GDT: 2018 WJC • Game 09 • Group B: SWE (3) - CZE (1) F

[snipes]

Nice game by the Czechs. I am really happy to see that we are able to match Swedes in skills and at times we were even the better team. Just shame about the first period. As someone who has watched WJCs last ca ten years it is something that is new for me and very enjoyable
Swedes are still the better and more skilful team and the win was well deserved though.

Czechs played very well. Unfortunately the Swedish PP was just too much for you guys.

 

[Sojourn]

Another thing, people tend to focus on flashy offensive moves nowadays, but did people see the poised defense Dahlin played today? He made smart play after smart play, and whenever he goes into a board battle he either comes out with the puck or at least locks up his guy enough to give his teammates the advantage.

He had a couple of mistakes, but on the whole I agree. He was a steadying presence. Just looked very in control, even at times you might see someone else get scrambly.

It’s hard to compare the hype against a forward. A guy like Matthews, for example, you knew he was going to be good. It’s more a question of how good. Same with someone like McDavid.

I’m actually not sure the last time I’ve seen a defenseman and felt as confident about them as an equivalent prospect forward in terms of risk and potential. I don’t see anything about Dahlin’s game that makes me think “I don’t know if that’s going to translate quite as well at the NHL player.”

As firstemperor said, Hedman comes to mind, but size was a big factor there.

 

[DDRhockey]

Hedman had a higher ceiling at the same age, mostly due to his gigantic size and skating but I like him more than Larsson who was pretty hyped up as well. Either way, there's no Tavares in this draft so a good chance Dahlin goes #1 (Svechnikov is the only remote competitor as of now).

I don't like to say he's a lock to be #1 even though he looks the part because I still remember a few years back how dominant Pujlu was at the WJC until Laine had that lights out playoff performance at the FEL.

Good chance? Dahlin goes #1

 

[snipes]

Hedman and Doughty weren't too far.

Those were the two that came to mind. I remember the Hedman hype but I think Dahlin is better at the same age.

 

[firstemperor]

Good chance? Dahlin goes #1

Well If I were an odds-maker, it'd be north of 90% but nothing's a foregone conclusion. I didn't think Laine would go #2 after the WJC In his year either and he ended up being the overwhelming #2 (his playoff performance in the FEL + Pujlu's drop off post-WJC).

 

[zeke]

Was it? Gonna rematch and focus on more individual play.

i'm not 100% but i'm pretty sure it was liljy's pair up against zadina a whole bunch....and zadina scored when liljy was off from that nutshot.

but I didn't watch that close all game to know for sure.

 

[BigBadBoar]

Nice game by the Czechs. I am really happy to see that we are able to match Swedes in skills and at times we were even the better team. Just shame about the first period. As someone who has watched WJCs last ca ten years it is something that is new for me and very enjoyable
Swedes are still the better and more skilful team and the win was well deserved though.

Yes, the Swedes deserved to win, they have shown more consistence in the game. The Czechs put much energy into the 2nd period, in which they certainly were the better team, while the Swedes, on the other hand, managed to spend some stamina during that period, and after the Czechs couldn't score during the 2 men advantage and the Swedes capitalized on their power play at the opposite end, thy controlled the rest of the game.
But I agree this Czech team certainly looks better than in the previous years. Some, say 6-9 years ago, games like this were painful to watch for the Czech fans, as they got beaten by scores like 8-1 or similar regularly.
I hope things are really changing to better. As I observe the situation in the kids' hockey, something has really changed, there are some young coaches incorporating modern methods into the practice, as far as I know, many boys who are now 12-15 are doing quite well on the speed skating tests and so on. I believe we are on the right path.

 

[Snuuzi]

Sweden controlled first period, czechs the second period, then the swedes again in the third. Entertaining game overall.

Also gotta love how Dahlin was always in control on the powerplays. Amazing vision. Put him with a premium scorer in the NHL and they will be scary.

 

[zeke]

Lol sums up my experience on HFBoards for the WJC so far. I can't imagine what it was like when Rielly and Marner were in the tournament.

oh man hfboards hated marner so much at the wjc. it was glorious.

and kadri, oh man.

 

[Appleyard]

Those were the two that came to mind. I remember the Hedman hype but I think Dahlin is better at the same age.

