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Several Finnish players (S. Koivu, S. Kapanen, T. Ruutu, K. Lehtonen and J. Pitkänen) are nursing injuries at the moment while Kipper has already declined an invitation to represent Finland. This is what the team might look like if all these guys have to skip the Olympics (although it's unlikely that they all will be unable to play):
J. Jokinen - O. Jokinen - Selänne
Peltonen - N. Kapanen - Lehtinen
Laaksonen - M. Koivu - Miettinen
J. Ruutu - R. Hahl - Nieminen/Hentunen (Nemo against NA teams, Hentu against Europeans)
Timonen - Salo
Numminen - Niinimaa (Numminen is the best guy to cover Niinimaa's numerous blunders)
Niittymäki
Norrena
Toivonen
The team would still be good enough to beat the second-tier teams in the tournament, but I doubt we would get farther than the quaterfinals.
Several Finnish players (S. Koivu, S. Kapanen, T. Ruutu, K. Lehtonen and J. Pitkänen) are nursing injuries at the moment while Kipper has already declined an invitation to represent Finland. This is what the team might look like if all these guys have to skip the Olympics (although it's unlikely that they all will be unable to play):
J. Jokinen - O. Jokinen - Selänne
Peltonen - N. Kapanen - Lehtinen
Laaksonen - M. Koivu - Miettinen
J. Ruutu - R. Hahl - Nieminen/Hentunen (Nemo against NA teams, Hentu against Europeans)
Timonen - Salo
Numminen - Niinimaa (Numminen is the best guy to cover Niinimaa's numerous blunders)
Niittymäki
Norrena
Toivonen
The team would still be good enough to beat the second-tier teams in the tournament, but I doubt we would get farther than the quaterfinals.
Oh yeah, the third d-pairing would naturally be Lydman-Väänänen would Berg as far away from the ice as possible.
Pepper 12-30-2005, 03:40 AM I don't think you're being fair to Berg...
He could still be our mascot!
ice berg slim 12-30-2005, 03:42 AM Several Finnish players (S. Koivu, S. Kapanen, T. Ruutu, K. Lehtonen and J. Pitkänen) are nursing injuries at the moment while Kipper has already declined an invitation to represent Finland. This is what the team might look like if all these guys have to skip the Olympics (although it's unlikely that they all will be unable to play):
J. Jokinen - O. Jokinen - Selänne
Peltonen - N. Kapanen - Lehtinen
Laaksonen - M. Koivu - Miettinen
J. Ruutu - R. Hahl - Nieminen/Hentunen (Nemo against NA teams, Hentu against Europeans)
Timonen - Salo
Numminen - Niinimaa (Numminen is the best guy to cover Niinimaa's numerous blunders)
Niittymäki
Norrena
Toivonen
The team would still be good enough to beat the second-tier teams in the tournament, but I doubt we would get farther than the quaterfinals.
no Tuomo Ruutu?
Korkki 12-30-2005, 03:45 AM no Tuomo Ruutu?
Read the first post about the injuries...
Boucicaut 12-30-2005, 06:45 AM Yeah, with this team we can kiss medals goodbye. There just isn't enough talent.
If I had to guess I would say that Koivu, Pitkänen and one of Ruutu or Lehtonen will participate. Based on the article in this weeks Veikkaaja S. Kapanen will most likely skip the Olympics, which is sad because he's playing his best hockey in years. Ruutu and Lehts have been out so long that i'm certain one of them won't be ready.
Art Vandelay 12-30-2005, 08:13 AM Several Finnish players (S. Koivu, S. Kapanen, T. Ruutu, K. Lehtonen and J. Pitkänen) are nursing injuries at the moment while Kipper has already declined an invitation to represent Finland. This is what the team might look like if all these guys have to skip the Olympics (although it's unlikely that they all will be unable to play):
...
...
Pitkänen is expected back in a week maybe, so he should definitely be in the Olympics.
What's wrong with Kapanen? Havent heard anything from Philadelphia media.
12# Peter Bondra 12-30-2005, 08:30 AM From what Ive seen on nhl.com, Kapanen has been playing (and scoring :D) the last couple of games.
Boucicaut 12-30-2005, 09:00 AM Pitkänen is expected back in a week maybe, so he should definitely be in the Olympics.
What's wrong with Kapanen? Havent heard anything from Philadelphia media.
In an interview he said something along the lines that the playing schedule in the Olympics is so tiring that he would rather rest during the time. He's played in 3 Olympics already (for example Kipper's been to zero Olympics), so I can't say that he hasn't answered the call in the past but it's nevertheless a big disappointment if decides to skip. Losing both Sami and Tuomo would mean a significantly weaker second line, something that we can ill afford.
edd1e 12-30-2005, 10:11 AM i would love to see S.Kapanen in Olympics, and i hope he'll be there..
John Flyers Fan 12-30-2005, 10:41 AM Pitkänen is expected back in a week maybe, so he should definitely be in the Olympics.
What's wrong with Kapanen? Havent heard anything from Philadelphia media.
He's still having lingering issues with a knee problem and has periodically has to have it drained. I think it's likely that he'll use the time to rest and make sure his knee is 100% for the stretch run and the playoffs.
Pitkanen will resume skating tomorrow, and should be ready to resume game action in about two weeks. He should be ready to lead the Finnish defense.
Panopticon 12-30-2005, 10:46 AM Bring in Tony Salmelainen on the line with Mikko Koivu... they could be dangerous... He would be the best guy to replace S. Kapanen anyway...
Big Phil 12-30-2005, 02:06 PM Finland played over there heads in '04 and were tied with Canada going into the third of the gold medal game. Kipper was the main reason they did that. But without him they might be fighting it out for the USA for the 6th spot in the "big 6". They have the chance to upset because the Finns are always considered underdogs so I wouldnt take them lightly but on paper so far that's what it looks like.
