In addition to ‘lesser’ players…..notice I said YOUNGER as well. So yes, some Russians who played in the ADT Challenge also played in the WJC. However, almost all (at the time of the ADT Challenge) were still “C” or lower players.
No different than some of this year’s Canadian WJC players being “C” or lower level last year. However, the vast majority of Russians chosen for this tourney are scrubs….there’s no denying that.
The fact that you’re impressed with guys like Mayer shows that Russia has good depth….’cause that guy blows.
BTW, Igor Makarov isn’t Sergei Makarov’s son
The guys who aren’t released make up almost all of the “A” and “B” players……but that’s not saying RSL junior players aren’t released. Of course, Popeikin wants to bring good players, however, despite what he says, what's evident is that this tourney isn’t taken seriously b/c RSL teams DO routinely release their players for other junior tournaments in Europe…..but not for the ADT Challenge.
I’m not saying the Canadian teams are “A” squads…..far from it. They average out to “C” or a little below teams……just like Russia. However, the difference is that Canada has the luxury of playing 90% of its top end talent. Apart from Radulov, Voloshenko and Shirokov that one year, this is rarely if ever the case with Russia. THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE. Canada plays with many of its “A” and “B” players……Russia rarely, if ever, sends its “A” or “B” players.
Do you really want me to make a comparative list of both country’s players who played in the WJC and at the ADT Challenge in the same year? I don’t think you want to go there.
Now you’re just showing you arrogance or ignorance…….I can’t tell which.
I remember you guys saying the same thing during the Olympics. “We could send 6 teams…..blah blah blah”. Obviously you didn’t learn anything from that 7th place finish.
BTW, who were you eliminated by?
Again, Canada has better depth than Russia - no one disagrees. However, the reason the ADT Challenge is so lopsided is not because of depth……..it’s because Canada has FAR MORE of its top “A” and “B” players playing……..while Russia hardly sends any of theirs.
And until you can name be more than a handful of these "A" and "B" Russian players that played throughout the last 4 years, you're gonna have trouble refuting my points.
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