Yes, but on the other hand, no coach. A good example of how a good team can fail without a coach is team Spain at recent soccer World Cup.
WJC: Tournament standouts and dissapointments so far? (2021)
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Pavels Dog
Registered User
All that talent?
It was a relatively weak swedish squad even BEFORE they lost several important players to Covid and most of the coaching staff.
I do think they could still compete with Finland for being the 4th best team this year, but without coaching those chances were greatly reduced.
Sabres fans have to be dancing with joy watching this tournament. Peterka has been outstanding, not just riding Stutzle's coattails, he is one of the best players in the whole tournament. And Sens fans have to be kicking themselves that they passed on Peterka multiple times, they could have had both Stutzle and Peterka.
Jericho111091
Registered User
Impressed: Zegras, Niemela, Stutzle, Soderblom, Heinola, Lambert, Lundell and maybe even Raymond.
Surprise impressed: Hatakka, Elias.
Dissapointments: Holtz, Caufield, Kokkonen, and by far the worst one Jarventie.
Haven't really tuned into enough Canada games to list any names here.
Surprise impressed: Hatakka, Elias.
Dissapointments: Holtz, Caufield, Kokkonen, and by far the worst one Jarventie.
Haven't really tuned into enough Canada games to list any names here.
AveryStar4Eva
Registered User
- Aug 28, 2014
- 7,453
- 5,783
Even though the puck isn’t going in Turcotte has looked really impressive to me and I feel like his game will translate well into the NHL. See him as a high end 2C/low end 1C.
Costmar looked really involved in the play and is a later round guy I can see making it as a utility player in the NHL.
Perfetti is a guy that I expected a lot more out of. Yeah he’s getting his points, but looks mostly invisible.
Harley should have dominated against weak competition, but has not impressed me. From a guy that looked NHL ready in last years training camp I’m pretty disappointed.
Costmar looked really involved in the play and is a later round guy I can see making it as a utility player in the NHL.
Perfetti is a guy that I expected a lot more out of. Yeah he’s getting his points, but looks mostly invisible.
Harley should have dominated against weak competition, but has not impressed me. From a guy that looked NHL ready in last years training camp I’m pretty disappointed.
Pandaman11
Registered User
- Dec 3, 2009
- 2,834
- 1,321
I think they had their lowest talent level in years, especially at center, though injuries and Covid also played a role
Pandaman11
Registered User
- Dec 3, 2009
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- 1,321
Amirov has been among the best
Everytime he touches the puck I expect a poor play, or turnover. I expected a lot more from him. I'd say the biggest disappointment on Canada so far.
Your expectations for Amirov must have been insane if you think he's a disappointment.
Svedu
Registered User
- Apr 23, 2019
- 2,881
- 1,910
Tournament greats this far: Canada. Byfield stepped up his game later on and Cozens has been good in almost every game as the majority of the Canadian team. But this was expected.
Lundell has been incredible in many ways. Not only has he been clutch and showcased his skill. He leads his team, just wow.
Heinola? What can I say. It's one thing to be a talent but to be a D and almost single handedly turn a quarter against Sweden as he did? That there just promises something wonderful for the future. I knew he was good. Even if I´ve thought he gets carried away and plays with small margins sometimes, he's young so that's to be expected. You just gotta love his game. Composed and ice cold.
Niemelä? Just wow. The kid has been great in every game. Even when the team played badly he played good, that says it all really. He is so good with the puck. It's like Topi and Heinola have their stomachs filled with ice because it's really impressing to play with that kind of confidence when the team doesn't perform. The thing is that defensively he feels even better than Heinola at this given moment.
Lambert has showcased his skating and skill, but in the end it's nothing we finns already knew before the tournament. So he needs to produce in these final two games to get a spot here.
Amirov has been amazing as well. I love how he just flies out there and works hard combined with his skillset.
I like Khusnutidnov very much as well. He's not that flashy player but he works hard just like Hirvonen, with the difference that the Russian can skate really well.
