WJC Predictions

I wanna hear who will win and the top goalie, Def, and Forward, MVP.
I want it all, if some guys wont make the trip who will play instead....who will make team Canada? i want the top 6 finsihers and why you think they will win gold silver and bronze.

I wanna hear who will win and the top goalie, Def, and Forward, MVP.
I want it all, if some guys wont make the trip who will play instead....who will make team Canada? i want the top 6 finsihers and why you think they will win gold silver and bronze.
I guess i will get i started.....
Gold Canada ( a little payback)
Silver Russia
Bronze USA
4th Sweden
5th Finland

I think Canada will win with fleury taking top goalie again, either coburn or suter taking top D and ovechkin taking top forward. Canada is bigger and has more scoring which i think will tak them over the top. the ameicans goaltending is up in the air and russia is always good but have a new goalie. Sweden isnt good, same with finland.....i wouldnt be surprised to see anthoer team beat finland.

That is pretty easy :)

1.Russia (defeating USA in semifinal)
2.Chech (defeating Canada in semifinal)
3.USA
4.Canada
5.Sweden

Best Forward - Ovechkin (WJ Champion 2003)
Best Goalie - Barulin (WJ Champion 2003)
Best Defenseman - Babchuk (if playing)

Go Russia! http://alexovechkin.narod.ru/smileys/riding.gif http://alexovechkin.narod.ru/smileys/riding.gif http://alexovechkin.narod.ru/smileys/riding.gif

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

Group A

1. Russia
2. USA
3. Slovakia
4. Sweden
5. Austria

Group B

1. Canada
2. Finland
3. Czech Republic
4. Switzerland
5. Ukraine

Quarter Finals

USA over Czech Republic
Finland over Slovakia

Semi Finals

Russia over Finland
Canada over USA

Bronze Medal Game

Finland over USA

Final

Russia over Canada

Final Standings

1. Russia
2. Canada
3. Finland
4. USA
5. Czech
6. Slovakia
7. Switzerland
8. Sweden
9. Austria
10. Ukraine

Team Finland compansates the lack of talent with great team effort, excellent coaching and the extra boost from a fanatical home crowd. Hannu Toivonen surprises everybody and is the best goalie of the tournament.

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

1. USA (everyone available is playing - I think)
2. Canada (Fleury is a big boost)
3. Russia (no Semin or Zherdev hurts)
4. Czech Republic (good depth)
5. Sweden (questionable skill beyond top line)
6. Finland (see Sweden)

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


Top Forward...Parise

Top Dman...Coburn

Top Goalie...Fleury

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

Go Canada Go! :yo:

1. Czech Republic (yes, an upset)
2. Canada
3. USA
4. Russia
5. Finland
6. Sweden
7. Slovakia
8. Switzerland

1. USA
2. Canada
3. Russia
4. Czech Rep.
5. Slovakia
6. Finland
7. Switzerland
8. Sweden
9. Austria
10. Ukraine

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

Goalie- Fleury
Dman- Suter
Forward- Ovechkin or Hudler

I wanna hear who will win and the top goalie, Def, and Forward, MVP.
I want it all, if some guys wont make the trip who will play instead....who will make team Canada? i want the top 6 finsihers and why you think they will win gold silver and bronze.

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

Top F - Ovechkin
Top D - Phaneuf
Top G - Fleury (no brainer)

1. Canada
2. Russia
3. Czech Republic
4. USA
5. Finland
6. Sweden
7. Switzerland
8. Slovakia
9. Austria
10. Ukraine

Gold- Canada
Silver- Russia
Bronze- U.S.A
4th- Sweden

Top Forward- Alexander Ovechkin
Top Defensemen- Dion Pheneuf
Top Goalie- Marc-Andre Fleury

You can change my list a bit. I think it'll be more like this:

1. Canada
2. Russia
3. U.S.A.
Here comes the change...
4. Czech Republic
5. Slovakia
6. Sweden
7. Finland

1. Canada
2. Russia
3. USA
4. Czech
5. Sweden
6. Slovakia
7. Finland
8. Ukraine :)
9. Austria
10. Switzerland

I can't wait to see Ukraine play Canada on TSN!!!

