Does team North America have a chance to win the WCH?

[DJJones]

Very well said and spot on I think.

No one is fooling themselves about the nature of the tournament, but some of us want to enjoy it anyway because of the exact reasons you talk about here.

It's September 9th and I just saw some fantastic hockey.

I don't understand how anyone is complaining.

 

[snipes]

Last nights performance has me at least considering the real possibility that they can finish top 3.

It has really got me jacked to see what they can do against the big boy traditional powers of Russia, Finland and Sweden in their group.

Can't wait for those match ups now, they should be a lot of fun.

I think it will ramp up the fans from those places too, no way are they gonna want their boys to lose to this under 24 team.

No way..........too much pride.

I love it. They will be playing 3 tough European hockey powers, they're starting to build that "us against the world" mentality. This is the team I'm following the most, that pace yesterday was incredible.

If there were questions about whether or not these kids will be motivated, those should be answered. The intensity level should be high, they're still underdogs but I think they can beat anyone in their group. I wonder how they'll look in group play.

Can't wait .

 

[MNRube]

They may actually be the fastest team ever assembled as some have claimed. They won near every puck battle. Yea, Europe has an older, slower roster but still, NA's ability to win races gives them a chance against anyone IMO.

 

[Poignant Discussion*]

I was thinking more along the lines of the YG's feeling awkward.

Does McDavid really want to be the one who eliminates Canada in OT? Does the thought of it fill him with excitement?

Will Goudreau jump for joy after his empty-netter takes out Team USA?

Awkward doesn't begin to describe it.

If the answer is no to either of these questions, then I would not want that player anywhere near my team.

It's more like would you want to score the goal to eliminate the heavy favorites?

 

[jj cale]

I love it. They will be playing 3 tough European hockey powers, they're starting to build that "us against the world" mentality. This is the team I'm following the most, that pace yesterday was incredible.

If there were questions about whether or not these kids will be motivated, those should be answered. The intensity level should be high, they're still underdogs but I think they can beat anyone in their group. I wonder how they'll look in group play.

Can't wait .

Basically a certainty they will get pushed and face adversity in the round robin, how they respond to that will be very interesting. As talented as they are it's a young team but I think a key thing is that their goalie Murray has now been all the way through the up and down playoffs and is a cup winner,that sure helps in that regard.

They are disgustingly fast, talented and if the first game is any indication..........very motivated.

They would have beaten most of the teams at this thing last night. First exhibition game I know, but still..............they are here to compete.

Teams better be ready and not underestimate them.

 

[jj cale]

It's September 9th and I just saw some fantastic hockey.

I don't understand how anyone is complaining.

Well, I understand and respect the complaints but I think they have all been all discussed and argued thoroughly now and it is beating a dead horse and those that want to watch some good or maybe even great hockey should do that and those who are totally against it not watch and move on with what they had planned for their lives in september.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Yes, you do. Go back to the them thread for those who don't like the WCH and let the rest of us enjoy the best teams on the planet.

Yes please!

This thread is getting hijacked quickly.

It is supposed to be about whether we think the under 24 team can win this tournament.

There is already a thread that focuses on the whether these 2 gimmick teams are a good idea and what it means to have them included in this tournament (world cup of hockey a bust)

Let's keep this thread on track shall we?

That would be nice.

The only people that can't comprehend what this tournament is are the people who are constantly complaining about the format. There are zero people who are being tricked by the NHL's "false advertising" and will eventually be horrified when they realize that this isn't the Olympics. That is an absurd notion.

Everyone else is just sitting back and watching some excellent hockey in a month that was previously barren. The only downer here are those desperately trying to find some way to whine about an entertaining event.

In a defense and possession driven NHL where scoring is down, it is refreshing to see an event team that has a foundation in speed and skill. The U-23 team is great and certainly has a chance to upset one of USA or Canada.

It's the same couple of posters saying the same thing hundreds of times in many, many different threads. I got tired of it a long time ago.

Last nights performance has me at least considering the real possibility that they can finish top 3.

It has really got me jacked to see what they can do against the big boy traditional powers of Russia, Finland and Sweden in their group.

Can't wait for those match ups now, they should be a lot of fun.

I think it will ramp up the fans from those places too, no way are they gonna want their boys to lose to this under 24 team.

No way..........too much pride.

Last night was more or less what I expected. I'd rank this team 4th right now, I have it something like this:

Canada>>>>>>>>>>>Sweden/US>>>Young Guns>>>Finland>>Russia>>>>>Czech Republic>>Team Europe.