Elmer Söderblom has been good for Sweden. Against Russia and Finland he played really well so it's legit to say that he stepped up for Sweden in the big games.
Costmar worked hard as well.
Team Germany, I mean with those preparations and still very close to get OT against Russia in the quarters? That is more than well done from their part.
Zegras has been good but I want to see how he does against Finland before I praise him too much. Why? Because Russia steamrolled USA in the beginning of their game against each other and I thought Amirov, Podkolzin, Bardakhov, Groshev and many others in the Russian team seemed to be on pair or even better than USA´s best players. Victory against Sweden does not tell much this year. Conclusion is that I want to wait and see how Zegras and Caulfield plays against Team Finland before praising them to much.
Last but not least, Karhukissas never ending support for Pennanen. Or rather overflowing compliments. Karhukissa, in some ways i admire you
Disappointments:
Swedish goalies did not impress me one bit, Wallstedt was decent but not the other one. Disappointments because before this tournament the Swedish journalists at SVT talked highly about these goalies and stated they were the best goalie pair Sweden ever had on this level, on Markström and Anders Nilsson level or even better. Well... I don't think that aged that well.
Holtz accomplished what in the big games? Raymond was good but it's something about him... He seems selfish and not like a game winning team player. Can't deny he has some serious skill though, so not a disappointment by any means.
The goalies in general has been disappointments for me this year. Neither Askarov or Knight has impressed me that much. I mean they were really hyped up just like the Swedish goalies, Of course Knight will be a monster against Finland just because I´m calling him out. Hmm... Perhaps I need to delete this part.
Malik, why did the Czechs play him against Canada is nothing but a mystery for me... Poor kid did not have a single decent game in this tournament.
Team Austria, what can you say? They were complete garbage. Sorry but that's the truth.
Lundell has been incredible in many ways. Not only has he been clutch and showcased his skill. He leads his team, just wow.
Heinola? What can I say. It's one thing to be a talent but to be a D and almost single handedly turn a quarter against Sweden as he did? That there just promises something wonderful for the future. I knew he was good. Even if I´ve thought he gets carried away and plays with small margins sometimes, he's young so that's to be expected. You just gotta love his game. Composed and ice cold.
Niemelä? Just wow. The kid has been great in every game. Even when the team played badly he played good, that says it all really. He is so good with the puck. It's like Topi and Heinola have their stomachs filled with ice because it's really impressing to play with that kind of confidence when the team doesn't perform. The thing is that defensively he feels even better than Heinola at this given moment.
Lambert has showcased his skating and skill, but in the end it's nothing we finns already knew before the tournament. So he needs to produce in these final two games to get a spot here.
Amirov has been amazing as well. I love how he just flies out there and works hard combined with his skillset.
I like Khusnutidnov very much as well. He's not that flashy player but he works hard just like Hirvonen, with the difference that the Russian can skate really well.
Elmer Söderblom has been good for Sweden. Against Russia and Finland he played really well so it's legit to say that he stepped up for Sweden in the big games.
Costmar worked hard as well.
Team Germany, I mean with those preparations and still very close to get OT against Russia in the quarters? That is more than well done from their part.
Zegras has been good but I want to see how he does against Finland before I praise him too much. Why? Because Russia steamrolled USA in the beginning of their game against each other and I thought Amirov, Podkolzin, Bardakhov, Groshev and many others in the Russian team seemed to be on pair or even better than USA´s best players. Victory against Sweden does not tell much this year. Conclusion is that I want to wait and see how Zegras and Caulfield plays against Team Finland before praising them to much.
Last but not least, Karhukissas never ending support for Pennanen. Or rather overflowing compliments. Karhukissa, in some ways i admire you
Disappointments:
Swedish goalies did not impress me one bit, Wallstedt was decent but not the other one. Disappointments because before this tournament the Swedish journalists at SVT talked highly about these goalies and stated they were the best goalie pair Sweden ever had on this level, on Markström and Anders Nilsson level or even better. Well... I don't think that aged that well.
