Olympics: 2014 - Finland Roster Discussion

[Quethas]

Finland is probably pretty similar with our current team. Something like this:

Forwards:
Tuomo Ruutu - Mikko Koivu - Jussi Jokinen
Valtteri Filppula - Olli Jokinen - Niklas Hagman
Lauri Korpikoski - Mikael Granlund - Antti Miettinen
Sean Bergenheim - Petteri Nokelainen - Leo Komarov
Bubbling under: Niko Kapanen, Jarkko Immonen, Ville Leino, Mikko Lehtonen, Jesse Joensuu, Oskar Osala, Toni Rajala, Jori Lehterä, Teemu Hartikainen, Petri Kontiola, Riku Hahl, Janne Pesonen, Antti Pihlström
- Lot of players for the 3rd and 4th line. Not much talent for the top 6.

Defenders:
Joni Pitkänen - Toni Lydman
Kimmo Timonen - Janne Niskala
Sami Vatanen - Topi Jaakola
Sami Lepistö
Bubbling under: Ossi Väänänen, Anssi Salmela, Mikko Lehtonen, Lasse Kukkonen, Jyri Niemi, Ilkka Heikkinen, Teemu Laakso, Mikko Jokela, Ville Koistinen
- We have pretty many offensive defenders, but we need more Lydman's. That's why Jaakola is there. That could be Väänänen too though. We need someone for our own end. Timonen might still be around in 2014.

Goalies:
Miikka Kiprusoff
Tuukka Rask
Antero Niittymäki
Bubbling under: Niklas Bäckström, Pekka Rinne, Kari Lehtonen, Harri Säteri, Karri Rämö... you name it
- Goalies tend to continue longer so Kipper might still be our first goalie. Then again it probably doesn't matter who we have there. Rask is a good option.

Click to read more...

 

[Mestaruus]

Wtb resticky for this thread!

My team Finland would be:

T.Ruutu - M.Koivu - Leino
Vatanen - Lydman (PP: Vatanen+Niskala)

Korpikoski - Immonen - Granlund (<-- PP1 and the real #1 line when it comes down to scoring expectations)
Timonen/Niskala - Pitkänen

Pulkkinen/J.Jokinen - Filppula - Bergenheim
Niskala/Lepistö - O.Väänänen

Philström - Nokelainen - Komarov
Lepistö/Söderholm - Välivaara

Reserves: N.Kapanen, Petrell, Hartikainen, J.Jokinen

Rinne
Niemi
Bäckström/Kiprusoff/Vehanen/etc

Pulkkinen needs to convince me still and keep progressing. I'd probably promote him into the playing squad if he did so. He'd go instead of J.Jokinen who was a disappointment last time when he played for team Finland. I don't think Pulkkinen could be put in line #2 (other than power play) because I really don't want to break Immonen+Granlund and the line needs a physical player like Korpikoski and i'm also not convinced how well Pulkkinen can defend. Korpikoski should be great in front of the goalie. Pulkkinen will be replacing Korpikoski on the powerplay, shooting one timers in of the passes of Granlund/Immonen.

Kapanen would be in playing squad right now but something tells me he wont be as good in couple of years as he is now. If he stays good he has a chance to replace Nokelainen in #4, really tough choise which one to center that line. Also Petrell/Hartikainen/Philström fight for the same spot and it's really close.

Since Lydman and Väänänen will be replaced for powerplay it's only good as they will be playing short handed alot if needed.

 

[IceHockeyDude]

T.Ruutu-M.Koivu-J.Jokinen
Leino-Filppula-Korpikoski
O.Jokinen-Granlund-Pulkkinen
J.Ruutu/Pihlström/Bergenheim-Nokelainen-Komarov

This would be Finland's offense, however it may change alot as its hard to say will the young guys develop and how much and will the stars keep their status till 2014.

Pitkänen-Lydman
Timonen-Vatanen
Lepistö-Salmela
Salo/Laakso/Niskala

I assume Lydman, Timonen and maybe even Salo will still be playing. I hope there will come more talented young defensemen though.

