GDT: World Junior Championships 2013 - Discussion II

[The Blue Devil]

its too bad the wjc has become almost exclusively a chance for wannabe scouts to watch their nhl team's prospects.

its not about the tournament itself anymore. its about everyone judging future nhlers (or non-nhlers).

its not about canadian fans cheering for canada. its more about taking great delight in seeing a kid like murphy not playing well because he's not attached to the leafs.

Not delight, it's anger. Anger towards someone who is being given ice time even though he hasn't earned it, angry that he gets more ice time then players who are clearly out-playing him.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Funny, because that's all you do with discussions about Grabo.

Actually it's the other way around, if it was a discussion of intangibles and player comparisons as opposed to the what is it, the 40th C in points last year, you guys wouldn't even have a leg to stand on.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Actually it's the other way around, if it was a discussion of intangibles and player comparisons as opposed to the what is it, the 40th C in points last year, you guys wouldn't even have a leg to stand on.

Jenner or Danault barely has the points of a top 6 prospect but they are outstanding players. Grabo has both points and ratings to prove otherwise when people refuse to believe it. However this is where it started and this is where it stops, no more talk about Grabo. It's WJC talk nothing more, nothing less.

 

[KuleminFan41]

Anyone else think had Wotherspoon(sp?) not had a visor that skate would have hit him right in the eye?

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Jenner or Danault barely has the points of a top 6 prospect but they are outstanding players. Grabo has both points and ratings to prove otherwise when people refuse to believe it. However this is where it started and this is where it stops, no more talk about Grabo. It's WJC talk nothing more, nothing less.

I agree, it's a World Juniors thread and Boone Jenner proved a lot of people wrong today about what kind of player he means to Canada, no coincidence he comes back and this team plays its best game.

Mackenzie, Miller and Ferraro know and commented on it.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Anyone else think had Wotherspoon(sp?) not had a visor that skate would have hit him right in the eye?

Yep .. When I saw the reply at first, I thought he got cut in the eye

Jenner is looking like a beauty though .. Good heart and character player, wish the Leafs had him he'll be a sweet 3rd line centre or maybe even 2nd line centre one day

 

[LV*]

By far, Elias Lindholm has been the best player I've seen all tournament (over rnh). Who do you guys think has been the best?

 

[Pi]

By far, Elias Lindholm has been the best player I've seen all tournament (over rnh). Who do you guys think has been the best?

Honestly, I've only watched Canada vs. ____ games, so haven't seen much of him...I'd go with RNH. I can't imagine how this team would be playing if RNH couldn't have made it to Ufa.

He's played like a captain and really showed up each and every game, even Huberdeau has been very impressive.

 

[Kyle93]

Honestly, I've only watched Canada vs. ____ games, so haven't seen much of him...I'd go with RNH. I can't imagine how this team would be playing if RNH couldn't have made it to Ufa.

He's played like a captain and really showed up each and every game, even Huberdeau has been very impressive.

I wouldn't of been worried if RNH couldn't come to UFA. We have Huberdeau, Schiefele, and Strome who would be excellent first line C's on this team.

 

[Dangles McGavin]

I would love to see Mackinnon centering Jenner. That would be a fore checking nightmare for the other team.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

I wouldn't of been worried if RNH couldn't come to UFA. We have Huberdeau, Schiefele, and Strome who would be excellent first line C's on this team.

Still thought Huberdeau was the one who should've been the captain lol.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Yep .. When I saw the reply at first, I thought he got cut in the eye

Jenner is looking like a beauty though .. Good heart and character player, wish the Leafs had him he'll be a sweet 3rd line centre or maybe even 2nd line centre one day

The Percy pick, could have gone many different ways with it in retrospect. That draft is going to yield some good players 20-40, that is what it was billed a good depth draft. Others I liked was one was Danault, but Jenner looks like a steal at #37 right now. Like his game, he's a Mike Richards lite.

 

[The Magic Man]

By far, Elias Lindholm has been the best player I've seen all tournament (over rnh). Who do you guys think has been the best?

Has he really? I haven't had a chance to see him. But that sounds impressive. I'd like to hear more about him. He could be another top 5-6 center to target if we get a high pick.

 

[ULF_55]

http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/story/?id=412586

I wanted to see Nichushkin again.

I've like the play of Gostisbehere for the Americans.

From the games I've seen you have to believe Nichushkin and Drouin have solidified their attention.

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/jr...ussian-valeri-nichushkin-dirty-170637206.html

The talented Nichushkin has been impactful for Russia, particularly in their earlier win over Team USA. The upshot of a looming one-game suspension is that he would miss the quarter-final against not as highly regarded Team Switzerland rather than a semifinal with one of the powerhouses. For those scoring at home, should Nichushkin be shelved by the IIHF, that would even up the players suspended for Canada and Russia at 2-2.

