WJC: 2025 Czech Team

[martygod12]

The D is small and not that skilled. It's our achilles heel for sure. Agree with your Svec and Skok ideas. Still hoping Jiricek miraculously heals.lol

I don't mind Port or Koci as they are 19 and experienced. They have some size to them as well. However, they are now lookign to be 20 minute a night players and I really thought we'd have a top 4 of Badinka, Jiricek, Galvas and Dvorak. Then we all saw no Badinka. Then we saw Jiricek get hurt. Now it's undrafted Galvas and Dvorak on top . I like Fibigr a lot but he's not going to carry us to a medal. I am in shock no Mrtka.

I do love our Forwards and goalies though... sucks about Perez or Curran but we have a dynamite group there. It's not even controversial to leave them behind and they would've been locks for any other team from 2006 to 2020. That's a great problem to have! The fact Curran plays on small rinks and got cut is stupid to me. I really am not sure if they took small rink in Canada into consideration and they should have. Do Novotny or Cihar have much small rink experience? Because Benak and Curran sure do! So does Mrtka.

I really dont like Port and Koci nomination. As you say they are both 19 eg. if they were at least average they should dominate junior league at this point. Yet they are just absolutely forgettable. Just thrash players I am sorry.

You have player having more then 50 SHL games at age 19, full time ELH player, and 0.5 ppg and top 10 scoring D in czech 2nd men league D in stock (Badinka, Skok, Svec), and instead you take those two guys??? Thats just ridiculous and utter stupid, I am sorry, but no one can convince me other way in this regard.

In the front its not that bad yeah, Curran and Perez would be nice, but there are other players for sure. Who I cant get over is Benak. That guy is just two levels above 95% of the team of pure skill and hockey sense. Doesnt matter his size, he would just destroy it at this level and I am sure of it. Its just unnecesary weakening for our team for no good reason. And we bring Simek? For what exactly? Guy is exactly large and heavy as Benak lol, and he is 0.4 ppg in the f***in junior league at the age of 19 where he should be completely dominating at this age if he wants to be considered at least somehow useful for top tier mens hockey. That guy is compete thrash and useless, and is cloggin space from a top tier guy like Benak. That just realy pisses me off lol.

 

[Czechboy]

You are right bro. We were wrong but still Pasta, Zacha and especially Necas was a huge boost, who nows how we have ended without them.

Krejcik was a beast in that tournament. I did not see that coming at all lol. I seriously doubt he can do this again. But still no one can take Prague away from him. "Životní forma" as we czech say lol. He was really great.

If I can ever get my hands on one of those beautiful jerseys.. I may put Krejcik on it as a form of apology.lol

We were absolutely not winning gold with Necas/Pasta/Zacha.... Necas wrecked Sweden by himself. It was unreal. Pasta scored the golden goal.

I loved that run! We beat a stacked US team. A stacked Swedish team and then damn near the Swiss A team with some really good NHLers.

It's up there with Nagano, 2005 and the miracle of 2010 for me.

 

[Czechboy]

I really dont like Port and Koci nomination. As you say they are both 19 eg. if they were at least average they should dominate junior league at this point. Yet they are just absolutely forgettable. Just thrash players I am sorry.

You have player having more then 50 SHL games at age 19, full time ELH player, and 0.5 ppg and top 10 scoring D in czech 2nd men league D in stock (Badinka, Skok, Svec), and instead you take those two guys??? Thats just ridiculous and utter stupid, I am sorry, but no one can convince me other way in this regard.

In the front its not that bad yeah, Curran and Perez would be nice, but there are other players for sure. Who I cant get over is Benak. That guy is just two levels above 95% of the team of pure skill and hockey sense. Doesnt matter his size, he would just destroy it at this level and I am sure of it. Its just unnecesary weakening for our team for no good reason. And we bring Simek? For what exactly? Guy is exactly large and heavy as Benak lol, and he is 0.4 ppg in the f***in junior league at the age of 19 where he should be completely dominating at this age if he wants to be considered at least somehow useful for top tier mens hockey. That guy is compete thrash and useless, and is cloggin space from a top tier guy like Benak. That just realy pisses me off lol.

Simek was a surpise to me as well. The one D I'd never heard of is big. I assume that was on purpose.

