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 know if 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 stars 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.

 

[Summer Rose]

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.

The Florida approach? We have enough talent to never really be at risk for not even qualifying for the quarterfinals I guess, without trying to sound too arrogant about it. It's just that if that's our overall tournament strategy, it fails regularly because we struggle with the "get serious in week 2" part. It's also a bad look to me as a fan. I'd rather we put forth our best effort all tournament long.

 

[SwissLeaf]

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.

Well, their best forward is an important part of a team that lost to the Leafs. They won't go far...

I like the Swiss team a lot so far. I've only seen parts of the US game and today's game though.

 

[Finnswiss]

My power ranking looks like follow:

1. Canada
2. Sweden
3. Switzerland
4. Czech Republic
5. USA
6. Finland
7. Germany
8. Latvia
9. ......

Furthermore, I predict that Finland will be eliminated in quarterfinal. They will have to play either against the Czechs, Swiss or USA, depending on who will finish the preliminary round as 1st, 2nd and 3rd in group B and whether Finland will finish as 3rd or fourth. But in my opinion, they won't have a chance against no one of the three, based on how they have played so far in this tournament.

 

[Eye of Ra]

So right now we have this in qf;

Sweden vs Germany
Switzerland vs Latvia
Canada vs USA
Finland vs Czechs

 

[illone84]

So right now we have this in qf;

Sweden vs Germany
Switzerland vs Latvia
Canada vs USA
Finland vs Czechs

Too bad it won't go down like this and wouldn't be shocked to see Austria in the qf Instead of Latvia

 

[Czechboy]

So right now we have this in qf;

Sweden vs Germany
Switzerland vs Latvia
Canada vs USA
Finland vs Czechs

Canada vs USA quarter would be amazing! Lots of hockey left though and lots of scenarios.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Swiss gets stronger with the Nino add as does Sweden with Sandin and William Karlsson. Aswell Finland with adding Pyyhtiä and Mattila. Suprised Canada is not adding anyone.

 

[ORRFForever]

Suprised Canada is not adding anyone.

I'm not. Everyone is playing so well, it would be a mistake to mess with the chemistry.

 

[Czechboy]

Here is mine: Tomorrow will be awesome!

Canada vs Sweden for 1,2 or even 3!
Czechs vs USA for 1,2 or even 3!
Denmark vs Germany (with Ehlers joining in) for 4!
Austria vs Latvis for 4!

Swiss and Slovakia have very little pressure tomorrow. For very different reasons.

Sensational final day coming up!

For fun.. this will age poorly:

Canada beats Sweden clean in regulation.. win pool, Sweden second
Slovakia beat the Finns... but Finns finish third and Slovakia go home way too soon
I'm taking Denmark over Germany
I'm taking Austria over Latvia
Czechs beat US in OT

Final standings:

Canada, Sweden, Finland and Austria

Czechs, Swiss, USA and Denmark

Canada vs Denmark
Czechs vs Austria
Sweden vs USA
Swiss vs Finland

I'm positive I'm wrong.

 

[illone84]

Here is mine: Tomorrow will be awesome!

Canada vs Sweden for 1,2 or even 3!
Czechs vs USA for 1,2 or even 3!
Denmark vs Germany (with Ehlers joining in) for 4!
Austria vs Latvis for 4!

Swiss and Slovakia have very little pressure tomorrow. For very different reasons.

Sensational final day coming up!

For fun.. this will age poorly:

Canada beats Sweden clean in regulation.. win pool, Sweden second
Slovakia beat the Finns... but Finns finish third and Slovakia go home way too soon
I'm taking Denmark over Germany
I'm taking Austria over Latvia
Czechs beat US in OT

Final standings:

Canada, Sweden, Finland and Austria

Czechs, Swiss, USA and Denmark

Canada vs Denmark
Czechs vs Austria
Sweden vs USA
Swiss vs Finland

I'm positive I'm wrong.

I agree about Austria though. Can see them making the qf, let's go!

 

[Czechboy]

I agree about Austria though. Can see them making the qf, let's go!

Finn's are finishing third no matter what.. Slovaks want to finish in a high note.

 

[kabidjan18]

Here is mine: Tomorrow will be awesome!

Canada vs Sweden for 1,2 or even 3!
Czechs vs USA for 1,2 or even 3!
Denmark vs Germany (with Ehlers joining in) for 4!
Austria vs Latvis for 4!

Swiss and Slovakia have very little pressure tomorrow. For very different reasons.

Sensational final day coming up!

For fun.. this will age poorly:

Canada beats Sweden clean in regulation.. win pool, Sweden second
Slovakia beat the Finns... but Finns finish third and Slovakia go home way too soon
I'm taking Denmark over Germany
I'm taking Austria over Latvia
Czechs beat US in OT

Final standings:

Canada, Sweden, Finland and Austria

Czechs, Swiss, USA and Denmark

Canada vs Denmark
Czechs vs Austria
Sweden vs USA
Swiss vs Finland

I'm positive I'm wrong.

I agree about Austria though. Can see them making the qf, let's go!

The enthusiasm is awesome. It really is. And anything can happen in one 60 minute game. So I really hope you all are right.

Not only do I think this Latvian team should be favored in this matchup. I think that this Latvian team should be favored against the best theoretical Austrian lineup. Not only do I think they're better at every position, the stylistic matchup is also extremely unfavorable.

But anything can happen over 60 minutes.

 

[ORRFForever]

I can't see Canada losing 2 days in a row. If they do, God help the team they meet in the Quarters.

 

[ORRFForever]

Finn's are finishing third no matter what.

Is that true? If the Finns win in regulation and Canada loses in regulation, Finland finishes 2nd and Canada 3rd.