WJC: Czech Republic 2020 Roster Talk

[BigBadBoar]

I am completely OK with Raska'a suspension. I think it's adequate. Really, doing such things with 16 seconds left when the score is 6-0 is stupid and dangerous and has no place in hockey.

 

[Swipes]

7-1 is bad. I didn't expect us to win, but that's a bit much given that we were pretty solid in the first period and part of the second. Malik needs to learn not to overplay the shots-he cost us at least two goals. I didn't see any goals after 4-1 though as I figured the game was done.

Regarding our players, I thought Svozil was excellent. Really poised, composed player who has a great stretch-pass, is offensively-minded and creative.

I liked Jiricek too, although like someone said he wasn't really getting much credit from the commentators.

Muzik also stood out for me, worked hard + had some good plays and interceptions-don't know much about him.

Let's re-group and hopefully play better vs Russia.

 

[joey16]

One question for someone who might watch czech prospects more closely. What are the flaws of Martin Beranek? For a guy who has played more than 100 games among men (even though most of it in second tier) and this year has 6 points in 17 games in Extraliga seems to me a bit surprising he was just 13th forward but maybe it has some reason...

 

[Czechboy]

Here's my question:

Where is Kubicek? Is he hurt? Suspended? Healthy scratch? I'm not saying this was why we lost but I expected him as a fixture in our Top 4.

Hopefully he and Raska are back tomorrow with Parik in net (not that I blame Malik in anyway)

 

[Wooren]

I figured the 6-0 win against Slovakia would be the peak showing for this Czech team, but a 7-1 loss is terrible, inexcusable really.

It has been 11 years since the possibly worst WJC loss in Czech history, falling 1-10 to Sweden, so I guess losing only 1-7 is a progress of some kind? Maybe we have to wait another 11 years though, poor Kral, Lener and co. haven't had enough time for their changes to make impact just yet.

 

[Czechboy]

I figured the 6-0 win against Slovakia would be the peak showing for this Czech team, but a 7-1 loss is terrible, inexcusable really.

It has been 11 years since the possibly worst WJC loss in Czech history, falling 1-10 to Sweden, so I guess losing only 1-7 is a progress of some kind? Maybe we have to wait another 11 years though, poor Kral, Lener and co. haven't had enough time for their changes to make impact just yet.

We're almost there wooren!

 

[smitty10]

Malik didn't play well. Czechs were a worthy opponent for most of the game. I expect a goaltending change and closer score against Russia.

 

[czechcanadian]

I figured the 6-0 win against Slovakia would be the peak showing for this Czech team, but a 7-1 loss is terrible, inexcusable really.

It has been 11 years since the possibly worst WJC loss in Czech history, falling 1-10 to Sweden, so I guess losing only 1-7 is a progress of some kind? Maybe we have to wait another 11 years though, poor Kral, Lener and co. haven't had enough time for their changes to make impact just yet.

It’s so upsetting I know...
especially since they played so well at the beginning and then just let it go.
Fear not though my friend! There’s definitely some light at the end of the tunnel. I’m confident we’ll be more competitive soon. Svozil and Jiricek are just the beginning.

 

[Wooren]

Malik didn't play well. Czechs were a worthy opponent for most of the game. I expect a goaltending change and closer score against Russia.

He wasn't great, but it's hardly his fault the team in front of him PKed for the first time in their career apparently, neither is his fault a guy like Has runs the PP for the Czechs.

Speaking of which, anybody recall Craig Button's take on Czech powerplays during the game against Slovakia? He compared it to the Finnish one in 2016, which included guys like Laine, Aho or Puljujarvi. It was ridiculous claim during the game already and it sure didn't age well one game into the tournament. They had like 6 powerplays against Sweden and the Mysak's goal was the only good chance they generated (and Mysak still almost found a way to not score on it.)

It’s so upsetting I know...
especially since they played so well at the beginning and then just let it go.
Fear not though my friend! There’s definitely some light at the end of the tunnel. I’m confident we’ll be more competitive soon. Svozil and Jiricek are just the beginning.

