Bjorklund is having a very productive year, there is no question. However it is now four years after being drafted and he is only now starting to put things together. I hope the best for him but the odds of him ever playing a game in the NHL are incredibly low at this point.
He should have no problem carving out a productive career in the SEL from the looks of things though.
This I entirely agree with. I think he will have a good career for himself in Sweden and perhaps Russia. Either way it's probably a moot discussion for the purposes of this thread.
This I entirely agree with. I think he will have a good career for himself in Sweden and perhaps Russia. Either way it's probably a moot discussion for the purposes of this thread.
Not yet all 3 goalies are going for sure but I think they have 2-3 extra defensemen and 3-4 extra forwards.
Thats what I figured, last time I checked the roster TSN they had 9 Defence so theres probably 2 more left to cut.
Gaudreau has to be a lock for them, and i think the odds of Sieloff making it are still somewhat good. Gillies taking the number one I don't think is impossible but the odds are he'll probably end up the backup IMO.
Thats what I figured, last time I checked the roster TSN they had 9 Defence so theres probably 2 more left to cut.
Gaudreau has to be a lock for them, and i think the odds of Sieloff making it are still somewhat good. Gillies taking the number one I don't think is impossible but the odds are he'll probably end up the backup IMO.
I think Sparks gets the backup job to be honest Gillies had a bad summer camp.
Sieloff is a game changer and would be a huge asset for the U.S. in a tourny like this. I think he makes it.
I don't think he will penalties are a huge blow to teams in a one game knock out tournament and with international rules and refs he could be given a major for hitting to the head even if it would be legal in the NHL.
I don't think he will penalties are a huge blow to teams in a one game knock out tournament and with international rules and refs he could be given a major for hitting to the head even if it would be legal in the NHL.
That's a good point. Sieloff although does pick his spots pretty good and I wouldn't say he's a dirty player at all, but yeah I agree the international rules are alot tighter.
That's a good point. Sieloff although does pick his spots pretty good and I wouldn't say he's a dirty player at all, but yeah I agree the international rules are alot tighter.
We have seen him twice this year get thrown out of a game for hits I would say are legal in the NHL but the CHL puts a lot of emphasis on protecting players and I think the international rules puts more emphasis on player safety. I think he has the skill to play for the US team but I think it would be safest for the team to not bring him.
We have seen him twice this year get thrown out of a game for hits I would say are legal in the NHL but the CHL puts a lot of emphasis on protecting players and I think the international rules puts more emphasis on player safety. I think he has the skill to play for the US team but I think it would be safest for the team to not bring him.
My last argument for Sieloff would be that I think he reads and thinks the game quite well. The OHL is a different game than international hockey and hitting is one of his strengths and he is able to play to that in the league he plays in. I'm sure he could dial that aspect of his game down with not much difficulty, and focus on playing a solid game from the backend and chipping in a little from the point.
Penalties should not be an issue for Sieloff. He has played 11 international games for the US in the past and has one minor infraction.
I would be extremely surprised if he did not make the team. Outside of Jake McCabe, not a single player in camp brings a playstyle remotely similar to Sieloff's. His grit and willingness to win will be the main reasons he makes the team. He is also one of the best players defensively in camp which can not hurt, and his mobility is good enough to translate to the larger ice surfaces.
Penalties should not be an issue for Sieloff. He has played 11 international games for the US in the past and has one minor infraction.
I would be extremely surprised if he did not make the team. Outside of Jake McCabe, not a single player in camp brings a playstyle remotely similar to Sieloff's. His grit and willingness to win will be the main reasons he makes the team. He is also one of the best players defensively in camp which can not hurt, and his mobility is good enough to translate to the larger ice surfaces.
It's true that he has done well in the past about he has had 2 incidences just this year in the ohl which might make team USA think twice but I hope he does make it.
It's true that he has done well in the past about he has had 2 incidences just this year in the ohl which might make team USA think twice but I hope he does make it.
He was not suspended for either hit though, and one misconduct was actually rescinded afterwards IIRC. You are correct though that discipline is an incredibly important factor in this type of tournament, but Sieloff has shown in the past that he can play within the limitations enforced by IIHF.
I can understand where you are coming from but don't think (and hope..) it will be much of a factor in the selection process considering his history with the program.
He was not suspended for either hit though, and one misconduct was actually rescinded afterwards IIRC. You are correct though that discipline is an incredibly important factor in this type of tournament, but Sieloff has shown in the past that he can play within the limitations enforced by IIHF.
I can understand where you are coming from but don't think (and hope..) it will be much of a factor in the selection process.
Actually given that Noesen is suspended for the WJC I think he will make it.
Another reason why Sieloff will make it, is because he and Trouba were defense partners last season. Chemistry in a short tournament is vital so having a defense pairing that knows each other well is a huge advantage.
I believe team USA will make their final cuts after the pre-competition games in Helsinki next week. Which means the three Flames still in the mix are all travelling to Europe and most likely seeing ice time in those two games (vs. Sweden and Finland, both broadcast by TSN).
I think it may be to little to late for Wahl and the Flames. They have drafted so many more skilled players over the last 2 seasons that are Feasters guys and I don't really see where he fits into our plans. Just my thoughts.
Its hard not to recognize Gaudreau's accomplishments. The NCAA is a tough league and Johnny has been dominant not playing alongside Kreider. Nothing is a guarantee with prospects, but the Flames definitely appear to have 2 gems in Sven and Gaudreau.
