WJC discussion

[Axeman33]

Really looking forward to this years WJC but then again, I look forward to it every year.

It's about this time I start trying to piece together rosters for teams, looking at who's doing what. Man that American team looks filthy and that's without Cooley or LHughes on it this year.

Here's an article from a couple days ago talking about the upcoming potential roster for the US. There's a LOT of really good players potentially on the outside looking in.

https://www.flohockey.tv/articles/11...s-bubble-watch

Potential roster for US:

Forwards
Cutter Gauthier – James Hagens – Jimmy Snuggerud

Gabe Perreault – Will Smith – Ryan Leonard

Rutger McGroarty* – Frank Nazar – Gavin Brindley

Oliver Moore – Charlie Stramel – Gavin Hayes

Cole Eiserman – Danny Nelson

Defense
Lane Hutson – Ryan Chesley

Drew Fortescue – Seamus Casey

Zeev Buium – Hunter Brzustewicz

Eric Pohlkamp – Sam Rinzel

Goalies
Trey Augustine

Jacob Fowler

Andrew Oke



Not going to lie, I am not sure Canada is going to be as strong this year, but who knows. Defense looks strong but as usual, goaltending is suspect and the offense will have some holes.

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/wh...ould-look-like

Potential Canadian lineup:

Zach Benson (BUF) – Conor Geekie (ARI) – Matthew Savoie (BUF)
Brayden Yager (PIT) – Macklin Celebrini (2024) – Jordan Dumais (CBJ)
Jagger Firkus (SEA) – Riley Heidt (MIN) – Carson Rehkopf (SEA)
Fraser Minten (TOR) – Owen Beck (MTL) – Easton Cowan (TOR)
Nate Danielson (DET)

Denton Mateychuk (CBJ) – Tristan Luneau (ANA)
Owen Pickering (PIT) – Maveric Lamoureux (ARI)
Tanner Moldenyk (NSH) – Michael Buchinger (STL)
Noah Warren (ANA)

Mathis Rousseau (2024)
Domenic DiVincentiis (WPG)
Scott Ratzlaff (BUF)

Rousseau has been awesome for the Moose this year but he's not even drafted yet. Not sure they give him the crease but he will get his shot to earn it.
I will be surprised if Buffalo lets Benson go, but who knows.


I havent started to look at the European teams yet but I do like the US team from what I am seeing.

[2014olympicgold]

Canada's Schedule (time is EST):
Canada vs Finland - Dec26, 8:30am
Canada vs Latvia - Dec27, 1:30pm
Canada vs Sweden - Dec29, 1:30pm
Canada vs Germany - Dec31, 1:30pm

From what I read Sweden is deep regardless if Carlsson is on the team, and Finland is top heavy.

[PenguinHunter]

Wow... USA looks stacked up front.

Their D, not as strong... but wow... that forward group could be amazing for them this year.

[metaldude26]

Joakim Kemell's got a chance to play in his fourth WJC for Finland, so he'll bring some fire power. I wonder if he goes the Shane Wright route, and focuses more on sticking with the pros in the AHL than attending another tournament.

Sweden looks deep with a bunch of returning defensemen and forwards, and first rounders all over the lineup. Ostlund, Ohgren, Lekkerimaki underwhelmed last year but I wonder if they bring it as 19-year-olds.

USA does look stacked.

Canada is still coming in as the early betting favourite to win at +135, while the USA and Sweden are tied at +300. Not sure I'd buy on Canada even if they were more underdogs. USA and Sweden seem like the best options.

[Axeman33]

That Perreault - Smith - Leonard line is ripping up the US College scene early on so far for BC. I can see why they'd want to keep them all together.

[random-d]

This is the speculative Finnish roster from people who seem to know alot more about it than I do.


