CNNSI: 11 Players To Watch

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/allan_muir/12/21/world.juniors.players/index.html

Nice list. Imo, Staal is a bit high while Okposo, with his monster perforance at NCAA, is too low.

I can't beleive that they didn't mention Patrick Kane.

Is Backstrom that good???

I am starting to wonder if he'll even turn out to be a 100 point player in the NHL.

Is Backstrom that good???


believe me he is.

Is Backstrom that good???

I am starting to wonder if he'll even turn out to be a 100 point player in the NHL.

He sure is.

Parent? ... Didn't he shut down the US golden boy last year in Phil Kessel?

Parent? ... Didn't he shut down the US golden boy last year in Phil Kessel?

And Malkin as well, if I'm not mistaken.

Is Backstrom that good???

I am starting to wonder if he'll even turn out to be a 100 point player in the NHL.

Playing next to Alexander Ovechkin has even made Dainius Zubrus look good... at times.

Parent and Staal were an amazing combo last year at the WJC. Most notably shutting down the likes of Both Kessel and Malkin.

Hope they have the chemistry again for this run.

I'm looking forward to watching Okposo, Toews, Rask and Frolik. The rest i don't care about. Erik Johnson is good but i see enough defenseman do that sorta thing already.

Nice list. Imo, Staal is a bit high while Okposo, with his monster perforance at NCAA, is too low.

Who says they are ranked in order?

9. Tuukka Rask, G, Finland
(Boston Bruins)
Watching Andrew Raycroft struggle in the net of late has to be painful for fans of the Maple Leafs. But as they watch the WJC, it's only going to get worse.
Rask, the player Toronto sent to Boston in exchange for Raycroft, looks ready to emerge as the next great Finnish goaltender. At 19, he already ranks as one of the top stoppers in the SM-Liiga, and has the kind of off-the-charts ability that allows him to win games all by himself. That may come in handy. For the Finns to medal, Rask will have to be the tournament's top stopper.
=========================================



This will go down as JFJ's worst move ever.

Admittedly biased (as a Coyote fan) but I think Mueller and Hanzal will be ones to watch this tourney.

They are both top scorers in the WHL and should be instrumental on their teams this World Juniors.

I'm also looking forward to seeing Okposo and Gagner.

Admittedly biased (as a Coyote fan) but I think Mueller and Hanzal will be ones to watch this tourney.

They are both top scorers in the WHL and should be instrumental on their teams this World Juniors.

I'm also looking forward to seeing Okposo and Gagner.

I agree but more Mueller than Hanzal. I'm kinda shocked Mueller wasn't mentioned just due to how highly touted he is and how much he's tearing up the WHL.

Nice article, minus the confusion of Erik and Jack.

6. Jonathan Toews, C, Canada
(Chicago Blackhawks)

His experience on the big ice will be critical to the team's success.

They didn't play on the big ice last year. It was in Vancouver last year. :shakehead

They didn't play on the big ice last year. It was in Vancouver last year. :shakehead
he has played in numerous other international tournaments with Canada. On the big ice

Is Backstrom that good???

I am starting to wonder if he'll even turn out to be a 100 point player in the NHL.

Bäckström just continues to surprise all the time. Although he has sky-high expectations. I don't think any other of these is even close to scoring more than a point per game in a top MEN's league.

I am a little suprised that they mentioned Erik Johnson, but not Jack

Bäckström just continues to surprise all the time. Although he has sky-high expectations. I don't think any other of these is even close to scoring more than a point per game in a top MEN's league.
Bergfors has close to a point per game in a top mens league.

They list Zatkoff but not Jack Johnson?:confused:

Who says they are ranked in order?

Me, Numbers near their surnames and EJ-Backstrom at top of the list.

Bergfors has close to a point per game in a top mens league.

But from the look of it, he looks like one or two or even three steps behind Bäckas in pretty much everything ^^ guess that says more about the AHL than the players.

Bergfors is a VERY talented player, but he was not even near SEL quality when he went over and became a decent player in the AHL overnight ;)

Bäckström is arguably the best or at worst second best player in the SEL. When Bergforss left he would've probably ranked among the 120 best players to play in the SEL that particular season, but not much higher.

They didn't play on the big ice last year. It was in Vancouver last year. :shakehead
He plays at North Dakota. Big ice.

He plays at North Dakota. Big ice.

Toews and UND play on a NHL rink. They do have access to an olympic sized practice rink. I guess he would have some experience on the big sheet.

Kane is the name I was looking for.

No love for Carey Price .... :shakehead

He'll prove him wrong .

Toews and UND play on a NHL rink. They do have access to an olympic sized practice rink. I guess he would have some experience on the big sheet.

Kane is the name I was looking for.
I knew one of their rinks was international size. Wasn't sure if it was their main one (couldn't find confirmation either way). There are also other schools UND plays that have the big rinks.

No love for Carey Price .... :shakehead

He'll prove him wrong .

It's not even sure, that he'll end up as his teams No. 1 goalie...

Once again, no love for Steve Downie. All what he does is come up huge at these types of tournaments. He helped shut down Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin last year. All what he did is score goals at critical points in the game. All what he did was get named as one of the best forwards of the tournament. Yet, he still isn't named as one of the players to watch. Is it just me or is there something not right with this picture?

Mark Staal is extremely overrated if you ask me.

Mark Staal is extremely overrated if you ask me.

Um? :dunno:

He was last year's WJC Best Defenseman of the Tourney.

But if thats Over-rated, then so be it.

It's not even sure, that he'll end up as his teams No. 1 goalie...

He is. For now.

He is. For now.

I know, but it wasn't sure when the list was made.

Is it just me or is there something not right with this picture?

Downie will dominate.

9. Tuukka Rask, G, Finland
(Boston Bruins)
Watching Andrew Raycroft struggle in the net of late has to be painful for fans of the Maple Leafs. But as they watch the WJC, it's only going to get worse.
Rask, the player Toronto sent to Boston in exchange for Raycroft, looks ready to emerge as the next great Finnish goaltender. At 19, he already ranks as one of the top stoppers in the SM-Liiga, and has the kind of off-the-charts ability that allows him to win games all by himself. That may come in handy. For the Finns to medal, Rask will have to be the tournament's top stopper.
=========================================



This will go down as JFJ's worst move ever.

With all of the bad moves JFJ has made, that's really saying something. :amazed:

Once again, no love for Steve Downie. All what he does is come up huge at these types of tournaments. He helped shut down Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin last year. All what he did is score goals at critical points in the game. All what he did was get named as one of the best forwards of the tournament. Yet, he still isn't named as one of the players to watch. Is it just me or is there something not right with this picture?

The kid is a complete A-Hole and that will hurt his NHL career. He strikes me as a Darcy Tucker with less talent.

The kid is a complete A-Hole and that will hurt his NHL career. He strikes me as a Darcy Tucker with less talent.

He is? What do you base this upon?

Um? :dunno:

He was last year's WJC Best Defenseman of the Tourney.

But if thats Over-rated, then so be it.
We shall see.