WJC 2021

[NWTHabsFan]

These stats from Mitch Brown were for Canada’s first two games against fairly weak teams, but it does speak to a particular strength in Guhle’s games so far...he breaks up plays/rushes and has decent gap control for a big man. I have also watched him sneak up from the blue line a number of times in the OZ to just chip the puck in deeper to keep OZ time and possession alive longer. It is not Byram nor Drysdale fancy, but it is a very good hockey play. Lots of little things about his play that go way beyond the scoresheet, which is great to see. A pretty big stage for an 18 year old, especially on a pretty stacked CAN team.

[Tankdriver]

The Swedes have finally lost a game.in round robin play. What a record that was.

[NWTHabsFan]

Dec 31, 2020 1:07:36 GMT -5 Tankdriver said:

The Swedes have finally lost a game.in round robin play. What a record that was.

54 games. Incredible. Even more incredible was the fact it just did not convert itself into a bunch of gold medals over that long stretch. Their lack of success in the playoff rounds was mind boggling when extrapolating from that 15 year winning streak.

That RUS SWE game last night was a great game. Heckuva finish as well.

Nice to see Wallstedt play. He is the top goalie for the 2021 draft and expected to go very high in the first. A nice battle between him and Askarov (the goalie darling of the 2020 draft).

[NWTHabsFan]

Final day of the preliminary round. Jockeying for quarter final positioning is at stake. The Habs have prospects in each of the three tilts today.

AUT vs CZE (Mysak) 2:00pm ET TSN

FIN vs CAN (Guhle) 6:00pm ET TSN

SWE vs USA (Caufield) 9:30pm ET TSN

[seventeen]

Dec 30, 2020 19:43:14 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

These stats from Mitch Brown were for Canada’s first two games against fairly weak teams, but it does speak to a particular strength in Guhle’s games so far...he breaks up plays/rushes and has decent gap control for a big man. I have also watched him sneak up from the blue line a number of times in the OZ to just chip the puck in deeper to keep OZ time and possession alive longer. It is not Byram nor Drysdale fancy, but it is a very good hockey play. Lots of little things about his play that go way beyond the scoresheet, which is great to see. A pretty big stage for an 18 year old, especially on a pretty stacked CAN team.

That part of his game that hasn't impressed me is puck movement out of his own end. I've seen a few situations where the pass to a teammate isn't sharp enough to allow an easy reception and continued smooth movement of the puck (most often when the puck is along the boards). And, as you stated, he hasn't faced really difficult pressure yet. The game where that was most noticeable was the pre-tournament warm up game where the opposition wasn't weak. His strengths are indeed those mentioned and this seems to be a highly weighted factor by the management group. Weber, Chiarot have good to decent gap control and stymie quite a few rushes at the blue line. The weak parts of their game, too, are in the puck handling department when pressured.

[seventeen]

Dec 31, 2020 9:03:29 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Dec 31, 2020 1:07:36 GMT -5 Tankdriver said:

The Swedes have finally lost a game.in round robin play. What a record that was.

54 games. Incredible. Even more incredible was the fact it just did not convert itself into a bunch of gold medals over that long stretch. Their lack of success in the playoff rounds was mind boggling when extrapolating from that 15 year winning streak.

That RUS SWE game last night was a great game. Heckuva finish as well.

Nice to see Wallstedt play. He is the top goalie for the 2021 draft and expected to go very high in the first. A nice battle between him and Askarov (the goalie darling of the 2020 draft).

You realize this means they're winning the gold medal, right? When a team has a weight lifted off their shoulders (like this dumb winning streak) they then play a looser, more relaxed game and play better when the chips are down. I expect the US to beat Sweden today as well (2nd game in 2 nights for Sweden) but that will give them extra incentive for the knockout round. I wouldn't want to meet the Swedes until the final.

Also, there's a tendency, that if you beat a tough team in the round robin, and you meet up with them in the knockout stage, they knock you out (numerous Canada/US examples, and both ways). That's why I won't bitch and complain if Finland beats Canada today.

I'd consider myself superstitious if not for the fact this stuff has happened way too often in the past.

[NWTHabsFan]

Dec 31, 2020 14:01:45 GMT -5 seventeen said:

Dec 31, 2020 9:03:29 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

54 games. Incredible. Even more incredible was the fact it just did not convert itself into a bunch of gold medals over that long stretch. Their lack of success in the playoff rounds was mind boggling when extrapolating from that 15 year winning streak.

That RUS SWE game last night was a great game. Heckuva finish as well.

Nice to see Wallstedt play. He is the top goalie for the 2021 draft and expected to go very high in the first. A nice battle between him and Askarov (the goalie darling of the 2020 draft).

