ALL of Canada’s Forwards and top-6 Defensemen are 1st Round Picks

[Statsy]

I hear ya. And Im saying that mentality has changed for Sweden......to Gold or bust. Like Canada , Russia and the USA

Sweden’s “Gold or bust” is different from the other countries you mentioned. The problem is that Sweden DOESN’T win this tournament. They feel a certain level of desperation to end that losing trend, whereas the other big countries win the WJC enough that to lose it means it’s been a subpar outing.

Interestingly Russia is going through a drought now at this event and they are starting to fall into Sweden’s category of needing one to end the skid.

 

[Statsy]

And Kakko is gone for Canada. Lafreniere is gone for Canada. Its a valid point, but the whole second half of the U17 year didn't include Hughes. The results were

5-4 over Russia
10-2 over Sweden
3-1 over Finland
8-3 over Czech Republic

And then in the first international tournament of the next season Turcotte didn't play. The results were.

8-2 over Sweden
5-2 over Czech Republic
8-1 over Switzerland
3-2 over Finland

It has never been about one player. This US age group dominated using the NTDP, and then had a very credible showing with the back ups at the Hlinka. With referees who don't grant goals after the whistle, maybe that tournament is another win, but we can't replay that tournament to see. That Hlinka roster included Wolf, Lacombe, Miller, Colangelo, Farinacci, Kaliyev, Mastrosimone, and Robertson.

It's always been about the full 2001 age group. The USA has the results to prove they've been the best (overwhelmingly) in this age group, and I would think an analysis of the 2001 players would prove the same.

For all your talk about how dominant that one age group is at the U18 level, it seems to get glossed over that they actually LOST that tournament. You can’t talk about how good their margins of victory were in meaningless games. Jesus, Canada has absolutely obliterated the field in several competitions only to lose the big game when they had an off day or were stymied by a hot goalie. If you want to proclaim your team the best when that happens, you better extend other nations the same courtesy.

 

[covfefe]

And Kakko is gone for Canada. Lafreniere is gone for Canada. Its a valid point, but the whole second half of the U17 year didn't include Hughes. The results were

5-4 over Russia
10-2 over Sweden
3-1 over Finland
8-3 over Czech Republic

And then in the first international tournament of the next season Turcotte didn't play. The results were.

8-2 over Sweden
5-2 over Czech Republic
8-1 over Switzerland
3-2 over Finland

It has never been about one player. This US age group dominated using the NTDP, and then had a very credible showing with the back ups at the Hlinka. With referees who don't grant goals after the whistle, maybe that tournament is another win, but we can't replay that tournament to see. That Hlinka roster included Wolf, Lacombe, Miller, Colangelo, Farinacci, Kaliyev, Mastrosimone, and Robertson.

It's always been about the full 2001 age group. The USA has the results to prove they've been the best (overwhelmingly) in this age group, and I would think an analysis of the 2001 players would prove the same.

I mean, we'll see. I think the US are always amongst the favourites in this tournament.

Anyway, this particular discussion, which I butted in to, seems to have been sparked by some opposition to the idea that Canada are the runaway favourites. And, well, we have 20 first round picks on the team, so in my mind it makes perfect sense that we are the favourites. Ultimately doesn't mean anything

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

For all your talk about how dominant that one age group is at the U18 level, it seems to get glossed over that they actually LOST that tournament. You can’t talk about how good their margins of victory were in meaningless games. Jesus, Canada has absolutely obliterated the field in several competitions only to lose the big game when they had an off day or were stymied by a hot goalie. If you want to proclaim your team the best when that happens, you better extend other nations the same courtesy.

You continue talking around everything I say. I’m starting to believe it’s intentional. We are talking about the relevance of past play to who is now favorite for this tournament. What matters is a body of work, not an isolated result in any tournament. I can post the full body of work again, if you want. Trying to tell me isolated results is so far beyond relevant and has never been the basis of any argument I’ve made.

 

[Treb]

Can we stop attacking each other? Thanks.

 

[lakai17]

Perfetti not getting any love here? Kid usually comes up big in International tournaments I thought.

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

Man, it's been so long since we've had some hockey. (didn't watch much of the NHL playoffs)
I'm ready to get this thing started. Don't care who's disrespecting who, don't care who is the favorite, who is the underdog.
I. Am. Pumped. For this.

 

[Statsy]

You continue talking around everything I say. I’m starting to believe it’s intentional. We are talking about the relevance of past play to who is now favorite for this tournament. What matters is a body of work, not an isolated result in any tournament. I can post the full body of work again, if you want. Trying to tell me isolated results is so far beyond relevant and has never been the basis of any argument I’ve made.

What makes a team the favourite in a tournament isn’t past results by a different mix of guys. Clearly this not the same exact group for either Canada or the US.

 

[Fatass]

What makes a team the favourite in a tournament isn’t past results by a different mix of guys. Clearly this not the same exact group for either Canada or the US.

I know we won last year, but I think this team is even better. The US is better too though. And the Russians have by far the best goalie.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Wow just saw the table. What an easy group Canada has.

