IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
Grigorenko hasn't impressed me because he hasn't had to, he plays the type of game that will work with a guy like Vanek. He needs smart players to position themselves to score, i.e. Kucherov, not a Yakupov who wants to drive the play all the time.
McCabe looks solid. I have not seen him until this tourney, so I will not go ahead and call him Duncan Keith yet. I need more views.
Armia has great tools. Still needs time to hone them for consistency. Can't argue with what he has going for him.
Christoph Bertschy really impressed in the couple of games I saw of him. If he ever learns to raise the puck on his 1 on 1s with goalies, the guy will be deadly.
With other finns, this might be a discussion but I put Armia in. He first was surfing, but he suddnely got he's attitude right and stopped overdoing the dekes, and started to shoot more in the Sweden game and last peroids of Swiss game. He has been really impressive when he has been really trying. When he forechecked and backchecked as well as he could, and we all know what he can do with the puck, he is amazing player for us.
Others:
- The short guy that team USA has, who scores tons of goals and makes plays.
- Matt trouble as I like to say it, I dont remember the name it was like Matt Troumbla or something. (US D-man)
- Team USA goalie Gibson
- Whole team USA
Yeah, didint care to check out those names from somewhere, but Im sure you know who I mean. In future, I will probably get to know their names too.
I would still take Mac on my Habs, but no, Jones is no Erik Johnson. Jones has more hockey sense in his pinky than Johnson has in his entire body.
Just going to say Erik Johnson quietly had a pretty good year and has impressed me lately with the Avs. I liked Jones better than I ever liked him, and I do think Jones turns out to be good player, but much like Bogosian the story on E. Johnson is much different than some of what is put out there these days.
I thought Trouba should have gone a couple picks before he did, but even I must admit this guys offensive skills are better than I pictured back then just a year later. His shot as actual gotten harder and more accurate. He doesn't always play the body even though he can, he just is a much more sound hockey player while even picking up a half step in speed. Really a lot of development on a player I was already pretty high on and thought was going to be pretty rock solid to begin with. But I can see a potential #1 now, I used to think he would be a very good #2 or an awesome #3.
Just going to say Erik Johnson quietly had a pretty good year and has impressed me lately with the Avs. I liked Jones better than I ever liked him, and I do think Jones turns out to be good player, but much like Bogosian the story on E. Johnson is much different than some of what is put out there these days.
I thought Trouba should have gone a couple picks before he did, but even I must admit this guys offensive skills are better than I pictured back then just a year later. His shot as actual gotten harder and more accurate. He doesn't always play the body even though he can, he just is a much more sound hockey player while even picking up a half step in speed. Really a lot of development on a player I was already pretty high on and thought was going to be pretty rock solid to begin with. But I can see a potential #1 now, I used to think he would be a very good #2 or an awesome #3.
Yeah, I don't know why E. Johnson gets slagged on as much as he does. I realize he hasn't exactly lived up to his promise or draft position (for a variety of reasons-some beyond his control) but he is still a very good all-around defensive who still hasn't reached his peak. I'd have him on my team any day.
imo i thought weatherspoon was the best d-man for canada.
I'm not sure about the best, but he was definitely one of the best. He was the most unheralded guy on that blueline, but he earned his position in camp and kept up the high level of play that got him on the team.
I'm not sure about the best, but he was definitely one of the best. He was the most unheralded guy on that blueline, but he earned his position in camp and kept up the high level of play that got him on the team.
What i like most, was that most people on here called it a bad move and a fail, that Dumba or whoever would have been a better choice.
Wotherspoon proved why he is a top guy on the Winterhawks and why he is likely to be a solid NHL'r
I like what I've seen from Trouba and Ouellet. I wish Ryan Sproul would have made the Canadian team he is tearing up the OHL right now and Team Canada could use some offensive firepower. John Gibson has only solidified his reputation.
With other finns, this might be a discussion but I put Armia in. He first was surfing, but he suddnely got he's attitude right and stopped overdoing the dekes, and started to shoot more in the Sweden game and last peroids of Swiss game. He has been really impressive when he has been really trying. When he forechecked and backchecked as well as he could, and we all know what he can do with the puck, he is amazing player for us.
He never got the attitude perfect in group stage. Last game against Sweden and Swedes are one goal ahead. Armia gets nice hip check from Swedish player and falls. Soon after that Armia goes and hooks Swedish player and that was the end for Team Finland's hopes. Too many stupid penalties with Salomäki and for example against Czech Republic, if I remember right, Armia had the puck 23 times and he lost it to a Czech player 17 times. That was awful. He was better against the Swedes, but it won't forgive those sloppy games against Switzerland and Czech Republic. His attitude must get better if he still dreams about NHL.
Finland's best forward was Teräväinen and best defender Ristolainen. Pokka and Lindbohm were ok too.
He has been really solid in all games except the last one against the Russians. He turned the puck over constantly in the second half of the game but somehow he got the POG award
Also, Jake McCabe. I'd never seen McCabe play before but he was really good.
Finally, Grigorenko. I thought he was outstanding.
Pleased with the tournament as a Sabres fan. Add in a decent outing by Armia (despite the inflated stats from the last game), and a solid performance from Makarov.
