Sharks at the worlds

[LA Shark]

Meier and Tavares are ganna be filthy together next year

 

[rangerssharks414]

Don't think Meier is all that great in shootouts. I'm more upset about the fact that he only played a bit over 16mins. That was dumb. Swiss coaches are clowns. They played the wrong guys and the team was waay too defensive. They knew they weren't gonna win a shootout against the Swedes.

Why do you say that? I turned it off after the second, but Sweden was dominating. I think their only chance was to play defensive and hope to get lucky in transition or a shootout.

 

[Hinterland]

Don't think Meier is all that great in shootouts. I'm more upset about the fact that he only played a bit over 16mins. That was dumb. Swiss coaches are clowns. They played the wrong guys and the team was waay too defensive. They knew they weren't gonna win a shootout against the Swedes.

To expand on this, I think Rod should have shot a penalty. He's one of the three (together with Andrighetto and Fiala) shootout specialists the Swiss had on the team. Corvi was a fair try since he, together with Fiala, probably has the best hands on this team. But when Fiala missed and Rod didn't get to shoot it was all over anyways. The Swiss used to have some good shootout options but they all retired or aren't good enough anymore. The two best shootout specialists, Brunner and Baertschi, who probably would have scored (though I wouldn't have selected Brunner), are injured. Nilsson is also significantly bigger than Genoni. I really think that the Swiss should have tried harder to win in 60' or 80'. Yeah they had their chances and still could have won but they didn't force their luck which was pretty disappointing to watch.

 

[Hinterland]

Why do you say that? I turned it off after the second, but Sweden was dominating. I think their only chance was to play defensive and hope to get lucky in transition or a shootout.

Sweden is always gonna have the puck a lot...against any opponent. But they lack elite playmakers and they don't take risks. They do their cycling but if you take away their options on the point and don't make mistakes you're usually pretty save. They play like the Sharks when they're out of sync. Endless cycling but zero action.

I agree that if you wanna beat the Swedes, good defensive zone coverage and breakaways are key. The Swiss were fine for 40'. They didn't have the puck a lot but they had the better chances. Nyquist's goal was a great shot through traffic. Nice screen but not really a created chance. The second goal came on the PP after Sweden didn't create a single chance despite the Swiss failing to clear the zone and change for a few minutes. In the 3rd though the Swiss got more and more defensive and Sweden was clearly better. Same in OT. The Swiss had a few chances towards the end of those two periods but not enough considering they knew that they were unlikely to win a shootout. They should have played like in the first 40' and maybe invest even a bit more into those breakaways. Defenders like Fora or Kukan started to join the rush but it was already too late when they finally did. You can argue that it could have worked since they missed some glorious chances but they just didn't do enough. Also, Meier was the best forward on the team and only played a good 16mins. His Center, Vermin, only played 12mins. That guy played some good games for the Bolts and easily has NHL level. I could fill a whole page with what the coaches did wrong. Awful coaching and it surely was difference. The Swiss never had such a strong team. Most players usually decline to play world championships. Glorious chance wasted.

 

[OrrNumber4]

Sweden is always gonna have the puck a lot...against any opponent. But they lack elite playmakers and they don't take risks. They do their cycling but if you take away their options on the point and don't make mistakes you're usually pretty save. They play like the Sharks when they're out of sync. Endless cycling but zero action.

I agree that if you wanna beat the Swedes, good defensive zone coverage and breakaways are key. The Swiss were fine for 40'. They didn't have the puck a lot but they had the better chances. Nyquist's goal was a great shot through traffic. Nice screen but not really a created chance. The second goal came on the PP after Sweden didn't create a single chance despite the Swiss failing to clear the zone and change for a few minutes. In the 3rd though the Swiss got more and more defensive and Sweden was clearly better. Same in OT. The Swiss had a few chances towards the end of those two periods but not enough considering they knew that they were unlikely to win a shootout. They should have played like in the first 40' and maybe invest even a bit more into those breakaways. Defenders like Fora or Kukan started to join the rush but it was already too late when they finally did. You can argue that it could have worked since they missed some glorious chances but they just didn't do enough. Also, Meier was the best forward on the team and only played a good 16mins. His Center, Vermin, only played 12mins. That guy played some good games for the Bolts and easily has NHL level. I could fill a whole page with what the coaches did wrong. Awful coaching and it surely was difference. The Swiss never had such a strong team. Most players usually decline to play world championships. Glorious chance wasted.

Well said.

The Swiss team's identity has always been strong defensive play. That's how they have ever won anything, so they are unlikely to deviate from that.

 

[Hinterland]

Well said.

The Swiss team's identity has always been strong defensive play. That's how they have ever won anything, so they are unlikely to deviate from that.