These 1st round picks basically have to win 2 games to get to the final. The round roubin game vs. Finland and the semi final.

 

[Fatass]

Wow just saw the table. What an easy group Canada has.

These 1st round picks basically have to win 2 games to get to the final. The round roubin game vs. Finland and the semi final.

If Russia gets to the single game knockout part their goalie could steal games.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

What makes a team the favourite in a tournament isn’t past results by a different mix of guys. Clearly this not the same exact group for either Canada or the US.

It is substantially the same group for both countries.

You've given your opinion on what makes a favorite and I have as well. I happen to think you are very wrong, but you are certainly allowed to think what you want. Remember how this whole discussion started. The idea that there would be any favorite other than Canada was apparently so offensive to some.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

It is substantially the same group for both countries.

You've given your opinion on what makes a favorite and I have as well. I happen to think you are very wrong, but you are certainly allowed to think what you want. Remember how this whole discussion started. The idea that there would be any favorite other than Canada was apparently so offensive to some.

It’s not the same groups though. Canada is adding two top-end 19-year old players in Dach and Newhook, who weren’t on the team last year. Not to mention the army of 1st round picks from the 2020 draft.

 

[covfefe]

Perfetti not getting any love here? Kid usually comes up big in International tournaments I thought.

You could say that...

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Where Canada doesn't have one is in nets.
Sweden 19 y/os won U18 worlds in 2019 and they have a 2021 1st round pick goaltender
Team USA lots of fire power; good d-men and Knight who can be the difference
Russia will be hard to beat and they have Askarov who basically won the Hlinka for them

 

[Statsy]

It is substantially the same group for both countries.

You've given your opinion on what makes a favorite and I have as well. I happen to think you are very wrong, but you are certainly allowed to think what you want. Remember how this whole discussion started. The idea that there would be any favorite other than Canada was apparently so offensive to some.

But not to me. I actually have the US as the second highest rated team, and not far behind either. However, I will once again mention that what any of us thinks about the quality of these lineups is actually meaningless. This will be settled on the ice.

 

[Mathieukferland]

I'm Canadian, so obviously I can't speak for these nations, but I'm not so sure. I think the US definitely have that same attitude (gold or bust). And it seems like the Russians do too. But from my perception it seems like the Swedes have a different attitude about things. It seems like they're still able to value/celebrate silver medals.. even if there's disappointment with falling short of gold.

Lias Andersson didn’t seem to value his too much

 

[Gold Standard]

But not to me. I actually have the US as the second highest rated team, and not far behind either. However, I will once again mention that what any of us thinks about the quality of these lineups is actually meaningless. This will be settled on the ice.

Canada v USA will make for a great gold medal game. I hope that's the way things play out.

8 days 8 hours 28 minutes (approx) to puck drop!

Can't wait for Christmas turkey neck, a bottle of red and some World Juniors

 

[PaulD]

Sweden’s “Gold or bust” is different from the other countries you mentioned. The problem is that Sweden DOESN’T win this tournament. They feel a certain level of desperation to end that losing trend, whereas the other big countries win the WJC enough that to lose it means it’s been a subpar outing.

Interestingly Russia is going through a drought now at this event and they are starting to fall into Sweden’s category of needing one to end the skid.

Different ? Not to them. Gold or bust is Gold or bust.

 

[PaulD]

Nope, youre saying we already know they wont be as good as 2005 or 95. I'm saying you have absolutely no way of knowing that already.

yea right...........and we have no way of knowing if Germany will win Gold either.

Don't need a crystal ball to state the obvious.

2005 team beats the 2020 team easily.

 

[Half Clapper]

And yet Byfield is the only one who looks like a sure shot NHL first liner. Dach, Cozens and Perfetti could get there too but far from a guarantee.

Uh what??? Dach is going to be a top-line player for a long time lol.

 

[PaulD]

Agree to disagree I guess. But like I said, I'm hardly informed on the matter. Just what I've noticed when engaging with a few Swedish fans.
For the record, I hope Canada is able to adopt some of that grace in the years ahead. I don't think it conflicts with our will to win. But there's a hell of a lot of talent out there. You're simply not going to come home with gold every year.

All that said though... this year's lineup looks about as stacked as they come haha, and I'm 100% on board with the "gold or bust" mentality.

agree to agree on this one !

 

[Statsy]

Different ? Not to them. Gold or bust is Gold or bust.

Fair enough!

 

[PaulD]

Wow just saw the table. What an easy group Canada has.

These 1st round picks basically have to win 2 games to get to the final. The round roubin game vs. Finland and the semi final.

Easy path. Not always a good thing for the players. Never a good thing for fans. I'll tune in when the competition shows up.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

Serious question...why "should" Byfield be on the 1st or 2nd line for you to ask the question like that?

Well I haven't been able to watch these prospects too much, I figured Byfield would have earned a top 6 position given his 2nd overall and his strong season. he's a power forward that can skate like the wind isn't he? not taking away from the other kids they are awesome too I just thought Byfield was little higher. most prospects rankings I've seen Byfield ranked 2nd after Laf.