IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
Let's have a discussion on players that disappointed up till now in the tournament.
The player that disappoints the most in this WJC is Nail Yakupov for me. Watching him carefully, we can see that he doesn't have a high hockey IQ and makes terrible decisions with the puck. That's his main flaw.
Nathan MacKinnon just had a very bad game vs Russia. He's not properly used by Spott but he has to show more when given the chance.
Another one for Yakupov. You'd think he'd be the one excelling in this type of play considering how the only criticism was being unsure if he can play his game in the NHL.
Let's have a discussion on players that disappointed up till now in the tournament.
The player that disappoints the most in this WJC is Nail Yakupov for me. Watching him carefully, we can see that he doesn't have a high hockey IQ and makes terrible decisions with the puck. That's his main flaw.
Nathan MacKinnon just had a very bad game vs Russia. He's not properly used by Spott but he has to show more when given the chance.
Discuss!
MacKinnon's probably never played on the fourth line in his life, so I'd give him a free pass so far. With limited icetime and more defensive linemates, it's kind of difficult to play an offensive/defensive game.
I've might get flamed for this, but I've been expecting to see more from Huberdeau personally. I know he has 7 points in 4 games, but he just hasn't wowed me in a tournament where I expected him to breakout. I thought the 2nd line was the weakest of the 4 lines Canada iced today, and that comes after Huberdeau gets demoted to that line. and agree with you on Yakupov as well.
MacKinnon's probably never played on the fourth line in his life, so I'd give him a free pass so far. With limited icetime and more defensive linemates, it's kind of difficult to play an offensive/defensive game.
I've might get flamed for this, but I've been expecting to see more from Huberdeau personally. I know he has 7 points in 4 games, but he just hasn't wowed me in a tournament where I expected him to breakout. I thought the 2nd line was the weakest of the 4 lines Canada iced today, and that comes after Huberdeau gets demoted to that line. and agree with you on Yakupov as well.
What he said.
MacKinnon actually played okay today, but you can see that being in a limited role hurts him. He finally gets on the ice and just wants to do too much. His time with the puck is magical. He reminds me of Crosby in how he holds onto it. But what a limited role for him.
Huberdeau is by far and away the biggest disappointment for me. He looks lethargic at times, disinterested even. If you compare what he has done with the puck with what MacKinnon has done when he has had it, Nate has been far better. Huberdeau has already been replaced by one 17 year old. Is he going for two?
I was expecting Yakupov to be the 2nd best forward in the tournament and he has been pretty invisible so far. I'm a fan of his so I'm not trying to knock him, but in the 2 games I've seen him in (USA and Canada games) he has been terrible. Losing the puck and missing the net often, he has just been a huge disappointment for me (although I can't say I'm that upset over a Russian player struggling ). Even if his stats have been alright, half of his points were against Germany in a 7-0 win, he had 1 point combined (a secondary assist) in his games against the other two good teams in the group, USA and Canada. I still think he has the talent to turn it around when it counts though, I'm certainly holding my breath whenever he's out there.
Canada hasn't lost a game and he's second in the tournament in scoring.
You gotta be..
Wins, wins, wins, points, points, points.
He's not someone you take 3rd overall. He's selfish, takes dumb penalties (not just at WJC) and is not as offensively talented as the media make him out to be. You just don't build around a guy like that.
Considering the thread is "disappointed most" as opposed to "worst", my early candidate would be Dougie Hamilton. He hasn't been overly terrible or anything, but I expected a lot more from him. Hope he had a good game today, I haven`t seen it yet.
As far as forwards go, I guess it has to be Yakupov...he seems to be having a hell of a time playing in the system Russia`s implementing.
Also got to remember that every team shadows Yakupov. He has no space at all. On the PP they basically have one guy there to watch Yakupov and take away his one timer.
Also got to remember that every team shadows Yakupov. He has no space at all. On the PP they basically have one guy there to watch Yakupov and take away his one timer.
It's not going to get much easier in the NHL so he had better start adjusting.
He's not someone you take 3rd overall. He's selfish, takes dumb penalties (not just at WJC) and is not as offensively talented as the media make him out to be. You just don't build around a guy like that.
I would tend to agree.
Huberdeau may have put up some points, but how many of those are off of the play of RNH? If you look at what he has CREATED, it has been next to nothing.
He's not someone you take 3rd overall. He's selfish, takes dumb penalties (not just at WJC) and is not as offensively talented as the media make him out to be. You just don't build around a guy like that.
). Even if his stats have been alright, half of his points were against Germany in a 7-0 win, he had 1 point combined (a secondary assist) in his games against the other two good teams in the group, USA and Canada. I still think he has the talent to turn it around when it counts though, I'm certainly holding my breath whenever he's out there.
