The next Winter Olympics are in France in 2030. Here are my predictions for the next team Finland hockey roster at the Olympics. This will include who will be on the team and what the lines will be. It will also include goalies, penalty kill units, powerplay units, and more.
Gunner’s Projected Roster For Team Finland At The Next Olympics
Forward Lines
| Line 1: | Benjamin Rautiainen | Aleksander Barkov (C) | Mikko Rantanen |
Aleksander Barkov and Mikko Rantanen will both be older but should still be performing at a high level. I think I can safely pencil them in on the top line.
I am going to pair them with Benjamin Rautiainen but that depends on if he reaches his potential or not.
| Line 2: | Roope Hintz | Sebastian Aho | Eeli Tolvanen |
Sebastian Aho should be the first or second line center on this team.
Eeli Tolvanen should make it unless his play falls off and will provide them with some offense.
I will also go with Roope Hintz making it but he will be older so this assumes his body holds up.
| Line 3 | Eetu Luostarinen | Anton Lundell | Kaapo Kakko |
Anton Lundell provides Finland with a very strong option as third line center. With Aho and Barkov ahead of him, they are really strong down the middle.
I will pair him with Eetu Luostarinen, who is another great defensive player.
Then, I will go with Kaapo Kakko on their wing.
| Line 4: | Samuel Helenius | Oliver Kapanen | Konsta Helenius |
Oliver Kapanan, Samuel Helenius and Konsta Helenius are my early pick for the fourth line.
| On the bubble: | Artturi Lehkonen |
| Matias Maccelli | |
| Kasperi Kapanen |
Defense Pairs
| Pair 1: | Miro Heiskanen (A) | Urho Vaakanainen |
Miro Heiskanen should still be in his prime when this tournament happens and will be on the top pairing.
I will pair him with Urho Vaakanainen, who is more of a defensive defenseman and could compliment Miro well.
| Pair 2: | Niko Mikkola | Henri Jokiharju |
Henri Jokiharju should be on this team. I will pencil him in on the second pair.
I am going to pair him with Niko Mikkola. I think he compliments Henri well.
| Pair 3: | Lassi Thomson | Nikolas Matinpalo |
The third pairing is a complete guess at this point.
| On the bubble: | Esa Lindell |
| Rasmus Ristolainen |
Goalies
| Starter: | Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen |
| Backup: | Justus Annunen |
| Third String: | Niklas Kokko |
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen feels like the favorite based on his age. Justus Annunen seems like the other option.
Powerplay Units
| Unit 1: | Mikko Rantanen | ||
| Eeli Tolvanen | Aleksander Barkov | Sebastian Aho | |
| Miro Heiskanen | |||
| Unit 2: | Konsta Helenius | ||
| Roope Hintz | Anton Lundell | Kaapo Kakko | |
| Henri Jokiharju | |||
Penalty Kill Units
| Unit 1: | Aleksander Barkov | Anton Lundell |
| Niko Mikkola | Urho Vaakanainen | |
| Unit 2: | Sebastian Aho | Eetu Luostarinen |
| Miro Heiskanen | Nikolas Matinpalo | |