World Cup: 2024 World Cup - rosters

[JAS 39 Gripen]

Yeah they don't have more than 6 star players but 3rd line isn't concern for me because somehow Granlund is always elite when he plays for Finland, Kakko and Lundell should have development and they're all very good defensively so I feel like they can shut down anyone. 4th isn't good but they won't play much. Old Montreal line Lehky-Kotka-Armia can play 10 minutes a night. If Lehkonen plays like last season and especially in playoffs, he's one of the best defensive wingers.

Scoring will rely strongly on top2 lines (or maybe they put stars on three lines?) and d looks bad after Miro and Lindell but i can't see coach Jalonen's team Finland without good defense no matter who the names are.


Finland have had good success with much worse teams, actually I think Finland have never had better team than they will have on WC24.

True, true, they always come together somehow. I agree to some extent, but to say that Kakko & co can shut down “anyone” in a tournament that includes McDavid and MacKinnon are a bit of a stretch

 

[TheGreenTBer]

True, true, they always come together somehow. I agree to some extent, but to say that Kakko & co can shut down “anyone” in a tournament that includes McDavid and MacKinnon are a bit of a stretch

no one homers like Finland homers, my dude.

 

[ORRFForever]

Bad news for American fans...

Auston Matthews, after growing his hair long and appearing in a Home Hardware commercial, will no longer be playing hockey - he says there is more money in TV and it's safer. Much safer.

 

[dortt]

I'd agree with you if the tourney was a Stanley Cup playoff style format..
But any one of CAN, USA, RUS, SWE and FIN could realistically win the World Cup. All of these teams can defeat eachother on any given day.

Hell, look at the Czechs at the 1998 olympics. They had the worst on-paper roster (defense, offense, two-way players) of all the upper tier teams. But they all bought into the team concept and gained momentum as the tourney progressed. And it wasn't like Hasek stole the final games against Canada and Russia. I'd argue Roy actually had a better game than Hasek in the semis.

A lot of it comes down to coaching, usage, chemistry, players accepting different roles, elimination matchups, luck, etc.
I mean would Sweden have won gold in 06 if they didn't purposely lose their last prelim game and had to face tougher competition in elimination? Who knows. The difference is razor thin.

I'd argue you are highly, highly mistaken.

t took an own goal from Richard Smehlik deflecting the Linden shot to get anything by Dom that game (he actually scored about 40 that year against the Sabres - no hyperbole there, so Dom was used to own goals from Smehlik)

Not saying Roy was chopped liver or anything that game. Dom was just that 1/32 better

 

[ORRFForever]

I'd argue you are highly, highly mistaken.

t took an own goal from Richard Smehlik deflecting the Linden shot to get anything by Dom that game (he actually scored about 40 that year against the Sabres - no hyperbole there, so Dom was used to own goals from Smehlik)

Not saying Roy was chopped liver or anything that game. Dom was just that 1/32 better

Hasek was the best I've ever seen.

 

[jonlin]

Old Montreal line Lehky-Kotka-Armia can play 10 minutes a night

Kotkaniemi and Armia wont probably even be on the team. You have the lineup quite wrong IMO. Hintz is a C too btw and play as such in Dallas. Kakko will for sure progress in 2yrs and will be a Top6 player by then. Heinola is progressing nicely and will probably also make our D.

Laine - Barkov - Rantanen
Teräväinen - Aho - Kakko
Granlund - Hintz - Puljujärvi/Kapanen
Lehkonen - Lundell - Puljujärvi/Kapanen

Lindell - Heiskanen
Mikkola - Ristolainen
Heinola - Hakanpää

 

[sr edler]

Hell, look at the Czechs at the 1998 olympics. They had the worst on-paper roster (defense, offense, two-way players) of all the upper tier teams. But they all bought into the team concept and gained momentum as the tourney progressed. And it wasn't like Hasek stole the final games against Canada and Russia. I'd argue Roy actually had a better game than Hasek in the semis.

I disagree the Czechs had a worse defense, even on paper, than say Russia or Finland, and if they had a worse defense, on paper, than say Sweden it wasn't by a significant margin at all. Russia missed Zubov (their best D by a big margin) and their D group was solid but unspectacular. Russia also missed Mogilny and had a bunch of unspectacular depth forwards such as Titov, Zelepukin, Krivokrasov, et cetera. They did however have a strong group of Cs (Fedorov, Zhamnov, Yashin), which they don't really have now with Datsyuk gone, but my point is still that I disagree that the Czechs had a clearly worse roster than most of the other top nations. Canada didn't have a very well built team, they had some key injuries (Kariya) and some players who were just too old and past their expiry date (Gretzky).

