WC: 2017 Team Switzerland

[swisdan]

Here the first selection for Switzerland:

Goalies (3) :
Lukas Flüeler (ZSC Lions), Jonas Hiller (EHC Biel), Niklas Schlegel (ZSC Lions).

Defensemen (7) :
Phil Baltisberger (ZSC Lions), Lukas Frick (EHC Kloten), Patrick Geering (ZSC Lions), Joël Genazzi (Lausanne HC), Romain Loeffel (Genève-Servette HC), Christian Marti (ZSC Lions), Dave Sutter (EHC Biel).

Forwards (14) :
Cody Almond (Genève-Servette HC), Chris Baltisberger (ZSC Lions), Matthias Bieber (EHC Kloten), Etienne Froidevaux (Lausanne HC), Gaëtan Haas (EHC Biel), Yannick Herren (Lausanne HC), Fabrice Herzog (ZSC Lions), Denis Hollenstein (EHC Kloten), Vincent Praplan (EHC Kloten), Damien Riat (Genève-Servette HC), Kevin Romy (Genève-Servette HC), Reto Schäppi (ZSC Lions), Julian Schmutz (EHC Biel), Pius Suter (ZSC Lions).

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[jonas2244]

2017 Switzerland

First selection is out. Geering, Hollenstein, Hiller and Romy are probably set out from this roster. Dave Sutter could be a dark-horse for a spot on defense.

Goaltenders (3): Lukas Flüeler (ZSC Lions), Jonas Hiller (EHC Biel), Niklas Schlegel (ZSC Lions).

Defenders (7): Phil Baltisberger (ZSC Lions), Lukas Frick (EHC Kloten), Patrick Geering (ZSC Lions), Joël Genazzi (Lausanne HC), Romain Loeffel (Genève-Servette HC), Christian Marti (ZSC Lions), Dave Sutter (EHC Biel).

Forwards (14): Cody Almond (Genève-Servette HC), Chris Baltisberger (ZSC Lions), Matthias Bieber (EHC Kloten), Etienne Froidevaux (Lausanne HC), Gaëtan Haas (EHC Biel), Yannick Herren (Lausanne HC), Fabrice Herzog (ZSC Lions), Denis Hollenstein (EHC Kloten), Vincent Praplan (EHC Kloten), Damien Riat (Genève-Servette HC), Kevin Romy (Genève-Servette HC), Reto Schäppi (ZSC Lions), Julian Schmutz (EHC Biel), Pius Suter (ZSC Lions).

 

[stv11]

Trachsler the only big name missing. I would have liked to see i and Wellinger, but I guess they're healing their late season injuries.

I would have expected Mayer and Bolthauser to be ahead of the ZSC goalies, but it will be interesting to see Schlegel at this level. Not a big fan of P. Baltisberger, but there isn't much choice on defense and I'm afraid it won't get much better once the semifinals are over.

Good to see Praplan, Schmutz, Riat and Sutter at forward.

 

[jonas2244]

Hell, yes, Trachsler left out is quite surprising.

I wonder who'll be available from NA. Andrighetto, Sbisa and Bärtschi are already out, Andrighetto is RFA, though. I didn't check the AHL-rankings yet, Kukan would be a nice addition, Vermin, Bertschy, Richard and Malgin nice possibilities. Siegenthaler could also get a shot if others decline. I'd expect the Sharks to get a deep playoff-run including Meier and Müller.

The Preds and the Wilds are inside of a playoff-spot, it's not impossible that both loose in the first round.

 

[Jon Riley]

And who would be in from the teams still in the playoff?
Blum, I guess. Vauclair if healthy? Scherwey? Martschini? Ambhül and Wieser?

 

[jonas2244]

Vauclair retired.

I'd consider Blum, Untersander, Moser, Bodenmann, Scherwey, Diaz, Suri, Martschini, Schlumpf, Grossmann, Helbling, Furrer, Bürgler, Walker, Du Bois, Ambühl, Simion, Sciarioni, Walser, Marc&Dino Wieser as candidates.

Diaz, Blum, Furrer, Du Bois, Moser and Ambühl as strong candidates.

 

[swisdan]

I'm not so surprised by the Traschler non-selection. He is not young anymore and some young talents can be better at his position. Some mention Vauclair , but it's way to prone injury, and like said, he is retired. And his season is not too good expect the playoff.

For a guy like Romy, not sure he is a lock, he has to prove his long injury is a bad memory cause from what I saw again Zug, he was all but dominant. Perhaps Plüss could be a good remplacement in case.

Suter could be very interesting but perhaps he is a bit too young, we have to see how he ll adapt in international level. But he is on the radar for sure! And he should be a lock for the future.

One question, with which goalies you would be comfortable? It's clear it became a weak position these last seasons and it could - even ll - be in the future too.

He really hope Genoni can join the team. To be honest, it would be with him I could feel confident. Not sure about Berra or Hiller...

