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WJC: 2021 Sweden Roster Talk

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I know this won't happen, because splitting Raymond and Holtz seems to be sacrilege in the eyes of Team Sweden.

But they really need to split them up. There's currently 2 lines that is working, Costmar's unit, and Niederbach's.

To get Holtz and Raymond started, Put them on one of those lines that is working (For example Holtz on a line with Söderblom and Niederbach) and Raymond on a line together with Costmar.
 
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OgeeOgelthorpe said:
I agree with every single one of your points.

They didn't come alive until halfway through the 2nd. I think their marching orders from the bench are to play passively, head man the puck on the breakout but don't rush it too much or too far. Towards the middle of the game that's when you could see Broberg take a few chances skating it into the zone and Johansson as well.

I don't think Holtz is enough of an offense creator on his own. Raymond was locked down for a good part of this game by Russia, so Holtz was the main man on the line last night and he did not distribute well. When Raymond was open he wasn't getting him the puck, and Sundsvik should be nowhere near a scoring line. As a Wings fan it reminds me of Jeff Blashill playing old man Frans Nielsen on the 2nd line. Not the place.

Broberg did not look good last night. I can think of 2 shifts where he looked like a positive difference maker. Soderstrom was way too passive as well. Johansson sucked in the first period but he looked like he knew it and was doing is damnedest to make up for it in the 2nd and 3rd. At least he started to show some intensity. I can't say the same for the others.

That third pair for Sweden was just...bad. No hustle out of them. Berglund plays with a bit of jam and has decent wheels. He should have been on. And 100% on Olausson. I want to see that kid get a better chance. He's so fast and has some of the best hands on all of team Sweden.

At least Sweden's 2nd and 3rd lines came to play.
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Still think Holtz and Raymond have to many overlapping skills. Holtz is a better playmaker than most give him credit for, and only one player can have the puck at any given time. Swap Holtz and Gunler. Done.
 
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"wicked post nut clarity":huh:

The Swedish PK was poor. It seems like they didn't understand the concept of spacing. Was very disappointed in the Defence, and the forecheck was almost non existent. If the plan was to clog up the neutral zone, then it wasn't working. The Russians were getting up a head of steam and blowing by the D. Swedes are talented enough, but need to see more intensity from everyone, not just a few players.
 
57special said:
"wicked post nut clarity":huh:

The Swedish PK was poor. It seems like they didn't understand the concept of spacing. Was very disappointed in the Defence, and the forecheck was almost non existent. If the plan was to clog up the neutral zone, then it wasn't working. The Russians were getting up a head of steam and blowing by the D. Swedes are talented enough, but need to see more intensity from everyone, not just a few players.
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The Russians has played together for months. The Swedes has played together a few games. It should show, and it does.

On the bright side, the Swedes probably learned more from this game than the Russians did. Losing is always a jagged pill to swallow, but it makes you develop.
 
Holtz was the play driver on that line last night. He wants the puck entering the zone just as much as Raymond. These lines need to get split up, maybe this was an ideal fit two years ago but both players evolved and it seems to be a waste.
 
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Jason MacIsaac said:
Holtz was the play driver on that line last night. He wants the puck entering the zone just as much as Raymond. These lines need to get split up, maybe this was an ideal fit two years ago but both players evolved and it seems to be a waste.
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I agree. I didnt like Raymonds game at all last night but part of that is on Holtz. He seems to be holding onto the puck like crazy and only looking to tee up shots. I also dont like how often Holtz gets a pass on the PP, sits at the top of the circle with it, lets the goalie get set and then shoots.

Raymond needed to play with more intensity and get off the perimeter. It looks like they need to get split up and get the best out of both these guys. Theres 2 other lines that have played pretty well and adding one of these guys to each could make them way better. It also doesnt allow teams to completely focus on one line
 
newfy said:
I agree. I didnt like Raymonds game at all last night but part of that is on Holtz. He seems to be holding onto the puck like crazy and only looking to tee up shots. I also dont like how often Holtz gets a pass on the PP, sits at the top of the circle with it, lets the goalie get set and then shoots.

