WJC: medal predictions and tournament best players

[Statsy]

The US was simply better that game when it mattered. In the first half they out shot us, outplayed us, and outscored us and only then when Canada was down 2-0 did they decide to show up but by then it was too late. Spencer Knight was a brick wall in that game. It happens unfortunately.

Hockey Canada's overreaction to that loss has made them go apeshit this year and not in a good way. We have a bigger chance of not medalling this year at all.

There are some puzzling camp picks for sure, but keep in mind that those guys have NOT made the final roster. Canada can still pick an awfully good team and I still have them as favourites, followed closely by Russia.

 

[stastny12]

1. Russia
2. Canada
3. USA
4. Slovakia
5. Finland
6. Czechia
7. Sweden
8. Germany
9. Austria
10. Switzerland

Best offensive player: Michkov
Defensive: Nemec
Goalie: I don´t know

 

[tobu]

1. Russia
2. Canada
3. Slovakia
4. USA

 

[cmcneil02]

Yaroslav Askarov is going to be unreal. Won't be surprised if he can shut out some of the top countries.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

The US was simply better that game when it mattered. In the first half they out shot us, outplayed us, and outscored us and only then when Canada was down 2-0 did they decide to show up but by then it was too late. Spencer Knight was a brick wall in that game. It happens unfortunately.

Hockey Canada's overreaction to that loss has made them go apeshit this year and not in a good way. We have a bigger chance of not medalling this year at all.

That's bullshit because last year doesn't matter anymore.
Canada will be gold medal game Shane Wright is a special player who makes difference.
And he will turn games for Canada's win by himself If needed.

 

[Finster8]

Gold-Canada
Silver-Russia
Bronze-US

D-Power, Sanderson
F-Wright, Perfetti, McTavish
G-Askarov

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Let’s see some sleeper picks for best players

 

[Eye of Ra]

Let’s see some sleeper picks for best players

kasper

 

[Antiillafire]

Let’s see some sleeper picks for best players

From the non big 5:
Czech - Jiricek
Slovakia - Dvorsky
Austria - Kasper
Switzerland - Knak
Germany - Was gonna say Peterka or reichel but I guess Florian Elias

 

[Czechboy]

quick scan of replies and I don't think Finns and swedes are getting enough love!

 

[TheDoldrums]

Let’s see some sleeper picks for best players

he shouldn't be a sleeper but I don't think Niemela is getting enough buzz. He already won best defenseman last year at the World Juniors when he was barely playing in the Liiga, now this year he's got 22 points in 26 games, tied for 5th in scoring overall and the leading defenseman.

I like Ryan O'Rourke as a sleeper on Canada. They basically have no RHD but he can play the right side well and I think he has a shot to be Powers partner which would mean a ton of ice time.

 

[sdf]

Gold standard of trolling

 

[Cskavars]

Let’s see some sleeper picks for best players

Depending if hes given a big enough role, Alexander Pashin for Russia could be top 3-5 in goals

 

[Kshahdoo]

At his first WJC McDavid was one month younger, than Michkov will be and 6 months older, than Berdard (if the latter makes the team, of course). If any of them or both outscore McJesus again, will it mean anything?

I think, there is a good chance Michkov will score more, than 4 points.

 

[Statsy]

At his first WJC McDavid was one month younger, than Michkov will be and 6 months older, than Berdard (if the latter makes the team, of course). If any of them or both outscore McJesus again, will it mean anything?

I think, there is a good chance Michkov will score more, than 4 points.

For the record, McDavid actually scored 6 points in the three pre-tournament games, but got benched when he fired the puck into the opposition net long after the whistle. Who knows what kind of numbers he could’ve put up if he hadn’t lost the coach’s trust? The four points he ended up with is a bit of a red herring if you were looking for an indication where his level was actually at.

 

[jj cale]

All roads lead to Michkov these days it seems, at least with a certain fan base.

They are determined to make this kid a legend even before he is one. He's got some very large claims to back up in the coming years. From what I have been seeing nothing less then the best player who has ever played the game is going to meet the expectations of what they are saying about him.

That will be quite the order.

 

[Kshahdoo]

All roads lead to Michkov these days it seems, at least with a certain fan base.

They are determined to make this kid a legend even before he is one. He's got some very large claims to back up in the coming years. From what I have been seeing nothing less then the best player who has ever played the game is going to meet the expectations of what they are saying about him.

That will be quite the order.

He for sure looks better, than Kucherov did at his age, and Kucherov isn't that bad player, I'd say...

 

[jj cale]

He for sure looks better, than Kucherov did at his age, and Kucherov isn't that bad player, I'd say...

And yet he still might not turn out to be as good a player as Kucherov. Sure the pedigree he is showing is great but he is 16 after all. Does he deserve praise for the play he is showing so far? of course, but that doesn't guarantee the type of career he is going to have and it might be a bit early to insinuate he is definitely going to be as good or better then some of the proven best players right now, even more so with one or 2 who are going to go down as all time greats in Ovechkin and Mcdavid.

Bit early in the game to be making those bids I'd say.

 

[Kshahdoo]

And yet he still might not turn out to be as good a player as Kucherov. Sure the pedigree he is showing is great but he is 16 after all. Does he deserve praise for the play he is showing so far? of course, but that doesn't guarantee the type of career he is going to have and it might be a bit early to insinuate he is definitely going to be as good or better then some of the proven best players right now, even more so with one or 2 who are going to go down as all time greats in Ovechkin and Mcdavid.

Bit early in the game to be making those bids I'd say.

Canadians for sure didn't follow your wise, when it came to Crosby and McDavid...

 

[jj cale]

Canadians for sure didn't follow your advice, when it came to Crosby and McDavid...

I wasn't talking about them but since you mentioned it yeah, they didn't.

Of course, that does not take away a thing of what I said. For all we think we know about players at 16 Crosby or Mcdavid could have just as easily have turned into the next Jason Spezza and Michkov could turn into the next Sergei Samsonov.

 

[TheDoldrums]

All roads lead to Michkov these days it seems, at least with a certain fan base.

They are determined to make this kid a legend even before he is one. He's got some very large claims to back up in the coming years. From what I have been seeing nothing less then the best player who has ever played the game is going to meet the expectations of what they are saying about him.

That will be quite the order.

I haven't really paid attention to the Michkov discussion but sounds like how a few of the Finns were with Laine

 

[jj cale]

I haven't really paid attention to the Michkov discussion but sounds like how a few of the Finns were with Laine

Great example, and we know how that has gone so far. Hfboards......where 16 year old kids are regularly made slam dunk hall of famers.

 

[Kshahdoo]

I haven't really paid attention to the Michkov discussion but sounds like how a few of the Finns were with Laine

Laine wasn't even the most hyped Finn of his draft. At least at the similar stage, where Michkov is right now...

 

[kp61c]

He for sure looks better, than Kucherov did at his age, and Kucherov isn't that bad player, I'd say...

yakupov looked better than kuch at his age. lol.

 

[Kshahdoo]

yakupov looked better than kuch at his age. lol.

Nah, Yakupov was way behind Kucherov.