After Rasmus Ristolainen, leader of the Finnish defense corps, slid the puck underneath the right pad of Oscar Dansk on a great individual effort, it was all over. The thrilling Gold medal game: over. The cheering chants and screams of the hometown Swedish fans: over. The 2014 World Junior Tournament: over, and the nation of Finland reigned supreme.
Now that the competition is complete, it's time for the Hart of Hockey's annual "what we learned" from the World Junior championship. Plenty during the past two weeks was exciting, but some things stuck out more than others. If you noticed it, too, you'll read it here. If you missed it, you'll get the chance to hear about it here. 10 teams and 31 games leave us with five major takeaways from this year's World Junior Championship.
NASHVILLE HAS FINLAND FIGURED OUT
The Nashville Predators have had a knack for finding gems late in the NHL Entry Draft. The most notable nugget they dug up is probably Pekka Rinne. The Preds snagged Rinne in the eighth round (which doesn't even exist anymore,) and now the Finnish netminder is one of the best goalies in the world.
Nashville's scouts have flown across the pond into Finland and apparently stumbled upon more treasures in Juuse Saros and Saku Mäenalanen. Though not named the best goalie by the tournament's directorate, Saros was the media's selection as goaltender of the tournament, and was the best player on Team Finland every time they put him between the pipes. He came up with big saves at big times, he didn't surrender a single goal in regulation or overtime when he came in cold and his team was in need of a comeback against Switzerland, and, of course, he earned a gold medal with his performance.
In a world that has become seemingly obsessed with a goalie's measurements instead of his talents, five foot nine inches Saros has the Preds looking like geniuses for drafting him. Oh yeah, and they got him in the fourth round. Eight different goalies were chosen ahead of Saros at the 2013 Draft, and none of them have had anything close to the success Saros has had since then.
Mäenalanen was taken one round after Saros in 2013, and went undrafted the year before. Mäenalanen demonstrated a complete game at the World Juniors, using his speed, effective forechecking, and smarts to score an incredible amount for the Finns. He led the entire tournament in goals with seven, and had a knack for finding the back of the net in big moments, as well.
Saros and Mäenalanen still haven't proven anything at the NHL level like Rinne has, but still, to even think those Finnish players tumbled down the draft as far as they did is surprising. The fact that Nashville was the team to take them all in is more than coincidence. The Predators have that country figured out.
LUCAS WALLMARK HAD NO BUSINESS GOING UNDRAFTED
Though they fell one win short of a gold medal for the second year in a row, Sweden was a juggernaut at the World Juniors yet again. Game-in and game-out, one of the most efficient players wearing the Tres Kronors was Lucas Wallmark. Whether it was forcing turnovers or putting the puck in the net himself, Wallmark was a force in every game the Swedes played. Yet, no one holds his NHL rights.
Frightened off by an injury that chopped down his number of games played in 2012-13, no club drafted him during the seven rounds of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. That was just wrong.
Yes, there were and still are some concerns about his skating ability, but his other qualities make him far too attractive of a prospect for him to be overlooked again. In fact, his fantastic showing at this year's World Juniors has him being considered for not just the first half of the upcoming draft, but he could go as early as the first two rounds. That would be an unheard of accomplishment for a previously undrafted European skater, but quite frankly, he'd deserve it, because he showed exactly what he's capable of doing while playing in high-pressure situations.
FINLAND PRODUCING HIGH-END DEFENSEMAN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME
If you look at the number of Finnish defensemen in the NHL right now, the number is surprisingly small. There are currently only four d-men from Finland in the NHL, and they are Kimmo Timonen, Sami Salo, Sami Vatanen, and Olli Määttä. There's nearly a twenty-year age gap between the first two defensemen and the latter two. An entire twenty years passed where Finland couldn't produce solid, NHL-level talent. However, Määttä and Vatanen's success and this year's Finnish World Junior team proves that the Suomi is producing prime prospects on the blue line again.
Rasmus Ristolainen, who scored the golden goal on a stellar individual effort, already played for the Buffalo Sabres this year. While he isn't quite ready for the big time just yet, he played so well in the last three World Juniors to merit all the praise he's gotten. He's not just about scoring big goals, in fact, he doesn't score all that often, but he uses his big body to play a phenomenal two-way game that can thrive on both international and NHL ice surfaces.
