Expert has high expectations of Mikael Granlund – “Jalonen’s coaching team gets quality salmon”

Lions get tough class confirmation for World Hockey Championships when Nashville NHL striker Mikael Granlund joins the Finnish team.

– Jalonen’s coaching team gets a quality salmon and a leader player. Granlund’s level of motivation is certainly on the verge of losing 0-4 to Colorado, Sports Expert Ismo Lehkonen believes.

Colorado had detailed plans for making Granlund play invisible.

– Colorado smoked him almost ineffectively. I wondered why Nashville’s coaching did not try to change the rhythm with his own fears, Lehkonen commented.

Granlund, 30, has represented Finland at five World Championships, most recently as captain in Denmark in the spring of 2018. He was winning World Cup gold in 2011.

Lehkonen sees that Granlund is a much more experienced player compared to his previous national team assignment.

– Granlund has gained insane fighting power and skating power has also increased a bit. In addition, he has been able to handle start-ups at a good level, Lehkonen describes.

Lehkonen points out that Granlund’s role was central when Nashville made his way to the playoffs.

As for defenders, the nets are still in North American waters. The playoff series for the first round of the playoffs are in the decision stages. Big fish may be available soon.

– Dallas, for example, has three quality packages: Esa Lindell, Miro Heiskanen and Jani Hakanpää. All of them would fit by throwing into the Finnish national team. Olli Määttä has played a good season in Los Angeles, Lehkonen lists potential players for Leo.

There would also be quality players in the Swedish SHL, but the championship battle will not be resolved until Thursday night. The Lions World Cup contract will start on Friday, when Norway will face Tampere.

– It is logical that we are still waiting, but it is unfortunate for the Lions that the Swedish final series was stretched to a standstill. Time is on the card, Lehkonen said.