WC: 2016 Team Switzerland

[duga]

Guys, it is the worldchampionship. Not friendly games.

And there are 2 tournaments left till OGs. Who knows if guys like Streit, Dubois, Blindenbacher or Furrer are still competitive in 2 years. Center core wil be way over 30 then and the new coach likes young quick players. I think it's better to check it out now


I feel a bit strange when i hear some names as Schneeberger, Mottet, Rathgelb,Rod or Marti.
They are still unproved players. A guy like Rathgelb must improve and do - in minimum - a second season like this. He is still very young and his time will come for sure.

IMO international competition has pretty much decoded the swiss hockey and its flaws: Prevent them from transition game. Play physical, and attack their defense hard and early. And they are robbed of their biggest strengh. And they will struggle miserably.
they need to adjust. We need players on D who are either strong enough to withstand or are quick and skilled enough to get around the forechecking. Of course best case they combine both, but that's rare. Rathgeb always had a nice toolset, I was surprised he didn't convince in the CHL and thus wasn 't considered in the draft. He wasn't captain of the U20 for nothing though. And when it comes worst no Streit , Josi and Kukan. he could go all the way.

And with Sbisa (and even moreso Weber ) getting the Ramon Vega treatment in good ol ' Canada, we'll see if they are mentally stable enough to contribut something positive . MArti should get acloser look IMO. Schneeberger is steadily improving, I like him, but I 'm unsure if he's good enough. Thats why I asked about other opinions




Ok Switzerland has not a very huge deepness but they are more proved guys before using these players we mentioned.

Am i the only one have this feeling?

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[stv11]

First roster is out. No Sprunger comeback, the biggest names missing are Flüeler, Stephan, Blindenbacher, Von Gunten and Pestoni. Goalies and defense are thin, but a very strong group of forwards already.

Luca Boltshauser
Sandro Zurkirchen

Lukas Frick
Patrick Geering
Joël Genazzi
Robin Grossmann
Yannick Rathgeb
Dominik Schlumpf

Chris Baltisberger
Matthias Bieber
Luca i
Etienne Froidevaux
Fabrice Herzog
Denis Hollenstein
Lino Martschini
Vincent Praplan
Reto Schäppi
Reto Suri
Pius Suter
Morris Trachsler

 

[duga]

First roster is out. No Sprunger comeback, the biggest names missing are Flüeler, Stephan, Blindenbacher, Von Gunten and Pestoni. Goalies and defense are thin, but a very strong group of forwards already.

Luca Boltshauser
Sandro Zurkirchen

Lukas Frick
Patrick Geering
Joël Genazzi
Robin Grossmann
Yannick Rathgeb
Dominik Schlumpf

Chris Baltisberger
Matthias Bieber
Luca i
Etienne Froidevaux
Fabrice Herzog
Denis Hollenstein
Lino Martschini
Vincent Praplan
Reto Schäppi
Reto Suri
Pius Suter
Morris Trachsler

So no hcd/hcgs players yet. The omission of both Stephan and Pestoni is a bit surprising. Blindenbacher still must be injured. He was the best player beside Matthews in the POs for ZSC. He looked much quicker than the last few years, he'd be a big loss.

Seger hasn't retired offically, has he? We may have to mention him as well. Even if he's clearly done.

Im curious what i is capable of... He looked so washed up lately.

Suter

 

[stv11]

Blindenbacher is a huge loss, and I'm disappointed by the goalies. Seger hasn't officially retired, but unfortunately I never expected him to get any consideration.

i didn't have a great season, but given the depth at center (or lack thereof), he needs to get a look. Not sure what's wrong with picking Suter, he will probably be one of the first cuts but deserves a look.

I guess the next additions will be Mayer, Genoni, Loeffel, Du Bois, Ambühl and Romy. Possibily Schneeberger on defense and a few other Davos forwards, although it's tricky as none of them is a lock and we have a strong group of wingers already. I guess the most likely is M. Wieser. I hope Haas will be called as well.

 

[duga]

Blindenbacher is a huge loss, and I'm disappointed by the goalies. Seger hasn't officially retired, but unfortunately I never expected him to get any consideration.

i didn't have a great season, but given the depth at center (or lack thereof), he needs to get a look. Not sure what's wrong with picking Suter, he will probably be one of the first cuts but deserves a look.

I guess the next additions will be Mayer, Genoni, Loeffel, Du Bois, Ambühl and Romy. Possibily Schneeberger on defense and a few other Davos forwards, although it's tricky as none of them is a lock and we have a strong group of wingers already. I guess the most likely is M. Wieser. I hope Haas will be called as well.

It's a bit a pity that Seger missed the moment to retire on time. He had such an outstanding international career.

The lack of centerdepth is obvious. And I agree with the nomination of both i and Suter at this time.
Im just curious if is problems are somewhat related to his ex- coach Crawford and so he can recover his game in different environment.
Suter, after a convincing season, definitely deserves a look. the grin was a reminiscence of us having had a discussion lately about this very subject.

