IIHF World Juniors

[Buffalo87]

From his draft year to his post-draft year, his points/game went up. This year, his goals/game is the highest it's been since he turned pro. I think you're getting yourself too wrapped up in his assist totals this year, which appears to be both an outlier and a mirage, givens that he appears to be Finland's best playmaker this far (along with Barkov).

I'm not saying that you have no right to be worried, but I keep hearing from people--not just you--about how concerning his numbers are this year just because he doesn't have many assists. I don't think it's that big a deal.

What is this based on?

And like I said, yes his goals/game is the best it's been since he turned pro, but again, over a 48 game season it equates to one more goal than his draft year. I'm not even looking at assists, I agree with you on goals being the biggest issue. All I'm saying is...yes, it is a small sample size but one goal improvement over 48 games two years later isn't the progression I look for (improved last year and then appearing to have regression a bit from last year to this year).

The upside is still tantilizing and it appears some weaknesses are being rounded out but not quite as much as I would've hoped after 2 years of development.

 

[tsujimoto74]

A bit of a shocker to me that McCabe was named captain of the US squad. But it just makes me all the more excited to see how he performs now that he's been designated as a leader on this team.
I also have a feeling Armia's going to be a treat to watch this year.

 

[1TuchAnd1NoTuch]

Havent seen mccabe yet but my hopes are high

 

[Jim Bob]

http://worldjuniors.usahockey.com/news_article/show/205496

Not only is McCabe wearing the C for Team USA, but Fairport, NY native Cole Bardreau is one of four guys wearing an A for the US.

Pretty cool for WNY hockey!

 

[NotABadPeriod]

I'm shocked McCabe was name captain. Would have thought Grimaldi, Miller, Biggs, Jones, or Trouba would have gotten it.

 

[Moskau]

I'm shocked McCabe was name captain. Would have thought Grimaldi, Miller, Biggs, Jones, or Trouba would have gotten it.

Most people who follow USA Hockey all year seem to believe it was a player vote.

 

[Buffalo87]

Most people who follow USA Hockey all year seem to believe it was a player vote.

That's pretty awesome. I was kind of surprised to see him named captain, cool to see his teammates view him that way.

 

[Jim Bob]

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/24/yakupov-on-team-canada-these-guys-play-dirty/

I bet Canada can't wait to play Russia now.

 

[SabresBillsBuffalo]

i still have alot of faith in our team. Warmup games are warmup games.

 

[Qurpiz]

Armia with 2 sleaaazy assists so far.

1-4 Finland

 

[Juzmo]

Armia with 2 sleaaazy assists so far.

1-4 Finland

3-1 M.Aaltonen (Armia)


4-1 Ma.Granlund (Armia)

 

[OkimLom]

3-1 M.Aaltonen (Armia)


4-1 Ma.Granlund (Armia)

When he wants to play...

Seriously, If he brings the effort and confidence to the NHL, He could be a superstar in the league.

 

[struckbyaparkedcar]

Apparently Grigo didn't wanna get shown up by Armia's newfound playmaking and set up Kucherov with a filthy backdoor assist on Russia's first goal.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Grigorenko's looked great through the first 2 periods, IMO. Beautiful assist on the first goal, and created 2 2-on-1 breaks in a single shift in the 2nd. (Good thing the linesman was napping on that first goal though, because he was offside by a hair.)

 

[sabresfan129103]

Courtesy of Bakes. Girgorenko's dirty assist on Kucherov's goal.

 

[Zip15]

Big faceoff win by Grigorenko leads to the OT winner for Russia. Two assists today for Grigs.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Big faceoff win by Grigorenko leads to the OT winner for Russia. Two assists today for Grigs.

But I heard he was a choker.


ETA: Good start to the tourney for Sabres fans. 2 assists from each of our top forward prospects. McCabe up next...

 

[Buffalo87]

Big faceoff win by Grigorenko leads to the OT winner for Russia. Two assists today for Grigs.

He doesn't actually get the assist on the GWG, right? Big part of the play by winning the draw but I don't believe he shows up in the boxscore.

 

[Zip15]

Sounds like Grigs didn't get an assist for the winner. He definitely would've received one over here. Oh well. I thought, along with Kucherov, he was Russia's top forward today.

 

[sabresfan129103]

He doesn't actually get the assist on the GWG, right? Big part of the play by winning the draw but I don't believe he shows up in the boxscore.

In the NHL that's an assist. In international they must go by the last 2 players to touch the puck.

 

[ottsabrefan]

Sounds like Grigs didn't get an assist for the winner. He definitely would've received one over here. Oh well. I thought, along with Kucherov, he was Russia's top forward today.

He got the second assist, which they don't always give out in international hockey. You would have thought they would have gave it to him playing for Russia. Weird.

 

[Buffalo87]

Sounds like Grigs didn't get an assist for the winner. He definitely would've received one over here. Oh well. I thought, along with Kucherov, he was Russia's top forward today.

Agreed. Yakupov certainly showed flashes but in the middle portion of the game he was pretty much invisible. I was also impressed by Sigaryov, had never heard of him before but I thought he played a very strong game.

The raw skill in Nichushkin is blatantly obvious, incredibly quick and talented for a guy his size and uses his reach well. Just needs to maintain consistency and he seemed to be noticeable around the perimeter a lot but didn't notice him much in dangerous scoring areas.

 

[Buffalo87]

Also, does anybody know where I can re-watch earlier games? I only caught the Slovakia/Russia game.

 

[is the answer jesus]

Also, does anybody know where I can re-watch earlier games? I only caught the Slovakia/Russia game.

NHL network is re-airing some of the games, I've got a bunch of them recording on my DVR. I'm not sure if there is somewhere online though.

 

[Juzmo]

When he wants to play...

Seriously, If he brings the effort and confidence to the NHL, He could be a superstar in the league.

And this game was another one where the team would win without him giving his all so he didn't. Then when the team plays against tougher opponents when his effort is needed, Armia shows up. Doesn't care about winning the scoring title, but does care about winning something as a team and being a big part of that.

If he brings the effort and gets the confidence he will definitely be a guy who you love to have on your team (at least most nights). We can only hope that Armia realizes that he won't have success in the big league with just his talent and doesn't become one of those "what if"-guys.