Both statements apply to Russia in the last few years...you never know what you're gonna get. Hopefully the boys can come out with the same controlled aggression as they did against the U.S.
I actually thought the backpressure was even better against the US than in the 1st period tonight. Two really nice goals though so I can't complain. I'm not normally a fan of Carter Ashton but that was a perfectly placed shot with less than 15 seconds left.
If this is the tournament of small sample sizes and if I pretend to be a saw-him-good guy for a minute, Ryan Johansen and Tyson Barrie have been my favorite players of the tournament. I haven't seen Barrie make a bad decision once and R-Jo has been so consistent. Also, Couturier is roughly the same age as Hall was last year. Hall was pretty good but didn't dominate - can we even compare the two? It would be worrisome for the guy from the Q if we did.
Canada's development system has taken huge leaps forward over the past decade. Our players are just coached so much better than before.
I don't know if it's the improvement in coaches themselves, or just the easy availability of video, internet discussion (for coaches and players alike), or what.
I wonder if young players are given any fitness advice.
when I go watch midget games now I am stunned at the level of backcheck and puck support.
The kids coming up today have so many more years of system teaching than we are used to seeing.
Excellent.
No wonder MBS is sticking to the CHL, these guys can step in quickly.
I was among those who though 91 would be the most NHL ready, not the least. I underestimated how much the Canadian coaching gets them ready for the NHL.
Showerhead, Considering he was picked way above where he was rated, Columbus looks real smart taking Johansen now. I know I would take him over Couturier, just based on foot speed, balance, mobility.
Landeskog doesn't seem to have elite talent but he seems like the safest pick and brings something the other three don't: a serious physical presence. Could be a Bill Guerin type - not elite numbers, but provides the ugly goals and space for linemates.
It's why I wouldn't be averse to trading the pick for a really good defenceman or centre. 1st rounder + Penner for Malkin?
It's the coaching. You can see Team Canada has a different approach this year. They didn't allow the Americans to turn the game into a track meet.
Their positioning is wonderful for denying the centre of the ice and passing lanes, forcing teams into the boards. Dominating physically in a way that doesn't involve Bobby Clarke plays or penalties.
Plus, our power play has been firing at over 40%. This is the 28th power play we're on now. Our boys are frustrating teams.
//Also, Couturier is roughly the same age as Hall was last year. Hall was pretty good but didn't dominate - can we even compare the two? It would be worrisome for the guy from the Q if we did.//
Brayden Schenn was a year older than Couturier last year at the WJC, and was non-iimpactful.
Most 17-year olds don't make the team, like Seguin and RNH and are relatively non-impactful if they do. Couturier isn't Crosby,
But considering how awful Kadri, Schenn, and Nemicz were at centre last year, Seguin should have been on the team.
I'm officially in the trade Penner or Hemsky for Patrice Bergeron and draft Larsson camp. I'm tired of the hold at centre. With Pitlick, Hartikainen, Hamilton, Omark, Reddox as wingers in the system, trade one of the proven wingers for a proven centre.
godot: I definitely get your point about 17 year olds. I'm not sure if I stated it clearly but Sean Couturier is 18, with a late birthday, the same way Hall was 18 last year. Schenn (right now) has more than a year on Couturier now and Hall last year, so that plays to your point about age being significant.
Bergeron is a mid-twenties two-way R centre who can win faceoffs and PK signed for the next three years (though for a touch more than I would like), but not that much more than re-signing Penner would cost.
Boston can't score. They have Savard, Krejci, Seguin, and Marchand at centre without Bergeron. They are more of a now team than a futures team.
It will be easier to break in all Stu's wingers if the Oilers are solid at centre. Horcoff, Bergeron, and Gagner.
Boston's not trading Bergeron. He's arguably the best forward on the team and signed to an extension. Also keep on mind that Bergeron is easily moved to the wing if they do end up with a logjam at centre that they do NOT have right now.