Rinne
Bäckström
Rask
Lehtonen

 

[SaunaMajuri]

Jussi Jokinen - Mikko Koivu - Tuomo Ruutu

Ville Leino - Valtteri Filppula - Sean Bergenheim

Lauri Korpikoski - Jarkko Immonen - Mikael Granlund

Jarkko Ruutu - Petteri Nokelainen - Niklas Hagman

Petri Kontiola



Toni Lydman -Sami Vatanen

Janne Niskala -Ossi Väänänen

Anssi Salmela -Sami Lepistö

Joni Pitkänen


Pekka Rinne
Antti Niemi
Tuukka Rask

Possible forwards: Leo Komarov, Jani Lajunen, Oskar Osala, Jori Lehterä, Toni Rajala, Perttu Lindgren, Teemu Pulkkinen and Teemu Hartikainen

Possible defense:

Possible goalies: Yes there is many potential options behind those three

I hope that Joonas Donskoi, Joel Armia and Olli Määttä will take a big steps before 2014.

 

[FinnswissX]

Jussi Jokinen - Mikko Koivu - Tuomo Ruutu

Ville Leino - Valtteri Filppula - Sean Bergenheim

Lauri Korpikoski - Jarkko Immonen - Mikael Granlund

Jarkko Ruutu - Petteri Nokelainen - Niklas Hagman

Petri Kontiola



Toni Lydman -Sami Vatanen

Janne Niskala -Ossi Väänänen

Anssi Salmela -Sami Lepistö

Joni Pitkänen


Pekka Rinne
Antti Niemi
Tuukka Rask

Possible forwards: Leo Komarov, Jani Lajunen, Oskar Osala, Jori Lehterä, Toni Rajala, Perttu Lindgren, Teemu Pulkkinen and Teemu Hartikainen

Possible defense:

Possible goalies: Yes there is many potential options behind those three

I hope that Joonas Donskoi, Joel Armia and Olli Määttä will take a big steps before 2014.

Sorry but Finland doesn't need at all Jarkko Ruutu. I'm sure Finland has better options than him in the defense.

 

[gasp]

Finland

Valtteri Filppula - Mikko Koivu - Tuomo Ruutu
Joni Pitkänen - Toni Lydman

Jussi Jokinen - Mikael Granlund - Ville Leino
Kimmo Timonen - Sami Vatanen

Niklas Hagman - Jarkko Immonen - Lauri Korpikoski
Janne Niskala - Sami Lepistö

Antti Pihlström - Petteri Nokelainen - Sean Bergenheim

Pekka Rinne

 

[Muuri]

Update

Offence:

T.Ruutu-M.Koivu-Filppula
Leino-Granlund-J.Jokinen
Korpikoski-Immonen-Bergenheim
Hartikainen-Nokelainen-Petrell
Komarov

Also considered:
Pulkkinen
Armia
Hagman
Donskoi
J.Lajunen
Kontiola
etc.

Defence:

Pitkänen-Lydman
Lepistö-Laakso
Vatanen-Jaakola
Niskala

Also considered:
Väänänen
Salmela
Kukkonen
Määttä
Timonen (retired by then? If not, he is on the team)
etc.

Goalies:

Rinne
Lehtonen
Rask

Also considered:
Niemi
Kipper
Bäckström
Vehanen
Hovinen
Engren
Niittymäki
etc.

Doesn't look nearly as bad as I though it would few years ago. Defense sucks but that goalie trio might the best of the tournament.

 

[ToBBa]

Finland

Lehtonen / Rask / Rinne

Korpikoski - Immonen - Granlund
Timonen - Ristolainen

J Jokinen - M Koivu - Armia
Määttä - Vatanen

T Ruutu - Filppula - Pulkkinen
Hakanpää - Pitkänen

Salomäki - Barkov - Komarov

 

[FiLe]

Finland

Lehtonen / Rask / Rinne

Korpikoski - Immonen - Granlund
Timonen - Ristolainen

J Jokinen - M Koivu - Armia
Määttä - Vatanen

T Ruutu - Filppula - Pulkkinen
Hakanpää - Pitkänen

Salomäki - Barkov - Komarov

Safe for Timonen, that looks more like the Pyeongchang team.

 

[Zamuz]

Team Finland

T.Ruutu - M.Koivu - J.Jokinen
Veterans and good chemistry here, Koivu and Ruutu always played good together mixed with Jokinen who can score important goals.

