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Post by Skilly on Aug 13, 2022 15:22:54 GMT -5
They must be barren of players in Slovakia Juraj is good, but getting drafted #1 doesn't make you Player of the Year. He was tournament MVP and scoring leader, helping secure a first ever Olympic hockey medal for Slovakia. Against no names. He scored 7 goals, 0 assists in 7 games at the Olympics He score 2 goals against Finland - one was when SLV was down by 3 He scored 1 against Sweden - his goal made it 4-1 in a 4-1 loss He scored 1 goal against Latvia No points against Germany He scored 1 goal against USA (wasn’t selected for the shootout) No points against Finland 2 goals against Sweden in the bronze medal game He had a good tournament(s) (count the World’s) but people act as if he was lighting it up against the worlds best players - he wasn’t. He was a point a game player against less than AHL competition Hari Sateri, Magnus Hellberg, Janis Kalnins, Strauss Mann, Lars Johansson .... these are the five Olympic goalies that he scored his seven goals against. |
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Post by drkcloud on Aug 13, 2022 19:07:11 GMT -5
Prospects in action today at the WJC: Canada (Roy #9, Kidney #11) vs Czechia (Myšák #19) 4:00pm MT (6:00pm ET) TSN5 Has Kidney seen any ice time? |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 13, 2022 20:31:20 GMT -5
Prospects in action today at the WJC: Canada (Roy #9, Kidney #11) vs Czechia (Myšák #19) 4:00pm MT (6:00pm ET) TSN5 Has Kidney seen any ice time? A few shifts in the first game. Healthy scratch last two. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 14, 2022 7:59:13 GMT -5
Prospects in action at the WJC today:
Finland (Kapanen #27, Nurmi #15) vs Slovakia Noon MT (2:00pm ET) TSN3
Czechia (Myšák #19) vs Latvia 4:00pm MT (6:00pm ET) TSN3
Although it does not feature any Habs prospects, the final game of the day should be a good one. It is the battle for top spot in the group as unbeaten USA and Sweden go head to head at 8:00pm MT (10:00pm ET).
Edit: Nurmi not dressed for Finland today. Hopefully he plays against Canada tomorrow.
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Post by Andrew on Aug 14, 2022 14:39:34 GMT -5
He was tournament MVP and scoring leader, helping secure a first ever Olympic hockey medal for Slovakia. Against no names. He scored 7 goals, 0 assists in 7 games at the Olympics He score 2 goals against Finland - one was when SLV was down by 3 He scored 1 against Sweden - his goal made it 4-1 in a 4-1 loss He scored 1 goal against Latvia No points against Germany He scored 1 goal against USA (wasn’t selected for the shootout) No points against Finland 2 goals against Sweden in the bronze medal game He had a good tournament(s) (count the World’s) but people act as if he was lighting it up against the worlds best players - he wasn’t. He was a point a game player against less than AHL competition Hari Sateri, Magnus Hellberg, Janis Kalnins, Strauss Mann, Lars Johansson .... these are the five Olympic goalies that he scored his seven goals against. We can debate the strength of his goals all day long. My point is that leading his nation to its first ever Olympic hockey medal was a noteworthy accomplishment, and a good reason to justify his selection as hockey Slovak player of the year. |
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Post by Skilly on Aug 14, 2022 16:17:11 GMT -5
Against no names. He scored 7 goals, 0 assists in 7 games at the Olympics He score 2 goals against Finland - one was when SLV was down by 3 He scored 1 against Sweden - his goal made it 4-1 in a 4-1 loss He scored 1 goal against Latvia No points against Germany He scored 1 goal against USA (wasn’t selected for the shootout) No points against Finland 2 goals against Sweden in the bronze medal game He had a good tournament(s) (count the World’s) but people act as if he was lighting it up against the worlds best players - he wasn’t. He was a point a game player against less than AHL competition Hari Sateri, Magnus Hellberg, Janis Kalnins, Strauss Mann, Lars Johansson .... these are the five Olympic goalies that he scored his seven goals against. We can debate the strength of his goals all day long. My point is that leading his nation to its first ever Olympic hockey medal was a noteworthy accomplishment, and a good reason to justify his selection as hockey Slovak player of the year. And now we’ve come full circle …. It’s slim pickings in Slovak Hockey |
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Post by folatre on Aug 14, 2022 16:37:22 GMT -5
I definitely think Slafkovsky's combination of size and skill will translate into being a very good NHL winger. But I am certainly not convinced he is necessarily be NHL-ready now as an 18 year old. In a way, I think Buffalo was fortunate that Owen Power decided by himself to return to NCAA hockey last year because it is never easy for a club who just drafted a kid first overall to be totally objective about assessing his readiness for the NHL.
