so the world juniors starts in 4 days, but there are already exhibition games going on.
Most of the teams with fans on here have players in this tournament. This is IMO the best chance to see the kind of players your teams drafted and some draft eligible players.
Czech Republic is loaded: Martin Necas (CAR), Martin Kaut (COL), Zadina (DET) = all three were 1st round picks, Zadina and Kaut last year, Necas in 2017.
but they're not the favorites.
IMO Canada is.
Owen Tippett (FLA), Nick Suzuki (MTL), Joe Veleno (DET), Bouchard (EDM), Dobson (NYI), Brook (MTL), Ty Smith (NJD), Frost (PHI), Hayton (ARI), probably the best goalie prospect in Cody Glass and the 2020 (yes 2020) projected #1 pick with Alexis Lafreniere, - Canada is absolutely loaded, right now it's Canada then everyone else.
USA has some great talent too, highlighted by:
projected 2019 #1 overall pick Jack Hughes, but also his older brother Quinn Hughes (VAN)
K'Andre Miller (NYR)
Dylan Samberg (BUF)
Mattias Samuelsson (BUF - Kjell's son, Ulf's nephew)
Joel Farabee (PHI)
Josh Norris (OTT)
Ryan Poehling (MTL)
Oliver Whalstrom (NYI)
and solid goalies (Cayden Primeau (MTL) - Keith's son) and Spencer Knight - draft eligible - not sure who the primary goalie will be)
and I've mentioned him before, but one of my favorite players to watch is 5'3" Sean Dhooghe. He has everything you want in a hockey player, other than of course...height. He's 2019 draft eligible, not sure if he gets drafted or not, but I love to watch him play, I hope he gets ice time.
NCAA leading scorer Evan Barratt (Penn state) (CHI) is also on the team and could show some people what that means.
Other teams/prospects to watch:
Finland:
Kupari (LAK)
Ylonen (MTL)
Kakko (draft eligible, #2 ranked player right now)
Tolvanen (NSH), hard to believe he's still in this tournament, seems like I've been hearing about him forever.
Russia:
Kravstov, NYR
Podkolzin, draft eligible
Romonov (MTL)
Slovakie:
Cajcovik (lit this tourney up last year, one of my favorite players in the 2019 draft)
Sweden:
Boqvist (CHI)
Broberg - draft eligible
Lundqvist, NYR
I'm sure I missed some players too.
USA schedule (All games on NHL Network):
12/26: vs Slovakia @6:30 PM ET
12/28: vs Kazakhstan @10:30 PM ET
12/29: vs Sweden @10:30 PM ET
12/31: vs Finland @10:30 PM ET
QF: 1/2
SF: 1/4
Medal Games: 1/5
Link to the IIHF website is below.
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Ryan Poehling (MTL) is going to be a good pro. Nervous though he stays in school and becomes a FA. I think he's a junior at St. Cloud State now, and this is where it begins getting in players heads. One more year, graduate, then become a FA and sign with anyone.
wonder if Jack Hughes is back today.
Swedes are good, but I take the Americans if they play again.
If Jack Hughes plays the US can beat Sweden. If he doesn't it should be close like last game, just not getting there the same way.
I think Canada beats anyone.
and it's costing the team.
Some of the US D have been exposed, mostly Samuellson IMO, he's massive, but slow. Not a good match for the Swedes.
he said a lot of years they seem like they don't give a shit about this tournament. but when they do, they tend to do well. Seems like they care this year. Looking forward to Russia vs Canada tonight almost as much as USA vs Finland.
Canada has a couple habs, Suzuki and Brook and Russia has 1 with Romonov.
Poehling has been the story for the US so far, I hope they keep him at C. Even in the 5 v 3 vs Sweden when he was the only US forward his instincts took over and he was able to help kill off the 2 man advantage.
Probably tourney MVP at this point. Lots of hockey left though.
USA dominating the Fins. Need this kind of performance to advance in this tourney.
USA likely 2nd in group B.
Canada surprised by Russia, finishes 2nd in group A.
USA needs more grit. They miss Tkachuk and Bellows.
Canadiens get the Fins.
Swedes vs Swiss
and
Russians get the Slovaks.
With a win, the US would play the Russia vs Slovak winner.
Sweden vs Canada (assuming chalk) would be a great semi-final and a repeat of last year's gold medal game.
USA (B2) vs the Czechs (A3)
Canada (A2) vs the Fins (B3)
Russia (A1) vs Slovakia (B4)
Sweden (B1) vs Switzerland (A4)
Speculation is Jack Hughes will return tonight. He was seen participating in an optional team skate yesterday, but he was allegedly a full participant in team practice on NYE so who knows for sure.
I would normally says he's hurting his stock by missing out on the premier showcase event for prospects, but Kaapo Kakko the consensus #2 hasn't done much to help himself.
If chalk holds, the semis would be some compelling hockey. USA vs Russia and Canada vs Sweden.
Oddsmakers have the Canada vs Sweden winner as the gold favorite, but US the favorite in their bracket.
Some good hockey to see tonight.
Canada is deeper than the US, but I like the top end of the US roster more and still maintain US over Canada in the finals.
Canada is deeper than the US, but I like the top end of the US roster more and still maintain US over Canada in the finals.
Have you see Josh Brook at all? I haven't watched Canada much, but sounds like Suzuki looks good, though not on the score sheet, haven't heard much about Brook.
I agree with you on Canada's D, opposite of last year where they had Mete and Makar in the top 4. two smaller puck movers. This year they are much bigger, physical, big shot D, but not as good as skating with the puck.
And I agree with you about the top end talent, but if that's all that mattered the Czech's would win, hard to match a line of Necas, Zadina, and Kaut. but they're not very deep and so far have been very undisciplined.
In the end I think depth and goaltending prevail, so whoevers goalie gets hot moves on.
Mike Morreale
Verified account @mikemorrealeNHL
17s17 seconds ago
Jack Hughes, who has missed past 3 gms with an inj, on the ice for USA morning skate .... USA v CZE tonight in WJC 1/4 rd
TSN
Verified account @TSN_Sports
12s12 seconds ago
Hughes to play for U.S. in WJC quarters. MORE: https://www.tsn.ca/hughes-to-play-for-u-s-in-wjc-quarters-1.1234821
Bob McKenzie
✔
@TSNBobMcKenzie
Team USA says Jack Hughes will be back in the lineup tonight in QF game against CZE at the @iihf_wjc
326
1:39 PM - Jan 2, 2019
Won't last, but man the Swiss are a tough out. GF/GA of 11:12 with no luck to show for it.
5 min left in the 2nd. This would obviously be an epic upset. Still doubt they hold on, but they're sure making it fun.
Love seeing the smile and exuberance on their faces.
They were solid all tournament, and finally pays off.
Canada's path got easier. If they take care of their own business.
USA up 1 - 0.
only downside is just 1 goal.
Czech's can strike quickly.
Shocker.
Yes, '60 throw backs. I really don't like the blues. I like these much better.
Outs shooting the Czech's 26 - 12.
I am amazed at how many composite sticks break.
when I grew up it was all wood stick, there was some fiberglass sticks toward the end of my career, but mostly wood. In high school, I went to what was considered a prestigious high school in terms of hockey and before each season we got a dozen sticks. no one used half of them. And those sticks if we did have to buy them cost $15 in the late 80's (and of course my father complained about it).
composite sticks cost around $300 for the high end sticks (and they have a 30-day warranty) and watch an NHL game and you see 5 - 10 break every game.
anyway, back to the game. what a save by the Czech goalie.