Finland has been a force in the past two Olympics, ending up
with a silver medal in 2006 and a bronze in 2010. The strength of the Finnish
program is goaltending. While Canada is trying to figure out who will be more
consistent between Carey Price and Corey Crawford, Finland is trying to figure
out which all-star to leave OFF the roster. Good goaltending can help a bad
team win games. This is good because
Finland has an aging roster that is short on top-level talent, especially on
defense.
Goaltending
Pekka Rinne (starter)
Tuukka Rask
Anti Niemi (3rd)
With incumbent starter Mikka Kiprusoff retiring, the reins
have been passed to All-Star and two-time (arguably should have been
three-time) Vezina trophy candidate Pekka Rinne. Tuukka Rask is coming off a
defining playoff run and Antti Niemi has won a Stanley Cup in Chicago and was a
Vezina nominee for his play this year in San Jose. Kari Lehtonen is a former 2nd
overall draft pick and star for the Dallas Stars, but does not boast the talent
and resume to make this squad. Barring
injury to one of the top three, Lehtonen is watching from home, along with
Minnesota Wild standout Niklas Backstrom.
Grade: A+
Defense
Kimmo Timonen -- Sami Salo
Joni Pitkanen -- Toni Lydman
Sami Lepisto -- Sami Vatanen
Ossi Väänänen (scratch)
This group is old.
Timonen and Salo are both 38 years old, but both still posess
puck-moving skills to lead the power-play (Timonen) and a cannon point shot
accessorize it (Salo). Lydman is an
elite shutdown defender, but is also 35 years old. Sami Lepisto makes the team based on his past
experience, but is currently playing in the KHL. Sami Vatanen (Anaheim Ducks prospect) is an
up-and-coming NHL player who should break camp with the Ducks this upcoming
season and will be a part of Finlands future. Olli Maata (Pittsburgh Penguins
prospect) has a bright future, but at 19 will not be a part of this team. Ossi Väänänen is a well-regarded veteran and
will be on the squad to provide depth.
Grade: C
Forwards
Valterri Filppula -- Mikko Koivu -- Mikael Granlund
Tuomo Ruutu -- Saku Koivu -- Teemu
Selanne
Lori Korpikoski -- Olli Jokinen -- Ville Leino
Antti Miettinen -- Sean Bergenheim -- Jussi
Jokinen
Teemu Hartikainen, Jori Lehtera (scratches)
Up-front, this squad is led by the brothers Koivu (Mikko is
my choice for captain, Saku an assistant), the ageless Teemu Selanne and
Detroit Red Wings stalwart Valterri Filppula.
After that, the talent level thins out considerably. This is a veteran group through and through,
as Saku is 38 years old, Selanne is 42 and Olli Jokinen is 34. Most of the core
players are at or around 30 years of age.
Granlund and Hartikainen (20 and 22 respectively) will provide the youth.
The top line of Filppula/Koivu/Granlund boasts two potential line-mates from
Minnesota playing together. If they develop a chemistry together during the regular
season, that should theoretically carry over to the Olympics. Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne have played together in Olympics past and
currently play together with the Anaheim Ducks. Tuomo Ruutu provides a physical
presence on that line. The third line
consists of veteran sniper Olli Jokinen, with two-way Phoenix Coyote Lori
Korpikoski and the gritty Ville Leino. The checking line should be able to shut down
teams on the penalty kill, with proven grinders Miettinen and Jussi Jokinen paired up
with Florida Panther Sean Bergenheim.
This line can also put the puck in the net. Teemu Hartikainen is a top-prospect with the
Edmonton Oilers and pairs up with top KHL player Jori Lehtera (52 games, 17
goals, 48 pts) to provide depth. While Aleksander Barkov was drafted 2nd overall in the 2013 NHL draft by Florida and is an extremely talented player, I do
not see him making the team this year barring a Sidney Crosby-esque start to
his NHL career. Sochi is about taking one last veteran run at winning Olympic gold.
Grade: C
Prediction
Finland has the goaltending depth to steal another
medal. While they lack the firepower to
compete with power-houses Canada, Russia and the United States, this has always
been the case for them. Finland has
enough two-way forwards to make up for the lack of depth on defence. Age will be a factor, as will health. Sami Salo, Joni Pitkanen, Saku and Mikko
Koivu and Tuomo Ruutu have been injury prone in the past and losing any of
these players to injury around Olympic time will be a hard blow to
overcome.
Group B consists of Finland, Canada, Austria and
Norway. Canada and Finland advance.
Finland rides hot goaltending to make another appearance in
the medal round but lacks the offensive firepower to upset the United
States. Canada and Russia meet for the
gold.
The Finnish Finish: 4th
Nick M. is a transplanted Montrealer,
currently living in evil LeafLand. He is a contributor here at HabsAddict.com and give him a
follow, as he can often be found rambling on Twitter.
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