SOLR
Registered User
But is the tougher tournament, it has the better players compared to the U-18’s outside of the States. No different than Stamkos leading Canada as a 16 year old at the U-18’s then putting up 4 points at the Hlinka as a 17 year old.
McKenna is going to be the best player by a sizeable amount, and is going to lead the tournament. He isn’t above the tournament, he’s the best player amd is going to be the top scorer, but it’s a perfectly fine tournament for him to star in before he makes his way to the WJ’s in December.
Hlinka is always the easier tournament for Canada, we have all of our players and the states don't.
The rest of the field is 1 year younger too (vs. the U18). Come on now, pretending that Hlinka is harder than the U18 the year before is beyond logic. Every draft year, they peak in their season at the U18. This is a brand new set of players.
Yes it's different, very different, Stamkos didn't blow up the draft year ahead of him already, he got 10 points at the U18. McKenna got 20 points at the U18, double the amount. McKenna was number 1 in points at the U18 against Hagens, Eiserman etc. Mikey Berchild won't be there, because NTDP won't be at Hlinka as you highlighted. But McKenna is at least 1 year ahead of Mikey in development. Heck he's ahead of Hagens and Martone. Would it be a good idea for Hagens to be at Hlinka if he could? no.
This is uncharted territory and what is coming is predictable dunking.
I selfishly want to see him destroy the tournament too.