WC: Predictions for the 2025 WC

[NyQuil]

IIHF - Power Rankings

CAN still first, SWE still second, GER takes over third

www.iihf.com

 

[le premiere etoile]

It's one of our strongest rosters "on paper" in recent years, but I still never underestimate the ability of our team to underachieve at this tournament. I'm not sure if we've ever even made it to the gold medal game, since the last time we won anything better than bronze was in 1960, before our emergence as a hockey power, and that was on a technicality since the Olympics that year doubled as the world championships, also the format was that places were determined only by a round robin. Only gold at a "standalone" tournament was 1933... and I guess I'm wrong from earlier actually; that tournament had semifinals and medal games.

Last silver was 1956. Final rankings were from round robin games only. (edit) That one was also when the Olympics doubled as the world championships for the year.

I'm an old man now and I have yet to witness the U.S in the gold medal game at this tournament. It's on it's way soon however.

 

[ORRFForever]

Some of them are as long as people get the references.

Yes.

 

[Eye of Ra]

My power rankings right now;

1: Canada
2: USA
3: Czechia
4: Switzerland
5: Finland
6: Germany
7: Sweden
8: Slovakia

 

[Summer Rose]

My power rankings right now;

1: Canada
2: USA
3: Czechia
4: Switzerland
5: Finland
6: Germany
7: Sweden
8: Slovakia

Bold of you to put USA at 2 when we got shut out by Switzerland and forgot how to play hockey in the third period against Norway (but at least we managed to win in overtime with help from a soft penalty call on Norway).

 

[Svedu]

My power rankings right now:

1. Sweden, better goalies.
2. Canada.
These two stand out a bit more than any other nation in the other group for me. I have a difficult time seeing anyone beating them during the tournament. Actually, feel like 9/10 times they will face each other in the final. The Swiss and Czechia could during their best day win but then I feel like those two above need to have a off day as well.

3. Switzerland/ Czechia.

5. The US
These three should be a tier above those other four but The US feel very uncertain at the moment. Of these three I can't see the US beating Sweden even once because of the fact that Sweden plays at home, have great players and they look great as a team. The only victory and upset I can imagine the US achieve is against bigger brother when they get fired up and are big underdogs. That they show up as a team and play fast hockey. But then again, do they have good goaltending?

6. Germany
7. Latvia
8. Slovakia.
9. Finland/ Austria.
These are all very close and I think they can both lose and win against each other. Coin toss really. I have a feeling Latvia is just as good as Slovakia or better. Finland could be a tier above Slovakia depending on Hlavajs game but... I still think they will lose because Slovakia is in a tough spot being unlucky against Austria with the points and so on. Finland on the other hand have been lucky with points and then got outplayed by Sweden. Don't underestimate a desperate Slovakia with Dvorsky on the PP and Regendas physicality. Chromiak was pretty decent against France as well.
Germany could actually be the best team out of these 4 but I think Latvia are playing with pride and competing. They get Abols. Also, Sweden were great yesterday. Not Latvia necessarily being bad. They have their decent fanbase as well. And their kits are the best looking together with the Finnish blue

Finland have the worst PP of all teams so far. Slovakia have Dvorsky and Chromiak and this could be the difference in the end.
And imagine, the worst PK in the tournament so far... Finland again! Yes, correct. Finland have both the worst PP and PK so far. Imagine some people here think Finns are trolling when not expecting anything from this team and Pennanen, lol.

 

[Czechboy]

My power rankings right now:

1. Sweden, better goalies.
2. Canada.
These two stand out a bit more than any other nation in the other group for me. I have a difficult time seeing anyone beating them during the tournament. Actually, feel like 9/10 times they will face each other in the final. The Swiss and Czechia could during their best day win but then I feel like those two above need to have a off day as well.

3. Switzerland/ Czechia.

5. The US
These three should be a tier above those other four but The US feel very uncertain at the moment. Of these three I can't see the US beating Sweden even once because of the fact that Sweden plays at home, have great players and they look great as a team. The only victory and upset I can imagine the US achieve is against bigger brother when they get fired up and are big underdogs. That they show up as a team and play fast hockey. But then again, do they have good goaltending?

6. Latvia
7. Germany
8. Slovakia.
9. Finland/ Austria.
These are all very close and I think they can both lose and win against each other. Coin toss really. I have a feeling Latvia is just as good as Slovakia or better. Finland could be a tier above Slovakia depending on Hlavajs game but... I still think they will lose because Slovakia is in a tough spot being unlucky against Austria with the points and so on. Finland on the other hand have been lucky with points and then got outplayed by Sweden. Don't underestimate a desperate Slovakia with Dvorsky on the PP and Regendas physicality. Chromiak was pretty decent against France as well.
Germany could actually be the best team out of these 4 but I think Latvia are playing with pride and competing. They get Abols. Also, Sweden were great yesterday. Not Latvia necessarily being bad. They have their decent fanbase as well. And their kits are the best looking together with the Finnish blue

Finland have the worst PP of all teams so far. Slovakia have Dvorsky and Chromiak and this could be the difference in the end.
And imagine, the worst PK in the tournament so far... Finland again! Yes, correct. Finland have both the worst PP and PK so far. Imagine some people here think Finns are trolling when not expecting anything from this team and Pennanen, lol.

I'm a bit different.

Tier 1 is definitely Canada and Sweden. Undeniable. Sweden playing at home is a disadvantage IMO.

Tier 2 is USA on paper. They could upset either one in a quarter and I wouldn't be surprised. They are the 'spoiler' IMO. They can take out a gold contender and are a danger.

Tier 3 should include the Germans.. they are killing it and have Stutzl and Seider. Playing beautiful hockey. Czechs, Swiss, Germany and Finland can all cause a stir.

 

[Svedu]

I'm a bit different.

Tier 1 is definitely Canada and Sweden. Undeniable. Sweden playing at home is a disadvantage IMO.

Tier 2 is USA on paper. They could upset either one in a quarter and I wouldn't be surprised. They are the 'spoiler' IMO. They can take out a gold contender and are a danger.

Tier 3 should include the Germans.. they are killing it and have Stutzl and Seider. Playing beautiful hockey. Czechs, Swiss, Germany and Finland can all cause a stir.

I respect your take. I dont the US have the goaltending, defensive awareness nor team effort in defense to beat Sweden.

Swedens best players are young and hungry as well. Leo, Raymond and Edvinsson are basically star level on this tournament. Zibanejad being a very pleasant surprise for them so far as well. Him being hungry and seeking revenge for his weak season make their team a good mix between experience and youth/talent.
Markström is a big factor as well.

Regarding Germany you are probably right. Missed they got all their starts and that they now are competing against the Swiss. I'll change my rankings because of that.

 

[Czechboy]

I respect your take. I dont the US have the goaltending, defensive awareness nor team effort in defense to beat Sweden.

Swedens best players are young and hungry as well. Leo, Raymond and Edvinsson are basically star level on this tournament. Zibanejad being a very pleasant surprise for them so far as well. Him being hungry and seeking revenge for his weak season make their team a good mix between experience and youth/talent.
Markström is a big factor as well.

Regarding Germany you are probably right. Missed they got all their starts and that they now are competing against the Swiss. I'll change my rankings because of that.

In fairness, the Swiss are tuning them up right now.lol 4-0.

I'm a big Swayman fan so that may be skewing me. They have that 'drink for the first week' vibe to me. Then they get serious in week 2.