GDT: 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship (Pre-Tournament is now, Begins on Dec 26)

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Bedard uses a Zuccarelloesque stick

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Othmann’s had a good game. He could easily have 3-4 points. A post, robbery by the goalie, and a few real good passes on the PP.

 

[duhmetreE]

Othmann’s had a good game. He could easily have 3-4 points. A post, robbery by the goalie, and a few real good passes on the PP.

I love his game.

He will be a core piece for a long time.

---

Bedard trying to go 1v5 not the best of looks though

 

[ArPanet]

draft eligible goalie in a short tournament every Rangers fan nightmare

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

My dad asked if Russia was banned.

Yes Russia has been banned from all IIHF tournaments until further notice due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

 

[McRanger92]

Cool to see Chmelar & Vaisanen showing up for their teams. I don’t know much about them but is there a shot either becomes an NHLer?

 

[UnSandvich]

love watching Canada lose

 

[hackeyman]

Bedard is the real deal...

I'd love for the Rangers to somehow miraculously make that pick to see how bad he would be here.

No thanks, it would be like having 2 Panarin's. I don't even want 1.

 

[GAGLine]

Cool to see Chmelar & Vaisanen showing up for their teams. I don’t know much about them but is there a shot either becomes an NHLer?

I imagine the odds are still stacked pretty well against them, but there's always a chance.

 

[bleedblue94]

Jesus, he looks huge out there compared to everyone else.

And he's using that size. That's a big bonus

 

[bleedblue94]

Bedard uses a Zuccarelloesque stick

But is he "like a lizard" the way he uses it? One of the oddest descriptions of a player ever...

 

[GAGLine]

I don't think it was mentioned, but Vaisanen was named the player of the game for Finland. The broadcast cut to the other game before they announced it, and I have no idea where to find that information, but someone in the GDT confirmed it.

Finland plays again at 11 EST against SVK (Sykora).

 

[eco's bones]

The Czech team is a really big team. Almost all their forwards are at least 6'. I think there might be one Szturc who is 5'11. 9 of the forwards they played last night were 6'2 or taller.

As far as the game. The Clarke goal (which would have given Canada a 2-0 lead) being called back and the major penalty to Dean that allowed the Czechs to increase their lead from 3-2 to 5-2 were two of the things the game hinged on. Suchanek in the Czech goal was outstanding but the Czechs used their size and defended really well when they had to. It's hard coming from 3 goals down and you could see the frustration mount for the Canadians as Suchanek just started shutting them down.

Canada has gotten off to poor starts at WJC's before and come back to win it all so I wouldn't read too much into this loss...or at least not yet. Gaudreau in the Canadian net wasn't that good but I was impressed by the Czechs nonetheless. They played well and with that size they were pretty physical. Chmelar did really well too. He had a goal taken back for a goalie interference on Szturc and then later on scored the Czech's 4th goal from the crease. He was in the crease area a lot and nearly got another one in the 3rd. He had at least 4 good opportunities. Othmann did alright IMO---hit a post and got stopped on a one timer that was maybe Suchanek's best save of the game. Sometimes it seemed him and Bedard weren't quite on the same wavelength. That might have been more Bedard who as the game got more out of reach seemed to want to do everything himself. That said Othmann's been in a goal scoring slump ever since the trade to Peterborough.

 

[eco's bones]

Bedard reminded me a lot of Jack Hughes last night. Maybe a little stronger. Very slippery. Sees plays seconds before they happen.

 

[nyr2k2]

Vaisanen listed on the fourth line to start (he'll play more than that), Sykora on the second.

 

[GAGLine]

Vaisanen's line scored, but I don't think he touched the puck.

 

[Larrys13]

Cool to see Chmelar & Vaisanen showing up for their teams. I don’t know much about them but is there a shot either becomes an NHLer?

Chemlar seems to have a good net presence like CK

 

[GAGLine]

2nd PP unit scores for Slovakia with 10 seconds left in the period. Sykora didn't get a point, but he won the board battle after the zone entry, and he beat the defenders to the puck several times after missed shots and rebounds to keep possession.

 

[rangersfansince08]

Othmann’s had a good game. He could easily have 3-4 points. A post, robbery by the goalie, and a few real good passes on the PP.

On the game thread he was the scapegoat with people wanting him demoted to the third line.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

On the game thread he was the scapegoat with people wanting him demoted to the third line.

Of course he was, he wasn't a top prospect like Wright and Bedard.

 

[cwede]

...
Canada has gotten off to poor starts at WJC's before and come back to win it all so I wouldn't read too much into this loss...or at least not yet...

over last ~10 years of WJC/WC, that seems to be what has hurt USA when they have failed
Canada, Finland, Swede teams always seem to get better as tournaments go along, often USA starts strong but gets surpassed later in the tourney
(IIRC, like last summer's WJC ...)

 

[ArPanet]

On the game thread he was the scapegoat with people wanting him demoted to the third line.was pretty bad during the 6 on 5. 3 possessions led directly to the puck being cleared.

On the game thread he was the scapegoat with people wanting him demoted to the third line.

He was moved off Wright/ Bedard. Also was poor on 6 on 5, 3 times the puck left his stick and then the zone immediately.

 

[gravey9]

The Finns look considerably stronger than the Slovaks in this game. Finns size and skill was dominant in the 2nd period. Slovaks were having a very hard time getting past center red line with possession.

Vaisanen has looked pretty good. He made a really nifty play towards the end of the period. And also was on the PK. His size and decent skating make him standout a bit in this tournament as he's physically bigger than most of the competition. He's been effective. He has more skill than I realized and shows it in flashes. I don't necessarily believe it's top end skill or anything like that. He is very much so in the mold of Reuschoff, Edstrom and Gettinger. When he fills out he can turn into a major handful.

Hard to gauge Sykora in this game. I think he's being relied on in a scoring role on this Slovak team that isnt' nearly has potent or skilled as the one from this summer. None of the Slovak lines are getting much going. Sykora though just sorta plays the same way every time out there. Drew a penalty. Hunts pucks. Plays with an edge. And he does have skill. But it's really hard to gauge in this game because the Finns have such an advantage. If he were a top tier skill guy, you might see him single handedly creating offense. We'll see but it's good to see these kids play. The only thing worth sharing beyond this game is that I would like for the Rangers to take a far more patient approach with these kids than any of the first rounders. These are different variations on Hagelin and Fast type development paths. They should be developed to crack the NHL at 23. Maybe AHL at 22. If Sykora goes to the A early, he's going to be there for a few years. Is that what's best for his development? Maybe...?

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

I like Othmann a good deal as a prospect, but his skating looks like it could be an issue at the NHL level IMO.

 

[RangersFan1994]

I like Othmann a good deal as a prospect, but his skating looks like it could be an issue at the NHL level IMO.

If it is not as bad as Brian Boyle was when he came into the NHL, then it should not be an issue.