WC: Roster Talk '11 – Finland

[Pajicz]

We've just got too much talent! Don't know where to put all these players.

Pulkkinen and Filppula are good energy players, the 4th line doesn't always have to be filled with goons. One is enough (Komarov).

Honestly, I can't even see Granlund fitting on this team as it seems we have an abundance of good centers.

You'd really have Lindgren and Ilari Filppula instead of Granlund?

I think that it would be a major setback for Finnish hockey, even though they may have scored more points this year. Granlund would get some important international experience maybe as a 3rd line center/winger, and would be more ready to play next year in WJC/WC/NHL, depending on his situation (Finland co-hosting with Sweden in 2012, also remember that).

Jalonen had Vatanen last year already, so cannot see why he wouldn't pick Granlund this year. And about Vatanen, any official information about his condition?

 

[ThinMcWhistle]

You'd really have Lindgren and Ilari Filppula instead of Granlund?

Yes I would, Lindgren is older and has been absolutely stellar in the SM liiga. He looks to be NHL ready, and can see him playing for Dallas if they have cap space and can get a contract made up. Ilari is a much older player (born in 1981), and is someone I could see on the team as a 3rd/4th energy type player.

Granlund also had that serious injury (concussion), and might benefit from having some recovery time. Either way, he would have to make way to the veterans and I believe his talent would be wasted on the 3rd or 4th lines.

 

[Herratopi]

My Team

Forward:
Jussi Jokinen - Mikko Koivu – Tuomo Ruutu
Ville Peltonen - Petri Kontiola – Teemu Pulkkinen
Janne Pesonen - Jarkko Immonen – Teemu Hartikainen
Lennart Petrell - Niko Kapanen - Leo Komarov

Defend:
Janne Niskala – Sami Lepistö
Sami Vatanen - Topi Jaakola
Juuso Hietanen - Pasi Puistola
Anssi Salmela – Ossi Väänänen

Goalie:
Niklas Bäcström/Miikka Kiprusoff/Kari Lehtonen
Petri Vehanen
Iiro Tarkki/Niko Hovinen

Reserve:
Mikael Granlund
Jori Lehterä
Juhamatti Aaltonen
Juuso Puustinen
Antti Philström
Jyrki Välivaara

 

[Other Little Mikey]

Just a small note from the Edmonton Journal since Hartikainen was mentioned.

"... if our farm team in Oklahoma City is in the playoffs, that’s where Jeff’s going. Same thing with (Teemu) Hartikainen (Finnish world possibility),” said Tambellini.

Hartikainen has been contacted by Finnish GM Jari Kurri about playing some pre-tournament games, an audition for the worlds in Slovakia. “I played in one tournament for the (Finnish) national team last season,” said Hartikainen, who has shone in his farm team call-up.

OKC is in a battle to make the playoffs and will hopefully get in but nothing is really decided yet. Even if they lost in the first round there might still be time. It would be nice for Hartikainen to get that opportunity if it's possible, even if they're just pre-tournament games.

 

[ThinMcWhistle]

Just a small note from the Edmonton Journal since Hartikainen was mentioned.



OKC is in a battle to make the playoffs and will hopefully get in but nothing is really decided yet. Even if they lost in the first round there might still be time. It would be nice for Hartikainen to get that opportunity if it's possible, even if they're just pre-tournament games.

I wouldn't mind Harski on the team if we don't get our top wingers like JJ, Ruutu, Miettinen, Hagman, etc. Much rather have a young NHL caliber guy on there than some veteran SM/SE league guys. Definitely would still rather have Pulkkinen ahead of Hartikainen.

 

[MMANumminen]

My dream team

Forwards
M.Koivu - T.Ruutu - J.Jokinen
Kapanen - Aaltonen - Lahti
Kontiola - Immonen - Pulkkinen
Granlund - Peltonen - Lindgren
M. Lehtonen
Pihlstrom
Hagman
Petrell
Miettinen

Defence
Niskala - Kukkonen
Pitkänen - Jaakola
Lepistö - Puistola
Vaananen
Vatanen
M.Lehtonen

Goaltending
1. Backstrom
2. Vehanen
3. doesn't matter...Kipper?

 

[BusQuets]

My dream team

Forwards
M.Koivu - T.Ruutu - J.Jokinen
Kapanen - Aaltonen - Lahti
Kontiola - Immonen - Pulkkinen
Granlund - Peltonen - Lindgren
M. Lehtonen
Pihlstrom
Hagman
Petrell
Miettinen

Defence
Niskala - Kukkonen
Pitkänen - Jaakola
Lepistö - Puistola
Vaananen
Vatanen
M.Lehtonen

Goaltending
1. Backstrom
2. Vehanen
3. doesn't matter...Kipper?

