WJC: 2021 Russia Roster Talk

[Firsov99]

The point is that he gives up an exceptionally high number of goals on screen shots. If a goalie is vulnerable to being screened, it is a psychological boon to opponents and a downer for the team. He got pulled twice in last year's WJC, and ultimately never returned, because he couldn't handle what seemed to be routine outside shots. He couldn't track the puck. There are going to be penalties, and a lot of shots on the power play come from the outside. You can't afford to make that an automatic goal. Yes, his defense in front of him could do a better job of blocking shots and clearing the puck, but that is what we have.

Askarov is still a “work in progress”. He is only 18, and I think it’s unfair to expect a complete product by this tender age. Especially for a goalie. Vasy might have seemed much more composed and ergonomic when he played at this level, but he would struggle mightily against screened shots and was a very poor puck handler (much worse then Askarov now) when he came to the NHL at the age of twenty. If Askarov doesn’t improve his weaknesses in the next 2 years or so, then it could become a concern for his transition to the next level.

 

[VVP]

Askarov is the least of Russia's concerns. He probably will not be the reason why Russia will lose the next game (If they do). The team has too many other problems.

After watching all quarterfinals it doesn't look like any of the teams are unbeatable. Canada does look strong but still I saw some holes in its game. Will Larionov be able to find a way to beat them? Big question. Russia so far played 5 games, 2 good games and 3 poor games. It still looks like the biggest enigma. If they play a good game they surely can squeak a 3:2 win. If they play like against Germany they will lose easy.

 

[Yakushev72]

Askarov is still a “work in progress”. He is only 18, and I think it’s unfair to expect a complete product by this tender age. Especially for a goalie. Vasy might have seemed much more composed and ergonomic when he played at this level, but he would struggle mightily against screened shots and was a very poor puck handler (much worse then Askarov now) when he came to the NHL at the age of twenty. If Askarov doesn’t improve his weaknesses in the next 2 years or so, then it could become a concern for his transition to the next level.

Askarov is in every other way exceptionally talented, and he makes a lot of really great saves on breakaways and in scrums close to the net. He has the potential to be a dominant goaltender, no doubt, but his vulnerability in tracking outside shots bouncing off of bodies has to be solved. My guess is that Canada will stack up bodies in front of him on the power play, so the coaching staff has to help him and come up with solutions to help him to manage the situation. One is to try much harder (very poor team effort so far) to block shots and force shooters to their off-side so that it is harder to get pucks on net.

 

[Yakushev72]

Askarov is the least of Russia's concerns. He probably will not be the reason why Russia will lose the next game (If they do). The team has too many other problems.

After watching all quarterfinals it doesn't look like any of the teams are unbeatable. Canada does look strong but still I saw some holes in its game. Will Larionov be able to find a way to beat them? Big question. Russia so far played 5 games, 2 good games and 3 poor games. It still looks like the biggest enigma. If they play a good game they surely can squeak a 3:2 win. If they play like against Germany they will lose easy.

I am unsure as to whether this team just lacks talent, or if coaching has failed to produce ways to put their talents on display. The 2019 and 2020 teams seemed much more talented and explosive in scoring. It is hard to fathom how such a big country could produce so few really talented guys. I hope they show up tomorrow and make a liar of me against Canada. If they find a way to get past Canada, I have no doubt that they will win a Gold Medal.

 

[Passionis]

I am unsure as to whether this team just lacks talent, or if coaching has failed to produce ways to put their talents on display. The 2019 and 2020 teams seemed much more talented and explosive in scoring. It is hard to fathom how such a big country could produce so few really talented guys. I hope they show up tomorrow and make a liar of me against Canada. If they find a way to get past Canada, I have no doubt that they will win a Gold Medal.

I agree.

Posession - great!
Winning puck battles - great!
Forecheck - great!
Passing - improved!
Positional attack - decent.
Shooting - very poor
Creative scoring plays - poor
Individual creative plays - poor
Discipline - poor

When it comes to being dangerous in attack, Not very confidence inspiring.

 

[Yakushev72]

I agree.

Posession - great!
Winning puck battles - great!
Forecheck - great!
Passing - improved!
Positional attack - decent.
Shooting - very poor
Creative scoring plays - poor
Individual creative plays - poor
Discipline - poor

When it comes to being dangerous in attack, Not very confidence inspiring.

I think your analysis perfectly summarizes it!

 

[c9gunner]

I'm confident that this team will show their best tomorrow. Would it be enough? I don't know, but we will see a good game tomorrow for sure. Go Russia!