Esa Lindell, a Dallas Stars prospect, was incredible in his own end for the Finns during the entire tournament. Lindell found a way to get his body in front of the puck for countless blocked shots and would always tie up opponents in front, preventing anyone from coming close to getting their sticks on a rebound or centering pass.
Ville Pokka, an Islanders draft pick in 2012, played so well, he was voted by the coaches of the other nine teams as Finland's best defender. He played a strong defensive game and distributed the puck calmly and smoothly, getting Finland's shifty forwards into the offensive zone on the attack quicker than opponents would have liked.
All three of those guys have already been claimed by an NHL club, but coming up in the 2014 Draft will be Julius Honka. Honka has been tremendous in his first season with the WHL's Swift Current Broncos, and played on the Finnish blue line in all seven of their tournament games. Such responsibility doesn't come often to first-year draft eligible d-men, and Honka handled that responsibility with just as much poise as his older teammates. Add his name into the growing group of great defenders being produced by Finland.
SLOVAKIA IS IN A STATE OF TURMOIL
When The Hart of Hockey published its World Junior Preview and Ultimate Guide, there was not much optimism surrounding Slovakia. While some individuals, like Montréal Canadiens prospect Martin Reway, vastly exceeded expectations, the team as a whole stunk. They didn't stink because they didn't play well together. They stunk because too many of them lack talent.
For a few years now, NHL scouts have almost completely stopped scouting the Czech Republic and Slovakia because of the growing lack of high-end talent. The Slovaks are in even more trouble than their neighbors to the west, and this year's World Juniors exposed that.
You may say, "But, but, but... they almost beat Canada!" Yes, they nearly upset the greatest hockey power in the world, but their offense in that game was generated by literally only three players. In addition, once they captured the lead, they were hanging by a thread the entire game. They couldn't complete fundamental tasks like getting the puck out of their zone. Quite frankly, it's amazing they didn't lose by six with they way they played in the third period.
That was just one game, though. Almost every time the puck dropped, the majority of Slovakia's roster struggled to match the talent and skill level of their opponent. There doesn't appear to be much light at the end of the tunnel, either.
PARITY IS UPON US
Never before has the World Juniors enjoyed the level of parity as it does now. This creates the best product possible for everyone involved, as results become all the more unpredictable.
This tournament was once dominated by Canada. The Canadians would brush through round robin play as if it were exhibition, and then maybe have to overcome one tough opponent who gave them a run for their money before they captured their inevitable championship title. Canada won gold five years in a row on two separate occasions, but since their last gold in 2009, and there have been four different champions in those five years. In the entire history of the World Junior Hockey Championship, you cannot find a five-year stretch with as much diversity at the top of the podium.
Also, this was the second year in a row that a team that finished all the way in seventh place turned around and won gold in the following tournament. The U.S.A. did it in 2013, and Finland did it again this year.
The current state of junior hockey is at an unprecedented level of competitive balance, and it's awesome.
Now that the competition is complete, it's time for the Hart of Hockey's annual "what we learned" from the World Junior championship. Plenty during the past two weeks was exciting, but some things stuck out more than others. If you noticed it, too, you'll read it here. If you missed it, you'll get the chance to hear about it here. 10 teams and 31 games leave us with five major takeaways from this year's World Junior Championship.
NASHVILLE HAS FINLAND FIGURED OUT
The Nashville Predators have had a knack for finding gems late in the NHL Entry Draft. The most notable nugget they dug up is probably Pekka Rinne. The Preds snagged Rinne in the eighth round (which doesn't even exist anymore,) and now the Finnish netminder is one of the best goalies in the world.
 |
| Juuse Saros was a fourth round pick of the Predators in 2013. (Associated Press/Ludvig Thunman) |
In a world that has become seemingly obsessed with a goalie's measurements instead of his talents, five foot nine inches Saros has the Preds looking like geniuses for drafting him. Oh yeah, and they got him in the fourth round. Eight different goalies were chosen ahead of Saros at the 2013 Draft, and none of them have had anything close to the success Saros has had since then.
 |
| Mäenalanen celebrates his goal in the Gold medal game. (IIHF Images/Francois LaPlante) |
Saros and Mäenalanen still haven't proven anything at the NHL level like Rinne has, but still, to even think those Finnish players tumbled down the draft as far as they did is surprising. The fact that Nashville was the team to take them all in is more than coincidence. The Predators have that country figured out.
