WJC: 2017 World Juniors Dud?

[ChiefWiggum]

2017* World Juniors. Is this year's world juniors going to be a dud in terms of the quantity of high profile prospects to keep an eye on. There doesn't seem to be an overly high amount of skill on any team compared to previous years....

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[TheBeastCoast]

No it won't lol This tournament is never a dud.

 

[CaseyMitts37]

No it won't lol This tournament is never a dud.

Exactly this, the WJC is always great

 

[ChiefWiggum]

2017* My question is not excitement or drama levels. My question is regarding if there are any high profile prospects? This year there seems to be a lack of high skill level prospects to watch.

 

[Prntscrn]

2017* My question is not excitement or drama levels. My question is regarding if there are any high profile prospects? This year there seems to be a lack of high skill level prospects to watch.

Rasmus Dahlin
I've seen a little bit of him in the SHL, but looking forward to see more of him in this tourney, if his not cut that is


Edit: Oh I forgot, yeah only Canadians care

 

[SNMU]

207 world juniors > 2017 world juniors

 

[Statsy]

Once the games get going, I'm sure it will be good, but there is no question that there is less excitement than usual this year. Did you notice how few pools there were?

 

[snipes]

It'll be the most exciting hockey in the world, like it is every year. Can't beat the WJC.

 

[Statsy]

It'll be the most exciting hockey in the world, like it is every year. Can't beat the WJC.

I just rewatched the 2015 Canada/US New Year's eve classic. Even already knowing how good those games are, when I watched it I was like "Holy **** this is awesome!".

 

[snipes]

I just rewatched the 2015 Canada/US New Year's eve classic. Even already knowing how good those games are, when I watched it I was like "Holy **** this is awesome!".

Loved that game. Nurse going after Eichel

That team was unreal, best team since the 2005 Team Canada.

 

[Wood Stick]

Honestly, some may need feel the same but I prefer the WJC than every other hockey tournament in the world. The Canada/USA game is always so special.

 

[SNMU]

WJC is the best tournament in the world. Its even better than March Madness.

 

[snipes]

Honestly, some may need feel the same but I prefer the WJC than every other hockey tournament in the world. The Canada/USA game is always so special.

I think that's a pretty common opinion that the WJC is the best hockey tournament in the world.

Canadians love good hockey, the excitement you see in junior hockey you don't see in the pros. It's why over half of Canada tunes into the WJC at Xmas time. I think it's the same in Finland and Sweden as well, haven't checked the numbers though.

 

[Canada4Gold]

There's plenty of talent in this tournament. There doesn't appear to be as much draft eligible talent. The projected 1 and 2 are not here. Canada has none, USA has none(scratch that Oettinger is draft eligible). Finland and Sweden have a handful of projected 1st rounders though.

As far as already drafted talent, the top end of the previous 2 drafts seem to have a lot of them already in the NHL, Canada, USA, and Finland have noteably been pretty wiped out.

But there's still high end guys. Strome should be really great at this level. Barzal too. Chabot is almost as good of a defense you'll see at this level. Finland has Juolevi, Saarijarvi, Sweden Nylander, Larsson, USA Keller, McAvoy, Russia's Kaprizov is pretty amazing despite being a 5th round pick, and they have Sergachev as well.

Samsonov, Hart, and Sandstrom are pretty solid goalies, whoever the American start should be great as well.

There's probably not as much name recognition at this years tournament, but I think anyone who watches it expecting the level of the players to be much lower than usual will end up pleasantly surprised

 

[Joe Zanussi]

The levels of "lost players" are pretty equal. US, Canada, and Finland all have significant losses (Russia,slightly less so in my opinion). So, its all fair. Drop the puck.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Athletes competing for their country at this level or any other meaningful level is special, no matter who's on the ice, the stage will provide an entertaining show. Hockey at this level is the best Hockey we see until the World Championships. Enjoy it. Most of these kids, this is the biggest event they will take part in their lives, this will be the most important Hockey they will play with a significant International audience, that itself provides theatrics as to who will create moments they and fans will never forget.

If you want to see dud Hockey, watch the nhl and their [MOD] bland show with the loud arena's and boring atmosphere's, terrible on ice product.

This is the best Hockey until April, because it's the only meaningful Hockey we see until then.

Have fun kids.

 

[JackSlater]

2017* My question is not excitement or drama levels. My question is regarding if there are any high profile prospects? This year there seems to be a lack of high skill level prospects to watch.

Seems like a lot of people are not interested in answering your actual question. Anyway, I do think that the level of top end talent is not so high this year. The best players are in the NHL and the upcoming draft looks weak at the top end.

 

[93LEAFS]

2017* World Juniors. Is this year's world juniors going to be a dud in terms of the quantity of high profile prospects to keep an eye on. There doesn't seem to be an overly high amount of skill on any team compared to previous years....

There is no McDavid tier player and its a bit of a dud in regards to draftable prospects. The most exciting kid there who isn't drafted is a 2018 guy. But, there are still a bunch of interesting guys to watch for 2017 like Hischier, Pettersson, Necas, and Tolvanen.

There are still a bunch of high profile prospects who will be in prominent roles, the last two 3rd overalls are there in prominent roles. I think some of the hype is lessened due to the fact they both play for smaller market teams.

 

[Cursed Lemon]

207 world juniors > 2017 world juniors

Jagr really lit that tournament up

 

[Jussi]

No it won't lol This tournament is never a dud.

Hmmm...I could've sworn several Canadians thinking exactly that last year. I wonder why...?

 

[Statsy]

Hmmm...I could've sworn several Canadians thinking exactly that last year. I wonder why...?

Nope, we thought the Canadian team was a dud. The tournament was AMAZING!

 

[PG Canuck]

WJC is never a dull moment.

 

[snipes]

Hmmm...I could've sworn several Canadians thinking exactly that last year. I wonder why...?

Don't mistake us being angry about our team for us not liking the tournament.

Suomi hosted an excellent tournament and the atmosphere was awesome. I watched every single game of the tournament like many Canadians.

 

[1989]

Looking forward to seeing Keller in this tournament.

Does anyone know if the Svechnikov the Younger (Andrei) is eligible/will be attending this tournament?

Not super-excited for Canada's team this year but the most important thing is great hockey; nationality comes second.

 

[snipes]

Looking forward to seeing Keller in this tournament.

Does anyone know if the Svechnikov the Younger (Andrei) is eligible/will be attending this tournament?

Not super-excited for Canada's team this year but the most important thing is great hockey; nationality comes second.

What? Hockey is the only thing Canadians are fervently nationalistic about to the point of it being damn near war for us. I have no idea what you're talking about. Hockey is who we are.

For Svechnikov, I haven't heard anything. Doubtful though, Bragin likes taking 19 year olds.

Canada isn't bringing a superstar squad, but it sounds like they are bringing a team first attitude and everyone is buying in. We've won Gold with less talent than this squad. If these boys play the Canadian way with a relentless wave after wave forecheck full of heart and soul, then I think there's no reason why they can't win Gold. Goaltending will need to come up big, I like our goalies.