Raymond needed to play with more intensity and get off the perimeter. It looks like they need to get split up and get the best out of both these guys. Theres 2 other lines that have played pretty well and adding one of these guys to each could make them way better. It also doesnt allow teams to completely focus on one line
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The PP is thru Holtz unfortunately, I don't think that will change. Soderblom maybe big, but he does a terrible job blocking the goaltenders vision. Holtz is usually waiting for the screen which is often late. I think Gunler should be the high bumper on the PP where Paccioretty has done so well in the NHL. Then atleast you have two threats to score. Nobody else on that first PP unit is a real shooting threat.

Coaching and defense are the Swedes two real issues this year. Does the coach have thr balls to tweak lines and PP setup? I don't think so.
 
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Jason MacIsaac said:
The PP is thru Holtz unfortunately, I don't think that will change. Soderblom maybe big, but he does a terrible job blocking the goaltenders vision. Holtz is usually waiting for the screen which is often late. I think Gunler should be the high bumper on the PP where Paccioretty has done so well in the NHL. Then atleast you have two threats to score. Nobody else on that first PP unit is a real shooting threat.

Coaching and defense are the Swedes two real issues this year. Does the coach have thr balls to tweak lines and PP setup? I don't think so.
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I don’t think defense is a problem, as long as they don’t play injured players...
 
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swedehollow said:
I don’t think defense is a problem, as long as they don’t play injured players...
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I'm actually more concerned about the fact the non-injured D are playing so poorly tbh. The whole top 4 was below par yesterday and the rest of the D group wasn't very good to begin with. Hopefully they pull their crap together in time for the playoff games.
 
Jason MacIsaac said:
The PP is thru Holtz unfortunately, I don't think that will change. Soderblom maybe big, but he does a terrible job blocking the goaltenders vision. Holtz is usually waiting for the screen which is often late. I think Gunler should be the high bumper on the PP where Paccioretty has done so well in the NHL. Then atleast you have two threats to score. Nobody else on that first PP unit is a real shooting threat.

Coaching and defense are the Swedes two real issues this year. Does the coach have thr balls to tweak lines and PP setup? I don't think so.
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Running the PP through him is fine, but you dont beat goalies by waiting for a screen to set up, let the goalie get set and then take a snapper into the goalie. If youre not getting teed up for a good one timer, swing it around a bit more
 
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I thought Bjornfot had a pretty solid game. He pretty much neutralized Turcotte every step of the way. As a Kings fan it was fun watching them battle, and besides Turcotte's mostly-lucky goal, Tobias had the upper hand. Offense just didn't generate any real chances until the last five minutes of the game.
 
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Jason MacIsaac said:
Coaching and defense are the Swedes two real issues this year. Does the coach have thr balls to tweak lines and PP setup? I don't think so.
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Yeah I don't blame him because the situation is what it is, but Sweden looks like a team without a coach. Very little adjustments made, it was kinda sad to watch in this game how nothing was done even after done 4-0. Would have at least been a good time to try and shake up the lines and split up Holts and Raymond to see if some spark could be found.
 
I was firmly against splitting up Raymond and Holtz when it was suggested in this thread prior to the tournament. I think there is great value in players having familiarity with their linemates. However, their line is clearly struggling at the moment and the most important lesson you can take from failure is to always change a losing game. Just to have a different look might give the team some spark. The coach needs to do SOMETHING.
 
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Something that'll never happen, but I think would be the optimal lineup heading into the Finland game:

Olausson - Niederbach - Holtz
Raymond - Costmar - Gunler
Holmström - Sundsvik - Söderblom
Heineman - Nybeck - Kvist - Wikström/Bjerselius

Johansson - Söderström
Björnfot - Andrae
Hedström - Berglund
Brännstam

Wallstedt
 
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Dala said:
Björnfot has been excellent. Best D in Sweden by far.
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The US game was his best so far but I wouldn't say he's been excellent, he ends up on the wrong side of his opponent far too often for my liking.
 
He's been fully occupied cleaning up from when his D partners are out of position.
Not to say they are/he is fault free, of course not, far from it. They are still young after all.
 
On Saturday, the talk will be about how either :

* Sweden bounced back after 2 tough losses or
* How they completely collapsed after the round robin record was broken.

I'm hoping the former.
 
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