Prospect Info: 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship

[FLYguy3911]

Canada struggling with Latvia and Germany at the WJC. Never thought I'd see the day.

US is a one line team who if they aren't going aren't very dangerous. They should have handled Finland easily.

Sweden is cruising through Pool play like they always do. We'll see come the medal round.

I'd be surprised if any of those teams weren't walking away with the Gold but this is shaping up to be one of the weaker tournaments I can remember. The added variability is nice but this tournament needs Russia (and Belarus) back from a competitive standpoint.

If Bonk can give us what Justin Braun did at his NHL peak, he'll be a good 3-4 Dman, maybe good enough to play as the responsible top pairing partner, if we ever get a true #1. There is nothing special about him, he's just a solid all around player, not a star, not an offensive dynamo.

That's not an unrealistic expectation but at the same time, cooked Braun at the end of his career was still a better skater and more rangy than Bonk will likely ever be. Bonk has better puck skill of course but even a comparison like that I throw my hands up.

I'm not sure how good of a defensive player Bonk is or will be. Judging and projecting traditional defense in Junior is hard because most prospects aren't challenged on a nightly basis with NHL level skill (even a tournament like this where there is a bunch of meh talent). I think back to Drysdale. He had the foot quickness to mirror guys at that level so you felt pretty comfortable projecting him to the next level, but he gets to the NHL and he has no clue how to defend. I've seen enough Junior players be able to turn the corner on Bonk, that I'm not really comfortable projecting him to be some plus level defensive player.

It's a bunch of average-avergish tools which yes can add up to be a valuable player, but sometimes those guys also suffer from a lack of standout skills and just kind of hang on as a fringe player.

 

[ellja3]

Damn, Germany - Latvia is a nail biter.

Edit: woohoo

 

[GKJ]

Latvia, brother

 

[deadhead]

The Mouse That Roared!

 

[ellja3]

Latvia, brother

Yassss! We can be anywhere from 2nd to 4th now.

Gotta tell ya, Latvian hockey team winning a clutch game vs even-ish opponent, carried by plays from key players... Is absolutely uncharacteristic and hopefully a new mentality setting in. We used to lose these 3 times out of 4 with leading players going completely invisible. Massive wins vs big nations, then absolute bland disaster vs the likes of Germany, France, Denmark etc. Not anymore!

I hope Mūrnieks and Osmanis won't be drafted by Flyers. They deserve so much better. Mateiko being such a gem, but drafted by Washington is a bit vomit-inducing, but with time I'll cope.

Mūrnieks currently leads all U18 players in points at the WJC at age 16.

 

[Shrike]

Canada struggling with Latvia and Germany at the WJC. Never thought I'd see the day.

US is a one line team who if they aren't going aren't very dangerous. They should have handled Finland easily.

Sweden is cruising through Pool play like they always do. We'll see come the medal round.

I'd be surprised if any of those teams weren't walking away with the Gold but this is shaping up to be one of the weaker tournaments I can remember. The added variability is nice but this tournament needs Russia (and Belarus) back from a competitive standpoint.


That's not an unrealistic expectation but at the same time, cooked Braun at the end of his career was still a better skater and more rangy than Bonk will likely ever be. Bonk has better puck skill of course but even a comparison like that I throw my hands up.

I'm not sure how good of a defensive player Bonk is or will be. Judging and projecting traditional defense in Junior is hard because most prospects aren't challenged on a nightly basis with NHL level skill (even a tournament like this where there is a bunch of meh talent). I think back to Drysdale. He had the foot quickness to mirror guys at that level so you felt pretty comfortable projecting him to the next level, but he gets to the NHL and he has no clue how to defend. I've seen enough Junior players be able to turn the corner on Bonk, that I'm not really comfortable projecting him to be some plus level defensive player.

It's a bunch of average-avergish tools which yes can add up to be a valuable player, but sometimes those guys also suffer from a lack of standout skills and just kind of hang on as a fringe player.

Russia can drop off the face of the earth. Belarus basically translates as “another Russia” so why we we need another when the original should go?

 

[ellja3]

Russia can drop off the face of the earth. Belarus basically translates as “another Russia” so why we we need another when the original should go?

I might be biased in this, but yeah, hopefully no competition w Russian coat of arms in near future.

 

[GKJ]

Yassss! We can be anywhere from 2nd to 4th now.

Gotta tell ya, Latvian hockey team winning a clutch game vs even-ish opponent, carried by plays from key players... Is absolutely uncharacteristic and hopefully a new mentality setting in. We used to lose these 3 times out of 4 with leading players going completely invisible. Massive wins vs big nations, then absolute bland disaster vs the likes of Germany, France, Denmark etc. Not anymore!

I hope Mūrnieks and Osmanis won't be drafted by Flyers. They deserve so much better. Mateiko being such a gem, but drafted by Washington is a bit vomit-inducing, but with time I'll cope.

Mūrnieks currently leads all U18 players in points at the WJC at age 16.

Germany is a program that also thinks they should be further ahead, but they can’t seem to shake the programs off that they theoretically should be leaving behind considering what their investments have been.

Latvia coming in with a younger team and a lack of top level junior system, especially in absence of the KHL structure, seems like there’s a lot more possibilities for one of the few countries where hockey is still #1

 

[ellja3]

Germany is a program that also thinks they should be further ahead, but they can’t seem to shake the programs off that they theoretically should be leaving behind considering what their investments have been.

