WJC: Tournament standouts and dissapointments so far? (2021)

[ijuka]

Disappointment Askarov, disappointment Byfield, standout Cozens

 

[Adam da bomb]

Stand out lundell most tourney. Disappointing lundell in game vs us.

 

[Matte99]

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.

It was interesting to see Monten describe how they were gonna play in different situations and then watching the game, wondering if the players actually had a clue. Never seen such a bad Swedish junior team, which is odd, considering these guys won j18 gold. They didnt manage to pass the puck and the only goal with tip in (typical from all Swedish teams) was Raymonds versus Austria. Not one quality chance from playing typical Swedish, just shots no matter if they had a chance or not. Boring and incompetent team without hockey iq.

Couldn't even receive a pass without fumbling the puck and couldn't pass the puck on the tape to save their lifes. T

he only thing they did good was hiding behind their own goal which Swedish junior teams simply didnt do 10 years ago when they actually knew how to move the puck. =(

 

[Statsy]

Fewer turnovers, maybe a couple more assists.

Byram is putting up one of the most dominant two-way performances I’ve ever seen from a defenseman in this tourney, and I’ve been watching it a loooong time.

 

[majormajor]

Byram is putting up one of the most dominant two-way performances I’ve ever seen from a defenseman in this tourney, and I’ve been watching it a loooong time.

Well that's what I was expecting from him, but he hasn't quite met that expectation in my book. I don't think there is a single D-man for any team that has been among the best tourney performances ever.

 

[NyQuil]

Byram is putting up one of the most dominant two-way performances I’ve ever seen from a defenseman in this tourney, and I’ve been watching it a loooong time.

You must have missed the 2017 tournament.

Despite Team Canada losing to the US in a shootout in the gold medal game of the World Juniors, Thomas Chabot was named tournament MVP. He finished with an ice time of 43:53 in the final game, after playing more than 27 minutes the day before. He also finished the tournament with four goals and six assists, easily pacing defencemen. He became the first defenceman ever to win the award, since 2002 when the IIHF started awarding a tournament MVP.

 

[Statsy]

Well that's what I was expecting from him, but he hasn't quite met that expectation in my book. I don't think there is a single D-man for any team that has been among the best tourney performances ever.

It’s been a lower scoring year for the D, but there have definitely been some great performances. Heinola, Drysdale and Faber also all doing rock solid work at both ends.

 

[Statsy]

You must have missed the 2017 tournament.

I didn’t. Did you not notice I said ONE OF the best performances? Do you want to try to read that again?

 

[NyQuil]

I didn’t. Did you not notice I said ONE OF the best performances? Do you want to try to read that again?

I just wanted an excuse to paste that in.

 

[Statsy]

I just wanted an excuse to paste that in.

That’s fair.

 

[The Kingslayer]

I just wanted an excuse to paste that in.

Chabot was a monster in that tourney.

 

[Jeune Poulet]

Standouts: Zegras, Stuetzle, Cozens, Peterka, Caufield, Elias, Guhle

Disappointed: Sanderson, Broberg, Askarov

Man, what? The only way in which Caufield stood out is how much he is floating out there. His performance has been extremely weak.

 

[TaLoN]

Man, what? The only way in which Caufield stood out is how much he is floating out there. His performance has been extremely weak.

He's being carried by Boldy, who... outside of Zegras, has been the best player for the US.

 

[Rubi]

I thought Knight and Askarov would be better.
Cozens and Zegras are stars.
Levi's play has blown me away. Front runner for MVP of the tournament as far as I'm concerned.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I thought Knight and Askarov would be better.
Cozens and Zegras are stars.
Levi's play has blown me away. Front runner for MVP of the tournament as far as I'm concerned.

Agreed on those goaltenders. I expected Askarov to steal the show. Remember how sick he was at the U18s a few years ago as a 16 year old (I think). I'm sure his league play is better but still he's been quite pedestrian in this tournament.

I think it's between Levi and Zegras for MVP, depending on who wins tonight. Zegras has been so much better than every other US player it's almost unbelievable.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Agreed on those goaltenders. I expected Askarov to steal the show. Remember how sick he was at the U18s a few years ago as a 16 year old (I think). I'm sure his league play is better but still he's been quite pedestrian in this tournament.

