NHL Thread

[Taxman]

It is funny how everyone keeps on talking about the decline of Finnish Hockey. They are not even realistic. How a country that has five million people could has as any many NHL players as Sweden or Russia?
Also hockey is so expensive hobby that nowadays it's hard even for a middle-class family to afford it.

[Thom Yorke]

Originally Posted by Taxman

It is funny how everyone keeps on talking about the decline of Finnish Hockey. They are not even realistic. How a country that has five million people could has as any many NHL players as Sweden or Russia?
Also hockey is so expensive hobby that nowadays it's hard even for a middle-class family to afford it.

I don't think Finnish hockey is declining, it's just that they're in a clear transitional phase when it comes to elite talent. The guys that have carried them for years are retired or nearly retired (Selanne, Kiprusoff, Timonen, Saku Koivu, etc.), and their top prospects might be a bit too young to make an impact at the highest level right now (Barkov, Granlund, Maatta, Ristolainen, etc.).

If you look at their elite players that are currently in their primes (who aren't goalies), you have Mikko Koivu and that's about it. Guys like Filppula, Ruutu, J. Jokinen are solid, but hardly elite.

[Taxman]

Originally Posted by Thom Yorke

I don't think Finnish hockey is declining, it's just that they're in a clear transitional phase when it comes to elite talent. The guys that have carried them for years are retired or nearly retired (Selanne, Kiprusoff, Timonen, Saku Koivu, etc.), and their top prospects might be a bit too young to make an impact at the highest level right now (Barkov, Granlund, Maatta, Ristolainen, etc.).

If you look at their elite players that are currently in their primes (who aren't goalies), you have Mikko Koivu and that's about it. Guys like Filppula, Ruutu, J. Jokinen are solid, but hardly elite.

This is true. It seemed like it was declining, but it really is not. Now it's the time to say goodbye to those old players (and even the middle-aged ones) and let those younger ones play. It may mean that two or three next cups will not be so successful, but you can only get experience if you are allowed to play.

Also considering how thin our material is and how small country Finland is, it is pretty respectable that since the NHL players have played in Olympic games, Finland has won the biggest amount of medals. Surely, no gold,but still. Ain't bad?

[Laces Out Dan!]

Very impressive win...Congrats buddy 3rd time ever. This is the second year in a row not getting a medal for Canada. And I believe the 5th without gold. And that was after 5 straight golds up until 09, which was our 15th in the history of the Tourney.

[Taxman]

Yeah, Canada was weak. They should have won us. Really. It looked like they didn't even try.

[Taxman]

I think Teräväinen could be the next Finn who'll make it big in NHL?

[Laces Out Dan!]

Originally Posted by Taxman

Yeah, Canada was weak. They should have won us. Really. It looked like they didn't even try.

Originally Posted by Taxman

I think Teräväinen could be the next Finn who'll make it big in NHL?

Definitely not Canada's best performance. In the tournament as a whole even. The upside is it was the second youngest team we've ever put in the tournament. The opportunity for 11 players to return next year is gonna be huge. Not to mention its back on home soil.

I agree that Teräväinen is gonna be a really solid player in the show. Hes got all the right pieces.

[Burning Down]

Originally Posted by Laces Out Dan!

Definitely not Canada's best performance. In the tournament as a whole even. The upside is it was the second youngest team we've ever put in the tournament. The opportunity for 11 players to return next year is gonna be huge. Not to mention its back on home soil.

Yeah, Toronto/Montreal for both 2015 and 2017. I can't wait! I've registered for a ticket package for the games Toronto is hosting, should hear if my name was drawn in February. Since the WJC is so popular, they have to do it as a lottery.

[Taxman]

Yep, but we did not have many stars in our team. Many of them play in the 1st division, not even in sm-liiga.

[Ninetales]

Maybe if canada put their best players on the team they wouldnt have finished 4th. Sigh.. oh well bring on the olympic team.

But Finland was great. And they didnt have Maatta or Barkov or Kaspari Kapanen. Ristolainen looks like a stud too. Add Granlund and the future of Finnish hockey looks pretty bright.