Jani Nyman - Konsta Helenius - Joakim Kemell(C)
Aleksanteri Kaskimäki(A) - Oiva Keskinen - Lenni Hämeenaho
Rasmus Kumpulainen - Jere Lassila - Emil Hemming
Max Koskipirtti - Tom Leppä - Samu Bau
Kasper Halttunen

Arttu Kärki - Otto Salin
Emil Pieniniemi - Veeti Väisänen
Kalle Kangas - Kasper Kulonummi(A)
Jesse Pulkkinen

Niklas Kokko
Eemil Vinni
Visa Vedenpää

The general consensus seems to be that the defense is weak in their own end and they're light on scoring depth

[Axeman33]

This is the speculative Finnish roster from people who seem to know alot more about it than I do.


Jani Nyman - Konsta Helenius - Joakim Kemell(C)
Aleksanteri Kaskimäki(A) - Oiva Keskinen - Lenni Hämeenaho
Rasmus Kumpulainen - Jere Lassila - Emil Hemming
Max Koskipirtti - Tom Leppä - Samu Bau
Kasper Halttunen

Arttu Kärki - Otto Salin
Emil Pieniniemi - Veeti Väisänen
Kalle Kangas - Kasper Kulonummi(A)
Jesse Pulkkinen

Niklas Kokko
Eemil Vinni
Visa Vedenpää

The general consensus seems to be that the defense is weak in their own end and they're light on scoring depth

First couple lines look good. I dont know the D really at all. Kokko is a solid goalie. I dont think they are medal contenders but will be a tough competitor.

[rtstr]

First couple lines look good. I dont know the D really at all. Kokko is a solid goalie. I dont think they are medal contenders but will be a tough competitor.

Arttu Karki is an exciting prospect. 15 G, 11 A in 26 GP in his first season in the OHL after playing his pre-draft hockey in Europe. Not too shabby for a dman.

[forsbergfan]

Even after last year's tournament it was clear that the US and Sweden would be the clear frontrunners this year. To me, what has changed the most is Sweden probably not having carlsson. With him I think they win. Without I think the Americans are better.
Canada looks much weaker than they have in a long time. Still a good team, but I think could be ripe for an upset by czech or Finland and fall out of the medal round. Probably no Benson so no real post draft stars.
The Russians would have been real interesting this year if they were in the tournament.

[2014olympicgold]

Even after last year's tournament it was clear that the US and Sweden would be the clear frontrunners this year. To me, what has changed the most is Sweden probably not having carlsson. With him I think they win. Without I think the Americans are better.
Canada looks much weaker than they have in a long time. Still a good team, but I think could be ripe for an upset by czech or Finland and fall out of the medal round. Probably no Benson so no real post draft stars.
The Russians would have been real interesting this year if they were in the tournament.

If anything to just watch Michkov dominate.

[forsbergfan]

Cole Eiserman left off the US preliminary roster. Shows just how ridiculously stacked they are:

Gavin Brindley (Blue Jackets)
Quinn Finley (Islanders)
Cutter Gauthier (Flyers)
James Hagens (2025 NHL Draft)
Gavin Hayes (Blackhawks)
Isaac Howard (Lightning )
Ryan Leonard (Capitals)
Rutger McGroarty (Jets)
Oliver Moore (Blackhawks)
Frank Nazar III (Blackhawks)
Danny Nelson (Islanders)
Gabe Perreault (Rangers)
Will Smith (Sharks)
Jimmy Snuggerud (Blues)
Carey Terrance (Ducks)
William Whitelaw (Blue Jackets)


That's a scary looking offense. Plus a really good looking defense led by Lane Hutson who will dominate the tournament and Augustine/Fowler in net. I'm curious to see the Swedish final roster but the US will be tough to beat.

[2014olympicgold]

They left Eiserman off the roster holy. Projected #2 pick not in the tournament is rare.