I think that Rulik came up with some formula to be successful. And Augusta is following that formula. So these surprise nominations may end up being part of a plan that I don't fully understand.

2 personal notes.. I saw David Svozil live last night.. he looked good! He's very thin but played very well. I doubt he makes it in North America but did look good. And a few of us got our Kazakhistan - Czech tickets for Ottawa today! So HF will be live posting that game.lol

 

[Czechboy]

Everyone is familiar with my love of certain players that end up busting.. Spacek, Zboril, Kaut and Zadina come to mind.

Well, here is another one I love that probably won't make it! I was thrilled he made the team and I want him in the Top 6.

 

[martygod12]

Simek was a surpise to me as well. The one D I'd never heard of is big. I assume that was on purpose.

I think that Rulik came up with some formula to be successful. And Augusta is following that formula. So these surprise nominations may end up being part of a plan that I don't fully understand.

2 personal notes.. I saw David Svozil live last night.. he looked good! He's very thin but played very well. I doubt he makes it in North America but did look good. And a few of us got our Kazakhistan - Czech tickets for Ottawa today! So HF will be live posting that game.lol

I should hope so, but I just dont see it. The D is too weak, and Benak is much of a loss for this team to go further than QF. Its shame really cause the team could have been great. But oh well ...

 

[Czechboy]

I should hope so, but I just dont see it. The D is too weak, and Benak is much of a loss for this team to go further than QF. Its shame really cause the team could have been great. But oh well ...

The Mrtka snub actually pisses me off more than Benak.

Benak may not have been in top 6. And I'm not sure how good a 3/4 line player he is?

Mrtka, at the absolute worst case scenario, would be a great 5/6 D.

I'd honestly toss him in top 4 though
Dvorak galvas
Mrtka fibigr
Koci port
Rocak

Totally happy with that.

The more I look ... The more I like our forwards. That is a very nice group. Guys like felcman, stancl, sale, zidlicjy, Petr are all in great form coming in. I'm very excited about Novotny and cihar. Kos is a beaut. I love jecho as a shutdown C. It's a deep group. Hoping for sale and stancl on line 1.

 

[martygod12]

The Mrtka snub actually pisses me off more than Benak.

Benak may not have been in top 6. And I'm not sure how good a 3/4 line player he is?

Mrtka, at the absolute worst case scenario, would be a great 5/6 D.

I'd honestly toss him in top 4 though
Dvorak galvas
Mrtka fibigr
Koci port
Rocak

Totally happy with that.

The more I look ... The more I like our forwards. That is a very nice group. Guys like felcman, stancl, sale, zidlicjy, Petr are all in great form coming in. I'm very excited about Novotny and cihar. Kos is a beaut. I love jecho as a shutdown C. It's a deep group. Hoping for sale and stancl on line 1.

The forward group is okay, I would just sub Benak for Simek and found him a place in the lineup.

The D will be our end just compare:

How it should have been - Jiricek, Badinka, Dvorak, Galvas, Mrtka, Fibigr, Rocak, Husinecky
How it looks - Dvorak, Galvas, Fibigr, Rocak, Koci, Port, Husinecky, Volas

There is like a whole level of skill and quality difference between those two groups, and that just sucks.

 

[Czechboy]

The forward group is okay, I would just sub Benak for Simek and found him a place in the lineup.

The D will be our end just compare:

How it should have been - Jiricek, Badinka, Dvorak, Galvas, Mrtka, Fibigr, Rocak, Husinecky
How it looks - Dvorak, Galvas, Fibigr, Rocak, Koci, Port, Husinecky, Volas

There is like a whole level of skill and quality difference between those two groups, and that just sucks.

And Mrtka is right f***en there! That one kills me.

If Sale is confirmed I think the original tweet said a forward would be removed. That may be Simek.

 

[Czechboy]

Slow start but heating up at exactly the right time. He'll probably be top 4.

 

[GettingYourMoms]

And Mrtka is right f***en there! That one kills me.

If Sale is confirmed I think the original tweet said a forward would be removed. That may be Simek.

Bunch of Mrtkas in the coaching staff!

 

[Czechboy]

Bunch of Mrtkas in the coaching staff!