Canada over Young Guns in one semifinal and the Young Guns play one of Sweden/US is my prediction.

I wouldn't bet on it though, I'd guess they lose to Sweden and have to beat Finland and Russia to make it through and that's a tall order. Or maybe a win and a tie does it who knows, either way it's a tough battle in that group

 

[Sweetpotato]

They may actually be the fastest team ever assembled as some have claimed. They won near every puck battle. Yea, Europe has an older, slower roster but still, NA's ability to win races gives them a chance against anyone IMO.

This was huge. I think as was said earlier when Kopitar was on the ice it became a 2 team game so it's hard to say how US, Sweden, CAN and FIN will fare but I think with the speed they have+Larkin(I believe he's getting added or is he out?) they can really push teams.

As for the idea that it'll be awkward eliminating their countries team....McDavid didn't look too broken up when he buried his childhood Leafs earlier this year. I don't think it'll even cross their minds this isn't the olympics where patriotism is a huge factor, this is a Frankenstein tournament that just based on last night should be really entertaining.

Also, it means nothing, but I hope Canada vs NA happens, McDavid vs Crosby for the first time lol.

 

[jj cale]

I wouldn't bet on it though, I'd guess they lose to Sweden and have to beat Finland and Russia to make it through and that's a tall order. Or maybe a win and a tie does it who knows, either way it's a tough battle in that group

Good analysis and them getting through that group will be a tall order indeed.

 

[JackSlater]

The only people that can't comprehend what this tournament is are the people who are constantly complaining about the format. There are zero people who are being tricked by the NHL's "false advertising" and will eventually be horrified when they realize that this isn't the Olympics. That is an absurd notion.

There is plenty of evidence that many do not comprehend what the tournament is. I agreed with your assessment of what it is, but that is not the consensus by any stretch.

Because this isn't the Olympics. A country winning this means nothing. Oh, USA or Canada won a tournament that didn't even exist last year. Go team!

It's not like if NA wins they're stopping their country from winning some prestigious title with meaning.

It was the longest running best on best tournament in hockey. It meant plenty until the NHL announced the gimmick teams. I agree that this edition is meaningless.

It's the same couple of posters saying the same thing hundreds of times in many, many different threads. I got tired of it a long time ago.

Ah yes, are you still attempting to claim falsely that this tournament is not being presented as an international tournament? It was funny before, curious if you bothered to read or listen to the factual evidence to the contrary.

Also funny to see how much stock some put into an exhibition against a European Leftovers team. The Young Gunz may win this tournament, they may be the strongest team that as ever dreamed up by Bettman and crew, but I'm skeptical that an exhibition against The European Leftovers indicates much.

 

[snipes]

Basically a certainty they will get pushed and face adversity in the round robin, how they respond to that will be very interesting. As talented as they are it's a young team but I think a key thing is that their goalie Murray has now been all the way through the up and down playoffs and is a cup winner,that sure helps in that regard.

They are disgustingly fast, talented and if the first game is any indication..........very motivated.

They would have beaten most of the teams at this thing last night. First exhibition game I know, but still..............they are here to compete.

Teams better be ready and not underestimate them.

Yup. Don't overlook the D as well. Those guys were pretty steady overall last night.

 

[Scotty B]

They've already announced their arrival since all these players have previously represented their country and have excelled in the NHL. These aren't high school kids no has heard of being given a shot at glory.

Lebron entered the NBA fresh outa HS, and he was anything but unheralded. A team of Division one All Stars, led by a teen-aged Lebron, back in the day, could - in theory -- beat a team of established NBA stars, on a given day...Which seems roughly analogous to NA U23's beating TC, led by teens like McD, Matthews, yadda yadda.

McD, MacK and Ekblad have all played on WC teams, They're all great kids, but are they really ready for our A team? Similarly, many US collegians have played on US Olympic BB teams, BUT those were NOT Dream Teams!

 

[Bieber fever]

Team canada defense is not that good.Weber , Bouw , Vlasic , Muzzin are not #1 dman in the nhl. 1:16 odds are just to good .

 

[Scotty B]

They may actually be the fastest team ever assembled as some have claimed. They won near every puck battle. Yea, Europe has an older, slower roster but still, NA's ability to win races gives them a chance against anyone IMO.

