OK, fine... the 2013 WJHC thread

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it was the .93 PPG average and his success on the power play that earned him that invite. I agree Pouliot has much to learn about his defensive game, but the kid is excellent at seeing the ice with the puck on his stick.

And RNH has no business being in this tournament. He started half the season in the NHL last year.

RNH is the same age as all the guys who were taken in the 2011 draft. He has every right to play in the tournament. If he wasn't in the NHL last year he would have been playing in the WHL because he's too young for the AHL.

 

[evolver115]

RNH is the same age as all the guys who were taken in the 2011 draft. He has every right to play in the tournament. If he wasn't in the NHL last year he would have been playing in the WHL because he's too young for the AHL.

Age is about the only thing he has in common.

I just find it questionable that a player who is talented enough to play in the most elite league in his profession will also be allowed back into a junior tournament. Sounds like an unfair advantage.

 

[dash]

USA premilinary roster has been released (Three Flames prospects invited to camp).

http://usahockey.cachefly.net/Media/WJC/2013/2013_WJC_PreliminaryRoster.pdf

/Gaudreau is a lock to make the team, Seiloff will get a long look...

 

[awaz]

flyers prospect shayne gostisbehere i expect will make the team.. he's been a force offensively (as a dman) for union so far this season

 

[dash]

Also neat to see that former Flames player Phil Housley is head coach of Team USA.

/Housley should be in the Hockey Hall of Fame (maybe one day)

 

[evolver115]

Nice to see Trocheck get an invite. He is a local kid, and Upper St. Clair grad.

 

[dash]

I just find it questionable that a player who is talented enough to play in the most elite league in his profession will also be allowed back into a junior tournament. Sounds like an unfair advantage.

Yeah, but you could probably make the same case for Schiefele and Strome as well (at worst, they'd be playing for the AHL affliates of the Jets and Isles). The tourney in 2005 in North Dakota had several Canadian stars (including Crosby, Bergeron, and Jeff Carter) while Russia had Ovechkin and Malkin that wouldn't have been there if the NHL had been playing. It's the one positive of a NHL lockout.

 

[evolver115]

Yeah, but you could probably make the same case for Schiefele and Strome as well (at worst, they'd be playing for the AHL affliates of the Jets and Isles). The tourney in 2005 in North Dakota had several Canadian stars (including Crosby, Bergeron, and Jeff Carter) while Russia had Ovechkin and Malkin that wouldn't have been there if the NHL had been playing. It's the one positive of a NHL lockout.

I just find it unfair is all. RNH started 70% of an NHL season, last year. It's not like he was a 'on the cusp' type rookie, who they brought up for a cup of coffee. If he were, i could see the value of him playing a junior tournament.

 

[puckhead]

I just find it unfair is all. RNH started 70% of an NHL season, last year. It's not like he was a 'on the cusp' type rookie, who they brought up for a cup of coffee. If he were, i could see the value of him playing a junior tournament.

meh. If Landeskog was a couple of months younger he would have been eligible for Sweden as well.
it's a U20 tournament - if you are U20, you qualify.

and on a tangent, if RNH was on any other team, he probably would have spent another year in junior - not for skill development, but to allow his some time to bulk up.
I do recall a lot of concern that he was going to get killed, despite his skill (I think he was listed at 165 or 170 lbs going into his rookie year, and that was probably generous). wouldn't you know it, he missed 20 games with a shoulder injury when he got crushed by a grown man.

 

[evolver115]

Just stating my opinion.

I'm not surprised you Canadians are supporting him being on the squad. He's your ringer

 

[puckhead]

Just stating my opinion.

I'm not surprised you Canadians are supporting him being on the squad. He's your ringer

yeah, I have to admit the lockout makes our squad REALLY strong. RNH is a part of that, but Huberdeau Scheifele and Strome are also a big step above anyone else in the tourney. The defensive talent is also pretty insane.

Sweden is the other team that could benefit.
8 of the top 12 drafted players from 2011 class were Canadian, the other four were from Sweden.


but in terms of it being unfair, I disagree no matter who benefits.
This isn't an 'amateur' tournament, it is just an age restricted tournament.
Hell, your best player (Galenychuk) would probably be in MTL this year, too

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

yeah, I have to admit the lockout makes our squad REALLY strong. RNH is a part of that, but Huberdeau Scheifele and Strome are also a big step above anyone else in the tourney. The defensive talent is also pretty insane.

Sweden is the other team that could benefit.
8 of the top 12 drafted players from 2011 class were Canadian, the other four were from Sweden.


but in terms of it being unfair, I disagree no matter who benefits.
This isn't an 'amateur' tournament, it is just an age restricted tournament.
Hell, your best player (Galenychuk) would probably be in MTL this year, too

Russia will have Yakupov & Grigorenko. This tourney is going to be a lot of fun to watch.

 

[dash]

Of course, if RNH's shoulder turns out to be wonky, this could all be moot...

Edit: Update from Bobby Mac

TSNBobMcKenzie: RNH update: No shoulder "injury" per se but will stay in EDM this week to have it strengthened/treated. Final decision on WJC by weekend.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Of course, if RNH's shoulder turns out to be wonky, this could all be moot...

Edit: Update from Bobby Mac

TSNBobMcKenzie: RNH update: No shoulder "injury" per se but will stay in EDM this week to have it strengthened/treated. Final decision on WJC by weekend.

It wouldn't be the end of the world if RNH couldn't play. Boone Jenner & that MacKinnon kid are pretty good too.

 

[juliansteed]

To qualify for the tournament, you need to be under 20. RNH is so I fail to see the logic behind saying that it's unfair that he or anyone else under 20 is eligible to play, regardless of what country they come from. This isn't some recreational league. There is no such thing as "too good for this tournament", only "not good enough". It's intended to be the best under 20 players in the world competing in this tournament. The problem is that the best aren't always available. If anything is unfair as it relates to this tournament, it's that in normal years, countries are not able to send all of their best because they are playing in the NHL.

I question whether or not RNH should play in the tournament but not because I think it's unfair and certainly not because I don't think Canada should take him. I just wasn't sure I really saw the benefit for the Oilers organization (including their AHL team) and to his development in allowing him to play.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Just stating my opinion.

I'm not surprised you Canadians are supporting him being on the squad. He's your ringer

When the US produces a player who's under 20 and good enough for the NHL we'll be sure to let him play.

:ss:

 

[dash]

Heck Kenny, the best US player spent his formative hockey years in Russia and now plays junior hockey in Canada.

:ss:

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Heck Kenny, the best US player spent his formative hockey years in Russia and now plays junior hockey in Canada.

:ss:

 

[juliansteed]

When the US produces a player who's under 20 and good enough for the NHL we'll be sure to let him play.

:ss:

I believe an American was the 1st to disagree with him in this thread (maybe 2nd), and if you look on TSN.ca (mostly Canadian posters) there are a handfull who share his point of view that appear to be Canadian. They say that "someone else should get a shot". It's probably mostly people who are afraid that 1 of their guys will get cut. i.e. Halifax Mooseheads fans worried that that 1 or both of their dynamic duo of 17 year olds won't make it. So even though it might appear to be a Canada vs US thing I think it's mostly just differences in opinion. I totally agree with you. Anyone who is both eligible and available should be playing in this tournament if they are good enough, regardless of what country they are from.

 

[dash]

If I'm not mistaken, this will be the first time RNH will play for Canada at the WJHC (provided he's healthy enough)