You realize this means they're winning the gold medal, right? When a team has a weight lifted off their shoulders (like this dumb winning streak) they then play a looser, more relaxed game and play better when the chips are down. I expect the US to beat Sweden today as well (2nd game in 2 nights for Sweden) but that will give them extra incentive for the knockout round. I wouldn't want to meet the Swedes until the final.

Also, there's a tendency, that if you beat a tough team in the round robin, and you meet up with them in the knockout stage, they knock you out (numerous Canada/US examples, and both ways). That's why I won't bitch and complain if Finland beats Canada today.

I'd consider myself superstitious if not for the fact this stuff has happened way too often in the past.

All very valid points. The preliminary round results mean diddly after today. Short tourney and the games after today are lose-you-are-out games. A very different feeling, and these are teenagers so emotional swings in games do happen.

[NWTHabsFan]

Mysak with the feed to the point, that was nicely one timed in by the impressive Lang. Lang’s second goal today.

[seventeen]

I thought Lang has looked well too. Robert's kid?

[GNick99]

Dec 31, 2020 9:13:59 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Final day of the preliminary round. Jockeying for quarter final positioning is at stake. The Habs have prospects in each of the three tilts today.

AUT vs CZE (Mysak) 2:00pm ET TSN

FIN vs CAN (Guhle) 6:00pm ET TSN

SWE vs USA (Caufield) 9:30pm ET TSN

How has Caufield played?

[NWTHabsFan]

And Mysak added the last goal of the game in their big 7-0 win today.

[NWTHabsFan]

The real Team Canada showed up tonight. They need to keep that going in the playoff round, but that was a very complete game.

USA off to a quick 2-0 lead against the Swedes. Zegras can score from anywhere this week. The hot stick for sure.

[Cranky]

Watching Caufieled for half a period.

Umm...at least....my coffee is good.

[Cranky]

Anybody see Caufield in the 3rd? Either he or his line is steppled to the bench.

[drkcloud]

Dec 31, 2020 23:35:58 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Anybody see Caufield in the 3rd? Either he or his line is steppled to the bench.

He was a nonfactor... AGAIN.

I really have my doubts about his ability to play against top competition. Does not bode well for an NHL career IMO, granted he has pick skills. He's just too small, too much perimeter. Guys aren't looking to set him up for a one-time because they're too busy driving to the net

[Cranky]

Caufield kept going to the dead center of the box on the PP. What was he going to do there when he was a half a second from a stick and/or body taking away his space? How about going to the net and pull a defenseman with him? Where is the hockey sense in him that tells him he's playing into the opposing defense perfect box? And he needs to break the box?

I'm not impressed.

[GNick99]

Dec 31, 2020 23:15:27 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Watching Caufieled for half a period.

Umm...at least....my coffee is good.

Sorry to hear about Caufield. I thought good chance he had a big WJC. Where he was playing top offense linemates. His college season been so-so.

[Willie Dog]

Jan 1, 2021 0:58:18 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Caufield kept going to the dead center of the box on the PP. What was he going to do there when he was a half a second from a stick and/or body taking away his space? How about going to the net and pull a defenseman with him? Where is the hockey sense in him that tells him he's playing into the opposing defense perfect box? And he needs to break the box?

I'm not impressed.

It is on the coaches to yeach these guys where to go... in college games I've watched caufield never goes to the middle of the box, hes on the left side or he gets the puck and goes behind the net and skates out controlling the puck until he sees the opening...

[Cranky]

Jan 1, 2021 12:15:24 GMT -5 Willie Dog said:

Jan 1, 2021 0:58:18 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Caufield kept going to the dead center of the box on the PP. What was he going to do there when he was a half a second from a stick and/or body taking away his space? How about going to the net and pull a defenseman with him? Where is the hockey sense in him that tells him he's playing into the opposing defense perfect box? And he needs to break the box?

I'm not impressed.

It is on the coaches to yeach these guys where to go... in college games I've watched caufield never goes to the middle of the box, hes on the left side or he gets the puck and goes behind the net and skates out controlling the puck until he sees the opening...

Coach says "go to the slot". "Yes sir" says the player....then uses his hockey smarts to wreck havoc.

This was only a snapshot of his play.....and I wouldn't care less if there was something positive to say. I kept looking for 13....but it appears his line is the 4th line.

Maybe he was lights out the first half of the game....so someone please set me straight, because right now, the kid play is concerning...