Well played. I actually wonder how much of this is Smid. Maybe he prefers more shutdown types like he was.

 

[czechcanadian]

Well played. I actually wonder how much of this is Smid. Maybe he prefers more shutdown types like he was.

Oh yeah! I forgot Šmíd was there. Not a bad point. Mrtka is still pretty raw and maybe he wants a little more experience and security in the back.

I haven’t seen Port play so I can’t comment too much and Kočí was there last year and didn’t look totally out of place in the limited minutes he played.

Not sure what they were thinking about the no name guys.
We shall see, but I wouldn’t totally count this team out of medal chances just because of a couple guys missing. Everyone is missing someone. It’s about team play and structure. If the coaching is good, the team will play accordingly.

 

[czechcanadian]

I should hope so, but I just dont see it. The D is too weak, and Benak is much of a loss for this team to go further than QF. It’s shame really cause the team could have been great. But oh well ...

If you think the team can’t make past QF because of a couple players missing, than I don’t know what to say.

What does that say about the program?

Canada could have had Celebrini and Bedard and you might as well not even play the tournament at that point.

We still have some depth in D. Yes Mrtka should at least got invite, but others there are still good enough for medal imo. Who knows maybe Jiricek rises from the dead.

Regardless, it’s not over before we play like you’re saying.

Hrabal is also a really good goalie. Arguably best in tournament and he’s getting into really good form right now. Goalies can steal games.
I think we will be fine.

 

[Czechboy]

Oh yeah! I forgot Šmíd was there. Not a bad point. Mrtka is still pretty raw and maybe he wants a little more experience and security in the back.

I haven’t seen Port play so I can’t comment too much and Kočí was there last year and didn’t look totally out of place in the limited minutes he played.

Not sure what they were thinking about the no name guys.
We shall see, but I wouldn’t totally count this team out of medal chances just because of a couple guys missing. Everyone is missing someone. It’s about team play and structure. If the coaching is good, the team will play accordingly.

It's a theory of mine. Lunchpail type players become coaches and like lunchpail type players. Smid was the ulitjmate team player and played a hard game. He had no offence though. Like none.lol Feels like he built a D core that looks like him.lol

I like Port and Koci and expected them. Still in shock about Mrtka. Galvas/Dvorak should be a hell of a top pair!

 

[martygod12]

If you think the team can’t make past QF because of a couple players missing, than I don’t know what to say.

What does that say about the program?

Canada could have had Celebrini and Bedard and you might as well not even play the tournament at that point.

We still have some depth in D. Yes Mrtka should at least got invite, but others there are still good enough for medal imo. Who knows maybe Jiricek rises from the dead.

Regardless, it’s not over before we play like you’re saying.

Hrabal is also a really good goalie. Arguably best in tournament and he’s getting into really good form right now. Goalies can steal games.
I think we will be fine.

Thats not some, thats at least 6 guys and half the defense missing, that is just too much of a hit for a country which doesnt have nearly as big depth in the lineup as Sweden or Finland, not to mention Canada or USA of course.

They will 95% not get past QF, I would love to be wrong, but it is what it is. If we have better luck for injuries and absences, and coaches wont do so many stupid decisions, we can be in the medal pool next year. I would say on paper that team can look much stronger then this year.

 

[czechcanadian]

Thats not some, thats at least 6 guys and half the defense missing, that is just too much of a hit for a country which doesnt have nearly as big depth in the lineup as Sweden or Finland, not to mention Canada or USA of course.

They will 95% not get past QF, I would love to be wrong, but it is what it is. If we have better luck for injuries and absences, and coaches wont do so many stupid decisions, we can be in the medal pool next year. I would say on paper that team can look much stronger then this year.

95%?
Curious what your odds were for them last year? With only 8 drafted players?
And who was our best defenseman? Hamara? Alscher?
Those guys better than Dvorak and Galvas?

We are the 2nd best team in the group. If it ends that way we play 3rd place from other group (likely Finland).
I’m sorry but I think we have way more than 5% chance to defeat Finland.

There’s a lot of really good forwards on this team and Hrabal should be better this time around.

Also worth mentioning. I recommend rewatching Czechs vs Sweden semi from last year. If Hrábal was half decent we go to Gold medal game potentially. His glove hand was disastrous.

