WC: Prague/Ostrava 2015 - Your predictions

[illone84]

I already love how the team looks, but if Hockey Canada manages to add something big after the first round of NHL playoffs, I like our chances even twice more. I think players like Tavares, Stamkos, or Keith and Brodie would make the gold for Canada an easy task.

Spoken like A True Hockey Fan.

Wait......

A True Canadian Hockey Fan

 

[hutdevil]

1. Finland
2. Russia
3. Canada

 

[xxxx]

Spoken like A True Hockey Fan.

Wait......

A True Canadian Hockey Fan

Actually, I've been really thinking that I change my name exactly that way lol I'm gonna do it lol

 

[illone84]

Actually, I've been really thinking that I change my name exactly that way lol I'm gonna do it lol

Do it! LOL

 

[xxxx]

Now when the rosters are almost complete:

1. Canada
2. Russia
3. Czechs/Sweden

 

[BobDobolina]

Canada
Sweden
Czech
Russia

 

[xxxx]

Hmmm, just got the information that Malkin, Kulemin, and Tarasenko are on Russian roster too. And it's very likely that one of Kucherov/Datsyuk will also be joining the team in a couple of days. I think Canada-Russia would be a cool gold-medal game.

 

[Kiraly]

1. Canada
2. Russia
3. Finland
4. Czech Republic

Sweden/Slovakia
Switzerland/Slovenia

Germany/USA
France/Belarus
Latvia/Norway

Austria/Denmark

 

[Eye of Ra]

Anyone not having Sweden in 1-4 can not be taken serious.

Sweden has only missed semifinal ONE time in 20 years...no matter how terrible our team on the paper is.

 

[Jakk123]

Anyone not having Sweden in 1-4 can not be taken serious.

Sweden has only missed semifinal ONE time in 20 years...no matter how terrible our team on the paper is.

Actually, it is 2 missed semifinals in 14 years

 

[Eye of Ra]

Actually, it is 2 missed semifinals in 14 years

I was close.

 

[Exarz]

I was close.

Well, nära skjuter ingen hare

With the updated rosters, Sweden should end top 4 but will probably not contend for the gold medal

 

[Maverick41]

Group A:
1. Czech Republic
2. Sweden
3. Canada
4. Switzerland
5. France
6. Latvia
7. Austria
8. Germany*

Group B:
1. Russia
2. Finland
3. Slovakia
4. Norway
5. USA
6. Denmark
7. Slovenia
8. Belarus

Quarterfinals:
Czech Republic def. Norway
Canada def. Finland
Russia def. Switzerland
Sweden def. Slovakia

Semifinals:
Czech Republic def. Canada
Russia def. Sweden

Bronze Medal Game:
Sweden def. Canada

Gold Medal Game:
Czech Republic def. Russia

*Since Germany could almost make a full team from the players they're missing, due to injuries, playoffs in North America and declined invitations. I think their chances of being relegated are pretty high.
I don't really know too much about the other teams trying to avoid relegation in that group, but I do have a feeling that Germany will complete the relegation hattrick after the WJC and the U18-WJC.

EDIT: Thanks to Kiraly for pointing out my mistake. I think now it should be the correct format, though probably still not the correct outcome. lol

 

[Kiraly]

Maverick,

With respect to your prediction, I believe the Czechs would play Norway, Sweden would play Slovakia, Finland would play Canada, and Russia would play the Swiss in the quarterfinals

But I'm guessing you weren't being very serious as you had the Swedes finishing outside the top four.

 

[Maverick41]

Maverick,

With respect to your prediction, I believe the Czechs would play Norway, Sweden would play Slovakia, Finland would play Canada, and Russia would play the Swiss in the quarterfinals

But I'm guessing you weren't being very serious as you had the Swedes finishing outside the top four.

You are of course correct, it was only the last couple of years, I think, when the quarterfinals were played within the groups. I will adjust my prediction accordingly.
I am quite curious how it will turn out now.

 

[Maverick41]

Correct

Not completely sure if that is correct:

"The overall bottom ranked two teams will be relegated to the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group A."

If for example the 7th and 8th placed teams in Group A finish with 2 and 1 point respectively and the 8th placed team in Group B finishes with 3 points, would't that make the teams from Group A in this case the bottom ranked teams overall?