The statement that Boston is a "win now" team is exactly why they keep him. Savard has struggled in his return, Seguin isn't really ready and Marchand isn't very good. Dealing Bergeron makes zero sense whatsoever.
godot10 said... Bergeron is a mid-twenties two-way R centre who can win faceoffs and PK signed for the next three years (though for a touch more than I would like), but not that much more than re-signing Penner would cost.
This is also ridiculous. Bergeron is signed at a cap hit of $5M/yr for his extension. There's no way Penner signs for less unless he has zero interest in hitting the market.
I watch quite a bit of Bruins games and agree with RQ. Bergeron is a very important player to the Bruins, haven't checked his difficulty of opponent but always seems to be playing the best from the other side.
Canadians stopped doing everything they had been doing for many periods.
I don't see Penner signing for more than $5M. I mean, sure, if you use Horcoff as a comparable, he'll make the max, but if you use Backes, Penner is right on par.
Wow, one of the worst periods i've seen a team play. 1 goal against and the puck is a hand grenade. A team that was making nothing but smart plays hasnt made one this period.
SK, the Russians have just as many excuses to stop skating too. They've played their tough games, their overtimes, they had to go through the 1/4 finals too.
They had heart and didn't quit, taking advantage of Canadian complacency and then our stupid attempts to hit rather than play well once the two goals came early in the third.
Bad Wojo said... I don't see Penner signing for more than $5M. I mean, sure, if you use Horcoff as a comparable, he'll make the max, but if you use Backes, Penner is right on par.
Penner already makes $4.25M/yr and his extension will be entirely UFA seasons. I believe Backes still had two RFA seasons under his extension, which doesn't mean as much as it once did but still deflates salary. There's no way Penner gets less than $5M/yr cap hit in his situation.
I hate to be THAT guy but that wasn't a one period collapse. Or at least it was, but Canada wasn't full value for the 3-0 lead either. They had scored, but they didn't have their legs all game.
Just my opinion. I almost went off earlier and instead said the back pressure was better against the USA.
godot10 said... I think Savard is untradeable. Seguin is a top two pick.
One of Krejci or Bergeron has to go, ultimately, eventually. I'd take whichever they would trade to me.
No, you're reading it totally wrong. Bergeron can play the wing, has played the wing on a regular basis throughout his career as a Bruin, and still takes some shifts on the wing now. FWIW, Seguin is playing a fair amount on the wing too.
Boston is trying to win hockey games - they have no reason to deal Bergeron. They don't even need to deal a centre.
It wouldn't be much of a rivalry if the other side didn't win once and a while, but DAMN that sucked. Our boys started running out of gas and then totally lost their composure. Very un-Canadian loss.
I don't think anyone lulls a team by spotting them 3 goals in a single-elimination tournament, hoping to come back with 20 minutes to play.
I'm sorry, but the fact is the Russians came back with a tonne of heart, didn't quit, and we were easing off the pedal to start the third. Then we tried playing CHL hockey. Once it was tied up, the Russians had the emotional swing going their way.
I'm proud of our kids, and I hope they learn from this day. Never let off the gas. Always respect your opponent.
Tarasenko only dropped so far as he did because of the "Russian factor". After Hall/Seguin and Fowler plummeting to 11th, it was the talk of the draft.
Never count on Mother Russia when there's gold on the line.
ReplyDeleteCount out, I mean. Well that's a good start to my posting day.
ReplyDeleteBoth statements apply to Russia in the last few years...you never know what you're gonna get. Hopefully the boys can come out with the same controlled aggression as they did against the U.S.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was:
ReplyDelete"Never get involved in a land war in Asia"
or possibly:
"Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!"
Either way, I'm in.
*sniffs*
ReplyDeleteIocane! I'd bet my life on it.
Haha you guys are gems. Off to my game watching chair - see you at the intermission!
ReplyDeleteIf Couturier was a race horse that shift would've been labelled 'tough trip'.
