WC: 2015 — Team Czech Republic

[GotTheMovesLikeJagr]

Faen. Zbyněk Michálek is out of the question (family reasons), as well as Vrbata...

MS bez Vrbaty a Zbyňka Michálka! Posílí tým Palát, Šustr, či Židlický?

Hopefully either Židlický or Šustr can improve the Czech defense...

 

[Dessloch]

Will Jaromir Jagr have some sort of goodbye event as thank you for long service for the Czech Republic national team?

 

[joey16]

So probably last possible additons are: Milan Michalek and Ondrej Palat+Andrej Sustr or Marek Zidlicky
Ruzicka is interested in all of them. Michalek and Palat have had some injuries during the season though and Sustr and Zidlicky have no contract. Zidlicky would almost certainly go even so.

 

[Number1Thing]

I'm interested about the PP units of CZE. If I recall correctly Nemec had huge minutes last year, being the only D on PP1. Is the first PP unit likely to form again that way? Obviously if Zidlicky is in Nemec(?) will drop from 1st unit.

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

How is this team expected to do at the worlds ?

 

[hans26]

I'm interested about the PP units of CZE. If I recall correctly Nemec had huge minutes last year, being the only D on PP1. Is the first PP unit likely to form again that way? Obviously if Zidlicky is in Nemec(?) will drop from 1st unit.

PP units from tuesday's training:
1. Voráček - Nakládal, Jágr - Erat - Kovář
2. Krejčík - Němec, Červenka - Hertl - KlepiÅ¡

 

[Rexor]

How is this team expected to do at the worlds ?

I don't expect much. They're just not very good. Voráček and Jágr upfront, a meh defence and Pavelec or Salák in net. The coach who is keen on the 44 year old Martin Ručinský but shows no particular interest in Palát (probably because the latter isn't his old Litvínov buddy). The tournament is held in the Czech Republic and historically, our players aren't exactly known for coping well with the additional pressure.

You never know with this tournament, your goalie gets hot for a few games and anything can happen. But I've seen better Czech teams in recent years that didn't even make it past the 1/4 finals.

 

[Wulfgar]

Will Jaromir Jagr have some sort of goodbye event as thank you for long service for the Czech Republic national team?

Nobody really knows if this is his last appearance, I wouldn´t be too surprised to see him at the World Cup 2016 and maybe even in Pyeongchang 2018

 

[Praha 1985]

I don't expect much. They're just not very good. Voráček and Jágr upfront, a meh defence and Pavelec or Salák in net. The coach who is keen on the 44 year old Martin Ručinský but shows no particular interest in Palát (probably because the latter isn't his old Litvínov buddy). The tournament is held in the Czech Republic and historically, our players aren't exactly known for coping well with the additional pressure.

You never know with this tournament, your goalie gets hot for a few games and anything can happen. But I've seen better Czech teams in recent years that didn't even make it past the 1/4 finals.

A bit hard statement to say that they haven´t been good at home. In 2004 I think they were desperately unlucky to go out on penalty shots! In 1972 and 85 it was gold and in 78 silver.
And recentely it´s been very hard to win gold at home for all nations, even if Sweden won in Stockholm a couple of years ago.
But I agree with you that the team feels too old and maybe not hungry enough.
Very strange if he isn´t interseted in Palat! He has been very impressive in Tampa and seem to be a complete player with some toughness!
Even if I like Zidlicky I think that it would be better to get the Tampa duo.

 

[hans26]

Very strange if he isn´t interseted in Palat! He has been very impressive in Tampa and seem to be a complete player with some toughness!
Even if I like Zidlicky I think that it would be better to get the Tampa duo.

IMHO it has to do with last year, when they declined his invitation.

 

[Hemsky001]

IMHO it has to do with last year, when they declined his invitation.

To hell with coach's pride. Palat should be there as well as Sustr.

 

[hans26]

To hell with coach's pride. Palat should be there as well as Sustr.

No doubt about it. I would love to see Palát with Jágr and Kovář.

 

[Swipes]

To hell with coach's pride. Palat should be there as well as Sustr.

Agreed. I'm counting on Spacek to push Ruzicka into inviting him (Sustr). Palat would look good with Jagr, allows us to toss out Klepis

 

[dryz]

To hell with coach's pride. Palat should be there as well as Sustr.

Ruzicka is starting to piss me off even more than Hadamczik. Good thing that our offensive star Cervenka is there

 

[joey16]

I think Ruzicka is interested in Palat, he just really wants Zidlicky on the team and there goes all the "hype". That's why it looks like he doesn't care about him. At least I hope so

Zidlicky is injured so there's a solid chance he won't go anyway. Sustr probably won't get invited according to what Ruzicka said in todays article (which is weird since I recall reading other article two days ago where he said he was interested in him) so it's probably just about Palat now and I won't be surprised at all if he doesn't make the medical checkup (assuming Tampa not winning today, of course).

 

[Praha 1985]

I think Ruzicka is interested in Palat, he just really wants Zidlicky on the team and there goes all the "hype". That's why it looks like he doesn't care about him. At least I hope so

Zidlicky is injured so there's a solid chance he won't go anyway. Sustr probably won't get invited according to what Ruzicka said in todays article (which is weird since I recall reading other article two days ago where he said he was interested in him) so it's probably just about Palat now and I won't be surprised at all if he doesn't make the medical checkup (assuming Tampa not winning today, of course).

That is really bad! I had no idea that Zidlicky was injured, do you know what type of injury?
Of course Sustr is better than almost all of the defencemen that are in the squad now! Strange by Ruzicka.
Bad also that defence-Michalek wasn´t available!

