Prospect Info: World Junior thread

[BigBrown]

Kings prospects participating:

Adrian Kempe (SWE)
Erik Cernak (SLO)
Alexander Dergachyov (RUS)
Damir Sharipzyanov (RUS)

Watched a lil' bit of Russia-Czech Republic, Dergachyov was a giant and caused havoc around the net, didn't watch enough to notice Sharipzyanov.

Watched Sweden-Switzerland, Kempe left the game after being boarded about half way through the game. He turned into it himself so he definitely shares the blame but the hit looked pretty bad. To be honest I thought he had a pretty rough game before that, he turned the puck over a couple of times, he had trouble controlling it and wobbled a lot of passes. Hopefully he's well enough to come back next game and show a bit more. William Nylander got absolutely clocked on a blindside hit at center ice too.

Here's Kempe:

Click to read more...

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Ugh, that hit on Kempe...and Nylander is already knocked out. Awful.

RE: Russia game, Dergachev is a friggin bus. He needs more playing time vs. adults like pronto. If he can translate his game even somewhat to the pros vs. what he's doing to his peers right now he may be an absolute steal. You just cannot take the puck from him, he's a tank. I liked him already and I was worried about his development, and maybe it's just because I got to see an entire game, but my lord I just keep getting higher on him. He was making so many plays out of puck protection--a lot of guys you see sort of hang onto the puck until they just run out of road--he can 1. create extra road and 2. though his vision could use a little bit of work as he gets battle-focused his possession is very purposeful.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Appears that Kempe is alright and will play in Sweden's next game. However, no clue how bad Nylander's injury is yet. Brutal losses for Sweden, and imagine how upset Lombardi and Shanahan must be seeing a couple of their top prospects risk getting hurt.

Of course we also can't forget how injuries in the Olympics derailed the Kings in 2006 when they lost a number of players to injuries (Frolov, Demitra, not sure if Conroy or Visnovsky got hurt as well).

 

[Ron*]

This is the very reason I don't believe in this ****, nor the Olympics. If you are under contract to a pro team, you shouldn't be playing elsewhere.

I don't really understand the appeal. I used to love the Olympics when it had all amateurs. I didn't a flying **** if other countries used pros. But if you are playing for a professional team, you shouldn't be playing elsewhere. Anywhere.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

This is the very reason I don't believe in this ****, nor the Olympics. If you are under contract to a pro team, you shouldn't be playing elsewhere.

I don't really understand the appeal. I used to love the Olympics when it had all amateurs. I didn't a flying **** if other countries used pros. But if you are playing for a professional team, you shouldn't be playing elsewhere. Anywhere.

Ron brings it everyday

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[Captain Mittens*]

It wish Corey Pornman brought it like Ron does

 

[Ron*]

It wish Corey Pornman brought it like Ron does

I see what you did there.

Wanted to find a suitable image to enhance the post; however, if you run a Google on the above name...well, let's just say don't do it while consuming your breakfast.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

This is the very reason I don't believe in this ****, nor the Olympics. If you are under contract to a pro team, you shouldn't be playing elsewhere.

I don't really understand the appeal. I used to love the Olympics when it had all amateurs. I didn't a flying **** if other countries used pros. But if you are playing for a professional team, you shouldn't be playing elsewhere. Anywhere.

But it's not the Olympics. The WJC is one of the most prestigious international tourneys and it highlights a country's youth development programs. International competition supersedes professional club obligations in most countries and most sports around the world, this mindset that the pro team is the most important thing is almost a uniquely American thing, so it's a cultural value, hence why you may not get the appeal. You're also forgetting that the kids that ARE under contract are released, but the organizations have no obligation to release them (McCann in Vancouver, for example); yet, hockey management professionals the world over see value in letting their valuable prospects participate in this event. This isn't Ovechkin saying "**** the NHL we're playing in the Olympics no matter what," this is Dean Lombardi saying "It's important to let Kempe go represent his country, go get 'em, kid."

Appears that Kempe is alright and will play in Sweden's next game. However, no clue how bad Nylander's injury is yet. Brutal losses for Sweden, and imagine how upset Lombardi and Shanahan must be seeing a couple of their top prospects risk getting hurt.

Of course we also can't forget how injuries in the Olympics derailed the Kings in 2006 when they lost a number of players to injuries (Frolov, Demitra, not sure if Conroy or Visnovsky got hurt as well).

Yep, I don't understand what the Swiss were doing, and Sweden's coach was ultra-critical of their leadership. Glad Kempe is alright, feel awful for Nylander and Aho and whatever others are now out for the tourney. Let's not forget Moller was never the same after the WJC either....