Oh yeah? If those two are just the beginning, who are the other up and coming studs? I am sorry to burst your bubble, but there is no light. Other than the two you mentioned, the 2003-born generation offers very little. 2004's should be better, but that's not saying much, because the 2002's and 2003's are terrible.

Until the clueless fools who run Czech hockey get replaced by competent people nothing is going to change, and considering Kral is the only candidate for the presidency all the time, it sure doesn't seem like there's any will for a change. Take the joke Litomerice project for example, you know how many U20 players are top 10 in ice time on that squad? One (funnily enough Simon Kubicek, who was healthy scratched against Sweden.) The rest are all older players with zero upside, and guess who their starting goalie is (despite having terrible stats?) That's right, Kral's son, another player with no upside going forward. Why isn't some talented goaltender given the chance instead, at least as the backup? Why are all the younger players on bottom lines playing with each other, while the mediocre players get all the prime time?

The only thing Czech hockey is doing well are their PR articles and videos on Hokej.cz, where they talk about their fantastic projects, such as the mentioned Litomerice, the academy system, the "increasing" quality of Czech youth and how this and that generation looks promising and we are finally starting to see the results of the good work with youth. Then those players get to the WJC age and get spanked 1-7 just like all their predecessors. There has actually been some series released not long ago, which went through some areas of youth hockey in Czech Republic and watching it you would think everything is working perfectly. It's a joke and in a way I wish the Czech WJC or even the adult team got relegated, because frankly that seems like the only way to get rid of those clowns.

I am sorry for this rant, I wish I shared the optimism, but I did so about five years ago and it has somehow gotten only worse since then. Zero reason to believe it's getting better anytime soon.

 

[Czechboy]

He wasn't great, but it's hardly his fault the team in front of him PKed for the first time in their career apparently, neither is his fault a guy like Has runs the PP for the Czechs.

Speaking of which, anybody recall Craig Button's take on Czech powerplays during the game against Slovakia? He compared it to the Finnish one in 2016, which included guys like Laine, Aho or Puljujarvi. It was ridiculous claim during the game already and it sure didn't age well one game into the tournament. They had like 6 powerplays against Sweden and the Mysak's goal was the only good chance they generated (and Mysak still almost found a way to not score on it.)


Oh yeah? If those two are just the beginning, who are the other up and coming studs? I am sorry to burst your bubble, but there is no light. Other than the two you mentioned, the 2003-born generation offers very little. 2004's should be better, but that's not saying much, because the 2002's and 2003's are terrible.

Until the clueless fools who run Czech hockey get replaced by competent people nothing is going to change, and considering Kral is the only candidate for the presidency all the time, it sure doesn't seem like there's any will for a change. Take the joke Litomerice project for example, you know how many U20 players are top 10 in ice time on that squad? One (funnily enough Simon Kubicek, who was healthy scratched against Sweden.) The rest are all older players with zero upside, and guess who their starting goalie is (despite having terrible stats?) That's right, Kral's son, another player with no upside going forward. Why isn't some talented goaltender given the chance instead, at least as the backup? Why are all the younger players on bottom lines playing with each other, while the mediocre players get all the prime time?

The only thing Czech hockey is doing well are their PR articles and videos on Hokej.cz, where they talk about their fantastic projects, such as the mentioned Litomerice, the academy system, the "increasing" quality of Czech youth and how this and that generation looks promising and we are finally starting to see the results of the good work with youth. Then those players get to the WJC age and get spanked 1-7 just like all their predecessors. There has actually been some series released not long ago, which went through some areas of youth hockey in Czech Republic and watching it you would think everything is working perfectly. It's a joke and in a way I wish the Czech WJC or even the adult team got relegated, because frankly that seems like the only way to get rid of those clowns.

I am sorry for this rant, I wish I shared the optimism, but I did so about five years ago and it has somehow gotten only worse since then. Zero reason to believe it's getting better anytime soon.

Hamara can be added to the group I think. Otherwise, yeah, it's terrible and has been for a long time.