LUCAS WALLMARK HAD NO BUSINESS GOING UNDRAFTED
Though they fell one win short of a gold medal for the second year in a row, Sweden was a juggernaut at the World Juniors yet again. Game-in and game-out, one of the most efficient players wearing the Tres Kronors was Lucas Wallmark. Whether it was forcing turnovers or putting the puck in the net himself, Wallmark was a force in every game the Swedes played. Yet, no one holds his NHL rights.
Frightened off by an injury that chopped down his number of games played in 2012-13, no club drafted him during the seven rounds of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. That was just wrong.Yes, there were and still are some concerns about his skating ability, but his other qualities make him far too attractive of a prospect for him to be overlooked again. In fact, his fantastic showing at this year's World Juniors has him being considered for not just the first half of the upcoming draft, but he could go as early as the first two rounds. That would be an unheard of accomplishment for a previously undrafted European skater, but quite frankly, he'd deserve it, because he showed exactly what he's capable of doing while playing in high-pressure situations.
FINLAND PRODUCING HIGH-END DEFENSEMAN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME
If you look at the number of Finnish defensemen in the NHL right now, the number is surprisingly small. There are currently only four d-men from Finland in the NHL, and they are Kimmo Timonen, Sami Salo, Sami Vatanen, and Olli Määttä. There's nearly a twenty-year age gap between the first two defensemen and the latter two. An entire twenty years passed where Finland couldn't produce solid, NHL-level talent. However, Määttä and Vatanen's success and this year's Finnish World Junior team proves that the Suomi is producing prime prospects on the blue line again.
 |
| Rasmus Ristolainen celebrates his gold medal-winning goal. (The Canadian Press) |
Esa Lindell, a Dallas Stars prospect, was incredible in his own end for the Finns during the entire tournament. Lindell found a way to get his body in front of the puck for countless blocked shots and would always tie up opponents in front, preventing anyone from coming close to getting their sticks on a rebound or centering pass.
Ville Pokka, an Islanders draft pick in 2012, played so well, he was voted by the coaches of the other nine teams as Finland's best defender. He played a strong defensive game and distributed the puck calmly and smoothly, getting Finland's shifty forwards into the offensive zone on the attack quicker than opponents would have liked.
All three of those guys have already been claimed by an NHL club, but coming up in the 2014 Draft will be Julius Honka. Honka has been tremendous in his first season with the WHL's Swift Current Broncos, and played on the Finnish blue line in all seven of their tournament games. Such responsibility doesn't come often to first-year draft eligible d-men, and Honka handled that responsibility with just as much poise as his older teammates. Add his name into the growing group of great defenders being produced by Finland.
SLOVAKIA IS IN A STATE OF TURMOIL
 |
| Martin Reway gets hauled down by Canada's Griffin Reinhart. (REUTERS/Mark Blinch) |
For a few years now, NHL scouts have almost completely stopped scouting the Czech Republic and Slovakia because of the growing lack of high-end talent. The Slovaks are in even more trouble than their neighbors to the west, and this year's World Juniors exposed that.
You may say, "But, but, but... they almost beat Canada!" Yes, they nearly upset the greatest hockey power in the world, but their offense in that game was generated by literally only three players. In addition, once they captured the lead, they were hanging by a thread the entire game. They couldn't complete fundamental tasks like getting the puck out of their zone. Quite frankly, it's amazing they didn't lose by six with they way they played in the third period.
That was just one game, though. Almost every time the puck dropped, the majority of Slovakia's roster struggled to match the talent and skill level of their opponent. There doesn't appear to be much light at the end of the tunnel, either.
PARITY IS UPON US
Never before has the World Juniors enjoyed the level of parity as it does now. This creates the best product possible for everyone involved, as results become all the more unpredictable.
This tournament was once dominated by Canada. The Canadians would brush through round robin play as if it were exhibition, and then maybe have to overcome one tough opponent who gave them a run for their money before they captured their inevitable championship title. Canada won gold five years in a row on two separate occasions, but since their last gold in 2009, and there have been four different champions in those five years. In the entire history of the World Junior Hockey Championship, you cannot find a five-year stretch with as much diversity at the top of the podium.
Also, this was the second year in a row that a team that finished all the way in seventh place turned around and won gold in the following tournament. The U.S.A. did it in 2013, and Finland did it again this year.
The current state of junior hockey is at an unprecedented level of competitive balance, and it's awesome.
Also, we need more of the helmet-spike celebration. That was money.
