Why is Finland underrated year in year out

[Lambo]

Because of people that make threads like this. Finland might not always have the flashiest players but they know how to play the game well and will always be a threat.

But the time is changing! Finland have more and more flashy players(Aho, Rantanen, Heiskanen etc.).

 

[Brun0]

I just see some old school hockey people in Sweden and Canada in their TV that say those dump things. They still live in those 1990s and early 2000s when Finland was still fairly new to competitive hockey.

It's is a testament how much hockey needs to evolve more and clean those narrow minded people from the business.

 

[karhukissa]

But the time is changing! Finland have more and more flashy players(Aho, Rantanen, Heiskanen etc.).

And when we are flashy we go overboard, 2016 is probably one of the best squads in the recent history of U20 tournaments. But realistically we're somewhere between 3-5th best squad on paper each year.

Main focus will always be around Team Canada/US/Russia but we're ready to stab when least expected, and everyone can be surprised again. It's the same thing than winter in Finland, always get's us by surprise and makes us look dumb.

 

[AB13]

Best on best, with all players playing, Finland is still the fifth best team, quite far off Canada/Sweden/USA/Russia. Finland have developed though and definately overtook the Czechs in the 2010s. Their roster isn't always amazing but they have world class coaching. Finland lack consistency but at times have great years where the roster is on par with the best, but some down years are also common.

I would rank the best roster every country could put out like this
1. Canada
2. USA/Sweden
3. USA/Sweden
4. Russia
5. Finland

The newer Finnish generation is a lot more talented than the previous one, though. They could still progress up this list.

 

[Eye of Ra]

I just see some old school hockey people in Sweden and Canada in their TV that say those dump things. They still live in those 1990s and early 2000s when Finland was still fairly new to competitive hockey.

It's is a testament how much hockey needs to evolve more and clean those narrow minded people from the business.

yeah canada cup 1976...finland won 8-6 over sweden. crazy game

 

[Eye of Ra]

Best on best, with all players playing, Finland is still the fifth best team, quite far off Canada/Sweden/USA/Russia. Finland have developed though and definately overtook the Czechs in the 2010s. Their roster isn't always amazing but they have world class coaching.

I would rank the best roster every country could put out like this
1. Canada
2. USA/Sweden
3. USA/Sweden
4. Russia
5. Finland

more like

1: canada
2: usa
3: russia
4: sweden/finland

right now, seniors

 

[AB13]

more like

1: canada
2: usa
3: russia
4: sweden/finland

right now, seniors

USA and Sweden are ahead of Russia for me. The Russians and Finns have a very poor defense compared to the rest of the big 5 and not amazing forward depth outside of the top 2 lines, especially at center. They have the possibly best high end forward talent and goaltending in the world though, so they would obviously be a force to be reckoned with. Finland don't have the depth or defense of the other top nations either, with less high end talent than Russia.

 

[Brun0]

Best on best, with all players playing, Finland is still the fifth best team, quite far off Canada/Sweden/USA/Russia. Finland have developed though and definately overtook the Czechs in the 2010s. Their roster isn't always amazing but they have world class coaching. Finland lack consistency but at times have great years where the roster is on par with the best, but some down years are also common.

I would rank the best roster every country could put out like this
1. Canada
2. USA/Sweden
3. USA/Sweden
4. Russia
5. Finland

The newer Finnish generation is a lot more talented than the previous one, though. They could still progress up this list.

Lol, Finland is a head of Sweden.

 

[Brun0]

yeah canada cup 1976...finland won 8-6 over sweden. crazy game

Yeah but one result, but overall Finland was no where a contender back then.

 

[AB13]

Lol, Finland is a head of Sweden.

The results at the last few Olympics, World Cups and World Championships show Sweden still sit comfortably ahead of Finland. Look at the quality and depth each year in the NHL draft? Sweden almost always have more first round picks and usually about double the amount of drafted players Finland have.

 

[Brun0]

The results at the last few Olympics, World Cups and World Championships show Sweden still sit comfortably ahead of Finland. Look at the quality and depth each year in the NHL draft? Sweden almost always have more first round picks and usually about double the amount of drafted players Finland have.

