The Finnish team’s GM Jere Lehtinen briefly acknowledged allegations about Leo Komarov at the national team’s media conference. Joel Armia passed the medical examination and the arrival of the NHL striker in the Leo shirt received a seal.
Timo Uusitalo,
Joel Holma
Jere Lehtinen comments to Sport on Tuesday on Russian Match-TV’s claim that the winner of the Olympic gold medal in Beijing Leo Komarov would have had discussions with the Lions GM about the World Cup assignment.
Despite this, the healthy veteran striker was not selected to join the Lions crew in Tampere for the World Championships starting in ten days.
– We’ve talked to him (Komarov). But on the other hand, if someone over there (in Russia) writes something, I don’t want to comment on it in any way, Lehtinen said.
– Everyone can think about their writings there (in Russia). Quite a lot of people know what’s coming from there. I will not take a stand on that, the Finnish team’s GM quickly speculated about Komarov’s situation.
In February, 35-year-old Komarov served as vice captain for the Olympic gold team and scored one goal in six tournament matches he played.
NHL top men are expected from the 1st round
Appointed to the World Championship camp group of the Finnish men’s hockey national team Joel Armia passed medical examination and 28-year-old winger joins national team on Thursday for other NHL-confirmed goalkeeper Harri Säterindefender Henri Jokiharjun and the attacker Juho Lammikon ways.
In the EHT tournament match in Tampere on Thursday, the Lions will first face Switzerland and then continue their games on Saturday in Stockholm against the Czech Republic and on Sunday against Sweden.
GM Lehtinen says that the management of the national team is still closely following the NHL’s 1st playoff round.
– It’s the beginning of next week how those rounds go in the NHL. Our first game is already on Friday, and the series can go a long way. There is no denying that when we have world-class players (in a hurry) that if someone would come from there and strengthen the team, it wouldn’t interest them.
– It’s not worth going ahead yet. A race team will be built from this team, Lehtinen emphasized.