Expected Finish of Top Eight?

Don't know if this thread has been started elsewhere, but I'm gonna take a shot at making a prediction about the top eight spots by the end of the medals round:

1) Canada
2) USA
3) Russia
4) Czech Republic
5) Slovakia
6) Sweden
7) Finland
8) Germany

Anyone beg to differ???

Yeah. I like several teams chances more than the USA this time around.

Yeah. I like several teams chances more than the USA this time around.
Same here.

mine would go as

gold medal game
Canada vs. Czech Republic (with the Czechs winning)

3) Slovakia
4) USA
5) Sweden
6) Russia
7) Germany
8) Finland

1) Canada
2) Czech Republic
3) USA
4) Finland
5) Sweden
6) Slovakia
7) Russia
8) Germany

1.Slovakia
2.Canada
3.Czechs
4.Russia
5.Sweden
6.USA
7.Finland
8.Germany

Don't know if this thread has been started elsewhere, but I'm gonna take a shot at making a prediction about the top eight spots by the end of the medals round:

1) Canada
2) USA
3) Russia
4) Czech Republic
5) Slovakia
6) Sweden
7) Finland
8) Germany

Anyone beg to differ???

Here is my official picks

1.Canada Depth, proven goaltending
2.Russia A little young, and who is in net? Still strong, tho
3.Czech Republic Always a force. Vokoun's a decent goalie
4.Slovakia see above, ranked fourth 'cos not sure about goal
5.USA Not as strong as some years
6.Finland Can't recognize any roster names
7.Sweden Most big stars opt out
8.Germany The weak sister

I am going to say + - 2 for for 4 of the top 5 teams. That is to say, it wouldn't be a complete shock to me if they moved up or down two points in rankings.

USA only I'd say +3 . That is, I give them an outside chance to finish as high as second, and doubt they'll drop below fifth.

Germany, barring a disaster from one of the other teams will finish 8th. Sweden and Finland I'd say could go as high as 5.
Clear as mud? GOOD
;)

Hey folks, cool to see some quick replies!

I think every team has good players and some difference makers, especially the top 7 teams, but consider.....


Team USA..... they may have young goaltending and a young defense, but this IS the best line-up they've had in years for a WM, mostly due to there not having been an NHL season. I'd like to say that about many teams, but don't forget that Sweden is without a ton of players including Forsberg, Naslund and Lidstrom and Finland is without their top 2 goaltenders AND Selanne & Koivu, their heart-n-soul guys. Russia too is without a bunch of guys one would normally consider go-to players and the Czech Republic is missing Elias-Land-Hejduk, three of their absolute top players. Slovakia is always dangerous, but as many names as they have up front, there are that many holes on defense and in goal.

Canada is really the team that has the best doggone lineup all around, from top-to-bottom, but I'd be surprised if ANY other nation has a group of forwards as versatile as the USA, and aside from maybe Canada's Luongo, Dipietro is probably the goalie in this tournament with the most promising next 10 years of his career ahead of him. He alone could make the difference. In addition, seeing how comparable Luongo and Dipietro are in their importance, particularly Islander fans should be fascinated by this.

1) Cze
2) Fin
3) Rus
4) Can
5) Usa
6) Swe
7) Svk
8) Swi

1) Finland
2) Sweden
3) USA
4) Canada
5) Russia
6) Slovakia
7) Czech Republic
8) Austria

1.Canada
2.Russia
3.Czech Republic
4.Finland
5.Sweden
5.Slovakia
6.USA
7.Germany
8.Switzerland

Here is my official picks

1.Canada Depth, proven goaltending
2.Russia A little young, and who is in net? Still strong, tho
3.Czech Republic Always a force. Vokoun's a decent goalie
4.Slovakia see above, ranked fourth 'cos not sure about goal
5.USA Not as strong as some years
6.Finland Can't recognize any roster names
7.Sweden Most big stars opt out
8.Germany The weak sister

I am going to say + - 2 for for 4 of the top 5 teams. That is to say, it wouldn't be a complete shock to me if they moved up or down two points in rankings.

USA only I'd say +3 . That is, I give them an outside chance to finish as high as second, and doubt they'll drop below fifth.

