and you will be able to see a few draft prospects, and some great hockey.
this is becoming better than the Olympics since many elite pro players see this as a great opportunity to play for their country.
Besides Hughes (USA) and Kakko (Finland) some notables on various rosters:
USA:
Kane
Larkin
Gaudreau
Debrincat
Eichel
Kreider
Fox (NYR)
Hanifin
Quinn Hughes
Skjei
JVR
Colin White
Alec Martinez
Suter
Jack Hughes
Canada
Couturier
Turris
Reinhart
Stone
Mantha
Cirelli
Chabot
Nurse
Montour
Marchessault
Strome (Dylan)
Henrique
Bertuzzi (tyler)
Fabbro
Severson
Carter Hart
Russia (loaded)
Ovi
Malkin
Kovalchuk
Kucherov
Kuznetsov
Sergachev
vasilevsky
Dadonov
Georgiev (NYR)
Sorokin (NYI)
Anisimov
Zaitsev
Orlov
Sweden:
Pettersson
Lundqvist (NYR)
Lindholm
Nylander
Hornqvist
Bratt (NJD)
Kempe
OEL
Ekholm
Larsson
Fins
(Kakko mentioned)
Jokiharju
and not much else people would recognize
Slovaks:
Sekera
Panik
tatar
Cernak
Czechs:
Gudas
Simon
Vrana
Palat
Chytil (NYR)
Voracek
Frolik
USA vs Slovakia today I think at 2:15
Long tourney, 7 prelim games before the medal round.
Rosters also fluctuate somewhat as teams are eliminated from NHL and juniors playoffs.
I think a lot of people are thinking they have to re-assess their assessments......what a two days!
Debrincat and Colin White each with two goals. Kreider scored.
Hughes played well, but was off the scoresheet.
Monday USA vs Finland (Hughes and Kakko h2h) again (10:15 am)
not off base at all, it's why I feel like some of the other D I mentioned before would be better than Skjei (for example) who is more of a stay at home defenseman and not a puck mover.
If you watched the Worlds last year Pionk (just as a Rangers example) looked really good. The less physical game and more open space should be good for his game.
It's a different game on a bigger rink (wider).
And for the record Hughes looked great in US two games.
He was arguably the US best player in their loss to the Slovak's and flashed his skill vs France.
At 17 years old.
My preference has always been toward size in a hockey player when given a choice, I just think you can basically teach/coach almost anything in hockey, but no you can't teach size.
however If that means Hughes' ceiling is Patrick Kane, I'd run to the podium.
But if Kakko ceiling is Jagr or Hull I'd run to the podium.
So, it's up to the scouts to figure it out.
I don't think either actually hit the ceilings I mentioned, but I don't think either would be a bad pick. No loss no matter which you wind up with - sort of like Taylor vs Tyler all over again IMO.
What impresses me about KK, beyond his obvious high level skills, is his composure under pressure, the two most recent examples being his conducting business behind the opposition net, maintaining possession under pressure, able to create as when he completed that deke and shot through the five-hole. Before that was his threading the needle through traffic to a wide-open teammate, bang bang.
His read of play and decision-making are superb.
Skjei opened the scoring 50 seconds in, and Gaudreau followed a few min later, both assisted by Eichel.
Neither Hughes or Kakko factored on the scoreboard yet, both look good.
Kakko more chances than Hughes.
One thing people don't realize is there are two NHL players on the Fins. Kakko is on the PP and first line. Hughes is the only player on the US team NOT in the NHL. Very different roles.
Kakko had one shift in OT, holy shit, he flat out dominated, didn't score, but created.
Kakko has 4 or 5 goals in the tourney, but that play in 3v3 is the one that impressed me the most since it's really mano a mano at that point against a veteran NHL defenseman.
Kakko is three months older than Hughes.
Kakko has 4 or 5 goals in the tourney, but that play in 3v3 is the one that impressed me the most since it's really mano a mano at that point against a veteran NHL defenseman.
Thanks for this pjcas18
Quote:
made Ryan Suter look like a rookie in 3v3 OT. Backed him in to the net, protected the puck, used his body, and got closer to a scoring chance than he should have.
Kakko has 4 or 5 goals in the tourney, but that play in 3v3 is the one that impressed me the most since it's really mano a mano at that point against a veteran NHL defenseman.
Thanks for this pjcas18
3v3 OT is the best addition to hockey since the curved blade on sticks. I love it. as a traditionalist and someone who hates a 3rd color on uniforms I expected to hate it, but it's awesome. It really highlights pure skill and get the game back to it's "pond hockey" roots.
Kakko shined today in his lone OT shift, though Larkin got the GW.
Maybe not with the euros, but from NA (and sprinkle in the non-Kakko Euros like Broberg, Soderstrom, Heinola, Podkolzin), the first round is loaded.
next game tomorrow 10:15 AM vs Great Britain, Hughes should get some ice time.
next game tomorrow 10:15 AM vs Great Britain, Hughes should get some ice time.
Nuts. I wonder if they replace Fox with him.
Quote:
adds Werenski (for those who care about how the team does vs scouting Hughes and Kakko)
next game tomorrow 10:15 AM vs Great Britain, Hughes should get some ice time.
Nuts. I wonder if they replace Fox with him.
They only had 6 D.
they needed another one. not sure if they will only dress 6 game days or if someone sits.
he'd probably be the best candidate though none of the US d looked great.
Bowen Byram is tied for the scoring lead in the 2019 WHL Playoffs with 25 points and leads all players with 17 assists.
Game 7 of the WHL final is tonight.
Bowen Byram is tied for the scoring lead in the 2019 WHL Playoffs with 25 points and leads all players with 17 assists.
Game 7 of the WHL final is tonight.
He was my #1 guy for the Rangers before they got the #2 pick. I thought he would last to #6. Now probably not.
Means he loses the cage and can just wear a visor (for those wondering why he had been wearing a full cage).
No Werenski in the lineup yet, I didn't realize Wolanin had been previously added as the 7th D.
USA had 65 shots on net.
Kane breaks US world championship points record in 21 games, took Mark Johnson 63 games.
No idea, but it's always bothered me too. And it conflicts with the Canadian juniors playoffs/memorial cup - granted if all the NHL players participate there wouldn't be much room for players in the juniors but consider the fact non-Canadians play in the juniors from some of the european countries and it probably does impact their teams.
Maybe they want it before the draft?
NHL has the longest season of a very demanding sport.
They need an offseason.
US should win both, of note against Germany is Anakim favorite Moritz Seider, massive German defenseman, top 10 Euro (#6) and first round pick. plus they have Draisatl. so should be fun game.
US finishes prelim play vs Canada on Tuesday.
Luke Kunin added, - doesn't move the needle for me.
Need a W heading into their last prelim vs Canada.
1 - 0 Germany
The Canadians beat the Germans 8 - 1.
I don't see the US advancing too far, if at all, in the medal round.
US caught a break on another penalty.
6 on 4 most of the rest of the way, or until GER scores
In a massive upset Germany beat Finland.
That currently puts the US in 4th place. Behind Germany, Canada, and Finland.
If US beats Canada in regulation they come in 1st in their division, if Canada wins in regulation they come in 1st.
If US wins in OT or SO not sure what happens b/c USA and Canada would be tied with Finland.
Unless the US plays better D, they won't hang with Canada. Hopefully Werenski suits up.