 

[BigBrown]

This is the very reason I don't believe in this ****, nor the Olympics. If you are under contract to a pro team, you shouldn't be playing elsewhere.

I don't really understand the appeal. I used to love the Olympics when it had all amateurs. I didn't a flying **** if other countries used pros. But if you are playing for a professional team, you shouldn't be playing elsewhere. Anywhere.

I'm a hockey fan first and an NHL fan second so I gotta disagree, I want every big tournament to have all the available top players in it, it's just more of the thing I love. Especially when such a big part of the NHL season is unimportant (unless you miss the playoffs completely), short tournaments like the world juniors can be an awesome change of pace. Players getting hurt sucks but they get hurt in NHL/AHL games too, or playing golf, tennis, driving, eating pancakes... it's gonna happen, I just love watching hockey too much to want anything to change.

 

[Ron*]

But it's not the Olympics. The WJC is one of the most prestigious international tourneys and it highlights a country's youth development programs. International competition supersedes professional club obligations in most countries and most sports around the world, this mindset that the pro team is the most important thing is almost a uniquely American thing, so it's a cultural value, hence why you may not get the appeal. You're also forgetting that the kids that ARE under contract are released, but the organizations have no obligation to release them (McCann in Vancouver, for example); yet, hockey management professionals the world over see value in letting their valuable prospects participate in this event. This isn't Ovechkin saying "**** the NHL we're playing in the Olympics no matter what," this is Dean Lombardi saying "It's important to let Kempe go represent his country, go get 'em, kid."



Yep, I don't understand what the Swiss were doing, and Sweden's coach was ultra-critical of their leadership. Glad Kempe is alright, feel awful for Nylander and Aho and whatever others are now out for the tourney. Let's not forget Moller was never the same after the WJC either....

So on the one hand you are saying it's okay for our prospects to play in the WJC, and then on the other you saying Moller was never the same after the WJC.

You just made my point for me.

 

[Ron*]

I'm a hockey fan first and an NHL fan second so I gotta disagree, I want every big tournament to have all the available top players in it, it's just more of the thing I love. Especially when such a big part of the NHL season is unimportant (unless you miss the playoffs completely), short tournaments like the world juniors can be an awesome change of pace. Players getting hurt sucks but they get hurt in NHL/AHL games too, or playing golf, tennis, driving, eating pancakes... it's gonna happen, I just love watching hockey too much to want anything to change.

Not me. Always been about the NHL for me, and always will be. So I respectfully disagree with your position.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Just brutal. The hit on Kempe may actually be worse than the one on Nylander.
The bleep hole raised his right elbow to shoulder height and led with it, into Kempe's head. Hope he's ok.

 

[kingsfan]

This is the very reason I don't believe in this ****, nor the Olympics. If you are under contract to a pro team, you shouldn't be playing elsewhere.

I don't really understand the appeal. I used to love the Olympics when it had all amateurs. I didn't a flying **** if other countries used pros. But if you are playing for a professional team, you shouldn't be playing elsewhere. Anywhere.

The Olympics I agree, but not this.

Firstly, this is a great development opportunity, not some showcase for the NHL. Secondly, the pro team in this case assigned players like Kempe to the tournament, they aren't forced to send anyone if they don't want to and can flat out refuse to send someone if they wish. Thirdly, most players at this tournament aren't under any contract and many haven't even been drafted.

An injury like this could easily happen anywhere, its not the tournaments fault he got hit, and he can blame himself partly for getting creamed into the boards.

And if you are that opposed to a player under contract to one team going to play for another, then Kempe, etc. shouldn't be playing in Manchester because they are under contract to the Kings.

 

[mrkolice]

olympics: nhl pros play with insurance paid to nhl from ioc (international olympic committee). in sochi 2014 it was a total of $8 million. the insurances for trainings before the games were paid extra and separately by national federations. i believe it's the same with world junior championships. also in lockout seasons the insurance is paid for a nhl pro to play somewhere else. obviously it's a win-win situation for all parties involved.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

So on the one hand you are saying it's okay for our prospects to play in the WJC, and then on the other you saying Moller was never the same after the WJC.

You just made my point for me.

You only said you don't understand the appeal; you never said why and you certainly never said anything about the risk of injury. In fact, it appeared the point you were TRYING to make was bemoaning the use of pros in traditionally amateur events, so what a leap.

And like kingsfan said if you're that worried then our prospects should stop playing hockey from the time they're drafted until the time they hit NHL ice with the Kings. I was way more worried about Kempe getting run by Brian McGrattan than I am some random Swiss teenager, but here we are. Hell, apparently we should have been worried about Bobby ****ing Ryan running Moller. At least our guys get hurt while playing meaningful hockey, not while dicking around on golf carts.