Germany, barring a disaster from one of the other teams will finish 8th. Sweden and Finland I'd say could go as high as 5.
Clear as mud? GOOD
;)


so are you saying that just because the roster is not filled with NHL players that they won't do good? If you don't think they'll do good then that's cool but if the only reason you have for it is the fact that you don't know the players then whatever

1. Czech Republic
2. Canada
3. Russia
4. Sweden
5. USA
6. Slovakia
7. Germany
8. Finland

so are you saying that just because the roster is not filled with NHL players that they won't do good? If you don't think they'll do good then that's cool but if the only reason you have for it is the fact that you don't know the players then whatever

Any NHL fan should be able to recognize Olli Jokinen & Kimmo Timonen. So there are at least 2 players on this team that are near the top in NHL talent. However, that being said... 2 is not much compared to what Canada, Sweden, Slovakia, Chzeks, Russia etc.. have in this tournament. We will see if the blue collar players (which some are very good) can make this thing happen for Finland. :sarcasm:

Don't know if this thread has been started elsewhere, but I'm gonna take a shot at making a prediction about the top eight spots by the end of the medals round:

1) Canada
2) USA
3) Russia
4) Czech Republic
5) Slovakia
6) Sweden
7) Finland
8) Germany

Anyone beg to differ???

I do :)

1) Canada
2) Czech Republic
3) Russia
4) Slovakia
5) USA
6) Sweden
7) Germany
8) Finland

Everyone has their right to an opinion. That said, ranking Germany over Finland is ridiculous nonsense.

1. Canada
2. Czech
3. Russia
4. Finland
5. Sweden
6. Slovakia
7. USA
8. Germany

Latvia might do some damage this year.

Ok ok, given the fact that Finland has a no-name roster for some foreigners I can understand the attitude, but people who have watched international hockey for more than 5 years should know names like Peltonen and Kallio pretty well.

I predict that the 1st line of Finland will be the second best in point production, shadowed only by Thorntons line.

USA :)
Czech Republic
Canada
Russia
Germany :)
Finland
Slovakia
Sweden

USA :)
Czech Republic
Canada
Russia
Germany :)
Finland
Slovakia
Sweden

great to know there's no homers here ;)

Here's a decent preview: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/winter/2005-04-29-worlds-schedule_x.htm

great to know there's no homers here ;)
Nope no homers here! :D

Everyone has their right to an opinion. That said, ranking Germany over Finland is ridiculous nonsense.

4 teams will lose in the quarterfinals anyway, and since they don't play games for 5th and 7th place it is very possible that Germany finishes ahead one of the big nations. It depends only on a quarterfinal result. But still, I wouldn't rank Germany over Finland too.

1. Slovakia
2. Czech
3. Canada
4. Finland
5. Sweden
6. Russia
7. USA
8. Germany

1) Czech Republic
2) Canada
3) Russia
4) Sweden
5) Slovakia
6) USA
7) Finland
8) Switzerland

I just read that the americans has NEVER won the worldchampionchips. They should be really motivated to win one.

1) Czech Republic
2) Canada
3) Russia
4) Sweden
5) Slovakia
6) USA
7) Finland
8) Switzerland
You may be right,big skating tournament this year,that's where those guys excel,that and the powerplay,they want to be there and so would I.Super skilled players from a small place.How do they do it? I'm going there some day to find out!!!.And then...make that work to our advantage....Yep.

1) Canada
2) Sweden
3) Czechs
4)Russia
5)Finland
6)Usa
7)Slovakia
8)Latvia

1) Canada
2) Czech Republic
3) USA
4) Finland
5) Sweden
6) Slovakia
7) Russia
8) Germany
A bronze for the boy's!!! Get them to skate hard and make thier chancses.then yes,maybe more.

I just read that the americans has NEVER won the worldchampionchips. They should be really motivated to win one.

That's wrong, they won the 1933 worlds, as well as the 1960 olympics, which also counted as a world championnship tournament.

A bronze for the boy's!!! Get them to skate hard and make thier chancses.then yes,maybe more.


I figure the U.S. team this year is better than the one last year, and while the competition has also improved, a good effort (a little bit of good fortune) could result in a medal.

Slovakia is being severely underrated, Chara will play tons of minutes, they have the most skilled top 2 lines in the tournament with two good checking lines, most if not all of their players have played this year, and Stana has had a solid season facing a lot of quality NHL shooters playing in Slovakia.

No way do they finish 5th or 6th behind Sweden or the USA as some are speculating, they have arguably a superior, more experienced forward group than Russia, a better defense and superior goaltending.

I think Slovakia has been "underrated" more because of their actual play of late than the amazing list of names they can put up. Nobody would underestimate them if they would just be the names on paper, but when the team loses to denmark, and have problems winning the other games as well...people tend to think twice.

Nobody is questioning the great roster Slovakia has....pretty much everyone is questioning how they perform as a team. We shall see. :dunno:

I actually like the US' chances..