Kubicek was named top 3 player last year and got healthy scratched? Did he gain weight during covid? Is he out of shape? I'm so confused.

No Dobes invite + the naming of the assistants + benching Kubicek + starting Malik over 2 other drafted goalies on the roster... it just all has a weird vibe to me. Felt pretty straight forward to me to be honest this year.

Knowing Czech coaches they'll bench Teply because he didn't score enough yesterday.

 

[Czechboy]

Hamara can be added to the group I think. Otherwise, yeah, it's terrible and has been for a long time.

Kubicek was named top 3 player last year and got healthy scratched? Did he gain weight during covid? Is he out of shape? I'm so confused.

No Dobes invite + the naming of the assistants + benching Kubicek + starting Malik over 2 other drafted goalies on the roster... it just all has a weird vibe to me. Felt pretty straight forward to me to be honest this year.

Knowing Czech coaches they'll bench Teply because he didn't score enough yesterday.

Sounds like they benched Pytlik instead.lol

 

[Swipes]

I didn't see the game, but 2-0 vs Russia is impressive.

 

[pgfan66]

He wasn't great, but it's hardly his fault the team in front of him PKed for the first time in their career apparently, neither is his fault a guy like Has runs the PP for the Czechs.

Speaking of which, anybody recall Craig Button's take on Czech powerplays during the game against Slovakia? He compared it to the Finnish one in 2016, which included guys like Laine, Aho or Puljujarvi. It was ridiculous claim during the game already and it sure didn't age well one game into the tournament. They had like 6 powerplays against Sweden and the Mysak's goal was the only good chance they generated (and Mysak still almost found a way to not score on it.)


Oh yeah? If those two are just the beginning, who are the other up and coming studs? I am sorry to burst your bubble, but there is no light. Other than the two you mentioned, the 2003-born generation offers very little. 2004's should be better, but that's not saying much, because the 2002's and 2003's are terrible.

Until the clueless fools who run Czech hockey get replaced by competent people nothing is going to change, and considering Kral is the only candidate for the presidency all the time, it sure doesn't seem like there's any will for a change. Take the joke Litomerice project for example, you know how many U20 players are top 10 in ice time on that squad? One (funnily enough Simon Kubicek, who was healthy scratched against Sweden.) The rest are all older players with zero upside, and guess who their starting goalie is (despite having terrible stats?) That's right, Kral's son, another player with no upside going forward. Why isn't some talented goaltender given the chance instead, at least as the backup? Why are all the younger players on bottom lines playing with each other, while the mediocre players get all the prime time?

The only thing Czech hockey is doing well are their PR articles and videos on Hokej.cz, where they talk about their fantastic projects, such as the mentioned Litomerice, the academy system, the "increasing" quality of Czech youth and how this and that generation looks promising and we are finally starting to see the results of the good work with youth. Then those players get to the WJC age and get spanked 1-7 just like all their predecessors. There has actually been some series released not long ago, which went through some areas of youth hockey in Czech Republic and watching it you would think everything is working perfectly. It's a joke and in a way I wish the Czech WJC or even the adult team got relegated, because frankly that seems like the only way to get rid of those clowns.

I am sorry for this rant, I wish I shared the optimism, but I did so about five years ago and it has somehow gotten only worse since then. Zero reason to believe it's getting better anytime soon.

Who are the other good 04s? Šapovaliv, Rymon, Slavíček? How good do you think they are?

 

[smitty10]

Sounds like they benched Pytlik instead.lol

I figured he was injured?

 

[Wooren]

Who are the other good 04s? Šapovaliv, Rymon, Slavíček? How good do you think they are?

Yes, those three among others. I think Sapovaliv has 1st round upside, the other two are also solid prospects. The top end of Hamara-Sapovaliv is actually comparable to the of 03-borns with Jiricek-Svozil, but the younger generation offers much deeper pool of players. Don't want to list all the other worthwhile players, it's quite easy to detect those just by stats, but two players who are also worth keeping an eye on would be Trunda and Kulich. I really hope the U18 WJC happens, I think there could be a decent amount of underagers on the Czech squad.