Holtz accomplished what in the big games? Raymond was good but it's something about him... He seems selfish and not like a game winning team player. Can't deny he has some serious skill though, so not a disappointment by any means.
The goalies in general has been disappointments for me this year. Neither Askarov or Knight has impressed me that much. I mean they were really hyped up just like the Swedish goalies, Of course Knight will be a monster against Finland just because I´m calling him out. Hmm... Perhaps I need to delete this part.
Malik, why did the Czechs play him against Canada is nothing but a mystery for me... Poor kid did not have a single decent game in this tournament.
Team Austria, what can you say? They were complete garbage. Sorry but that's the truth.
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I don’t see the high end skill in turcotte
maybe he needs to develop more but I don’t see him being a top line players
maybe he needs to develop more but I don’t see him being a top line players
Fatass
Registered User
- Apr 17, 2017
- 25,223
- 16,841
Raymond, Holts, Broberg, and Soderstrom are all expected to be top notch NHLer’s right? In three years that Swedish team might have more top level NHLer’s than any team from this tournament. I think their top guys (Broberg was injured, so he’s excused) played way too soft, and relied on their grunts, like Costmar, to lead the team.
Fatass
Registered User
- Apr 17, 2017
- 25,223
- 16,841
Yup. He’s a third liner right now, but a darned important one on a winning team. He will put up 40 points, check the other teams’ top guys, play PK, be hard to play against, and be a winner. Other guys, who are far more flashy offensively right now, might not have their skill translate to the National League.
SCampo98
Registered User
Stand outs: Cozens, Stuetzle, Zegras, Niemela, Amirov, Levi
Dissapointments: Sweden as a whole, their worst tournament in more than 15 years, a complete shame.
Dissapointments: Sweden as a whole, their worst tournament in more than 15 years, a complete shame.
Melkor
Registered User
I really like Podkolzin and think he has a solid NHL career ahead of him but to be "impressed" by him so far... I'd call it a stretch. He is exactly what everyone knew about him already. He's big, strong, plays accordingly, likes to attack off the rush, has good iq and seemed to have not been able to buy some clutch goals or multi point games against top teams thus far. Like...what was you impressed by really?
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
RememberTheName
Conductor of the Schmid Bandwagon
I'll go through the Devils prospects
Mercer: Hasn't gotten a lot of minutes, but damn, this kid is good. Relentless on the forecheck and the penalty kill and just a fantastic two way guy
Moynihan: Played solid when he was healthy
Pytlik: Much better than I expected offensively, really showed off a lot more skill than I had expected
Holtz: Not his finest tournament, but he still showed a lot of good. So many close chances that either rang off the pipe or goalie made a nice save, lead the tournament in SOGs, has showed off a lot of great passing ability that I didn't expect. But its hard to play good when your team is down a lot of guys and doesn't have a true coach
Mukhamadulin: Wow. So impressed with this kid. He had a couple of bad moments, but man has he done a great job as Russia's #1 defenseman. Definitely showing people why he was drafted #20
Gritsyuk: Great in the offensive zone and has gotten a couple of assists because of his shiftiness and creativity. I'm pleasantly surprised at how he has done.
Mercer: Hasn't gotten a lot of minutes, but damn, this kid is good. Relentless on the forecheck and the penalty kill and just a fantastic two way guy
Moynihan: Played solid when he was healthy
Pytlik: Much better than I expected offensively, really showed off a lot more skill than I had expected
Holtz: Not his finest tournament, but he still showed a lot of good. So many close chances that either rang off the pipe or goalie made a nice save, lead the tournament in SOGs, has showed off a lot of great passing ability that I didn't expect. But its hard to play good when your team is down a lot of guys and doesn't have a true coach
Mukhamadulin: Wow. So impressed with this kid. He had a couple of bad moments, but man has he done a great job as Russia's #1 defenseman. Definitely showing people why he was drafted #20
Gritsyuk: Great in the offensive zone and has gotten a couple of assists because of his shiftiness and creativity. I'm pleasantly surprised at how he has done.
