Party in Karlstad, the Captain will be home again

I will miss using this pic so much :/

So, Wallin will leave Toronto and likely plays in SEL next season. Hockeyexpressen has multiply articles about this, here's couple of them.

Wallin returns to Färjestad

Färjestad has gathered home stars who will lead the team to gold again.
After Christian Berglund decided to return, Rickard Wallin did the same.
- It's good that he avoids threatening me now..., says Wallin to HockeyExpressen.se

Färjestad has got the last piece in place in team construction which will give SM-gold.
And it's not bad piece.
Rickard Wallin has now decided to fly home and leave Toronto, nationalteam center has signed 4-year deal.
- Färjestad is my team in Sweden and I have always said that if I play somewhere in Europe it will be Färjestad, says Wallin.

Several returner

Wallin is one of many stars who will come back to the team. Earlier Jonas Frogren, Christian Berglund and Pelle Prestberg re-joined the team.
- I think the team looks very good, Färjestad has done some clevert signings and now I get the chance to play with few of my best friends and it's huge advantage, says Rickard Wallin.
The playoffs were bit of fiasko for Färjestad but now will the team instead repeat the gold success from 2009.
- There's material to play really well.
What are the arguments for new gold?
- It's hard to talk about playoffs already. But it's always the goal for Färjestad to win the gold. It's also reason why I want to come home and to be part of this, it's terrific team.

"Threatened with beating"

Whether Wallin becomes the captain again remains to see.
- We haven't talked about it at all, says he.
Earlier threatened team mate Christian Berglund to give Wallin a beating if he doesn't come home to Färjestad too.
Now it's only Walle (wallin) left. If he doesn't come, he gets beaten, joked Berglund.
Wallin:
- I read it, and it's nice that he avoids to threaten me now...
- I tried to persuade him when I played here so it was a little payback for him.
- It will be very cool to play together again. It was ten years ago when we last played together in league tea,, we will see if we can find each other as well on the ice as before, says Rickard Wallin.

Linky to the original Swedish one.

Clear for Färjestad - but can go to NHL

Rickard Wallin, 30, is clear to Färjestad.
But he has possibility to leave the team if right NHL deal shows up before June 15th.
- Most likely it will be Färjestad and it feels really good, says Rickard Wallin to HockeyExpressen.se.

Rickard Walline became Färjestad's last piece in star construction that will take the SM-gold.
Wallin left Toronto after one season and signed a 4-year deal with Färjestad.
But there says in the NHL-agreement that all Swedish players have opportunity to leave their teams for a NHL contract until June 15th, so even Rickard Wallin.
- There still is a NHL agreement and an opportunity to play there if right possibility shows up, says Wallin himself to HockeyExpressen.se.

"Most likely Färjestad"

– But most likely it will be Färjestad and it feel very great.
What it takes for you to choose NHL again?
- That there would come an offer which I'm satisfied with. But there's no point to speculate about it now, we take it when it comes and if it comes. The starting point is Färjestad now, says Rickard Wallin.

Linky the the second one

He looks so happy with the Färjestad jersey on and the C in his chest...

Last in line

You're the last in line
Anything but fine
What a waste of time
But still you're mine

You're far from cool
Nothing better than fool
But I swear it's true
I do love you, oh

So the 2009-10 season came and went. Kazan winning the KHL championship excluded it was like horrible ride from one disappointment to other. But it's finally over - yeah, yeah... I know there's sthis weird thing called NHL still going on but who cares? - so to sum it up, despite all the harsh words, I still love my kittens even if they fail even more epically than before. Mostly because it's in my DNA and I can't escape from it even if wanted to but nevertheless...





I also still heart Russia. One day you'll win the gold again! Meanwhile I just keep crying and seeing nightmares about that final.

Oh, and what comes to NHL... My whole "rooting for Finns" plan kinda fucked. Sure, Hawks and Flyers both have Finns unlike Habs and Sharks but god dammit this is not how it was supposed to go... Damn you Sharks.

Czech 2 - Russia 1

This is not how I wished the season to end but can't get always what you want I guess. The game was mostly great and both teams really showed their A game and really fought for the win. Czech just got better start for it with lucky first minute goal which put Russia to undergod position right away. That goal also showed extremely poor - or non existence - defensive play by Ovechkin, who is supposed to be the best. If Kovy can play defense, so should he.
Russia did scored in the - okay, more like after - 1st but unfortunately Datsyuk goal was few seconds too late and it wasn't counted.

