WJC...Who to look forward to?

Last years WJC was amazing to watch because of all the star caliber: Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin, Carter, Phaneuf, Olezs etc. Who are the players to watch for this time around?

Last years WJC was amazing to watch because of all the star caliber: Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin, Carter, Phaneuf, Olezs etc. Who are the players to watch for this time around?


latendresse
schremp
radulov
kessel
frolik
jack johnsson
ryan
bourdon

as he habs fan , i will watch price,latendresse,chipchura,emelin and mikus

As a Flames Fan I am looking forward to see Dustin Boyd.

As a Blues fan - Kessel, Frolik, Toews, Mueller, Eric Johnson, Jonessu will be drawing my attention. Odds are one of them will be drafted by us.

As a Canucks fan, Bourdon, Edler (he'll be there wont he?), Ellis maybe and Schneider are who i'm looking forward to seeing.

Toews will not play for team canada

Bourdon...... BOURDOWNED.....

as a habs fan: Latendresse, Price, Mikus and all the 2006 potential picks.

As an Oilers fan, and hockey fan in general, im looking forward to seeing Schremp, who should play a much bigger role this year, and Andrew Cogliano, who should have a scoring role with Canada and could do very well, as he was said to be the best player in camp.

As a Kings fan Ill be keeping my eye on Lauri Tukonen, our prospect in Manchester. Haven't seen him play ever.


Too bad Anze Kopitar is from Slovenia, they aren't even able to ice a team for the Juniors. I would have been amped to see him play.

Brule will be the best player in this tournament.

Brule will be the best player in this tournament.
If columbus lets him go, which may be doubtful given the way hes played for them so far.

Brule will be the best player in this tournament.


I can't believe you've never heard of Evgeni Malkin

I can't believe you've never heard of Evgeni Malkin

malkin will not play :eek:

I can't believe you've never heard of Evgeni Malkin


Oh, I'm quite sure he has.

I'm also sure he knows that Malkin will not be playing in this year's tourney, as he will be resting for the Winter Olympics in Torino.

as a habs fan: Latendresse, Price, Mikus and all the 2006 potential picks.
Price might not make team Canada

Obviously I'll be watching Tuukka Rask as much as possible. Him and the bigger name draft eligible players.

I can't believe you've never heard of Evgeni Malkin

Already been said, but yeah - Malkin won't be there. Brule might not either actually.

Toews will not play for team canada

Why wont Toews play for team canada?

Price might not make team Canada

I think Price will make team Canada likely as a backup at this point, he has had a terrible start to the year though, my feeling is if he gets a shot at training camp a kid named Tyler Plante deserves one as well, even with terrible stats on a terrible team.

As a Canucks fan, I'm looking forward to Luc Bourdon, Cory Schneider, Alexander Edler, and perhaps one of Julien Ellis and Alexandre Vincente.

I'd also like to check out Kenndal McArdle, Alexandre Bourret, Andrew Cogliano, Marc Staal and Phil Kessel.

I have a feeling that Cogliano is going to tear it up this year.

Bourdon. The other teams forwards better keep their heads up around Bourdon or their gonna be leaving the rink without them.

Price might not make team Canada

really? I saw him at the camp and the kid is definately something special. Now, he has really turned his game a notch up and he has great stats with a bad team... What's wrong with him?

I'm looking forward to seeing Schremp, Bolland, Brule (hopefully), Kessel and Frolik

Andrej Sekera's coming out party. :)

Rask for sure, hopefully Pogge as well.

Peter Mueller :bow:

Devin Setoguchi, he's our prize horse.

Im looking forward to see Joensuu in action and interesting to see how fins do.

I'm looking forward to seeing Bourdon first and foremost. Anyone not drafted and who is projected to be a 1st rounde pick in the 06 draft will also be of high interest.

I am definately stoked for Bourdon the most. He's gonna turn some heads like Phaneuf did last year. Other players of interest include: Setoguchi.... the next better Matt Cooke and Kessel

Finnish Players to watch! WJC06

Perttu Lindgren Ilves C 87 25games 4+8=12points
(He has been very good at Finnish elite league so far)
Jesse Joensuu Ässät F 87 25games 2+5=7points
Tuukka Rask Ilves G 87 11games 90.94%
Mikko Lehtonen Blues F 87 21games 4+1=5points
Petteri Wirtanen HPK C 86 24games 2+1=3points
Karri Rämö HPK G 86 8games 95.67%
Teemu Laakso HIFK D 87 25games 1+0=1point
(He have had some injuries and problems but i think that he can be the next Pitkänen!)
Juho Mielonen D 87 14games 0+1=1point
Lauri Korpikoski F 86 25games 2+2=4points
Miika Lahti JYP C 16games 2+1=3points

For the Sens, Brian Lee is the guy to watch. He's adapted to College Hockey very well and will have a bigger role this year on Team USA.

