Team Finland @ Vancouver 2010 Olympics

[FinWing 26]

Well we have a Nicklas Backstrom of our own

Finland has a wealth of goaltending talent though.. Niemi, Rask, Rinne, Nittymaki, Backstrom, Kipper etc.

That means they'll be a team to watch even though the rest of their roster isn't as strong as some other teams.

Our Backstrom's first name is spelled Niklas so it's not quite the same.

[Finnish Wing 110]

Our Backstrom's first name is spelled Niklas so it's not quite the same.

I always forget that!

[Finnish Wing 110]

According to the Finnish MTV3 media, Jussi Jokinen will not be on the roster. Ville Peltonen and Jarkko Immonen are said to be chosen instead. I would be very disappointed if this was true.

[esteef 2,679]

They'll go nowhere without Leino.

esteef

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

I can't believe they left Dorkki Crapanen off the team.

He's been tearing it up this season, too.

[Finnish Wing 110]

I can't believe they left Dorkki Crapanen off the team.

He's been tearing it up this season, too.

Who do you mean? Niko Kapanen?

WTF is Dorkki?

[miksteri 55]

Finland can't afford to dump guys that can produce offensively. We don't have that offensive depth the other countries have.

OJ doesnt produce s***, except turnovers and s***ty passes, JJ produces points.

[Finnish Wing 110]

Team Finland unofficially announced:

Goalies:

Miikka Kiprusoff Calgary Flames

Niklas Bäckström Minnesota Wild

Antero Niittymäki Tampa Bay Lightning

Defenders:

Kimmo Timonen Philadelphia Flyers

Sami Salo Vancouver Canucks

Joni Pitkänen Carolina Hurricanes

Lasse Kukkonen Avangard Omsk

Toni Lydman Buffalo Sabres

Sami Lepistö Phoenix Coyotes

Ossi Väänänen Dynamo Minsk

Forwards:

Mikko Koivu Minnesota Wild

Tuomo Ruutu Carolina Hurricanes

Antti Miettinen Minnesota Wild

Teemu Selänne Anaheim Ducks

Saku Koivu Anaheim Ducks

Jere Lehtinen Dallas Stars

Niklas Hagman Toronto Maple Leafs

Olli Jokinen Calgary Flames

Valtteri Filppula Detroit Red Wings

Jarkko Ruutu Ottawa Senators

Niko Kapanen Ak Bars Kazan

Ville Peltonen Dynamo Minsk

Jarkko Immonen Ak Bars Kazan

It's almost the same as I thought, except I would have definitely wanted to see Jussi Jokinen and Sean Bergenheim there. Jarkko Immonen should definitely not be on the roster and one of Kapanen and Peltonen shouldn't be either.

[FinWing 26]

I think Immonen belongs in the team over Peltonen and Kapanen. I would drop one of the latter two in favor of Jussi Jokinen, not sure which one. But I'm sure Jalonen picks a team that suits his philosophy best.

[titanium2 867]

I can't believe they left Dorkki Crapanen off the team.

He's been tearing it up this season, too.

Oh you can do better than that and you know it.

[Finnish Wing 110]

I think Immonen belongs in the team over Peltonen and Kapanen. I would drop one of the latter two in favor of Jussi Jokinen, not sure which one. But I'm sure Jalonen picks a team that suits his philosophy best.

Immonen is an offensive center. We'll have no use for him, espeacially when playing in the NHL-size rink.

Bergenheim would definitely be there, as he's a solid fourth liner, who can bring energy to the game.

Peltonen and Kapanen are both better defensively than Immonen and also have more leadership skills and past experience from international tournaments.

I belive Risto Dufva had his hands on this choice.

[FinRedWing 172]

I like the possible Tuomo Ruutu-Mikko Koivu-Fil line they're talking about right now.

[FinWing 26]

Immonen is an offensive center. We'll have no use for him, espeacially when playing in the NHL-size rink.

Bergenheim would definitely be there, as he's a solid fourth liner, who can bring energy to the game.