ReplyDeleteI wish the oiler PP bore some resemblance to this.
ReplyDeleteWow, laser by Ashton.
ReplyDeleteThese kids play a great brand of hockey.
They all back check like 7th year NHL vets.
That goal has to shake Shikin's confidence.
ReplyDeleteWas it Beer Shirt Day for anyone else today?
ReplyDeleteWG
ReplyDeletewhen I go watch midget games now I am stunned at the level of backcheck and puck support.
The kids coming up today have so many more years of system teaching than we are used to seeing.
I actually thought the backpressure was even better against the US than in the 1st period tonight. Two really nice goals though so I can't complain. I'm not normally a fan of Carter Ashton but that was a perfectly placed shot with less than 15 seconds left.
ReplyDeleteIf this is the tournament of small sample sizes and if I pretend to be a saw-him-good guy for a minute, Ryan Johansen and Tyson Barrie have been my favorite players of the tournament. I haven't seen Barrie make a bad decision once and R-Jo has been so consistent. Also, Couturier is roughly the same age as Hall was last year. Hall was pretty good but didn't dominate - can we even compare the two? It would be worrisome for the guy from the Q if we did.
Good comment, spoiler.
ReplyDeleteCanada's development system has taken huge leaps forward over the past decade. Our players are just coached so much better than before.
I don't know if it's the improvement in coaches themselves, or just the easy availability of video, internet discussion (for coaches and players alike), or what.
I wonder if young players are given any fitness advice.
Those L'Oreal commercials with Gerard Butler are annoying.
ReplyDeleteA silly product pitched by a fellow whose accent is difficult to uderstand.
WG
ReplyDeletewhen I go watch midget games now I am stunned at the level of backcheck and puck support.
The kids coming up today have so many more years of system teaching than we are used to seeing.
Excellent.
No wonder MBS is sticking to the CHL, these guys can step in quickly.
I was among those who though 91 would be the most NHL ready, not the least. I underestimated how much the Canadian coaching gets them ready for the NHL.
Hamilton went from causing havoc in front of the RUS net to being the back checker who broke up a play.
ReplyDeleteMy child's name is Stu regardless of sex.
Ellis just stood Kalinin up like nothing. Lifted him 4 inches off his feet on a stand-up shoulder check.
ReplyDeleteShowerhead,
ReplyDeleteConsidering he was picked way above where he was rated, Columbus looks real smart taking Johansen now. I know I would take him over Couturier, just based on foot speed, balance, mobility.
Yeah, Couturier vs RNH vs Larsson is such a tough choice, all three have weaknesses.
ReplyDeleteFoligno to SCHENN 3-0!
Schenn 1 point from tying the record?
Bad Wojo,
ReplyDeleteI think Landeskog has to be in that convo. Right now he would be my pick. Alfredsson with more jam.
Was that Ellis? Ouch. Man, this is a wonderful run for Team Canada. USA knocked them off a year ago and all you can do after that is answer the bell.
ReplyDeleteThey've answered. These kids are amazing.
Spoiler, I agree.
ReplyDeleteLandeskog doesn't seem to have elite talent but he seems like the safest pick and brings something the other three don't: a serious physical presence. Could be a Bill Guerin type - not elite numbers, but provides the ugly goals and space for linemates.
It's why I wouldn't be averse to trading the pick for a really good defenceman or centre. 1st rounder + Penner for Malkin?
LT,
ReplyDeleteIt's the coaching. You can see Team Canada has a different approach this year. They didn't allow the Americans to turn the game into a track meet.
Their positioning is wonderful for denying the centre of the ice and passing lanes, forcing teams into the boards. Dominating physically in a way that doesn't involve Bobby Clarke plays or penalties.
Plus, our power play has been firing at over 40%. This is the 28th power play we're on now. Our boys are frustrating teams.
Prendergast is the difference.
ReplyDeleteBwahahahaha.
Schenn's vision is much better than I had thought it was.