Jagr may not have scored loads of points this tournament, because they Czech system didn't let him free roam, but watch the actual game against Canada and you'll see how he's holding them back on their toes and pushing them back with his skating, some of their fairly immobile Ds could barely keep up with the guy on big ice.

I also disagree that the Czechs gained momentum throughout the tournament, they were rock solid from start to finish and just played their formula like they always do.

 

[Goodman68]

I disagree the Czechs had a worse defense, even on paper, than say Russia or Finland, and if they had a worse defense, on paper, than say Sweden it wasn't by a significant margin at all. Russia missed Zubov (their best D by a big margin) and their D group was solid but unspectacular. Russia also missed Mogilny and had a bunch of unspectacular depth forwards such as Titov, Zelepukin, Krivokrasov, et cetera. They did however have a strong group of Cs (Fedorov, Zhamnov, Yashin), which they don't really have now with Datsyuk gone, but my point is still that I disagree that the Czechs had a clearly worse roster than most of the other top nations. Canada didn't have a very well built team, they had some key injuries (Kariya) and some players who were just too old and past their expiry date (Gretzky).

Jagr may not have scored loads of points this tournament, because they Czech system didn't let him free roam, but watch the actual game against Canada and you'll see how he's holding them back on their toes and pushing them back with his skating, some of their fairly immobile Ds could barely keep up with the guy on big ice.

I also disagree that the Czechs gained momentum throughout the tournament, they were rock solid from start to finish and just played their formula like they always do.

We definitely had a much stronger team back then than we do now. The only match in which we were worse was the quarter-final against the USA. That was a match that was about Hašek's performance, in the rest of the tournament we were at least a balanced opponent in all matches.

 

[centipede2233]

The U.S. will win. The players on the U.S. team will be peaking in 2024. They are also due - you can't have THAT strong a team and bleep the bed every time.

as a Canadian, I unfortunately agree. The US team will for the most part be in their prime, Canada not so much with the exception of a few forwards (excluding d men). Canada’s goaltending is a wreck, this is Team USA to lose

 

[ORRFForever]

as a Canadian, I unfortunately agree. The US team will for the most part be in their prime, Canada not so much with the exception of a few forwards (excluding d men). Canada’s goaltending is a wreck, this is Team USA to lose

All those WEAK late teen drafts have really come back to haunt Canada - suddenly, we look "old". Unfortunately, during that time, the U.S. was cranking off terrific players.

Of course, our goaltending is a mess unto its own.

My last $100 will be on Team USA. Add the fact that the U.S. is "due" and it's a bet I (literally) will be making.

 

[ORRFForever]

as a Canadian, I unfortunately agree. The US team will for the most part be in their prime, Canada not so much with the exception of a few forwards (excluding d men). Canada’s goaltending is a wreck, this is Team USA to lose

P.S.

I would NOT bet against us in 2028 - that Canadian team will be amazing and in its prime.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

as a Canadian, I unfortunately agree. The US team will for the most part be in their prime, Canada not so much with the exception of a few forwards (excluding d men). Canada’s goaltending is a wreck, this is Team USA to lose

February 2024 is only a year-and-a-half away though. A few established veterans may no longer be up to snuff for this level of competition (I'm thinking Bergeron, probably Tavares, maybe Stamkos, maybe Doughty), but the bulk of the remainder of the roster should be at, or slightly past, their peaks. McDavid-MacKinnon-Crosby down the middle is unmatched (even if Crosby is at an advanced age, he can play a somewhat diminished 2-way role), guys like Huberdeau, Marner, Point should be playing at a very high-level, Makar-Toews will remain the best defensive pairing on the planet, and some of the older veterans like Pietrangelo, Marchand and O'Reilly will be complemented by fresh blood like Kyrou, Dubois, and Byram.

The only reason to bet against this team, imo, is their goaltending. But I trust that the management team and coaching staff will select a roster of forwards and D that mitigates any deficiencies in that area.

 

[centipede2233]

All those WEAK late teen drafts have really come back to haunt Canada - suddenly, we look "old". Unfortunately, during that time, the U.S. was cranking off terrific players.

Of course, our goaltending is a mess unto its own.

My last $100 will be on Team USA. Add the fact that the U.S. is "due" and it's a bet I (literally) will be making.