1. Canada
2. Czech Republic
3. United States
4. Sweden
5. Slovakia
6. Russia
7. Finland
8. Germany

I am very afraid of how will Slovakia's defense do. Chara will get probably about 25 to 30 minutes of action and that's a lot for this short tournament (games every two days).

so are you saying that just because the roster is not filled with NHL players that they won't do good? If you don't think they'll do good then that's cool but if the only reason you have for it is the fact that you don't know the players then whatever

No, I am saying that the general rule of thumb is the most talented guys are usually NHLers or part time NHLers or at least, fairly well known nationally. I said usually. I mean, Czech Republic was something like a 20-1 longshot to win the 1998 Olympics, but they had the then best goalie on earth, so it overcame the fact that some other teams had more depth. I'm not omnipotent, but you'd think that if guys were really dominating in Europe, you'd read about it in The Hockey News.( COUGH*Oveckin/Malkin*COUGH)

This is going to be a great tournament with alot of strong squads. Thankfully Tsn is covering not just the Canada games but also some of the USA games and all elimination games.

1) Canada, strong all around have to play their best.
2) Czech, great skill and goaltending; can't rely on Jagr too much everyone needs to produce
3)Sweden, always a medal threat no matter who they have, will get Tellquivst during the tournament.
4)Russia, great skill, goaltending will let them down tho
5) Slovakia, great forwards and Chara but goaltending and rest of defense can't handle the top 3 in a quarters match ( could get 4th if they get Russia in an elimination games)
6)Finland, missing top 2 goalies and top 3 forwards, its gonna be tough for them but they could suprise with a few top notch performances.
7) USA, too high of expectations will hurt this team especially if they get the Czechs or Sweden in the quarters.
8) Swiss, NHL goalies get them this far, offensive is going to struggle.

1. Czech Republic
2. Canada
3. Slovakia
4. Russia
5. Sweden
6. United States
7. Switzerland
8. Finland

1. Canada (best Canadian roster ever sent to this tournament)
2. Russia (improved team chemistry compared to previous years, many great stars)
3. USA (see Canada)
4. Czech Republic (a strong team, similar to the WC team)
5. Finland (a solid team, especially with guys like Jokinen)
6. Sweden (not as loaded as the last few years, underdogs (which is a Swedish specialty))
7. Slovakia (good on paper, but my prediction is based on their recent losses to Sweden and especially Denmark. Chara and Hossa will improve the team though).
8. Latvia (a fun team to watch, always with great fan support in the arena, they get my vote for the 8th spot this year)

This was actually pretty hard to predict, any team could do better or worse than I predicted, I found especially spots 3 thru 7 hard to predict.

Latvia can't be in the Top 8 together with all the big-7-nations. If they advance they will be in a qualifying group with USA, Canada, Sweden and Finland and only four of those can advance to the quarterfinals.

That's wrong, they won the 1933 worlds, as well as the 1960 olympics, which also counted as a world championnship tournament.

ok in the MODERN era then.

Going by the EHT finals, Russia >>> Sweden

Nice to see so many people put Finland as high as 7-8 spot. Here's hoping to see some surprised (perhaps even dismayed) people ;)

Nice to see so many people put Finland as high as 7-8 spot. Here's hoping to see some surprised (perhaps even dismayed) people ;)

I dont have that much faith in the roster either, but ranking Finland that low is sure quite ignorant. The team is good, despite the fact that we lack like 13 top players and the goalies are maybe our 6th best or so. Still...Finland will have the best legs in the tournament (that means they will outskate every opponent) and it will be very disciplined hockey. Most people who rank Finland even below Germany have absolutely no clue about the players Finland has in that roster, and make silly assumptions based on that.

BASED on what was SHOWN after each team played one game:

Gold: Putting together a team game.
Silver: Showing many aspects, with some weaknesses
Bronze: talented but not putting it together yet
Honorable mention: Good at some things but pretty green still

1. Czech Republic
2. Finland
3. USA
4. Canada
5. Slovakia
6. Sweden
7. Russia
8. Belarus
9. Austria
10. Denmark
11. Kazakhstan
12. Germany

Except you can't have all four teams from the A group in the top 12. Drop Austria or Belarus and add Latvia or Slovenia.

Going by the EHT finals, Russia >>> Sweden

I agree. The Swe-Ukr game did little to change my mind..