ReplyDeleteSpoiler, you mean that pass from the corner to Ellis on the blue?
ReplyDelete//Also, Couturier is roughly the same age as Hall was last year. Hall was pretty good but didn't dominate - can we even compare the two? It would be worrisome for the guy from the Q if we did.//
ReplyDeleteBrayden Schenn was a year older than Couturier last year at the WJC, and was non-iimpactful.
Most 17-year olds don't make the team, like Seguin and RNH and are relatively non-impactful if they do.
Couturier isn't Crosby,
But considering how awful Kadri, Schenn, and Nemicz were at centre last year, Seguin should have been on the team.
I'm officially in the trade Penner or Hemsky for Patrice Bergeron and draft Larsson camp. I'm tired of the hold at centre. With Pitlick, Hartikainen, Hamilton, Omark, Reddox as wingers in the system, trade one of the proven wingers for a proven centre.
Horcoff, Bergeron, Gagner, Lander, Foster
Its was Pendergrast's dream.
ReplyDeleteGot to pick the most talented big men available.
Its like he got to pick his own personal 1st round.
Pitlick is a centre, isn't he?
ReplyDeleteGodot,
ReplyDeleteWhy Bergeron?
On a completely unrelated note, but important because of so much confusion on the subject:
ReplyDeletehttp://edition.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/01/05/autism.vaccines/index.html?hpt=T1
The study linking vaccines with autism is a fraud. Details in link.
godot: I definitely get your point about 17 year olds. I'm not sure if I stated it clearly but Sean Couturier is 18, with a late birthday, the same way Hall was 18 last year. Schenn (right now) has more than a year on Couturier now and Hall last year, so that plays to your point about age being significant.
ReplyDeleteBergeron is a mid-twenties two-way R centre who can win faceoffs and PK signed for the next three years (though for a touch more than I would like), but not that much more than re-signing Penner would cost.
ReplyDeleteBoston can't score. They have Savard, Krejci, Seguin, and Marchand at centre without Bergeron. They are more of a now team than a futures team.
It will be easier to break in all Stu's wingers if the Oilers are solid at centre. Horcoff, Bergeron, and Gagner.
godot - good stuff.
ReplyDeleteBad Wojo,
ReplyDeleteThat was one of 3-4 passes this game and several this tournament for Schenn.
And I'm hoping your nick is a Barney Miller reference.
Looks like a game is breaking out.
ReplyDeleteCanada has been sitting back in the 3rd, they better turn it on.
Sadly, no, I'm not familiar with Barney Miller.
ReplyDeleteIt's a play on my name and the phrase "bad mojo". :)
Reminds me off WCs from a couple of years ago, FFS.
ReplyDeleteI did a quick google though, and I am Polish, and my name does start with a W and ends with a "wicz" :)
ReplyDeleteOK... time out aaaaany time now, Coach Cameron.
ReplyDeleteRoy to save the day soon? Hehe
ReplyDeletethey've been sitting back since their PPs in the second. They look tired.
ReplyDeleteRussia scores twice in 13 seconds.
ReplyDeleteLovely.
I hate one sided deals. Love suspense. I don't really care who wins as long as it's a good game.
I don't trust the Russian netminder with the fancy coloured mask and the CHL creds.
ReplyDeleteuuuuuuughh... Tarasenko.
ReplyDeleteDammit.
What a beautiful sequence there by Kuznetzov.
ReplyDeleteHe just looks like he's a gear over the other guys.
Yeah, good job Cameron, call the timeout AFTER the tying goal =/
ReplyDeleteUh oh.
ReplyDeleteRUS has owned CAN this period.
Why have the Canadians stopped skating?
I guess Taresenko wasn't dead afterall?
ReplyDeleteCowan = Smid on that one.
They've stopped skating. They're in trouble.
Boston's not trading Bergeron. He's arguably the best forward on the team and signed to an extension. Also keep on mind that Bergeron is easily moved to the wing if they do end up with a logjam at centre that they do NOT have right now.
