Best on Best 2023: Projecting Team Finland’s roster
Welcome to Part 3 of Best on Best 2023, a series in which we dream up hypothetical international lineups if NHLers were called to play a tournament right now. We’ve broken down our Canada and USA rosters so far. Next up? The always-feisty Team Finland, a nation that medalled in four of the five Winter Olympics featuring NHL players between 1998 and 2014.
My colleague Steven Ellis and I will project rosters, sure, but we can’t do it alone. We need some authentic Finnish input. So we called on our talented friend Antti Makinen, Finland’s NHL play-by-play-voice, to craft a team of his own.
First, a rule refresher for the exercise:
– Roster structure follows IIHF format for the Olympics and World Championship: 14 forwards, eight defensemen, three goaltenders, 25 players in total.
– Since we can’t say for certain when the next best-on-best event will happen, be it 2025 for a World Cup, 2026 for the Cortina Olympics or a later date, we are constructing rosters for today. As in, right now. Opening faceoff.
FORWARDS – Matt Larkin’s picks
| Anton Lundell | Aleksander Barkov | Mikko Rantanen |
| Teuvo Teravainen | Sebastian Aho | Patrik Laine |
| Artturi Lehkonen | Roope Hintz | Matias Maccelli |
| Mikael Granlund | Erik Haula | Kaapo Kakko |
| Jesperi Kotkaniemi | Kasperi Kapanen |
I’ve already established myself as someone with a “chemistry bias” when building my lines, so I’ve opted to play the young center Anton Lundell on the left wing with his Florida Panthers teammate Aleksander Barkov, a configuration the Panthers used from time to time this last season. My second line keeps Carolina Hurricanes teammates and often-linemates Teuvo Teravainen and Sebastian Aho together, too. This forward group is extremely balanced in my mind, especially because so many of them can play two if not three positions. My fictional coach will have freedom to make many adjustments.
Biggest flex: It feels weird playing a legitimate star in Roope Hintz on my third line, but I like the idea of having three different deadly units with a stud to drive them.
Toughest cut: I had Jesse Puljujarvi on my squad until the last minute. I thought he could recapture his 2016 World Junior Championship chemistry with Aho and Patrik Laine. But Puljujarvi’s game has really fallen off, and he just underwent double hip surgery to boot.
Also considered: Jesse Puljujarvi, Eetu Luostarinen, Eeli Tolvanen, Juuso Parssinen, Rasmus Kupari, Joel Armia, Sakari Manninen, Teemu Hartikainen, Joonas Donskoi
FORWARDS – Steven Ellis’ picks
| Artturi Lehkonen | Roope Hintz | Mikko Rantanen |
| Eeli Tolvanen | Aleksander Barkov | Teuvo Teravainen |
| Patrik Laine | Sebastian Aho | Matias Maccelli |
| Erik Haula | Anton Lundell | Eetu Luostarinen |
| Mikael Granlund | Marko Anttila |
There isn’t a ton of variation here from the other squads. The Finns don’t typically have the same elite star power others do internationally, but, systematically, they’re always one of the hardest-working teams that’ll kill you with special teams. I don’t think that would change with a bunch of NHLers.
Biggest flex: Marko Anttila, easily. And that’s because I know that the 14th forward doesn’t matter a whole lot for the most part unless there’s an injury. And while there are some decent NHLers to choose from, we’re not talking about cant-miss picks. With Anttila, you’re getting a fan favorite with a history of scoring huge goals, and the energy he brings at 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds is enough to pump up anyone. It’s a big-brain play, but I’d love to see it to ensure a veteran gets honored adequately.
Toughest cut: Adding Anttila meant leaving some actual NHLers home. I think previous international commitment should matter, and Joel Armia – one of Finland’s better forwards in recent years – being left off would be difficult. But in all reality, you’re not missing a ton by leaving him off. I really, REALLY wanted to bring Sakari Manninen because few players can score like him on the PP, but, alas.
Also considered: Joel Armia, Sakari Manninen, Jesse Puljujarvi, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Kasperi Kapanen, Kaapo Kakko
FORWARDS – Antti Makinen’s picks
| Artturi Lehkonen | Roope Hintz | Mikko Rantanen |
| Patrik Laine | Aleksander Barkov | Kaapo Kakko |
| Erik Haula | Sebastian Aho | Teuvo Teravainen |
| Jesperi Kotkaniemi | Anton Lundell | Eetu Luostarinen |
| Mikael Granlund | Kasperi Kapanen |
Makinen opted for a very similar group of players to mine (Matt’s), but he deployed them very differently, using Hintz as his featured play driver on Line 1. To quote Makinen: “Hintz is Nathan MacKinnon with the puck.”
Even though Laine and Aho go back to the junior days, Laine and Barkov are close friends, Makinen said, who “have trained together for several years and would like to play together.”
He agonized over making Matias Maccelli his final cut; he opted for Mikael Granlund and Kasperi Kapanen for their superior versatility.
DEFENSEMEN – Matt Larkin’s picks
| Miro Heiskanen | Henri Jokiharju |
| Esa Lindell | Rasmus Ristolainen |
| Juuso Valimaki | Jani Hakanpaa |
| Olli Maatta | Niko Mikkola |
The Finns have the talent to measure up to most opponents at forward and in goal, but their defensive depth is lacking aside from all-around stud Miro Heiskanen, who will have to shoulder significant responsibility. My squad feels vulnerable on the right side with Henri Jokiharju and Rasmus Ristolainen playing higher than I’d like them to. That said: between Ristolainen, Jani Hakanpaa and, if needed, Niko Mikkola, this won’t be a fun D-corps to play against.