Also, Jack Johnson.

AS I said in the other thread, this is ab absolute dream come true for canuck fans.. when was the last time people were talking so highly of a Canuck pick in this tournament... Bourdon.. what a guy. The Canucks d and goaltending look fantastic for the future.

D: Bourdon, Edler, Skinner, Bieksa, Mojzis

Goal: Shneider, Ellis PLante, Vincent, Auld

I really think Nonis is building the canucks system from D and goal out. Which is a fantastic move. WE have next to no good offensive prospects.. but hopefully this year with the Draft in Vancouver Nonis will make some sort of splash...............kessel? :yo:

I think Price will make team Canada likely as a backup at this point, he has had a terrible start to the year though, my feeling is if he gets a shot at training camp a kid named Tyler Plante deserves one as well, even with terrible stats on a terrible team.

I believe the Hitman goalie Justin Pogge will be the guy, he has had a great season so far.

really? I saw him at the camp and the kid is definately something special. Now, he has really turned his game a notch up and he has great stats with a bad team... What's wrong with him?

He is on a bad team and he is playing poorly I would be shocked to see him get a spot on the team.

for the Canes... Johnson, Hagemo (if he's healthy enough) and Borer for team USA, Korhonen for Finland and Vojta for the Czech Republic. I doubt it would happen but it would be a nice surprise to see Otcenas on Slovakia and Akerlund for Sweden.

In general: Kessel, Latendresse, Erik Johnson, Mueller.

Marc Staal, and Korpi.

Team Finland will be good.

Also looking forward to seeing if Tommy Pyatt gets the call for Canada.

Brule will be the best player in this tournament.

Just like he's guaranteed to go number 2 right?

Bobby Ryan will be the star of the tourney.

Bourdon.

Will Benoit Pouliot and Roman Voloshenko be in it?

If so then thats who im watching.

Rask for Finland, Pogge for Canada.

Ondrej Pavelec is very interesting.

Bobby Ryan will have his coming out party, he's one of the most underrated prospects on this board.

Devin Setoguchi, he's our prize horse.
Probably wont be there.

Hopefully, Julien Ellis

Thy name is Kris Chucko, thy bidding will be done.

He is on a bad team and he is playing poorly I would be shocked to see him get a spot on the team.
Have you looked at his stats recently?

He had two strait shoutouts and a couple of 1 or 2 goal games.
His GAA is over .900 on really really bad team.

He'll make Team Canada mark my words.
I also think that he'll be the starter.

For Sweden

Nicklas Bergfors
Should be one of the top players in the tournament, however.. it seems 50-50 that he will go. It appears he is pretty close to being called up by the Devils.

Nicklas Bäckström
Will be an early draft pick next summer. Has been excellent in the SEL so far and logs loads of minutes. Superb playmaker that is supposed to feed Bergfors with pucks.

Anton Strålman
Top defenseman on the team. Plays a strong offensive game and has a good shot from the point. Drafted by the Leafs last summer.

Other notables
Alexander Edler (top scoring WHL defensemen)
Erik Andersson (born 1986, undrafted.. but is having a great year in the SEL. Plays center)
Fredrik Pettersson (plays for the Calgary Hitmen and has a nice scoring touch. Flashy player)

With or without Bergfors, Sweden will actually dress a strong team for once (although it will not be close to next year's team, when the WJC is held in Sweden). Most of the players that will be on the rosters are SEL regulars, which is quite unique really.

Thy name is Kris Chucko, thy bidding will be done.



I am curious to see this too...I can already see another Chucko vs. *insert name here* thread on the horizon


I am curious to see how the americans play...with kessel and mueller being reunited, maybe throw Stoa in there...then with Lee, Johnson, and probably Thelen on the blueline, they might be a sleeper.

I am assuming it will be Frazee in goal...although the drinking age in BC is under 20, so keep him away from the Long Islands...

For the Sens, Brian Lee is the guy to watch. He's adapted to College Hockey very well and will have a bigger role this year on Team USA.

Also, Jack Johnson.

That's who I was thinking about.