In the 2nd Russia showed intensive fighting but unfortunatly that fighting ended with Ovechkin and Fedorov knocking each others out and Czech scoring as a result from that.

The 3rd was a lot worse by Russia and Czech mostly focused on defending the lead and only attacking when getting advantage. The last period was also a bit of zebra show as they first totally ignored a slightly dirty hit by Tereshenko and then gave 5+20 to Emelin for a clean hit on Jagr. Russia also played bit tired which could be because Bykov overplayed the superstars in first two periods as Ovechkin and company pretty much played in 2 lines. Russia had even 6 on 3 chance in the end but they didn't use that and Malkin took a penalty in that situation and the game was pretty much over even though Datsyuk did score in PP with 35 seconds left. But it wasn't enough.

Despite the score, Russia dominated the first two period and they got tons of chances they should've used to win this game. As they didn't Czech had relatively "easy" job in third to keep they away from dangerous scoring places and let Vokoun take care of the rest.

I hate the result but I also have to give credit to Czech for their smart play. They deserved the win.

More interviews - The Leafs edition with Burke

I honestly have no idea who the heck is the interviewer is or who is responsible for his outfits but they've done some non-Russian interviews too. And these following three are with Leafs GM Brian Burke on the day USA met Finland at Worlds. (Again, there's some Finnish in these and they're slightly Finland orientated, deal with it.)

First clip is totally Worlds stuff.



The second clip is still some Worlds but also Rynnäs.


The third clip is more about NHL. And Cherry.

Chatting with "Uncle Fedja" - Fedorov interview

Nice interview with Fedorov today before the Germany game. He's definitely one of the smartest players and has valid opinions but I'm not quite sure if the managed to not to underestimate they opponent since the game ended 2-1. That said, I didn't see it so I can't be sure. Correct me if I'm wrong.
And don't worry, the interview is in English even though the other dude speaks alian language in the beginning. Link one, link two and link three in case they don't show up properly.

Part one, where he talks about the Worlds and the semifinal game especially.


Part two, where there's more hockey talk in general. And Capitals. Sigh.... still miss him :/


Part three in which he talks about his career and what to do after that.

Other notes from the Worlds

• Czech beat Sweden 2-1 in SO after Sweden led most of the game. And the tying goal? Scored with 8 seconds of 3rd period left. Since Sweden is usualy the one scoring those last second goals, this is quite amusing. Even if I would've preferred Sweden to win.

• Sami Vatanen apparently told Ovechkin at one point to "Keep your fucking head up, boy". Gotta love that attitude even if (when) he would miserable lose that fight.

Special feature

Vladislav Tretjak

Finnish hockey

In other news, Russia slaughtered Finland 5-0 despite the facts that Finland had some excellent chances in the beginning - if they just had toward the net, not next to it - and that they got few 5 on 3 opportunities. But no... It's too freaking hard to score, isn't it?
Also, the game was really dirty, way over 50 minutes of penalties and one misconduct. The worst moments started when Pihlström checked Kovy on the open ice which after Kovy slashed some poor Finn out of the game (apparently shoulder injury) - I guess he's bit blind and couldnt' tell which Finn hit him... Anyways, after that the game just kinda got our of hand and Pihlström got some tough love from the Red Machine for the rest of the game.

Lesson of the day: you may do not wanna give shit loads of PP time to Russia. They will score.
Lesson of the day part two: it doesn't help to have great goalie if you can't give him any help

My feel of safety has been shattered

I always mock Sweden, and diss their hockey team. But the thing is, I'm used to that they don't fail. They fight, try hard and get the lucky last second goals scored through someone's ass to win and get good result from tournaments. I may don't like it but it create this sort of feel of security. I know I can trust them to regularly success and not epically fail no matter what kind of team they have. I know I can trust them to be the same year after year. Since these things can't be said about Finland nor Russia, I need that safety feeling. Feeling of that there's something stabile in this cold, windy world.
But now they have break my little trust. First the Olympics and loss to Slovakia and out of medal games. And now the Worlds... I'm not saying they still can't win the gold or have good success, but with plays like the following, it's not gonna happen.