He is.

And this is coming from a MODO fan. Hedman was excellent... but Dahlin is better.

Hedman had the fact he was more 'man' than most 30 year olds in the SHL on his side, and also had Mattias Timander shepherding him. Dahlin is Frölunda's best Dman, helps partner Almqvist more than he gets help from him... and is quite frankly a top ~5 Dman in the SHL so far this season for me.

 

[Sojourn]

Those were the two that came to mind. I remember the Hedman hype but I think Dahlin is better at the same age.

The thing is, Larsson had some pretty crazy hype too. With Hedman, I remember a lot of talk about how a guy that big moved so well on the ice. Larsson had that whole “next Lidstrom” thing.

Doughty is a good one, and when I think of a defenseman with that kind of confidence and the ability to make those plays, he’s a pretty good example. I do wonder if Stamkos overshadowed him a bit. If Stamkos wasn’t in that draft, does Doughty get even more hype? Less? That was a good draft, but I remember it being Stamkos, and everyone else at the time.

How would Dahlin match up if there were someone like that in this draft? I actually think he’d still stand out, and not just as a “well, if you don’t get him... you still have this great young defenseman.”

 

[snipes]

He is.

And this is coming from a MODO fan. Hedman was excellent... but Dahlin is better.

Hedman had the fact he was more 'man' than most 30 year olds in the SHL on his side, and also had Mattias Timander shepherding him. Dahlin is Frölunda's best Dman, helps partner Almqvist more than he gets help from him... and is quite frankly a top ~5 Dman in the SHL so far this season for me.

Yeah he's amazing, and I trust your judgment on these matters as you're a very informed hockey guy.

I can't remember a defenceman prospect as good as him and I've been playing/watching hockey my whole life.

 

[joey16]

Czechs played very well. Unfortunately the Swedish PP was just too much for you guys.

Yes, that is true.

 

[firstemperor]

oh man hfboards hated marner so much at the wjc. it was glorious.

and kadri, oh man.

The only sad thing about that debate was that those that disliked Marner tried to push Strome and it became a vicious cycle of Strome versus Marner. No side was free of fault but the extremists on both ends made the WJC unwatchable if you were reading that thread. It's just not enjoyable reading that nonsense as a hockey fan and purist.

It's sad but it's better to accept the reality that HF will always resort to that type of pettiness both ways, all the time. It's never going to change..

 

[snipes]

The thing is, Larsson had some pretty crazy hype too. With Hedman, I remember a lot of talk about how a guy that big moved so well on the ice. Larsson had that whole “next Lidstrom” thing.

Doughty is a good one, and when I think of a defenseman with that kind of confidence and the ability to make those plays, he’s a pretty good example. I do wonder if Stamkos overshadowed him a bit. If Stamkos wasn’t in that draft, does Doughty get even more hype? Less? That was a good draft, but I remember it being Stamkos, and everyone else at the time.

How would Dahlin match up if there were someone like that in this draft? I actually think he’d still stand out.

He'd absolutely still stand out, he's a wizard with the puck and very good defensively.

The way he moves on the PP screams elite.

 

[93LEAFS]

After the draft, Many thought Alex would be the better Nhl player! Sometimes it takes longer for prospects to show up(See Puljarvi) sometimes they bust also. Thinks that Alex will be a fine Nhl player 25 g season player. Pretty sure that injurys has hold him back a bit.
Like William who looked like the real deal in the worlds and last Nhl season, and now he has mostly played 4th line hockey.

William mostly plays in our top 9, and took occasional shifts on the 4th. This guy playing 4th line hockey would be on pace for the 5th most points on your team only trailing RNH and Lucic by 1 point.

I'd also disagree with the "many" aspect of people who thought he'd be better. Most people thought Alex played a more pro and less selfish game, but William possessed the more dynamic skill set and had erased most of these concerns by the time of Alex's draft due to his stint with the Marlies. Gare Joyce did a sizable piece on it talking with NHL scouts and most came to the conclusion that William was the more talented player. That was also pretty much the view of most people in Sweden who was them in the J-20'S and other Swedish development leagues.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

oh man hfboards hated marner so much at the wjc. it was glorious.

and kadri, oh man.