[pmorrow]

Canada's camp roster:

https://www.tsn.ca/world-juniors/mac...ster-1.2044820

[pmorrow]

Goaltenders
Domenic DiVincentiis L 6’3” 200 03/04/04 Bolton, ON North Bay (OHL) WPG 2022 (7/207)
Scott Ratzlaff L 6’1” 175 03/09/05 Irma, AB Seattle (WHL) BUF 2023 (5/141)
Mathis Rousseau L 5’11” 172 09/10/04 Boisbriand, QC Halifax (LHJMQ) 2024 Draft
Samuel St-Hilaire L 6’2” 184 05/11/04 St-Elzeard-de-Beauce, QC Sherbrooke (LHJMQ) 2024 Draft
Defence
Oliver Bonk R 6’2” 179 01/09/05 Ottawa, ON London (OHL) PHI 2023 (1/22)
Michael Buchinger L 6’0” 191 04/25/04 Markham, ON Guelph (OHL) STL 2022 (3/88)
Jorian Donovan L 6’2” 195 04/05/04 Richmond, ON Brantford (OHL) OTT 2022 (5/136)
Jake Furlong L 6’1” 200 03/04/04 Upper Tantallon, NS Halifax (LHJMQ) SJS 2022 (5/140)
Maveric Lamoureux R 6’7” 214 01/13/04 Hawkesbury, ON Drummondville (LHJMQ) ARI 2022 (1/29)
Tristan Luneau R 6’2” 195 01/12/04 Victoriaville, QC Gatineau (LHJMQ) ANA 2022 (2/53)
Denton Mateychuk L 5’11” 191 07/12/04 Dominion City, MB Moose Jaw (WHL) CBJ 2022 (1/12)
Tanner Molendyk L 6’0” 181 02/03/05 McBride, BC Saskatoon (WHL) NSH 2023 (1/24)
Ty Nelson R 5’10” 206 03/30/04 Toronto, ON North Bay (OHL) SEA 2022 (3/68)
Noah Warren R 6’6” 225 07/15/04 Montréal, QC Victoriaville (LHJMQ) ANA 2022 (2/42)
Forwards
Owen Allard L 6’2” 200 01/13/04 Ottawa, ON Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) 2024 Draft
Denver Barkey L 5’9” 154 04/27/05 Newmarket, ON London (OHL) PHI 2023 (3/95)
Owen Beck R 6’0” 190 02/03/04 Port Hope, ON Peterborough (OHL) MTL 2022 (2/33)
Macklin Celebrini L 6’0” 190 06/13/06 Vancouver, BC Boston University (HE) 2024 Draft
Easton Cowan L 5’10” 171 05/20/05 Mount Brydges, ON London (OHL) TOR 2023 (1/28)
Nate Danielson R 6’2” 188 09/27/04 Red Deer, AB Brandon (WHL) DET 2023 (1/9)
Jordan Dumais R 5’9” 174 04/15/04 Montréal, Que. Halifax (LHJMQ) CBJ 2022 (3/96)
Jagger Firkus R 5’11” 160 04/29/04 Irma, AB Moose Jaw (WHL) SEA 2022 (2/35)
Conor Geekie L 6’4” 197 05/05/04 Strathclair, MB Wenatchee (WHL) ARI 2022 (1/11)
Paul Ludwinski L 5’11” 187 04/23/04 Pickering, ON Kingston (OHL) CHI 2022 (2/39)
Fraser Minten L 6’1” 194 07/05/04 Vancouver, BC Saskatoon (WHL) TOR 2022 (2/38)
Carson Rehkopf L 6’1” 195 01/07/05 Vaughan, ON Kitchener (OHL) SEA 2023 (2/50)
Matthew Savoie R 5’10” 176 01/01/04 St. Albert, Alta. Wenatchee (WHL) BUF 2022 (1/9)
Markus Vidicek L 5’10” 162 03/21/04 Kirkland, QC Halifax (LHJMQ) 2024 Draft
Matthew Wood R 6’3” 190 02/06/05 Nanaimo, BC University of Connecticut (HE) NSH 2023 (1/15)
Brayden Yager R 6’0” 170 01/03/05 Saskatoon, SK Moose Jaw (WHL) PIT 2023 (1/14)

[stevegamer]

Unsurprisingly, Benson is staying in Buffalo.