First Marcus Nilsson and Jimmie Ericsson collided with nasty outcome.


I assumed that the Radulov/Zinoviev collision in Olympics was the worst example of team mates injuring each others but Swedes just had to top that. Happy now? Sweden really had enough injury problems without this...

Then happened this.


I know Karlsson should be good and all but dear god he was brutal in that game.

So dear Sweden, I have only one request. Please stop sucking?

Hockey Worlds - Last chance to make it right

Not that this or anything else would really matter anymore since Finland has decided to drop themselves to Division II but my last Worlds roster post will very surprisingly be about my lovelies from group A, where they will have some slavic quality time with Belarus, Slovakia and Kazakhstan. Hopefully they will fix the horror show known as Olympic and take the gold home. The start doesn't look good since they're missing several key players, like captain Morozov.

The Master Mind

Vjatšeslav Bykov (Вячеслав Быков), Salavat Yulaev Ufa

• 24.07.1960

The Shaky Hands

Semeon Varlamov (Семен Варламов), Washintong Capitals

• 27.04.1988
• #40
  

Aleksandr Eremenko (Александр Еременко), Salavat Yulaev Ufa

• 10.04.1980
• #30
  

Vasili Košetškin (Виталий Кошечкин), Metallurg Magnitogorsk

• 27.03.1983
• #83
  

Blue Line

Vitali Atjušov (Виталий Атюшов), Metallurg Magnitogorsk

• 04.07.1979
• #27
  

Alexei Emelin ( Алексей Емелин), Ak Bars Kazan

• 25.04.1986
• #74
  

Denis Grebeškov (Денис Гребешков), Nashville Predators

• 11.10.1983
• #37
  

Dmitri Kalinin (Дмитрий Калинин), Salavat Yulaev Ufa

• 22.07.1980
• #7
  

Konstantin Kornejev (Константин Корнеев), CSKA

• 05.06.1984
• #22
  

Dmitri Kulikov (Дмитрий Куликов), Florida Panthers

• 29.10.1990
• #43
  

Ilja Nikulin (Илья Никулин), Ak Bars Kazan

• 12.03.1982
• #5
  
• Atlanta Thrashers' 2nd round pick in 2000
• One of the most important players in Kazan, wore C while Morozov was out.
  

Firepower

Maksim Afinogenov (Максим Афиногенов), Atlanta Thrashers

• 04.09.1979
• #61
  

Artjom Anisimov (Артём Анисимов), New York Rangers

• 24.05.1988
• #42
  

Sergei Fedorov (Сергей Федоров), Metallurg Magnitogorsk

• 13.12.1969
• #29
  

Aleksandr Frolov (Александр Фролов), Los Angeles Kings

• 19.06.1982
• #24
  

Ilja Kovaltšuk (Илья Ковальчук), New Jersey Devils

• 15.04.1983
• #71
  

• Atlanta Thrashers' 1st round pick in

• "We had and have the captain, it's Alexei Morozov. It just happened so that this year he won't be at the World Championship." <3>

Viktor Kozlov (Виктор Козлов), Metallurg Magnitogorsk

• 14.02.1975
• #52
  

Nikolai Kulemin (Николай Кулемин), Toronto Maple Leafs

• 22.07.1986
• #41
  

Sergei Mozjakin (Сергей Мозякин), Atlant

• 30.03.1981
• #10
  

Aleksandr Ovetškin (Александр Овечкин), Washington Capitals

• 17.09.1985
• #8
  

Aleksandr Semin (Александр Семин), Washington Capitals

• 03.03.1984
• #28
  

Maksim Sušinski (Максим Сушинский), CKA

• 01.07.1974
• #33
  

Alexei Terešenko (Алексей Терещенко), Ak Bars Kazan

• 16.12.1980
• #23
  

Lost Puppies

Ilja Bryzgalov
Nikita Filatov
Alexei Morozov
Aleksandr Radulov
Anton Volchenkov
Danis Zaripov
Sergei Zinoviev


More this please

Defense...

I can has one?

After two periods Finland is losing their first game at 2010 Worlds to Denmark (DENMARK!!!!) 3-1. My thoughts of this with one word? "Fuck".