Mother of god...

 

[Brun0]

Forwards:
Jussi Jokinen - Mikko Koivu – Tuomo Ruutu
Niklas Hagman -Jarkko Immonen - Juhamatti Aaltonen
Mikael Granlund - Petri Kontiola–Teemu Pulkkinen
Antti Pihlström - Niko Kapanen - Leo Komarov
13. Miettinen/Lindgren/Lehterä/M. Lehtonen

Defence:
Janne Niskala – Joni Pitkänen
Sami Lepistö - Anssi Salmela
Juuso Hietanen - Pasi Puistola
Ossi Väänänen

Goalies:
Niklas Bäckström/Kari Lehtonen
Petri Vehanen

 

[Colt]

I would like to swear because we don't have real superstar talent but still very good options even more than enough...

Offence:

T. Ruutu - M. Koivu - J. Jokinen
-The Cane duo plus our best center.
J-M. Aaltonen - Immonen/Kontiola - Hagman
-Magnitogorsk duo JMA and Konna would be great plus Hagman
Mi Granlund - P. Kontiola/J. Immonen - T. Pulkkinen
-Granlund best prospect, Immonen very good center and Pulkkinen top-5 prospect
L. Petrell - N.Kapanen - L. Komarov
-Maybe the best player of the FEL playoffs Petrell, always good Kapanen and ratlike Leo "Leksa" Komarov!

Defence:
Väänänen-Lepistö
-Power plus talent
Karalahti-Niskala
-very similiar as 1. pair
Salmela-Jaakola
-solid duo, not very strong or offensive

Goalies: no worries
Bäckström or Lehtonen will be the starter
plus Vehanen.

 

[Brun0]

I would like to swear because we don't have real superstar talent but still very good options even more than enough...

Offence:

T. Ruutu - M. Koivu - J. Jokinen
-The Cane duo plus our best center.
J-M. Aaltonen - Immonen/Kontiola - Hagman
-Magnitogorsk duo JMA and Konna would be great plus Hagman
Mi Granlund - P. Kontiola/J. Immonen - T. Pulkkinen
-Granlund best prospect, Immonen very good center and Pulkkinen top-5 prospect
L. Petrell - N.Kapanen - L. Komarov
-Maybe the best player of the FEL playoffs Petrell, always good Kapanen and ratlike Leo "Leksa" Komarov!

Defence:
Väänänen-Lepistö
-Power plus talent
Karalahti-Niskala
-very similiar as 1. pair
Salmela-Jaakola
-solid duo, not very strong or offensive

Goalies: no worries
Bäckström or Lehtonen will be the starter
plus Vehanen.

The same offence but the defence???

No way jaakola makes it. Neither will Karalahti...Väänänen doesn't produce enough offence and is netiher that solid at D.

 

[Muuri]

Jaakola is Jalonen's favorite, he will definitely be atleast fighting for a spot in the team.

 

[Mestaruus]

I'd go with this:

Aaltonen - M.Koivu(C) - J.Jokinen
Niskala - Lepistö

T.Ruutu - Granlund - Pulkkinen
Kukkonen - Vatanen/Salmela

Lahti - N.Kapanen - Hartikainen
Karalahti(A) - Söderholm

Peltonen(A) - Kontiola - Komarov
Petrell/Joensuu, Jaakola

Backstrom
Lehtonen

Put ruutu in line 2 and Hartikainen in 3 for their physicality and to balance the lines since they are both good 2 way players too. Petrell and Vatanen i'd take if they are not injured.

 

[illone84]

I'd go with this:

Aaltonen - M.Koivu(C) - J.Jokinen
Niskala - Lepistö

T.Ruutu - Granlund - Pulkkinen
Kukkonen - Vatanen/Salmela

Lahti - N.Kapanen - Hartikainen
Karalahti(A) - Söderholm

Peltonen(A) - Kontiola - Komarov
Petrell/Joensuu, Jaakola

Backstrom
Lehtonen

Put ruutu in line 2 and Hartikainen in 3 for their physicality and to balance the lines since they are both good 2 way players too. Petrell and Vatanen i'd take if they are not injured.

Hartikainen just joined his ahl team for the playoffs.