[seventeen]

Jan 1, 2021 12:15:24 GMT -5 Willie Dog said:

Jan 1, 2021 0:58:18 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Caufield kept going to the dead center of the box on the PP. What was he going to do there when he was a half a second from a stick and/or body taking away his space? How about going to the net and pull a defenseman with him? Where is the hockey sense in him that tells him he's playing into the opposing defense perfect box? And he needs to break the box?

I'm not impressed.

It is on the coaches to yeach these guys where to go... in college games I've watched caufield never goes to the middle of the box, hes on the left side or he gets the puck and goes behind the net and skates out controlling the puck until he sees the opening...

It's also on the coaches to play these guys at their optimum spots. The centre in front of the goaltender is the last place I'd have Caufield. I've seen him score a ton from the left face off circle (the Ovechkin sweet spot). He has the shot you need at that spot and according to all reports, he's improved his playmaking a ton, so obviously he can pass the puck. Putting him in the middle where he can't 'sneak in' on anyone is the dumbest place to play him. Sometimes you really wonder what exactly goes through the heads of people who make these judgments.

Also, Caufield is the kind of guy you shouldn't notice on the ice. He's a Brett Hull, Steve Shutt type. Innocent enough until he has the puck on his stick in a shooting area. I'm not trying to defend him as his size still concerns me, but one has to keep in mind his strengths. He's never going to overpower anyone or stickhandle through an entire team.

[NWTHabsFan]

Quarterfinal day, so if you lose you are done. Given a head to head matchup between two Habs prospects, one will be done today....and it should be Mysak barring a massive upset. Four games on the same bubble ice, so the games start early and finish late today.

CZE (Mysak) vs CAN (Guhle) 7:00pm ET TSN

SVK vs USA (Caufield) 10:30pm ET TSN

The best game of the day is most likely to be the game before Canada’s, involving traditional rivals SWE and FIN.

[folatre]

Yeah, that should be a good one.

With the reality of a big five (Canada, USA, Russia, Finland, Sweden) in international competitions in recent years, that means one of the big five necessarily bows out in the quarters.

[GNick99]

Jan 2, 2021 9:21:44 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Quarterfinal day, so if you lose you are done. Given a head to head matchup between two Habs prospects, one will be done today....and it should be Mysak barring a massive upset. Four games on the same bubble ice, so the games start early and finish late today.

CZE (Mysak) vs CAN (Guhle) 7:00pm ET TSN

SVK vs USA (Caufield) 10:30pm ET TSN

The best game of the day is most likely to be the game before Canada’s, involving traditional rivals SWE and FIN.

Going to try and watch USA game. Haven't seen a game in tourney. But the disappointing reviews on here about Caufield has me worried

[Cranky]

Why wasn't Lafraniere released to play for Team Canada? Why? Is an 18 year going to "get tired"? That has to be the most laughable excuse known to humanity. Comedy central.

This is where great memories are made. This is where his skill level would make him a real star.

Right now, he's either the coward or his team is selfish garbage.

[Cranky]

Last chance for Caufield to shine. After this, it's going to be the AHL grind with question marks.

[GNick99]

Jan 2, 2021 15:10:15 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Last chance for Caufield to shine. After this, it's going to be the AHL grind with question marks.

We passed on a lot talent to select Caufield. Krebs, Newhook all playing well. Hope you are wrong on your assessment of Caufield. But NWT not contradict you so sounds like Caufield not having good tourney.

[NWTHabsFan]

Wow....Suomi with an exciting Finnish.

[Tankdriver]

Jan 2, 2021 15:08:34 GMT -5 Cranky said:

Why wasn't Lafraniere released to play for Team Canada? Why? Is an 18 year going to "get tired"? That has to be the most laughable excuse known to humanity. Comedy central.

This is where great memories are made. This is where his skill level would make him a real star.

Right now, he's either the coward or his team is selfish garbage.

The Rangers didn't want to release him. As for Laf, he probably feels like he has nothing to lose and wants to prepare for the NHL. Don't forget, if Canada makes the finals he will miss pro games because he will need to Quarantine in the US.

[Tankdriver]

Is anyone else not impressed by team Canada? They might win gold and have 20 or 21 first round picks on the team, but I am just not wow'd by this team. I don't see the high end talent or superstars. Maybe it is just me.

[mikeg]

Jan 2, 2021 21:09:20 GMT -5 Tankdriver said:

Is anyone else not impressed by team Canada? They might win gold and have 20 or 21 first round picks on the team, but I am just not wow'd by this team. I don't see the high end talent or superstars. Maybe it is just me.

Their d-group from 1 through 6 is probably right up there with the best in a long long time. This teams is not built for explosion... it’s built to blow up every other team’s with physical punishment. It’s fun to watch, love seeing Guhle out there.