WJC: 2022 Team Slovakia roster talk

[Stewie Griffin]

keep in mind that its 5 months away, the younger slovaks will grow and get more experiance during that time

Yeah but they're still going to be playing against some guys who have attended NHL training camps, played pro in north america and have 2/3 years of growth more than them.

 

[Antiillafire]

Tournament is still a while away but I think these 2004 and 2005 borns sent a message. If the 2002 and 2003 players aren’t at their best form, we are taking your spot at this tournament. Nice to have some solid competition in the Slovak WJC nomination

 

[alko]

Will be the Slovak team in 2022/2023 top dog? Sure, there is always Canada, USA, sometimes Russia, Sweden, Finns mentioned for Gold. But this time, could it be Slovak team?
Oh god, this Hlinka tournament makes us crazy, slovak fans.

 

[JotAlan]

I believe these players are locks or 90% guaranteed:
Dvorsky, Slaf, Nemec, Knazko, Stacha, Becar, Kolenic, Kaslik, Latkoczy, Krajc, Myklukha, Demek, Mesar.

Players who have a good chance (will still have to fight for roster spot):
Petrovsky, Molnar, Ciernik, Faith, Jedlicka, Groch, Kmec, Strbak, Petrovicky, Michalik, L.Nemec

Players on the outside looking in (could still end up on final roster but will take a push:
Geci, Baco, Zlnka, Sramaty, Zubak, Jombik, Lasak, Kupco, Fatul, Mosko

With goalies Latkoczy is lock and Elias is looking like one too, not sure who they will take as the other one.

Maybe a bit selfishly but I would really like the Ciernik - Dvorsky - Molnar line to be there at WJC.

What would your lineup look like?

 

[Antiillafire]

What would your lineup look like?

So much can change in the next few months, but right now this is how I think the roster will look:

Slafkovsky - Dvorsky - Chromiak
Mesar - Myklukha - Demek
Kolenic - Kaslik - Krajc
Jedlicka - Michalik - Repcik

Knazko - Becar
Stacha - Nemec
Petrovicky - Kmec
Zubak - Groch

Latkoczy
Elias
Marinov

Here is how I hope the roster is though:

Slafkovsky - Dvorsky - Chromiak
Mesar - Kaslik - Demek
Molnar - Myklukha - Krajc
Kolenic - Jedlicka - Repcik

Knazko - Becar
Stacha - Nemec
Petrovicky - Kmec
Groch - Strbak

The pairings of Knazko - Becar and Stacha - Nemec were great last year, they should keep the same. It comes down to whether the coach will select more 02’s or more 04’s. I put Molnar in there because I think by time December comes around he will have adapted to playing with men even better and his speed could be a great asset. I see Kmec having a very successful season in the WHL and his toughness and break out ability would be nice to have on this team.

 

[alko]

So much can change in the next few months, but right now this is how I think the roster will look:

Slafkovsky - Dvorsky - Chromiak
Mesar - Myklukha - Demek
Kolenic - Kaslik - Krajc
Jedlicka - Michalik - Repcik

Knazko - Becar
Stacha - Nemec
Petrovicky - Kmec
Zubak - Groch

Latkoczy
Elias
Marinov

Here is how I hope the roster is though:

Slafkovsky - Dvorsky - Chromiak
Mesar - Kaslik - Demek
Molnar - Myklukha - Krajc
Kolenic - Jedlicka - Repcik

Knazko - Becar
Stacha - Nemec
Petrovicky - Kmec
Groch - Strbak

The pairings of Knazko - Becar and Stacha - Nemec were great last year, they should keep the same. It comes down to whether the coach will select more 02’s or more 04’s. I put Molnar in there because I think by time December comes around he will have adapted to playing with men even better and his speed could be a great asset. I see Kmec having a very successful season in the WHL and his toughness and break out ability would be nice to have on this team.

Nemec should be the Nr. 1 Defensman.

 

[Antiillafire]

Nemec should be the Nr. 1 Defensman.

Depth and balance is much better than putting Nemec with Knazko, weakening the second pair. Anyways most Slovak coaches don’t understand bench shortening as can be seen by recent WC and WJC

 

[alko]

Depth and balance is much better than putting Nemec with Knazko, weakening the second pair

You have a point. But when you can create a All-star line, that can make difference every-time they are on ice, why not to do it?

 

[Antiillafire]

Could be some real solid Center depth for us at the tournament. Dvorsky, Kaslik, Demek, Repcik, Jedlicka, Myklukha.

 

[hellwar9]

Could be some real solid Center depth for us at the tournament. Dvorsky, Kaslik, Demek, Repcik, Jedlicka, Myklukha.

I agree. However. some of them will play the wings. I would bet on someone from the trio of Kaslik, Demek and Jedlicka. Geci is still in the game, in the summer he may not have looked ideal in the U20 national team, but at that time he was still during the hard summer trainings. And who knows, Petrovsky may surprise us all and he will have a rocket start and a great season at the OHL. Center after a long time may not be our problem.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

This team is very exciting. They should be one of the better teams in the tournament in 2 years.

 

[stastny12]

This team is very exciting. They should be one of the better teams in the tournament in 2 years.

The medal is a realistic target and it won´t be an upset. Although, some of these guys are so talented that they might not be available in two years due to NHL duties.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

The medal is a realistic target and it won´t be an upset. Although, some of these guys are so talented that they might not be available in two years due to NHL duties.