 

[jonas2244]

It would be quite surprising if Plüss would come back from his retirment, I don't think this is gonna happen.

Depth on C is still very weak, Romy has a solid allround-game with good offensive and defensive qualities. Even if he wasn't at his best this year, I just cannot see any preplacement.

Genoni would be my choice, too. And it's a really important task in the coming years to form one or two goalkeepers which can play on highest level. Genoni, Hiller and Berra won't be here forever. And behind them there is quite a gap.

 

[stv11]

Vauclair retired.

I'd consider Blum, Untersander, Moser, Bodenmann, Scherwey, Diaz, Suri, Martschini, Schlumpf, Grossmann, Helbling, Furrer, Bürgler, Walker, Du Bois, Ambühl, Simion, Sciarioni, Walser, Marc&Dino Wieser as candidates.

Diaz, Blum, Furrer, Du Bois, Moser and Ambühl as strong candidates.

I would add Hofmann and Corvi to your list, and maybe Brunner (they said he was injured for four weeks and could be back for the final if Lugano makes it. And the guy always wants to play, if he feels ok he will give it a try).

The center depth looks pretty good already, Romy is the best option we have, Haas could still work out with one more year of experience, Schäppi is fine for the fourth line, Almond and Froidevaux already have WC experience and Suter has a big potential. That's already better than last year's disaster. But still, I agree that Trachsler is a big surprise. The guy is 32 and didn't fall off a cliff this season, it's crazy that he gets kicked out from his club and doesn't even get a chance for the first week of the WC training camp (we're not talking about the final roster here). Plüss could have been a possibility (he'd be perfect for the third line), but if he declined last year he will not come back now. Ambühl is also a possibility, although he's more of a winger.

Regarding goalies, there wasn't any single NLA goaltender sticking out this season. Hiller, Stephan and Huet were ok but not dominant, while Genoni and Merzlikins were dominant at time but not consistent, and Mayer was poor. Senn had a poor start but I thought he improved as he gained experience and I'd like to see him play against Slovakia if Davos is out. OVerall, I'm not too worried, between Hiller, Genoni, Stephan and Berra there should be two adequate goalies for this year and Senn and Schlegel have potential for the future.

I'm more worried about the defense. Among the players left in the NLA, Diaz and Blum would of course be huge improvements, but Du Bois isn't that quick anymore (to be fair he never was, but it's turning into a big issue) and Furrer had a poor season (although a part of it might be due to the mess Shedden created). I'm not convinced Untersander can keep up at the international level, Grossmann has always been poor for Switzerland apart from 2013, and Schlumpf is ok but a depth player at best. I'd like to see Fora or Rathgeb get a call depending on who is out first between Fribourg and Ambri, but no way they make it past the final cuts. Reinforcements from North America are needed.

And about the NHL and AHL players, here's a breakdown of the situation:

Player who only need to be out of the NHL playoffs to be available:
- Niederreiter: Will make the playoffs with home ice advantage but with a difficult opponent.
- Josi, Weber: Will make the playoffs but play Minnesota or a division champion.
- Bärtschi, Sbisa: Will not make the playoffs.
- Streit: Will make the playoffs as a big favorite is Pittsburgh wins the division, with a difficult match up if they don't.

Players who need to be out in both leagues:
- Andrighetto: Out in both leagues.
- Fiala: Will make the AHL playoffs, 50/50 chance to go past the first round. See Josi/Weber for NHL.
- Malgin, Berra: Out in both leagues, slight chance of catching up in the NHL.
- Meier, Müller: High seed in both leagues.
- Vermin, Richard: In the hunt in the NHL, currently top seed but could still be out in the AHL.
- Bertschy: High seed in the NHL, in the hunt in the AHL.
- Kukan: NHL team in the playoffs, difficult match up unless they win the division, in the hunt in the AHL.
- Siegenthaler: Same as Kukan, but unlikely to be called up.

 

[jonas2244]

Thanks for the roundup. In addition to that:

Nino is RFA
Weber is UFA
Andrighetto is RFA
Berra is UFA
Vermin is RFA (signed in Switzerland)
Richard is RFA
Bertschy is RFA
Kukan is RFA

I could see Nino and Andrighetto declining because of their contract situation.

 

[zeropotentate]

would the team invite Hischier if the Mooseheads are eliminated early on?

 

[jonas2244]

I would but I cannot answer if our coach would. Also depends on who's available else. But we're short on Centers and if you dominate a U-20 WC like he did you're also able to compete at a WC.

 

[jonas2244]

Patrick Fischer says:

Sven Bärtschi, Sven Andrighetto and Denis Malgin will join the team in the third week of the preparation.

Luca Sbisa declined because his wife is pregnant and he'll get dad for the first time in june.

Berra is not 100%-fit and will therefore also not join the team.