 

[BigBadBoar]

It was just anounced Adam Jiříček will be at the camp. Basically, he should make the team if won't get injured again.

95%?
Curious what your odds were for them last year? With only 8 drafted players?
And who was our best defenseman? Hamara? Alscher?
Those guys better than Dvorak and Galvas?

We are the 2nd best team in the group. If it ends that way we play 3rd place from other group (likely Finland).
I’m sorry but I think we have way more than 5% chance to defeat Finland.

There’s a lot of really good forwards on this team and Hrabal should be better this time around.

Also worth mentioning. I recommend rewatching Czechs vs Sweden semi from last year. If Hrábal was half decent we go to Gold medal game potentially. His glove hand was disastrous.

This team looks stonger on paper than the last year's one. Very high chances to win a medal again.

 

[czechcanadian]

Official roster is out. Jiricek is on it..

 

[Goodman68]

"Dominik Badinka was invited to four tournaments, but he didn't show up for any of them. We are also building the team on mutual ties, and I don't think that Badinka is such a dominant defender that he can only come to the World Cup," Augusta answers when asked about this player's absence.

 

[FourQuarters]

It's just great to see lil Jiricek on this tournament!

 

[Goodman68]

It's just great to see lil Jiricek on this tournament!

It's not certain yet. First, they have to play two games this weekend. And I'm a little worried about him after all this..

 

[martygod12]

"Dominik Badinka was invited to four tournaments, but he didn't show up for any of them. We are also building the team on mutual ties, and I don't think that Badinka is such a dominant defender that he can only come to the World Cup," Augusta answers when asked about this player's absence.

I would not just shit it all on Badinka, who knows whats going on with him and Augusta. Just saying that its never black and white and Badinka never had a problem representing at U18 and other age groups, so its strange he would just snap and said to himself he doesnt want to represent anymore.

Still if Augusta thinks a 19 yrs (freshly) old player drafted 34th and having already over 50 games in best league in europe is not better then Koci, Port or Volas, thats his choice and opinion. I disagree, but he is the coach so I hope he knows whats he doing.

But that "he only come to the World Cup" argument is kinda funny. I mean Jiricek havent played a single game for NT this year and 4 games in total and is still invited and if healthy he will probably be in the final lineup. Dont get me wrong I am very excited and wish for that to happen, but why exactly Jiricek can go straight to WC and Badinka not? He was drafted a couple of places above him so is that the reason? Because just from a performance perspective I would not say he was so much more outperforming Badinka last season. He also didnt exactly thrived in Plzen or in U20 last year. Yes a lot was affected by injury, but thats just stuff that happens sadly. He is still a top prospect for sure, but I think Badinka too, and dont bring such a player is just stupid.

I really dont believe all the blame is on Badinka side. Player who for plays 20 games for U18 NT and goes to every tournament just doesnt suddenly say "f*** it" and stop representing. I dont know what happened but I think both sides are to blame and its really an uncompetence from Czech NT coaching staff, that they werent able to sort this issue out with the player. We all know about this issuse for almost a year I would say, so plenty of time to work it out. In the end he is just a stupid 19yrs old kid, Augusta is seasoned adult, so he should have found a way how to manage him.

I know you really dont like the player, not sure why, since he may be a solid NHLer one day and we need players like this very much, but this stupid beef between him and Augusta cost us a top D prospect for the tournament and we have to play below average Koci, Port or Volas instead.

 

[martygod12]

95%?
Curious what your odds were for them last year? With only 8 drafted players?
And who was our best defenseman? Hamara? Alscher?
Those guys better than Dvorak and Galvas?

We are the 2nd best team in the group. If it ends that way we play 3rd place from other group (likely Finland).
I’m sorry but I think we have way more than 5% chance to defeat Finland.

There’s a lot of really good forwards on this team and Hrabal should be better this time around.

Also worth mentioning. I recommend rewatching Czechs vs Sweden semi from last year. If Hrábal was half decent we go to Gold medal game potentially. His glove hand was disastrous.

You also forget that we were extremely lucky in the QF against Canada, so we very well could have ended in QF last year. The team outperformed itself with the bronze.

