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WJC: Medal Predictions

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Phenomenon13 said:
Probably cause we haven't seen them play much.

I hear this year Russia lacks a lot of two way players as in more than usual and would pretty much have to out gun the other teams. USA and Canada are clearly more well rounded.

Not sure if thats true though.
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Well, then you hear bullcrap. Russia's team is bigger than ever. Also Canada and USA are just way overrated because of the two certain (overrated) names.
 
Phenomenon13 said:
Probably cause we haven't seen them play much.

I hear this year Russia lacks a lot of two way players as in more than usual and would pretty much have to out gun the other teams. USA and Canada are clearly more well rounded.

Not sure if thats true though.
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That is not truth. Kraskovsky, Dergachev, Kamenev, Zykov (Bragin is definitely want to give him a chance to show off himself), Bryukvin, Barbashev. These ones are the sort of so called 'two way' players. Shestyorkin in the net, i think, is a legitimate contender for a best goalie award. The guy is a stud, it could be seen on the SSS to those who don't watching MHL/VHL games. Valiev, Gavrikov, Yudin, Sharipzyanov is the core of a defence that can handle things on both sides of the ice. First and last ones could be seen by the CHL fans.
 
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Atas2000 said:
Well, then you hear bullcrap. Russia's team is bigger than ever. Also Canada and USA are just way overrated because of the two certain (overrated) names.
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Quite a few midgets on the Russian team though. Although I think this team has better depth than last year. Buchnevich is the only real standout superstar in my eyes.

Hopefully Canada play Russia once more at this WJC. I only just noticed that Russia have won four of the last five meetings :amazed: All the matches were highly entertaining.

2011 WJC Final Russia 5-3 Canada
2012 WJC Semi Final Russia 6-5 Canada
2013 WJC Preliminary Canada 4-1 Russia
2013 WJC Bronze Medal Russia 6-5 Canada OT
2014 WJC Bronze Medal Russia 2-1 Canada
 
Gold: Sweden (finally we beat USA)
Silver: USA
Bronze: Canada
4th: Czech

Russia will be bad this year.

Relegated to division I: Finland
 
Atas2000 said:
Well, then you hear bullcrap. Russia's team is bigger than ever. Also Canada and USA are just way overrated because of the two certain (overrated) names.
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You say it like bigger means better.
 
Phenomenon13 said:
Gold - USA
Silver - Canada (will predict gold if any of their NHL players get released for the tourny - defense is a small concern as is goaltending)
Bronze - Sweden
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Duclair is going.

Also, I have a feeling that Lazar or Drouin could potentially go too. But that's just a speculation.
 
Phenomenon13 said:
Gold - USA
Silver - Canada (will predict gold if any of their NHL players get released for the tourny - defense is a small concern as is goaltending)
Bronze - Sweden
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Defence is a small concern? It's the best aspect of the team. If anything, I'm worried about not having enough firepower and our goaltending not being up to snuff.
 
czechcanadian said:
A lot of love for Finland on here. Im glad you say this. Still a very good team. Watched them at the 4 Nations tourney just recently and the offense is pretty darn good. Lots of speed and skill and obviously great goaltending. But as you said, no real offensive leader, bit on the younger side, and a coaching change.

I still consider them medal favourites and very hard for anyone to beat, but yes, they will have it tougher then last year for sure.
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There's nothing wrong with the coaching unlike OP claimed. Judging by another post in another thread by OP just seems to dislike the head coach. The head coach is one of the most successful Finnish coaches and he has done U20 several times before, most recently just couple of years ago with a crappy roster. Ufa tournament's coach was given a contract extension, but then he went to KHL (ironically would be again available in principle as he got then fired). But for sure the coach was sort of a plan B.
 
I'm a bit worried because I don't even think Sweden will medal this year, unfortunately. But I'm looking forward to see czech play because all the love they're getting. Russia is going to be interesting too, I think they will be a top 3 nation, but I could be wrong because it seems like most of us in this thread have been to Russia and seen half of their rooster play and are obviously not impressed :nod:
 
True Hockey Fan said:
You say it like bigger means better.
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I say it like it always was a problem for russian teams in recent years. I say it like two-way is extremely overrated in juniors, they are all no two-way palyers at this age. I say it like those bigger forwads and D-men gave the CHL a hard time in the SSS. Calling them out for lack of two-way players is looking in the wrong place.
 
Against a Russian team with most of their best U20 players. Who was missing from Russia? Buchnevich?
 
Atas2000 said:
Like they dominated the SSS?
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Were it not for the spectacular Russian goaltending in the SSS, Russia would've been destroyed. They were out played and out shot by a 2-1 margin on many nights. And though none of the four teams competing in that series were a complete WJC team, the Russians were probably closer to their tourney lineup than any single CHL entry was.

Countries have up and down years with their available talent. This is actually an up year for Canada in my books. Having said that, nothing is guaranteed in this tournament. Don't forget that you can lose only one game in the entire tourney and still finish 5th. Hockey is funny like that sometimes. :laugh:

As for Russia, we'll have to see. I don't think they have any Ovechkin or Malkin type superstar this year, but the team boasts solid depth and many capable players, and most importantly, strong goaltending. Perhaps they are being underrated, but if you have them ranked higher than Canada, you're definitely missing the boat.
 
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