Quote:
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.
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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?