Why bother sending a team that bad???

[BigAl]

Why would Russia send such a terrible team over here? I know they want to evaluate some players for their team, but they could have sent a couple decent players over. If even one of those players makes the actual squad at Christmas it will be a joke. I had to laugh a little at the sportsnet announcers, trying to cushion the blow by commenting on Evseev's ability, skill, talent etc., he was just as aweful as the other players. On the other hand, the OHL squad looked great; we could probably send that team over seas and come out with silver. But really, from that squad, it would be good to see the following players make Canada's roster based on their performance tonight as well as this current OHL season....... Corey Locke, Cory Perry, Ben Eager, Daniel Paille, Jeff Carter, Andrei Benoit....probably a couple others, but those guys stood out in my opinion.

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[PhoPhan]

Eager had a monster night.

 

[friction]

Why would Russia send such a terrible team over here? I know they want to evaluate some players for their team, but they could have sent a couple decent players over. If even one of those players makes the actual squad at Christmas it will be a joke. I had to laugh a little at the sportsnet announcers, trying to cushion the blow by commenting on Evseev's ability, skill, talent etc., he was just as aweful as the other players. On the other hand, the OHL squad looked great; we could probably send that team over seas and come out with silver. But really, from that squad, it would be good to see the following players make Canada's roster based on their performance tonight as well as this current OHL season....... Corey Locke, Cory Perry, Ben Eager, Daniel Paille, Jeff Carter, Andrei Benoit....probably a couple others, but those guys stood out in my opinion.

I don't know...maybe it was because if they would've won, they could of said that those players weren't even the main part of their talent...just a thought...

 

[BigAl]

I don't know...maybe it was because if they would've won, they could of said that those players weren't even the main part of their talent...just a thought...

Yeah...good theory....but how in the hell did they expect to win??? Out of the 6 games.....i'm thinking they score maybe 7 goals total. Boooo to Russia for sending over such poor talent.

 

[IceMelter]

Hey you never know, they could be tricking us and end up lighting the OHL next game.. yeah yeah, weird thinking I know.

 

[Disco Volante]

Probably because of the way the hockey leagues work over there. The good players are important to their respective team - which are in a truly competitive league (and not a development-first league). Probably too because they don't care about the Re-Max challenge and don't give a **** and won't even bother to cover it as a main event in Russia. Anyway, that game was a joke all the way... the funniest part being the Russian goal in the second...

 

[SpezNc2]

Probably because of the way the hockey leagues work over there. The good players are important to their respective team - which are in a truly competitive league (and not a development-first league). Probably too because they don't care about the Re-Max challenge and don't give a **** and won't even bother to cover it as a main event in Russia. Anyway, that game was a joke all the way... the funniest part being the Russian goal in the second...

don't forget that Canada almost everytime lost the first exibition game when the u-20 tourney is in europe because of teh travel.

I remerber saw Canada lost 8-0 against slovak or russia in exibition game. and that year, team canada beat team in the real tourney .

So, maybe Russia will be more chalenging in the next game...

Don't forget that if we remove the first 10 minute and the weak russians goal, the score is 4-0. Not that bad....

 

[Slick Nick]

I don't know...maybe it was because if they would've won, they could of said that those players weren't even the main part of their talent...just a thought...

Why?

Because this is a minor tour, not even a tournament. Do you think Russian Super Leage teams will release their best players to go into exhebition games in Canada......... RSL is the 2nd league in the world. Don't expect Pinguins to let Fleury go to U20, why would you think Malkin or Ovechkin would be released to play a lil tournay in Canada... RSL is the league that ex-NHLers and best European players choose.. Jagr even said he would play in Russia if a Lockout would be announced. Don't think RSL is a junior league......

Russia sent a D squad, with 16 and 17 old prospects to mature up.. and the rest of the team is just crap.

It's a disgrace, but can we do about it... you guys should be excited... for once in the last 5 years you can say you are superior to Russia... Well until the U20

 

[Disco Volante]

So, maybe Russia will be more chalenging in the next game...

I really hope so. Good point, I didn't give them any break for the travel and the smaller ice.

 

[Shappa]

Why?

Because this is a minor tour, not even a tournament. Do you think Russian Super Leage teams will release their best players to go into exhebition games in Canada......... RSL is the 2nd league in the world. Don't expect Pinguins to let Fleury go to U20, why would you think Malkin or Ovechkin would be released to play a lil tournay in Canada... RSL is the league that ex-NHLers and best European players choose.. Jagr even said he would play in Russia if a Lockout would be announced. Don't think RSL is a junior league......

Russia sent a D squad, with 16 and 17 old prospects to mature up.. and the rest of the team is just crap.

It's a disgrace, but can we do about it... you guys should be excited... for once in the last 5 years you can say you are superior to Russia... Well until the U20

This pretty much sums it all up, this series obviously isn't anywhere near as important to the Russians as it was to the CHL. What i see it as, the CHL wanted to take a look at the Russian team before the tourney, and Russia countered it by basically sending their 'B' or 'C' team.

It would have been awesome to see the 'A' team, but like you said, it would pretty much be like the Pens sending Fleury down for the series.... just not gonna happen.

 

[Sammy*]

Why?

Because this is a minor tour, not even a tournament. Do you think Russian Super Leage teams will release their best players to go into exhebition games in Canada......... RSL is the 2nd league in the world. Don't expect Pinguins to let Fleury go to U20, why would you think Malkin or Ovechkin would be released to play a lil tournay in Canada... RSL is the league that ex-NHLers and best European players choose.. Jagr even said he would play in Russia if a Lockout would be announced. Don't think RSL is a junior league......

Russia sent a D squad, with 16 and 17 old prospects to mature up.. and the rest of the team is just crap.

It's a disgrace, but can we do about it... you guys should be excited... for once in the last 5 years you can say you are superior to Russia... Well until the U20

The Olympics dont count anymore?

 

[VaporXX]

Lets face it, we get to see OHL,QMJHL, and WHL Allstar games, against a team we don't mind smearing into the glass.

 

[Slick Nick]

The Olympics dont count anymore?

It's pretty obvious i meant in Junior tournaments...

 

[Sammy*]

It's pretty obvious i meant in Junior tournaments...

How bout 2001 in the WJC where Russia was #7 & Canada was #3??

 

[Zine]

Do you think Russian Super Leage teams will release their best players to go into exhebition games in Canada......... RSL is the 2nd league in the world. Don't expect Pinguins to let Fleury go to U20, why would you think Malkin or Ovechkin would be released to play a lil tournay in Canada

Russia still could have put together a really formidable team without any RSLers or potential WJC members. Instead they send over a "D" team made up of mostly players no one's ever even heard of.
The least they could have done was to send the '86 team over for some experience.

 

[Slick Nick]

How bout 2001 in the WJC where Russia was #7 & Canada was #3??

Sorry I forgot about that one.. my bad