BlackLabel 12-30-2005, 02:12 PM Bring in Tony Salmelainen on the line with Mikko Koivu... they could be dangerous... He would be the best guy to replace S. Kapanen anyway...
No, J. Jokoinen would be the best player if Kapanen won't be there IMO.
Rabid Ranger 12-30-2005, 02:17 PM It's been my experience that regardless of the roster "on paper," the Finns can never be counted out in international competition (at any level). On paper, the Finns don't look very dangerous, but they always get good goaltending, work hard, and play strong team defense. Boring to watch, but effective. IMO, they could very win a medal, but WON'T finish lower than 6th.
Jagr314 12-30-2005, 04:35 PM It's been my experience that regardless of the roster "on paper," the Finns can never be counted out in international competition (at any level). On paper, the Finns don't look very dangerous, but they always get good goaltending, work hard, and play strong team defense. Boring to watch, but effective. IMO, they could very win a medal, but WON'T finish lower than 6th.
I agree, they might not look as good as a Team Canada on paper, but they have always been a gritty team. If they can keep themselves out of shootouts, then they can be succesful in this tournament.
FiNsKa 12-30-2005, 07:49 PM In an interview he said something along the lines that the playing schedule in the Olympics is so tiring that he would rather rest during the time. He's played in 3 Olympics already (for example Kipper's been to zero Olympics), so I can't say that he hasn't answered the call in the past but it's nevertheless a big disappointment if decides to skip. Losing both Sami and Tuomo would mean a significantly weaker second line, something that we can ill afford.
I'm getting really disappointed with some of these Finnish players.. To represent your country in the Olympics in an unbelievable honour, and to say that you don't feel like playing cause the schedule is too tiring.. That's a copout.
Suck it up guys! :madfire:
Panopticon 12-31-2005, 09:03 AM No, J. Jokoinen would be the best player if Kapanen won't be there IMO.
I was talking about the worst case scenario, where both Tuomo Ruutu and S. Kapanen would not be there. Jokinen could replace Ruutu and Salmelainen could replace Kapanen.
We don't need more defensive forwards like Nieminen who can't produce anything except penalty minutes and stupid comments.
pihinalle 12-31-2005, 09:53 AM We don't need more defensive forwards like Nieminen who can't produce anything except penalty minutes and stupid comments.
And how many times have you seen Nieminen in a national team? Exactly. He hasn't even got a chance to show what he can do there.
Panopticon 12-31-2005, 10:28 AM And how many times have you seen Nieminen in a national team? Exactly. He hasn't even got a chance to show what he can do there.
If he was any good he'd get his chance.
Bring in Tony Salmelainen on the line with Mikko Koivu... they could be dangerous... He would be the best guy to replace S. Kapanen anyway...
Is Salmo even on the Taxi squad?
Panopticon 12-31-2005, 06:59 PM Is Salmo even on the Taxi squad?
I don't think so, but he should be.
Vic Rattlehead 12-31-2005, 07:01 PM Finland can definatley do well at the Olympics. They play great as a team.
Also, with the way Toivonen has been playing lately, he would be a great addition to Team Finland (last I heard, the decision was between Nittymaki and Toivonen). He has stolen games for the Bruins and has won the #1 job in Boston.
F...., this worst case scenario is slowly coming true.
T. Ruutu is now out, that is fore sure. S. Kapanen will likely skip olympics. Toivonen has hurt his ankle, but that is not so bad, cause we have Niittymäki.
We are so ...... if S. Koivu hurts his groing again.
Only positive thing is that Lehtonen seems to be healty enough for the olympics.
Aki Berg 01-09-2006, 09:54 AM Yeah, with this team we can kiss medals goodbye. There just isn't enough talent.
Not enough talent?? :biglaugh:
Has it been that long since the World Cup?
Aki Berg 01-09-2006, 09:56 AM I'm getting really disappointed with some of these Finnish players.. To represent your country in the Olympics in an unbelievable honour, and to say that you don't feel like playing cause the schedule is too tiring.. That's a copout.
Suck it up guys! :madfire:
Aki would never turn Aki's back against Aki's country.
Whenever Finland calls, Aki is there.
Boucicaut 01-09-2006, 10:57 AM Not enough talent?? :biglaugh:
Has it been that long since the World Cup?
It was mainly team defence that got us that far in the World Cup. Our offense was barely enough. I think our talent pool is not deep enough to handle the losses of both S. Kapanen and T. Ruutu. The second line would be significantly weaker without them and I do think that a team needs two competent scoring lines to succeed in the Olympics (i.e. to get through to medal round). So, offense is troubled indeed and I hope there won't be a single injury to our forwards any more.
Our D corps looks very solid right now, with Pitkänen returning in a short while. In the goalie department we're still not screwed, despite losing both Kipper and Toivonen. Lehtonen is playing again and Niittymäki has been very god for Philly.
psycho_dad 01-09-2006, 11:03 AM It was mainly team defence that got us that far in the World Cup. Our offense was barely enough. I think our talent pool is not deep enough to handle the losses of both S. Kapanen and T. Ruutu. The second line would be significantly weaker without them and I do think that a team needs two competent scoring lines to succeed in the Olympics (i.e. to get through to medal round). So, offense is troubled indeed and I hope there won't be a single injury to our forwards any more.
Our D corps looks very solid right now, with Pitkänen returning in a short while. In the goalie department we're still not screwed, despite losing both Kipper and Toivonen. Lehtonen is playing again and Niittymäki has been very god for Philly.
in world cup kapanen did not play selänne koivu lehtinen were all hurt so the situation is better now even without ruutu
and sorry about the text my keyboard is messed up
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