 

[ULF_55]

Injuries can take a toll, even mentally.

http://www.worldjunior2013.com/en/channels/2013/wm20/top/news/when-injuries-take-a-toll/

Head coach Harri Rindell’s team might have gone deeper if Aaltonen hadn’t had a chance collision with Latvia’s Pauls Zvirbulis early in the third period of the opening 5-1 win over Latvia. The gruesome way the 19-year-old Espoo Blues forward’s right ankle twisted underneath him as he went down was not pleasant for anyone to witness – least of all for his young teammates.

Losing 3-1 to the less talented Czechs and eking out a 5-4 overtime win over Switzerland indicated something was wrong. Did Aaltonen’s injury affect the team deeply?

“Unfortunately, yes,†Rindell said after his team fell 7-4 to Sweden in the Group A finale. “We were talking about that with the team. [Aaltonen] was in good shape, he had the experience, he’s always playing for the team., and he’s a good goal-scorer. And he was a centerman. I mean, if you lose one winger, then you’re OK. But when it’s probably your number two or number one centerman, it cost us a lot of energy. Even though we were talking through those things, that it’s hockey. Honestly, I felt very bad, because unconsciously you thought that might cause problems for us, and that was the case.â€

To a greater or lesser extent, similar scenarios have played out at other recent World Juniors. Look at perennial gold medal contender Canada, for instance.

Rugged winger Devante Smith-Pelly broke a bone in his left foot while blocking a shot in Canada’s opening 8-1 win over Finland at last year’s tournament in Calgary. "He was...probably the hardest hitter in the tournament,†said Canada’s Dougie Hamilton. “I think a lot of the opposing defencemen are going to be pretty happy with him being out.†When Canada’s comeback in its 6-5 semi-final loss to Russia fell short, it’s possible that the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors veteran could have brought a physical presence that would have turned the tide in his team’s favour.

 

[leugangen]

Yep .. When I saw the reply at first, I thought he got cut in the eye

Jenner is looking like a beauty though .. Good heart and character player, wish the Leafs had him he'll be a sweet 3rd line centre or maybe even 2nd line centre one day

Reminds me a bit of a Kesler/M.Richards.

 

[shaner8989]

Biggs isn't impressive at all. Starting to really question this pick

 

[Gatorade*]

Biggs isn't impressive at all. Starting to really question this pick

He's a plug. Can't believe he is even in the tourny.

 

[shaner8989]

He's a plug. Can't believe he is even in the tourny.

Makes me sick. What a garbage draft we had.

Could of had puempel, rattle, Gibson, Jenner, Jurco, jaskin, etc

 

[Rare Jewel]

Don't watch a lot of Generals games I guess.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Got up early to watch game before work.

Quick thoughts, Housely is made some key moves after the US lost to CAN

He moved up Troechek, and Biggs started getting more important mins.

Benched Grimaldi in the Slovak game, a fav of mine, he has disappointed this tourney, and gave less important mins to Galchenyuk. Grimaldi back in today, but really no impact in this game.

For what it's worth Miller and Gaudeau have awaken with a few line tweaks. Giving more important mins to Troechek has been a key in my mind, this kid is a smart 2 way player that does everything right, the more you watch him the more you will appreciate him as a player. He's a great 3rd rd pick by Florida.

Leafs perspective, Biggs had a good game. Was very involved on the PK with Troechek, got a lot of mins in the 3rd including PP time. Housely obviously likes Tyler's overall game.

Offensively Biggs was unlucky to score on a breakaway, he got the puck through the goalie but it skirted wide. Had quite a few chances with a few good quick releases of his shot.

Grimaldi as stated was a disappointment, he overhandles the puck, doesn't use his linemates well. Almost looks too selfish out there, Gally also looks like an enigma at times, he kind of sulks when he is on the bench despite the USA winning the game. Took a selfish penalty in the 3rd when he was given a clean hit. This won't endear him to the USA coaching staff. Take it for whatever it's worth, I am not sure teammates of Grimaldi and Gally would be too pleased.

In the end the USA, looks like their ship has been righted. Canada will have to stay out of the box if they are to win a trip to the gold medal game. The USA PP is clicking, Gibson is sharp. Thought before the tourney it would come down to the USA, CAN and RUS, starting to play out like this.

CAN vs USA, let the better team win. If you win the gold, you want to beat the best teams, CAN will have it's chance now.

Seth Jones had a really good game today, worthy of a #1 pick overall.

 

[LeafDangler]

Grigerenko has been Russia's best player all tournament and is again today.

 

[Hurt]

This is a great game going on Russia vs Switzerland if anyone's watching.

 

[BertCorbeau]

This is a great game going on Russia vs Switzerland if anyone's watching.

The Swiss have become a tough blue collar team to play against, shouldn't be taken easily .. They play a good tight system .. They just need to start producing some more elite talent and they'll be a nation to watch out for

 

[ErnieLeafs]

Russians once again lucky to escape. I hope their luck runs out in OT.

Let's go Swiss!!