Biggest flex: Nothing really jumps out as a flex with this group – unless you count my decision to trust Ristolainen with top-four minutes. He’ll be OK. He can move the puck and has the responsible Lindell for a partner.
Toughest cut: I strongly considered Mikko Lehtonen over longtime NHLer Olli Maatta for a bench spot. Lehtonen is an international fixture for the Finns, suiting up for the past two World Championships and past two Winter Olympics.
Also considered: Mikko Lehtonen, Urho Vaakanainen, Ville Heinola, Robin Salo, Markus Niemelainen
DEFENSEMEN – Steven Ellis’ picks
| Miro Heiskanen | Henri Jokiharju |
| Esa Lindell | Rasmus Ristolainen |
| Juuso Valimaki | Jani Hakanpaa |
| Olli Maatta | Mikko Lehtonen |
As Matt said, the defensive depth is definitely lacking. Like, give me Kimmo Timonen or Teppo Numminen. Heiskanen is a star, no doubt, and Jokiharju is underrated, for the most part. I don’t think puck-moving will be an issue with this squad, but outside of Heiskanen, I don’t think the Finns are taking down Canada, Sweden or the United States.
Biggest flex: Mikko Lehtonen is an absolute treat to watch, and, again, I want to see him rewarded for his national team play. I know his attempt at the NHL fell flat, but giving him space is a mistake.
Toughest cut: Niko Mikkola was included by the other two, but I just wasn’t feeling it. He’s just… fine.
Also considered: Niko Mikkola
DEFENSEMEN – Antti Makinen’s picks
| Miro Heiskanen | Henri Jokiharju |
| Esa Lindell | Jani Hakanpaa |
| Olli Maatta | Rasmus Ristolainen |
| Juuso Valimaki | Niko Mikkola |
Makinen goes with the same personnel as me (Matt) but in a different deployment. Most notably, he puts Dallas Stars teammates Lindell and Hakanpaa together.
GOALTENDERS – Matt Larkin’s picks
| Juuse Saros |
| Antti Raanta |
| Joonas Korpisalo |
A decade ago, Finnish goaltending was at its pinnacle, regarded as highly as Russian goaltending today, with the luxury of choosing between puck-stoppers like Tuukka Rask and Pekka Rinne for the starting gig. The talent pool has since turned over a lot, and Saros exists in a class of his own, the slam-dunk No. 1 option.
Biggest flex: Raanta has never established himself as a long-term, full-time NHL starter, yet I still installed him at No. 2 on my depth chart. Why? Because he has established himself as one of the best 1B goaltenders of his generation, capable of providing steady play in relief.
Toughest cut: I could’ve taken Kevin Lankinen and just rolled with the actual Nashville Predators duo between him and Saros. Ville Husso also warranted consideration, but I opted for Joonas Korpisalo because I prefer his upside and big-game experience.
Also considered: Ville Husso, Kevin Lankinen, Emil Larmi, Kaapo Kahkonen, Ukko-Pekka Luukonen, Justus Annunen
GOALTENDERS – Steven Ellis’ picks
| Juuse Saros |
| Joonas Korpisalo |
| Antti Raanta |
Put it this way: if Saros remains healthy, there’s no need for the other two.
Biggest flex: My biggest flex here is I didn’t try and pick a Euro-based goaltender. Kept it simple with the three best options available.
Toughest cut: Ville Husso was a solid option, but, again, if Saros doesn’t get hurt, the other two are just there for the ride.
Also considered: Ville Husso, Kevin Lankinen, Leevi Merilainen, Lassi Lehtinen, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Justus Annunen
GOALTENDERS – Antti Makinen’s picks
| Juuse Saros |
| Joonas Korpisalo |
| Antti Raanta |
Same trio as Steven’s. Makinen opts for the game-breaking ability of Korpisalo as his No. 2 rather than the steady but injury-prone Raanta.
Teams at a Glance
TEAM LARKIN
Lundell-Barkov-Rantanen
Teravainen-Aho-Laine
Lehkonen-Hintz-Maccelli
Granlund-Haula-Kakko
(Kotkaniemi, Kapanen)
Heiskanen-Jokiharju
Lindell-Ristolainen
Valimaki-Hakanpaa
(Maatta, Mikkola)
Saros
Raanta
(Korpisalo)
TEAM ELLIS
Lehkonen-Hintz-Rantanen
Tolvanen-Barkov-Teravainen
Laine-Aho-Maccelli
Haula-Lundell-Luostarinen
(Granlund, Anttila)
Heiskanen-Jokiharju
Lindell-Ristolainen
Valimaki-Hakanpaa
(Maatta, Lehtonen)
Saros
Korpisalo
(Raanta)
TEAM MAKINEN
Lehkonen-Hintz-Rantanen
Laine-Barkov-Kakko
Haula-Aho-Teravainen
Kotkaniemi-Lundell-Luostarinen
(Granlund, Kapanen)
Heiskanen-Jokiharju
Lindell-Hakanpaa
Maatta-Ristolainen
(Valimaki, Mikkola)
Saros
Korpisalo
(Raanta)
Previous Best on Best 2023 entries
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