WJC: Is this year's Group B the best group ever?

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think this is the best I've seen. 5 of the 7 best teams in the tournament, in my opinion.

 

[wacko2]

2017 had a competitive group with a bunch of average teams in Denmark, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Finland (who ended up in the relegation round lol), but only Sweden as a true contender. I thought that would be one of the most interesting groups ever, but this year’s group also has no bad teams, and 3 legitimate gold medal contenders

Sweden, Canada, USA, Russia and Finland. My mathematics says that's 5!!Now if only I could read.

 

[blindpass]

I think this is the best I've seen. 5 of the 7 best teams in the tournament, in my opinion.

And 3 of the top 4.

 

[Czechboy]

And 3 of the top 4.

Let's wait and see how that plays out... Finns could knock out Russia. I've got that at 50-50. I'd say Sweden is definitely on level with Russia/US/Canada as well.

Big difference is bottom of the pool... I can't prove it but I feel that the Czechs/Germans are stronger than Kazakhs/Slovaks this year.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Let's wait and see how that plays out... Finns could knock out Russia. I've got that at 50-50. I'd say Sweden is definitely on level with Russia/US/Canada as well.

Big difference is bottom of the pool... I can't prove it but I feel that the Czechs/Germans are stronger than Kazakhs/Slovaks this year.

Finns are playing the US.

 

[Czechboy]

Finns are playing the US.

I actually knew that and just messed up my typing.. please replace Russia with US and my statement remains the same.

I should mention... my views haven't changed once since this began. Their are 5 nations that can win gold... after watching everything, I still think there are 5 nations that can win gold.

 

[Czechboy]

Here is a thought that I had... I don't expect it to be liked.lol

I thiink the Juniors should adopt the women's model. Or at least a version of it.

There is a big discrepancy between the big 5 and next 5. Using this year

Pool A - Canada, Russia, US, Sweden and Finland
Pool B - Czechs, Swiss, Slovaks, Germans and Kazakhstan

Pool A has a round robin.. every game is a main event. Top 2 teams get a bye to Semi's.

Pool has a round robin... every game is intense and good (probably not a ratings darling though). Top team plays worst team in Pool B etc.

I'm sure it's not perfect (maybe top 4 get into quarters in Pool A leaving 5th in Pool A to play Top 3 in Pool B to get to quarters) but I think it might be better as every game would be awesome.

 

[Pieck]

2015 Sweden, Czech Republic, Russia, Denmark, Switzerland as well. Sweden went undefeated in the group stage as always, Russia won silver. Denmark and the Czechs were solid which pushed a 4 point Swiss team to relegation. Denmark played 3 OT games that year.

Neither is as strong across the board talent wise as this year though I don't think.

Looks like the common denominator is Denmark being a solid team. They had quite the run from 2015 to 2017. It’s a shame they fell off, they could’ve made the tournament even better.

 

[MaxV]

I actually knew that and just messed up my typing.. please replace Russia with US and my statement remains the same.

I should mention... my views haven't changed once since this began. Their are 5 nations that can win gold... after watching everything, I still think there are 5 nations that can win gold.

Sure, Finland or Switzerland can win their games and if they do, the statements made in this thread wont be convincing, but on the other hand we can have a scenario of all of Canada, USA, Russia and Czechs meeting in the semis. I think that would pretty much clinch it.

 

[wetcoast]

Yeah let's not forget how good this German team is either. It's not like it's 4 unbelievably strong teams and a defenseless minnow. This is possibly the best German team sent to the WJC. Seider, Stutzle, Bokk, Reichel - these guys have a good chance of making the quarterfinals.

Possibly?

No it's the best team they have sent and assuming that Seider doesn't stick with the Red Wings next year the 21 version might even be better.

 

[Czechboy]

Possibly?

No it's the best team they have sent and assuming that Seider doesn't stick with the Red Wings next year the 21 version might even be better.

I'm pretty sure there was some kind of U18 tourney going on and the German's did really well and Czechs were dead last.

 

[AllIDoIsLie]

USA on par with Kazakstan and so is Germany. I don't see how this could be the best anything?

 

[Lambo]

Two Teams from Group A and B in SF. The anwer is no!

 

[FinPanda]

Two Teams from Group A and B in SF. The anwer is no!

And it was 1st and 3rd team from both