MTV: This man Juhamatti Aaltonen was thrown out of the Lions’ first line – Olli Jokinen disagrees
Mikael Granlund’s role in the Lions’ offense has sparked much discussion, as the NHL star’s participation in the World Championships has been confirmed. Granlund is expected to play against Latvia on Thursday, and his arrival is seen as a significant change to the lines and power play.
MTV Sports’ Lions expert Juhamatti Aaltonen sees a clear role for Granlund in the team’s top line. Aaltonen would construct the lines so that Granlund could play alongside top players.
– Likely, Granlund will play on the wing with (Aleksander) Barkov. That’s what I’ll reveal, Aaltonen noted with a laugh on Huomenta Suomen Lions Panel on Tuesday.
Aaltonen justifies his view also through the power play and emphasizes that Granlund brings back lost offensive strength.
– (With injured Teuvo) Teräväinen, offensive strength and power play expertise left. Granlund now brings that back, Aaltonen sees and also places Granlund in the top power play unit in place of Manninen.
In Aaltonen’s line proposal, Granlund would play alongside Barkov and Jesse Puljujärvi. From the current top line, Sakari Manninen would move to lower lines.
Olli Jokinen has also expressed his view on Granlund’s position. Jokinen would keep the current top line intact and move Granlund to the second line alongside Anton Lundell and Lenni Hämeenaho, replacing the well-performing Patrik Puistola against the USA.
Aaltonen and also Olli Jokinen agree that Eemil Erholtz would be left out of the lineup.
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