They will be even faster with Larkin in the lineup

 

[jj cale]

Also funny to see how much stock some put into an exhibition against a European Leftovers team. The Young Gunz may win this tournament, they may be the strongest team that as ever dreamed up by Bettman and crew, but I'm skeptical that an exhibition against The European Leftovers indicates much.

I can't deny that you are right it was a first exhibition game against what very well may be the weakest team in the tournament and may not count for much.

But what does count for something(with me at least) is HOW they played and the ability they showed, I don't think any of us could deny that either based on the showcase last evening. Speed and talent kills and they have got it. All through the game last night I was thinking how their play would have worked against the swedish and Finnish show of play in their game yesterday and I came away convinced they would have beaten both those teams.

But as you say, it is only a first exhibition game, I am not getting too far ahead of myself.

 

[jj cale]

Yup. Don't overlook the D as well. Those guys were pretty steady overall last night.

I think their D has been getting overlooked all along snipes.

No clear cut NHL number one d-men on that team at this point in their career but a lot of guys who will be knocking on that door very soon, a lot of talent there.

Better then a few teams at this thing without question.

 

[snipes]

I think their D has been getting overlooked all along snipes.

No clear cut NHL number one d-men on that team at this point in their career but a lot of guys who will be knocking on that door very soon, a lot of talent there.

Better then a few teams at this thing without question.

Murray played his quiet game and he was steady all evening, same with Jones. Ekblad and Rielly looked good together as the top pairing. Trouba played physical and blocked some shots. Ghost looked like a bit of a liability in the D zone, but he's a beast on the PP.

Parayko hasn't even been in yet. My favourite non-Oiler player, this kid is an absolute stud.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I think their D has been getting overlooked all along snipes.

No clear cut NHL number one d-men on that team at this point in their career but a lot of guys who will be knocking on that door very soon, a lot of talent there.

Better then a few teams at this thing without question.

I've been thinking similar thoughts, the D just might be a lot better than people think. Hard to say for sure though, if they get to play Team Canada I guess we'll find out.

How you define what a #1 D-man is has been much debated here, it seems like almost everyone has their own definition but I would think that Ekblad makes the cut for many people.

 

[snipes]

I've been thinking similar thoughts, the D just might be a lot better than people think. Hard to say for sure though, if they get to play Team Canada I guess we'll find out.

How you define what a #1 D-man is has been much debated here, it seems like almost everyone has their own definition but I would think that Ekblad makes the cut for many people.

I only have Sweden ahead of us in our group on D.

 

[jj cale]

Murray played his quiet game and he was steady all evening, same with Jones. Ekblad and Rielly looked good together as the top pairing. Trouba played physical and blocked some shots. Ghost looked like a bit of a liability in the D zone, but he's a beast on the PP.

Parayko hasn't even been in yet. My favourite non-Oiler player, this kid is an absolute stud.

I think parayko is going to be a really great d-man.

 

[jj cale]

I've been thinking similar thoughts, the D just might be a lot better than people think. Hard to say for sure though, if they get to play Team Canada I guess we'll find out.

How you define what a #1 D-man is has been much debated here, it seems like almost everyone has their own definition but I would think that Ekblad makes the cut for many people.

Yeah, Ekblad might make that cut for some people, I guess on florida he is I suppose.

Anyway gents..........off to town to get some business done and then back for tonights Can-U.S game, talk to you all later.

 

[snipes]

Yeah, Ekblad might make that cut for some people, I guess on florida he is I suppose.

Anyway gents..........off to town to get some business done and then back for tonights Can-U.S game, talk to you all later.

Cheers jj.

Tonight we feast on the Americans .

 

[Gary Nylund]

I only have Sweden ahead of us in our group on D.

Wow! I think Canada's D is roughly on par with Sweden myself but these things can change rather quickly. Young guys like that develop in huge leaps sometimes, no question that that D group will be a lot better a year from now and better still 2 years from now. Who knows, by the time this tournament is over, player rankings for many will have changed a lot.

 

[snipes]

Wow! I think Canada's D is roughly on par with Sweden myself but these things can change rather quickly. Young guys like that develop in huge leaps sometimes, no question that that D group will be a lot better a year from now and better still 2 years from now. Who knows, by the time this tournament is over, player rankings for many will have changed a lot.

No, no. In our group: Sweden, Team NA, Suomi, Russia.

 

[linusandvarlamov]

By the looks of it they sure do ! What they did in their 1st exhibition game was pretty impressive ! And if Mackinnon continues his scoring trend I'd be willing to give them an even bigger shot at the trophy .