WC: 2018 - Team Czech Republic

[pecheq]

1. SWE
2. USA
3. CAN
4. FIN
Czech team QF loss

 

[Maluk11]

Bunch of Czech and World Championships fans on here... thought we could lay out how we think the Czechs will do and who we think the medalists will be before the tourney begins.

It's sure good idea. But maybe we should start separate thread for it. It could be disorganized here in while. I can start something if you want? Or if you or anybody else want to do it, go for it.

 

[Retroglyphs]

Practice line-up today
Francouz ( Rittich, Hrachovina)
Jordán - Gudas
Moravčík - Sklenička
Šulák - Polášek
Pyrochta - Hronek
Musil - Krejčík
Červenka - Faksa - Hyka
Jaškin - Nečas - Nestrašil
Kubalík - Plekanec - Řepík
Kousal - Horák - Šťastný
Chytil - Hanzl - Kaut

Hanzl is still not 100% healthy, it seems he won't be okay at Slovakia.
And Šimek didn't pass medical checkup, this is the problem with him. But he should try it again later, so there is still some hope.

@Maluk11: Pretty solid line-up. Thanks for the great regular updates in here!
Many people don't seem to expect a lot from the Czechs at this WHC, but I think they'll be a positive surprise in the A group together with the Swiss team.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

So Chytil won't play the first game?

 

[Czechboy]

I'll put my prediction here but if it goes to a separate thread I'll copy and paste it:

1. Canada
2. USA
3. Sweden

This is the first time I can recall picking the States to medal at the World's but their team looks really good to me and I wouldn't want to face them in a quarter (I don't think their round robin will go smoothly but they will improve with each game). I think Canada sweeps it... those forwards are ridiculous and Connor is not human.

I have the Czechs losing in the quarters as well. I hope I'm wrong, I'd love to be wrong as I love the extra 2 games on the Saturday and Sunday. I will cheer very loudly to the end but unless our pool play is spectacular our crossover game will be against one of the 3 teams I've picked above. Having said that... I like what Jandac has done and think he continues to do a great job so I won't blame him when we lose. I do hope he allows the young guys to make mistakes and grow and not bench them in favour of veterans that will never make the NHL.

My only gripe are no Frk or Zadina... the team isn't built to win a gold medal and I would've liked to have seen them get a chance at the World's since we'll probably lose anyways. Hope this raises Kaut draft ranking as well. Curious to see how the D pan out and if any of them can crack the NHL next season like last seasons team? To me, on paper, it looks like a very weak D core. Musil should be paired with Sulak or Hronek.

 

[Vidy]

CZE = QF LOOSE

1. Canada
2. Sweden
3. USA
4. Russia

 

[Maluk11]

So Chytil won't play the first game?

Only practice lines for now, it can be different vs Slovakia. Hanzl won't play, Horák also with problems, nothing is for sure yet. But it's possible. They want go with 12 F and 7 D for start, so 3 forwards won't play first game.

 

[Czechboy]

Only practice lines for now, it can be different vs Slovakia. Hanzl won't play, Horák also with problems, nothing is for sure yet. But it's possible. They want go with 12 F and 7 D for start, so 3 forwards won't play first game.

It is amazing to me that they have Kaut ahead of Zadina and Chytil at this point...

 

[Jablkon]

Our Ds in this team imo exactly reflect the situation with defencemen in czech hockey. We can not constantly rely upon Nakladal, Kolar and Kundratek to save reputation of czech hockey and perform at least some solid defence.

I know Ds need more time but what still surprises me that apart from Hronek, Masin, Hajek, Zboril, there is no young guy who would make some impact overseas or anywhere else. Ok maybe Pyrochta now. Extraleague guys are mostly obviously not able to keep up with pace of int hockey. Having to say I dont see much progress here.

 

[Maluk11]

It is amazing to me that they have Kaut ahead of Zadina and Chytil at this point...

He played good so far. But they were on same line with Chytil today, so it's possible neither will play vs Slovakia.

 

[Jablkon]

Our Ds in this team imo exactly reflect the situation with defencemen in czech hockey. We can not constantly rely upon Nakladal, Kolar and Kundratek to save reputation of czech hockey and perform at least some solid defence.

I know Ds need more time but what still surprise me that apart from Hronek, Masin, Hajek, Zboril, there is no young guy who would make some impact overseas or anywhere else. Ok maybe Pyrochta now. Extraleague guys are mostly obviously not able to keep up with pace of int hockey. Having to say I dont much progress here.

 

[Czechboy]

Our Ds in this team imo exactly reflect the situation with defencemen in czech hockey. We can not constantly rely upon Nakladal, Kolar and Kundratek to save reputation of czech hockey and perform at least some solid defence.

I know Ds need more time but what still surprises me that apart from Hronek, Masin, Hajek, Zboril, there is no young guy who would make some impact overseas or anywhere else. Ok maybe Pyrochta now. Extraleague guys are mostly obviously not able to keep up with pace of int hockey. Having to say I dont see much progress here.

Exactly this.

Even relying on Nakladal, Kolar and Kundratek. I'll add Jordan to this list. I love these guys and how hard they compete but none of them could crack the NHL for a sustained period of time. So some of our best D are AHL level in North America.

Add in the 'current group' of Simek, Kempny, Jerabek, Rutta and Sulak. Only one with a job for next year is Rutta. Kempny is playing top 4 minutes in Washington so he might land a contract as well. Sulak and Simek didn't get very close to the NHL at all this season. Not sure about next season.