 

[Jumptheshark]

Will I get tossed out for being to Loud in the Question...

 

[ikke]

Not completely sure if that is correct:

"The overall bottom ranked two teams will be relegated to the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group A."

If for example the 7th and 8th placed teams in Group A finish with 2 and 1 point respectively and the 8th placed team in Group B finishes with 3 points, would't that make the teams from Group A in this case the bottom ranked teams overall?

Hi, I get your point and it would be logic too but no. Last team from each group is relegated.

 

[Kshahdoo]

1. Russia
2. Sweden
3. Canada

Austria and Denmark are out.

 

[jcbio11]

My new prediction.

1. Slovakia
2. Czech rep.
3. Canada

 

[NYRFANMANI]

I see 4 strong teams so far. In order:

Canada
Sweden
Slovakia
Russia

The US has quite the dissappointing roster as of now. Anyhow, looking forward to it!

 

[Jakk123]

I see 4 strong teams so far. In order:

Canada
Sweden
Slovakia
Russia

The US has quite the dissappointing roster as of now. Anyhow, looking forward to it!

I think you might have mistaken Czech Republic for Slovakia Although it is really a nice thing to imagine, I mean us being in the semis, I don´t think we are that strong.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Canadian goaltending is weak, defense is questionable after the first pairing and ultimately, Team Canada's piss poor preparation (a whole 3 day mini camp) and lack of WILL will cost Team Canada for a 6th consecutive year and finish out of the medals. The good news is, we win a 1/4 final game this year based solely on the law of averages, play for a medal, but sadly, playing for 3rd place is not something we do well.

Russia
Sweden
Czech Rep
Canada

 

[Touke]

1. Finland
2. Sweden
3. Russia

Finland has solid team, not a superstar/all star team, still enough skill to get medal, even gold... Sweden has always solid and skilled team, no matter what tournament is going on and success will be almost certain, medal position is what i wait from them... Russia, always tough nut to crack, load of skilled players in team and only question will be if they have what it takes to play as team.

Czech could be added top 3 too but usually country that host games has huge pressures at their team...

I see Canada as good too, but at this stage i would rank them at spot #4 but who knows (Canada is always opponent that can change outcome of any tournament).

Usa will be really big question mark, success at this tournament is not guaranteed at any scale, can perform with skilled team but has usually problems with winning games.

Slovakia And Switzerland will add true challenge in tournament, at their best day can win so i would rank them places between 4-7

It will be very fun to see outcome of this tournament, did my crystal ball work or not with results

 

[MiamiHockey]

1. Finland
2. Sweden
3. Russia

Finland has solid team, not a superstar/all star team, still enough skill to get medal, even gold... Sweden has always solid and skilled team, no matter what tournament is going on and success will be almost certain, medal position is what i wait from them... Russia, always tough nut to crack, load of skilled players in team and only question will be if they have what it takes to play as team.

Czech could be added top 3 too but usually country that host games has huge pressures at their team...

I see Canada as good too, but at this stage i would rank them at spot #4 but who knows (Canada is always opponent that can change outcome of any tournament).

Usa will be really big question mark, success at this tournament is not guaranteed at any scale, can perform with skilled team but has usually problems with winning games.

Slovakia And Switzerland will add true challenge in tournament, at their best day can win so i would rank them places between 4-7

It will be very fun to see outcome of this tournament, did my crystal ball work or not with results

Canada has to be the favourite. Their lineup looks something like this:

Ennis - Giroux - Seguin
O'Reilly - Crosby - Spezza
Hall - Duchene - Eberle
Schenn - Couturier - MacKinnon
Hamhuis - Ekblad
Muzzin - Burns
Wiercioch - Barrie

Any of those top three lines would be a first line in the NHL, and equal to the first line on any other team in this tournament. You've got the best player in the world (Crosby), and 7 of the top 9 forwards have recently had a point-per-game season in the NHL.

The main challenge for Canada is that they do not regularly play on Olympic ice, nor do they play together very often - whereas its competition (less the US) do. But, last I checked there was a lengthy round-robin. Canada will have its team game ironed out by the time it gets to the Quarter-Finals.

Russia also looks very strong - but with Russia there is always the question of team unity. When they play unified they are the most dangerous team in the world, but when they don't (e.g., Sochi 2014) they can be terrible.