WJC Thread

[inferno31]

USA played great the first 2 periods, in the 3rd Gibson denied any chance for a Canada comeback.
Huberdeau sucked badly, RNH didn't, not in the 3rd that's for sure.

Seth Jones looked like the future tonight, MacKinnon had a very poor showing.
I know it's just one tournament, but right now it's hard not to say i'd be surprised if MacKinnon gets selected ahead of Jones.

Jones looked pretty bad in almost every other game, and MacKinnon didn't get much ice time throughout the tournament at all. I wouldn't put too much weight in one tournament.

RNH was easily the best player, Strome also generated a lot but unfortunately Gibson was solid throughout the game.

[Shoalzie]

Recorded games at work. Spoiled on both by my boss the instant I tell him I recorded them.

Exact same thing happened last game.

I actually woke up at 5 and I was able to watch the second half of the game before going to work.

[MSP4LYFE]

USA played great the first 2 periods, in the 3rd Gibson denied any chance for a Canada comeback.
Huberdeau sucked badly, RNH didn't, not in the 3rd that's for sure.

Seth Jones looked like the future tonight, MacKinnon had a very poor showing.
I know it's just one tournament, but right now it's hard not to say i'd be surprised if MacKinnon gets selected ahead of Jones.

I agree Mik, I don't know how anyone can pass on Seth Jones with the first overall pick. Defenceman are traditionally risky picks high in the draft, but Seth Jones might has too much upside, and athleticism to pass on. There hasn't been a defenceman this well rounded at the age of 17 since Erik Johnson in 2006, which is not to take anything away from Drew Doughty who might be the best defenceman drafted in the last decade.

[MSP4LYFE]

Recorded games at work. Spoiled on both by my boss the instant I tell him I recorded them.

Exact same thing happened last game.

What a dick...

[kyuss]

USA played great the first 2 periods, in the 3rd Gibson denied any chance for a Canada comeback.
Huberdeau sucked badly, RNH didn't, not in the 3rd that's for sure.

Seth Jones looked like the future tonight, MacKinnon had a very poor showing.
I know it's just one tournament, but right now it's hard not to say i'd be surprised if MacKinnon gets selected ahead of Jones.

Jones looked pretty bad in almost every other game,

disagree, he was great against the Czechs, and i remember at least another game where he was good, perhaps was vs Russia.
Anyway, he showed the level he can already play at, and it's a very impressive one even if he is not really exploiting his potential yet..

and MacKinnon didn't get much ice time throughout the tournament at all.

i know, i'm not questioning his production.. but when he was indeed out there on the ice, he was poor. The worst i've seen of him yet.

I wouldn't put too much weight in one tournament.

that's why i said right now

[kyuss]

I agree Mik, I don't know how anyone can pass on Seth Jones with the first overall pick. Defenceman are traditionally risky picks high in the draft, but Seth Jones might has too much upside, and athleticism to pass on. There hasn't been a defenceman this well rounded at the age of 17 since Erik Johnson in 2006, which is not to take anything away from Drew Doughty who might be the best defenceman drafted in the last decade.

Well, Erik Johnson was well rounded, had sexy potential and all, but we are talking about different levels imo, both in terms of potential and actual play displayed at 17/18.

Also, definitely liked Doughty better than EJ; whereas EJ nowadays level was pretty much his projectable floor (hence still great as a worst case scenario), Doughty always gave me much more confidence he would be able to reach his top game.
Even if that's not the case with S.Jones, and his worst case scenario may be similar to EJ's, a Seth Jones topping at 60% of potential would still be a beast..
now, if one thinks what the best case scenario could be in his case.....

[kyuss]

Recorded games at work. Spoiled on both by my boss the instant I tell him I recorded them.

Exact same thing happened last game.

What a dick...

INDEED.

[Nick]

I haven't loved what I have seen of Jones - nor McKinnon, but Barkov & Drouin sure as hell impressed me. Doesn't mean I doubt long term who will be the better NHL pick, but does bring into question how clear the #1 pick actually is this year. Jones skates effortlessly at this level, but he is not going to be 'fast', whereas McKinnon is clearly a full speed attacker. Jones as size and some nastiness to his game, although that is definitely not lacking from Nate (especially not strength). IMO Jones needs time with a pro to not only calm his game down, but also focus on easier plays - temperature of the game is something all the elite dmen can measure and often change, have yet to see that from him (hell Reilly clearly showed the game changer portion of his game, IMO). Drouin looked better at WJC then I expected, hell he looked better here then he did in several of the 'highlight' clips I've seen from his QMJHL dominance.

