IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
I don't think it was best option to put Ignatjevs and Ābols as coach assistants for Nolan. They both are too ambitious themselves and might ignore coach's instructions. Nolan needs assistants like Ozoliņš, Irbe. You know, guys who know the system of NHL.
Yeah, Nolan doesn't need Ignatjevs (who's also played in NHL, by the way) and Ābols, experienced assistent coaches already (well, at least they have some experience) and should persuade an active player and a guy that wouldn't want that role anyway (if wanted they'd find a place for Irbe on the bench).
Znaroks' hockey is not that different as Nolan's... they're both about the same things, playing from defense, being physically ready and cut the number of mistakes + work as a team. Maybe Znaroks hockey still tries to combine Soviet and NA schools a bit while Nolan could be purely NA style coach but it isn't like Nolan tries to make them do something completely new...
Hopefully he will be much more useful in national team than in Senators. They say he'll be available for the exhibition game against République française
Good luck to you and to Kaspars,a very popular player for the Sens.
Yeah, followed most of his games in regular season, also playoffs where he sadly played only one game( but maybe it was for the best). When I think about the next season, its very unlikely that Daugavins will stay in Ottawa, that's sort of sad, because he probably felt at home there. Not to mention that the fans loved him too.
I really hope that at least his NHL years aren't over and some other team will pick him up. Because of his excellent defensive capabilities I believe he belongs in NHL he also knows how to put the puck in the net too, not often but still capable. If he goes away then there's nobody left in NHL from Latvia, if we assume that he doesn't want to stay in AHL(can we really hope that Kulda or Bartulis will become solid NHL players?(I think unlikely))
All the best to you Daugavins and I hope you'll bring your Magic to this WC too!!
Yeah, followed most of his games in regular season, also playoffs where he sadly played only one game( but maybe it was for the best). When I think about the next season, its very unlikely that Daugavins will stay in Ottawa, that's sort of sad, because he probably felt at home there. Not to mention that the fans loved him too.
I really hope that at least his NHL years aren't over and some other team will pick him up. Because of his excellent defensive capabilities I believe he belongs in NHL he also knows how to put the puck in the net too, not often but still capable. If he goes away then there's nobody left in NHL from Latvia, if we assume that he doesn't want to stay in AHL(can we really hope that Kulda or Bartulis will become solid NHL players?(I think unlikely))
All the best to you Daugavins and I hope you'll bring your Magic to this WC too!!
I think Daugavins will be back in the NHL next year. He's a good fourth line guy and seems to be a good dressing room influence. Although that will only take a guy so far, I can see him staying in the NHL for at least another season. He plays an NHL style of game and has the grit that it takes to be successful in a depth role in this league.
Kulda will almost certainly be In the NHL next season. He should have been there his year, but there were some guys on one-way contracts that got in ahead of him. Bartulis may be claimed off waivers if he doesn't make the Flyers next year. I can see the New York Islanders or another team with weak defense claiming him of he comes available.
So he got injured again? He played during the playoffs
Well, apparently he was playing on injections during the play-offs and wasn't feeling his best. After the season ended, doctors told him that the injury hasn't healed and he has to start over the whole rehabilitation process.
Btw, Kulda plays tonight against Syracuse. As nasty as it may sound, but I really hope he loses. Winnipeg is out and he doesn't need another Calder Cup.
I think Daugavins will be back in the NHL next year. He's a good fourth line guy and seems to be a good dressing room influence. Although that will only take a guy so far, I can see him staying in the NHL for at least another season. He plays an NHL style of game and has the grit that it takes to be successful in a depth role in this league.
After being scratched in playoffs I think he won't gamble on another one-year two-way deal once more. He can earn as much in Riga as in Binghampton.
After being scratched in playoffs I think he won't gamble on another one-year two-way deal once more. He can earn as much in Riga as in Binghampton.