It might not be your flavor but you're in the minority. The developmental experience and viewing pleasure far outweighs risk of injury.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Another stupid play. DeBrincat with a selfish jab spear after Konecny easily got in his head with a bump by the bench. Takes a major, but good kill so far. Learning experience for the young DeBrincat I guess but jeez.

 

[Ron*]

The Olympics I agree, but not this.

Firstly, this is a great development opportunity, not some showcase for the NHL. Secondly, the pro team in this case assigned players like Kempe to the tournament, they aren't forced to send anyone if they don't want to and can flat out refuse to send someone if they wish. Thirdly, most players at this tournament aren't under any contract and many haven't even been drafted.

An injury like this could easily happen anywhere, its not the tournaments fault he got hit, and he can blame himself partly for getting creamed into the boards.

And if you are that opposed to a player under contract to one team going to play for another, then Kempe, etc. shouldn't be playing in Manchester because they are under contract to the Kings.

Clearly, if you are playing for the minor league affiliate of the major league team, that's different. Don't try to extend the argument I made to the sublime. You know what I meant.

 

[Ron*]

You only said you don't understand the appeal; you never said why and you certainly never said anything about the risk of injury. In fact, it appeared the point you were TRYING to make was bemoaning the use of pros in traditionally amateur events, so what a leap.

And like kingsfan said if you're that worried then our prospects should stop playing hockey from the time they're drafted until the time they hit NHL ice with the Kings. I was way more worried about Kempe getting run by Brian McGrattan than I am some random Swiss teenager, but here we are. Hell, apparently we should have been worried about Bobby ****ing Ryan running Moller. At least our guys get hurt while playing meaningful hockey, not while dicking around on golf carts.

It might not be your flavor but you're in the minority. The developmental experience and viewing pleasure far outweighs risk of injury.

Maybe I didn't make myself clear enough, but of course it's the risk of injury over anything else. Damaged goods is never a good thing to start your NHL career with.

Declare my position as you will, if its the minority, so be it. Although that's not as clear-cut as you would like it. Read the posts above. I'm not the only one who feels this way, in certain venues. I just think the NHL/AHL/ECHL/OHL/etc. season is grinding enough without adding to it. NHL and their minor league affiliate players should not be involved in this extracurricular crap. That's all there is to it.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

What a kill by USA.

 

[Ron*]

Another stupid play. DeBrincat with a selfish jab spear after Konecny easily got in his head with a bump by the bench. Takes a major, but good kill so far. Learning experience for the young DeBrincat I guess but jeez.

I guess you would consider giving a "spear" or receiving it to be good developmental experience, right?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Maybe I didn't make myself clear enough, but of course it's the risk of injury over anything else. Damaged goods is never a good thing to start your NHL career with.

Declare my position as you will, if its the minority, so be it. Although that's not as clear-cut as you would like it. Read the posts above. I'm not the only one who feels this way, in certain venues. I just think the NHL/AHL/ECHL/OHL/etc. season is grinding enough without adding to it. NHL and their minor league affiliate players should not be involved in this extracurricular crap. That's all there is to it.

I can agree it's a grind, but also remember that the WJC games are happening in lieu of other leagues for a little bit before, during, and after the tourney. It's not like the Olympic year where a guy like Kopitar played 82 games plus playoffs plus Olympics.

I guess I'm just saying I see the WJC as functionally different than the others. I don't even really mind the Olympics though I get miffed at the extra wear and tear like you do. The event that I share the anger you do for is the upcoming World Cup garbage. THAT is a manufactured cash grab that can cause some major damage.

 

[Ron*]

I can agree it's a grind, but also remember that the WJC games are happening in lieu of other leagues for a little bit before, during, and after the tourney. It's not like the Olympic year where a guy like Kopitar played 82 games plus playoffs plus Olympics.

I guess I'm just saying I see the WJC as functionally different than the others. I don't even really mind the Olympics though I get miffed at the extra wear and tear like you do. The event that I share the anger you do for is the upcoming World Cup garbage. THAT is a manufactured cash grab that can cause some major damage.

Understand. Fair point.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I guess you would consider giving a "spear" or receiving it to be good developmental experience, right?

if you told me one of our best prospects would receive a non-injurous stick foul in order to represent his country in one of the most prestigous international hockey events in the world, THE tourney for his age level, I would take that over him being held back so the organization could play him against the likes of McGrattan et. al. for a couple of games in our 2nd-level league, yes.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

The US team just looks so flat offensively. And that is why so many were critical with the team selection, lot of talent left off like Kyle Connor.

And as hyped as Matthews is, he is no Jack Eichel.