Post-Game Talk: World Junior Championships 2020 in the Czech Republic: Canada Wins 2020 Gold

[The Zetterberg Era]

I don’t love the US team nearly as much this year as I usually do. I almost always have them on my podium prediction but didn’t this year.

The forward group is pretty top heavy, and the blue line looks weaker than normal to me.

They are really banking on their goal scoring wingers and their goaltending in this tournament. Which isn’t necessarily the worst plan given they have Caufield and Knight, but I just feel like they are lacking some depth this year.

I like Canada and Sweden best for this one. I think 3rd will be a battle between Finland, Russia, and the US teams.

USA will have elite goaltending in net. Russia and USA have a big advantage in net in my opinion.

We will see, but it has been a while since two caliber goalies like that have been at the world junior championships. Remember the kind of difference the big time nhl netminderd have made at this tournament traditionally too.

 

[Frk It]

USA will have elite goaltending in net. Russia and USA have a big advantage in net in my opinion.

We will see, but it has been a while since two caliber goalies like that have been at the world junior championships. Remember the kind of difference the big time nhl netminderd have made at this tournament traditionally too.

Knight is really good. I liked him a lot last year. I guess part of my stubbornness of not putting Askarov top 5 is I'm not sure he is that much better than Knight was last year.

So I agree with you on that.

 

[DInTheB]

Will Russia even ride Askarov? He’s a double under ager and they almost never rely on those young players. I think it’s insane but it won’t shock me.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Will Russia even ride Askarov? He’s a double under ager and they almost never rely on those young players. I think it’s insane but it won’t shock me.

We will see, I think he enters as their backup but can steal the job. He will get to play games and get a crack. Given how crazy dominant he has been internationally, I am almost counting on him to wrestle the job away even that young. I like the other starter Russia has for this event as well. Just think it is an advantage regardless for those two teams. Finland should have a good option as well from the U18s a couple years ago.

 

[Marky9er]

We will see, I think he enters as their backup but can steal the job. He will get to play games and get a crack. Given how crazy dominant he has been internationally, I am almost counting on him to wrestle the job away even that young. I like the other starter Russia has for this event as well. Just think it is an advantage regardless for those two teams. Finland should have a good option as well from the U18s a couple years ago.

We'll see about Daws, and Hlavaj also draft eligible. Those guys came out of nowhere and are having great years. I don't know if Hlavaj is going to see action, but you'd love to see him put to that test.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

1.) Russia
2.) Canada
3.) USA
4.) Sweden

 

[Frk It]

1.) Russia
2.) Canada
3.) USA
4.) Sweden

Really???

Sweden’s blue line is absolutely stacked and their forward group is very deep.

 

[Martinez]

1. USA
2. Sweden
3. Canada

Merica

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Really???

Sweden’s blue line is absolutely stacked and their forward group is very deep.

And I think they are beaten by better goalies in the medal round.

 

[lilidk]

Russia, Canada, USA, Finland or Sweden , there is not favorite team to win. Can you guess who win scoring title? I have no clue

 

[Martinez]

Russia, Canada, USA, Finland or Sweden , there is not favorite team to win. Can you guess who win scoring title? I have no clue

I’m not a caufield guy but he is going to destroy this tournament

 

[ArmChairGM89]

I’m not a caufield guy but he is going to destroy this tournament

I was skeptical of Caufield. But he is killing it in college. He’s turning me into a believer. Though, that team is stacked.

 

[lhsgolf19]

The Stud has arrived

 

[13to40]

I don’t know about you guys, but my favourite Christmas gift comes every year on the 26th! Can’t wait to watch our prospects play!!

 

[RabidBadger]

I don’t love the US team nearly as much this year as I usually do. I almost always have them on my podium prediction but didn’t this year.

The forward group is pretty top heavy, and the blue line looks weaker than normal to me.

They are really banking on their goal scoring wingers and their goaltending in this tournament. Which isn’t necessarily the worst plan given they have Caufield and Knight, but I just feel like they are lacking some depth this year.

I like Canada and Sweden best for this one. I think 3rd will be a battle between Finland, Russia, and the US teams.

I'm with you on this one. I think they have enough talent to take it all but I don't like the dynamic of this team.

From what I watched this summer in Plymouth, the defense had some really good moments but did not inspire great confidence. The offense was far too reliant on Caufield's line. If Knight gets injured the goaltending drops off significantly. I don't see above a bronze unless the depth players really step up.

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

The Stud has arrived

I look similar to mo... Good lookin dude

 

[lhsgolf19]

Veleno Assistant Captain

 

[Hen Kolland]

Veleno Assistant Captain

Apparently minimal NHL experience carries a lot of weight for Team Canada. Considering Veleno and Smith have both captained the team before, I was surprised to see Hayton get the captaincy.

Either way, I feel like Veleno being slotted as the first line center next to Lafreniere still speaks volumes of how Joe is viewed as a player in this age group.

 

[Marky9er]

Looking at the lineup for CZE/RUS and it appears the two 17 y/o D on the Czech squad are forming their second D pair. This should be interesting.

*Brews pot of coffee*

 

[Marky9er]

Kubicek point shot beats Askarov for a PPG, sign him up.

 

[Zetterbeer]

Rough outing for Askarov so far, 4 goals on 13 shots. Dorofeyev looks good for Russia, still wish we had him in our system.

 

[Marky9er]

Rough outing for Askarov so far, 4 goals on 13 shots. Dorofeyev looks good for Russia, still wish we had him in our system.

It seems he's human, I'll pass. Maybe if he was a demigod.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

It seems he's human, I'll pass. Maybe if he was a demigod.

Watching more than one game is going to be important to this discussion.

 

[TCNorthstars]

Watching more than one game is going to be important to this discussion.

But that isn's as fun knee jerk reactions!

 

[Marky9er]

Watching more than one game is going to be important to this discussion.

I was already against a goalie at zero games...

Look, I'm not writing off Nico Daws here. Askarov gave up some powerplay goals, and a nice goal on a 2 on 1. There was only 1 goal that was questionable, but that was his chance to rise above all the excusable stuff and change my mind about taking a goalie in this top 5. I'm out. Take 2 goalies in the next 2 rounds, I don't care pick 3. Take Hlavaj and Malik. Take Daws and take Skotnikov, too. Just not a goalie in round 1. Celebrate 10 year anniversary of McCollum pick by not doing that again.