Buddy you're a young man hard man
Shouting in the street gonna take on the world some day
You got blood on your face
A big disgrace
Wavin' your Banner all over the place

They play uninspired, the defense look like bunch of drunk puppies who don't know what they're supposed to do or where they are. And the uninspired play has been Finland's problem for a bit over year now. And this is exactly the same period of time than what the new head coach has been in charge. I'm just sayin'.

This kinda shit makes me miss the defensive skill of Niinimaa...


/There's no hockey, there's no hockey, there's no hockey... Is it gone already?

Rejoice - The IIHF Power Rankings are back!

But first little hockey history: On this date (May 7th) in 1995 Finland won its first - and thisfar only - gold in Globen by beating Sweden in the final 4-1 in their home tournament.
Ville Peltonen scored hat trick.
Timo Jutila still fit in hockey jersey.
Saku Koivu was already awesome. And looked like kid
But formed with Ville Peltonen and Jere Lehtinen the magical "Tupu-Hupu-Lupu -line" (Huey-Dewey-Louie -line)
We totally stoled the Championship song Swedes had written for themselves. Cocky bastards...


But anyways. The Worlds starts today with USA-Germany match up in outdoor rink. Should be much of fun if you're German, American or drunk.

From IIHF
Because I'm bitch I'll only post the ones that amuze me.

Power Rankings (as of May 6)

1. RUSSIA 2. CANADA Must win gold. Must win gold. Gold and getting better each day, that's all we think about. (Hands off! You just got the Olympic gold. Jesus how greedy...) 3. SWEDEN It certainly would be nice if we won gold, wouldn't it? (Why yes, yes it would) 4. FINLAND Why do we never win gold? Something always goes wrong... (My thoughts exactly) 5. CZECH REPUBLIC 6. USA 7. SLOVAKIA 8. SWITZERLAND If we didn't have so much gold in our bank vaults, we'd probably want gold more (Show offs...) 9. BELARUS 10. LATVIA 11. NORWAY 12 DENMARK 13. FRANCE With our great literature, cuisine, and romantic prowess, we 'ave no need of this vulgar...'ow do you call it?...gold (C'est vrai mon amies) 14. GERMANY As the hosts, we're guaranteed a berth in the gold medal game...wait, we're not??? (Bwahahaha....) 15. ITALY What's gold? 16. KAZAKHSTAN Yeah, we were wondering about that too

Hockey Worlds - Mah failing kittens

From group D -which also includes Denmark, Germany and USA - here's the roster of your 2010 World champions! /Checks the list... Oh god, we're screwed.

The "Master" Mind

Jukka Jalonen

• Totally incompetent to coach national team and it was miracle we even got a bronze from Vancouver. I don't wanna see anymore stupid losses to USA. Capice?
  

The Shaky Hands

Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators

• 3.11.1982
• Nashville Predators' 8th round pick in 2004
  

Iiro Tarkki, Blues

• 1.7.1985
• Not drafted
  

Petri Vehanen, Ak-Bars Kazan

• 9.10.1977
• Not drafted
• KHL champion will rock you
  

Blue line

Juuso Hietanen, Brynäs

• 14.6.1985
• Not drafted
  

Topi Jaakola, Södertälje

• 15.11.1983
• Florida Panthers' 5th round pick in 2002
  

Lasse Kukkonen, Avangard Omsk

• 18.9.1981
• Chicago Blackhawks' 5th round pick in 2003
  

Mikko Mäenpää, HPK

• 19.4.1983
• Not drafted
  

Janne Niskala, Frölunda

• 22.9.1981
• Nashville Predators' 5th round pick in 2004
  

Petteri Nummelin, Lugano

• 25.11.1972
• Played with Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild. Wizard in the big rink and crucial part of team Finland's defense. And even more crucial part to team Finland's forward. That man knows how to deliver the puck.
• Finnish Ironman
• ♥♥♥
  

Pasi Puistola, HV71

• 16.9.1978
• Not drafted
  

Sami Vatanen, JYP

• 3.6.1991
  
• Anaheim Ducks' 4th round pick in 2009
• I have high hoped for this one
  

Fire power

Juhamatti Aaltonen, Pelicans

• 4.6.1985
• St. Louis Blues' 9th round pick in 2003
  

Riku Hahl, Frölunda

• 1.11.1980
• Colorado Avalanche's 6th round pick in 1999
  

Juha-Pekka Hytönen, JYP

• 22.5.1981

Immonen Jarkko, Ak Bars Kazan

• 19.4.1982
• Toronto Maple Leafs' 8th round pick in 2002
• Keep scoring goals, please?
• Just because I love the song used in this one
  