Regarding Slafkovsky winning the player of the year award in Slovakia, I would not be too hard on their decision. I mean, for starters, winning an Olympic medal is not something that happens every day there so it reasons the winner of this award would be someone who played on the team. And as Andrew alluded to, Slafkovsky paced the team in goals and points, so there is that too. And it probably did not hurt his chances the fact that he became the first Slovak player ever to go first overall.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 14, 2022 17:40:09 GMT -5
What a pass by Jan.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 14, 2022 18:00:54 GMT -5
Kapanen had one of Finland’s 9 goals today. First point of the tournament.
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Post by seventeen on Aug 14, 2022 18:05:45 GMT -5
We can debate the strength of his goals all day long. My point is that leading his nation to its first ever Olympic hockey medal was a noteworthy accomplishment, and a good reason to justify his selection as hockey Slovak player of the year. And now we’ve come full circle …. It’s slim pickings in Slovak Hockey It was. They've really turned their program around, partly evidenced by the numbers 1 and 2 picks in this most recent draft. There are others coming as well (Dvorsky). |
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Post by franko on Aug 14, 2022 19:52:42 GMT -5
He was tournament MVP and scoring leader, helping secure a first ever Olympic hockey medal for Slovakia. Against no names. . . . He had a good tournament(s) (count the World’s) but people act as if he was lighting it up against the worlds best players - he wasn’t. He was a point a game player against less than AHL competition Hari Sateri, Magnus Hellberg, Janis Kalnins, Strauss Mann, Lars Johansson .... these are the five Olympic goalies that he scored his seven goals against. Skilly . . . are you suggesting that these two guys are not savvy enough to lead, or that they were trying to be "smart" a la Bergevin, or . . . what? Scouts had him #1 or #2 . . . are they dense too? I'm trying to figure it out. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 15, 2022 11:23:08 GMT -5
Prospects in action at the WJC today in the battle for top spot in the group:
Canada (Roy #9, Kidney #11) vs Finland (Kapanen #27, Nurmi #15) 4:00pm MT (6:00pm ET) TSN3
Barring injury, I expect Kidney will be a healthy scratch for the third straight game.
