World Championships

[Nico Hischier]

 

[Diehard Devil]

That kid has some slick hands for being that big

If he could be anywhere near as good as Kovalchuk... watch out!

 

[mdj12784]

That kid has some slick hands for being that big

If he could be anywhere near as good as Kovalchuk... watch out!

You had to say Kovy… undies change IMMEDIATELY

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

 

[Mike27Devils]

Idk why, but I kinda get rubbed the wrong way when Zacha never goes to the WC. You would have thought he would have participated a couple times after all these short seasons plus he has a lot to prove after a weak finish for the last 50 games of the year. I think he has a bad agent too. Shero made them look like jokes when Zacha was trying to hold out for more money.

 

[Omar Little]

Idk why, but I kinda get rubbed the wrong way when Zacha never goes to the WC. You would have thought he would have participated a couple times after all these short seasons plus he has a lot to prove after a weak finish for the last 50 games of the year. I think he has a bad agent too. Shero made them look like jokes when Zacha was trying to hold out for more money.

I think there is some political history between Zacha and Czech hockey

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Luke looking mighty nice in these world championships! Seen some highlights and hes a total stud. Is he going to tryout for the team or only be at prospects camp?

This one didn't age real well. Few, if any, of the players from Latvia or Austria are likely to ever skate in the KHL or other top leagues in Europe; let alone in the NHL.

Hughes' game against Finland was disconcerting, particularly his lack of willingness to block a shot on the 4 v 4 goal (Devils already have several players similarly timid).

A meaningless assist in the closing minutes doesn't gloss over glaring flaws.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

This one didn't age real well. Few, if any, of the players from Latvia or Austria are likely to ever skate in the KHL or other top leagues in Europe; let alone in the NHL.

Hughes' game against Finland was disconcerting, particularly his lack of willingness to block a shot on the 4 v 4 goal (Devils already have several players similarly timid).

A meaningless assist in the closing minutes doesn't gloss over glaring flaws.

 

[Devs3cups]

 

[Triumph]

Idk why, but I kinda get rubbed the wrong way when Zacha never goes to the WC. You would have thought he would have participated a couple times after all these short seasons plus he has a lot to prove after a weak finish for the last 50 games of the year. I think he has a bad agent too. Shero made them look like jokes when Zacha was trying to hold out for more money.

Zacha no longer has that agent, and I don't think going to Worlds while needing a contract is the best move, just ask Loktionov.

 

[Eggtimer]

 

[JimEIV]

Luke's skating is going to make him a Norris finalist -- Book it.


Edit: May have to wait 5 or 6 years but it will happen.

 

[glenwo2]

This one didn't age real well. Few, if any, of the players from Latvia or Austria are likely to ever skate in the KHL or other top leagues in Europe; let alone in the NHL.

Hughes' game against Finland was disconcerting, particularly his lack of willingness to block a shot on the 4 v 4 goal (Devils already have several players similarly timid).

A meaningless assist in the closing minutes doesn't gloss over glaring flaws.

I think your post here didn't age well....in fact, it's aged to the point of a wrinkly old man.

 

[imMagnum]

More catch-up on the weekend games. Here are my notes for CZE vs. SWE:

Jiricek:
- Jiricek had an outstanding game. I read the comments before watching and posters stated they didn't notice him much, which makes a lot of sense! He played a very solid, simple stay-at-home game. He made more than a few fantastic plays however, that would only be noticed if you really focused on him.

- He was nearly perfect defensively in his own zone. He outraced and outmuscled multiple SWE forecheckers. He could find and connect the outlet pass and if there wasn't a pass to be made, he held the puck on the boards. One play, he had two SWE checkers on him. Jiricek won the board battle and kicked it to an outlet. Another shift, Jiricek outraced a forechecker and CZE immediately went up the ice for a scoring chance. That same shift, he bodied a SWE puck carrier into the boards in the neutral zone. When he's not in the boards, he's in front of the net, always touching or tieing up an opponent.

- Speaking of the neutral zone, he was excellent there too. He had multiple stick checks that prevented rushes, as well as two body checks. One of those stick checks allowed CZE to counter attack and immediately score. While he didn't get an assist, the counter attack started because of Jiricek's stick check. Another play, after keeping the puck in on the PP, Jiricek simultaneously made a backhand pass and barrelled over a SWE player. This resulted in another CZE goal and this time he got an assist.

- There were two knocks I found this game. The first was he didn't do much in the offensive end. He was obviously assigned as a stay-at-home D this game and was more focused on preventing counter attacks than generating offense. The second knock was he was on the ice for two goals against. The second goal was not his fault at all, as CZE turned the puck over at the same time Jiricek's D partner decided to pinch. The first goal against wasn't his fault either, however he could have played it better. He prevented a SWE rush and moved the puck up the ice where his teammate immediately turned it over. This resulted in a 2-on-2. I think Jiricek thought it was a 2-on-1, so he opted to take the passing lane instead of pressuring the shooter. The shooter beat Veljmelka clean.

- The best way to sum up his game comes from the commentator stating "the action has been on the SWE side of the ice in the 3rd'. Jiricek was out a lot in the 3rd and constantly forced pucks back into SWE's end. This might be a coincidence, however the exact same thing happened in his game vs. GBR. If you're watching the WC, be sure to focus on #5 for CZE. He makes subtle plays that yield overwhelming positive results.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

wtf was that krejci lol. Dude definitely didn't even try.

 

[Clam Jensen]

I think your post here didn't age well....in fact, it's aged to the point of a wrinkly old man.

But he didn’t block a shot 4 on 4!!!!!

 

[Eggtimer]

Luke's skating is going to make him a Norris finalist -- Book it.


Edit: May have to wait 5 or 6 years but it will happen.

Ya I cannot see Luke busting at all. Anyone who can skate like that can be at the very least a serviceable 3rd pairing #6 D even if they had terrible hockey IQ . Its insane how he has elite skating already . When he puts on some more man muscle and fills out... He is going to be a stud.

 

[glenwo2]

But he didn’t block a shot 4 on 4!!!!!

holy ****!! you are soo right, sir!!

 

[My3Sons]

I think your post here didn't age well....in fact, it's aged to the point of a wrinkly old man.

I don’t post hit pieces.

 

[Nubmer6]

I don’t post hit pieces.

Bull.

 

[My3Sons]

Bull.

The point was about the wrinkly old man stuff. That aside where have I crapped on a NJ player in an unbalanced fashion?

 

[Nubmer6]

The point was about the wrinkly old man stuff. That aside where have I crapped on a NJ player in an unbalanced fashion?

Players, no. Posters? I can neither confirm nor deny it.

 

[My3Sons]

Players, no. Posters? I can neither confirm nor deny it.

Players. I know I’ve lost patience at times with other posters but any snark was addressed to them directly. Anyway back to @glenwo2 saying that an unfair hit piece on a player is due to being a wrinkly old man. I object your honor! This is rank hearsay and has no indicia of reliability to admit it over my objection.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

How Did Nico, Jonas and Jiricek play today?

Saw Jiricek had 0’s across the board for his stat line and played very little. Was he just not very involved or what?

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

In a word, Janne Kuokkanen's season was difficult. He dreamed of a World Championship home season during the season, but the Lions management did not contact him after the end of the season.

As the Series Rank (28th) shows, the Devils season was a pancake organization.