The Finnish line

Okay, season 2011-2012 is pumping on all cylinders. Some teams are taking a while to get their act together and some have come out of the gates flying. It's time to honor the reigning world champions and list the Finns involved in the NHL action. Highlighting the most interesting guys and throwing some guesses on how they'll do this year. Alphabetically, for practicality.

Sean Bergenheim, Florida. Sean had a tremendous playoff run in Tampa last year and ended up cashing in on the contract with Florida. He's still young, entering the prime of his career and has it all up for grabs. Bergenheim is a bull on skates, and can definitely spark up any team's second line with some speed and grind when needed.

Valtteri Filppula, Detroit. Filppula is a wizard. Extremely talented playmaker, looking at a bright future in the NHL for years to come. The fact he's locked a permanent position in Red Wings starting lineup tells a lot. And once Datsuyk and Zetterberg leave more time for the younger corps, it's going to be Filppula's time in the spotlight. Hopefully he stays healthy and can be one of the guys carrying this famed franchise forward.

Niklas Hagman, Calgary. Hagman has all the speed needed to make an impact in this league. However, he's been pretty streaky in the past seasons and I cannot see that changing. Calgary is just very boring team for creating anything magical. It would be about the last chance for Niklas to prove himself and maybe one more trade to some rising team would do the trick. Blue Jackets, Islanders, Avalanche, anyone?

Jussi Jokinen, Carolina. Jokinen ended up having another contract with Carolina in the end. He's a special player; seems to be way too slow and soft to make it, but has a tremendous ability of being in the right place at the right time. Hence Jokinen's productivity has been great for so long. Not to mention the cold as ice act on the shootouts. Jussi will carry on for couple more of these solid seasons before Carolina's new kids take over.

Olli Jokinen, Calgary. Former king of Florida has fallen deeper and deeper in the Flames. Given the optimal circumstances, Olli Jokinen could still dominate in this league. However, I can't see anyone risking the season just to give him the chance and ice time to make it happen. Maybe Olli should be packaged in a trade with Niklas Hagman for a team who would have the courage. Back to Florida for a all-Finnish line with Bergenheim? Boys might have some good time and create some production on the side.

Mikko Koivu, Minnesota. Well, the younger Koivu brother in the league is likely the best all around player that Finland has to offer. He took the team to the championship in the Worlds this spring and will continue making everyone around him world class players. I bet Mikko Koivu cannot wait for the next season when he'll be united with the new countryman superstar in the making, Mikael Granlund.

Saku Koivu, Anaheim. Older Koivu brother still keeps on producing. He's clearly enoying playing out his career with Teemu Selänne. Saku keeps on playing defensive center role and flashes some of the old time magic every now and then, especially on the power play. This guy would have broken into the ultimate top of all players in the league if he hadn't been injured in so many key moments of his career. Real class act.

Lauri Korpikoski, Phoenix. Korpikoski has sneaked out from being unknown to suddenly being seen as one of the cornerstones of young Coyotes' lineup. He is a grinder, tough to play against and has the speed and scoring ability to go with it. I see him getting a bigger role this season and proving that he belongs to this league for good.

Ville Leino, Buffalo. Leino got traded to Buffalo and had a massive deal under the new management. There's high expectations on his play, and I believe Leino has matured to pretty much fill those. He's an all around forward and easily covers with skills and hockey sense what he may lack in skate speed. Still relatively young, so he possesses all the tools to play an impressive career in the NHL.

Toni Lydman, Anaheim. Lydman keeps on playing solid defense and contributing to the quick turnaround game when needed. If he stays healthy, and locks a place in the powerplay unit with Lubomir Visnovsky on the blueline, there might be good numbers in his scoresheet at the end of the year. His best years may be behind, but there's still plenty of player left.

Joni Pitkänen, Carolina. Pitkänen has proven everyone that he's one of the league's leading offensive defencemen. When paired right and played behind talented forward units, he really provides extra punch for scoring. There's lots of rumors moving him away from Carolina, but that remains to be seen. At least the star of the season has shown that Joni is keeping up the pace just right. The issues come on the own defensive zone, where he really needs good support from the other d-man and the forward line.

Tuomo Ruutu, Carolina. Tuomo Ruutu is a player everyone must like. Well, maybe not the opposition, who needs to keep their heads up for this human wrecking ball. Fearless, competitive, talented and fair. His style of play has unfortunately taken a toll on several seasons, but let's hope he can dodge the injuries this season and keep on thrilling the fans with explosive moves on the ice.

Sami Salo, Vancouver. Salo has earned a permanent position on the Canucks' blue line. He may see fewer minutes every year, but will fill his spot perfectly. And there isn't a goaltender in the league who wouldn't know his slap shot. You can count a bunch of goals and a bucketful of bruises at the end of the season for opposition. And maybe some black and blue for Mikael Samuelsson and Ryan Kesler too for being in the line of fire..

Teemu Selänne, Anaheim. Well, who doesn't love mr. Selänne. The ageless Finnish Flash has returned and once he gets his game together, there will be another solid season of productive offence in the making. Most of Selänne's points will come from the power play this season, but who cares. He's got hall of fame written all over him.

Kimmo Timonen, Philadelphia. Timonen has been on the top of the league defencemen for ages. Maybe it's about time to let the younger guys take over some of the responsibilities. Regardless of the Kimmo will carry on in being ultra reliable on the own zone and a weapon on the visitors end.

Teemu Laakso, Sami Lepistö, Lennart Petrell and Petteri Nokelainen close up the quick review on the Finns on ice. They still have to take some time to prove that they belong to the starting lineup. Let's take a look at their progress little later on the season. I hope all the best for them in the fight for the spotlight.