Maybe first rounders but that doesn't mean high end talent. Finland has more of those.

e.g. Sebastian Aho was 2nd rounder and would take over and swede.

 

[AB13]

Maybe first rounders but that doesn't mean high end talent. Finland has more of those.

e.g. Sebastian Aho was 2nd rounder and would take over and swede.

Finland don´t have more high end talent. Not a chance. A combined roster would still consist of mostly swedes.

Landeskog - Pettersson - Rantanen
Laine - Barkov - Nylander
Aho - Zibanejad - Teravainen
Forsberg - Bäckström - Lindholm
Karlsson

Hedman - Karlsson
Dahlin - Heiskanen
OEL - Klingberg
Lindholm

Markström
Rask

 

[Brun0]

The results at the last few Olympics, World Cups and World Championships show Sweden still sit comfortably ahead of Finland. Look at the quality and depth each year in the NHL draft? Sweden almost always have more first round picks and usually about double the amount of drafted players Finland have.

You had near Olympic roster vs Finnish Liiga team 2019? How did that end

 

[AB13]

You had near Olympic roster vs Finnish Liiga team 2019? How did that end

One tournament is besides the point. Sweden won the World Championships in 2017 and 2018, don't use recent WCs as an argument.

 

[Brun0]

Finland don´t have more high end talent. Not a chance. A combined roster would still consist of mostly swedes.

Landeskog - Pettersson - Rantanen
Laine - Barkov - Nylander
Aho - Zibanejad - Teravainen
Forsberg - Bäckström - Lindholm
Karlsson

Hedman - Karlsson
Dahlin - Heiskanen
OEL - Klingberg
Lindholm

Markström
Rask

Nylander, landeskog? cmon

 

[Brun0]

One tournament is besides the point. Sweden won the World Championships in 2017 and 2018, don't use recent WCs as an argument.

How about Finland Medaled in 5/6 best on best from 98' to 14'. Quite a feat

 

[AB13]

Nylander, landeskog? cmon

You can't deny they are great players. And if you want to take their roster spot, Olofsson, Rakell, Backlund or Arvidsson would be likely replacements. Who do you have to replace Landeskog and Nylander? Kapanen? Donskoi? Lehkonen? Come on now.

 

[Brun0]

OEL, Klingberg, dahlin, karlsson great at offence but 0 defence.

 

[Brun0]

You can't deny they are great players. And if you want to take their roster spot, Olofsson, Rakell, Backlund or Arvidsson would be likely replacements. Who do you have to replace Landeskog and Nylander? Kapanen? Donskoi? Lehkonen? Come on now.

How about Hintz, Kakko, Kotkaniemi etc. they'll be in the mix

 

[AB13]

How about Finland Medaled in 5/6 best on best from 98' to 14'. Quite a feat

Sweden have 47 world championship medals and 11 golds, Finland have 3 golds and 12 medals.

Sweden have 8 olympic medals, 2 golds. Finland have 6 medals, no golds.

Quite a staggering difference but the past is not what we are discussing either. You shouldn't use the past to make your argument though, is my point.

 

[MoeTheHobo]

finland good
sweden bad

Jesus, I hate these kind of arguments

 

[AB13]

How about Hintz, Kakko, Kotkaniemi etc. they'll be in the mix

Instead of Landeskog and Nylander, proven 60-70+ point players at the NHL level? Absolutely not.

 

[Brun0]

Sweden have 47 world championship medals and 11 golds, Finland have 3 golds and 12 medals.

Sweden have 8 olympic medals, 2 golds. Finland have 6 medals, no golds.

Quite a staggering difference but the past is not what we are discussing either. You shouldn't use the past to make your argument though, is my point.

Hence I reffered Finland has been competitive first time in the 90's so no surprise there.

 

[AB13]

Hence I reffered Finland has been competitive first time in the 90's so no surprise there.

Sweden still have many more medals at top tournaments since then though

 

[FinPanda]

Sweden is still ahead of Finland and it is not even close.