Mikael Granlund, Juuse Saros, Matias Maccelli and Erik Haula. Among other things, these players are on the verge of going from the NHL to the hockey World Cup tournament.
- Another interesting spring is ahead in terms of World Cup selections.
- There are many goalies available in the NHL.
- Mikael Granlund and Juuse Saros are guaranteed to interest Leijona fans.
According to the current situation, as many as five goalkeepers are being released from the NHL for Jukka Jalonen’s use.
They are from Ottawa Joonas Korpisaloof Buffalo Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, San Jose’s Kaapo Kähkönen and Nashville duo Juuse Saros and Kevin Lankinen. Although Nashville is fighting hard for a playoff spot, it is currently on the “wrong” side of the line, i.e. falling out.
In addition, the level of Finnish goalkeepers in the European leagues is tough. Växjö Emil Larmi gave great displays for the games at the weekend’s EHT tournament.
– I don’t know what Larmi should do more. He is having a good season. Sunday’s performance was absolutely amazing, enthused Iltalehti’s ice hockey expert Pekka Virta.
So the competition for the race places of Veskars is fierce.
April 18th
Mikael Granlund is a sure choice for the World Cup if the man is healthy and is not traded to another team before March 8. AOP / USA Today Sports
Many teams’ chances for the NHL playoffs are already gone. However, there is still tension in both conferences around the playoff line – who will play for the Stanley Cup, and whose golf season will begin in April.
The NHL Regular Season ends on April 18. At the latest, the Lions’ management team will know the names of potential NHL bidders more concretely.
The World Cup tournament starts on May 10, which means that the players of the teams that were eliminated after the first round of the NHL playoffs will have time to participate if necessary.
The World Cup final will be played in Prague on May 26.
MG64 and Haula
Erik Haula would be a multi-role player for Leijon for the World Cup tournament. AOP / USA Today Sports
There are some really interesting names for the World Cup. Mikael Granlund, who started his career in the San Jose Sharks, would be an excellent competitive player.
Having scored 5+29 points in 38 regular season matches, the Kärppien native and world champion is an excellent candidate to captain the Lions.
There are two dark clouds over the race journey of the 31-year-old “Granny”. The man may be traded away from the Sharks before the transfer deadline, which is March 8. The player’s family situation may also be a factor in terms of travel.
32-year-old Erik Haula is playing a regular season again in the jersey of the New Jersey Devils. If the versatile forward is healthy and wants to start, then Haula is a clear choice for the Czech tournament.
In 45 games, Haula has scored 11 goals and 26 power points. The man would bring a lot of experience and leadership qualities to the team.
Apart from that, Leijonat always needs one pori in its booth.
Pulju and Laine
Jesse Puljujärvi is playing in the NHL again. AOP / USA Today Sports
At the end of the year, few would have mentioned it Jesse Puljujärvi name for the World Cup candidates. However, the 25-year-old forward has fought his way from the June surgery table to the NHL lineup in Pittsburgh.
It’s a tough feat.
It’s not worth sending a plane ticket to “Pulju” just yet, but it’s a player worth watching when thinking about players in the lower fields.
A healthy Patrik Laine would be an automatic selection for the World Cup team. At the moment, Tappara’s foster is struggling with personal demons, and the man’s entire career is at a standstill.
Laina is unlikely to be seen in Leijon this spring.
According to Maccelli
Matias Maccelli, the magician of the Arizona desert, is ready for the World Cup tournament in May. AOP / USA Today Sports
23-year-old Arizona Coyotes’ Matias Maccelli has scored 34 points in 51 games. The native of Turku is a perfect candidate for the Lions’ scoreboard.
You can also choose a defender from the Arizona desert for the games without any worries Juuso Välimäki.
Seattle Kraken’s Eeli Tolvanen plays the regular season with almost the same points as Maccelli. The playoff spot is starting to slip away from the expansion team’s grasp, and in Tolvase, Leijonat would get a player capable of solving problems in the top field.
However, Tolvanen’s contract expires after this season.
Other potential competition players at the moment include, among others, Buffalo Henri JokiharjuAnaheim Ducks’ Urho Vaakanainen and Montreal Canadiens duo Joel Armia and Jesse Ylönen.
Santeri Hatakka is currently playing for the Devils in the NHL. The defender played solidly in the Under-20 World Cup a couple of years ago.
What does JJ do?
Of course, Jalonen doesn’t choose nearly all available NHL players for the games.
The selections depend a lot on the needs of the Lions in May.
On the other hand, players’ willingness to leave is affected by, among other things, contractual and health situations – in addition to the feeling.
A player without a contract rarely wants to go to a tournament. Getting injured in the World Cup might make it difficult to get a new contract.
Saros, Granlund, Haula, Tolva, Maccelli, Armia and Jokiharju are logically difficult to pass up in the selections if everyone is healthy and willing to go.
The situation with Jalonen and the rest of the Leijona leadership is actually good. In addition to players from the European leagues, there is also experience and quality from the NHL.
Another interesting spring is ahead in terms of race selections.