WC: Latvia Roster Talk 2022

[GX]

Final roster:
G - Gustavs Grigals - NCAA
G - Elvis Merzlikins - NHL
G - Arturs Silovs - AHL/ECHL
D - Janis Jaks - KHL
D - Karlis Cukste - Finland
D - Kristaps Sotnieks - KHL
D - Arturs Kulda - Germany
D - Sandis Smons - Swiss
D - Roberts Mamcics - Sweden
D - Arvils Bergmanis - NCAA
D - Kristaps Zile - Sweden
F - Rudolfs Balcers - NHL
F - Rodrigo Abols - Sweden
F - Ronalds Kenins - Swiss
F - Renars Krastenbergs - Austria
F - Martins Dzierkals - Czech
F - Rihards Bukarts - KHL
F - Roberts Bukarts - Czech
F - Andris Dzerins - Austria
F - Nikolajs Jelisejevs - Sweden2
F - Oskars Batna - Finland
F - Rihards Marenis - Sweden2
F - Deniss Smirnovs - Swiss
F - Oskars Lapinskis - Swiss
F - Klavs Veinbergs - Latvia

Notable players unavailable:
F - Teodors Blugers - NHL - PO run
F - Zemgus Girgensons - NHL - refused
D - Kristians Rubins - NHL/AHL - RFA
G - Janis Kalnins - Finland - refused
D - Uvis Balinskis - Czech - shoulder injury
D - Ralfs Freibergs - Germany
F - Eduards Tralmaks - AHL
F - Haralds Elge - AHL - PO run
D - Oskars Cibulskis - Sweden - unavailable due injury
G - Ivars Punnenovs - Swiss - unavailable due injury

Semi-notable players cut from camp:
F - Miks Indrasis - Swiss - injured during camp
D - Ernests Osenieks - Finland
F - Edgars Kulda - Latvia
F - Patriks Zabusovs - Czech
D - Patriks Ozols - Latvia
D - Nauris Sejejs - Swiss2
F - Daniels Berzins - Finland
F - Toms Andersons - Swiss2
D - Nikita Mateiko - Finland2

Semi-notable players that were not invited:
G - Kristers Gudlevskis - Sweden

Exhibition games:
21.04. France 2-1 Latvia (Goals: Batņa)
22.04. France 2-3 Latvia (Veinbergs, Dzierkals, Smons)
30.04. Swiss 5-2 Latvia (Jaks, Jelisejevs)
01.05. Swiss 3-1 Latvia (Sejejs)
08.05. Latvia 5-0Kazakhstan (Jelisejevs, Cukste, Jelisejevs, Batna, Dzerins)
09.05. Latvia - Kazakhstan

Click to read more...

 

[Eye of Ra]

Semjonovs brothers had a good season in Sweden2. As did Golokovs. Suprised this players are not invited.

 

[Vikz]

Weird that Gudļevskis was left out. I understand that no one takes him seriously anymore, I for one was very surprised when he landed the job in Sweden. But Bērziņš and Mēžsargs are both 18, Grigals hasnt played a single game in pro hockey, and both Šilovs and Mitens, who are even unknown if they come, are in the ECHL. We really expect to ride Elvis all the tournament with kids and students as backups and just hope that nothing bad happens?

Otherwise, despite the never before seen amount of veterans ending their NT career, the team looks interesting and promising. We are quite young now, and I am excited.

So, our head coach said that we have a "Balcers line" and 3 fourth lines, to which I disagree, we have enough top line talent:

Balcers, Ābols, Dzierkals, Bukarts jr., Krastenbergs are all young and can play top line. Indrašis has enough left in him to play top lines and PP, too. Bukarts sr. and Ķēniņš still play good enough for middle 6, Marenis had a breakout season and may bring his scoring in, and Zabusovs had a good half season in CZ despite young age and could also be used in top lines occasionally. The fourth line is pretty much just a guess with guys like Smirnovs, Batņa, Bērziņš and maybe Džeriņš (all of them are C, though) being on relatively same level. Could take a few RW/LW youngsters, too, if needed.

In D, Jaks will be crucial with his playmaking skills on PP and will probably play 25 min a game. He is the only true offensive D we have. Zīle (if he comes), Ozols, Čukste, Mamčičs, Sotnieks and Ošenieks, Bindulis or Kulda, depending on whether coach will want to add experience or not, will fill out the rest of the roles.