Jussi Jokinen, Carolina Hurricanes

• 1.4.1983
• Dallas Stars' 6th round pick in 2001
  

Sami Kapanen, KalPa

• 14.6.1973
• Hartford Whalers 4th round pick in 1995
  

Leo Komarov, Dynamo Moscow

• 23.1.1987
• Toronto Maple Leafs' 6th round pick in 2006
  

Petri Kontiola, Metallurg Magnitogorsk

• 4.10.1984
• Chicago Blackhawks' 7th round pick in 2004
  

Lauri Korpikoski, Phoenix Coyotes

• 28.7.1986
• New York Rangers' 1st round pick in 2004 (haha!)
  

Jori Lehterä, Tappara

• 23.12.1987
• St. Louis Blues' 3rd round pick in 2008
  

Antti Miettinen, Minnesota Wild

• 3.7.1980
• Dallas Stars' 7th round pick in 2000
  

Oskar Osala, Albany River Rats

• 26.12.1987
• Washington Capitals' 4th round pick in 2006
  

Antti Pihlström, JYP

• 22.10.1984
• Played with Predators and Admirals for 07/08 and 08/09 seasons
• At least he has tribute videos on youtube
  

Tommi Santala, Kloten

• 27.6.1979
• Atlanta Thrashers' 9th round pick in 1999

We are so, so screwed. Sweden has team full of 1st round picks and Finland has team full of 6th round picks who never made it to the NHL. Fan-bloody-tastic...

Lost Puppies

Niklas Bäckström (injury?)
Mikael Granlund (stupid coach)
Niklas Hagman (lazy)*
Olli Jokinen (retired from national team)
Niko Kapanen (partying Gagarin Cup)*
Tomi Kallio (stupid coach)
Miikka Kiprusoff (burn out)*
Mikko Koivu (under constraction)
Saku Koivu (no contract)
Kari Lehtonen (don't laugh!)
Sami Lepistö (something)
Antero Niittymäki (family reasons?)

Jarkko Ruutu (i miss you)
Tuomo Ruutu (injured)
Anssi Salmela (injured)

Teemu Selänne (retired from national team)
Vesa Toskala (filling his fivehole for next season)*
Ossi Väänänen (??)

Sigh... It could've been so pretty.

* May not be true

Remembering the good old times...

Hockey Worlds - Because I love my kittens and NHL sucks

So I shall start with my beloved enemy, Team Sweden. A team that has brought me so many tears yet shattered my world and feel of safety when occasionally failed. Now they shall first play with other group C teams: Czech, Norway and France.

Here's the players the team will likely include, unless Sweden gets a jackpot and Detroit gets kicked out of the playoffs... Then you can probably add few highly pissed off Red Wing to that.

The Master Mind

Bengt-Åke Gustafsson

• Oh how I hate thee... Olympic gold, World championship and multiply medals. Not bad result from this former Capitals players who steps aside after these Worlds.
  

The Shaky Hands

Jonas "Monster" Gustavsson, Toronto

• Good SV% in Toronto, (checks Sweden's d-men) will likely have better at Worlds.
  

Jacob Markström, Brynäs

• Florida Panthers' 1st round pick
• And the Oscar goes to...
  

Anders Lindbäck, Timrå

• Who? What? How? Where the fuck is Hedberg? Or the dude from LA Kings?
  

Blue line

Christian Bäckman, Frölunda

• St. Louis Blues' 1st round pick in 1998
• Puck to plex, over the goal and into the net via team mate. Not bad, eh?
  

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Leksand

• Coyotes' 1st round pick in 2009 (6th overall)
• Dude can score
  

Carl Gunnarsson, Toronto

• Toronto's 7th round pick in 2007
• The mispronouncing from the announcers you can here behind the actual talk kills me.
  

Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay

• Tampa's 1st round pick in 2009
  
• Had rather amazing rookie season with Tampa, plays quite mature and is hot as hell. What more can you ask from one defenseman? Oh right, dude actually speaks English instead of muttering something.
  