Still looking at lineup again, there were Hamara, Alscher, Cibulka and Galvas in the back, Ales Cech was playing in ELH full time, so I would not say D the were much weaker then this year.

In the net was Hrabal so that was the same.

Offense were maybe a bit weaker, but you forget there was still Kulich and Sapo, backed up with Sale and extremely productive CHL players Becher, Rymon and Melovsky who have really standed out in their age group at that tournament. We completely lack those kind of players this year. The Euro part of offense is looking really good, but the CHL part is kinda weak imo. Most of those players are barely at ppg. in their teams, which is really just not that great for CHL. Topped out with tiny and unproductive Simek who is below average at CHL even at age 19.

Yeah seeing the lineup again and if Jiricek makes it and boosts our D, the team actually doesnt look that bad, 95% was an exaggeration, but still a chance for medal is not very high this year.

And no Badinka, Benak and Mrtka are just stupid decisions.

 

[Goodman68]

I would not just shit it all on Badinka, who knows whats going on with him and Augusta. Just saying that its never black and white and Badinka never had a problem representing at U18 and other age groups, so its strange he would just snap and said to himself he doesnt want to represent anymore.

Still if Augusta thinks a 19 yrs (freshly) old player drafted 34th and having already over 50 games in best league in europe is not better then Koci, Port or Volas, thats his choice and opinion. I disagree, but he is the coach so I hope he knows whats he doing.

But that "he only come to the World Cup" argument is kinda funny. I mean Jiricek havent played a single game for NT this year and 4 games in total and is still invited and if healthy he will probably be in the final lineup. Dont get me wrong I am very excited and wish for that to happen, but why exactly Jiricek can go straight to WC and Badinka not? He was drafted a couple of places above him so is that the reason? Because just from a performance perspective I would not say he was so much more outperforming Badinka last season. He also didnt exactly thrived in Plzen or in U20 last year. Yes a lot was affected by injury, but thats just stuff that happens sadly. He is still a top prospect for sure, but I think Badinka too, and dont bring such a player is just stupid.

I really dont believe all the blame is on Badinka side. Player who for plays 20 games for U18 NT and goes to every tournament just doesnt suddenly say "f*** it" and stop representing. I dont know what happened but I think both sides are to blame and its really an uncompetence from Czech NT coaching staff, that they werent able to sort this issue out with the player. We all know about this issuse for almost a year I would say, so plenty of time to work it out. In the end he is just a stupid 19yrs old kid, Augusta is seasoned adult, so he should have found a way how to manage him.

I know you really dont like the player, not sure why, since he may be a solid NHLer one day and we need players like this very much, but this stupid beef between him and Augusta cost us a top D prospect for the tournament and we have to play below average Koci, Port or Volas instead.

I think that the difference between Jiříček and Badinka is absolutely obvious, one always wanted to represent and the other did not. In addition, the way he played last year in the national team... leaves me cold. And besides, if that player is offended, why should he take the place of someone who wants to play and doesn't have similar manners..? In addition, I have never been a supporter of figuratively "adding up Canadian points" and taking into account mainly what competition the player is playing. It's not just about that, and the World Championship in Prague is the best proof of that. The fact that he is not in the nomination is, in my opinion, perfectly fine. Just my personal opinion.
Edit: and I don't know what you want to solve, or what the trainers should solve next. The player refused to represent four times, but calmly played league matches.

 

[martygod12]

I think that the difference between Jiříček and Badinka is absolutely obvious, one always wanted to represent and the other did not. In addition, the way he played last year in the national team... leaves me cold. And besides, if that player is offended, why should he take the place of someone who wants to play and doesn't have similar manners..? In addition, I have never been a supporter of figuratively "adding up Canadian points" and taking into account mainly what competition the player is playing. It's not just about that, and the World Championship in Prague is the best proof of that. The fact that he is not in the nomination is, in my opinion, perfectly fine. Just my personal opinion.

Yeah I get that, we just dont agree on this. I think Badinka is at least for czech standarts way above average prospect to be left at home, and as I said he never had problem representing at different age levels in NT, he only has problem with U20 eg. Augusta. We dont know whats going on here and who is to blame.

So I disagree with this move but it is what it is, I still hope he will represent us on senior level one day though.