WJC: Best defenseman in the WJC

[Armia]

I'd say Vatanen has a decent chance to be the best. Have to remember that the tournament is only a few games, so there are at least 10 defensemen that have some (or a little) chance of being it. Vatanen has a good chance, because he will play something like 30 minutes a game because there isn't any competition for the number one D spot. And Vatanen will be the PP dynamo in team Finland and play a lot of PK. The only thing that plays against him is that he might get tired when the tournament gets older. But he's still a good guess when guessing which D gets the most goals/points. I guess he'll be MVP for Finland this year. Hell, he might even become the MVP of the tournament if everything goes right.

I lol'd so hard, pretty rough underistimating of the finnish D here

 

[Bob Vance]

Anyways, call me a homer, but I think Ellis will be. He was hurt basically the whole year last year with a nagging wrist problem, so I don't think you guys have seen the most he can offer. He's a lot stronger defensively than a lot of people seem to give him credit for. Windsors goals against have gone up by like 3 per game since he left for camp.

I also think Cowen will be good, so I'm certainly not trying to bash him.

I hope Gudbranson can get it together too.

 

[MrGeno101]

Vatanen, Ellis and Larsson are the favorites in my mind but i think Orlov (Russia) and Cowen could challenge too...

 

[princegeorgehockey]

ekman larsson
ryan ellis
martin marincin
nick leddy
these 4 stand out IMO

 

[No1Joker]

It will be a race of A.Larsson, Vatanen and Cowen. Ellis wont make much of an impact defensively and neither offensively like last 2 years, Ekman-Larsson is the best on paper but i think Phoenix wont let him come OR he wont be the best defensman of the tournament because lack of improvement/icetime/motivation. Just my couple of thoughts, A.Larsson will be the number 1 overall pick in 2011 entry draft, Sami Vatanen is the best defenceman in the SM-Liiga, Jared Cowen is a beast when he reaches the potential.

 

[17Kurri]

Ekman-Larsson (all around)
Cowan (defense)
Marincin (rising star)
Vatanen/Ellis (Offense)

 

[jughead42*]

Ellis wont make much of an impact defensively and neither offensively like last 2 years

You do realize Ellis is already the all time scoring leader among defencemen for team Canada world junior history right? Go back to rooting for Aki Berg to have a break out season or something.

 

[sickest flow bro]

Ekman-Larsson (all around)
Cowan (defense)
Marincin (rising star)
Vatanen/Ellis (Offense)

Is Ekman-Larsson playing? Last I've heard he's currently with Phoenix and they won't release him to play.

 

[The Saw Is the Law]

We need more this by Vatanen

 

[shaner8989]

We need more this by Vatanen

WOW.

 

[Sasha Cares]

He won't be the best, but I think Faulk is going to surprise a ton of people... My Canes got a steal with him I believe

 

[Paajarvi18]

1-Ellis
2-Vatanen
3-Larsson

 

[Teemu]

He won't be the best, but I think Faulk is going to surprise a ton of people... My Canes got a steal with him I believe

Highway robbery at #37. Probably a top 15 selection if the draft was held again today. Hope to see him paired with Leddy.

Speaking of UMD, I think fans of Team Canada will be very pleasantly surprised with Dylan Olsen's two-way game. I think he'll be a consistent presence on the top pair.

 

[Latex*]

We need more this by Vatanen

LOL i hate that announcer

 

[Epictetus]

OEL. Hes just so smooth.

 

[Minister of Offence]

OEL. Hes just so smooth.

Yeah he's pretty sweet but he's got availability issues.

 

[Jesus Christ Horburn]

I predict de Haan.

 

[Sasha Cares]

Highway robbery at #37. Probably a top 15 selection if the draft was held again today. Hope to see him paired with Leddy.

Speaking of UMD, I think fans of Team Canada will be very pleasantly surprised with Dylan Olsen's two-way game. I think he'll be a consistent presence on the top pair.

Skinner at 7 and Faulk at 37 are looking the two biggest steals right now... The Canes have had mixed results with their picks over the past decade, but this draft will go down as one of their best.. Faulk has been a stud all year and we can't wait to get him into the system... You're right though, he's a top 10-20 kid from that draft if they did it all over again today

 

[AmericanDream]

not much talk for the US blueline....not sure why.

Nick Leddy might lead the whole tourney in points for dmen with the way this USA team is going to rush the play. Leddy has had a cup of coffee in the NHL, and is now an AHL pro...I think he has a big showing.

same goes for Jon Merrill, kid has all the tools to be a bigtime player this year. Keep your eyes open for him as well.

 

[Pyke*]

I like Cowen, but I think Ellis will be a better all around defenseman for *this tournament*.

 

[Dave from Vancouver]

Ellis is just different class.

 

[Dr.Sens(e)]

Short tourney like this, it ends up being pretty much about offence as a solid two-way game won't be noticed enough to merit consideration for top d-man. Basically, if you aren't your team's PP QB, you aren't going to be considered IMO.

I'd say Ellis is the favorite, with guys like Vatanen and Orlov the wild cards. Merril and Faulk might also get in the conversation given the US should be a gold contender and get a lot of exposure. Larsson definitely has a shot too, and perhaps Erixon.

In terms of an overall prospect, Gudbranson, Larsson and Cowen belong at the top of the conversation I suppose, but Larsson is likely the only one of the three to get enough PP time to get considered. That, and Cowen and Gudbrandson have both struggled about in camp and pre-tourney - especially Gudbranson. With Ellis and de Haan logging so many minutes, I'm not sure either is even a top pairing guy.

 

[helicecopter]

Vatanen.

 

[smitty10]

OEL, Ellis, Cowen, Vatanen, Marincin, Larsson.

 

[inoajd]

Ellis is just different class.

If you don't care about defense.