Mikael "Bruce" Granlund VII‎

[behemolari]

I love the Finnish Flash, one of my favorites of all time but he isn't the player he was. If he is on your first line at 43 years old Team Finland is in serious trouble. Sorry. Granlund-Barkov-Selanne would hardly be a good 2nd line in the NHL.

Team Finland has build on three 2nd lines and 4th, it's not a secret. Their strategy is to shutdown opponents and won by minimal margin.

 

[toewsintangibles]

Granlund 2+1 in the first game!

He has an accurate and powerful wrister, but it takes soo long to wind up.. Hope he can train to get his shot off quicker

 

[behemolari]

1+1 against Russia in a quarters, was best forward on the ice

 

[Bookman]

I'm very happy for Granlund to get the chance to play alongside Selanne - one of the greatest players, and a classy man to boot. He can learn something this Olympics playing alongside a legend.

 

[TaLoN]

1+1 against Russia in a quarters, was best forward on the ice

Granlund's been the best player for Finland all tournament! Can't wait to get him back here in Minnesota centering Parise and Pominville with Koivu centering the 2nd line and seeing how much more dangerous this team will be!

 

[JamesRanger]

Granlund has a history of good games against Russia.

 

[Harvest]

Granlund has a history of good games against Russia.

It's actually crazy how he is always top of his game against Russia..

 

[OpRedDawn*]

Granlund to KHL? xD

 

[Avder]

Granlund to KHL? xD

 

[TaLoN]

Granlund to KHL? xD

I think the KHL wouldn't take him after today's game.

 

[Lapa]

Selänne on Granlund:

"I've been very lucky to play with some great players, and Granlund is a perfect example. When you get open, the puck is coming. It is fun to watch when this young kid is so ready at this early age," Selanne said. "This is Granlund's business card for the world. He's hungry. He can't wait to get out there."

Ruutu on Granlund:

"Great player. We know when the going gets tough he just elevates his game and he can makes those plays. Today obviously his first assist, unbelievable winning that battle and then making a nice pass to Teemu," Ruutu said. "Usually when Teemu gets the puck in that spot he buries it. And the second one too. He found that rebound and scored. Our offensive guys were there when we needed it."

 

[walloftvs]

That saucer to Teemu was sweeeeeeeet.

 

[Dee Oh Cee]

He was the best of all our Olympians. Well done FBJ. Only good thing that came from this.

 

[Nino Noderreiter]

That saucer to Teemu was sweeeeeeeet.

Vid?

 

[BigT2002]

Kid showed so much poise out there. Very happy to have him here.

 

[Jarick]

Parise 1g 0a 1pt
Granlund 3g 4a 7pts

Yeah.

 

[NHL1674]

Granlund's been the best player for Finland all tournament! Can't wait to get him back here in Minnesota centering Parise and Pominville with Koivu centering the 2nd line and seeing how much more dangerous this team will be!

Ditto. And if Yeo so much as THINKS about putting Koivu back on the top line with Parise, he needs to be hung from the rafters.

 

[tomgilbertfan]

Vid?

 

[Ladde]

Parise trying to hold Teemu there.

 

[Harvest]

https://twitter.com/LKomarov/status/437290981055275008/photo/1

 

[Minnesota]

Vid shows what that extra space on international ice does for Granlund. Gave him that extra time to make a good pass. Unfortunately, smaller ice forces quicker decisions, making Granlund less effective.

 

[Caior89]

https://twitter.com/LKomarov/status/437290981055275008/photo/1

Nice Picture Komarov!

now come to play in Minnesota!

 

[Harvest]

Vid shows what that extra space on international ice does for Granlund. Gave him that extra time to make a good pass. Unfortunately, smaller ice forces quicker decisions, making Granlund less effective.

It was on PP, there is extra space on smaller ice too..

 

[Minnesota]

It was on PP, there is extra space on smaller ice too..

True, there's extra space on a PP, but the extra 15 feet of ice width on Olympic ice makes the defense play a much more passive game.

Perfect example, watch how both players defending against Granlund in the video/GIF play passively, without attacking him. The extra space on Olympic ice gives Granlund extra time and space to make a perfect passing play. Players in that position don't have that extra time and space on NHL ice because the defenders can easily take two strides and they're on top of the puck-carrier.

 

[J22*]

True, there's extra space on a PP, but the extra 15 feet of ice width on Olympic ice makes the defense play a much more passive game.

Perfect example, watch how both players defending against Granlund in the video/GIF play passively, without attacking him. The extra space on Olympic ice gives Granlund extra time and space to make a perfect passing play. Players in that position don't have that extra time and space on NHL ice because the defenders can easily take two strides and they're on top of the puck-carrier.

I agree that that the bigger ice is an advantage for guys like Granlund, but that play is not a perfect example of why. Granlund is even with the faceoff circle when he makes that pass, he's not out wide. The play was poorly defended, but the bigger ice wasnt a factor IMO.