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PREDICTION: Chances NA u-23 team can win a medal in The WCOH

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I would have to throw Gaudreau with McDavid, that duo would be hard to contain and cause nothing but havoc for the opposition.
 
PKWeber said:
Just imagine McDavid scoring in OT with assists from Eichel and Matthews to eliminate Team Canada and win the World Cup of Hockey!

It will be up there with the Lemieux from Gretzky goal to win the 1987 Canada Cup.
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Or Eichel scoring the winning goal with assist from McDavid and Matthews :naughty:
 
I could easily see these boys grab a nice Bronze medal.

Who knows, they could even be chomping on that Gold medal when all is said and done. Imo, this team will be the most HUNGRY.
 
vdB said:
I could easily see these boys grab a nice Bronze medal.

Who knows, they could even be chomping on that Gold medal when all is said and done. Imo, this team will be the most HUNGRY.
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Oh I'm sure that Eichel is desperate to beat USA and McDavid is chomping at the bit to get his shot against Canada. The pride of representing no one is also a benefit I'm sure.
 
They have better forwards than both Sweden, Finland, Usa, Czechs etc. Probably ony eclipsed by Canada and Russia.

Not asgood defencemen or goalies though.

They can surely win if they bind together as a team.
 
JackSlater said:
Oh I'm sure that Eichel is desperate to beat USA and McDavid is chomping at the bit to get his shot against Canada. The pride of representing no one is also a benefit I'm sure.
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That's one way of looking at it, but I see it in a much different light.
 
What motivation will these kids have when playing against super patriotic countries like Sweden, Russia, and Finland?

Are these kids going to put in 110% every shift? Somehow I doubt it. I predict them to lose every game against Finland, Russia, and Sweden.
 
illone84 said:
What motivation will these kids have when playing against super patriotic countries like Sweden, Russia, and Finland?

Are these kids going to put in 110% every shift? Somehow I doubt it. I predict them to lose every game against Finland, Russia, and Sweden.
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You just answered by yourself. They will play against the older, somehow better, players and the best of the best. I'm pretty sure they will be motivated, they have a lot of personalities, a lot of leadership, and great coaching stuff. I am the opposite here and I think they will beat Finland, and perhaps could beat one of Sweden/Russia.

When you listen to what they say and how excited they are about this tournament, I doubt they will be anything less than 110% motivated. They want to win, and they have a lot of really great character guys like McDavid, Matthews, Ekblad, Couturier, Scheifele, Monahan, Eichel... I could go on and on. Many of them will be the ones of the biggest leaders of the NHL soon. I think they could form an unforgettable group of players on and off the ice and really shock some people.
 
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True Hockey Fan said:
You just answered by yourself. They will play against the older, somehow better, players and the best of the best. I'm pretty sure they will be motivated, they have a lot of personalities, a lot of leadership, and great coaching stuff. I am the opposite here and I think they will beat Finland, and perhaps could beat one of Sweden/Russia.
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Yes, that was the point.

OK. That will be their first game, and their worst game. Finland will be putting in their all, like they always do. If NA U23 beats Finland, it will be in OT. But I predict Finland will win that 5-2 or 5-3.
 
illone84 said:
Yes, that was the point.

OK. That will be their first game, and their worst game. Finland will be putting in their all, like they always do. If NA U23 beats Finland, it will be in OT. But I predict Finland will win that 5-2 or 5-3.
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North America plays 3 pre-tournament games, as well as every other team. They play Team Europe twice, then the Czech republic. I expect them to be completely ready for the game against Finland.

They're gonna play on NHL ice, which is certainly a more familiar environment for all NA players, and it gives them an advantage because that's simply the rink they are used to the most and their game is natural there. Plus of course playing in Toronto is basically playing on home ice, it's to be expected that fans will root a lot for Team NA, certainly not only because of McDavid, not only because of Matthews, but even for them.
 
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True Hockey Fan said:
North America plays 3 pre-tournament games, as well as every other team. They play Team Europe twice, then the Czech republic. I expect them to be completely ready for the game against Finland.

They're gonna play on NHL ice, which is certainly a more familiar environment for all NA players, and it gives them an advantage because that's simply the rink they are used to the most and their game is natural there. Plus of course playing in Toronto is basically playing on home ice, it's to be expected that fans will root a lot for Team NA, certainly not only because of McDavid, not only because of Matthews, but even for them.
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Let's revisit this again in September.

I'm not denying the talent on team NA u-23, but I'm concerned with their team chemistry, and desire to play against Sweden, Russia, and Finland.

My bet is they lose all 3 games.
 
illone84 said:
Let's revisit this again in September.

I'm not denying the talent on team NA u-23, but I'm concerned with their team chemistry, and desire to play against Sweden, Russia, and Finland.

My bet is they lose all 3 games.
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With a big sample the Young Gunz certainly lose to most of the opposition. Little experience playing together, lacking experience in general and leaders, lacking defence, less motivation than the opposition and so on. In a handful of games though they can put together several wins.

True Hockey Fan said:
You just answered by yourself. They will play against the older, somehow better, players and the best of the best. I'm pretty sure they will be motivated, they have a lot of personalities, a lot of leadership, and great coaching stuff. I am the opposite here and I think they will beat Finland, and perhaps could beat one of Sweden/Russia.

When you listen to what they say and how excited they are about this tournament, I doubt they will be anything less than 110% motivated. They want to win, and they have a lot of really great character guys like McDavid, Matthews, Ekblad, Couturier, Scheifele, Monahan, Eichel... I could go on and on. Many of them will be the ones of the biggest leaders of the NHL soon. I think they could form an unforgettable group of players on and off the ice and really shock some people.
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Please explain why these players would be 100% motivated when playing against their own country. I understand still having motivation, but not 100% (or the impossible 110%). I'm also curious as to how they will be "unforgettable" even off the ice.

Thanks for the laugh about the leadership on this team as well. I don't think it's a big factor in the tournament given how few games there are, but it's funny to see anyone talk about the leadership on this team as a positive.
 
Some people's anger about TNA being a part of this tournament is clouding their judgement when it comes to how they will perform.
 
Curufinwe said:
Some people's anger about TNA being a part of this tournament is clouding their judgement when it comes to how they will perform.
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IMHO it has nothing to do with anger but more with thinking realistically.
The World Cup is supposed to be an international tournament with players representing their countries.
I find it hard to believe that Americans and Canadians playing together will work.
From an entertainment perspective, it's cool to see the young guns playing together from Canada and USA, but from a competitive standpoint, I strongly believe that Americans and Canadians will be more or less apathetic about playing together, just like Finns and Swedes would be. The whole idea is laughable.
 
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