Team China 2022

[Pardus]

In this video published yesterday they say that there were 540 (registered) players in China 10 years ago and now there are almost 10 000. The growth is quite respectable.

 

[iginlafan77]

 

[kabidjan18]

It has to be said about KRS that they're an entertaining team to watch. Despite being second from the bottom in the table, they have scored more goals than not just Vladivostok below them, but also Amur, Sibir, Dinamo Riga, and Sochi. While also conceding the most goals in the league. Like today's 10 goal game, 4-6 against Spartak. So whatever their games are, they certainly are not boring.

 

[Pardus]

So what was the decision? What are they waiting for? No more deadline removals.

 

[vorky]

So what was the decision? What are they waiting for? No more deadline removals.

 

[lawrence]

sounds more like they are attempting to draw up hype for the Chinese fans.

 

[ellja3]

sounds more like they are attempting to draw up hype for the Chinese fans.

If so, that's a weird way of doing that.

Anyway, I hope it's either China (but only real local players) not imports, or Norway.

 

[Exarz]

 

[vorky]

 

[Fjorden]

IIHF meets to review Olympic eligibility of Chinese players

Chinas level of competitiveness were apparently enough to satisfy concerns about how they’ll handle NHL competition.

Eligibility is the hurdle.
Kunlun Red Star have been based in Moscow(russia) and not in China adds a layer of uncertainty about whether players meet the eligibility standard.

 

[BigBadBoar]

IIHF meets to review Olympic eligibility of Chinese players

Chinas level of competitiveness were apparently enough to satisfy concerns about how they’ll handle NHL competition.

Eligibility is the hurdle.
Kunlun Red Star have been based in Moscow(russia) and not in China adds a layer of uncertainty about whether players meet the eligibility standard.

Yeah, exactly. If the team China would be Kunlun minus maybe some 2-3 imported players who don't meet eligibility, then they would be roughly on the same level as Norway. Even if it is Kunlun minus like 5 imported players, it would probably still be passable. If it is some team China plus maybe 3-4 imported players from Kunlun, then the participation would be a disaster for them.

 

[Albatros]

Yeah, exactly. If the team China would be Kunlun minus maybe some 2-3 imported players who don't meet eligibility, then they would be roughly on the same level as Norway. Even if it is Kunlun minus like 5 imported players, it would probably still be passable. If it is some team China plus maybe 3-4 imported players from Kunlun, then the participation would be a disaster for them.

With players like Zuccarello participating Norway is guaranteed to be better, but especially in goal the situation would be rather drastically in Norway's favor. Haukeland is a decent SHL goalie whereas O'Brien is... not.

 

[DeysArena]

The IIHF is desperately trying to summon the nerve to exclude an unqualified team from the tournament.

 

[BigBadBoar]

The IIHF is desperately trying to summon the nerve to exclude an unqualified team from the tournament.

Zuccarello is the only top Norwegian player today. Hockey in Norway is going through some difficult times, they are much weaker now than some 5 years ago. They could barely match a decent KHL team, even with Zuccarello.

 

[iginlafan77]

With players like Zuccarello participating Norway is guaranteed to be better, but especially in goal the situation would be rather drastically in Norway's favor. Haukeland is a decent SHL goalie whereas O'Brien is... not.

Sure, but I don't think we should be discussing O'Brien. I think it's Jeremy Smith who likely plays for China

 

[TomB]

Sure, but I don't think we should be discussing O'Brien. I think it's Jeremy Smith who likely plays for China

If the IIHF is as concerned about eligibility as they seem to be indicating, Smith isn't eligible. He needs 4 years with KRS because he played a WJC with the United States over a decade ago. He's only got three years with Kunlun.

Only time will tell if the IIHF is really going to enforce their own eligbility rules to a tee. If they do, O'Brien's likely the best goalie they have.

 

[A Bundy]

Zuccarello is the only top Norwegian player today. Hockey in Norway is going through some difficult times, they are much weaker now than some 5 years ago. They could barely match a decent KHL team, even with Zuccarello.

I would say that Norwegian hockey is in a much better place than it was 5 years ago. The National team has gone though a past due generational shift, and didn't look bad at all as the WC progressed. The hockeyfederation is much more professional now, more talent is produced and the top league is better, more professional and competetive now. Didn't materialize in the CHL this year, but that is a bit random as the Norwegian representative is having a dissapointing year. Norway has 14 players in Sweden U20 and 18 in Sweden U18. The OGQ was a coin-toss in Denmark's favour. Three Norwegian U20ers playing minutes in SHL this year. Hopefully the impression will change after the U20 Div1 in December.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Just let them play and get obliterated and be done with it.

 

[Fjorden]

I would say that Norwegian hockey is in a much better place than it was 5 years ago. The National team has gone though a past due generational shift, and didn't look bad at all as the WC progressed. The hockeyfederation is much more professional now, more talent is produced and the top league is better, more professional and competetive now. Didn't materialize in the CHL this year, but that is a bit random as the Norwegian representative is having a dissapointing year. Norway has 14 players in Sweden U20 and 18 in Sweden U18. The OGQ was a coin-toss in Denmark's favour. Three Norwegian U20ers playing minutes in SHL this year. Hopefully the impression will change after the U20 Div1 in December.