It’s why I wasn’t that upset at nhlers not going to olympics. This is Team USA’s time. They have zero weaknesses, maybe a bit shallow at center, but with the emergence of JT Miller, he would be a worthy 2C on a team USA squad. The juggernaut Canadians of Toews, Price, Crosby, bergeron, Marchand, Weber, doughty, Keith, getzlaf, perry…they Came and conquered

 

[Czechboy]

I'd argue you are highly, highly mistaken.

t took an own goal from Richard Smehlik deflecting the Linden shot to get anything by Dom that game (he actually scored about 40 that year against the Sabres - no hyperbole there, so Dom was used to own goals from Smehlik)

Not saying Roy was chopped liver or anything that game. Dom was just that 1/32 better

I'd argue you are highly, highly mistaken.

t took an own goal from Richard Smehlik deflecting the Linden shot to get anything by Dom that game (he actually scored about 40 that year against the Sabres - no hyperbole there, so Dom was used to own goals from Smehlik)

Not saying Roy was chopped liver or anything that game. Dom was just that 1/32 better

I've rewatched the game a few times and I have to disagree. That was a very even matchup and the own goal was unlucky.

Czechs never trailed once in the entire game.

I get the whole Dominik is amazing and I agree but Canada had

3 shots on net in first period (3!!!)
11 shots in second (which is normal)
6 shots on net in third period

Gameflow was very even ... ice was not tilted like it would be if Czechs played Canada at any level today.

As mentioned above they had a system that worked around that time (won 3 worlds in a row after this, none with Hasek, won back to back World Juniors at this time - also no Hasek).

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

On paper, this looks to be one of the more well balanced tournaments in a while. Canada obviously will be a favorite, but probably not as much as they have been recently.

USA and Finland should be able to field their best rosters in years IMO.

It’s why I wasn’t that upset at nhlers not going to olympics. This is Team USA’s time. They have zero weaknesses, maybe a bit shallow at center, but with the emergence of JT Miller, he would be a worthy 2C on a team USA squad. The juggernaut Canadians of Toews, Price, Crosby, bergeron, Marchand, Weber, doughty, Keith, getzlaf, perry…they Came and conquered

Matthews
Hughes
Eichel
Larkin

Feels like pretty solid depth down the middle, though admittedly a lot depends on Eichel regaining his form (which I think he will).

And yeah, guys like Miller, Beniers, Zegras etc could also be fighting for those spots.

 

[centipede2233]

On paper, this looks to be one of the more well balanced tournaments in a while. Canada obviously will be a favorite, but probably not as much as they have been recently.

USA and Finland should be able to field their best rosters in years IMO.


Matthews
Hughes
Eichel
Larkin

Feels like pretty solid depth down the middle, though admittedly a lot depends on Eichel regaining his form (which I think he will).

And yeah, guys like Miller, Beniers, Zegras etc could also be fighting for those spots.

Yes 2024 center depth is good, if there was nhlers at the 2022 olympics, eichel, Larkin and Hughes would not have been good center depth at all..

 

[ORRFForever]

It’s why I wasn’t that upset at nhlers not going to olympics. This is Team USA’s time. They have zero weaknesses, maybe a bit shallow at center, but with the emergence of JT Miller, he would be a worthy 2C on a team USA squad. The juggernaut Canadians of Toews, Price, Crosby, bergeron, Marchand, Weber, doughty, Keith, getzlaf, perry…they Came and conquered

You're probably right.

Having said that, with McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar (the 3 best players in the NHL), you can't count us out.

We just need the next generation to step up - those weak drafts came at the worst possible time. If they'd come when the Golden Generation was in its early 20's, it would not have been an issue. But, to come as Golden Generation is aging out, well, it's a problem in 2024.

We need the current crop (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 - who all look GREAT) to step up, ASAP.

On the positive side, in 2028, Team USA will look "old" compared to what we ice - we will likely have a very young / fast / skilled team.

 

[ORRFForever]

On paper, this looks to be one of the more well balanced tournaments in a while. Canada obviously will be a favorite, but probably not as much as they have been recently.

USA and Finland should be able to field their best rosters in years IMO.


Matthews
Hughes
Eichel
Larkin

Feels like pretty solid depth down the middle, though admittedly a lot depends on Eichel regaining his form (which I think he will).

And yeah, guys like Miller, Beniers, Zegras etc could also be fighting for those spots.

Great team. Add the fact that you are "due", and I will bet a couple(?) hundred dollars on Team USA. That way, if Canada wins, I'm happy. If the U.S. wins, I not happy, but I'm richer.

 

[centipede2233]

You're probably right.

Having said that, with McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar (the 3 best players in the NHL), you can't count us out.

We just need the next generation to step up - those weak drafts came at the worst possible time. If they'd come when the Golden Generation was at its early 20's, it might not have been an issue. But to come as Golden Generation is aging out, well, it's a problem in 2024.