 

[Firsov99]

Askarov is in every other way exceptionally talented, and he makes a lot of really great saves on breakaways and in scrums close to the net. He has the potential to be a dominant goaltender, no doubt, but his vulnerability in tracking outside shots bouncing off of bodies has to be solved. My guess is that Canada will stack up bodies in front of him on the power play, so the coaching staff has to help him and come up with solutions to help him to manage the situation. One is to try much harder (very poor team effort so far) to block shots and force shooters to their off-side so that it is harder to get pucks on net.

I agree with you that Canada will try stack up bodies in front of him. Canadian players will also try to shoot high on him since Askarov loves to go to butterfly and leaves some space upstairs. He will certainly get some tips from his coaches, but I am not sure he can fix his weaknesses so promptly. But like you said, the team effort around Askarov will be critical. Blocking shots and doing everything to improve Askarov’s visibility angles will help the Russian goalie the most.

 

[ViD]

I was rewatching the 2009 semi final between Canada and Russia, the one when Eberle scored the tying goal with 5 sec left.

I was amazed how terrible the Russian team was, possibly one of the worst ever, the only players who eventually had a decent NHL career were Dadonov, Voynov and Kulikov. Filatov was the main star and the goalie was now forgotten Vadim Zhelobnyuk.

Canada was ridiculously stacked - Tavares, Benn, Subban, Pietrangelo, Ellis, etc.

Somehow we battled real good and came back time after time and then took the lead with 2 minutes left.
Klopov had a chance to score an empty netter to end it but stupidly missed to create an icing for Kulikov and Filatov to completely misplay the puck being unable to clear the zone that led to Eberle goal.

I remember being in shock but still considered our team heroes as Canada won 4 golds in a row back then and almost eliminating them with that team was nearly a miracle.

I think our chances are much much better this year, so let’s hope for the best.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

I was rewatching the 2009 semi final between Canada and Russia, the one when Eberle scored the tying goal with 5 sec left.

I was amazed how terrible the Russian team was, possibly one of the worst ever, the only players who eventually had a decent NHL career were Dadonov, Voynov and Kulikov. Filatov was the main star and the goalie was now forgotten Vadim Zhelobnyuk.

Canada was ridiculously stacked - Tavares, Benn, Subban, Pietrangelo, Ellis, etc.

Somehow we battled real good and came back time after time and then took the lead with 2 minutes left.
Klopov had a chance to score an empty netter to end it but stupidly missed to create an icing for Kulikov and Filatov to completely misplay the puck being unable to clear the zone that led to Eberle goal.

I remember being in shock but still considered our team heroes as Canada won 4 golds in a row back then and almost eliminating them with that team was nearly a miracle.

I think our chances are much much better this year, so let’s hope for the best.

That's a good point, it should be a close and interesting game. I think that Russia can show up in this game and if they're fired up and motivated enough, they can beat Canada. Let's go boys!

 

[BlitzSnipe]

I agree.

Posession - great!
Winning puck battles - great!
Forecheck - great!
Passing - improved!
Positional attack - decent.
Shooting - very poor
Creative scoring plays - poor
Individual creative plays - poor
Discipline - poor

When it comes to being dangerous in attack, Not very confidence inspiring.

Ponomarev's goal vs. Germany was pretty slick though. Honestly, I think they do have that talent, but Larionov wants them to play a team game. In terms of creative scoring plays, I agree that they need to improve, but I think the potential is there. The shooting and discipline also needs to be better but I think that entire "impression" can change within the scope of a match. Hopefully this match will be the next match against Canada.

 

[Kshahdoo]

When it was back to Soviet times, I always loved more, when we played Canada, than Czechoslovakia, another our big rival. Because it was always open hockey vs Canadians, hockey, where those, who had bigger guns, won. While Czechs always tried to outtrap us.

Nowadays it's still the same. We didn't look great vs Czech and Germany, while did much better vs USA and Sweden. I'd say, Canada is going to play its Canadian hockey, which this Russian team is much better suited to play against.

And I don't understand all the whining against Larionov's style. This team just doesn't have enough talent even comparing to USA and Sweden, let alone Canada. We've already done very well. I'm looking forward to 2023 WJC, when we'll have arguably the most talented roster, playing on the Russian ice.

This team just has a lot of pro experience that helps it to play vs junior teams, talent wise it's not that great - to put it mildly.

 

[Yakushev72]

I agree with you that Canada will try stack up bodies in front of him. Canadian players will also try to shoot high on him since Askarov loves to go to butterfly and leaves some space upstairs. He will certainly get some tips from his coaches, but I am not sure he can fix his weaknesses so promptly. But like you said, the team effort around Askarov will be critical. Blocking shots and doing everything to improve Askarov’s visibility angles will help the Russian goalie the most.

I agree totally.