BASED on what was SHOWN after each team played one game:

Gold: Putting together a team game.
Silver: Showing many aspects, with some weaknesses
Bronze: talented but not putting it together yet
Honorable mention: Good at some things but pretty green still

1. Czech Republic
2. Finland
3. USA
4. Canada
5. Slovakia
6. Sweden
7. Russia
8. Belarus
9. Austria
10. Denmark
11. Kazakhstan
12. Germany


Prior to the tournaments starting, my point has always been that the best team on paper should win. That is usually Canada. As in every sport however, there are always extraneous variables that can affect results, especially in ths lockout year.

after today I whould rank the top 8 like this:

Canada
USA
Czech
Russia
Sweden
Finland
Slovakia
Switzerland

after today I whould rank the top 8 like this:

Canada
USA
Czech
Russia
Sweden
Finland
Slovakia
Switzerland

yeah cuz sweden played better than finland in their first games :shakehead

yeah cuz sweden played better than finland in their first games :shakehead

Well, yes...Its hard to play Ukraine when the referee is stoned :shakehead

I don't understand how Finland could have sucha big problems scoring against Denmark though. I think Sweden has better offensive talent than the Finnish team :teach:

Well, yes...Its hard to play Ukraine when the referee is stoned :shakehead

I don't understand how Finland could have sucha big problems scoring against Denmark though. I think Sweden has better offensive talent than the Finnish team :teach:

Denmarks goalie played great, and if I understand correctly then what you're saying is hey it was all the refs fault... sweden played excellent the refs just made them look bad.... and if that is the case then I am not going to even argue with you as that is something I'd expect someone to say after losing a pee wee house game. Sweden may have a better offense than Finland, but that doesn't mean they rank above Finland especially since they played worse.

Denmarks goalie played great, and if I understand correctly then what you're saying is hey it was all the refs fault... sweden played excellent the refs just made them look bad.... and if that is the case then I am not going to even argue with you as that is something I'd expect someone to say after losing a pee wee house game. Sweden may have a better offense than Finland, but that doesn't mean they rank above Finland especially since they played worse.

Sweden played bad because they were not aloved to play good. Denmark is way more disciplined than Ukranie. However I think Finland and Sweden are pretty tight no matter who is the best.

1.Russia
2.Canada
3.Czech Republic
4.Slovakia
5.Sweden
6.Finland

Prior to the tournament's starting, my point has always been that the best team on paper should win. That is usually Canada. As in every sport however, there are always extraneous variables that can affect results, especially in ths lockout year.
Extraneous variables? Like team play? :shakehead

"On paper" the New York Rangers should more than simply make the playoffs every year, which they haven't even been able to do for a long time; the best record in the regular season should translate into Cups, which actually is rare!

After watching all of the teams play a game in this tourney(thank you mediazone!), I ranked them into gold (Czech, Finn, USA), silver (Canada, Slovakia, Sweden) and bronze (Russia, Belarus) categories based on team play. I'll do so after the second games as well. It's all about what they DO in the tourney and ability shown. As the tourney goes on, the better TEAMS will rise despite what they contribute as individual players elsewhere.

May the best team win.

Slovakia is being severely underrated, Chara will play tons of minutes, they have the most skilled top 2 lines in the tournament with two good checking lines, most if not all of their players have played this year, and Stana has had a solid season facing a lot of quality NHL shooters playing in Slovakia.


No question that Slovakia is being underestimated by some on this board but I'd be willing to put Canada's top two lines up against any team's in this tournament.

Chara can only play SO many minutes and their goaltending is questionable at best - regardless of a 'good' season in Slovakia.

They'll contend for a medal though, I agree with you there.

Extraneous variables? Like team play? :shakehead

"On paper" the New York Rangers should more than simply make the playoffs every year, which they haven't even been able to do for a long time; the best record in the regular season should translate into Cups, which actually is rare!

After watching all of the teams play a game in this tourney(thank you mediazone!), I ranked them into gold (Czech, Finn, USA), silver (Canada, Slovakia, Sweden) and bronze (Russia, Belarus) categories based on team play. I'll do so after the second games as well. It's all about what they DO in the tourney and ability shown. As the tourney goes on, the better TEAMS will rise despite what they contribute as individual players elsewhere.

May the best team win.

I'll give you credit for saying that you'll re-do your 'team play' rankings after the second game played by each tournament.

However, you're just as equally deserving of a :shakehead as the guy above for posting these tremendous rankings based on one game. Got this down to a science have we?

I'll give you credit for saying that you'll re-do your 'team play' rankings after the second game played by each tournament.

However, you're just as equally deserving of a :shakehead as the guy above for posting these tremendous rankings based on one game. Got this down to a science have we?

wich guy above? me?

Don't think so. I meant the post to which VanIslander was originally replying to.

How I would like it to end:
1. Russia
2. Czech Rep
3. Belarus
4. Slovakia
5. Finland
6. Sweden
7. USA
8. Canada

How I think it will end:
1. Russia
2. Czech Rep
3. Canada
4. USA
5. Slovakia
6. Sweden
7. Finland
8. Belarus

I'll give you credit for saying that you'll re-do your 'team play' rankings after the second game played by each tournament.