So, out of all who will not come, Bļugers would be the only guy who would definitely strengthen our top lines as a 2C. Girgensons and Rubins are still middle-bottom line guys, and being in the NT and not in the NHL does not change that. Maybe Tralmaks could fit in top lines, he had multiple great games in the A, but I will be fair, I only watched the highlights and have no clue. Egle probably would have made the team in the bottom lines as well, and Balinskis would be in the second PP unit. Otherwise, we are OK and probably not much weaker than we are usually, even without Dārziņš and Daugaviņš.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Weird that Gudļevskis was left out. I understand that no one takes him seriously anymore, I for one was very surprised when he landed the job in Sweden. But Bērziņš and Mēžsargs are both 18, Grigals hasnt played a single game in pro hockey, and both Šilovs and Mitens, who are even unknown if they come, are in the ECHL. We really expect to ride Elvis all the tournament with kids and students as backups and just hope that nothing bad happens?

I think it's the combination of Elvis being a clear starter and giving the young guys some experience. Even if Silovs, Mitens and Grigals are all ECHL-level only, there is next to no data suggesting Gudlevskis is above it. Even if something bad does happen is he really any kind of insurance?

Overall, especially given the last Olympics, I find your evaluation very optimistic. Defense is pretty much D1A level. Forwards, if Egle and Tralmaks don't come, look petty as well, basically making it a one line team. What this team has in spades are the guys who have proven that they cannot score at the higher level.

Also, Jelisejevs not being mentioned anywhere in the thread is a bit of a mystery to me.

 

[Vikz]

Overall, especially given the last Olympics, I find your evaluation very optimistic. Defense is pretty much D1A level. Forwards, if Egle and Tralmaks don't come, look petty as well, basically making it a one line team. What this team has in spades are the guys who have proven that they cannot score at the higher level.

We did OK at the Olympics. Werent blown out by top teams, lost by 1 goal to a team of our level. Could be slightly better, could be a lot worse. Our D is fine, we havent really had any noticable defencemen since Bartulis and Kulda were in their "close to NHL" state, which was 10 years ago. Yet nothing bad happened - discipline and good goaltending always saved us. Forwards are also nice, all of the guys who I listed as "young and can play top line" already proved this in the past. Once they are not forced to grind on lower lines because of the vets, they will prove themselves once more.

I am an optimist, guilty of that. But in this case Im just saying, we did not get worse. Not saying we are signifficantly better.

Also, Jelisejevs not being mentioned anywhere in the thread is a bit of a mystery to me.

Oh yeah, add Jeļisejevs to the list of guys who can play top line and PP. Forgot about him, since OP did not include him in his list. He is playing in playoffs now, so dont know when or will he come.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Our D is fine, we havent really had any noticable defencemen since Bartulis and Kulda were in their "close to NHL" state, which was 10 years ago.

I don't see at all how anyone can have such a take on the matter. We aren't talking about borderline NHL players, even prime Galvins, Pujacs or K. Redlihs were miles ahead of anyone but Jaks on the list. Zile, Jaks and Balinskis are C-grade pros in Europe. And they are still unquestionably far ahead of the pack.

 

[Vikz]

I don't see at all how anyone can have such a take on the matter. We aren't talking about borderline NHL players, even prime Galvins, Pujacs or K. Redlihs were miles ahead of anyone but Jaks on the list. Zile, Jaks and Balinskis are C-grade pros in Europe. And they are still unquestionably far ahead of the pack.

And I dont see, how you can with such confidence compare players from different generations and in different circumstances. You said "prime Galvins, Pujacs or K. Redlihs". Non of our Ds are in their prime, which is why I say that I am feeling optimistic. Pujacs in Ziles age was playing in an absolute powerhouse Belarusian league. Galvins spent his best years in Riga, and his play landed him a 10 game stint with Yugra. This classifies him as an above average player, somehow?
And after them, every WC we had guys like J. Redlihs, Maris Jass or Janis Andersons coming from VHL, Slovakia, Ukraine.

 

[GX]

Oh yeah, add Jeļisejevs to the list of guys who can play top line and PP. Forgot about him, since OP did not include him in his list. He is playing in playoffs now, so dont know when or will he come.

Yeah, I somehow missed him. Will keep updating the lists until beginning of WC, like previous years.

 

[SoundAndFury]

And I dont see, how you can with such confidence compare players from different generations and in different circumstances. You said "prime Galvins, Pujacs or K. Redlihs". Non of our Ds are in their prime, which is why I say that I am feeling optimistic. Pujacs in Ziles age was playing in an absolute powerhouse Belarusian league. Galvins spent his best years in Riga, and his play landed him a 10 game stint with Yugra. This classifies him as an above average player, somehow?
And after them, every WC we had guys like J. Redlihs, Maris Jass or Janis Andersons coming from VHL, Slovakia, Ukraine.

Well, believe what you want. Pujacs played in the freaking Gagarin cup finals in an import slot. You truly believe Zile can still achieve that? Galvins went to the Czech Republic after his best years in the KHL were over and became Czech champion while Balinskis, who is entering his prime by the way, is on a team that can hardly make the playoffs. So yes, in comparison, this definitely classifies Galvins as a way above-average player. You know what else did? His play.

