WJC: 2022 Team Slovakia roster talk

[Antiillafire]

Is there a record for most consecutive teams being both the tallest and heaviest at this tournament? I swear every year we are always both. And it looks like this year we will also be the youngest and most experienced (in terms of # of WJC games played) simultaneously.

 

[peto10]

Is there a record for most consecutive teams being both the tallest and heaviest at this tournament? I swear every year we are always both. And it looks like this year we will also be the youngest and most experienced (in terms of # of WJC games played) simultaneously.

Elite Prospects - Team Comparison in WJC-20

 

[Antiillafire]

Knazko is 100% good to go. I assume they will rest a few players for the preliminary matches.

 

[Rusty7550]

I Saw some pictures from practice ( hockeyslovakia ig). It looks like this: Slaf-Demek-Mesar, kaslik-myklukha-chromiak, faith-dvorsky-jedlicka, sykora-stetka-lasak, seems like petrovsky wasnt there, probably still in isolation

 

[tobu]

Petrovsky confirmed in isolation for now despite a negative PCR.

 

[Antiillafire]

It’s a shame we don’t have reporter in Edmonton that can give us info on practices like Sweden, USA and Canada have.

 

[Antiillafire]

I Saw some pictures from practice ( hockeyslovakia ig). It looks like this: Slaf-Demek-Mesar, kaslik-myklukha-chromiak, faith-dvorsky-jedlicka, sykora-stetka-lasak, seems like petrovsky wasnt there, probably still in isolation

Petrovsky joined today. Looks like PK unit that was out there was Slafkovsky - Sykora? with Strbak and another dman who I couldn’t see.

The PP unit was this I believe:
Kaslik - Demek - Faith
Chromiak - Knazko

 

[stastny12]

The PP unit was this I believe:
Kaslik - Demek - Faith
Chromiak - Knazko

Not bad but we can do better. Better have one lethal PP unit than two slightly above average. Slafkovsky just must be there with Chromiak and Demek. Knazko and Nemec are interchangeable for me. Instead of Kaslik/Faith I prefer to have Mesar there. Let´s bring all our talent into one unit.

 

[Rusty7550]

Not bad but we can do better. Better have one lethal PP unit than two slightly above average. Slafkovsky just must be there with Chromiak and Demek. Knazko and Nemec are interchangeable for me. Instead of Kaslik/Faith I prefer to have Mesar there. Let´s bring all our talent into one unit.

Feneš probably wants to create "Hlinka-Gretzky cup" PP unit. Slafkovsky with Nemec, Mesar, Dvorsky and some net front presence. Maybe Jedlicka?

 

[stastny12]

Feneš probably wants to create "Hlinka-Gretky cup" PP unit. Slafkovsky with Nemec, Mesar, Dvorsky and some net front presence. Maybe Jedlicka?

Do you think Dvorsky is already prepared to have such a huge role in the team? Obviously, he is super-talented but only 16-yo. Mesar was struggling big time during the last WJC. Even Slafkovsky wasn´t able to fully utilize his talent. That´s why I would like to start easily with Dvorsky and then see if he can keep up the pace.

 

[Antiillafire]

Do you think Dvorsky is already prepared to have such a huge role in the team? Obviously, he is super-talented but only 16-yo. Mesar was struggling big time during the last WJC. Even Slafkovsky wasn´t able to fully utilize his talent. That´s why I would like to start easily with Dvorsky and then see if he can keep up the pace.

He’s a different style player, I don’t think he will be out of place. He’s a better skater than Slafkovsky and is bigger than Mesar (which was what kept him out of lineup). If the lines end up being what @Rusty7550 said, he’d be with 2 guys who have WJC experience.
As for the PP unit, I agree. Personally I’d load up the first unit with Slaf, Nemec, Chromiak, Demek and Mesar. Than the second could be Jedlicka, Dvorsky, Knazko, Kaslik, Myklukha. Petrovsky is also an interesting option, because of his shot.

 

[jj cale]

Starting to get more excited about watching this team, all the podcast guys are pretty high on Slovakia this year.. What do you guys hope is the best case scenario? a chance for bronze?

 

[Morgs]

Starting to get more excited about watching this team, all the podcast guys are pretty high on Slovakia this year.. What do you guys hope is the best case scenario? a chance for bronze?

Chance at bronze imo is best case scenario, but super unlikely. Should be a really fun team to watch though.

