International TournamentsDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
How many teams will qualify for the olympics? The three group winners?
My predictions in that case: Germany, France and Denmark.
But its only Germany Im sure of, Latvia, Slovenia* and Belarus may have chance.
Yes it's only the three group winners.
While I am confident that Germany will qualify, I still have a little bit of doubt.
Austria should not be underestimated, especially if the lockout continues, and Italy is always a tough opponent that can make things interesting.
My predictions in that case: Germany, France and Denmark.
But its only Germany Im sure of, Latvia, Slovenia* and Belarus may have chance.
There's no way France wins their group. And Denmark's success mostly relies on the lockout. Without Andersen, Regin, Larsen, Hansen, Eller, Nielsen and Boedker they are missing half of their roster and with what's left their chances wouldn't be good at all.
May have a chance? we have much more superior roster than France.
Well, cant say I thought Latvia was way better than France in the last world championships, but that was then of course. Latvia is host right? Maybe your team should win at home, but I stay with my prediction.
Group D is a no-brainer. Unless Germany cocks it up royally, they have no trouble winning the group.
In Group E, Latvia is the clear favorite. They have a squad full of seasoned KHLers. France is the main challenger, but will still need superior teamplay if they wish to edge over Latvia. They've got maybe one full unit's worth of players who play in decent leagues. If the lockout persists, the edge gets even clearer. Latvia will have what little NHL talent they've got as well, because those guys already are in Europe, while France's best talent is stuck in the AHL. The only edge France has is in netminding, as Huet is something Latvia can't match in their own end.
Kazakhstan has a chance to pull maybe one upset and shake up the group, but it'd take 'em tremendous effort to beat both France and Latvia.
F is definitely the toughest group. Every participant has a decent chance to come out on top, but Denmark and Belarus still some more than Ukraine or Slovenia. I'd say the position of the favorite depends on the lockout. If it's still on, I'd give the edge to Denmark, otherwise to Belarus. Denmark's top-shelf talent is better, but if they get called back across, Belarus has the depth edge.
Whatever happens, one thing is sure. If the lockout is still on, this thing is far more interesting to follow.
Well, cant say I thought Latvia was way better than France in the last world championships, but that was then of course. Latvia is host right? Maybe your team should win at home, but I stay with my prediction.
Yeah well maybe because most of our quality players were missing? No Darzins, no Kulda, no Girgensons,no Martins Karsums.
The last time Kazakhstan finished higher then France...2006, the last time Kazakhstan beat France...2004. France has defeated Kazakhstan their last three meetings, its not a major upset, but France has been better then Kazakhstan lately.
There was quite a lot of talk before the tournament that Kazakhstan had become the favourite in group E. I guess the addition of Dallman (TRAITOR! )and the realization that they have just as many KHL players who are familiar with each other as Latvia does put them ahead in some peoples eyes, recent international play not withstanding. I guess the talk was at least enough to scare Ozolins into returning to the team for the first time since the Salt Lake Olympics to help solidify a spot. After day one, I still think Latvia are the clear favourites, but they've been known to falter against weaker teams in the recent past, so really, it's still anyone's shot right now (well, except for GB). It's nice to see LV's power play working, which is quite the rare sight for Latvian fans.
The last time Kazakhstan finished higher then France...2006, the last time Kazakhstan beat France...2004. France has defeated Kazakhstan their last three meetings, its not a major upset, but France has been better then Kazakhstan lately.
when was the last time Kazakhstan had a decent coach and anywhere near the best players?
team GB has pretty good traveling support, it's good to see the interest. their domestic league really has to make more waves with development over the next decade though if they want to win some games in 2nd tier international.
the state of Kazak hockey is sad. they had a competitive junior and senior program for most of the 90's and maybe up until Salt Lake.
EDIT: same story with Ukraine.
no way near as bad as in Ukraine, they have a league and team in the KHL and two teams in the VHL and one in the MHL (had two, but one wasn't competitive and they folded it), plust they have two (correct me if I am wrong) teams in the new Russian u18 JHL league. Your info is outdated.
The reasons for their recent struggles - refusal of top players to commit to NT and bad NT coaches.
no way near as bad as in Ukraine, they have a league and team in the KHL and two teams in the VHL and one in the MHL (had two, but one wasn't competitive and they folded it), plust they have two (correct me if I am wrong) teams in the new Russian u18 JHL league. Your info is outdated.
The reasons for their recent struggles - refusal of top players to commit to NT and bad NT coaches.
so basically what i said is still correct lol; their international representation over the last decade has been poor.
but anyway, why does some top Kazak talent not commit to the NT?
so basically what i said is still correct lol; their international representation over the last decade has been poor.
but anyway, why does some top Kazak talent not commit to the NT?
earlier it was not to be considered a foreigner in the RSL, it may still be the case, I am not quite clear with the current dual citizenship. But if you considered a foreign player for their russian KHL team, they will probably go with a Finn/Czech/Slovak/Swede/Can/American over a Kazakh, plus some players had issues with the federation, at early stations of separation the federation was very nationalistic and 99% of Kazakh players are ethnic Russians.
Bruce Peter
@puckworlds
Slovenia is a nation of 2m people total, smaller than the city of Vancouver or Calgary and Edmonton combined. But they're in Sochi.
Slovenia are qualified. BLR-DEN play each other in the last game and Slovenia has the H2H in their favor no matter who wins that one.
Great to see Kopitar get a chance to play in the Olympics. Bit of a shame though, Denmark would get a very strong team with their NHLers, but it is what is is.
)and the realization that they have just as many KHL players who are familiar with each other as Latvia does put them ahead in some peoples eyes, recent international play not withstanding. I guess the talk was at least enough to scare Ozolins into returning to the team for the first time since the Salt Lake Olympics to help solidify a spot. After day one, I still think Latvia are the clear favourites, but they've been known to falter against weaker teams in the recent past, so really, it's still anyone's shot right now (well, except for GB). It's nice to see LV's power play working, which is quite the rare sight for Latvian fans.
