U18 World Championship tournament

[fungchen3]

Aside from the juggernauts Hughes+Lafreniere, I'm really liking the play of Oliver Wahlstrom and Ty Smith. Also, not sure how they can say Ryan Merkley is legit 5-11, 170. Must be in skates, if not standing on a box. He looks like he's 5-8, 150 pounds on the ice. He's tiny - like a bantam player out there.

[lucafen4]

Aside from the juggernauts Hughes+Lafreniere, I'm really liking the play of Oliver Wahlstrom and Ty Smith. Also, not sure how they can say Ryan Merkley is legit 5-11, 170. Must be in skates, if not standing on a box. He looks like he's 5-8, 150 pounds on the ice. He's tiny - like a bantam player out there.

hunchback?

[Jouko-Pouko]

Aside from the juggernauts Hughes+Lafreniere, I'm really liking the play of Oliver Wahlstrom and Ty Smith. Also, not sure how they can say Ryan Merkley is legit 5-11, 170. Must be in skates, if not standing on a box. He looks like he's 5-8, 150 pounds on the ice. He's tiny - like a bantam player out there.

I've been sort of disappointed with Smith in this tournament but I guess my expectations were a bit high.

Maybe Merkley just looks small because he's playing with Bahl?

[fungchen3]

I've been sort of disappointed with Smith in this tournament but I guess my expectations were a bit high.

Really? What I like about Smith is how quickly he moves the puck when it's on his stick. He's showing decision making speed that you need in the NHL. Maybe that's the thing I'm most impressed with. He hasn't been an offensive stud or anything, but I like his positioning, poise and timing.

[Jouko-Pouko]

Really? What I like about Smith is how quickly he moves the puck when it's on his stick. He's showing decision making speed that you need in the NHL. Maybe that's the thing I'm most impressed with. He hasn't been an offensive stud or anything, but I like his positioning, poise and timing.

As said, my expectations were just higher for him. I've liked a lot of things I've seen from him in this tournament but I expected him to dominate. He's made too many mistakes with the puck as well.

[Jouko-Pouko]

Scoring leaders at the U18 Worlds after the preliminary round.



SOG leaders at the U18 Worlds after the preliminary round.



Quarter-final match-ups are:
CAN/CZE
FIN/BLR
SWE/SVK
RUS/USA

[butch]

the Wahlstrom kid looks big enough to handle the nhl right out of the draft

[jman]

I'm going to ask what's probably a stupid question... ho is Maxim Cajkovic?? When is he draft eligible?

[SensArmy93]

I'm going to ask what's probably a stupid question... ho is Maxim Cajkovic?? When is he draft eligible?

He is eligible for the 2019 Draft. Plays junior in Sweden. Broke Gaborik's U18 point record.

I'm sure J-P can give a little more insight than that though

[lucafen4]

He is eligible for the 2019 Draft. Plays junior in Sweden. Broke Gaborik's U18 point record.

I'm sure J-P can give a little more insight than that though

I've read he would be in the top 15 of the '19 draft at least.. he's got a decision to make this summer - CHL or Sweden and work his way to the SEL... and mention of Allsvenstan

[SensArmy93]

I've read he would be in the top 15 of the '19 draft at least.. he's got a decision to make this summer - CHL or Sweden and work his way to the SEL... and mention of Allsvenstan

Comparing him to another Czech player who played in Sweden, David Pastrnak, it looks like they have similar point production there. It would probably depend who selects him in the CHL Import Draft, but Sweden seems like a good spot to stay.

*I have not seen Cajkovic play, so I don't know how he compares style-wise to Pasta*

[Jouko-Pouko]

I'm going to ask what's probably a stupid question... ho is Maxim Cajkovic?? When is he draft eligible?

He is eligible for the 2019 Draft. Plays junior in Sweden. Broke Gaborik's U18 point record.

I'm sure J-P can give a little more insight than that though

Dynamic offensive winger. I was very impressed by him in the game against Finland. I'm going to re-watch that game after the tournament and I might write some sort of article at DobberProspects about the U18s next week as well... Depending on my schedule, can't promise anything yet.

Obviously he scored 5 points against France which puts him at the top but he's had the other six points in games against Finland (2), Czech Republic (3) and Russia (1), so it's not like he's just scored against easy opponents either. Slovakia has been surprisingly good in this tournament, and Cajkovic is a big reason why. Hasn't been held pointless in any of the games.

I really hope he stays in Sweden next season so that I can watch him throughout the season.

[reggiebarnes]

Comparing him to another Czech player who played in Sweden, David Pastrnak, it looks like they have similar point production there. It would probably depend who selects him in the CHL Import Draft, but Sweden seems like a good spot to stay.

*I have not seen Cajkovic play, so I don't know how he compares style-wise to Pasta*

hes Slovak not Czech

[SensArmy93]

hes Slovak not Czech

Yeah I mixed that part up. Still similar players with similar paths from what I’ve read.

[PenguinHunter]

hes Slovak not Czech

Isn't it Czechoslovakia?

Either way... it is impressive that he is leading the tournament in scoring