Pulkkinen - Granlund - Immonen
Granlund and Immonen just can't be split. Also Pulkkinen & Granlund have always had a good chemistry together aswell.

Korpikoski - Filppula - Leino
A bit more defensive line but with speed and skill, Leino's most important job is to keep the puck in the offensive zone. Korpedo and Filppula are excellent two-way forwards which makes it easier for Leino to play his own game.

Komarov - Lehterä - Salomäki
Another defensive, yet physical lineup. Was thinking to already set Barkov in 4th line but then remembered Lehterä who is playing better than ever.

Bergenheim
Very good shorthanded player who can be put in any line

Pitkänen - Timonen
Vatanen - Niskala
Lydman - Väänänen


Defense i count on two a bit more offensive pairs and 3rd pair as defensive.

Rinne/Lehtonen
Both goalies play some games, from those games better one plays the quarterfinal and so on.

 

[Lapa]

Ruutu - Koivu - Puustinen

Korpikoski - Granlund - J. Jokinen

Leino - Filppula - Hagman

Hartikainen - Jani Lajunen - Petrell

Vatanen - Lydman
Pitkänen - Laakso
Lepistö - Timonen
Niskala

G: Rask, Rinne, Lehtonen


Juuso Puustinen will surprise us all. Just sayin

 

[gib]

Finland forward lines:

Korpikoski - M. Koivu - Mi. Granlund
J. Jokinen - V. Filppula - Hartikainen
Leino - Immonen - Bergenheim
T. Ruutu - Nokelainen - Petrell

Impossible to guess the team at this point. There are too many guys who can develope enough to crack the lineup and injuries always play the role. Lehterä, Joensuu, Komarov, Pulkkinen, Puustinen, Lajunen, Mikko Lehtonen (forward), Osala...

 

[Zamuz]

Ruutu - Koivu - Puustinen

Korpikoski - Granlund - J. Jokinen

Leino - Immonen - Hagman

Hartikainen - Jani Lajunen - Petrell

Vatanen - Lydman
Pitkänen - Laakso
Lepistö - Timonen
Niskala

G: Rask, Rinne, Lehtonen


Juuso Puustinen will surprise us all. Just sayin

No Filppula? ok....

 

[IceHockeyDude]

Filppula-M.Koivu-T.Ruutu
Armia-Immonen-Granlund
Korpikoski-Leino-Bergenheim/J.Jokinen
Komarov-Kontiola-Hartikainen/Salomäki

Vatanen-Väänänen
Pitkänen-Timonen
Määttä-Lydman
Niskala-Järvinen

Rinne
Lehtonen
Rask

If our young generation developes as I hope, these could be the possible lines. Also Leino must pick up his game and take a few steps forward as an NHL-player. Määttä may be a suprising name on the list. After he gets drafted he plays a great season in OHL or in SM-liiga and an incredible half-season in either one. He would be 19-20 by the time OGs start.

 

[Muuri]

Ruutu-M.Koivu-Filppula
Jokinen-Immonen-Granlund
Korpikoski-Kontiola-Bergenheim
Petrell-Nokelainen-Komarov

Timonen-Pitkänen
Lydman-Vatanen
Väänänen-Järvinen
Niskala-Kukkonen

 

[SittingDuck]

Tells something about our junior development (though it is getting better all the time) that we have to drag a 19 yr old Määttä to the defence...

 

[Ville82]

Ruutu - Koivu - Filppula/Jokinen
Bergenheim/Korpikoski - Granlund - Jokinen/Filppula
Korpikoski/Bergenheim - Leino - Hartikainen
Komarov - Nokelainen - Petrell
Maybe: Armia, Pulkkinen, Teräväinen(dunno how good he will be), Immonen, Kontiola, Salomäki, Puustinen, Joensuu, Lehterä, Donskoi etc.

Pitkänen - Timonen(if still playing)
Vatanen - Järvinen
Lydman - Väänänen
Niskala - Lepistö/Laakso/Salmela
Maybe: MäättäD), well hmm....

Rinne
Rask
Lehtonen

 

[FiLe]

Something tells me we'll be back with the 13-7 skater model (even if Jalonen is still coaching), considering the concept of taxi squads was removed from the equation for olympic hockey beginning from Vancouver. You'll have the 20 skaters you name and if one or more of them gets sidelined, woe for you.