From those who are in the NHL-playoffs Josi, Weber, Streit, Fiala and Kukan (he'll probably get a callup for the playoffs) said they'd be available if they're healthy. Niederreiter said he won't play this year because he's RFA.

Meier, Müller, Richard, Vermin and Bertschy won't get a call because if they'd lose in the first round it'd be too late to get a spot.

He didn't mention Siegenthaler. It was a long season for him, don't know how tired (physically and mentally) he is, but if he's able to hold a certain level I'd love to see him over some (older) guys from the swiss league.

Edit: In another video from the SIHF Fischer also said that no-one rejected an invitation for the first preparation camp. So Trachsler really wasn't called.

 

[stv11]

Good to finally see Bärtschi, and interesting to see what Malgin can do. There should be a pretty strong group of forwards already.

Sbisa could have helped, the depth on defense is not great. Still, it's likely that at least one of the four NHL defensemen will be available, plus Geering, Blum and Diaz. It's the bottom pairs that worries me.

The bit about Trachsler is still surprising, makes you feel like the guy suddenly disappeared. And to think he played on the top line last year.

 

[Jon Riley]

Great to see that everyone is eager to play. Niederreiter is a big loss but his position is reasonable, he never declined before.
The team will, as usual, miss some strength on the boards battles and in front of the net, and some defense depth, but all in all it can be a good roster

 

[jonas2244]

on the facebook-page of the swiss federation someone asked about Nico Hischier and he got an official answer saying: "we don't know yet". There's a lot to interpret in this sentence but it could mean that if he's out early in the playoffs and he can travel soon to Europe he could get a call to the preparation camp (after playing U18WC maybe) to fight for a spot.

 

[doug88]

I'd love to see Hischier make the team and it's not as if we had a lot of good C. I just don't think Fisher would have the guts to take him and whoever mentioned Pluess can pretty much forget about it. The dude doesn't belong to the national team and I say he wins the title with Bern (again ) and calls it a career. Scherwey on the other hand, could do us great.

 

[swisdan]

Personally, i hope Plüss will play for Switzerland. I read in the newspaper he could play for this World championship. What would be good for Switzerland. He 's a very good leader ans still has stamina.

The centers position improved recently. It becomes deaper. Hischier, Richard, Malgin, Suter, Corvi, Haas.... I think it ll be good for the future. A guy like Corvi could be interesting, cause we really dont know how is the shape of guys like Romy or Haas dues to their recent injuries.

But yes, it would be good to try with Hischier even if it's not sure he would do the team.

 

[Speyer]

Plüss has been improved this season, especialy in the playoffs. Last season he often looked outmatched in the postseason, this year he is often among the best players of Bern. I believe he could be still a valuble asset for this team.

Hischier might be tired after the longest season of his young career...

 

[jonas2244]

P
The centers position improved recently. It becomes deaper. Hischier, Richard, Malgin, Suter, Corvi, Haas.... I think it ll be good for the future.

I also think it'll be good, but all those names need some time. Haas learned the first bits last year, you need some international tournaments to get dominant if you're not that heavily talented like Hischier for example. Plüss also needed some time to be the player he was the past 10 years and still is.

 

[stv11]

Probably a bit early to talk about the second week roster, but a quick look at the new available players:

G: Senn
D: Du Bois, Furrer, Rathgeb (if healthy), Schneeberger.
C: Walser, Corvi
W: Hofmann, Brunner (if healthy), Walker, Ambühl, D. Wieser, M. Wieser, Simion.

6 centers already on the roster plus these two, Malgin set to join and Plüss still not ruled out. Difficult to see a spot for Hischier, but it would be interesting to see him in a couple of exhibition games.

 

[jonas2244]

Damien Brunner joins the team already for the first week of preparation. Probably needs some more games. Good to see him back.

 

[swisdan]

Probably a bit early to talk about the second week roster, but a quick look at the new available players:

G: Senn
D: Du Bois, Furrer, Rathgeb (if healthy), Schneeberger.
C: Walser, Corvi
W: Hofmann, Brunner (if healthy), Walker, Ambühl, D. Wieser, M. Wieser, Simion.

6 centers already on the roster plus these two, Malgin set to join and Plüss still not ruled out. Difficult to see a spot for Hischier, but it would be interesting to see him in a couple of exhibition games.

Senn really? He made great progress but anyway, in my view it is way too early for him.

Ok with the other name apart Rathgelb. You dont think Buergler or Sprunger deserve to be there?

 

[stv11]

I was pretty impressed by how Senn improved as the season went on. Not that I think he's good enough to go to Paris, but he would be interesting to see in some exhibition games.

Sprunger retired from the national team if I'm not mistaken. But him and Bürgler (and Fazzini too, to cover all good goal scorers who have just been eliminated) suffer from the same problem: not quick enough to be efficient at the higher level.

 

[swisdan]

Sprunger said he won't say no with Fischer call him in a newpaper. I think Sprunger became quicker and stronger during these last years. I would be happy if Switzerland tries him again....