition easy because of his size, strength and speed, but so far it has´t worked out for him. He is still young and will become better but it´s almost impossible to predict how many points a European rookie will have his first season.

Who on earth thought Paajarvi would win the Calder?

 

[Loffer]

Who on earth thought Paajarvi would win the Calder?

paajarvi.

 

[WayneBruce]

Who on earth thought Paajarvi would win the Calder?

MPS will win the Calder.

I guarantee it.

thats one.

He was one of the top calder candidates for hockeys future before his rookie season. I remember he was pretty hyped on the Edmonton board too, looking through old threads its not hard to find people having him as a calder favourite.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/12280/taylor_hall_among_early_favorites_for_calder_troph y/

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

thats one.

He was one of the top calder candidates for hockeys future before his rookie season. I remember he was pretty hyped on the Edmonton board too, looking through old threads its not hard to find people having him as a calder favourite.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/12280/taylor_hall_among_early_favorites_for_calder_troph y/

An Edmonton player overhyped, why I never