Magnus Johansson, Linköping

• Not drafted, played 2008-09 season in NHL in Blackhawks and Panthers
• With the age of 36 is the old man in this group of kiddos
  

Erik Karlsson, Ottawa

• Ottawa's 1st round pick in 2008
• I'm not judging but pink shorts?
  

Sanny Lindström, Färjestad

• Colorado's 4th round pick in 1999
• Making the first round picks fly like a boss
  

David Rundblad, Skellefteå

• St. Louis Blues' 1st round pick in 2009
• Has the same birthday than me (which probably means he's gonna be epic failure...)
• Looking pretty good thisfar though
  

Firepower

Jonas Andersson, Dynamo Minsk

• Nashville Predatos' 2nd round pick in 1999
• Shoulder injuries nearly ruined the career but he's not totally lost
  

Niclas Bergfors, Atlanta

• New Jersey Devils' 1st round pick in 2005 (traded to Atlanta this season. Some dude called Kovalchuk was involved too)
• I think he hates the Capitals
  

Andreas Engqvist, Djurgården

• Born in 1987, drafted by Canadiens. I think. He signed 3 year deal with them in 2009 but played in Djurgården on a loan.
• Reminded someone from Sundin. Make your own call.
  

Jimmie Ericsson, Skellefteå

• Never played in NHL, brother of Wings' player Johathan Ericsson
  
• Here comes the mandatory fight
  

Johan Harju, Dynamo Moskva

• Drafted by Tampa Bay in 2007 (167th overall)
• Will probably be rather sad for not being able to play with his buddy Omark next season
  

Tony Mårtensson, Linköping

• Anaheim's draft pick in 2001 (224. overall)
• No games in NHL but nice work in Europe and Sweden
  

Marcus Nilson, Djurgården

• Florida Panthers' 1st round pick in 1996
• More fights!
  

Michael Nylander, Jokerit

• Drafted by this "Hartfodr Whalers" in 1993
• Nice career which is now spent in Helsinki slashing refs...
  

Linus Omark, Dynamo Moskva

• Dives like an Olympic winner.
• Nevertheless, this does impress me much
  

Niklas Persson, Neftechimik

• Drafted? Might be going to Chicago for next season
• Goals. He's been scoring them.
  

Fredrik Pettersson, Frölunda

• Edmonton Oilers' 5th round pick in 2005
• Is it bad that the Tim Horton's adds make me hungry and never in my life visited one? Oh, the goals were ok too.
  

Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson, Timrå

• Edmonton Oilers' 1st round pick in 2009
• I guess he's kinda good
  

Rickard Wallin, Toronto

• Coyotes 6th round pick in 1998
• So damn hot. Also pretty good at hockey.
  

Mattias Weinhandl, Dynamo Moskva

• New York Islanders' 3rd round pick in 1999
• NHL success or no, this man can play hockey
  

Lost Puppies

Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa (injured)
Nicklas Bäckström (injured)
Johan Davidsson, HV71 (knee injury)
Tobias Enström, Atlanta (small issues)
Loui Eriksson, Dallas (rib injury)
Peter Forsberg, Modo (said no thanks to the invitation)
Niklas Grossman, Dallas (out of contrac)
Kristian Huselius, Columbus (not interessed in)
Patric Hörnqvist, Nashville (injured)
Stefan Liv, HV71 (sliten)
Henrik Lundqvist, NY Rangers (knee injury)
Fredrik Modin, Los Angeles (familyreasons)
Niklas Nordgren
Johnny Oduya, Atlanta (small issues)
Mattias Öhlund, Tampa Bay (sliten)
David Petrasek, HV71 (doesn't want to play in Tre Kronor)
Anton Strålman, Columbus (some health issues)
Samuel Påhlsson (wants to spend time with family)
Marcus Ragnarsson, Djurgården (injured)
Fredrik Sjöström, Calgary (shoulder operation)
Alexander Steen
Henrik Tallinder, Buffalo (injured)
Mattias Timander, Modo (said no thanks to the invitation)
Martin Thörnberg, HV 71 (sliten)
Dick Tärnström, AIK (sliten)
Gustaf Wesslau

Jesus Christ, those slackers could put up some serious team... Poor Bengt-Åke.