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Post by Skilly on Aug 15, 2022 12:29:20 GMT -5
Against no names. . . . He had a good tournament(s) (count the World’s) but people act as if he was lighting it up against the worlds best players - he wasn’t. He was a point a game player against less than AHL competition Hari Sateri, Magnus Hellberg, Janis Kalnins, Strauss Mann, Lars Johansson .... these are the five Olympic goalies that he scored his seven goals against. Skilly . . . are you suggesting that these two guys are not savvy enough to lead, or that they were trying to be "smart" a la Bergevin, or . . . what? Scouts had him #1 or #2 . . . are they dense too? I'm trying to figure it out. In this thread I’m suggesting neither I’m merely pointing out that the winner of the player of the year in Slovak Hockey, IMO, did not have as good a year that many believe he did. I would bet apples to doughnuts that if the Olympics and WCs were not each countries C and D teams that Juraj probably ends up winning player of the year anyway. Even if they didn’t medal in the Olympics and his production was low in the two tournaments and he was picked #2 overall. Would I have selected him? Probably not. We have had dozens of debates on this forum on when there isn’t much to separate forwards you should pick the center; we’ve also had discussions on how trading for centers is hard, you have to draft them. This about face on those ideas, based on Wright’s entitlement because he stated he believes he deserves to be #1, and Hughes’ public comment that Slaf answered a draft day question remarkably well has me trying to figure things out too. That question? What is your favourite moment in hockey? Slaf’s answer? Being on the ice when up or down by 1 goal. I’ll be rooting for Slaf. I don’t think the pick was bad. Just if you are in love with the Slaf pick you really can’t complain about centers anymore. Well you can. But Slaf will always be brought up (especially if Wright pan out) |
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Post by franko on Aug 15, 2022 16:07:58 GMT -5
Skilly . . . are you suggesting that these two guys are not savvy enough to lead, or that they were trying to be "smart" a la Bergevin, or . . . what? Scouts had him #1 or #2 . . . are they dense too? I'm trying to figure it out. In this thread I’m suggesting neither thanks, that's all I was trying to figure out I don't care how Wright does now, I've never been into the comparing thing (PK v Weber). I want our guy to do well. if he doesn't it's a bad pick but not a "but we shoulda . . . " |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 15, 2022 18:21:02 GMT -5
The Greig, Roy, Dufour line has been greeting playing against Finland’s top line. They are also scoring!
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Aug 15, 2022 20:09:27 GMT -5
Skilly . . . are you suggesting that these two guys are not savvy enough to lead, or that they were trying to be "smart" a la Bergevin, or . . . what? Scouts had him #1 or #2 . . . are they dense too? I'm trying to figure it out. In this thread I’m suggesting neither I’m merely pointing out that the winner of the player of the year in Slovak Hockey, IMO, did not have as good a year that many believe he did. I would bet apples to doughnuts that if the Olympics and WCs were not each countries C and D teams that Juraj probably ends up winning player of the year anyway. Even if they didn’t medal in the Olympics and his production was low in the two tournaments and he was picked #2 overall. Would I have selected him? Probably not. We have had dozens of debates on this forum on when there isn’t much to separate forwards you should pick the center; we’ve also had discussions on how trading for centers is hard, you have to draft them. This about face on those ideas, based on Wright’s entitlement because he stated he believes he deserves to be #1, and Hughes’ public comment that Slaf answered a draft day question remarkably well has me trying to figure things out too. That question? What is your favourite moment in hockey? Slaf’s answer? Being on the ice when up or down by 1 goal. I’ll be rooting for Slaf. I don’t think the pick was bad. Just if you are in love with the Slaf pick you really can’t complain about centers anymore. Well you can. But Slaf will always be brought up (especially if Wright pan out) I was so hopeful when we had the best odds of getting the #1 pick, then ecstatic when we got the pick after waiting 30 + years. Then we didn't get the guy we all wanted. Up till then I was 100% behind the new brain trust. Yes, Slav is big, skilled and a decent pick but not the six foot center we salivated for two years. Not the brass ring. Tell me they did the right thing! A player with a mediocre regular season record in a mediocre league who had a great olympics against mediocre teams. Big, fast, scorer who doesn't make the players around him better. Sounds like Josh Anderson, a mediocre player we already have on the roster, |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 15, 2022 21:19:35 GMT -5
No points for Kapanen, but his 18:22 ice time was third for forwards only trailing top-line Hirvonen and Räty by 30 seconds or so. A solid game for him, and he even showed me a bit of an edge after the whistle. He looks bigger and faster than from when I last saw him on tv (this was my first viewing live), although he looked pretty solid in the Habs development camp scrimmage for that short pond hockey scrimmage.
He definitely has some solid two way centre attributes. Another guy who often gets forgotten mainly since he plays in Europe and does not the same exposure as others.
