WJC: the favorite

[J-D]

There are two kinds of favorites: the one who won the championship the year before and the one who is the most powerful team on paper.

Is team USA both this time around?

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[markov`]

No one is gonna beat Canada this year.

 

[CharlieGirl]

I would say Canada is the favourite, for the same reason the US was the favourite last year -- most of the team are returning from the prior year, and the bulk of the players are 19 years old.

 

[Sweeney]

Team Canada for sure, just the goaltender who maybe are unexperimented, but i dont know them well, so i wont say nothing, if they use well Crosby they should win

 

[J17 Vs Proclamation]

Canada should win fairly easily as they have guys like Crosby, Bergeron, Horton, Stewart etc

 

[Kasparov*]

I think Russia will win this year while Canada does best what its great at doing, choking.

 

[dawgbone]

Canada walked through the entire tournament last year with ease, and IMO, out-played the US in every aspect of the game... except in net

The Canadian team will be even stronger this year, so I'd have to say Canada.

 

[Chaos]

I think Russia will win this year while Canada does best what its great at doing, choking.

:lol

 

[Roughneck]

Canada is the favorite no doubt. 4 returning defensemen, added to it Cam Barker, Brent Burns and likely Shea Weber, there is more experience and leadership on Canada's backline than in most teams entire lineup.

Canada could very well have the 3 best lines of the tournament because most of the forwards are returning (all the skilled ones to boot). Dawes--Richards--Stewart will be reunited, Crosby could be playing with Nathan Horton and/or Patrice Bergeron, Getzlaf and Carter could see an even more skilled winger to play with them. THen the amount of grinders, role players and other skilled players the team has to choose from is unmatched by anybody.

Inexperienced goaltending is the only place anybody can point to as a weakness. But it isn't like Canada has never gone into the WJCs with non-returning goalies.

 

[dawgbone]

I think Russia will win this year while Canada does best what its great at doing, choking.

The last 10 tournaments Canada has 3 gold 4 silver 2 bronze, Russia has 3-2-2

 

[Douggy]

I think the US are the favourites again this year.

My madly early prediction:
1) USA
2) Canada
3) Czech Republic

 

[reffree]

Canada can't loose this year, it will be their best team since the 1995 "dream team"

 

[Reilly311]

The last 10 tournaments Canada has 3 gold 4 silver 2 bronze, Russia has 3-2-2

Canada doesn't care about anything other than gold which they haven't won since 97. (I think) Winning a bronze medal isn't an accomplishment.

How anyone can call Canada the favorites with unexperienced goaltending baffles me. It's not like team USA doesn't have anyone returning from last years team.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Canada should win fairly easily as they have guys like Crosby, Bergeron, Horton, Stewart etc

"Fairly easily"? I don't think so. I'l admit Canada is the favorite, but the U.S. and Russia shouldn't be overlooked.

 

[Vic Rattlehead*]

Sure, Canada's goaltending may not be the best, but their defence and offence surely are the best in the tournament.

 

[BuppY]

Sure, Canada's goaltending may not be the best, but their defence and offence surely are the best in the tournament.

Agree..

 

[BuppY]

I think Russia will win this year while Canada does best what its great at doing, choking.

 

[Brock]

I honestly believe that this has a chance to be the best team Canada has ever sent to the World Junior Championships.

This team is going to be solid all the way down the line, hell the 4th line Canada could end up using at this tournament could end up being nearly all the countries 1st line.

The depth is going to be asanine.

Inexperienced goaltending? Bah, so was Montoya last year and look at the job he did for the Americans. It's not like Canada doesn't have a capable goalie. There are many outstanding candidates.

Last year, with the team being comprised of mostly 18 year olds, I was happy with the showing we had last year, even as a silver.

This year, I expect nothing short of a gold medal and with ease. This team on paper (and thats all we have to go by at this moment) is way better then any other in the tournament. No other country will be cutting top 10 selections from their team.

 

[Mess]

I think the US are the favourites again this year.

My madly early prediction:
1) USA
2) Canada
3) Czech Republic

You think Russia will not be competitive ??.. They have last years top to Franchise picks Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeny Malkin in the lineup ...

 

[Sting]

Canada should win this one quite easily. Crosby is a year older and he'll likely take over the #1 center job. Not to mention the NHL players that'll be on the team.

 

[Doomsday Device]

Hockey Canada could theoretically send a team consisting almost entirely of first rounders. There's only 1 goaltender who's a first rounder but there are 16 forwards and 9 defenceman to choose from.

Edit: And this isn't including someone like Crosby who hasn't been drafted yet.

 

[rival]

It's not like Canada got amazing goaltending last year and they needed a 3rd period collapse to lose. We've got a Sutter behind the bench this year as well

 

[BiggMac99]

Why MA Fleury cannot play?

 

[Reilly311]

Sure, Canada's goaltending may not be the best, but their defence and offence surely are the best in the tournament.

yeah, and the reason they lost last year wasn't because of goaltending. :lol

 

[TORRUS]

Canada should win fairly easily as they have guys like Crosby, Bergeron, Horton, Stewart etc

What a stupid way of thinking... Have you ever heard of a word ''team''?! Obviously not! Where were teams like Detroit or Colorado or, even better, NY Rangers in the past two years??? According to you the Rangers should be the best team in the universe! How do you explain this years Stanley cup finals: Calgary-Tampa? Or good play by Minesota and Annaheim last year?

US maybe, but Canada will expirience what happend to Russia last year. All the pucks will go to Crosby and he can't win by himself (like Ovechkin last year). Canadians, if you are lucky you will end up 2nd, like you always do! You are good enough to be the vice champion!