HF Habs: 2025 World Junior Championship: Gold - USA | Silver - Finland | Bronze - Czech Rep.

[Monsieur Miz]

He was being sarcastic.

Yeah, it was a regular comment on the main board and on Reddit before the season started. Pretty funny in hindsight.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Very good showing from Team Finland this year, heartbreaker aside.

 

[Goldenhands]

A lackluster team Finland once again carried to a medal by a stunning goalie performance and clinical finishing, nothing new here. Not really impressed by anyone outside Rimpinen, who might be the only one with an NHL future in that team alongside Helenius (who was totally invisible in the tournament despite the 4 assists against Sweden) and maybe Kiiskinen.

Considering how badly even Fantilli is struggling I don't think that Leonard will really be much of an impact player for his first couple years at least. Hagens was very impressive for USA though, would be an amazing center to add to this team even if it sadly looks like he'll remain way out of our reach

Helenius centered 2 undrafted players and the coach was rolling his 4 lines pretty evenly. I thought he had a fine tournament overall.

By comparison, team USA top line had 2 first rounders + a future top 3 pick. Team Sweden's top line was made of 2 1st round pick + Unger-Sorum who should have been a 1st round pick IMO.

TC's top line was made of 1st rounders as well.

Dvorsky had a better tournament, but he is 1 year older and had much more ice time.

 

[SOLR]

They'll have 9 returning players next year too probably. Maybe 8, depends on Hagens.

Pretty sure Hagens is in the NHL next year.

 

[SOLR]

It looks like Canada seems satisfied with these QF losses if we take what was said in their interviews at face value, allowing the US to start a period of domination.

They're going to bring back a lot of players again next year in Minnesota, including Hutson. 3 for 3?

It will depend if McKenna can dominate enough at 18 years old for next year.
Schaefer should be there. Martone is the one that I suspect might be in the NHL. But Roobroek will be there.

Catton will be a better 19 years old leader than Yager.

We should have a good bunch of 18/19 years old (Misa, Sennecke, Lindstrom, Iginla) for next year, I don't see a whole lot of NHL readiness in that group so that's good for the WJC. I suspect we might see Dupont next year, even at 16.

Draft wise the next 3 years are all Canada, so I suspect this will eventually turn the tournament around for us. I suppose the Swedes will be our biggest competition in that period.

Unlike Bedard, I don't think they should graduate Mckenna out of the U18 tourneys, maybe Hlinka if he just pounds the U18 (assuming he goes vs. CHL playoffs).