Here is the Team Finland projected roster (listed alphabetically by position, with an asterisk after the players who were named to the roster June 16):
Forwards (14)
Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes*
Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers*
Mikael Granlund, Anaheim Ducks
Erik Haula, Nashville Predators
Roope Hintz, Dallas Stars
Kaapo Kakko, Seattle Kraken
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Carolina Hurricanes
Patrik Laine, Montreal Canadiens
Artturi Lehkonen, Colorado Avalanche
Anton Lundell, Florida Panthers
Eetu Luostarinen, Florida Panthers
Mikko Rantanen, Dallas Stars*
Teuvo Teravainen, Chicago Blackhawks
Eeli Tolvanen, Seattle Kraken
This is an experienced group with some big-game players. Barkov, the likely captain, has won the Stanley Cup each of the past two seasons and has played in the Final in each of the past three. He has also won the Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward three times and stymied Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers in each of the past two Final series. He is joined by Panthers teammates Lundell and Luostarinen, who formed two-thirds of the most effective third line in hockey this postseason. Hintz has been to the Western Conference Final in each of the past three seasons and has played 95 Stanley Cup Playoff games in six postseason trips. Rantanen won the Cup with the Avalanche in 2022 and made it to the Western Conference Final with the Stars this postseason. Aho has played in the Eastern Conference Final two of the past three seasons. Granlund was one of Finland's best players in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Defensemen (8)
Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars*
Henri Jokiharju, Boston Bruins
Esa Lindell, Dallas Stars*
Olli Maatta, Utah Mammoth
Niko Mikkola, Florida Panthers
Rasmus Ristolainen, Philadelphia Flyers
Urho Vaakanainen, New York Rangers
Juuso Valimaki, Utah Mammoth
The blue line is also anchored by players battled-tested in the biggest games. Heiskanen, still recovering from a serious injury that hampered him in the postseason, and Lindell have been catalysts for the Stars' recent run of dominance in the Western Conference. Mikkola has blossomed into a two-way star while winning the Cup in each of the past two seasons and is a wrecking ball physically. Depth will be a question for this unit, especially against the top teams, who go three or four lines deep.
Goalies (3)
Kevin Lankinen, Vancouver Canucks
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buffalo Sabres
Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators*
Once the strength of Finland in international competition, goaltending is the biggest question mark on this team. Saros is the presumed starter as one of the first six selections, but his form has been less than stellar. The two-time NHL All-Star, most recently in 2023, played to a career-worst .896 save percentage for a Predators team that struggled out of the gate. Lankinen, who played at 4 Nations along with Saros, appeared in a career-high 51 games for the Canucks this season, but has yet to play in a Stanley Cup Playoffs game.