 

[BigBadBoar]

Sounds like they benched Pytlik instead.lol

Pytlik suffered a minor lower body injury, that is why he was not in the line-up vs Russia. He's expected to return maybe vs the US.

 

[czechcanadian]

He wasn't great, but it's hardly his fault the team in front of him PKed for the first time in their career apparently, neither is his fault a guy like Has runs the PP for the Czechs.

Speaking of which, anybody recall Craig Button's take on Czech powerplays during the game against Slovakia? He compared it to the Finnish one in 2016, which included guys like Laine, Aho or Puljujarvi. It was ridiculous claim during the game already and it sure didn't age well one game into the tournament. They had like 6 powerplays against Sweden and the Mysak's goal was the only good chance they generated (and Mysak still almost found a way to not score on it.)


Oh yeah? If those two are just the beginning, who are the other up and coming studs? I am sorry to burst your bubble, but there is no light. Other than the two you mentioned, the 2003-born generation offers very little. 2004's should be better, but that's not saying much, because the 2002's and 2003's are terrible.

Until the clueless fools who run Czech hockey get replaced by competent people nothing is going to change, and considering Kral is the only candidate for the presidency all the time, it sure doesn't seem like there's any will for a change. Take the joke Litomerice project for example, you know how many U20 players are top 10 in ice time on that squad? One (funnily enough Simon Kubicek, who was healthy scratched against Sweden.) The rest are all older players with zero upside, and guess who their starting goalie is (despite having terrible stats?) That's right, Kral's son, another player with no upside going forward. Why isn't some talented goaltender given the chance instead, at least as the backup? Why are all the younger players on bottom lines playing with each other, while the mediocre players get all the prime time?

The only thing Czech hockey is doing well are their PR articles and videos on Hokej.cz, where they talk about their fantastic projects, such as the mentioned Litomerice, the academy system, the "increasing" quality of Czech youth and how this and that generation looks promising and we are finally starting to see the results of the good work with youth. Then those players get to the WJC age and get spanked 1-7 just like all their predecessors. There has actually been some series released not long ago, which went through some areas of youth hockey in Czech Republic and watching it you would think everything is working perfectly. It's a joke and in a way I wish the Czech WJC or even the adult team got relegated, because frankly that seems like the only way to get rid of those clowns.

I am sorry for this rant, I wish I shared the optimism, but I did so about five years ago and it has somehow gotten only worse since then. Zero reason to believe it's getting better anytime soon.

Yeah I know I remember when you first started posting here. Full of optimism and then you went right down the gutter after a couple years lol.
I understand what you’re saying. I’m fully aware of those things.
But I’ve been watching for close to 15 years now. It could be that I’m getting used to it but trust me it has gotten much better since 2006-07. It’s been very slow but still moving in the right direction. Back then Finland wasn’t what they are now. Russia had a couple weaker teams in those days too. So it didn’t look as bad as it really was.
Most importantly though, you simply cannot expect some sudden change in U20 performances. It takes time. A lot of time.
Nobody in Czech knew about the issues in youth programs (or decided to act) until about 2008-09. Right across the board all age groups were failing. Results really got bad fast and so they tried to implement some new strategies. Of course any sort of implementation doesnt happen overnight. And therefore results of that, or any other changes, don’t come quick either.

So if you consider all that, 2010 was probably the first year that something (although minor) happened.
Which means the first age groups affected by it through their entire minor hockey life would be the 04/05 born players. Of course older age groups would have been somewhat impacted as well. anywhere from 2000 but 04/05 already looks very good for both Czechs and Slovaks. I know it’s early and I understand the pessimism, but things are definitely changing for the better.
There is still certainly many issues that need to be corrected, but it doesn’t mean there hasn’t been any improvement or that there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.
Could be 5-10 more years to see real consistency though.

 

[Czechboy]

Could be 5-10 more years to see real consistency though.

I wrote this artcile almost 10 years ago:

Czech Republic WJHC Preview: The drive for five, er, 5th place!