Not to be mean, but I don't think this is the year they even have a chance at it. Most of the really good players are 03's and 04's and they're in the group of death with Sweden, Russia, and USA who should all be able to handle them relatively easily. Won't be a blowout like Switzerland will be for them, but it would be an upset if they win any of those games. If they win only 1 (against the Swiss) they will have to beat either Canada or Finland (Finland has to win against Canada) in the QF, and that would be a shocking upset, especially Canada. If they manage to sneak a game out of one of those 3 teams they'd have to beat likely Finland, which would be another upset just to get the chance for Bronze. I think they'll be a tough out, but I think next year is the year we'll see them put up a really good fight and have the opportunity for a medal. Mesar, Dvorsky, Nemec, and Slaf are all another year older. Could be like Germany last year but with more really good players.

 

[Antiillafire]

Starting to get more excited about watching this team, all the podcast guys are pretty high on Slovakia this year.. What do you guys hope is the best case scenario? a chance for bronze?

This would be the first year in a long long time that I would be genuinely disappointed if we finished 4th in our group and lost to Canada in the QF’s. Oddsmakers will say that’s the likely case but I hope we can upset one of the big dogs and get to play Finland in the 3v2 matchup instead. When we won bronze in 2015 we had a few things in common with this team. Good GK, good top 6 and two solid d-pairings. The deciding factor is if we can get the PP clicking like the one led by Reway. If we can then we will be competitor in every match.

 

[jj cale]

This would be the first year in a long long time that I would be genuinely disappointed if we finished 4th in our group and lost to Canada in the QF’s. Oddsmakers will say that’s the likely case but I hope we can upset one of the big dogs and get to play Finland in the 3v2 matchup instead. When we won bronze in 2015 we had a few things in common with this team. Good GK, good top 6 and two solid d-pairings. The deciding factor is if we can get the PP clicking like the one led by Reway. If we can then we will be competitor in every match.

Yeah, if you can get that matchup with Finland I feel this is the year you could come through there.

 

[BigBadBoar]

He’s a different style player, I don’t think he will be out of place. He’s a better skater than Slafkovsky and is bigger than Mesar (which was what kept him out of lineup). If the lines end up being what @Rusty7550 said, he’d be with 2 guys who have WJC experience.
As for the PP unit, I agree. Personally I’d load up the first unit with Slaf, Nemec, Chromiak, Demek and Mesar. Than the second could be Jedlicka, Dvorsky, Knazko, Kaslik, Myklukha. Petrovsky is also an interesting option, because of his shot.

Dvorský is a supertalent, there's nothing to wait for. This team Slovakia looks very good overall. The dark horse of the tournament.

 

[Antiillafire]

Dvorský is a supertalent, there's nothing to wait for. This team Slovakia looks very good overall. The dark horse of the tournament.

I hope, but usually with Slovak sports and increased expectations it always ends in disaster. 2019 WHC, 2012 Euro qualifying, 2018 World Cup qualifying, etc. I think there is a clear top 5 this year, than 2 dark horses (Czechs and Slovaks) than a major drop off to the last 3.

 

[BigBadBoar]

I hope, but usually with Slovak sports and increased expectations it always ends in disaster. 2019 WHC, 2012 Euro qualifying, 2018 World Cup qualifying, etc. I think there is a clear top 5 this year, than 2 dark horses (Czechs and Slovaks) than a major drop off to the last 3.

As a Czech, I must say Slovakia is looking better than Czechia this year. Of course those roster based predictions are always tricky.

 

[alko]

This would be the first year in a long long time that I would be genuinely disappointed if we finished 4th in our group and lost to Canada in the QF’s.

Actually, im counting with this. For me, the focus is to next year and even more 2023/2024.

Imagine full roster then (if naturally, the top dogs will not play NHL).

Still, i wish, they will make surprise results. No doubt about it. It is better to be positively surprised, as negatively startled.

 

[Antiillafire]

No stream for todays game. But camp cuts will be announced later, I don’t know what to expect really.

 

[kudla]

No stream for todays game. But camp cuts will be announced later, I don’t know what to expect really.

Has it been confirmed anywhere yet ?

 

[Antiillafire]

Has it been confirmed anywhere yet ?

Yes. Tsn sports is only broadcasting Edmonton games which and every other network borrows from them

 

[Antiillafire]

Feneš probably wants to create "Hlinka-Gretzky cup" PP unit. Slafkovsky with Nemec, Mesar, Dvorsky and some net front presence. Maybe Jedlicka?

Ur correct but no Dvorsky or Jedlicka. Looks like this:

PP1:
Kaslik - Demek - Myklukha
Chromiak - Knazko

PP2:
Faith - Petrovsky - Slafkovsky
Mesar - Nemec

 

[BigBadBoar]

Slovakia - Germany 3:0 after the 2nd period.
Goals: Chromiak, Slafkovský, Mešár. It was 1:0 after the 1st, then Slafkovský scored early into the 2nd, Mešár extended the lead 29 mins into the game.

 

[Rusty7550]

You can see at least 3 goals here
WJC: Slovakia 4, Germany 0