Does Sweden have their camp similar to Canada in that they invite 40 or so players and you actually have to MAKE the team, or do they just name a roster and take those 22 guys to camp as the US used to do?
Well, you have to make the team by playing well in the various 4-nations tournaments. Sweden plays three of them every year before the WJC:s, plus the summer camp. This year they've gone through 49 players so there are far more players in contention than the 23 named even if there's no elimination camp.
Hampus Lindholm is one of the top-3 defensemen that will be there still, but with Brodin and Klefbom we'd have 3 of the top-5 or so, so obviously a huge blow.
Following players will battle. Arnesson/Djuse/Djoos/Nilsson/Andersson/Andersson/Nielsen/Bengtsson/Pettersson/Fernholm/Byström/Bergman.
I think Djuse and Arnesson will be there for sure as well. Nilsson and Byström would be my predictions to round out the six but it's really hard to predict even from #3.
Maybe they will release him later if there is no solution to the NHL conflict. Anyway, It will be interesting to see what the team looks like on monday.
I understood the Karlsson decision as he was being looked at for actual NHL game minutes at the time, but to me this one makes no sense. Not only is he not going to be playing in Ottawa, but he has struggled this year in the AHL. Seems more logical to put him in a position to dominate at the WJC to get some confidence back.
I understood the Karlsson decision as he was being looked at for actual NHL game minutes at the time, but to me this one makes no sense. Not only is he not going to be playing in Ottawa, but he has struggled this year in the AHL. Seems more logical to put him in a position to dominate at the WJC to get some confidence back.
The reasoning would probably be "He went back-and-forth last season and never settled down anywhere. He's got a slow start this year and the last thing we want is another month+change where he's not adapting to the NA pro game".
The reasoning would probably be "He went back-and-forth last season and never settled down anywhere. He's got a slow start this year and the last thing we want is another month+change where he's not adapting to the NA pro game".
Bang on. They care about his development, and sending him half a globe away to play one or two competitive games on big ice wouldn't be ideal for him, even though I expected him to be released.
He's played in a tournament, he's won a tournament, and he's struggling somewhat to adapt to the AHL, so as a Senator, I'm glad, as a Swede.. meh, he's not as important as our injured defensemen.
I understood the Karlsson decision as he was being looked at for actual NHL game minutes at the time, but to me this one makes no sense. Not only is he not going to be playing in Ottawa, but he has struggled this year in the AHL. Seems more logical to put him in a position to dominate at the WJC to get some confidence back.
If they want him playing against weaker competition they'd play him in Elmira. It's not like he can't handle the AHL, he just isn't scoring or creating at the envisioned pace.
Losing these cornerstone players is obviously bad, but it opens up for new hungry players who have not yet won a gold medal. A swedish team full of star-players going in to a WJC-tournament....we all know how that ends.
Boyce was captain in Sundsvall, missing there were Forsberg, Rakell, H.Lindholm and Rask. I think Forsberg is a strong name, but that's just based on hearing him in interviews etc. Very level-headed, was captain in the U18 Worlds. C Forsberg, A Boyce, A Rakell/Karlsson wouldn't surprise me.
I do think the forwards on the Swedish team have great depth this year and can overcome MZ not being there. Honestly, if I were running an NHL team I would almost always let my U20 players have the option to go, unless they are getting front line NHL minutes. I think this tournament is a good development tool, but more importantly an opportunity to represent your country in a fashion that you typically only get one or two shots at. For many young players, it's a lifelong dream. I am happy that Zibinejad got to experience that last year, and even score the championship winning goal. He may never have a bigger one in his career.
I hope H.Lindholm gets a letter, he might just be the most important player on the team (except for the goalies). Forsberg and Rakell/Boyce would be the other two.
