Liam Kirk at the Worlds

[Hi De Hi]

Just thought I'd pop in to let you know that Coyotes prospect Liam Kirk is currently joint top scorer (4 goals) at this year's World Championships in Latvia. Playing to Team GB. He currently has more goals than the whole of Team Canada and GB have more points than them.

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[Llewzaher]

Nice, is there a way to watch the games ?

 

[MIGs Dog]

Nice, is there a way to watch the games ?

Looks like the next time Liam will be on is Saturday. Set your alarm clock.

 

[Hi De Hi]

Kirky gets another vs Sweden making him the tournament's top scorer!

 

[Name Nameless]

Kirky gets another vs Sweden making him the tournament's top scorer!

Ridicolous goal today though. But Kirk is great fun. I'm a Norwegian myself, so I haven't actually talked with the local fans. But I'll go out on a limb and say he was already on the radar. If you look at the comments the "normal" regulars actually like him a lot. There is hope.

 

[RemoAZ]

One thing is obvious. This guy HAS to become the captain. That's just too perfect.

 

[Jagged Ice]

Is Sheffield the right place for him? He transitioned very well to NA Hockey in Peterborough a couple of years ago. Anyone know where he's playing next season?

 

[BMann]

Is Sheffield the right place for him? He transitioned very well to NA Hockey in Peterborough a couple of years ago. Anyone know where he's playing next season?

Rumours are Mora in the Allsvenskan tier two in Sweden are looking at signing him. I expect other clubs are as well and at a higher level too.

 

[Hi De Hi]

Is Sheffield the right place for him? He transitioned very well to NA Hockey in Peterborough a couple of years ago. Anyone know where he's playing next season?

Playing back in the UK would be a backward step for him. He still has a way to go and playing in the GB backwoods isn't the right path.

 

[ChaiTiefling]

 

[MIGs Dog]

Puck hog.

 

[RemoAZ]

He was skating at Warp Speed!

Come on, let's get the bad puns going for the future Captain Kirk. Does he have a shot like a photon torpedo? "Kirk with the phaser for the goal!"

 

[Hi De Hi]

No goal today but he did get a helper!

 

[ChaiTiefling]

Finishes with 7+2 from seven games after 2+1 vs Switzerland, leads the tournament in goals and is second in points behind Connor Brown.

 

[MIGs Dog]

I know that the best of the best are not at the World's this year, but is it possible the leading goal scorer does not have NHL potential? I'm not saying he's NHL ready, just that maybe he's worthy of a contract.

 

[ChaiTiefling]

Thing is he's far from one-dimensional as well, he's one of our best forwards defensively too, often the first one back against the rush. You either get a top-sixer excellent in his own zone or, at worst, a bottom-sixer who can score.

 

[Jamieh]

I know that the best of the best are not at the World's this year, but is it possible the leading goal scorer does not have NHL potential? I'm not saying he's NHL ready, just that maybe he's worthy of a contract.

It is possible that he never plays in NHL. It is worth a contract to find out.

 

[MIGs Dog]

Sure, the kid is skinny, but his official height is 6'1" Is that a true height or should we apply the Conor Garland multiple? Let's assume it's accurate...lot's of body frame to add some muscle.

 

[Gwyddbwyll]

Most impressively this performance came off the back of a 12-game warm-up adlib tournament that the EIHL put together to try and get Team GB up to speed. So Kirk and these guys aren't coming off a full season in the NHL, KHL or SHL like the competition is. There was one goal where they showed him practising a specific shot over and over in the warm ups and he nailed the exact same one for a goal. His play reminds me of Mike Johnson, the same type of hockey IQ and skills. Not the same upside but he has the same ability to raise his game with good linemates.

I'm pleased for him as this performance should at least get him interest from top pro teams in Europe if the Coyotes show no interest. But I'd love to see him get a shot in the AHL.

 

[Kaizen]

Sure, the kid is skinny, but his official height is 6'1" Is that a true height or should we apply the Conor Garland multiple? Let's assume it's accurate...lot's of body frame to add some muscle.

Adin Hill as well as Conor Garland. Apparently his height is inflated by and inch and a half.

 

[zerekstar]

He is listed at 187 lbs so he is not skin and bones

 

[MIGs Dog]

He is listed at 187 lbs so he is not skin and bones

187 would be very solid at 6'1", but player measurements are about as reliable as Tesla autopilot. The IIHF official site has Liam an inch shorter and a whopping 28lbs lighter! The most important number, 7 goals in 7 games, is not in dispute.

 

[Gwyddbwyll]

He was an absolute waif two years ago, barely any thicker than his stick. Today he's got a reasonable frame to be a defensive presence (which he wasnt at all previously). Top NHL defensemen will bully him around the net but he's still got a lot of filling out he can do.

 

[Mosby]

Conor Garland is now leading USA in scoring, 8 points in 7 games.

Only 4 players are outscoring him tournament-wide. One of those 4 is Kirk. No player has more than 10 points.

 

[Sm00chy]

Conor Garland is now leading USA in scoring, 8 points in 7 games.

Only 4 players are outscoring him tournament-wide. One of those 4 is Kirk. No player has more than 10 points.

Garland has been USA’s best player. I’ve made an effort to watch almost every US game and he has been noticeable every time he has been on the ice. Garland thrives on the larger ice.