Hubs is an amazing playmaker, wonder what he will be like at the next level, strength appears to be behind where it should be. Some concern with Strome as well. Schefilie is not a 'smart' player, but he is very skilled, good frame and great work ethic, LOVE his puck handling - will be very interesting to see how he changes to the pro-game.

Trouba should be top dman of the tournament, followed closely by Nesterov.

RNH clearly top forward, but Johnny Hockey is likely up there as well. Gibson & the Russian goalies fighting for top tender -> medals still to be determined though.

Spott showed that he belongs in the junior ranks of coaches, d-pairings w/o logic, funny line match-ups and excessive favouritism to his own player (Murphy) all showed me this is a guy not fit for leading a professional hockey team.

Subban showed he has game, but not high enough on the reliability scale IMO.

[Phion Keneuf]

Jones
MacKinnon
Drouin
Lindholm
Barkov
Monohan

In that order right now IMO.

Also, Gaudreau is a beauty, Murphy sucks, Trouba is amazing and Gibson is a future all star.

[Nick]

I missed two games, but the 3 I have seen from Foresberg he is the other top forward of the tourney - Girgs if Foppa2.0 had a bad couple of games I missed (?) -- Tom Nillson (speaking of ability to take temperature and change pace of a game!) their top dman from what I've seen, but not to the level of Trouba or Nesterov. Maatta was amazing for the Fin's in the two pre-tourney games, but their team fell flat on the move to UFA - Barkov only truly impressive blue & white for the last 3 games.

[Nick]

Jones
MacKinnon
Drouin
Lindholm
Barkov
Monohan

In that order right now IMO.

Also, Gaudreau is a beauty, Murphy sucks, Trouba is amazing and Gibson is a future all star.

I'm still MacKinnon #1, but now followed by Barkov & Drouin before Jones -> more their play rather then any let down from Seth. Monohan is a sexy pick @ #5 IMO, and don't know enough Lindholm to even want #6 pick (as of today).

[Phion Keneuf]

Jones
MacKinnon
Drouin
Lindholm
Barkov
Monohan

In that order right now IMO.

Also, Gaudreau is a beauty, Murphy sucks, Trouba is amazing and Gibson is a future all star.

I'm still MacKinnon #1, but now followed by Barkov & Drouin before Jones -> more their play rather then any let down from Seth. Monohan is a sexy pick @ #5 IMO, and don't know enough Lindholm to even want #6 pick (as of today).

It's too close to call, could go anyway come draft time. The top 6 are pretty much isolated from the rest IMO but that's not to say the Shinkaruks, Pulocks, etc of the draft are not potential top players.

Lindholm (from limited viewing) looks like a 2-way beast, has good offensive ability, very responsible defensively, great skater, doesn't shy from contact,etc. just an all around solid player. I think he should be able to project as a C in the nhl although he could definitely play wing.

[Peter]

I honestly have no idea how my top 5 players would go for this draft, I like them all so equally close, really just phenomenal talents. Definitely have Monahan at #6 and Mackinnon #1. Jones or Barkov for 2 and 3 and Drouin or Lindholm for 4 or 5. But them again part of me wants to put Drouin + Lindholm in the top 3. Gotta love having too many options.

[Peter]

Jones
MacKinnon
Drouin
Lindholm
Barkov
Monohan

In that order right now IMO.

Also, Gaudreau is a beauty, Murphy sucks, Trouba is amazing and Gibson is a future all star.

I'm still MacKinnon #1, but now followed by Barkov & Drouin before Jones -> more their play rather then any let down from Seth. Monohan is a sexy pick @ #5 IMO, and don't know enough Lindholm to even want #6 pick (as of today).

It's too close to call, could go anyway come draft time. The top 6 are pretty much isolated from the rest IMO but that's not to say the Shinkaruks, Pulocks, etc of the draft are not potential top players.

Lindholm (from limited viewing) looks like a 2-way beast, has good offensive ability, very responsible defensively, great skater, doesn't shy from contact,etc. just an all around solid player. I think he should be able to project as a C in the nhl although he could definitely play wing.

I really think both Lindholm and Barkov could jump straight into the NHL and be effective top 6 players with 2way games.

[Phion Keneuf]

Jones
MacKinnon
Drouin
Lindholm
Barkov
Monohan

In that order right now IMO.

Also, Gaudreau is a beauty, Murphy sucks, Trouba is amazing and Gibson is a future all star.

I'm still MacKinnon #1, but now followed by Barkov & Drouin before Jones -> more their play rather then any let down from Seth. Monohan is a sexy pick @ #5 IMO, and don't know enough Lindholm to even want #6 pick (as of today).