However, you're just as equally deserving of a :shakehead as the guy above for posting these tremendous rankings based on one game. Got this down to a science have we?
Not a science. Although in a way: Based on actual observations of team play in the tourney!

I've watched too many tournaments and playoffs and listen to people get "shocked" at the play of teams which was almost predictable based on recent play. The Florida Panthers went to the Stanley Cup Finals a decade ago and it was no surprise to those of us who saw how well they geled as a team despite a shortage of stars; same with the Capitals a few years later when I went on the record pegging Kolzig as playoff MVP to the hysterical laughter of many, only to see him then lead his team to the fianl and almost win the Conn Smythe.

It's all based on observations of team play.

Of course players could suddenly get it all together, or succeed based on a series of individual great plays.

But my method for the tourney is simply to rank the teams based on what I see in each game of the tourney.

It is one way among many.

I'm not going to be a homer and say Canada is playing the best, because they aren't (maybe will later); nor will I simply prejudge by looking at stars on a roster and predict based on which roster is loaded (as NYR now know doesn't work).

I'm not going to be a homer and say Canada is playing the best, because they aren't (maybe will later); nor will I simply prejudge by looking at stars on a roster and predict based on which roster is loaded (as NYR now know doesn't work).

I wasn't suggesting that you should be.

However, you'd think for somebody that claims to have watched so many tournaments they'd have a little more sense than to post 'meaningful' rankings after one game each.

A person can watch as many games as they want and still not understand a ******** thing about hockey; much less the teams in that tournament or the players in that tournament.

Give the be-all-end-all act a rest.

BASED on what was SHOWN after each team played one game:

Gold: Putting together a team game.
Silver: Showing many aspects, with some weaknesses
Bronze: talented but not putting it together yet
Honorable mention: Good at some things but pretty green still

1. Czech Republic
2. Finland
3. USA
4. Canada
5. Slovakia
6. Sweden
7. Russia
8. Belarus
9. Austria
10. Denmark
11. Kazakhstan
12. Germany

Nice list. That's what impressed me always by Fins. No matter who they ice they are always underdogs but are always strong, intense and play team game with beautyfull tic tac toe passing. They are fun to watch. Go Suomi :clap:

Nice list. That's what impressed me always by Fins. No matter who they ice they are always underdogs but are always strong, intense and play team game with beautyfull tic tac toe passing. They are fun to watch. Go Suomi :clap:

and no matter how great they play, they still get beaten by Sweden :yo:

and no matter how great they play, they still get beaten by Sweden :yo:

When did that happened? :D

1. Canada. -No weak spot in this squad.
2. Russia. -Ilja will lead the way.
3. Finland. -Why not? ;) Missing some stars, but hopefully we are up here.
4. Czech. -Vykoun has been strugling.
5. Slovakia. -Defence has only few decent players.
6. Sweden.
7. Austria. -Home advance makes a big difference.
8. Belarus.

1. Canada. -No weak spot in this squad.
2. Russia. -Ilja will lead the way.
3. Finland. -Why not? ;) Missing some stars, but hopefully we are up here.
4. Czech. -Vykoun has been strugling.
5. Slovakia. -Defence has only few decent players.
6. Sweden.
7. Austria. -Home advance makes a big difference.
8. Belarus.

It is impossible that AUT, SVK, RUS and BLR make the quarterfinals since they are all in the same group.

I don't agree with your rankings.
First, Canada has weak spots. They played very sloppy two days ago. Only Nash and Thorton are very good. Brodeur is not on his best and he won't carry the team all the way.
Second, Ilya won't lead the way because he is one of the worst players so far (unless Zivovjev comes back-they click well together)

It is impossible that AUT, SVK, RUS and BLR make the quarterfinals since they are all in the same group.

I don't agree with your rankings.
First, Canada has weak spots. They played very sloppy two days ago. Only Nash and Thorton are very good. Brodeur is not on his best and he won't carry the team all the way.
Second, Ilya won't lead the way because he is one of the worst players so far (unless Zivovjev comes back-they click well together)

Yep, Clearly I didn't think this well.

I'll keep my top 3, forget the rest.

1) Czech Republic
2) Canada
3) Russia
4) Sweden
5) Slovakia
6) USA
7) Finland
8) Switzerland
Who´s your daddy? ;)

Final ranking (http://www.iihf.com/Hydra/Tournaments_05/output/ws/hydra.iihf.com/data/iihf/output/xml/1000000009/IHM1000000009Z016_Final_Ranking_1_0.html)

http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?p=2800195#post2800195