WJC goalies for Canada/Sweden/Russia

[horrorfan]

I don't really know anything about the junior players but reading a bit about it now and wondering about the goaltending situation for Canada, Sweden and Russia this WJC. Anyone you feel has an advantage or will the decision on whom will start come down to the final day(s) before it starts?

[Fast Tony DeNiro]

Canada and Russia seem pretty set, with Subban and Vasilevskiy starting respectively. Garrett Sparks will be a good backup for Canada as he's probably capable of taking over if need be, but I don't see him taking the job from Subban to open the tournament. Makarov is in the same vein for Russia.....Vas is pretty secure in his starting spot but Makarov will be there if he's needed.

Sweden is a little more up in the air. Dansk is the favorite and will probably get the job, but the Swedes do have two older goalies that he'll have to compete with.

[Rajiabu]

Didnt Makarov beat out Vas to play the lions share of the games in the Canada - Russia challenge

[watchingthegame]

Originally Posted by Fast Tony DeNiro

Canada and Russia seem pretty set, with Subban and Vasilevskiy starting respectively. Garrett Sparks will be a good backup for Canada as he's probably capable of taking over if need be, but I don't see him taking the job from Subban to open the tournament. Makarov is in the same vein for Russia.....Vas is pretty secure in his starting spot but Makarov will be there if he's needed.

Sweden is a little more up in the air. Dansk is the favorite and will probably get the job, but the Swedes do have two older goalies that he'll have to compete with.

Sparks is the backup to Gibson of Team USA. Gibson is the clear #1 goalie for USA.

Binnington is the other Canadian goalie. Coming into the camp, Subban was seen as the default starter, but following a very poor camp, and a less than impressive appearance in the pre-tournament game, there are major questions as to whether he or Binnington will get the start. I think the game tomorrow will be huge in determining this. If Binnington has a great outing, I would not be surprised at all for him to get the starter's role.

From what I've heard, Dansk is the third option for Sweden, and the other two are very close in the race for the starter's job (Lundstrom and Lassinantti).

I think you're correct in terms of Russia. Vasilevski is the starter there, but they won't wait long to give Makarov a shot if Vasilevski falters.

[horrorfan]

Thanks guys! Some mixed opinions - clears some things up but still a lot to be decided. It should be an interesting next few days.

[Axeman33]

Subban hasnt done much to instill confidence with his camp play and his only pre-tourney game. Granted, 2 of the 3 goals he gave up were when they were down 5 on 3. It was the game winner that was weak. I think Binnington can take over the starter role with a solid start today vs SWE.

As far as Russia goes, as mentioned earlier, Vasilevski will be the initial starter but Makarov has shown last year as well as in the Super Series this summer that he can easily take over the starter role and run with it. Again, this one is far from written in stone.

Sweden will start the tourney with Dansk as their number one but again, Niklas Lundstrom is a capable backup. He played against the US in the pre-tourney game the other day and looked really good.


Out of the three teams asked about, Canada is the one team with the biggest question mark right now. That being said, all three teams could easily end up with a different starter at the end of the tourney compared to what they started with.

[Axeman33]

And after typing that last post, I watch Canada vs Sweden and Oscar Dansk is on the bench, again. This doesnt bode well for him starting for Sweden. You would have to think they would have gone with him in this game if they had considered him to be their starter for the tourney.

I dont think he is the #1 for Sweden heading into the tourney. Not sure exactly who is to be honest. Todays goalie for Sweden, Joel Lassinantti has looked really good. Binnington has played really good for Canada today too. If he isnt starting on Boxing day for Canada, I will be quite surprised.

[blayze]

We (Canada) have a pretty solid team this year, but as usual, I worry about our goaltending... that will be our Achilles heal

[Fast Tony DeNiro]

Originally Posted by watchingthegame

Sparks is the backup to Gibson of Team USA. Gibson is the clear #1 goalie for USA.

Whoaaaaa don't know what I was thinking.....and that folks is how you lose all of your credibility. Don't mind me horrorfan I'll slink away quietly.