I think it's between Levi and Zegras for MVP, depending on who wins tonight. Zegras has been so much better than every other US player it's almost unbelievable.

Agree on the goalies but not sure if Zegras has been the USA's best player - let alone "so much better" than the rest of his team.

Boldy, Beniers and Brink have all had great tournaments not to mention his linemates Turcotte and Kaliyev. And York has been as advertised on defense. That's not even mentioning Farinacci scoring big goals. Trevor's been good. But USA to this point has been a team effort.

 

[MisterT]

Standouts: Stutzle, Zegras, Couzens, Byram and Boldy, Team Germany (due to COVID impact)
Looking to see more of before passing judgement: Brad Lambert, Niemela, Peterka, F. Elias, Levi, Farinacci, Sanderson, Byfield (reduced role on a stacked Canadian team), Rossi
Disappointments: Askarov, Team Sweden (due to COVID impact)
Busts in the making: Caufield, Chinakhov

Good tournament considering the state of the world at the moment.

 

[Karl Eriksson]

How has Byfield looked? I don’t get the games on tv in DC.

 

[tomd]

Agree on the goalies but not sure if Zegras has been the USA's best player - let alone "so much better" than the rest of his team.

Boldy, Beniers and Brink have all had great tournaments not to mention his linemates Turcotte and Kaliyev. And York has been as advertised on defense. That's not even mentioning Farinacci scoring big goals. Trevor's been good. But USA to this point has been a team effort.

You have a steep hill to climb when one player on the team has 16 points and the next closest players have 7 points. I don't know how you can argue that the player with 16 points hasn't been the best player.

 

[A55P2]

Agree on the goalies but not sure if Zegras has been the USA's best player - let alone "so much better" than the rest of his team.

Boldy, Beniers and Brink have all had great tournaments not to mention his linemates Turcotte and Kaliyev. And York has been as advertised on defense. That's not even mentioning Farinacci scoring big goals. Trevor's been good. But USA to this point has been a team effort.

I don't get the Beniers praises. I mean he skates fast but he'd got a real case of tunnel vision. Goes against multiple opponents trying to deke his way out.

He wouldn't play on Canada's team.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Roby Jarventie is the correct answer for biggest disappointment, He started on the first line, fell down the lineup and got to the point when he got onto the ice, he looked like he didn’t care, at all.

 

[NyQuil]

How has Byfield looked? I don’t get the games on tv in DC.

I think he's looked pretty good.

Uses his size well and causes havoc around the net, in the corners and along the boards. He fits that traditional Los Angeles style of play of wearing down the opposition through extended offensive zone time. Some of Canada's longest shifts have been with him and Pelletier keeping it as far away from Canada's net as possible, in some cases maintaining possession as lines are changed.

He's pretty quick in a straight line once he gets his feet moving a bit, but his long loping stride is reminiscent of other big men like Sundin and Lindros where he can appear to be coasting around at times. I wouldn't call him elite on the agility scale and his puck handling is decent but not all-worldly. But he appears to have decent vision and he has come up with some creative passes and a few strong one on one moves entering the offensive zone.

I wouldn't say he's wowed anyone at this tournament but he fits the Canadian team identity well and I think he's lived up to his billing as a raw project with huge potential.

 

[DarrylshutzSydor]

Standouts - Askarov, Costmar, Stracha
Disappointments - Knight, Levi, Kaliyev

 

[NyQuil]

Standouts - Askarov, Costmar, Stracha
Disappointments - Knight, Levi, Kaliyev

He's certainly not living up to his billing as a top player for the highly esteemed and world-renowned Carleton Place Canadians.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

I don't get the Beniers praises. I mean he skates fast but he'd got a real case of tunnel vision. Goes against multiple opponents trying to deke his way out.

He wouldn't play on Canada's team.

I'm not sure you've watched the USA team play to make a statement like that. After watching last night's game again it is very likely the US doesn't win the game without Beniers and Boldy - who led the US forwards in ice time.

Sure Kaliyev will understandably get the most attention for a brilliant shot on the game-winning goal. But it was Beniers taking the final face off with the game on the line. All three of the guys on his line had some tough puck luck or would have had more points.

Speaking of which, the posters on these boards who have criticized Caufield solely based on points have not watched his play.