MVP>>> Fleury
Top Forward>>> Ovechkin
Top Defenceman>>> Coburn

1. USA (everyone available is playing - I think)
2. Canada (Fleury is a big boost)
3. Russia (no Semin or Zherdev hurts)
4. Czech Republic (good depth)
5. Sweden (questionable skill beyond top line)
6. Finland (see Sweden)


Semin will be playing ....

once again, big hype over the U.S. and they will once again fail to live up to it...

1. Canada
2. USA
3. Russia
4. Czech
5. Slovakia
6. Sweden
7. Finland
8. Austria :D
9. Ukraine
10. Switzerland

surprising underdogs ... hopefully!!

:handclap:

Russia offense will burries almost every team out there except the 'top 4' . I want another Russia - Canada final !!

1. Canada / Russia
3. USA
4. Finland
5. Slovakia
6. Czech
7. Sweden
8. Ukraine
9. Switzerland
10. Austria

Russia offense will burries almost every team out there except the 'top 4' . I want another Russia - Canada final !!

1. Canada / Russia
3. USA
4. Finland
5. Slovakia
6. Czech
7. Sweden
8. Ukraine
9. Switzerland
10. Austria


One thing about the Russians. So humble...

All I would say is Canada will have their youngest most inexperienced team in years so I feel concerned for this. And will White be 100 percent? Probably not. I am not expecting great success this year for Canada but I will still watch every game.

1. Russia (I sure hope not! :mad: I want Canada to win...)
2. :yo: Canada :yo: (Again, I hope they go one spot higher than this.)
3. Finland (home team, ya know--) :dunno:

Canada seems to be a little inexperienced this year... Oh well, I'm hoping they have a good tourny anyway. I left out USA just because (... argh! I'll think of a reason) and Czech (they like haven't won since Havlat's junior days, which is Quite a while ago).

I'll wait until the final rosters are out but right now I heavily favor Canada for gold this year.

USA
Canada
Russia
Czech
Finland
Switzerland
Sweden
Slovakia
Ukraine
Austria

USA
Canada
Russia
Czech
Finland
Switzerland
Sweden
Slovakia
Ukraine
Austria
Why the U.S? They don't even have a goalie...

Hmmmmm.....

I'm gonna say Finland cracks under the pressure, with that said this year Switzerland is cracking the top 7 :yo:

Well maybe not, but I'll predict...

Canada
Russia
USA
Czech. Rep.
Sweden
Finland
Switzerland
Slovakia
Austria
Ukraine

Czech Republic in an upset win over Canada for Gold
Finland beats Russia for Bronze
Switzerland finishes ahead of the US.

Does anyone else feel that, with the exception of maybe the Czech Republic and/or Sweden, these teams are noticably worse than the ones fielded last year (talking mostly about the big name countries of course)? I definitely think Russia, Canada, Finland, and the USA all had better squads last year, Finland being the most obvious example.

Does anyone else feel that, with the exception of maybe the Czech Republic and/or Sweden, these teams are noticably worse than the ones fielded last year (talking mostly about the big name countries of course)? I definitely think Russia, Canada, Finland, and the USA all had better squads last year, Finland being the most obvious example.

Many people said the same about Finland in 1998....they won Gold on home soil. No matter what kind of team the Fins have, never count them out at home.

Russia will always be competitive, and if the CHL vs. Russia series was any indication, Barulin is going to be among the tournament's best goaltenders....and if you have all-star goaltending, a team can get a lot farther than expected.

I may be slightly biased, but I think Canada is getting this rap because of only 3 returning players. Personally, I'm happy with Dion Phaneuf quarterbacking the defence...the forwards should be very strong and talented (*looks at Burns [NHL], Dawes, Getzlaf and Tambellini*...just to name a few). With this all said, the team is likely weaker on paper than last year's squad....but not by much at all.

Sweden's U20 program has been in trouble for a few years now. I think anything above a 6th or 7th place finish for them would be a great accomplishment.

The USA is very strong this year. If I am not mistaken, they have 10 players returning from a very competitive 2003 squad. This could very well be their tournament to lose.

