World Cup of Hockey 2016 Team Finland Roster Prediction
By Ryan Ritchie
World Cup of Hockey – Team Finland 16-Player Roster Prediction
Finland is another country known for using European skaters on the International stage. That should be different this time around as Finland continues to produce NHL level talent at a high rate.
Best known for developing elite goaltenders, the Fins are starting to make a name for themselves on the blueline as well.
Most of the question marks surrounding Finland is which forwards fill out the bottom five or six slots. Jere Lehtinen should at least entertain the thought of bringing along their star line from this year’s World Juniors (Jesse Puljujarvi, Patrik Laine, Sebastian Aho).
Coaching Staff:
Kale Kummola, President (IIHF Vice President)
Matti Nurminen, Executive Director (IIHF General Secretary)
Jere Lehtinen, General Manager
Jarmo Kekalainen, Assistant General Manager (Columbus Blue Jackets GM)
Lauri Marjamaki, Head Coach (SM-Liiga Head Coach)
Rules and Format:
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2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey will feature eight teams (Team Canada, Team USA, Team Russia, Team Sweden, Team Czech Republic, Team Finland, Team North America, Team Europe). The tournament will be held in September 2016, and is a group effort with the NHL and NHLPA, in association with International Ice Hockey Federation.
The rules differ from that of IIHF held tournaments, and will follow NHL rules, with games being played on NHL-sized ice surfaces. Because of the league’s involvement, fans can expect to see far less European players than we’re used to seeing at World Championships or Olympics in the 2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey.
Previous World Cup of Hockey roster predictions and more in-depth information can be found here.
16-Player Roster Predictions:
| Team Canada | Team North America | Team Europe | Team Sweden |
| Team Russia | Team Finland | Team Czech Republic | Team USA |
2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey – Rosters and Groupings:
23 players, 20 skaters, 3 goalies
Group A: Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Europe, Team USA
Group B: Team Finland, Team North America, Team Russia, Team Sweden
More puck prose: Jesse Puljujarvi Needs to Carry World Juniors Success to SM-Liiga
2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey – Team Finland 16-Player Roster Projection:
G Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
G Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins
G Antti Niemi, Dallas Stars
D Rasmus Ristolainen, Buffalo Sabres
D Sami Vatanen, Anaheim Ducks
D Olli Maatta, Pittsburgh Penguins
D Sami Lepisto, KHL
F Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
F Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild
F Jori Lehtera, St.Louis Blues
F Jussi Jokinen, Florida Panthers
F Mikael Granlund, Minnesota Wild
F Leo Komarov, Toronto Maple Leafs
F Teuvo Teravainen, Chicago Blackhawks
F Valtteri Filppula, Tampa Bay Lightning
F Joonas Donskoi, San Jose Sharks
Another team that can name all three goaltenders on Wednesday. Finnish goalies on the outside looking in are Kari Lehtonen, Antti Raanta, and Karri Ramo.
If Finland looks to Europe to help fill its roster, it’s likely to fill out the last couple spots on the blueline. Sami Lepisto has experience with them on the International stage, and is likely to be named to the team. Other defenders vying for roster spots include Esa Lindell, Julius Honka, Jyrki Jokipakka, Rasmus Rissanen, Ville Pokka, Petteri Lindbohm, Anssi Salmela (Sweden), and Topi Jaakola (KHL).
Next: Chicago Blackhawks Kane-Panarin-Anisimov Line Dominating NHL
This roster lacks the star value up front in comparison to most teams, but they have a ton of depth, making it one of the more debatable groups. Beyond the locks, Barkov, Koivu, Lehtera, Jokinen, Granlund, and Komarov, you could make a case for anyone in the above list, or from the following group: Jesse Puljujarvi, Patrik Laine, Sebastian Aho, Mikko Rantanen, Teemu Pulkkinen, Erik Haula, Irko Pakarinen, Joel Armia, Lauri Korpikoski, Tuomo Ruutu, Kasperi Kapanen, Ossi Louhivaara (Switzerland), Juhamatti Aaltonen (KHL), Petri Kontiola (KHL), Teemu Hartikainen (KHL), Markus Granlund, Miikka Salomaki, and Joonas Kemppainen.