Latvia coming in with a younger team and a lack of top level junior system, especially in absence of the KHL structure, seems like there’s a lot more possibilities for one of the few countries where hockey is still #1

I'd say collapse of KHL as an option and lack of local junior system can be blessing in disguise for some; as talented players are forced to go abroad and join Finnish/Swiss/Swedish etc. systems. Locally the options are just... not it. Is it good in longer run? Of course, not.

I also agree that Germany might think they should kick higher, not just Latvia. My post was mainly about the fact that we simply used to regularly lose such games as the yesterday's one. Not that GER was a weaker opponent.

 

[GKJ]

I'd say collapse of KHL as an option and lack of local junior system can be blessing in disguise for some; as talented players are forced to go abroad and join Finnish/Swiss/Swedish etc. systems. Locally the options are just... not it. Is it good in longer run? Of course, not.

I also agree that Germany might think they should kick higher, not just Latvia. My post was mainly about the fact that we simply used to regularly lose such games as the yesterday's one. Not that GER was a weaker opponent.

Well the argument i always used when people said that there are too many teams or too many weak teams at this level is that you can’t beat them if you don’t play them. Now they’re beating them, they’re competitive on this level.

 

[ellja3]

Well the argument i always used when people said that there are too many teams or too many weak teams at this level is that you can’t beat them if you don’t play them. Now they’re beating them, they’re competitive on this level.

We just have a bunch of talented guys in this generation. In 2-4 years we might lose 0-8 again (don't think so, but it can happen), and those opinions will return again, that's just the nature of junior hockey. However, if we look at the trend, the gap is undeniably getting smaller.

 

[Larry44]

That's not an unrealistic expectation but at the same time, cooked Braun at the end of his career was still a better skater and more rangy than Bonk will likely ever be. Bonk has better puck skill of course but even a comparison like that I throw my hands up.

I'm not sure how good of a defensive player Bonk is or will be. Judging and projecting traditional defense in Junior is hard because most prospects aren't challenged on a nightly basis with NHL level skill (even a tournament like this where there is a bunch of meh talent). I think back to Drysdale. He had the foot quickness to mirror guys at that level so you felt pretty comfortable projecting him to the next level, but he gets to the NHL and he has no clue how to defend. I've seen enough Junior players be able to turn the corner on Bonk, that I'm not really comfortable projecting him to be some plus level defensive player.

It's a bunch of average-avergish tools which yes can add up to be a valuable player, but sometimes those guys also suffer from a lack of standout skills and just kind of hang on as a fringe player.

All fair comments, and really highlights the meh-diocrity of the Flyers' draft strategy. They were GIFTED Perreault and Buium in the last two drafts and took Bonk and Luchanko instead. Passing on talent in favour of reliability is never going put your team over the top.

 

[deadhead]

All fair comments, and really highlights the meh-diocrity of the Flyers' draft strategy. They were GIFTED Perreault and Buium in the last two drafts and took Bonk and Luchanko instead. Passing on talent in favour of reliability is never going put your team over the top.

Jett has matched Buium goal for goal so far.

 

[freakydallas13]

Jett has matched Buium goal for goal so far.

Congrats, he is keeping pace with a defenceman.

 

[kudymen]

Jett has matched Buium goal for goal so far.

Hopefully ES only

 

[deadhead]

Congrats, he is keeping pace with a defenceman.

The best offensive defenseman outside of the NHL, or so I was told.

 

[bennysflyers16]

The best offensive defenseman outside of the NHL, or so I was told.

I was told Jett is a sure fire top 6 NHL center next year, yet barely playing in a junior tourney ?

Lots of tales being told.

 

[Curufinwe]

I was told Jett is a sure fire top 6 NHL center next year, yet barely playing in a junior tourney ?

Lots of tales being told.

Maybe he’ll be captain next year like Laughton was and then go on to be a 30ish point 3C/RW whose defense dissolves at age 28-29.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Russia can drop off the face of the earth. Belarus basically translates as “another Russia” so why we we need another when the original should go?

I'm aware of the situation. Only talking about hockey. Idc what they do, but the tournament is not nearly as good without Russia.

 

[freakydallas13]

The best offensive defenseman outside of the NHL, or so I was told.

Do you believe that? Because if not, then Jett (a forward) is keeping pace with an average offensive defenceman.

You can't have it both ways.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Hopefully ES only

It was not lol.

 

[LegionOfDoom91]

I'm aware of the situation. Only talking about hockey. Idc what they do, but the tournament is not nearly as good without Russia.

Even Belarus develops more NHL draft than most of the other nations in their tier. They would have had Levshunov & Protas might be a better duo than most of what the lower nations have.

So it might not be major but it still improves the overall talent pool. Obviously Russia is a for sure spot at the top level every year if they were participating. But even Belarus not being available has made things easier on the teams living on the bubble of relegation.

 

[FlyerNutter]

Russia can drop off the face of the earth. Belarus basically translates as “another Russia” so why we we need another when the original should go?

Did you feel something similar toward the USA in 2003

 

[kudymen]

It was not lol.

Well then the happiness and flexing doesn't work

 

[Magua]

The best offensive defenseman outside of the NHL, or so I was told.

Quinn Hughes had 2 points in 7 games in his age 19 WJC. “The best offensive defenseman outside of the NHL, or so I was told,” he snickered triumphantly.

(You might remember that as the WJC that Frost and Poehling led Canada and U.S. in points respectively.)