Peltonen and Kapanen are both better defensively than Immonen and also have more leadership skills and past experience from international tournaments.

I belive Risto Dufva had his hands on this choice.

You've said yourself that we don't have too much offensive punch and Immonen brings just that. He's familiar with the small rink too so it won't be a problem. He's also shown he's got clutch abilities so I dare to question the leadership aspect, sure Kapanen and Peltonen have more experience but Immonen brings more offense and is physically better suited for these games.

EDIT: It's kind of a pointless debate too since it seems all three will make the team.

Edited December 29, 2009 by FinWing

[FinWing 26]

I like the possible Tuomo Ruutu-Mikko Koivu-Fil line they're talking about right now.

Me too, even though Filppula's tremendous two-way talent is somewhat wasted on the wing but it's a good alternative with the logjam at center that we have.

[Finnish Wing 110]

You've said yourself that we don't have too much offensive punch and Immonen brings just that. He's familiar with the small rink too so it won't be a problem. He's also shown he's got clutch abilities so I dare to question the leadership aspect, sure Kapanen and Peltonen have more experience but Immonen brings more offense and is physically better suited for these games.

EDIT: It's kind of a pointless debate too since it seems all three will make the team.

Bergenheim and Jokinen are not in the team. That's what I'm worried about.

Immonen has offensive talent, yes. But doesn't have it enough to be anything other than our 13th forward. Jokinen is such an useful player as he can play offensive role, defensive role, center, wing, back-check, score goals, win shootouts etc.

[FinWing 26]

Bergenheim and Jokinen are not in the team. That's what I'm worried about.

Immonen has offensive talent, yes. But doesn't have it enough to be anything other than our 13th forward. Jokinen is such an useful player as he can play offensive role, defensive role, center, wing, back-check, score goals, win shootouts etc.

I agree that Jokinen should be on the team and Pyorala/Bergenheim instead of Peltonen to provide energy and hustle. Kapanen is quite serviceable and versatile but I don't have a lot of confidence in Peltonen anymore.

So let's say:

Kapanen -> J. Jokinen

Peltonen -> Pyorala/Bergenheim

Edited December 29, 2009 by FinWing

[Kira 451]

I hate to say it, but my money's still on the Russians. Theyr'e gonna be tough to beat.

[Finnish Wing 110]

I hate to say it, but my money's still on the Russians. Theyr'e gonna be tough to beat.

I agree. Russia and Canada will be the final IMO. On paper they both have the best team, only with that exception (from last olympics) that Canada now ha's a world class coach also. However, I think the rink-size and the location will be on Canada's favour, and they'll take the gold.

Finland and Sweden are both, with Finland having slightly better coaching and Sweden slightly better roster. Bronze for Sweden?

As said numerous times before, USA doesn't have anywhere near the coaching these four countries have. Czechs have better coaching than USA but they're always questionable.

Ice-hockey in Slovakia has been in slight chaos recently. They have some good names, but the whole package just doesn't look too good. Switzerland will probably finish 8th with their ultra-defensive style.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Finland can never be counted out, but honestly looking at that roster I don't see them being a threat to Canada, Russia or even Sweden.

Mikku Koivu is a personal favorite of mine, Selanne can still score goals, Kimmo Timmonen is good and you have 3 great goaltenders. But I don't see a Zetterberg, Crosby, Ovechkin etc. on that team.. you know, a superstar that can lead the team.

[Finnish Wing 110]

Finland can never be counted out, but honestly looking at that roster I don't see them being a threat to Canada, Russia or even Sweden.

Mikku Koivu is a personal favorite of mine, Selanne can still score goals, Kimmo Timmonen is good and you have 3 great goaltenders. But I don't see a Zetterberg, Crosby, Ovechkin etc. on that team.. you know, a superstar that can lead the team.

Sweden's roster isn't so different than last olympics and neither is Finland's. Both have some valuable players that have gotten better and some that have started to decline.