Im with you about the nominees from the semi-final losers. And would add Corvi as well. After his injury wasn't as strong in this years playoffs as he was last year. But has definitely the talent.

In spite of tough competiition on W. Jörg and Simion could be considered as well. Though Simion is not in top-form either after his injury. His combination of size and skill will clear him the path to a rosterspot sooner or later IMO.

Haas still could be forced to play ligaqualification, so he isn't available yet.

 

[stv11]

Andrighetto said he would come to the WC if called, but Bärtschi won't. Really annoying that Bärtschi will be 24 this year and we haven't seen what he can do yet. I guess that report saying that all NHL players will accept a call wasn't based on a reliable source, makes me worried for the defense.

 

[duga]

Not nice to hear. Is Bärtschi in a contract year?

Andrighetto will be fun though... Is even more skilled than Bärtschi.

Minnesota is pushing hard. No Nino?

 

[jonas2244]

Bärtschi is RFA, he'd get a contract. I still think it's pretty lame sometime, they had a lot of profit from the Swiss Icehockey federation, had many trainings there, could play at Juniors, could show their talent and skills there. And when it comes to pay something back some just forget that.

With Bertschy and Richard two options for C are in NA and may be available. Weber needs this showcase I guess after this year and hopefully he'll be there.

Edit: Nino and Josi NHL-Playoffs. Kukan AHL-Playoffs. Fiala AHL-Playoffs.
Bertschy, Müller, Richard and Vermin could get a callup for their teams for the NHL-playoffs. Streit is battling hard with Detroit for the last Wildcard-spot.

So we should hope for at least some first-round loosers.

 

[stv11]

It's sad when you consider that you could count on your fingers how many times players from the late 70's generation declined a call. At least Josi seems always keen on coming.

From what I've read, Blindenbacher and Von Gunten are injured, but Stephan and Sprunger decided to decline.

The situation in North America is still complicated. Berra, Weber and Sbisa are available for sure, Josi and Niederreiter seem set for wild card spots, Streit is 50/50 to get in, Vermin and Richard still have a chance for the playoffs and could get a call up as well, Fiala is in as a top seed, Bertschy and Diaz are out but can get called up, Kukan is in the playoffs as a lower seed but won't get called up, and Müller is 50/50 but can get a call up (if I understand the AHL standings correctly, couldn't they get a simpler system?).

I'm not too worried about the forwards. With Andrighetto joining and if nothing bad happens to Brunner and Moser, that's already a better group than last year (assuming Romy and Ambühl come), which means there probably won't be any need for Vermin and Bertschy while Richards and Fiala are not sure things even if available. Defense and goalies are more of a concern, Blum, Du Bois and Furrer all had injuries during the season and could decide not to come while Genoni and Berra are the only proven goalies who could still be added.

 

[kulenova seka]

Any reason given why Baertschi declined ? Hopefully swiss coach will decline him for Korea...

 

[jonas2244]

Bärtschi says he doesn't want to risk contract negotiations due to a possible injury he could maybe get at the WC. Means if he'd sign a contract before the WC he could change his mind.

Sbisa is still injured, don't think he'll be allowed to join by the Canucks. Berra already declined, he could need the showcase too, same for Hiller.
I forgot Diaz, that would be a nice addition.

 

[torero]

Bärtschi says he doesn't want to risk contract negotiations due to a possible injury he could maybe get at the WC. Means if he'd sign a contract before the WC he could change his mind.

Sbisa is still injured, don't think he'll be allowed to join by the Canucks. Berra already declined, he could need the showcase too, same for Hiller.
I forgot Diaz, that would be a nice addition.

Diaz, Hiller or Berra should be joining ... it is an obvious case were you showcase yourself. Else Berra and Hller will be out of the NHL ....Diaz, who still already showcased a lot in the AHL these last games, has all to gaine to join. Can't understand them.

 

[stv11]

I've read contradicting things about Berra, I suspect there could be some mistranslation behind it.

 

[jonas2244]

I didn't read anything from Diaz, he has already signed in Switzerland so if he's healthy there is no reason not to come. I could live with Genoni/Mayer, by the way.

 

[duga]

It's sad when you consider that you could count on your fingers how many times players from the late 70's generation declined a call. At least Josi seems always keen on coming.
Riesen, Riesen, Riesen, Riesen and ...


From what I've read, Blindenbacher and Von Gunten are injured, but Stephan and Sprunger decided to decline.
So that's probably the end of International Sprunger


The situation in North America is still complicated. Berra, Weber and Sbisa are available for sure, Josi and Niederreiter seem set for wild card spots, Streit is 50/50 to get in, Vermin and Richard still have a chance for the playoffs and could get a call up as well, Fiala is in as a top seed, Bertschy and Diaz are out but can get called up, Kukan is in the playoffs as a lower seed but won't get called up, and Müller is 50/50 but can get a call up (if I understand the AHL standings correctly, couldn't they get a simpler system?).

this'll be tricky for the coaches. How many rosterspots can they afford to keep open through 1st round of NA playoffs?