I wouldn't be surprised if he got a one-way contract for next season. He stuck with the team after coming up and proved he can play at the NHL level. He may not have the offensive tools needed to be anything more than a bottom 6 player, but he could be useful. However, if he doesn't get a one-way deal he will definitely be back in Riga next season.
Kulda's Ice Caps are through to the next round, unfortunately.
So the potential roster is more or less clear now. I highly doubt the Flyers will release Bārtulis and Pelšs' Oil Kings still have plenty of games to play. Besides, Pelšs probably would be a 4th liner anyway, if that.
I have only one question, what has Kenins showed that everyone slots him in a lineup already? He currently holds the record for most games played without a single point in our NT. 17 games no points, and he hardly adds some other dimension to this roster, so why are everyone so sure about him, have anyone actually watched him play this season (I'm not, so that's why I'm asking)?
I have only one question, what has Kenins showed that everyone slots him in a lineup already? He currently holds the record for most games played without a single point in our NT. 17 games no points, and he hardly adds some other dimension to this roster, so why are everyone so sure about him, have anyone actually watched him play this season (I'm not, so that's why I'm asking)?
Ķēniņš had a solid 20+ point season in the NLA. I think the better question is, who else should we get?
Bukarts? He's had a bad season. Again. Doesn't seem to be progressing for 3 years now. Pretty sure Upītis is not even in the team anymore. Jekimovs has been out for 3 weeks with an injury, not sure about him at this point. Macijevskis is 36 yo, lacking in size and plays in a **** tier club in a Norwegian league. Alright, Jass is a feisty chap that might add some energy to our play, but he's not a scorer and I don't think he's competing with Ķēniņš for a place in the roster. Do we have anyone else left?
Kulda's Ice Caps are through to the next round, unfortunately.
So the potential roster is more or less clear now. I highly doubt the Flyers will release Bārtulis and Pelšs' Oil Kings still have plenty of games to play. Besides, Pelšs probably would be a 4th liner anyway, if that.
I think that Bukarts will make the roster taking into account his scoring in the previous exhibition games. Not sure, who he will push out - Indrašis? I really don't like Bērziņš (stupid penalties, sometimes floats) and would prefer Štāls in the centre on the fourth line. Saulietis should make it. So Bukarts might push out either Indrašis or maybe Ķēniņš.
I think that Bukarts will make the roster taking into account his scoring in the previous exhibition games. Not sure, who he will push out - Indrašis? I really don't like Bērziņš (stupid penalties, sometimes floats) and would prefer Štāls in the centre on the fourth line. Saulietis should make it. So Bukarts might push out either Indrašis or maybe Ķēniņš.
You think that Berzins floats so Bukarts will outhustle him? But I agree with you that Berzins sometimes takes soft defensive penalties.
You think that Berzins floats so Bukarts will outhustle him? But I agree with you that Berzins sometimes takes soft defensive penalties.
Of course, Bukarts is "a bit" of a floater Still - Bukarts and Berzins are different kind of players and thus are not "in competition". It is rather a question of Berzins vs Stals and Bukarts vs Kenins/Indrasis
Indrasis atleast in my opinion was pretty good,2 goals against denmark solid games versus russia i think nolan will keep him.
Yeah, Indrašis is most likely staying in the team. I can't really see anything special in him, but since the start of the training camp he's been a part of the first line, so obviously Nolan sees the potential in him, which is also why I don't think Bukarts will make it.
Unless all the talks about a possible Dinamo bias are true, of course.
I'll laugh when Jass will make it. He looked dominant in one shift in Russian zone, holding up play, shrugging off Russian D like boss waiting for teammates. It would be a nice story if he made it.
I'll laugh when Jass will make it. He looked dominant in one shift in Russian zone, holding up play, shrugging off Russian D like boss waiting for teammates. It would be a nice story if he made it.
Well there is slight chance that he will make it in 4th line,he would fit in with nolans gameplan.
Same as Karsums.
His third trip across the ocean in a week. 
But I agree with you that Berzins sometimes takes soft defensive penalties.
