Ahead Of 4 Nations, Finnish Coach Talks Rantanen & Aho Line Combo, Kakko, Laine, Hakanpää & D Situation

With the 4 Nations Face-Off fast approaching, Finnish coach Antti Pennanen was interviewed by Eero Hurmerinta of Finnish hockey website Jatkoaika. He touched on a number of issues involving the team, such as potential line combinations and the possible need to replace injured Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jani Hakanpää.

“All the combinations have been worked out, but they are not yet ready for publication,” Pennanen said about the lines.

With Mikko Rantanen playing on the same line as Sebastian Aho when he made his Carolina Hurricanes debut on Saturday, the coach admitted that he’d already had that idea before he knew the two players would end up on the same NHL team.

“It would have been crazy not to think about them playing on the same line,” Pennanen admitted. “However, all plans have been written in pencil. We can’t be locked into one option in case someone else gets injured.

“Of course, we will strive to use familiar combinations,” Pennanen noted, as with so little practise time before the tournament, putting players together who are already familiar with each other will be an asset. The last NHL games before the break are a pair of matinees on Feb. 9 and Finland opens the 4 Nations Face-Off against the USA on Feb. 13.

Rantanen isn’t the only Finn to be traded since being named to the 4 Nations Face-Off team. Kaapo Kakko and Patrik Laine have surged since moving to the Seattle Kraken and Montreal Canadiens, respectively, which bodes well for the Finnish team.

“He’s got a new opportunity and is playing well – good deal for him,” Pennanen said about Kakko.

“Laine had a really difficult situation in terms of what to expect from him,” Pennanen said about the situation in Columbus. “It was a tough summer and so on. I had conversations with him, and a top player knows what he’s in. I had the feeling that he was playing well, (but) the fact that he’s been so effective and at the same time the Canadiens are improving has been a bit of a surprise.”

Pennanen admitted that he didn’t know yet whether Hakanpää, who hasn’t played since Nov. 17 but has resumed practising following knee surgery, would be available.

“It depends on the discussions before the tournament – what the common feeling is,” he said. “He’s loyal to the national team and can honestly state his situation. At that point, when we start practising, the team has to be together.”

Back in September, Pennanen alluded to the fact that the Finns were a bit thin on eligible defensemen, with only 11 who have skated in the NHL this season. If Hakanpää is unable to go, only Urho Vaakanainen of the New York Rangers, Henri Jokiharju of the Buffalo Sabres and Nikolas Matinpalo of the Ottawa Senators would be able to fill in. Jokiharju and Matinpalo are right shots.

“There certainly isn’t anybody of the same size who shoots from the right who has been successful,” said Pennanen. “However, there are good defensemen.”

Finally, the coach was asked about his team’s chances to win the tournament, as many consider them the weakest of the four teams.

“It’s a big challenge as a whole, but when you break it down into smaller parts, you can ask whether Finland can beat the United States,” Pennanen reasoned. “Of course we can, and that’s the starting point for the tournament. I believe we have a strong team. Our strength will be working together, and fortunately, this is a team game.”