I'm not too worried about the forwards. With Andrighetto joining and if nothing bad happens to Brunner and Moser, that's already a better group than last year (assuming Romy and Ambühl come), which means there probably won't be any need for Vermin and Bertschy while Richards and Fiala are not sure things even if available. Defense and goalies are more of a concern, Blum, Du Bois and Furrer all had injuries during the season and could decide not to come while Genoni and Berra are the only proven goalies who could still be added.

the strong goaliegeneration 96-98 has to develop some serious talent. Or we'll be doomed pretty soon!

 

[duga]

Bärtschi says he doesn't want to risk contract negotiations due to a possible injury he could maybe get at the WC. Means if he'd sign a contract before the WC he could change his mind.

not that I like the decision, but to be fair: how many minutes did he play last time for the NT, before he's gotten injured... He could remember that.


Sbisa is still injured, don't think he'll be allowed to join by the Canucks. Berra already declined, he could need the showcase too, same for Hiller.
I forgot Diaz, that would be a nice addition.

no Sbisa means Helbling's and Martis chances are rising.
Diaz finally plays some hockey again. Thus will be among the best Ds again.

 

[duga]

By the way I had to smile when I read Seger's comment this morning in the newspapers. We shouldn't bother, he explains how a true charakter handles his retirement from NT. Such a lovely personality.

 

[jonas2244]

Indeed, a perfect example of a true professional. But also a nice gesture from Fischer that they spoke face to face with Seger.

 

[torero]

I didn't read anything from Diaz, he has already signed in Switzerland so if he's healthy there is no reason not to come. I could live with Genoni/Mayer, by the way.

me to in fact !

 

[Jon Riley]

When it comes to the offensive players, everything that could come from north America is a good plus but not extremely necessary. Niederreiter and/or Bärtschi would be great, but some good lines can be iced even without them.
But the defense.... Ugh.
Even if Weber and Sbisa were available, which version of them would fly to S.petersburg? Weber has been horrible this year, Sbisa somehow better than last season but not exactly great either.
I kinda feel bad hoping to see Nashville and Philly out soon, but those two guys are really needed.

 

[themelkman]

Mueller will not play in the NHL playoffs but will be in the AHL playoffs

 

[stv11]

this'll be tricky for the coaches. How many rosterspots can they afford to keep open through 1st round of NA playoffs?

The first round will be over at the beginning of the last week of April, early enough so that players could be available for the last training camp games against Latvia and Germany, so this shouldn't be a problem.

When it comes to the offensive players, everything that could come from north America is a good plus but not extremely necessary. Niederreiter and/or Bärtschi would be great, but some good lines can be iced even without them.
But the defense.... Ugh.

I agree with your point, but Niederreiter would still be a welcomed addition. Without him, Moser is the only forward who can provide a strong physical presence around the net, something that was clearly missing last year.

Even if Weber and Sbisa were available, which version of them would fly to S.petersburg? Weber has been horrible this year, Sbisa somehow better than last season but not exactly great either.
I kinda feel bad hoping to see Nashville and Philly out soon, but those two guys are really needed.

It's not unheard of to have a good WC after a poor club season, you never know how players will react when put in a different context with a different role within the team. Anyway, Sbisa and Weber will be available early enough to play in the exhibition games against the Czech Republic, that's enough time to cut them if it turns out they are not better than NLA players. But given the current defense, I doubt they won't be an upgrade.

 

[Jon Riley]

Yep, over Helbling I take a one-legged Sbisa every time..

 

[jonas2244]

Although Helbling was surprisingly solid last year.

 

[duga]

The first round will be over at the beginning of the last week of April, early enough so that players could be available for the last training camp games against Latvia and Germany, so this shouldn't be a problem.

Thx, wasn't aware of that. Nice timing this year.

Minnesota and Nashville, the most crucial teams from swiss perspectives, seem to be on the upswing, they could be dangerous, even as Wild card teams.

I agree with your point, but Niederreiter would still be a welcomed addition. Without him, Moser is the only forward who can provide a strong physical presence around the net, something that was clearly missing last year.

Definitely! Who's behind in depht chart for crease players? Probably Gardner and Rossi... Both not in the race for a spot. Guys like Schäppi, Künzle, Baltisperger or Simion have some sort of crease game, but aren't prototypical.
Nino would surely fill a need.

It's not unheard of to have a good WC after a poor club season, you never know how players will react when put in a different context with a different role within the team. Anyway, Sbisa and Weber will be available early enough to play in the exhibition games against the Czech Republic, that's enough time to cut them if it turns out they are not better than NLA players. But given the current defense, I doubt they won't be an upgrade.

Between all those underperforming NHL Ds, upcoming youngsters, lately injured or reinforced routinier, I have a tough time to rank them out of the blue. Imean who's next to Josi e.g?