Anyway, here's a Jalonen version...

Rinne (Niemi)

Niskala - Vatanen
Timonen - Lepistö
Lydman - Väänänen
Järvinen

Filppula - M.Koivu - Ruutu
Korpikoski - Immonen - Granlund
Bergenheim - Kontiola - Jokinen
Komarov - S.Koivu - Lajunen
Hartikainen


No, I didn't forget Pitkänen. He will simply get snubbed, because Jalonen has the cojones to do that due to Joni not being a Meidän peli kind of guy. Leino won't get an invite for the same reason, unless he suddenly starts producing like back in Philly.

That being said, I do hope for two things for the upcoming season... 1) Armia plays the lights out and makes the WHC squad, and 2) Määttä does the same.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

My Finland's dream team for the 2014 olympics:

Granlund - M. Koivu - Ruutu
Bergenheim - Filppula - Aaltonen
Korpikoski - S. Koivu - J. Jokinen
Komarov - Kontiola - Joensuu
Pihlstrom

Pitkanen - Lydman
Timonen - Salo
Jarvinen - Vaananen
Vatanen

Rinne
Lehtonen

Other forward canditates:

Leino, Miettinen, Hagman, Nokelainen, Petrell, Kapanen

Other defenseman canditates:

Niskala, Salmela, Hietanen, Lepisto, Maatta, Kukkonen


Players such as Leino can make the team if they are playing well. Still have almost 2 years to develop and guys like Leino can be very strong canditates for top 6 role then. I think O. Jokinen is out (said his NT career is over - and tbh im more than happy without him), Immonen wont be good enough and Selanne has retired by then. We have many players for the 4th line but thats pretty much the best lineup we can have then IMO.

I think some people here are overrating our young players like Pulkkinen. I mean, its not like they suddenly turn into stars in a season and half, we are talking about Olympics. The competition level is much higher than in the WHC, experience playing against the best in the world is almost a must for this tournament.

What concerns me is our D. Timonen and Salo will be 39, Lydman 36 and Vaananen 33. I hope they can all keep up with the tempo.

 

[mattihp]

J.Jokinen - M.Koivu - T.Ruutu - Tuomo will have special instruction; SHOOT
Granlund - Filppula - Bergenheim - Immonen will be two years older...
Korpikoski - S.Koivu - N.Hagman - N.Hagman could be replaced by a Petrell or Pihlström or even Salomäki
Komarov - Nokelainen - Hartikainen - Energy and pretty alright shots as well..

I don't see Leino making it as a checking centre and if it's still Meidän peli.. He just can't fit into the system!

Timonen - Vatanen - Problems against bigger teams? You haven't seen Kimmo enough...
Pitkänen - Lepistö - I still haven't given up on Lepistö...
Lydman - Laakso - Still believe Laakso vill find another level of play..
Järvinen - Väänänen - Getting the trash out!


Rinne
Rask
Bäckas (if still playing and willing to mentor the younger guys)

 

[Muuri]

Saku Koivu is not "Jalonen player" and besides he will close to 40 in 2014. I say pass.

 

[spedico]

Just asking, how are the Finnish forwards doing in NHL? In WC we had some NHL players but most of our players had very bad shooting accuracy. I think we need some finnish malkin's to have a chance. Too bad there's no such thing.

 

[InjuredChoker]

We can only hope Timonen plays in Sochi.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

Just asking, how are the Finnish forwards doing in NHL? In WC we had some NHL players but most of our players had very bad shooting accuracy. I think we need some finnish malkin's to have a chance. Too bad there's no such thing.

We dont have pure goal scorers thats for sure. But we should already be used to it. Its the same **** every year.

This new generation (Pulkkinen, Armia, Teravainen etc.) have so much more goal scoring potential than our current players but its going to take couple years before we'll see them in action.

 

[spedico]

We dont have pure goal scorers thats for sure. But we should already be used to it. Its the same **** every year.

This new generation (Pulkkinen, Armia, Teravainen etc.) have so much more goal scoring potential than our current players but its going to take couple years before we'll see them in action.

Yeah, but we have the scoring problem in WC. Our WC team has max 5 NHL players every year, some players haven't played there in long time (e.g Timonen). So how are those players doing in NHL? Can they give us the goals we need?