It's too close to call, could go anyway come draft time. The top 6 are pretty much isolated from the rest IMO but that's not to say the Shinkaruks, Pulocks, etc of the draft are not potential top players.

Lindholm (from limited viewing) looks like a 2-way beast, has good offensive ability, very responsible defensively, great skater, doesn't shy from contact,etc. just an all around solid player. I think he should be able to project as a C in the nhl although he could definitely play wing.

I really think both Lindholm and Barkov could jump straight into the NHL and be effective top 6 players with 2way games.

I wouldn't be surprised. Both are playing against men and both are succeeding in doing so. But then again, I said the same thing about Forsberg last year. But both these guys look more promising IMO.

This draft is just fantastic overall. When you can get a player like Anthony Mantha in the late 1st round you know this draft is stacked.

[kyuss]

I missed two games, but the 3 I have seen from Foresberg he is the other top forward of the tourney - Girgs if Foppa2.0 had a bad couple of games I missed (?) -- Tom Nillson (speaking of ability to take temperature and change pace of a game!) their top dman from what I've seen, but not to the level of Trouba or Nesterov.

Nesterov has made good plays but also several mistakes along the last 10 games with his national junior team, more than i was used to see from him. I drafted him, i like him and i'm very happy with the pick (6th round 2011), but i don't think he was one of the very best defensemen in this tourney.

Trouba also made some evitable mistakes, but he still has been among the bests.

I'm still MacKinnon #1, but now followed by Barkov & Drouin before Jones -> more their play rather then any let down from Seth. Monohan is a sexy pick @ #5 IMO, and don't know enough Lindholm to even want #6 pick (as of today).

i will laugh hard if Lindholm doesn't get picked in the first 6 picks.

[Peter]

Jones
MacKinnon
Drouin
Lindholm
Barkov
Monohan

In that order right now IMO.

Also, Gaudreau is a beauty, Murphy sucks, Trouba is amazing and Gibson is a future all star.

I'm still MacKinnon #1, but now followed by Barkov & Drouin before Jones -> more their play rather then any let down from Seth. Monohan is a sexy pick @ #5 IMO, and don't know enough Lindholm to even want #6 pick (as of today).

It's too close to call, could go anyway come draft time. The top 6 are pretty much isolated from the rest IMO but that's not to say the Shinkaruks, Pulocks, etc of the draft are not potential top players.

Lindholm (from limited viewing) looks like a 2-way beast, has good offensive ability, very responsible defensively, great skater, doesn't shy from contact,etc. just an all around solid player. I think he should be able to project as a C in the nhl although he could definitely play wing.

I really think both Lindholm and Barkov could jump straight into the NHL and be effective top 6 players with 2way games.

I wouldn't be surprised. Both are playing against men and both are succeeding in doing so. But then again, I said the same thing about Forsberg last year. But both these guys look more promising IMO.

This draft is just fantastic overall. When you can get a player like Anthony Mantha in the late 1st round you know this draft is stacked.

Yeah I think Barkov and Lindholm are in another tier than Forsberg, not to say that forsberg isnt a very promising prospect; just two guys with unreal upside and very very few flaws in their game.

[Peter]

Jones
MacKinnon
Drouin
Lindholm
Barkov
Monohan

In that order right now IMO.

Also, Gaudreau is a beauty, Murphy sucks, Trouba is amazing and Gibson is a future all star.

I'm still MacKinnon #1, but now followed by Barkov & Drouin before Jones -> more their play rather then any let down from Seth. Monohan is a sexy pick @ #5 IMO, and don't know enough Lindholm to even want #6 pick (as of today).

Obviously its better if you have seen a few games of Lindholm, but this is about as player defining as a short youtube video can get.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... sLkVW6cWNk[/youtube]

If you haven't already seen it, a good showing of the type of plays Lindholm can make against men in the SEL.

[Shoalzie]

Congrats to Team USA!

They played with speed and they used it well in forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and were lightning quick on the transition game. Gibson was outstanding and they had the best group of defensemen throughout the tournament. They were a fun team to follow...a high energy and hard working group.

[The BBKL Insider]

US played extremely well today (and pretty much for the entire tourny)

I thought the Gold medal game would include Canada vs US, but our team didn't work hard enough to deserve it.

We have all the talent in the world, but we couldn't seem to put it all together.


A few players that really stood out to me (surprises) were Trochek and Dano is this tournament. Being leaf fans i obviously watched Rielly, Biggs and Nilsson closely. Rielly played well when he was given the minutes, Biggs plays his game well, he just lacks offensive confidence (needs to learn to drive the net with the puck - something the leafs brass needs to work on this summer). Nilsson was a super stand-out as one of our prospects. Another late round steal? let's hope so.