WC: Team Finland

[illone84]

I have a feeling this year's team will be worse than the Olympic team since even Europen players like Koskinen might say no thanks.

First round NHL playoffs is full of teams with Finns that will be dropping out after first round as Mestaruus mentioned above.
I predict that we still get more NHLers than last year.

 

[Retroglyphs]

First round NHL playoffs is full of teams with Finns that will be dropping out after first round as Mestaruus mentioned above.
I predict that we still get more NHLers than last year.

Team Finland will be fine.

 

[mattihp]

Is Ristolainen going to apply for American citizenship?

 

[FinPanda]

Ristolainen declining is never a surprise. You just know it. Those headlines about a "big setback" are awful. No one really expected him to come.

 

[Finnswiss]

Borgström is a Panthers prospect (2016, 1st round, #23 overall) who played four games in the NHL this season. As for his ethnicity, he is a so-called Fennoswede. They're a minority group in Finland. They're not Swedish and don't necessarily have Swedish relatives either, they're simply native Finns who just happen to speak Swedish as first language and (often, but not always) have names that are of Swedish origin. Most of these families have ancestors who have been living in Finland for centuries.

Thank you for the information about Borgström.

 

[Mestaruus]

Good news about Pokka! Glad he is in.

Let’s see what happens with Barkov.

I'm not expecting much of Pokka. I think he will look lost out there in Euro sized rink, having spent so long in AHL now. Not surprised he got selected as he has that Kärppä background, but I'm glad he gets an opportunity like this where he can hopefully show some NHL teams that he could be NHL player. However I rather see Juolevi in WHC over Pokka. Hopefully both get invites.

I'm happy if our defense is formed of these players:

Lindell
Honka
Lepistö
Heiskanen
Juolevi
Hietanen
Pokka
Kukkonen

Nutivaara - Washington vs Columbus
Vatanen - Tampa vs New Jersey
Määttä - Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia

Nutivaara seems the likeliest to come after first round of playoffs. Washington should tbe the favorite against Columbus. I think New Jersey could surprise Tampa, something like 60%-40% odds favoring Tampa IMO. We won't get Määttä I guess. Maybe after second playoff round though?

Would love to see Niku in WHC as well but I guess he's locked in AHL and NHL playoffs. Jokipakka looked pretty good in KHL playoffs, didn't he? Wouldn't mind getting him either if many in that list declines.

 

[FiLe]

Our Dallas Stars defensemen just had their post-season interviews. Some good news, some bad. First, Lindell said he's uncertain if he'll play, he has some minor injuries.

Honka however flat out affirmed that he's coming. So that's our first confirmed NHL addition.

 

[illone84]

Our Dallas Stars defensemen just had their post-season interviews. Some good news, some bad. First, Lindell said he's uncertain if he'll play, he has some minor injuries.

Honka however flat out affirmed that he's coming. So that's our first confirmed NHL addition.

Thanks for the update.
Leijonat sai ensimmäisen NHL-vahvistuksen MM-kisoihin!

 

[FiLe]

Thanks for the update. Do you have a link to confirm?

Dallas Stars beat writer.

 

[illone84]

Dallas Stars beat writer.

cool thanks.

 

[Retroglyphs]

I'm not expecting much of Pokka. I think he will look lost out there in Euro sized rink, having spent so long in AHL now. Not surprised he got selected as he has that Kärppä background, but I'm glad he gets an opportunity like this where he can hopefully show some NHL teams that he could be NHL player. However I rather see Juolevi in WHC over Pokka. Hopefully both get invites.

I'm happy if our defense is formed of these players:

Lindell
Honka
Lepistö
Heiskanen
Juolevi
Hietanen
Pokka
Kukkonen

Nutivaara - Washington vs Columbus
Vatanen - Tampa vs New Jersey
Määttä - Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia

Nutivaara seems the likeliest to come after first round of playoffs. Washington should tbe the favorite against Columbus. I think New Jersey could surprise Tampa, something like 60%-40% odds favoring Tampa IMO. We won't get Määttä I guess. Maybe after second playoff round though?

Would love to see Niku in WHC as well but I guess he's locked in AHL and NHL playoffs. Jokipakka looked pretty good in KHL playoffs, didn't he? Wouldn't mind getting him either if many in that list declines.

What about hard-working defender Atte Ohtamaa from AK Bars Kazan?

 

[Legend Leinonen]

I'd rather take Ohtamaa over Pokka.

 

[Mestaruus]

Our Dallas Stars defensemen just had their post-season interviews. Some good news, some bad. First, Lindell said he's uncertain if he'll play, he has some minor injuries.

Honka however flat out affirmed that he's coming. So that's our first confirmed NHL addition.

Ouch... Lindell was way more important than Honka.

What about hard-working defender Atte Ohtamaa from AK Bars Kazan?

I would imagine Marjamäki selects Ohtamaa since he was one of this go-to guys in Kärpät. I just have a problem if Ohtamaa is selected over some players in my list above.

Kukkonen over Ohtamaa if we don't get Koivu to captain the team. I think Koivu declines the invitation once Winnipeg knocks them out.

 

[Legend Leinonen]

I like Ohtamaa. From your list I'd take Ohtamaa over Pokka, Honka, Kukkonen and Hietanen.

 

[Johno]

Kukkonen should be nowhere near the team. And ohtamaa is like #5 if we want to succeed

 

[Retroglyphs]

Kukkonen should be nowhere near the team. And ohtamaa is like #5 if we want to succeed

Agreed, I've seen Ohtamaa as a key player in Team Finland's defense in Pyeongchang.

 

[Mestaruus]

Everyone can have their opinion about Kukkonen but I do think we are going to need that leadership when Koivu declines the invitation (after their playoff RD1 exit). Let's also not kid ourselves, Kukkonen will always be in Marjamäki's team if he wants to come. He may just say no as he already did the Olympics this year.

Last thing I want is for the team to lack fighting spirit which has happened so many times with Marjamäki's teams in the past tournaments.

 

[RABBIT]

Raanta did not rule out playing for Finland, said he was still undecided during his season-end interview today.

 

[Ducks76]

This WC 18 ist not interesting for me. I ve the feeling Finland has a bad team and Canada,USA and Germany are better.

 

[Finnished]

Nice. Sweden got Oliver Ekman Larsson, USA got Kane, Canada got McDavid and Barzal and Germany got Draisaitl.. Finland got Honka. Yay.

 

[FinPanda]

Nice. Sweden got Oliver Ekman Larsson, USA got Kane, Canada got McDavid and Barzal and Germany got Draisaitl.. Finland got Honka. Yay.

Marjamäki things. Thank god he is gone soon.

 

[WhatWhat]

Excited that Honka seems pumped to go to worlds, a little disappointed Lindell probably skips. 100% understand if he is banged up but after the season he had him skipping world would be a decent blow to the Finish D.

 

[illone84]

Confirmed. Barkov will not participate in Denmark.
Leijonille järkyttävä uutinen: Aleksander Barkov ei pelaa MM-kisoissa!

 

[FinPanda]

I just hope the tournament goes well enough so we will make the QF. Doesn't look good at all.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Esa Lindell says no.