Player Discussion 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships: Helenius, Wahlberg, Kleber, Ziemer, Strbak, Panocha - Ottawa - December 26 - January 5, 2025

[Fjordy]

Our most exciting prospect? Seems like his upside is special compared to our pile of middle six prospects.

Well... I think Helenius for me, but I hope Strbak will develop well.

 

[HaNotsri]

Well... I think Helenius for me, but I hope Strbak will develop well.

I love Helenius and he could be my favourite player but if Strbak becomes a top 4rhd that's like finding a unicorn.
His skating looks much better than expected!

 

[Fjordy]

I love Helenius and he could be my favourite player but if Strbak becomes a top 4rhd that's like finding a unicorn.
His skating looks much better than expected!

Will see, I think we'll have to wait a bit longer before that happens.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Man SVK can't get anything going.. They have no offense

Of course they can’t!

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

Well... I think Helenius for me, but I hope Strbak will develop well.

I hope the organization doesn't ruin his development.

 

[Butt Ox]

Goaty not being in here is a bit concerning.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Goaty not being in here is a bit concerning.

any way to check in on him anyone ? It's been a bit (weeks). Hope he's OK. @Old Navy Goat

 

[Vito_81]

Getting excited about the Hagens possibility after these first two periods.

 

[Fjordy]

Getting excited about the Hagens possibility after these first two periods.

Forton and Kevyn are also rubbing their hands.

 

[Chainshot]

Ziemer deflects one in on the backhand to make it 8-3 USA.

 

[Vito_81]

Ziemer deflects one in on the backhand to make it 8-3 USA.

He’s been noticeable all game. Maybe has another here too

 

[Fjordy]

Ziemer good around net.

 

[Chainshot]

Ziemer with his second, seconds after the US powerplay ended.

 

[Chainshot]

- and -

 

[Fjordy]

Ziemer need hatty.

 

[Vito_81]

Man the way Leonard shoots the puck, Washington might have their OV PP one timer replacement

 

[NotABadPeriod]

Getting excited about the Hagens possibility after these first two periods.

He won't fall to 8th.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

He won't fall to 8th.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

- and -

What's with the goldeneye n64 music? Cause now I gotta go play goldeneye n64

 

[truthbluth]

How did Helenius look for Canada.

Edit: Ummm. Coffee acquired.
How did Helenius look AGAINST Canada?

 

[Jim Bob]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6006840/2024/12/26/world-juniors-sandin-pellikka-boxing-day/

USA’s “third line” of Max Plante (Detroit), Oliver Moore (Chicago) and Brodie Ziemer (Buffalo) really drove play at five-on-five during some important stretches of the game when the Germans hung in for longer than the final score indicated. When the chips are on the table, I expect them to play over USA’s second line of Cole Eiserman (NY Islanders), Danny Nelson (NY Islanders) and Trevor Connelly (Vegas).

On Kleber getting in:

There were moments and even stretches in the game where all of Colin Ralph (St. Louis), Aram Minnetian (Dallas) and Paul Fischer (Edmonton) struggled. Ralph has never played at a major international tournament for Team USA and I thought he looked out of place at the World Junior Summer Showcase in August. I’d expect one of those three to come out in favor of Adam Kleber (Buffalo) for USA’s next game against Latvia on Dec. 28.

 

[Beerz]

How did Helenius look for Canada.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Quiet. Helenius pulled a 1992 Petr Nedved and news just hasn’t come out yet.

 

[old kummelweck]

I thought Helenius looked OK on the PP, but pretty invisible at ES. His ice time seemed to not be what I would have expected for a post-draft player that has pro experience. Not sure why that was, but I was questioning whether it was the coaching.

That said, Canada really owned them at ES.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

I thought Helenius looked OK on the PP, but pretty invisible at ES. His ice time seemed to not be what I would have expected for a post-draft player that has pro experience. Not sure why that was, but I was questioning whether it was the coaching.

That said, Canada really owned them at ES.

Canada dominated for the first two periods. Finland was easily the superior team in the 3rd. They had no puck luck around the net and George was excellent. Not many games are won by being the better team in one period.

Helenius was quite predictable on the PP, exclusively looking for strong-side net-front setups and tips. Getting the puck to the net is obviously a sound tactic, but I would have liked to have seen him mix it up with some cross-ice and back-door passes. Coaching may have been a factor there too.