 

[joey16]

That is really bad! I had no idea that Zidlicky was injured, do you know what type of injury?
Of course Sustr is better than almost all of the defencemen that are in the squad now! Strange by Ruzicka.
Bad also that defence-Michalek wasn´t available!

It's upper body injury, probably concussion. Now he's available so we'll see.
Zbynek Michalek has excused himself (family reasons and not having a contract).

 

[Swipes]

Everyone seems to be forgetting about kindl....He was there last year and can't be much worse than what we have already....ruzicka is constantly whining about the lack of quality d-men yet happily ignores some for no good reason....

 

[tade]

No Zidlicky or Rucinsky for WHC according to hokej.cz

http://www.hokej.cz/rana-pro-ruzicku-i-fanousky-rucinsky-ani-zidlicky-na-ms-hrat-nebudou/5007518

So much about possible NHL additions. I am disappointed. Kindl is not mentioned anywhere so I think he is not even considered by Ruzicka.

This team would be so much better with Krejci / Plekanec (Pastrnak / Vrana) + Zidlicky / Z. Michalek. Damn it. Ruzicka should have invited Jaskin. He played very well for St. Louis and I feel that he's that type of young player who would handle 3th / 4th line duties without any problem or serve as a possible replacement in case of injury or if the team would need some boost. He gained a lot of experience this season in NHL.

Possible line-up tomorrow vs Sweden might be:

Erat - Sobotka - Voracek
Klepis - Kovar - Jagr
Cervenka - Novotny - Hertl
Simon - Koukal - Zatovic

Nemec - Hejda
Nakladal - Jordan
Krejcik - Caslava
Kolar ... whatever

Salak
Pavelec

Yikes. We lack everything (besides wingers) what winning team should have. No 1st line center, No 1D, No top goalie, lack of depth. But it is a short tournament so everything can happen. Lets enjoy it and hope for the best.

 

[Swipes]

No Zidlicky or Rucinsky for WHC according to hokej.cz

http://www.hokej.cz/rana-pro-ruzicku-i-fanousky-rucinsky-ani-zidlicky-na-ms-hrat-nebudou/5007518

So much about possible NHL additions. I am disappointed. Kindl is not mentioned anywhere so I think he is not even considered by Ruzicka.

This team would be so much better with Krejci / Plekanec (Pastrnak / Vrana) + Zidlicky / Z. Michalek. Damn it. Ruzicka should have invited Jaskin. He played very well for St. Louis and I feel that he's that type of young player who would handle 3th / 4th line duties without any problem or serve as a possible replacement in case of injury or if the team would need some boost. He gained a lot of experience this season in NHL.

Possible line-up tomorrow vs Sweden might be:

Erat - Sobotka - Voracek
Klepis - Kovar - Jagr
Cervenka - Novotny - Hertl
Simon - Koukal - Zatovic

Nemec - Hejda
Nakladal - Jordan
Krejcik - Caslava
Kolar ... whatever

Salak
Pavelec

Yikes. We lack everything (besides wingers) what winning team should have. No 1st line center, No 1D, No top goalie, lack of depth. But it is a short tournament so everything can happen. Lets enjoy it and hope for the best.

Jordan will be the 7th defenseman apparently....

 

[Hemsky001]

Jordan will be the 7th defenseman apparently....

Jeez man, Ruzicka is completely out of the mind. Jordan's been our best D in the recent matches. He deserves to be more than just 7th defenceman, actually with his current form he should definitely be our top 4 Def. Crazy, just crazy... Krejcik and Kolar have their places but he doesn't want Sustr? WTH?! If the defence will be weak (I'm pretty sure), it's basically coach's fault.

 

[joey16]

Jeez man, Ruzicka is completely out of the mind. Jordan's been our best D in the recent matches. He deserves to be more than just 7th defenceman, actually with his current form he should definitely be our top 4 Def. Crazy, just crazy... Krejcik and Kolar have their places but he doesn't want Sustr? WTH?! If the defence will be weak (I'm pretty sure), it's basically coach's fault.

Well, in Ruzicka's defense, what else should he do? He wanted Zidlcky, Z.Michalek, Polak and others... they got injured or didn't want to come, nothing you can do about it. Sustr advanced with Tampa to 2nd round so he's kind of irrelevant now. I thought Zamorsky would make the team but other than that there are probably best defensmen available.
But truth is that Jordan is worth more than being 7th defenseman. He certainly should be above Krejcik.

 

[Praha 1985]

Well, in Ruzicka's defense, what else should he do? He wanted Zidlcky, Z.Michalek, Polak and others... they got injured or didn't want to come, nothing you can do about it. Sustr advanced with Tampa to 2nd round so he's kind of irrelevant now. I thought Zamorsky would make the team but other than that there are probably best defensmen available.
But truth is that Jordan is worth more than being 7th defenseman. He certainly should be above Krejcik.

Yes, I agree 100 %. I have seen Krejcik quite a lot here in the Swedish League and he didn´t make any special impression.

 

[Kesid]

Oh, I didn't know that, sorry and thanks for the info. I thought he was on a line with Sedins constantly. By the way, see ya at the game! Same for me, I can't wait. It's gonna be awesome! If you will notice people with big Giroux poster, it will be big possibility that its me.

Well, he played like 55% of the season with them and on the PP, but the rest of the season with Bonino and Higgins/Matthias/Baertschi/etc...

I'm gonna wear my Crosby jersey and I'm looking forward to hit everybody with Giroux poster or Flyers jersey

 

[Kesid]

Yes, I agree 100 %. I have seen Krejcik quite a lot here in the Swedish League and he didn´t make any special impression.

He trusts him. It's simple as that. And it's the same case for Cervenka, Klepis or Vondrka (or Barinka, Hubacek and others with Hadamczik). I don't like it, but what can you do?