The norwegian national team was better in 2016. Back then they had two NHL'ers Martinsen and Zuccarello. The Olimb borthers were still not old at that time and very productive in SHL. Patrick Thoresen was also very productive in SKA.
So back five years ago Norway had a 1.line with NHL/KHL players and a 2.line with producitive SHL'ers.

Now today it's more depth when it comes to backs than five years ago. And also a couple of good goalkeepers.
But today it's very thin on alternatives in the the 1.st and 2nd offensive line compared to five years ago.

Now guys like Trettenes and Olden playing on Swiss level 2(NLB) are playing in first and 2nd offensive line.

Five years ago.
1.offensive line.
Zuccarrello(NY Rangers,NHL)-Thoresen(SKA, KHL)-Martinsen(Colorado, NHL)
2nd
KA Olimb(Linkøping, SHL)-M Olimb(Linkøping) SHL-Rosseli Olsen(Frølunda, SHL)

Today:
1st
Zuccarrelo(Minnesota, NHL)-Thoresen(Storhamar, Norway)-Trettenes(NLB, La chaux)
2nd
KA Olimb(Schwenninger, DEL)-M Olimb(Vålerenga, Norway)-Rosseli(Frølunda,SHL)

So 1st and 2nd offensive line was way better five years ago.

 

[pabst blue ribbon]

[

 

[A Bundy]

The norwegian national team was better in 2016. Back then they had two NHL'ers Martinsen and Zuccarello. The Olimb borthers were still not old at that time and very productive in SHL. Patrick Thoresen was also very productive in SKA.
So back five years ago Norway had a 1.line with NHL/KHL players and a 2.line with producitive SHL'ers.

Now today it's more depth when it comes to backs than five years ago. And also a couple of good goalkeepers.
But today it's very thin on alternatives in the the 1.st and 2nd offensive line compared to five years ago.

Now guys like Trettenes and Olden playing on Swiss level 2(NLB) are playing in first and 2nd offensive line. So 1st and 2nd offensive line was way better five years ago.

I agree with the first two lines was better ages wise, but as you say the is much D better and younger now. Matinsen has always very much been a role-player both in the NHL and for Norway. I liked the looks of Norway in the last WC, and biggest difference for me is that there is a generation of promising youth soon ready for the 1st and 2nd offensive line. Martin Johnsen, Philip Granath, Emilio Pettersen, Kenneth Pappalardo Guldbrandsen, Mikkel Øby Olsen, Eskild Bakke Olsen, Eskild Wold and several more are offensive talents of a type we did not have five years ago - hence the slump and oldies right now in the top lines. So, in summary in my opinion the team right now is better on D, slightly worse off in goalies and top two lines. Biggest difference is that the outlook is way better than it was five years ago. In three to four years, the team will be really good - so next Olympics. I'll revisit this conversation then, and see how that prediction aged

 

[BigBadBoar]

I would say that Norwegian hockey is in a much better place than it was 5 years ago. The National team has gone though a past due generational shift, and didn't look bad at all as the WC progressed. The hockeyfederation is much more professional now, more talent is produced and the top league is better, more professional and competetive now. Didn't materialize in the CHL this year, but that is a bit random as the Norwegian representative is having a dissapointing year. Norway has 14 players in Sweden U20 and 18 in Sweden U18. The OGQ was a coin-toss in Denmark's favour. Three Norwegian U20ers playing minutes in SHL this year. Hopefully the impression will change after the U20 Div1 in December.

Perhaps in 2-3 years Norway will be good again, but today, they are really much weaker than they used to be 5-10 years ago. It is apparently a temporary issue, obviously it takes time for young generation of players to succeed the older guys when it comes to countries where hockey is not such big thing.

 

[lawrence]

[

Thanks for sharing.

is there a secondary source on this one? I don't see the Chinese government forcing anyone to give up their natural citizenship for whatever reason. (BTW, Countries like Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore also doesn't allow dual citizenship).

Anyway, I hope it's either China (but only real local players) not imports, or Norway.

Not sure what the issue is, if it's imports. Unless you want to really see a blow out. Team Italy in 2006 had 50% of their roster as imports. Like the Kunlen red Stars, also Canadian born players with Italian heritage and last names. 50% 2 Americans and 9 Canadians on the 22 man roster for Team Italy in 2006.

If Italy is allowed to have imports China shouldn't have a problem either.

 

[Albatros]

Most of the Italians born in North America had been playing in Europe for a very long time though, it's not like they were recruited for the Olympics.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Not sure what the issue is, if it's imports. Unless you want to really see a blow out. Team Italy in 2006 had 50% of their roster as imports. Like the Kunlen red Stars, also Canadian born players with Italian heritage and last names. 50% 2 Americans and 9 Canadians on the 22 man roster for Team Italy in 2006.

In addition to what Albatros said, I think the difference between 50% and 100% is quite substantial, no?