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Post by HABsurd on Aug 15, 2022 22:19:52 GMT -5
Skilly . . . are you suggesting that these two guys are not savvy enough to lead, or that they were trying to be "smart" a la Bergevin, or . . . what? Scouts had him #1 or #2 . . . are they dense too? I'm trying to figure it out. In this thread I’m suggesting neither I’m merely pointing out that the winner of the player of the year in Slovak Hockey, IMO, did not have as good a year that many believe he did. I would bet apples to doughnuts that if the Olympics and WCs were not each countries C and D teams that Juraj probably ends up winning player of the year anyway. Even if they didn’t medal in the Olympics and his production was low in the two tournaments and he was picked #2 overall. Would I have selected him? Probably not. We have had dozens of debates on this forum on when there isn’t much to separate forwards you should pick the center; we’ve also had discussions on how trading for centers is hard, you have to draft them. This about face on those ideas, based on Wright’s entitlement because he stated he believes he deserves to be #1, and Hughes’ public comment that Slaf answered a draft day question remarkably well has me trying to figure things out too. That question? What is your favourite moment in hockey? Slaf’s answer? Being on the ice when up or down by 1 goal. I’ll be rooting for Slaf. I don’t think the pick was bad. Just if you are in love with the Slaf pick you really can’t complain about centers anymore. Well you can. But Slaf will always be brought up (especially if Wright pan out) Interesting. If what you describe was the case, then the selection process was clearly flawed. However, I read a different version — I do not have the reference. What I read was that in multiple interviews the Habs team described to each player the perceived positives and negatives of their respective game. With Slafkovsky it was an intelligent discussion of how he needed to improve. With Wright was only defensiveness, pushback and a refusal to admit to his flaws. Thus it was decided that without this acknowledgement, Wright would not develop and coaching him would be difficult. That was what sealed the decision. If true, unfortunate, speaking as one who favoured his selection. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 16, 2022 8:26:26 GMT -5
Here is how the WJC quarter finals will shake out tomorrow (Wednesday). The Habs prospects in action (or healthy scratches) will be as follows:
Finland (Kapanen #27, Nurmi #15) at 10:00am MT (noon ET) TSN and RDS
Canada (Roy #9, Kidney#11) at 5:00pm MT (7:00pm ET) TSN4/5 and RDS
Czechia (Myšák #19) at 8:30pm MT (10:30pm ET) TSN4/5 and RDS
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 16, 2022 15:56:18 GMT -5
Since the coaches moved Roy onto a line with Greig and Dufour, that trio has been the shutdown line that has had the task of matching up against the opponents’ top players. They have performed very well in the task, and for offensively inclined guys like Dufour (lead the CHL in goals) and Roy (QMJHL scoring leader), this is definitely a new role for them.
This is where a tournament can actually really help a prospect in their development. Roy is demonstrating a lot of good “pro” habits in his role: tight checking, board battles, back checking, and good stick and physical engagement. That line has not only done well at shutting down the big lines, but they have had some really good offensive looks as well and have pitched in with timely goals.
Will this make Roy a better prospect? Absolutely, as he will need a stronger 200 game to make the pros. In the end though, he still has to build that lower body strength and skating explosiveness (part strength and part leg bend technique) to make the jump to be an effective pro player. Hopefully that will come with work with the skills development and strength and conditioning team with the Habs, but overall this will have been a very good development experience for Roy and a good set up for rookie camp, his next CHL season and likely a big role on the December WJC team.
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Post by frozone on Aug 16, 2022 20:21:38 GMT -5
Since the coaches moved Roy onto a line with Greig and Dufour, that trio has been the shutdown line that has had the task of matching up against the opponents’ top players. They have performed very well in the task, and for offensively inclined guys like Dufour (lead the CHL in goals) and Roy (QMJHL scoring leader), this is definitely a new role for them. This is where a tournament can actually really help a prospect in their development. Roy is demonstrating a lot of good “pro” habits in his role: tight checking, board battles, back checking, and good stick and physical engagement. That line has not only done well at shutting down the big lines, but they have had some really good offensive looks as well and have pitched in with timely goals. Will this make Roy a better prospect? Absolutely, as he will need a stronger 200 game to make the pros. In the end though, he still has to build that lower body strength and skating explosiveness (part strength and part leg bend technique) to make the jump to be an effective pro player. Hopefully that will come with work with the skills development and strength and conditioning team with the Habs, but overall this will have been a very good development experience for Roy and a good set up for rookie camp, his next CHL season and likely a big role on the December WJC team. I hadn’t realized how poor his skating is until this tournament. Although in a weird way, I’m happy to see that it is a big weakness (in the sense that he has more room to grow than I realized). If he’s already the leading scorer in the Q, then I can wait to see what he looks like once he develops a pro skating stride. No guarantees that he gets there, but with the work ethic that he has demonstrated this past year, I think it’s safe to say that he’ll put in some honest work on his skating. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 17, 2022 22:27:19 GMT -5
Myšák gets his stick on it and ties it up.