I am curious to see how the americans play...with kessel and mueller being reunited, maybe throw Stoa in there...then with Lee, Johnson, and probably Thelen on the blueline, they might be a sleeper.


A sleeper?

EVERYONE I have spoken with in regards to the WJC this year is slotting the US as the team to beat. One NHL GM told me that he thought the 2006 American team will be as dominant as the '05 Canadians.

I am curious to see this too...I can already see another Chucko vs. *insert name here* thread on the horizon
..
I'm not sure how Chucko will do on Team Canada this year (if he infact makes it) although it will be nice to see him playing against guys all his same age.

As for Chuck vs whoever, I am confident Chucko will lose 90% of those, he just isn't a "sexy" prospect, but he can drink them under the table.

I am curious to see this too...I can already see another Chucko vs. *insert name here* thread on the horizon


I am curious to see how the americans play...with kessel and mueller being reunited, maybe throw Stoa in there...then with Lee, Johnson, and probably Thelen on the blueline, they might be a sleeper.

I am assuming it will be Frazee in goal...although the drinking age in BC is under 20, so keep him away from the Long Islands...


I doubt Frazee's the number one goaltender. It will probably be Cory Schneider, with one of Frazee, Sauer, or Bishop backing him up.

A sleeper?

EVERYONE I have spoken with in regards to the WJC this year is slotting the US as the team to beat. One NHL GM told me that he thought the 2006 American team will be as dominant as the '05 Canadians.

I think the U.S. will ice a better team than they did when they won gold. Tons of firepower up front, a very solid defense, and quality goaltending. Hopefully Walt Kyle has more of a clue than Scott Sandelin.

Nicklas Bäckström will be interesting to follow in this tournament. Just check his stats from this season in the SEL compared to Sweden's best offensive prospects the last seasons in the SEL at the same age (18):

GP G A P
Nicklas Bäckström 25 4 7 11
Robert Nilsson 34 2 4 6
Fredrik Sjöström 31 2 3 5
Alexander Steen 26 0 3 3
Nicklas Bergfors 25 1 0 1

Bäckström plays in every situation and his very mature for his age. A great passer and twoway responsible player.

I read on the Phoenix board that The Hockey News had a section in a recent issue that listed four players from each country to watch at the WJC. I just got my copy of THN and I didn't see anything about it. I was wondering if maybe I missed an issue. Anyone know about this? Who was on the cover of that issue? Thx.

I doubt Frazee's the number one goaltender. It will probably be Cory Schneider, with one of Frazee, Sauer, or Bishop backing him up.



Schnieder? The red headed sieve from last year?

I think Travis Zajac, Kris Chucko and Steve Downie will all be players to watch. Zajac is simply a phenomenal player and I think he's probably a better prospect is than Parise was at this point. Chucko reminds me of a healthy Owen Nolan who could score. Downie is the wildcard. Ever since the deal to Peterborough, he's got his head back on straight. I think a coach like Dick Todd was what was needed for Steve. As well, playing for a Sutter is only going to help keep that head on straight.

As for other players who will be fun to watch, I'm really looking forward to seeing what Robbie Schremp will do. Another one to watch should be Brian Lee. There's something about Ottawa draft picks and the WJC which makes it fun to watch. Yeah, the WJC may not have Crosby and those guys this year, but I think the current group might be just as fun to watch because of the unpredictability of who will star.

Finnish Players to watch! WJC06

Perttu Lindgren Ilves C 87 25games 4+8=12points
(He has been very good at Finnish elite league so far)
Jesse Joensuu Ässät F 87 25games 2+5=7points
Tuukka Rask Ilves G 87 11games 90.94%
Mikko Lehtonen Blues F 87 21games 4+1=5points
Petteri Wirtanen HPK C 86 24games 2+1=3points
Karri Rämö HPK G 86 8games 95.67%
Teemu Laakso HIFK D 87 25games 1+0=1point
(He have had some injuries and problems but i think that he can be the next Pitkänen!)
Juho Mielonen D 87 14games 0+1=1point
Lauri Korpikoski F 86 25games 2+2=4points
Miika Lahti JYP C 16games 2+1=3points

How about Nyholm?

I dont think Nyholm can make to team this year but he´s been very good at Finnish junior league 19 games and 10+5=15points.
He is one of the HIFK future prospects!

I think Travis Zajac, Kris Chucko and Steve Downie will all be players to watch. Zajac is simply a phenomenal player and I think he's probably a better prospect is than Parise was at this point. Chucko reminds me of a healthy Owen Nolan who could score. Downie is the wildcard. Ever since the deal to Peterborough, he's got his head back on straight. I think a coach like Dick Todd was what was needed for Steve. As well, playing for a Sutter is only going to help keep that head on straight.

