Roster Talk '13 — Latvia
 

Jevpalovs(QMJHL)-Girgensons(AHL)-Kuzmenkovs(Belorussian mens league)
Bukarts(MHL)-Blueger(NCAA)-Klavins(Swedish Elite League)
Kulda(WHL)-Lipsbergs(CHL)-Golovkovs(MHL)
Jelisejevs(MHL)-Sevcenko-Andersons

Zvirbulis-Zemitis
Augstkalns-Siksna
Skuratovs-Makarovs

Merzlikins/Cimmermanis

This roster should be able to atleast remain in the elite and hell it might even snag a point or two from some stronger opponents.

Is this lineup just your proposal of how things should look or have the Latvian coaches actually set this out as a preliminary roster?

No this is just my proposal,that i think would be the best.

There will be only Bukarts in roster. Golovkovs are not Bukarts level and Zemitis are too young.

Defense - Lipsbergs, Nimanis

Forwards- Dasutins, Lavrovs will be in 4th line for sure.
Ozolins may be in Golovkovs place.

I hope Girgensons will play, this will help other players too.


Conclusion: Best forwards in U-20 history(close to top6 - might be even Czech Republic quality.

Defense, Goaltending( 9/10 place) - Bad as always- if you compare with other elite group teams, some players can surprise and playing better, than expected.

Golovkovs is pretty solid has pretty decent statistics so i included him.
Yeah Defence is pretty piss poor,but goaltentding is actually pretty solid as Merzlikins has already played in NLA.

I'm really looking forward to CZE-LAT game at this WJC. Hope Girgensons will be there. I only welcome that the last seed is going to be real test this time :nod:

I will agree on Golovkovs, I had more hope for him at the start of the season. But he might make it if some injuries occur or if Girgensons will be forced to stay in the AHL. I'm following Homjakovs, but the fact that Tambijevs didn't take him to Austria earlier this month means no WJC for Edgars.

Zemitis may be 17, but he is one of our biggest d-men (or even the biggest, too lazy to check). While Lipsbergs is a defensive failure, I still can't forget how horrible he played at Zholtok's Memorial. But Lyona likes the latter and is indifferent to the former, so it is probably settled.

Ozolinsh is definitely worth a consideration. Dashutins as well. But Lavrovs... Just because we need a forechecker? Better leave the guy.

Don't like how Kulda is developing in the W and don't consider him a lock at this point.

Looks like Lipsbergs will be one of the key offensive pieces for this team.
So maybe our offence could be something like

Jevpalovs-Girgensons-Lipsbergs
Rihards Bukarts-Blugers-Klavins
Ozolins-Jelisejevs-Kuzmenkovs
Dasutins-Sevcenko-Andersons

I don't know much about Kulda, but he's looked good for the Oil Kings. Lots of speed, hustle, and surprisingly gritty.

Oh man i`m so stoked for WJC,can`t wait.

Just saw our official roster,no klavins... and so many guys from hk riga...i hate Tambijevs thats all i can say.

Klavins has been really good lately, played some games on the top line. Not sure what the coach is thinking here.

Did Jevpalovs make the team and when is camp starting for the Latvian team?

Yes Jevpalovs made the team and if im not mistaken camp starts at 19 december.

Our coach is moron who takes alot of guys who don`t even deserve to be there just because they are from the team he is coaching (hk riga) andd purposley ignores good guys like klavins, **** tambijevs he can go **** himself.

Rancevs,kurmis,sarkanis,lavrovs among candidates on u 20 and no Klavins :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:

Tambijev GTFO

Jevpalovs-Girgensons-Lipsbergs
Rihards Bukarts-Blugers-Kuzmenkovs
Ozolins-Jelisejevs-Andersons
Dasutins-Sevcenko-Golovkovs
Begovs as 13th
Small changes to our 2nd line,thanks to our all knowing and wise coach.

This is a good top 6 for Latvia, but their top 6 doesn't touch a top 6 of Jaskin-Hertl-Frk, Stransky-Faksa-Hyka. The Czechs have a good offensive group, but Latvia should compete with Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland. I think they could finish as high as 6th this year.

Looks like Tambijevs thinks that Latvia is better than Sweden. :laugh:

No Semjonovs, no Klavins:shakehead

Appearently,Tambijevs blames it all on Klavins for not beiing patriotic and not wanting to play for his country,i call BS.

Interesting group that should be even better next year.

Girgensons, Blugers- playing in leagues where U-20 USA, Canada players are playing.

Lipsbergs- start season badly, but now he is scoring in every CHL game.

Jevpalovs- are great fighter and can be very good and has good chemistry with Lipsbergs.

Bukarts- Give him a good partners and their line will be producing goals.

Kuzmenkovs- 26 points in Belarus league and playing very good in defense.(+/- +12)

If I compare Czechs first two lines and ours, there will not be big difference, but our defense are far away from Czechs defense.

Yeah probably joined by Egle next year,guy is doing great in EJHL(hes 16 and already the leader of his team) hes probably gonna play in ushl soon.

Why no Zintis Zusevics on roster ? He is playing for Graz99ers in EBEL league (where my local team plays). His stats aren't that good, one assist in 27 games, but in age of 18 as a foreginer he founded place on roster in men's league that is heavily relying on AHL level of imports.

Looks like the Sabres will not be letting Girgensons go.
Apparently wasting away in the AHL is much more important.