HF Habs: 2023 World U18 Men's Hockey Championship: Finals Sunday, April 30 | Canada wins Bronze, 4-3 (OT) | USA wins Gold, 3-2 (OT), Sweden Silver

[Schooner Guy]

He was 4th on the Pens in TOi behind Letang, Dumoulin and Marino, a few seconds above PO Joseph.

Not sure what I was looking at late last night but you're correct on Matheson being 4th in Penguins ice-time last year. However, top 4 still isn't a depth Dman. Also in last year's playoffs, Matheson was second in total ice time by Penguins D (Dumoulin was injured in game 1). Penguins certainly missed Matheson and Marino this year.

The point still stands that Matheson had a breakout season at age 28 this year with the Habs. Terrific numbers (especially his +/-) on an awful team and he kept getting better once healthy. He's the best skater on the team and analysts raved about his play all season. He was getting close to 30 minutes in some games and was on the ice for 4 minutes in a couple of overtimes. He can skate all day and has lots of hockey left in his career as he has just entered his prime years.

 

[Egresch]

Urban was MVP for Slovakia in that one

We dominated 38 minutes and he was pretty much out of game facing just 11 shots in 2 periods. Concede two quick goals and I was little bit nervous. He made several crucial saves in 3rd when his team needed. Very tough game for a goalie, but he reacted and performed very well.
Hrabal had a different situation as he was facing shots form the very beginning. What a player he is, I knew it would be extremely tough to beat him. He is a player who can win you a game where you face 50 shots.

 

[WeThreeKings]

We dominated 38 minutes and he was pretty much out of game facing just 11 shots in 2 periods. Concede two quick goals and I was little bit nervous. He made several crucial saves in 3rd when his team needed. Very tough game for a goalie, but he reacted and performed very well.
Hrabal had a different situation as he was facing shots form the very beginning. What a player he is, I knew it would be extremely tough to beat him. He is a player who can win you a game where you face 50 shots.

I like Urban as a late round target, think I picked him in the mock, too.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Let's see if team Canada is even up to team Germany's standard. You never know, last game was such a crime against the game of hockey.

 

[Mrb1p]

The defense is just so not poised. Horrible.

 

[Vachon23]

The defense is just so not poised. Horrible.

They should have let 2 spots open so they could bring Étienne Morin

 

[NotProkofievian]

Good f***ing lord this is a tough watch.

 

[Mrb1p]

None of the guys are playing good..insane

Everyone looks bad.

I think well need to scratch this tournament altogether for Canada.

 

[Playmaker09]

They have Cristall at the bumper.. My eyes..

 

[The Nightman]

Canada looks terribly coached

 

[NotProkofievian]

They have Cristall at the bumper.. My eyes..

Ze goggles, zey do nothing!

 

[SlafySZN]

35 years old Barlow can’t even dominate Germany!

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Nick Lardis is one the few players who has comported himself well the last 2 games.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

35 years old Barlow can’t even dominate Germany!

Canada pretty much never dominates Germany. They always play a strongly structured game.

 

[Playmaker09]

Nick Lardis is one the few players who has comported himself well the last 2 games.

He and Ritchie have looked like the only two humans on the roster.

 

[Mrb1p]

Nice slick move by Price tho

Man Germany just super effective

 

[Mrb1p]

Lardis can wheel. Hes at speed in like 2 strides.

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[morhilane]

Canada pretty much never dominates Germany. They always play a strongly structured game.

Canada goes to those tournaments thinking they can dominate via talent alone. It usually blow up in their face for a few games and the coach brings them in-line eventually...if he's competent.

But it seems to be getting worst, so there is a systemic issue with how those kids are prepared. Too much ego massaging probably.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Canada pretty much never dominates Germany. They always play a strongly structured game.

I still remember their no press, 5 men at the blue line strategy from some years back. They definitely go in knowing what they need to do to have a chance.

 

[WeThreeKings]

You would have to value straight line speed an immense amount to rank Barlow as a better prospect than Wood.

Wood and Lardis are the only ones consistently creating out there for Canada.. Martone looks promising for a 6'3 kid with a long runway before his draft year.

Expected more out of Price on this blueline so far.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

You would have to value straight line speed an immense amount to rank Barlow as a better prospect than Wood.

Wood and Lardis are the only ones consistently creating out there for Canada.. Martone looks promising for a 6'3 kid with a long runway before his draft year.

Expected more out of Price on this blueline so far.

Yeah, Lardis is just supporting what he was able to do in the final half of OHL season. Kid has wheels & a good shot.

Barlow will still go in top 20. He still has an NHL future as a 20+ goal man. U18s is a much different game. He's not in our discussion for Montreal's pick & like majority on here, I don't expect us to pick with Florida's pick.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Yeah, Lardis is just supporting what he was able to do in the final half of OHL season. Kid has wheels & a good shot.

Barlow will still go in top 20. He still has an NHL future as a 20+ goal man. U18s is a much different game. He's not in our discussion for Montreal's pick & like majority on here, I don't expect us to pick with Florida's pick.

I'm just surprised so many places have Barlow in their top 10.. like you said, he's definitely an NHLer. You plop him on the PK and put him in the top 9 and he's gonna give you 20 goals and 40ish points and be valuable defensively and on board play but there's not a real high end offensive player there.

Lardis is firmly in the late 1st round conversation. He's a sniper, he can skate.. he thinks the game well.

 

[SwiftyHab]

Canada looks terribly coached

You mean just like the Ottawa Senators?

 

[MarkovsKnee]

He and Ritchie have looked like the only two humans on the roster.

Ritchie leading the team with 1g, 3a in 2 games, and +2.