But like I said, believe what you want. The team currently has 1 D that can make a pass which completely stifles transition play but sure, discipline will move the puck to the O-zone, I bet. The team also averaged 21 SOG per game during the Olympics but let's not take anything away from that.

I think it's time to face the music and acknowledge the fact Latvian NT is in the worst shape in a long, long while and prepare the expectations accordingly. Instead of going for the "the guys we had were actually not that good" argument which at best deflects from the fact current guys aren't any good.

 

[Eye of Ra]

I don't see at all how anyone can have such a take on the matter. We aren't talking about borderline NHL players, even prime Galvins, Pujacs or K. Redlihs were miles ahead of anyone but Jaks on the list. Zile, Jaks and Balinskis are C-grade pros in Europe. And they are still unquestionably far ahead of the pack.

I would say around 2006 Latvia had their best d-corp.

Lavins and Tribuncovs where good SHLers. Rekis was good aswell and could easily have played in better league than DEL.

And as you mention, Pucajs, Galvins and Redlihs who where active aswell during this time.

Not to forget Skrastins and Ozolins who both where legit good NHLers.

 

[GX]

Roster heading for the two exhibition games vs France:

Latest practice lines:
Marenis - Smirnovs - Ro Bukarts
Zabusovs - Batņa - Andersons
Dzierkals - Bērziņš - Vītoliņš
E Kulda - Veinbergs - Lapinskis
Andžāns - Sotnieks
Bergmanis - Mamčics
Ošenieks - Smons
Sējējs - Ozols

Staying home:
First practice line Kenins - Abols - Indrasis, Cukste - A.Kulda
Dzerins, Krastenbergs, Zile injured, Ri Bukarts, Jaks sick

 

[jaro]

Elvis Merzlikins said he looks forward to playing in the upcoming IIHF World Championships

 

[Chainshot]

Girgensons was nursing a hamstring injury - same one he hurt and lost all of last season, cost him weeks near the end of the year in Buffalo. It isn't a surprise that he isn't going.

 

[ozo]

Without Girgensons presence, who will be earning all those unnecessary penalty minutes for us?

 

[jonas2244]

Miks Indrasis injured his shoulder yesterday and it looks like he's out for the WC.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Big loss on one hand, but he played like crap this year so I'm also glad someone else will get a chance.

 

[JohnWillow]

Girgensons was nursing a hamstring injury - same one he hurt and lost all of last season, cost him weeks near the end of the year in Buffalo. It isn't a surprise that he isn't going.

His wife is also expecting a newborn. So this is the main reason.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Roster heading for the two exhibition games vs France:

Latest practice lines:
Marenis - Smirnovs - Ro Bukarts
Zabusovs - Batņa - Andersons
Dzierkals - Bērziņš - Vītoliņš
E Kulda - Veinbergs - Lapinskis
Andžāns - Sotnieks
Bergmanis - Mamčics
Ošenieks - Smons
Sējējs - Ozols

Staying home:
First practice line Kenins - Abols - Indrasis, Cukste - A.Kulda
Dzerins, Krastenbergs, Zile injured, Ri Bukarts, Jaks sick

what does the roster look like right now?

 

[kudla]

Why doesn't the latvian expert Namejs shed a light on the WC roster?

 

[SoundAndFury]

what does the roster look like right now?

Op was edited yesterday, it is up to date.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Op was edited yesterday, it is up to date.

lol how the f did i miss that. thank you. and congratz on the victory against korea.

i also wonder where did Namejs go. this board was full with latvians years ago, now its only 1-2 left.

 

[Elvs]

There's two things in life you could always be certain of. Sweden would be in the same group as Latvia, and Guntis Galvins would play. One of the most satisfying names to say.

Now he's retired and hockey will never be the same

 

[Khokhlach86]

what does the roster look like right now?

Yesterday practice

Ķēniņš - Ābols - Balcers
Ri Bukarts - Džeriņš - Krastenbergs
Ro Bukarts - Batņa - Marenis
Jeļisejevs - Smirnovs - Dzierkals
Lapinskis - Veinbergs - Kulda/Zabusovs

PP1
Balcers
Jeļisejevs - Ābols - Ķēniņš
Jaks

PP2
Ri Bukarts
Krastenbergs - Dzierkals - Ro Bukarts
Čukste

Didn't find a pair of defenders

 

[jaro]

 

[SoundAndFury]

For lack of a better thread it has to be noted, that Nikita Jevpalovs, aka "the guy who might not be that good but is definitely better than Jelisejevs", is moving to one of the weaker teams in France. I only hope his NHLe won't suffer too much.