I like this line T.Ruutu - Granlund - Pulkkinen

... but pls Jalonen, no Kukkonen! NOOOOOOOO

 

[ThinMcWhistle]

Realistic scenario IMO:

NHL additions:

Carolina:
Tuomo Ruutu - Should play
Jussi Jokinen - Even though a contract year, I can see him agreeing.
Pitkanen - contract year, likely won't play

Calgary:
Olli Jokinen - Said he has retired from IC, will not play.
Niklas Hagman - Will likely play unless injured

Columbus:
Sami Lepisto - cotract year, may play

Minnesota:
Mikko Koivu - should play
Antti Miettinen - should play

Edmonton:
Teemu Hartikainen - Playing for Barons in AHL playoffs

New Jersey:
Anssi Salmela - contract year, may still play.

Islanders:
Jesse Joensuu - contract year, might not even be asked to play.

So realistically, that leaves:

Mikko Koivu - Center
Tuomo Ruutu - Wing
Jussi Jokinen - Wing
Antti Miettinen - Wing
Niklas Hagman - Wing

Sami Lepisto - Defense
Anssi Salmela - Defense

 

[Brun0]

^ Somehow i Dont think Pitkänen will play either...Joensuu could easily play if he gets called.

But none of Kukkonen, Söderholm, Jaakole should eve get invited...

 

[Jati]

Forwards:
Tuomo Ruutu - Mikko Koivu - Jussi Jokinen
Juhamatti Aaltonen - Petri Kontiola - Antti Miettinen
Janne Lahti - Jarkko Immonen - Mikael Granlund
Leo Komarov - Niko Kapanen - Lennart Petrell

Extra forward: Joensuu/Pulkkinen/Pihlström/Peltonen

Kapanen is probably second best center on the team, but is most suitable for the 4th line role IMO.

Defence:
Janne Niskala - Sami Lepistö
Sami Vatanen - Ossi Väänänen
Anssi Salmela - Lasse Kukkonen
Juuso Hietanen

I assume that Pitkänen wont come.

Goaltenders:
Kari Lehtonen
Petri Vehanen
Iiro Tarkki

 

[Mestaruus]

Hartikainen just joined his ahl team for the playoffs.

I like this line T.Ruutu - Granlund - Pulkkinen

... but pls Jalonen, no Kukkonen! NOOOOOOOO

Yeah. I dont understand why everyone insists that T.Ruutu has to be in M.Koivu's line. I don't think its a good combination (i think this was used in 1 wc or olympics can't remember but i remember i didn't like the line) and M.Koivu brings enough physicality to the line anyway so Ruutu is a lot more useful in another line like with Granlund. M.Koivu+J.Jokinen+a sniper would be good (Lahti/Pulkkinen maybe).

 

[MMANumminen]

I'd rather take Pulkkinen/Aaltonen/Lindgren/Lahti/Hagman/Petrell over Miettinen

Petrell is playing on beast mode now so if we need 4th line pest, him over Komarov

Lahti should make the team, 37 goals, we always lack scoring

 

[Eye of Ra]

Checking line


Petrell - Noke - Komarov

 

[BusQuets]

Checking line


Petrell - Noke - Komarov

i raise you with petrell-komarov-pilhstrom

 

[JabbaJabba]

Mine

J.Jokinen-M.Koivu-T.Ruutu
(the NHL-line that should work)
Hagman-Kontiola-Aaltonen
(Konna+Aalto= third player could be someone else too)
Lahti-N.Kapanen-Pulkkinen
(Lahti+Pulu=, Kapanen backs them up in defence)
Petrell-Komarov-Pihlström
(hard hitting warrior -line that can score too)
Immonen
(Can fill in anywhere almost)

Defence is very tricky but I'll try something

Salmela-Lepistö
Väänänen-Vatanen (if available, if not then Niskala here)
Kukkonen-Hietanen/Niskala (see above)
Hietanen/Karalahti

Goalies are quite easy

Bäckström/Lehtonen/Kiprusoff (whoever wants to come)
Vehanen/Lassila (which ever)
Tarkki (has been pretty good in playoffs)

 

[Bookman]

From a selfish perspective, I'd like to see what a line of Mikko Koivu, Mikko Lehtonen, and Mikael Granlund could do. It would be a nice warm up for next season with the Wild.

 

[gopreds19]

Is Rinne not viewed as the best Finnish goalie?

 

[Brun0]

Is Rinne not viewed as the best Finnish goalie?

Kinda hard to say who's the best but Predators are in the playoffs vs ducks?

 

[ThinMcWhistle]

According to this Finnish newspaper, Pitkanen and Miettinen have declined to play in the WC. It states that it's originally from the Ilta Sanomat, but I could not find it on their website.

Take it for what it's worth.


http://www.lansi-savo.fi/Urheilu/11145887.html