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Post by Skilly on Aug 18, 2022 8:45:40 GMT -5
Someone exploto me how the two #1 seeds would have played in the semi finals… Wt**
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 18, 2022 10:06:16 GMT -5
Someone exploto me how the two #1 seeds would have played in the semi finals… Wt** They reseed after the quarters, so 🇨🇦 (top seed) gets 🇨🇿 (bottom seed left). Had the 🇺🇸 won as expected, they would have played either 🇫🇮 or 🇸🇪 in the semi. The only time that 🇨🇦 and 🇺🇸 were possibly going to play against each other was on the last day for the medals. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 18, 2022 10:21:14 GMT -5
Well, quite surprisingly, all five prospects and their teams advance to the semi final games tomorrow. The big surprise, of course, is Myšák and the Czechia team coming off a loss to Latvia and delivering a stunning upset over previously unbeaten USA. Czechia gets a rematch with Canada, so from one group top seed to another.
Canada ended up being to much for Switzerland, but full credit to the underdogs as they did something no other team has done, score more than one goal against Canada. In fact, they got three behind Garand. In the end, Canada was too much. The biggest concern is the health of Ridly Greig, who has been one of Canada’s top players in the tourney on a very effective third line with Roy and Dufour. His shoulder injury did not look good, but I hope he can come back. If not, other guys will move up and Kidney will slot back in as the 13th forward.
Germany played Finland tough, but Finland’s skill up front was not to be denied in the end. Nurmi is still out, and a Finnish follower on another site mentioned that it was due to illness or injury, so not because he was a healthy scratch. Kapanen has been getting much more usage as the event has gone on, which is good to see.
Sweden is an enigma, once again. They have a great goalie in Wallstedt and a superb defensive group, and they have loads of highly rated forwards. The problem is that those forwards just have been silent for the most part and the offense has counted on Andrae and the defense. They squeaked out a 2-1 win against Cinderella Latvia from a third period goal from Andrae, once again. They keep this up, and Finland will roll over them tomorrow.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 18, 2022 10:27:12 GMT -5
Prospects in action tomorrow (Friday) for semi final WJC action:
Canada (Roy #9, Kidney #11) vs Czechia (Myšák #19) 2:00pm MT (4:00pm ET) TSN4/5
Sweden vs Finland (Kapanen #27, Nurmi #15) 6:00pm MT (8:00pm ET) TSN4/5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 19, 2022 7:19:04 GMT -5
Nurmi is out with a virus. Not COVID but could be mono. Too bad for the guy to end his WJC in this manner.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 19, 2022 7:57:19 GMT -5
So another reminder that likely four of five prospects will see action today at the semis of the WJC. Nurmi is out with a virus and Kidney likely slots in as the 13th forward due to Greig’s injury.
🇨🇦 🇨🇿 2:00pm MT (4:00pm ET)
🇫🇮 🇸🇪 6:00pm MT (8:00pm ET)
Games on TSN4/5 and RDS
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 19, 2022 14:18:30 GMT -5
An odd move, to say the least. If it means he gets regular KHL ice time, I guess it is a decent move. China?
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 19, 2022 17:34:33 GMT -5
Fifth of the tourney for Myšák makes it 4-1. He gets an assist on the PP goal right after. And now Roy makes it 5-2 late!
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