As for other players who will be fun to watch, I'm really looking forward to seeing what Robbie Schremp will do. Another one to watch should be Brian Lee. There's something about Ottawa draft picks and the WJC which makes it fun to watch. Yeah, the WJC may not have Crosby and those guys this year, but I think the current group might be just as fun to watch because of the unpredictability of who will star.

Travis Zajac is too old for the WJC. It's for players born 1986 and younger. Zajac is a 1985 born.

Wings potential players

Sweden
Cristofer Lofberg .. on the off chance he's invited.
Johan Ryno ... has a decent chance.
Mattias Ritola ... I dislike his game, but he appears to have favor with the national team for some dumb reason.
Anton Axelsson ... does he still qualify?

FInland
Mielonen ... skilled defenseman

Belarus
Siarhei Kolasau ... Big, physical, stay at home dman

Canada
McGrath ... only Canadian hopeful is still lighting up the OHL

US
Tyler Haskins ... should get a look
Justin Abdelkader ... very slim shot

Czech ...
Jakub Kindl could get the call



Non Wings who I want to see ...

Switzerland ... Goalie Reto Bera ... thought he'd be picked in the draft
Sweden ... Tiny Frederik Petterson (dazzling speed and playmaking and determination)and defenseman Nik Hjalmarsson (fast, hard hitting, skilled) are two of my favorite Swedish prospects
Finland ... Robert Nyholm ... a big talented forward with skill, speed and heart.
US ... wanna see how Jack Johnson does this year.

Sweden
Cristofer Lofberg .. on the off chance he's invited.
Johan Ryno ... has a decent chance.
Mattias Ritola ... I dislike his game, but he appears to have favor with the national team for some dumb reason.
Anton Axelsson ... does he still qualify?


The preliminary Swedish WJC team has already been selected.

Löfberg: Not even named = about 20 forwards born 1986 or later that were considered better than him

Ryno: Named, has IMO a 70-30 chance of making the final roster

Ritola: Named, has IMO a 50-50 chance of making the final roster. Why do you dislike his game? I thought all people enjoyed a very technically skilled forward? Where did you see him play and in what way did you not like what you saw?

Axelsson: Named, has IMO a 95-5 chance of making the final roster :)

I think Karri Rämö will get most of the starts for Finland, so Rask might not be able to showcase himself yet.

Rämö's stock will go up though, I'm expecting him to be the talk of the games afterwards.

Well Brule was injured last night (gone for 4 to 6 wks) he is now officially gone from the WJC.

The preliminary Swedish WJC team has already been selected.

Löfberg: Not even named = about 20 forwards born 1986 or later that were considered better than him

Ryno: Named, has IMO a 70-30 chance of making the final roster

Ritola: Named, has IMO a 50-50 chance of making the final roster. Why do you dislike his game? I thought all people enjoyed a very technically skilled forward? Where did you see him play and in what way did you not like what you saw?

Axelsson: Named, has IMO a 95-5 chance of making the final roster :)

I saw Ritola play at the U18s in Ann Arbor last winter.
If he had skill, he didn't show it.
Decent size. Decent speed.
No hustle. Very lazy game.

Fred Petterson (Ritola's linemate in the tournament) was EASILY the best Swedish player. He was the only Swedish forward who could do anything against the USA's tremendous defense (J. Johnson, Mark Mitera, Chad Morin, Mark Mitera, Zacj Jones, Brandon Gentile)

He took a beating, but the little guy kept getting up and kept driving to the net.

Backstrom was pretty good (a bit younger, but good). Robin Lindqvist and Nikclas Person also had good tournaments against the Euro teams.

I can't believe Niklas Hjalmarsson didn't make the team. Good offensive defenseman who matched the USA hit for hit. This kid amazed me. He went up against a physical US team that was punishing everyone with huge hits (Ryan Stoa and Jack SKille and Jason Bailey and Peter Mueller Zac McAvoy) and he was great. He probably threw more open ice hits than anyone not named Jack Johnson.

Chicago got a steal in Hjalmarsson.
Calgary (or was it Edmonton) got a steal in Pettersson, IMO.

As a Canadian, I for one am looking forward to seeing team USA in their entirety. Seeing the Kessel's,Skille's and Wheeler's right down to the Thelan's and Johnson's. Going to be the most impressive american U20 team in my recent memory.