2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup

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If Finland defeats Germany Finland will have 7 points, which guarantees a top 2 finish. If Czechia defeats USA, they win the group. If they lose to USA, they're out.

So the two possibilities are:
1. Czechia
2. Finland
or
1. Finland
2. USA

Then again, maybe team Finland will surprise everyone and manage to lose to Germany. Still, this team's played surprisingly well so far and that'd be quite a shocking upset. But if Finland loses vs Germany or even only defeats them in OT, Finland deserves to miss semis.


And the whining about reffing is ridiculous. Finland scored one PP goal and USA scored one PP goal - Finland mostly wasted their opportunities so it hardly mattered even if one or two were borderline. Also, Finland got one good goal disallowed for no reason at all, which surely makes up for those questionable penalty calls.
 
It took first period for Kiviharju to settle down and he and Halttunen didnt quite connect on powerplay but his just been dominant 2nd and 3rd period
Loved Halttunen’s game against the states, he got better and better as game progressed. Such a skilled player with a howitzer of a shot, great release and small area skills. I agree with Craig button that as of today and what I’ve seen of this draft class to date, he’d be starting the year in my top 5-7. Kumpulainen looks like a potential first rounder as well. Is Jarventie better than his brother you think? Him and Nurmi were two I enjoyed watching, both very skilled and smart players, so quick on the puck and can make plays. The Finns looked impressive to me yesterday.

#23 for Finland gets to all the right spots and then does nothing once he’s there
Was that Kiiskinen? I thought he played a pretty good game overall, some good hockey sense on him and handles the puck well. Potential 2-3 round guy I’d imagine
 
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Whitelaw? Lemme quote an "expert".
Ya he had flashes this game, wasn’t nearly as good as he was vs the Germans, but tougher team for sure. He still had his moments but he’s going to have to learn to play off his line mates a bit better and find the soft spots, too often he tried to beat 2-3 defenders and skated himself into a wall. Really good skills though and an attacking mindset, wicked shot on him. I still think Musty is the most tantalizing prospect for this American team and has the chance to be a top 10-15 pick. I know the scouts love his overall package.

Sale is unreal…
Top 5 pick you think?
 
I like Mustys skill but his skating seems really bad.
Agreed it’s definitely not where it needs to be yet, I think the structure is fine it’s just a lack of leg strength in a big kid. To me if he can up his pace of play and work on his feet, quick starts, he’s going to be a star. A lot of skill and vision for a kid that size and a really good release. NHL scouts will be making the trip to Sudbury quite often

Havent quite seen mittens from Kumpulainen like that before
Loved his game yesterday, looks like he could be a potential first rounder

Barlow with another short handed goal on another breakaway.

3-0.

Marking this Barlow kid down to follow this year. Has some good size too along with good skating and nice hands.
Barlow will go in the first round for sure, one of the best pure goal scorers in the class. 30 plus goals as a rookie in the OHL is impressive. Smart 200 foot player with a pro frame too
 
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I agree.

With USA sending their B team and no Russia It’s Canada’s tournament to lose. No team can touch their roster in the slightest.
I get why everyone sees this as USA’s B team, and generally it is, but after going to the USA select 17 camp and the top 40 NTDP selection camp, more and more players are hesitant to commit two years to the program unless they know they’re going to play in top situations, some players are now rather choosing to play with their own junior teams where they can get more puck touches and play all situations. Like Strathman for example, he’d be maybe the NTDP‘a best D this year, and Musty maybe their best forward. whitelaw and Terrance would be top 9 players for them as well.
 
Barlow, Benson, Gauthier, Wood, Yager.
Rehkopf and Lind were really good as well. Rehkopf is going to be a first rounder for sure. Could he upwards of 13 Canadian first round picks this year when you factor in Bedard, Fantilli, Danielson as well who are all first round locks
 
Allen, Wood, Barlow, Benson, and Rehkopf are the first names that come to mind. And of course Gauthier, really finding soft areas well. None of the boys are playing poorly.




Yager is actually the guy who I would say is closest to being disappointing for me tonight, but that’s just because I know he is able to play at a level far above what he is showing right now. He’s the best prospect on this team IMO but he’s not demanding and dominating the puck as much as Allen or Benson, for example.
Honestly after watching all the camp games and then the 2 games against the u20’s, and now this game, Yager has sort of left me wanting more every game. He doesn’t drive play really, he’s definitely a fast and shoot first player but he’s not overly crafty or deceptive with the puck, very straight lines. His skating is powerful though, he can close on players quickly. I worry about his small area game and ability to make plays, he’s a first rounder still all day long with his tools he has, but I can see him down the road struggling to meet expectations.

Who did he talk about?
Yager, Heidt, Benson, Allen, Ritchie and Gauthier. All 5 will go first round imo, with Barlow, Rehkopf, Lind, Cristall, Wood, Barkey(if he grows) Price and Molendyk could all be first rounders as well.
 
He is! But he is also less generational than Šalé. And Šalé is less generational than Benák. So many Czech Mathewses and Crosbys and McDavids on the way! All coming not from Swedish, Finnish, Canadian, but Czech system!
And how is everyone otherwise?:DD
 
So czechs beat Finn's and demolish Germans and still may not make semis. Tough draw! I'd say 50-50 against US. Normally it's 80-20 US but I like this Czech team with their giant goalie and high skill forward group
 
So czechs beat Finn's and demolish Germans and still may not make semis. Tough draw! I'd say 50-50 against US. Normally it's 80-20 US but I like this Czech team with their giant goalie and high skill forward group
Hoping the Czechs win and get to play for a medal. But small part of me wants to see Czech Slovak game for 5th :nod:
 
He is! But he is also less generational than Šalé. And Šalé is less generational than Benák. So many Czech Mathewses and Crosbys and McDavids on the way! All coming not from Swedish, Finnish, Canadian, but Czech system!
The next Jagr has been very elusive! I remember when frk was going to be the next big thing!
 
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Well, looks like the Sweden-Switzerland game was consistent if anything:

3-1 Sweden in the first, second, and third periods.
 
I get why everyone sees this as USA’s B team, and generally it is, but after going to the USA select 17 camp and the top 40 NTDP selection camp, more and more players are hesitant to commit two years to the program unless they know they’re going to play in top situations, some players are now rather choosing to play with their own junior teams where they can get more puck touches and play all situations. Like Strathman for example, he’d be maybe the NTDP‘a best D this year, and Musty maybe their best forward. whitelaw and Terrance would be top 9 players for them as well.
Can't argue with the success of the NTDP program, but if you're only getting 3rd/4th line or bottom pairing minutes, that's probably not the ideal situation for a player's development.

I guess it's proof of the improving depth of American hockey that this is even an issue. It's a good "problem" to have from that perspective.

Has there been any talk of having 2 teams in each age group?
 

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