I always hate that 'looking at that roster' comment. Finland's never had one of the better rosters, still they've been able to get results. Finland's never had that kinda superstars.

As I said, Canada and Russia WILL be in the finals. They've both gotten much better since last olympics. I'm happy as we get in the bronze finals.

[dat's sick 1,002]

Sweden's roster isn't so different than last olympics and neither is Finland's. Both have some valuable players that have gotten better and some that have started to decline.

I always hate that 'looking at that roster' comment. Finland's never had one of the better rosters, still they've been able to get results. Finland's never had that kinda superstars.

Well, Selanne has been that superstar for you guys. He was a 40 goal/90 point player in the NHL 4 years ago. He can still score goals, but he's not on the same level anymore.

Sweden has superstars retired or in decline too, but we also have the Sedins, Kronwall and Zetterberg, all players that have improved since the last olympics and will be huge for us in this tournament. And we have guys like Tobias Enstrom, Nicklas Backstrom, Louie Eriksson etc. that weren't even on that Gold Winning team but are now very good players in the NHL.

I just feel like Finland will be weaker this time around, like I said they can never be counted out, but unless Selanne plays like his old self and Backstrom/Kipper stands on their heads I don't see them getting anything but 4th place at best. Especially since it's on small-rinks, which I don't think benefits the finns style of play.

But sure, Canada and Russia are the big favorites.

[Finnish Wing 110]

Well, Selanne has been that superstar for you guys. He was a 40 goal/90 point player in the NHL 4 years ago. He can still score goals, but he's not on the same level anymore.

Sweden has superstars retired or in decline too, but we also have the Sedins, Kronwall and Zetterberg, all players that have improved since the last olympics and will be huge for us in this tournament. And we have guys like Tobias Enstrom, Nicklas Backstrom, Louie Eriksson etc. that weren't even on that Gold Winning team but are now very good players in the NHL.

I just feel like Finland will be weaker this time around, like I said they can never be counted out, but unless Selanne plays like his old self and Backstrom/Kipper stands on their heads I don't see them getting anything but 4th place at best. Especially since it's on small-rinks, which I don't think benefits the finns style of play.

But sure, Canada and Russia are the big favorites.

I wouldn't put Koivu, Pitkänen, Timonen and Kiprusoff too far behind those guys.

That's what I said. And I'm pretty happy with that. Of course Bronze would be much nicer, but we'll see.

Finland has always played a more physical than Russia and Sweden. I'd say Russia will have the most trouble with the rink-size. Also, Russia, Finland, Sweden and Canada all have coaches who try to encourage puck possesion and that's always harder in a smaller rink. Then again, Babcock is the only one of those coaches who has been coaching in the small rink, so Canada has an advantage there too.

[Datsasuk 2]

They seem a bit older than some of the other teams too. That might be a factor in the medal round.

[FinWing 26]

Official lineup:

Forwards

Valtteri Filppula, Detroit Red Wings

Niklas Hagman, Toronto Maple Leafs

Jarkko Immonen, Kazan, KHL

Olli Jokinen, Calgary Flames

Niko Kapanen, Kazan, KHL

Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild

Saku Koivu, Anaheim Ducks

Jere Lehtinen, Dallas Stars

Antti Miettinen, Minnesota Wild

Ville Peltonen, Minsk, KHL

Jarkko Ruutu, Ottawa Senators

Tuomo Ruutu, Carolina Hurricanes

Teemu Selänne, Anaheim Ducks

Defensemen

Lasse Kukkonen, Omsk, KHL

Sami Lepistö, Phoenix Coyotes

Toni Lydman, Buffalo Sabres

Joni Pitkänen, Carolina Hurricanes

Sami Salo, Vancouver Canucks

Kimmo Timonen, Philadelphia Flyers

Janne Niskala, Frölunda

Goalies

Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames

Niklas Bäckström, Minnesota Wild

Antero Niittymäki, Tampa Bay Lightning

[Guest mindfly]

What is Niskala doing there? :S