the link issue above is relevant in that all things that are quoted like that are generally required to have a link associated - arent they? thats what i thought this site required. its always a requirement for a trade rumour, so why would it different when discussing a prospect? sometimes with the bs we are all inundated with on this site from people, you need proof that someone knows what they are talking about, and not merely contributing to hype. i think its not out of line to ask for proof when someone compares 17/18 year old johnson to lidstrom and vlady....2 of the best this generation had to offer. its not totally unlike calling vinnie the "jordon" of hockey. its unrealistic expectations that fuel the hype through websites like this. a little proof that someone "in the know" said something like that isnt too much to ask for.
as for the comments that the us defense has been taking, i would like to defend borer. as a canes prospect, i went to see him play this year here against DU, and have watched the two us games. i can see how a johnson would be a far better choice as an offensive force, but ive been really impressed with borers generally quiet, effective game. he defensive almost to a fault. he rather obsessively takes his man on defensive draws, and keeps his guy tied up. he does the same when working on the boards, in front of the net, and conflicting with a previous comment about the us lack of hitting, he hits hard and often when digging in his own end....which is when it matters. he rarely gets the hits you notice on tv, because you have to take yourself out of position to make those hits, and borer plays like a guy who would never sacrifice good d positioning just to make himself look good(or bad) with a big nuetral zone hit. i would think any coaching staff would love a guy like that in these situations where you a have too small a time to teach a kid about when and when not to be aggresive. they dont have time for mental errors in the wjc. he made at least three awesome plays at his own line, where he stepped up and completely took out his guy with a stiff check, when in all three occasions the guy put his head down and tried to get cute. the first time he did it was on ovechkin, and borer drove him into the boards and onto his backside. but apparently, no one else noticed.
anyways, my point is that maybe some people are underating guys when they say "johnson is so much better than that guy". they took the guys they thought were the best tourney players right now, and probably the most likely to stick to the game plan once they were there. thats not a snipe at johnson, who i havent seen, just a comment on the players who are there. johnson may eventually out play these guys by miles in the nhl, but maybe the game plan called for different guys, and guys they felt were older and more ready? i know im biased for borer, but my bias drove me to go out and actually watch him before talking about him, and i feel after seeing him live and on tv, he deserves to be there.