Yeah I remember marner got shit on badly in our game vs Finland even though he was easily our best player

 

[Hale The Villain]

Worth pointing out that Hedman was also playing in his 18YR old season in his draft year, as he was a late '90 born kid in the '91 born draft.

At the same age as Dahlin, Hedman had 2 goals and 4 points in 39 games for Modo. It was his 18YR old season when he broke out offensively and put up similar numbers to what Dahlin is producing now at age 17.

 

[Sojourn]

He'd absolutely still stand out, he's a wizard with the puck and very good defensively.

The way he moves on the PP screams elite.

That’s what I think too.

He’s not just a defenseman with remarkable physical talent. He’s a guy who has the smarts and vision to keep up with his physical abilities.

 

[Phil McKraken]

Hedman and Doughty weren't too far.

Never watched Doughty at 17, but as a Modo fan I was never as high on Hedman as I am on Dahlin. Hedman already had perfect senior hockey physique at 17, and played with Timander who covered up his frequent mistakes and questionable plays, which probably helped him go so high in the draft.

Dahlin at 17 reminds me more of Timander himself than of Hedman, he's that mature.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Yeah he's amazing, and I trust your judgment on these matters as you're a very informed hockey guy.

I can't remember a defenceman prospect as good as him and I've been playing/watching hockey my whole life.

Yeah me as well. He reminds me of McDavid in that he has the physical tools that great players have, but the way he sees and processes the game just sets him apart. Skating fast and having good hands is awesome, but his ability to have his mind keep up to do the right thing in a split second is incredible

 

[93LEAFS]

Yeah I remember marner got **** on badly in our game vs Finland even though he was easily our best player

A bunch of Vancouver fans tried to scapegoat him to take away from Virtanen having arguably the worst game I've seen by an expected leader in an elimination game.

 

[Saablic]

Congratz to Sweden. But our team played very well, Zadina had superb chance in 5-3 PP, who knows how would the match ended if he´d score. Too much respect in 1st period. Second period was the best for our team, speed, skating, chances (I think we hit the post once), good match against gold medal adept. I hope our team will show the same performance against Belarus and Switzerland, 2nd place in group could be real then.

 

[McClelland]

William mostly plays in our top 9, and took occasional shifts on the 4th. This guy playing 4th line hockey would be on pace for the 5th most points on your team only trailing RNH and Lucic by 1 point.

I'd also disagree with the "many" aspect of people who thought he'd be better. Most people thought Alex played a more pro and less selfish game, but William possessed the more dynamic skill set and had erased most of these concerns by the time of Alex's draft due to his stint with the Marlies. Gare Joyce did a sizable piece on it talking with NHL scouts and most came to the conclusion that William was the more talented player. That was also pretty much the view of most people in Sweden who was them in the J-20'S and other Swedish development leagues.

First of all, Nylander was demoted to 4th line after a rough start, not a couple of shifts! William has looked good lately, but not change the truth,

False about Sweden too, Hockey people had Alex 60-40 to be the better Nhl player, After the worlds and Willys rookie season the winds changed fast. Alex has had a lot of injurie time and perhaps a good juniors can have him going, Hes grittier then Willy and has a better and accurate shot too.

Fashion change every day and its easy to forget a player who has been gone with injurys a long time, but the kid has potentional!

Of course as a Leaf homer you stand behind your pick, willy is good but so are Alex, only different team and different injurie history, we have to wait and see!

 

[93LEAFS]

He is.

And this is coming from a MODO fan. Hedman was excellent... but Dahlin is better.

Hedman had the fact he was more 'man' than most 30 year olds in the SHL on his side, and also had Mattias Timander shepherding him. Dahlin is Frölunda's best Dman, helps partner Almqvist more than he gets help from him... and is quite frankly a top ~5 Dman in the SHL so far this season for me.

Big thing Hedman had was he came along at the heart of the Chara hype, and he had the frame of Chara and skated like Bouwmeester. Hedman depended more on projection than Dahlin will. Dahlin has great tools that make him likely to be a franchise defender at the NHL level.

I'd think if we were to compare draft hype for them, Dahlin would have an edge, but I don't think they'd be viewed as a tier apart. Off the top of my head, in the last decade it would probably go like this.

Dahlin
Hedman
Jones
Doughty
Bogosian