ReplyDeleteThe statement that Boston is a "win now" team is exactly why they keep him. Savard has struggled in his return, Seguin isn't really ready and Marchand isn't very good. Dealing Bergeron makes zero sense whatsoever.
Jeez. If that's a penalty for delaying the game than that's interference on Johansen.
ReplyDeleteI wish we'd stop hitting and start positioning.
ReplyDeletegodot10 said...
ReplyDeleteBergeron is a mid-twenties two-way R centre who can win faceoffs and PK signed for the next three years (though for a touch more than I would like), but not that much more than re-signing Penner would cost.
This is also ridiculous. Bergeron is signed at a cap hit of $5M/yr for his extension. There's no way Penner signs for less unless he has zero interest in hitting the market.
Where the fuck is the crowd?
ReplyDeleteI watch quite a bit of Bruins games and agree with RQ. Bergeron is a very important player to the Bruins, haven't checked his difficulty of opponent but always seems to be playing the best from the other side.
ReplyDeleteCanadians stopped doing everything they had been doing for many periods.
It's a track meet now.
I don't see Penner signing for more than $5M. I mean, sure, if you use Horcoff as a comparable, he'll make the max, but if you use Backes, Penner is right on par.
ReplyDeleteC'mon... pull out a win. Somebody find their inner Eberle.
ReplyDeleteShit.
ReplyDeleteBetter put in Eberle.
Canadians are out of gas. Long tourney.
ReplyDelete3 huge come backs by RUS.
ReplyDeleteThey should be very proud.
Tarasenko is a player. Fantastic player in the tourney.
Russians haven't had a shorter tournament either.
ReplyDeleteCanada just got complacent. Oiler hockey, 2010-2011 edition.
Let's see if they have an Oiler comeback in them.
Full marks to RUS.
ReplyDeleteThey earned it.
I think Savard is untradeable. Seguin is a top two pick.
ReplyDeleteOne of Krejci or Bergeron has to go, ultimately, eventually. I'd take whichever they would trade to me.
Wow, one of the worst periods i've seen a team play. 1 goal against and the puck is a hand grenade. A team that was making nothing but smart plays hasnt made one this period.
ReplyDeleteComplacent doesn't explain stopping skating 1/2 way through the game. They're dead.
ReplyDelete5 goals in a period is an epic collapse.
ReplyDeleteI had to click off my TSN feed after that.
So, Islanders tomorrow. A chance to bust the slump or a chance for Rob Schremp to kill us?
I wish Visentin started the tourney and faltered instead of Roy. Roy looks to be the better goalie.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the Ruskies to belt out their anthem now. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteSK, the Russians have just as many excuses to stop skating too. They've played their tough games, their overtimes, they had to go through the 1/4 finals too.
ReplyDeleteThey had heart and didn't quit, taking advantage of Canadian complacency and then our stupid attempts to hit rather than play well once the two goals came early in the third.
Canada totally collapses in the third. OUCH.
ReplyDeleteGotta give the Russians credit.
I turned the game off after the third goal and flipped back when it was 3-2. I thought it was gonna be a blowout.
Bad Wojo said...
ReplyDeleteI don't see Penner signing for more than $5M. I mean, sure, if you use Horcoff as a comparable, he'll make the max, but if you use Backes, Penner is right on par.
Penner already makes $4.25M/yr and his extension will be entirely UFA seasons. I believe Backes still had two RFA seasons under his extension, which doesn't mean as much as it once did but still deflates salary. There's no way Penner gets less than $5M/yr cap hit in his situation.
I hate to be THAT guy but that wasn't a one period collapse. Or at least it was, but Canada wasn't full value for the 3-0 lead either. They had scored, but they didn't have their legs all game.
ReplyDeleteJust my opinion. I almost went off earlier and instead said the back pressure was better against the USA.
Fuck.
Fucking hell.