But in the end, the biggest competition for Canada, and possibly even being favoured over Canada, is the Czech Republic. I can't wait for the round robin game.


All in all, I pick 5 teams with shots at medals...

Canada
Czech Republic
United States
Russia
Finland (by only reason of them hosting)

Does anyone else feel that, with the exception of maybe the Czech Republic and/or Sweden, these teams are noticably worse than the ones fielded last year (talking mostly about the big name countries of course)? I definitely think Russia, Canada, Finland, and the USA all had better squads last year, Finland being the most obvious example.




I think the only question mark for the U.S. is in goal, and really, wasn't that the case last year? Who knew Goepfert would go gonzo and play out of his mind? That's why I'm going to wait and give Montoya a chance to do the same. I think the U.S. has probably the best forward group, and probably the defense best suited to a tournament on international size ice. These guys are gunners.

Gold: Canada
Silver: Czech Republic
Bronze: Russia
4th: USA
5th: Finland
6th: Sweden
7th: Switzerland
8th: Slovakia
9th: Austria
10th: Ukraine

Why the U.S? They don't even have a goalie...
They dont have the best goalie but I think their goaltending will be good enough. They have a good defence and good forwards and they have a lot of returning players and thats why I picked them.

Does anyone else feel that, with the exception of maybe the Czech Republic and/or Sweden, these teams are noticably worse than the ones fielded last year (talking mostly about the big name countries of course)? I definitely think Russia, Canada, Finland, and the USA all had better squads last year, Finland being the most obvious example.

I agree Russia, Finland had better squads.

I think some people greatly underrate Canada. This is not only an equal squad to last year, I actually prefer this year. Lack of experience apart, I love the outlook of the team.

Not too familiar with the USA team last year but there are several good returnees from last year who have one year of experience under their belt.

1. Russia. (Nice goalie in Barulin. The strongest offence at the WJC - Ovechkin, Malkin, Krikunov, Mirnov, Shkotov. Defence is lacking of offensive upside. That's for sure, cause no Babchuk, no Pervyshin, and that's why no PP quaterback in Russian team - ********** head coach Ishmatov:shakehead . Defence is goin' to be shaky sometimes, but many of them have good experience in Superleague against tough and older players.)
2. Czech Republic. (Very good goalkeeper Marek Schwarts, second only to Fleury IMO. He's using glove in the left hand BTW. I'am very high on him. Seen him twice, at WJC-18 in Yaroslavl this yesr plus tournament in September in Tyumen. Very impressive :teach: . Some excellent players in attack - Hudler, Polak and Olezsh. Defence somehow in not so good, but we'll see)
3. Canada (The only great advantage is Fleury, but russians scored against him in the final last year. And team spirit is high as always, I think. Some good players, watched them in WJC-18 (Seabrook, Carter very nice) but not experienced and Crosby is only 16. No chance vs Ovechkin, remember Kovalchuk vs Spezza :yo: . )
4. Finland (Mediocre team but with good coaching stuff under Hannu Aravirta i expect suprises from them)
5. USA (Difficult to say, but i don't believe, really)
6. Slovakia (Good team but unpredictable, with a bit of luck can jump into semifinal)
7. Sweden
8. Switzerland

1. Russia. (Nice goalie in Barulin. The strongest offence at the WJC - Ovechkin, Malkin, Krikunov, Mirnov, Shkotov. Defence is lacking of offensive upside. That's for sure, cause no Babchuk, no Pervyshin, and that's why no PP quaterback in Russian team - ********** head coach Ishmatov:shakehead . Defence is goin' to be shaky sometimes, but many of them have good experience in Superleague against tough and older players.)
2. Czech Republic. (Very good goalkeeper Marek Schwarts, second only to Fleury IMO. He's using glove in the left hand BTW. I'am very high on him. Seen him twice, at WJC-18 in Yaroslavl this yesr plus tournament in September in Tyumen. Very impressive :teach: . Some excellent players in attack - Hudler, Polak and Olezsh. Defence somehow in not so good, but we'll see)
3. Canada (The only great advantage is Fleury, but russians scored against him in the final last year. And team spirit is high as always, I think. Some good players, watched them in WJC-18 (Seabrook, Carter very nice) but not experienced and Crosby is only 16. No chance vs Ovechkin, remember Kovalchuk vs Spezza :yo: . )
4. Finland (Mediocre team but with good coaching stuff under Hannu Aravirta i expect suprises from them)
5. USA (Difficult to say, but i don't believe, really)
6. Slovakia (Good team but unpredictable, with a bit of luck can jump into semifinal)
7. Sweden
8. Switzerland


