World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team Czech Republic

[dryz]

It's all over the news.

 

[Wooren]

What? Really? What's the source for this?

http://www.hokej.cz/ceske-ztraty-nekonci-na-svetovem-poharu-nebudou-ani-hertl-a-gudas/5017459

I wonder if they finally choose Hudler this time...
I would like to see Mozik replace Gudas.
Either way both were supposed to play on the 1st or 2nd line so it sucks.
At this rate I will consider it a success if we can keep losses within two or max three goals.

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

Krejci, Hertl out. Massive blow!

 

[Splatter]

I wonder what gutter they'll go looking in to find a replacement not named Hudler.

 

[tade]

Petr Nedved will come back from the retirement.

 

[Jonas1235]

according to elite prospects theres 22 czech's in the ahl. Call up a few.

 

[Voodoozz]

Nice. More key players are out. I wanna see Simon/Zacha and Mozík to go, atleast they would get that "best on best" international experience

 

[ulvvf]

Then this is not anymore the best of the best, czech is missing key players they simple can not replace..

 

[Swipes]

Oh god. What a disaster.

 

[Swipes]

I agree about the call for youngsters. Let's throw in at least one. At this point, it makes very little difference.

 

[zorz]

Without Gudas + Hertl we are done. GG

 

[Jonas1235]

FRK and MUSIL

 

[Canuckistani]

Easily the weakest team on paper now.

 

[tade]

Easily the weakest team on paper now.

It was the weakest one even before injuries.

I don't really care about this. I am so glad that I didn't buy those stupidly overpriced tickets to friendly game against Russia.

I'll watch it just because it will be hockey after a long summer. Can't wait for the start of NHL training camps.

 

[Wooren]

FRK and MUSIL

Clear no for Musil. There are far better options. I would like to see Frk in national jersey sometime in the future for sure, but not in this tournament.

I read it's between Hudler and Birner for forwards, Kundratek and Mozik for defensemen.

Easily the weakest team on paper now.

I thought Czech Rep., Finland and Europe were pretty close and there was no clear worst team, but with those major injuries Czech Rep. is having, I agree, we are easily the worst now.


I am getting really scared to be honest. Could end up being a huge embarassment for us...

 

[Jonas1235]

I have a feeling that NA players will be the only ones who will replace anybody. Why not take the best czech junior right now, whomever that is. Don't waste spots on these 30 year old guys who will never been seen again.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Yikes that sucks for you guys. Is it too late to incorporate what's left of the team into Team Europe lol. JK no offence.

 

[Voodoozz]

Kundrátek replaces Gudas.

EDIT: Hudler apparently refused to go, replacement for Hertl should be some KHL guy ...

 

[Wooren]

Kundrátek replaces Gudas.

EDIT: Hudler apparently refused to go, replacement for Hertl should be some KHL guy ...

I was hoping for Mozik, but Kundratek is okay I guess... at least it's not Rozsival or Zidlicky.

I was curious whether Hudler will refuse. He should have been in the 2nd nomination.
I really wonder who the KHL guy is... Kovar? Should have taken the risk and go for Vrana or Zacha.

 

[tade]

Apparently, it should be Birner, but it is not yet confirmed.

 

[Bear12Good]

Kovar???

 

[Voodoozz]

I don't think Kovar would be the right choice to replace Hertl, i mean he's excellent in Europe but he's not very good skater and he has never played in NA. He's just completely different type of player than Hertl, i don't think he would fit there.

 

[Wooren]

Birner...?

Why are they so scared to call up Vrana? I really don't think he is any worse than Pastrnak, it's just that he plays for stacked for Washington, so it¨s much harder for him to get into NHL. And, unlike majority of our other players, he has the shoot first mentality. Zacha was very impressive in his NHL debut, he is the future of Czech hockey. But nope, they aren't experienced enough, so let's just take this average KHL player

Kovar is the only KHL forward I wouldn't be that much against, yes he is slow, but he is one of our best players in Europe and I wonder how would he stand against the best of NHL.

 

[tade]

I agree about Vrana, he looked fantastic in the AHL... He's easily ready for the NHL and alongside Zacha, Pastrnak, he's our best young talent. World Cup is not for the evaluation or player's development, that's correct, but our pool of players is already very tiny. And if there's situation where players like Krejci, Hertl, Hudler are unavailable, chances for anything gets even smaller... then there is no reason to not give a chance for player like Vrana.

There's still Voracek, Plekanec, Pastrnak or Palat. Vrana could really shine next to them. It would be incredible jump for him, from the AHL to the best-on-best tournament, but players love challenges and Vrana has world-class talent.

At this point, does it really matter? They will call up a player from KHL and hope for what? No reason to not give a chance to our future when 2 top 6 players are gone. Coaching staff on our national level is always the same, conservative and afraid of risk. Frustrating.

 

[Wooren]

At this point, does it really matter? They will call up a player from KHL and hope for what? No reason to not give a chance to our future when 2 top 6 players are gone. Coaching staff on our national level is always the same, conservative and afraid of risk. Frustrating.

Exactly. We've just lost 3 key players, we are not going to win any game with or without Birner/Kovar or any other KHL player. Coaches keep repeating how they will give chance to young player, that we need the new generation to show up. But when they have the chance to do so, they will still rather just choose some 30 year old average player and hope for some miracle. The only thing veterans have on the youngster is the experience, but then again, how are they supposed to be experienced when they never get the chance.

At least we can use the ''B'' team excuse when the blowouts come.