That has to be the most painful post-game ceremony in any sport whatsoever for the loosers.
ReplyDeleteI always forget how damn LONG it is.
godot10 said...
ReplyDeleteI think Savard is untradeable. Seguin is a top two pick.
One of Krejci or Bergeron has to go, ultimately, eventually. I'd take whichever they would trade to me.
No, you're reading it totally wrong. Bergeron can play the wing, has played the wing on a regular basis throughout his career as a Bruin, and still takes some shifts on the wing now. FWIW, Seguin is playing a fair amount on the wing too.
Boston is trying to win hockey games - they have no reason to deal Bergeron. They don't even need to deal a centre.
Russians played a lull you to sleep then attack game. Keeps them fresher for the 3rd.
ReplyDeleteThis collapse started in the 2nd period during their PPs. Stopped moving their feet and couldn't turn it back on.
It wouldn't be much of a rivalry if the other side didn't win once and a while, but DAMN that sucked. Our boys started running out of gas and then totally lost their composure. Very un-Canadian loss.
ReplyDeleteMan everything came home to roost in a heartbeat. They were a different team in the 3rd but credit to the children of Russia.
ReplyDeleteCan't sing a note, but they can play the game.
Homely lookin bunch of kids aren't they?
ReplyDeletePretty funny that the player of the game is a backup in the OHL and has sucked so far.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone lulls a team by spotting them 3 goals in a single-elimination tournament, hoping to come back with 20 minutes to play.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but the fact is the Russians came back with a tonne of heart, didn't quit, and we were easing off the pedal to start the third. Then we tried playing CHL hockey. Once it was tied up, the Russians had the emotional swing going their way.
I'm proud of our kids, and I hope they learn from this day. Never let off the gas. Always respect your opponent.
LT:
ReplyDeleteTrading in for Fowler last year would have been nice, but Tarasenko looks like he wouldn't have hurt either.
I'm pretty sure, from the interviews I heard/read, that MacGregor liked Kuznetsov, but they weren't in a spot to draft him either.
Speeds: Well they could have traded up from that N31 spot.
ReplyDeleteI've rooter for Tarasenko all draft. Kid has insane numbers on draft year.
Tarasenko only dropped so far as he did because of the "Russian factor". After Hall/Seguin and Fowler plummeting to 11th, it was the talk of the draft.
ReplyDeleteRyan Ellis just admitted the team thought they had it won and stopped working, skating, hitting, etc. At least they're being honest about it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ryan Ellis.
ReplyDeleteLearn from that.
It's a bitter pill to swallow, but it's a good lesson.
Obviously the Russians don't plan on getting down by 3 goals, but the Russians are notorious for being slow starters in games and tourneys in general.
ReplyDeleteThey can play 10 - 20 minutes out of 60 and still win it. When they flip the switch look out.
Proud of our boys as well, not many thought they'd be in the final game, but the legs were gone half way through.
SK, yeah, the Russians start slow.
ReplyDeleteBut ultimately it's as Ryan Ellis admitted and several of us posted here: they thought they had it won and got complacent.
Anyway, I'm repeating myself here, and I apologize for that.
if the oil change is correct, the oil had a chance to johanssen if they were willing to give up eberle.
ReplyDeletei think those will be interesting careers to watch.
I'll take my Jordan Eberle, thankyouverymuch. The chemistry he and Hall have is great.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if young players are given any fitness advice.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely they are. A lot of it's even good advice these days. ;)
When the Russians took the lead did Johanssen score anything to win them the game??? Kidding kinda but Eberle is clutch and one hell of a talent.
ReplyDeleteReading all the comments today from media and fans illustrate all the reasons why I stopped closely following this tourney.
ReplyDeleteDoogie,
ReplyDeleteIf you saw Oil Change part 4, and saw what Hall and Eberle were eating and where, you'd wonder about that like I do haha.
Dennis, that's rather vague.
ReplyDelete