WC: Austria 2024 roster talk

[PanniniClaus]

Very exciting game. Austria lives up to its reputation, can score goals and will give up more.

Thimo Nickl played really well. He was in a tough spot having to battle down below and basically shield the net solo. He not only got the assist, but also fought really hard. Interesting because for years, behind closed doors he's sorta been the guy other austrian players and scouts thought was overrated. He has developed though, he can play a tenacious game and protect the goalie.

Defense is still a huge issue. 18 goals in 3 games is obviously too much. Austria has never lacked speedy and skill, and this is not less true now, but still can't match up physically with basically any other team. That said, it's really cool to see the whole team come together and rally. I mean, I remember checking after all of Peter Schneider's games with the Indy Fuel. And Dominic Zwerger's games with the Spokane Chiefs. All the way down to Rohrer when he was in the U17 Elite. So this is pretty cool.

It was a wonderful day for Austrian hockey. Nickl should be playing AHL hockey next year if he wants to stay in NA. He's good enough. Madlener did all he's really capable of... I keep calling for them to import a goaltender but it seems it's the David duo for now.

I loved Schneider's poise today.

I was very disappointed by how passive they were early in the game and maybe if they had a bit more jump and energy.. they could have stabbed Canada early.

Is M Raffl done with the National Team?

 

[kabidjan18]

It was a wonderful day for Austrian hockey. Nickl should be playing AHL hockey next year if he wants to stay in NA. He's good enough. Madlener did all he's really capable of... I keep calling for them to import a goaltender but it seems it's the David duo for now.

I loved Schneider's poise today.

I was very disappointed by how passive they were early in the game and maybe if they had a bit more jump and energy.. they could have stabbed Canada early.

Is M Raffl done with the National Team?

Raffl is done. Nickl is probably playing in Austria next year. If they didn't come out so flat they probably never make a comeback haha.

As far as "reinforcements", I would think mainly Marco Kasper and David Reinbacher. Maybe Luis Lindner. I think if you're looking for a defenseman who has Dominique Heinrich qualities without his physical deficits, Lindner is probably the closest you will find. But he is, unquestionably also, a defensive liability.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Raffl is done. Nickl is probably playing in Austria next year. If they didn't come out so flat they probably never make a comeback haha.

As far as "reinforcements", I would think mainly Marco Kasper and David Reinbacher. Maybe Luis Lindner. I think if you're looking for a defenseman who has Dominique Heinrich qualities without his physical deficits, Lindner is probably the closest you will find. But he is, unquestionably also, a defensive liability.

I like Wimmer's raw tools but maybe he's not developing?

 

[swissdude]

Is M Raffl really done with the NT, I thought he refused due to the long season with Lausanne and because he was banged up. He played a hell of a playoff and certainly would be an upgrade? Hofer would also help but he retired

 

[kabidjan18]

I like Wimmer's raw tools but maybe he's not developing?

He is receiving the Salzburg development path of no playing time plus no coaching.

 

[PanniniClaus]

He is receiving the Salzburg development path of no playing time plus no coaching.

terrific

 

[ozo]

Congrats, Kabidjan. I can only imagine how good this tournament feels for you so far.

 

[kabidjan18]

Is M Raffl really done with the NT, I thought he refused due to the long season with Lausanne and because he was banged up. He played a hell of a playoff and certainly would be an upgrade? Hofer would also help but he retired

I read he was done but your german is better than mine...

Who knows, maybe watching the team this time around will stir in him some desire to do it again in August.

I don't blame him either way, he has had to try to carry some absolutely atrocious teams over the years.

 

[kabidjan18]

Congrats, Kabidjan. I can only imagine how good this tournament feels for you so far.

It's been surreal but I'm not getting my hopes up too high just yet. I have experienced a lot of disappointment before.

 

[kabidjan18]

Die große WM-Einzelkritik für die ÖEHV-Spieler

Freimuller with his annual insights. As always with guarded language. But slightly more positive than usual.

I think with great irony. He suggests that Heinrich still has a role as PP1 Quarterback. Not reading German, I can’t tell if he says that as a statement of fact (it is such) or a statement of opinion (it should be such). But later, he suggests that he is curious to see if Unterweger can succeed Postma as PP pointman at KAC. Which reveals the irony of Austrian hockey. He is good enough to succeed Postma but not good enough to succeed Heinrich.

The assessments I largely agree with. For me, two things can be true. One can be very happy with the result of the tournament, I am, and also still think there are things on the team that are lacking and require improvement, which I do. Especially that, often times there is not overlap in satisfaction and dissatisfaction. I think most fans, for example, have no dissatisfaction with Dominic Zwerger’s performance, or Clemens Unterweger’s performance or Bernd Wolf’s performance. To that there is no negative.

To be an Austria fan is to have mixed feelings. The only pure positive experience I can recall is the U20 WJC in 2020, every other tournament includes some disappointment, followed by some success that gives hope, followed by disappointment again.

 

[PanniniClaus]

No Austrian 2025 thread that I can see but I see Atte Tolvanen has been called up to the Austrian National Team for 2025. I would say he becomes their automatic number 1.

 

[SantosHalper]

No Austrian 2025 thread that I can see but I see Atte Tolvanen has been called up to the Austrian National Team for 2025. I would say he becomes their automatic number 1.

Finland and Austria plays in the same group, now we just need Eeli to play for Finland at the upcoming tournament. Brother vs brother. Quite a good chance that we see it, Eeli is under contract, Seattle is not making the playoffs and he didn't make the 4 nations roster. Last chance to make a case that he belongs in the Olympic team.