We need to the current crop (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 - who all look GREAT) to step up, ASAP.

On the positive side, in 2028, Team USA will look "old" compared to what we ice.

Yes we have 3 of the best players, however this is hockey, not basketball. Team Canada relied on elite depth. We had several offensive options from the defence like Keith, doughTy, Weber and a prime subban. All we got is makar. Heaven forbid he gets injured and can’t play….also, whose scoring the goals? Mcdavid, Huberdeau and marner are pass first players. But here’s the biggest reason why I think team USA wins in a short tournament over Canada. This past nhl season, team USA had 8 players score atleast 40 goals, and that doesn’t even include tage thompson and Troy Terry who had 38 each.. Canada had 3….2 of them were Duchene and stamkos and likely neither will be factors in 2024…..

 

[ORRFForever]

Yes we have 3 of the best players, however this is hockey, not basketball. Team Canada relied on elite depth. We had several offensive options from the defence like Keith, doughTy, Weber and a prime subban. All we got is makar. Heaven forbid he gets injured and can’t play….also, whose scoring the goals? Mcdavid, Huberdeau and marner are pass first players. But here’s the biggest reason why I think team USA wins in a short tournament over Canada. This past nhl season, team USA had 8 players score atleast 40 goals, and that doesn’t even include tage thompson and Troy Terry who had 38 each.. Canada had 3….2 of them were Duchene and stamkos and likely neither will be factors in 2024…..

I agree - there is reason for concern. But, on the plus side for Canada...

1) There is only one puck so you can't have nothing but goal scorers.

As for goaltending, we only need one.

Having said that, as everyone knows, I don't like Marner and we need more people who can put the puck in the net.

2) I am not worried about our D - it will be just as good as the Americans.

3) One thing we have over the Americans...

Clutch. If you look at the top scorers in the NHL playoffs every year, it is dominated by Canadians - check out the last 3 years. That has to count for something.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Yes we have 3 of the best players, however this is hockey, not basketball. Team Canada relied on elite depth. We had several offensive options from the defence like Keith, doughTy, Weber and a prime subban. All we got is makar. Heaven forbid he gets injured and can’t play….also, whose scoring the goals? Mcdavid, Huberdeau and marner are pass first players. But here’s the biggest reason why I think team USA wins in a short tournament over Canada. This past nhl season, team USA had 8 players score atleast 40 goals, and that doesn’t even include tage thompson and Troy Terry who had 38 each.. Canada had 3….2 of them were Duchene and stamkos and likely neither will be factors in 2024…..

Stamkos is 32 (will be 34 in February 2024) and is coming off his best regular season of his career (in terms of points) and I'd argue easily his best playoffs too. Should still be a factor in 2024....maybe on McDavid's right side.

 

[centipede2233]

Stamkos is 32 (will be 34 in February 2024) and is coming off his best regular season of his career (in terms of points) and I'd argue easily his best playoffs too. Should still be a factor in 2024....maybe on McDavid's right side.

The fate of Canada’s goal scoring rests on 34 yr old stamkos vs 10 in their prime American players who are as equally talented at scoring ….

 

[ORRFForever]

Stamkos is 32 (will be 34 in February 2024) and is coming off his best regular season of his career (in terms of points) and I'd argue easily his best playoffs too. Should still be a factor in 2024....maybe on McDavid's right side.

The problem we have is two-fold...

One, we lack young players. Two, our older players are still damn good - even if there were young players, how do you tell Crosby, Bergeron and Marchand, etc., to step down when they're still GREAT?

I worry about speed. I worry they will look OLD and slow - like the U.S. did in 2004 and 2006, after their golden generation aged.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

The fate of Canada’s goal scoring rests on 34 yr old stamkos vs 10 in their prime American players who are as equally talented at scoring ….

Well, that's not at all what I said, and I've been pretty vocal in this thread or the other similar thread about Canada's lack of goal scoring wingers . You mentioned Stamkos as likely not being a factor in 2024...but he could very well be a big factor in 2024, both in terms of his one-touch scoring ability (especially on the power play) and his faceoff capability/defensive play. Stamkos is still a good triggerman.

 

[ORRFForever]

Well, that's not at all what I said, and I've been pretty vocal in this thread or the other similar thread about Canada's lack of goal scoring wingers . You mentioned Stamkos as likely not being a factor in 2024...but he could very well be a big factor in 2024, both in terms of his one-touch scoring ability (especially on the power play) and his faceoff capability/defensive play. Stamkos is still a good triggerman.

You make valid points.

Our Golden Generation has aged well - it's a good and a bad thing.