 

[Yakushev72]

When it was back to Soviet times, I always loved more, when we played Canada, than Czechoslovakia, another our big rival. Because it was always open hockey vs Canadians, hockey, where those, who had bigger guns, won. While Czechs always tried to outtrap us.

Nowadays it's still the same. We didn't look great vs Czech and Germany, while did much better vs USA and Sweden. I'd say, Canada is going to play its Canadian hockey, which this Russian team is much better suited to play against.

And I don't understand all the whining against Larionov's style. This team just doesn't have enough talent even comparing to USA and Sweden, let alone Canada. We've already done very well. I'm looking forward to 2023 WJC, when we'll have arguably the most talented roster, playing on the Russian ice.

This team just has a lot of pro experience that helps it to play vs junior teams, talent wise it's not that great - to put it mildly.

Good points! Canada has too many talented NHL prospects to be used as role players, such as a 5-man trap in the neutral zone. They are likely to go on an all-out forecheck attack, which could possibly set up Russian counterattacks in a deserted Canadian defensive zone.

 

[snipes]

Good points! Canada has too many talented NHL prospects to be used as role players, such as a 5-man trap in the neutral zone. They are likely to go on an all-out forecheck attack, which could possibly set up Russian counterattacks in a deserted Canadian defensive zone.

This is what makes the games against our countries so exciting. It’s the contrasting styles that make for such good hockey.

Canada plays a very aggressive North-South heavy forechecking type of game and Russia/Soviets a strong counter attack with more East-West play through the neutral zone and top of the offensive zone.

The clashing styles play into each others strengths and makes for exciting end to end hockey pretty much every time we play.

 

[Yakushev72]

This is what makes the games against our countries so exciting. It’s the contrasting styles that make for such good hockey.

Canada plays a very aggressive North-South heavy forechecking type of game and Russia/Soviets a strong counter attack with more East-West play through the neutral zone and top of the offensive zone.

The clashing styles play into each others strengths and makes for exciting end to end hockey pretty much every time we play.

Yes, I like the fact that Canada doesn't do anything really fancy. They just use the depth of talent that their program produces and go right at you. Russia knows what they will have to do to have a chance to win. The question is will they get smothered before they have a chance to execute it.

 

[ViD]

I mean if the pre tourney game is anything to go by it’s anyone’s game to take. Canada had more control over the game but Russia had more grade A chances

 

[nightranger]

I'm confident that this team will show their best tomorrow. Would it be enough? I don't know, but we will see a good game tomorrow for sure. Go to Russia!

As a Canadian, I am pulling for you guys. I've always been proud that my Maternal Grandparents were from a country that was part of the Soviet Union and admire Eastern Euro culture and let's face it the gene pool is phenomenal.
Every year Canada brings a team that on paper should dominate (they should with the money spent) this season has 20 first-round picks but were outplayed by the Czechs.
Team Russia may lack the firepower but I think they play a much better structured fundamental game.
Podz is a perfect example of why I prefer the Russian style so much. Loyal, hardworking and so mature. My fellow Canadians might not agree but I think any kid from team Canada would look like fools in the KHL where it's team first and defence matters. Good luck today, I'll be cheering from Vancouver.

 

[Juppy61]

Good points! Canada has too many talented NHL prospects to be used as role players, such as a 5-man trap in the neutral zone. They are likely to go on an all-out forecheck attack, which could possibly set up Russian counterattacks in a deserted Canadian defensive zone.

That’s my biggest fear. That Russian counter attack. Canada needs to find a way to play the forecheck but be mindful at all times. Nobody counter attacks like Russian hockey teams. No one period.

 

[Yakushev72]

That’s my biggest fear. That Russian counter attack. Canada needs to find a way to play the forecheck but be mindful at all times. Nobody counter attacks like Russian hockey teams. No one period.

Probably nothing to fear. Canada has been unstoppable so far!

 

[Juppy61]

Probably nothing to fear. Canada has been unstoppable so far!

I wasn’t overly impressed with them at the Czech game. I’m not sure if Canada’s effort was hamstrung by the way the Czechs played or not. We will see.

 

[SoulDale]

The clash of two philosophies of world hockey

 

[NyQuil]

The clash of two philosophies of world hockey

Meh, not any more.

 

[ViD]

Great ‘encouraging’ words from Fetisov

Фетисов о молодежке: «Не понимаю, зачем Ларионов ввязался в это. Он станет национальным героем или врагом»

 

[kmart]

i think he spoke the truth... however i doubt that this interview was recorded recently. fetisov wouldnt say something like this while the prof. is in the middle of the knock out stage...again, he is not wrong... if u are a great coach u kinda wasting ur talent on a national team because ur coaching time/possibility is very limited.