They didn't have a good defense in that tournament though. The Swiss used to have countless good defenders but that has changed. Diaz isn't good enough anymore and I don't know why he got selected. Undersander is a good offensive defender but he's weak and not reliable. Fora has little experience. He was a pleasant surprise but still. Canada exploited the Swiss defense badly and it took a lot of luck and a great Genoni to beat them. Weber and Furrer are banged up and Sbisa obviously still involved with Vegas. Dave Sutter, a terrific towering defender, got sent home for whatever reason. Offense was way better than defense in this tournament so it wouldn't have hurt to take a bit more risks. I'm not talking about a complete change of tactics but little things like to forecheck with more urgency or defenders to join the rush more often could have done wonders. They certainly should have played their game for the full 80' though. They got more and more defensive after 40' which was a bad idea.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I’d take Quinn Hughes 3rd overall.

 

[Dijay]

Mirco Mueller named one of Switzerland's best 3 players of the tourney.

Sorry guys but Mueller played a hell of a tournament.
He was clearly the best defensive defenseman for Switzerland (better than Josi to me).
His first pass was very good and his shot OK.
You can argue that he doesnt move the puck, ok.

Maybe you can admit that he has stepped up?

 

[tiburon12]

Sorry guys but Mueller played a hell of a tournament.
He was clearly the best defensive defenseman for Switzerland (better than Josi to me).
His first pass was very good and his shot OK.
You can argue that he doesnt move the puck, ok.

Maybe you can admit that he has stepped up?

Or he is playing well in a tournament on a different sized surface than in the NHL against weaker competition?

 

[Juxtaposer]

Sorry guys but Mueller played a hell of a tournament.
He was clearly the best defensive defenseman for Switzerland (better than Josi to me).
His first pass was very good and his shot OK.
You can argue that he doesnt move the puck, ok.

Maybe you can admit that he has stepped up?

“Stepped up” as in “stepped up for the Swiss in this tournament”? Absolutely. “Stepped up” as in “developed into a real NHLer this season”, big nah.

 

[Hinterland]

“Stepped up” as in “stepped up for the Swiss in this tournament”? Absolutely. “Stepped up” as in “developed into a real NHLer this season”, big nah.

He did. But then he got injured, lost his spot because of it and when he finally got to play again he struggled. Disappointing but nothing unusual for a young defender. Probably mostly confidence issues because he was rocksolid during the world championships...also against Finnland, Canada and Sweden.

 

[LadyStanley]

#TimoTime

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

I’m not sure if you can call a guy an NHLer based on their performance at the WHC. Leonardo Genoni looked like LeoMartin Jonesie from the Stanley Cup Final, but I don’t think anybody is giving him an NHL contract.

However, I will agree that Mirco Mueller certainly looked the part in that gold medal game. Which is far more than I ever would have expected of him.

 

[Hinterland]

I’m not sure if you can call a guy an NHLer based on their performance at the WHC. Leonardo Genoni looked like LeoMartin Jonesie from the Stanley Cup Final, but I don’t think anybody is giving him an NHL contract.

However, I will agree that Mirco Mueller certainly looked the part in that gold medal game. Which is far more than I ever would have expected of him.

Genoni said last year that he's not interested in playing NHL and therefore doesn't have an NHL clause in his contract. Genoni is certainly good enough for a part time job in the NHL and has been for years. He has one year remaining in Bern and I don't think they would let him go even if he wanted to. He'd be impossible to replace.

The most intriguing Swiss FA's would probably be Fora and Corvi. I also think that Dave Sutter and Pius Suter would be good enough to play in the NHL though they didn't play in this years world championships. Vermin I think is another interesting case. In my view he was just in the wrong organization. Bolts have too much talent upfront but Vermin played well when given a chance. I'm surprised he didn't get a shot elsewhere.

 

[LadyStanley]

Proud Swiss

 

[Beethovens 10th]

You know, it was interesting to see who had gas left in the tank to compete in the worlds, and subsequently how they performed. Encouraging stuff from Timo and some others, but man I’m disappointed in Vlasic. I hope this isn’t an ominous portent of future performance. And if it isn’t bad enough that he chose to keep wearing on his body in this tournament... word on the street is, deep in the streets at least, that he’s taking on the role of Prince Hans in “Frozen on Ice” for the summer run through the Appalachia market. Look, there was a time he could defend the shit outta Arendelle, but I think it’ll be just another instance of him leaking quality chances to that tormented Queen Elsa (heard they got Drew Doughty to play her, not to get hopes up, it’s still just a rumor but... swoon). Anyway, I’m not too optimistic. At least they got Patrick Laine to play Princess Anna. Once he shaves the scruff and gets a silver streak in those locks he’ll be on point; I doubt there’s anyone in the league who can let it go like him, but his “love is an open door” will totally be bomb - he’ll carry Pickles. Laine has such a great belt and the freedom he gets in his upper register is insane. Pickles needs voice lessons - another reason I’m surprised he agreed to do it... Long story short, I like how the Younglings are doing but I’m worried about Vlasic and Burns (and their contracts) in the long run. Let’s also be sure to keep our Younglings away from Anakin Skywalker... that f***ing guy...

Sorry, I’m stranded in SFO because United is the Peter Deboer of airlines

 

[Hinterland]

IIHF - Stats you’ve never seen Part II

Probably worth mentioning. Hansen the sharp shooter...