The Moose is Loose
Registered User
I just wasn't blown away by him (and the Russians as a whole). I also saw his name in thread by other people, so I thought I'd include him
Who's Melker Soderblom? It's ElmerTournament greats this far: Canada. Byfield stepped up his game later on and Cozens has been good in almost every game as the majority of the Canadian team. But this was expected.
Lundell has been incredible in many ways. Not only has he been clutch and showcased his skill. He leads his team, just wow.
Heinola? What can I say. It's one thing to be a talent but to be a D and almost single handedly turn a quarter against Sweden as he did? That there just promises something wonderful for the future. I knew he was good. Even if I´ve thought he gets carried away and plays with small margins sometimes, he's young so that's to be expected. You just gotta love his game. Composed and ice cold.
Niemelä? Just wow. The kid has been great in every game. Even when the team played badly he played good, that says it all really. He is so good with the puck. It's like Topi and Heinola has their stomachs filled with ice because it's really impressing to play with that kind of confidence when the team doesn't perform. The thing is that defensively he feels even better than Heinola at this given moment.
Lambert has showcased his skating and skill, but in the end it's nothing we finns already knew before the tournament. So he needs to produce in these final two games to get a spot here.
Amirov has been amazing as well. I love how he just flies out there and works hard combined with his skillset.
I like Khusnutidnov very much as well. He's not that flashy player but he works hard just like Hirvonen, with the difference that the Russian can skate really well.
Melker Söderblom has been good for Sweden. Against Russia and Finland he played really well so it's legit to say that he stepped up for Sweden in the big games.
Costmar worked hard as well.
Team Germany, I mean with those preparations and still very close to get OT against Russia in the quarters? That is more than well done from their part.
Zegras has been good but I want to see how he does against Finland before I praise him too much. Why? Because Russia steamrolled USA in the beginning of their game against each other and I thought Amirov, Podkolzin, Bardakhov, Groshev and many others in the Russian team seemed to be on pair or even better than USA´s best players. Victory against Sweden does not tell much this year. Conclusion is that I want to wait and see how Zegras and Caulfield plays against Team Finland before praising them to much.
Last but not least, Karhukissas never ending support for Pennanen. Or rather overflowing compliments. Karhukissa, in some ways i admire you
Disappointments:
Swedish goalies did not impress me one bit, Wallstedt was decent but not the other one. Disappointments because before this tournament the Swedish journalists at SVT talked highly about these goalies and stated they were the best goalie pair Sweden ever had on this level, on Markström and Anders Nilsson level or even better. Well... I don't think that aged that well.
Holtz accomplished what in the big games? Raymond was good but it's something about him... He seems selfish and not like a game winning team player. Can't deny he has some serious skill though, so not a disappointment by any means.
The goalies in general has been disappointments for me this year. Neither Askarov or Knight has impressed me that much. I mean they were really hyped up just like the Swedish goalies, Of course Knight will be a monster against Finland just because I´m calling him out. Hmm... Perhaps I need to delete this part.
Malik, why did the Czechs play him against Canada is nothing but a mystery for me... Poor kid did not have a single decent game in this tournament.
Team Austria, what can you say? They were complete garbage. Sorry but that's the truth.
Raymond is a selfish player? He's a playmaker
He had more passes in the offensive zone than almost every player in the tournament.
BWJM
Registered User
I feel for the Swedes but every team is due for a big crash at this turny. They'll be back next year.
Zegras has really stood out to me. Kids going to be insane.
Zegras has really stood out to me. Kids going to be insane.
Agree on the goaltending. I'd been waiting pretty well my whole life to see this much goaltending talent on display in a World Junior tournament, but Knight seemed a bit dopey and disinterested, Askarov was too chaotic and let in squeakers, Alnefelt was quite poor, and Wallstedt (while I absolutely love the kid) only played briefly and definitely looked a bit raw.
Who would have thought that Devon Levi would be goalie of the tournament thus far?