Very true. Even next year they should be a good team and have their big three of Nemec, Slafkovsky, and Dvorsky.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Players born in 2002 and 2003 are far too weak to aim for the medal.

Impossible to bet on players of 16-17 years in such a tournament.

We will have to wait for the 2024 edition to see Slovakia scare. And that will depend on the presence of Nemec, Slafkovsky and Dvorsky who are likely to play in NHL at this time.

 

[Antiillafire]

Players born in 2002 and 2003 are far too weak to aim for the medal.

Impossible to bet on players of 16-17 years in such a tournament.

We will have to wait for the 2024 edition to see Slovakia scare. And that will depend on the presence of Nemec, Slafkovsky and Dvorsky who are likely to play in NHL at this time.

It is true but we shall see. We won’t be a medal contender this year but I could see us getting a result similar to team in 2015 if greatness can happen. The keys are all there. Look at Germany in 2019, they gave a big scare into top teams. This top 6 could be one of the best we’ve had in quite a few years:

Slafkovsky - Dvorsky - Chromiak
Mesar - Kaslik - Demek

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Not great for the U20 tournament. It's just good to show that Slovakia is better than Germany and Switzerland.

This year, the medal goal is for the U18 tournament. Here, the chances of a medal are good. But Canada will have a crazy team, 2004 Russian generation is excellent and USA remains formidable in this tournament

 

[kudla]

This year, the medal goal is for the U18 tournament. Here, the chances of a medal are good. But Canada will have a crazy team, 2004 Russian generation is excellent and USA remains formidable in this tournament

Slovakia has been relegated to the lower division and will play against Japan or Norway instead of USA, Canada, Russia this year.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Slovakia has been relegated to the lower division and will play against Japan or Norway instead of USA, Canada, Russia this year.

thats crazy. could be 10-0 wins to slovakia or even more

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Slovakia has been relegated to the lower division and will play against Japan or Norway instead of USA, Canada, Russia this year.

I had forgotten. The Covid will have cost a serious chance at a medal. Obviously, it's going to be an uninspiring butcher's shop. With the progress of the middle nations, it would be more relevant to expand the elite championship to 12 nations with 3 groups of 4 nations and ranking matches.

 

[Rusty7550]

Players born in 2002 and 2003 are far too weak to aim for the medal.

Impossible to bet on players of 16-17 years in such a tournament.

We will have to wait for the 2024 edition to see Slovakia scare. And that will depend on the presence of Nemec, Slafkovsky and Dvorsky who are likely to play in NHL at this time.

I think our 2002 are solid and underrated. They played very well at the Hlinka Gretzky cup in 2019. Guys like Chromiak, Knazko, Kaslik, Latkoczy, Stacha, Petrovicky etc. are solid. These guys with some 03s and 04s + Dvorsky can be a good team. Probably not a medal team but they can do some damage.

 

[Rusty7550]

It is true but we shall see. We won’t be a medal contender this year but I could see us getting a result similar to team in 2015 if greatness can happen. The keys are all there. Look at Germany in 2019, they gave a big scare into top teams. This top 6 could be one of the best we’ve had in quite a few years:

Slafkovsky - Dvorsky - Chromiak
Mesar - Kaslik - Demek

That 2nd line looks good but I would put Demek as a centre. Mesar - Demek - Kaslik. Kaslik is a winger. We need guys who plays at center position in their clubs, not only in national team. Last year, only Myklukha knew how to win a feceoffs.

 

[Czechboy]

Slovakia has been relegated to the lower division and will play against Japan or Norway instead of USA, Canada, Russia this year.

That will get ugly fast. I remember when Czech u18 got relegated... Jiri tlusty and company. It was pretty lopsided just like this will be for Slovakia.

 

[Antiillafire]

Start of season roster prediction:

Slafkovsky - Dvorsky - Chromiak
Mesar - Demek - Kaslik
Faith - Myklukha - Krajc
Repcik - Jedlicka - Baco

Stacha - Nemec
Knazko - Becar
Petrovicky - Kmec
Groch - Jombik

Latkoczy
Elias
Marinov

PP1:
Slafkovsky - Dvorsky - Kaslik
Chromiak - Nemec

PP2:
Myklukha - Demek - Mesar
Knazko - Faith

PK1:
Kaslik - Krajc
Knazko - Nemec

PK2:
Jedlicka - Repcik
Stacha - Kmec

 

[hellwar9]

Start of season roster prediction:

Slafkovsky - Dvorsky - Chromiak
Mesar - Demek - Kaslik
Faith - Myklukha - Krajc
Repcik - Jedlicka - Baco

Stacha - Nemec
Knazko - Becar
Petrovicky - Kmec
Groch - Jombik

Latkoczy
Elias
Marinov

PP1:
Slafkovsky - Dvorsky - Kaslik
Chromiak - Nemec

PP2:
Myklukha - Demek - Mesar
Knazko - Faith

PK1:
Kaslik - Krajc
Knazko - Nemec

PK2:
Jedlicka - Repcik
Stacha - Kmec

That's how I can imagine it too. Although, Jombik probably doesn't. For now, he has a problem keeping in the line-up in the Finnish junior league. In his place I can imagine, for example, Denis Bakala, he should play the first defense pair in Presov and he wasn't bad at all in the summer national games. Or someone younger.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Man, it really sucks Slovakia is not gonna play in highest division with this dream team. Slovakia could have ended up winning it all. Its gonna be total domination in the current division,. I could see games ending like 10-0 to Slovakia.