I couldn't have said i better myself but also you forgot to mention another huge peice of the Russian pie.. Semin..err Semin in the pie sounds kind of nasty but you get the point. I imagine he'll be on the first line.

1. Russia
2. USA
3. Czech
4. Slovakia
5. Canada

Top Goalie: Konstantin Barulin (RUS) (In a perfect world, it would be Mykola Voroshnov from the Ukraine as the top goalie!)
Top Defenceman: Tobias Enstrom (SWE) or Dion Phaneuf (CAN)
Top Forward: Brent Burns (CAN)

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

Ovechkin-Malkin-Semin....Could domminate the NHL...

I couldn't have said i better myself but also you forgot to mention another huge peice of the Russian pie.. Semin..err Semin in the pie sounds kind of nasty but you get the point. I imagine he'll be on the first line.
Yeah, this is somehow fly away from mind :)
Semin is a great player, so the lose of Zherdev would be not so hurt for Russia.
Top goalie - Schwarts (Czh)
Top defender - Phaneuf (Can)
Top forward - Ovechkin (Rus)

1. Russia
2. USA
3. Canada
4. Czech Rep.

this year.. Canada looks like a weaker team than past years.. russia has stars, while finland and sweden looks pretty dead.. although i hate to say it.. but USA looks the strongest on paper...

1. Russia
2. USA
3. Czech
4. Slovakia
5. Canada

Top Goalie: Konstantin Barulin (RUS) (In a perfect world, it would be Mykola Voroshnov from the Ukraine as the top goalie!)
Top Defenceman: Tobias Enstrom (SWE) or Dion Phaneuf (CAN)
Top Forward: Brent Burns (CAN)

I'm suprised to see you having Slovakia so high up. IMO They are icing one of their weakest teams in years.

I'm suprised to see you having Slovakia so high up. IMO They are icing one of their weakest teams in years.

Indeed. If Slovakia ends up over Canada, pigs will fly.

Indeed. If Slovakia ends up over Canada, pigs will fly.
Or heads will roll :D

1-Canada
2-Usa
3-Russia

Top goalie:Fleury
Top foward:Ovechking
Top defense:Phaneuf

My objective prediction:


1) Canada
2) United States
3) Russia


I think goaltending will be the differance maker. If Montoya can play up to his potential, and Fluery falters a bit, the U.S. could nab gold. Same with Barulin and the Russian team.

Gold-U.S.A. (Its our time!)

Silver-Russia (explosive offense with great goaltending is a lethal mix)

Bronze-Finland (gritty finns always play well above their potential on home ice)

Canada will place fourth. They remind me alot of the U.S. team from last year, great young talent but I emphasize the word young, and this will be their undoing. Just as I predicted the U.S. will be the favorite for the gold medal in the 2004 tournament last year, I will also say the same about the Canadians for the 2005 tourney but the problem is that they will lose alot of 1985 to the NHL.

[QUOTE=Lord]1. Russia. (Nice goalie in Barulin. The strongest offence at the WJC - Ovechkin, Malkin, Krikunov, Mirnov, Shkotov. Defence is lacking of offensive upside. That's for sure, cause no Babchuk, no Pervyshin, and that's why no PP quaterback in Russian team - ********** head coach Ishmatov:shakehead . Defence is goin' to be shaky sometimes, but many of them have good experience in Superleague against tough and older players.)
2. Czech Republic. (Very good goalkeeper Marek Schwarts, second only to Fleury IMO. He's using glove in the left hand BTW. I'am very high on him. Seen him twice, at WJC-18 in Yaroslavl this yesr plus tournament in September in Tyumen. Very impressive :teach: . Some excellent players in attack - Hudler, Polak and Olezsh. Defence somehow in not so good, but we'll see)
3. Canada (The only great advantage is Fleury, but russians scored against him in the final last year. And team spirit is high as always, I think. Some good players, watched them in WJC-18 (Seabrook, Carter very nice) but not experienced and Crosby is only 16. No chance vs Ovechkin, remember Kovalchuk vs Spezza :yo: . )