Then the 'core 4' of Hronek, Masin, Hajek and Zboril. Guess we'll see but I'd bank on 2 out of 4 become regular Top 4 NHL players. Zboril has been passed by both guys that were drafted after him in first round by Boston. Hronek feels like he might crack roster next season. Masin is buried under a ridiculously deep blue line in Tampa. Hajek is awesome and might get a chance in New York. Good situation for him, the trade moves him closer to NHL.

Then the NHL guys - Gudas will be in the NHL. Sustr ... no idea? Polak... only in Toronto.

I'd be really curious to see what our D core would look like if there was a World Cup or NHL Allowed Olympics coming up: Gudas, Rutta, Jerabek, Kempny, Hronek, Simek, Nakladal, Jordan?

For an example, Canada can cut PK Subban and still win Golds. Sweden doesn't include Klefbom and Larsson in their Top 6.

 

[jaro]

1 USA
2 CAN
3 FIN
4 SWE

 

[Wooren]

These lines are not looking good. Let Chytil, Kaut and Hronek play goddamn. This team is not medal contender either way anyway.

 

[Maluk11]

These lines are not looking good. Let Chytil, Kaut and Hronek play goddamn. This team is not medal contender either way anyway.

Hronek will play with Slovakia, even will be in PP unit. Josef Jandač said it.

 

[Maluk11]

Okay, I start the predictions thread. You can go there or continue here. It's up to you.

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/your-predictions.2486099/

 

[Mirinho]

Our Ds in this team imo exactly reflect the situation with defencemen in czech hockey. We can not constantly rely upon Nakladal, Kolar and Kundratek to save reputation of czech hockey and perform at least some solid defence.

I know Ds need more time but what still surprise me that apart from Hronek, Masin, Hajek, Zboril, there is no young guy who would make some impact overseas or anywhere else. Ok maybe Pyrochta now. Extraleague guys are mostly obviously not able to keep up with pace of int hockey. Having to say I dont much progress here.

I'm sure young Galvas and Zabransky will be good defenders. Galvas wasn't worse than Moravcik, Sklenicka etc.

 

[Maluk11]

I think Budík is little underrated here. He has more points this season in WHL then Hájek. I don't watch him, so my view has little value, but statistically speaking he is good.

 

[Pixie]

I think Budík is little underrated here. He has more points this season in WHL then Hájek. I don't watch him, so my view has little value, but statistically speaking he is good.

I agree with Budík, but Buffalo did not sign him yet. I also do not like these lines. I'll be mad if Chytil and Kaut they do not play the first game.

 

[Voodoozz]

As far as our D goes, I think Sklenička might draw some NHL attention sooner or later. He's got great wheels and very decent hands, if he can get "smarter" and calmer in both zones he will become a serviceable defenseman imo. Kid is still "only" 21.

And predictions ?

.. Well ...

1. CZE
2. RUS
3.CAN

I'm very aware i'll be dissappointed. Again.

 

[Pixie]

Yes Sklenička and I read that Filip Pyrochta has several offers from NHL http://hfboards.mandatory.com/threa...s-will-decide-by-the-end-of-the-week.2484711/

 

[Czechboy]

If we're talking about D I like... I really enjoyed Radim Salda's game as well.

 

[Wooren]

As far as our D goes, I think Sklenička might draw some NHL attention sooner or later. He's got great wheels and very decent hands, if he can get "smarter" and calmer in both zones he will become a serviceable defenseman imo. Kid is still "only" 21.

And predictions ?

.. Well ...

1. CZE
2. RUS
3.CAN

I'm very aware i'll be dissappointed. Again.

If I am an NHL team I am more interested in Sklenicka than Pyrochta to be honest. Whenever I see them in the national team, Sklenicka looks much better.

 

[Jablkon]

Czechboy mentioned quality of our Ds, but what also bothers me is quantity. When you count it, its horrible. We have so far 3 Ds in playoffs, two NHL guys who couldnt come, three "refusals" and two injuries and we are done. And if not done we are on level that we brought 3-4 rookies basically to development camp.

So 10 Ds couldn't come and thus only 4 plus 1 guy, who can clearly handle WHC, remain (Polasek, Jordan, Gudas, Sulak/Krejcik (basically both vulnurable) plus Hronek.

I mean Europe is completely washed.

Considering for how long they have been talking about Ds issue....those are pretty brutal numbers. I mean using WHC as development for your future NHL career is probably also the reason why we haven't medal.

Its just strange that there is nobody in Europe/Extraleague either younger or older who can handle this level (smth like Vykoukal, Veber used to be). Maybe more games in Champions league, I dont know, but they should somehow adress it bit. I just wonder what they even did with it. Even this year U18 team didn't look much promising. Or we already reached our limit? I don't know.

 

[Retroglyphs]

Czechboy mentioned quality of our Ds, but what also bothers me is quantity. When you count it, its horrible. We have so far 3 Ds in playoffs, two NHL guys who couldnt come, three "refusals" and two injuries and we are done. And if not done we are on level that we brought 3-4 rookies basically to development camp.

So 10 Ds couldn't come and thus only 4 plus 1 guy, who can clearly handle WHC, remain (Polasek, Jordan, Gudas, Sulak/Krejcik (basically both vulnurable) plus Hronek.

I mean Europe is completely washed.

Considering for how long they have been talking about Ds issue....those are pretty brutal numbers. I mean using WHC as development for your future NHL career is probably also the reason why we haven't medal.

Its just strange that there is nobody in Europe/Extraleague either younger or older who can handle this level (smth like Vykoukal, Veber used to be). Maybe more games in Champions league, I dont know, but they should somehow adress it bit. I just wonder what they even did with it. Even this year U18 team didn't look much promising. Or we already reached our limit? I don't know.

Your defense is as much a surprise egg as our wing (Team Germany).
The results may not always be pretty, but these young players will take a leap forward.