Have not watched every single moment, and a lot of watching has been while doing other things, so by no means am I saying this is the most accurate analysis, but have to agree with post above, dissapointed despite the dubs. This swedish team is clearly the most skilled out of the 4, but I never got the feeling that there was straight up dominance in any of the games. Pace has been an issue for many in this age group, relatively speaking. I remember thinking earlier this season that this group is way more "skilled" than the 05s, but few of the players ever impress in terms of their "athlethic" prowess. Also shown in that I feel like the 5v5, especially rush offense, has been very weak for a team that based on how I have perceived the other 3 nations, they should smack.
Obviously Ekberg keeps racking up the points, and he shows how talented he is in some facets, but I had hoped for way more overall dominance in the nationals where he plays against people the same age. At this point there is no doubt that he is a winger, but even then I hope for more creation and signs that he will be a top player beyond being incredible at capitalizing on opportunities.
Klingsell does create, but man does he take some bad shots as well. Maybe that is a prize you pay for a player like him to grow, he made at least 2 riddiculous shots that bounced out of the zone on the PP just in the game against Finland as well. I know he scored to good goals as well, so I'm not whining too much, but I don't think he had a monster tournamnent. Gästrin was not terrible, but felt like a passenger with the 2 puck-dominant wingers on his line.
First line was fine. Frondell is so skilled, but the pace really hurts him at center. Laksonens agility and skill is really impressive for his size and strength, but I don't think his gamesense is as impressive. Ripping of Prospects9, but as someone who has really liked Sonestedt, this was dissapointing. Neither of his 3 wingers these games showed that they really belonged here either in my opinion. Stenberg was fine at times I guess. Agreed on the 4th line being sweet, felt like those those 3 really fought for their place. Krantz and Morin were warriors, and Hillström keeps playing good hockey as per usual.
I see why Boumedienne is on the team, he is good in the offensive zone. Since I haven't seen him in club hockey, I can't comment on him outside of these games. But not mindblowing by any strech. Overall I feel like the defence is not particuarly impressive. Dahlqvist has his role and does it pretty well. Not as many bad penalites as he takes in Brynäs. Annborn has potential. Otherwise relatively thin in comparison to the forwards.
The goalies has been pretty good. Forsberg did well his game, and has been good in club play as well. Neither has played themself out of a spot in the next event, its up to someone else to improve and leapfrog them in that case.