Canada has the strongest goaltending and defence units in the tourney. Russia has the best offesive attack but they might not play as well as last year with big guys like coburn and phineuf patrolling the blue line. i think canada's offence is weaker that last year but i think the unit has a whole can do the job.

USA has alot of talent but they usually have good teams, its a mtter if they can put it all together. they always have that problem.

Russia is strong as usual but their Def was very good last year and it looks a little weak this year. their Off is amazing.

the czechs r unpredictable, they r similiar to the americans, they need to put it together.

Sweden and finland horrible compared to previous teams...i hope one of the weaker teams beat them...sweden only has steen

Gold-U.S.A. (Its our time!)

Silver-Russia (explosive offense with great goaltending is a lethal mix)

Bronze-Finland (gritty finns always play well above their potential on home ice)

Canada will place fourth. They remind me alot of the U.S. team from last year, great young talent but I emphasize the word young, and this will be their undoing. Just as I predicted the U.S. will be the favorite for the gold medal in the 2004 tournament last year, I will also say the same about the Canadians for the 2005 tourney but the problem is that they will lose alot of 1985 to the NHL.

Actually, if there is a lockout next season all the best juniors will be available.

Not only is Canada's team better than last years (far more talent, speed and size), but history (for Canada at least) has shown that inexperience is a non-factor.

Only 3 teams have been younger than this years, and those 3 all won Gold.

Canada seems to have a better overall size/speed ratio this year. There is no way they will not be in the hunt. Tambellini and Crosby will be very prominent. We will have to get used to tight games because the other teams have talent too. Durocher will be under scrutiny for his work in tight games.
USA - Much talent and if Montoya is ready to deliver then this team is right there. Really nice mix.
Russia- Wildcard, could be first , could be fifth. Weird politics on the blueline make slfe interesting.
Finland-Another wildcard, they will be systematic and wound up at home. A tough team but not a favorite.
Czechs. Now these guys pose a problem for anyone. There have been examples of cohesive Czech teams trapping the life out of teams and being successful. That could very well happen here. They will test canada's patience.
Sweden- They have been weak in the last few years but a return to form would not surprise me. If a goaltender emerges they will be in business. last years goaltending was well beyond putrid, some of the worst goaltending i've ever witnessed at this tournament.
Slovakia- Little impact, could be their weakest effort in years.
Switzerland. A team that scares many of the heavyweights. Usually full of verve and skill. If Stephan can play better than last year they can do damage.
Ukraine- I honestly have no real idea what they can do. The brightest note i can remember from them is Igor karpenko's play about 10 years ago. he was the top goalie in the tourney.
Austria. Not sure what system they will employ, not sure of the talent level. I really don't have a good handle on them and i really believe that Belarus and maybe Germany are better than both teams. I'm not a big fan of the automatic relegation. I would rather see the teams winning DIV1 play off against the relegated teams. We don't have the ten best teams in the world here,and i have no proof of that.

Hannu Toivonen is underrated...

I absolutely believe that the decision not to bring Schremp is going to come back and haunt this US team.

Man i wish Zherdev and Babchuk would play for Ukraine. Zherdev i think is ineligible, but Babchuk i think could play???? Anyways go Canada Go.

Man i wish Zherdev and Babchuk would play for Ukraine. Zherdev i think is ineligible, but Babchuk could play???? Anyways go Canada Go.

Zherdev already showed his allegiance to Team Russia playing with them in the WJC last year, so he can't play for any other team than Team Russia in the future, and I doubt that'll happen any time in the forseeable future.

Hello Hello Hello :)

Hello Hello Hello :)

Great. Now everybody will be reading this whole thread thinking it's predictions for this year instead of last year... putz.

Well they should take reading classes because half the dates clearly say 2003