Has much changed at all since 2010?

I am very excited about what I call the 'bronze generation' coming through: Necas, Kaut, Zadina, Chytil, Dostal, Hronek seem like a great base to build a competitive national team. Now add in veterans like Voracek, Hertl and Pastrnak on forward. Guys like Hajek, Svozil, Jiricek, Kempny, Simek to fill out the D. It does look as good as it has in a long time.

 

[czechcanadian]

What’s crazy is that both Svozil and Jiricek have been for the most part more impressive than any other Czech D. Svozil against Sweden especially and Jiricek against Russia.
I like Krutil a lot actually too. Nothing fancy but really steady and reliable.
Has has been pretty disappointing so far for me..
Bit of a liability back there with his lack of speed. Hasn’t showed a lot of hockey sense.

 

[czechcanadian]

I wrote this artcile almost 10 years ago:

Czech Republic WJHC Preview: The drive for five, er, 5th place!

Has much changed at all since 2010?

I am very excited about what I call the 'bronze generation' coming through: Necas, Kaut, Zadina, Chytil, Dostal, Hronek seem like a great base to build a competitive national team. Now add in veterans like Voracek, Hertl and Pastrnak on forward. Guys like Hajek, Svozil, Jiricek, Kempny, Simek to fill out the D. It does look as good as it has in a long time.

Quick answer is yes. 2010 was our worst ever wjc I think.
2012 we had some better result but mostly due to Mrazek and maybe Hertl. Still didn’t have much depth though. But that was the first year we had some decent talent on the team. Prior to that our top guys were Petr Straka, Jakub Culek, vladimir Ruzicka jr, Antonin Honejsek, etc... it was bad. Really bad.
gradually got better from 2012 on and then somewhat stalled. I’ll agree on that. But my main point is I think it could be better soon based on my post above.

 

[Czechboy]

What’s crazy is that both Svozil and Jiricek have been for the most part more impressive than any other Czech D. Svozil against Sweden especially and Jiricek against Russia.
I like Krutil a lot actually too. Nothing fancy but really steady and reliable.
Has has been pretty disappointing so far for me..
Bit of a liability back there with his lack of speed. Hasn’t showed a lot of hockey sense.

I like Has a lot but he seems to be struggling. I like Kubicek a lot but he's played 10 minutes.
Krutil has been great... very understated and lots of minutes.
I didn't really notice Svozil last night if I'm being honest. He seemed to be everywhere against Swedes and Slovaks.
I'm not sure I get why Kucerik is leading us in minutes? Nothing against him, maybe I'm missing something?
I'd keep it Has/Svozil as they compliment each other great. I'd like to see Kubicek move up in minutes with Jiricek or Krutil (can't remember handedness).
It's entirely possible our Top 4 next year could be Svozil, Jiricek, Krutil and Hamara... that's outstanding by Czech standards.

 

[Czechboy]

2010 was our worst ever wjc I think

In retrospect.. it gave us 1 full time NHLer in Palat (who just finished 6th in Czech athlete of the year and has a shiney cup ring)... Frk is still in NHL with a contract as well.

Some nice Euro stars in Musil, Jerabek, Horak, Nejstrasil, Rachunek and Fillip

2 of the goalies are still around too but in Extraliga I think.

Definitely not an all star cast.lol I don't care that it didn't work out, I will always cheer for David Musil! He's agreat player from the wrong decade.

 

[Czechboy]

25 blocked shots!!!

Statistiky po Rusku: čisté konto, dříč Kučeřík a 25 zblokovaných střel! | Hokej.cz - web českého hokeje

Top minutes were Kucerik... Krutil.. Klikorka
Shockingly, to me, Koffer lead forward in minutes. Not shocking, Raska had the most shots for us. Lang continues to have a beauty tourney.

 

[czechcanadian]

 

[Czechboy]

Thank you... love that report. Totally by accident but I left my feed on and CT24 replayed the Czech/Russia game and it was the final minute... Jiricek was out there.

If Svozil is anything like Provorov I will be ecstatic!