We should be hearing from Spatso today

He was Canada's best player against the Czechs for sure. he actually stood out that game. he hasn't until then.

either way, he can be Canada's best player all he wants. they're not a great team this year. not even strome, who was expected to dominate, has been good. possibly the worst team they've had in a decade. I find it a rather weak world junior tournament in general. the hockey really isn't up to the level it normally is. perha0s the unusually high number of recent draft picks still eligible but playing in the NHL has lowered the caliber.

but I find it odd that you quote a post where I say "Chabot is the best of the bunch and he's not that great" with a Bob mackenzie quote that basically backs up the first half of my statement .

I also find it strange that you say I would be praising him if he was a leafs prospect after I mentioned he was the best of the Canadian bunch. he's almost as good as Andrew Nielson. I HAVE praised him.
- prock

So seeing how you've been to a number of games, do you see Sweden winning tonight?

So seeing how you've been to a number of games, do you see Sweden winning tonight?
- D0PPELGANGER

Interestingly enough, I haven't seen a single Sweden game. Me and a friend bought one of the packages of tickets to the games at the ACC. The only Canada game I didn't go to was Canada vs Russia, as boxing day is my wife's birthday. Sweden played in Montreal. I've barely even seen any of the Sweden games, even on TV. i.e. I've seen one period of one game, and a few spurts at the bars around the ACC before/between games.

My opinion - Canada, USA, both very close. I think Sweden fits in there, and I think I would put them second behind the USA. Canada third. Russia fourth, I am not a fan of their team. I think it'll be a close game tonight, but I think I'd have Sweden as the favourite.

But I'm not saying that only Canada is icing a weaker team. I think they're all icing weaker teams. I suspect it's the sheer number of players that are in the NHL this year. I haven't checked, but I think it's higher this year. And not only that, but most of the top draft picks are in the NHL. Look who is eligible - McDavid, Marner, Matthews, Werenski, Konecny, Aho, Laine, Puljujarvi, Matt Tkachuck, chychrun, Hanifin, Zacha, Provorov, Crouse, Beauvilier.

Not to mention Liljegren and Nolan Patrick both hurt.

I don't think this many players have ever been kept out of the tournament.

And the hockey just looks weaker compared to what I'm used to (although, admittedly, that could be in my head).

Anyway, I'd like to see Canada win, but to answer your question, yes, my money would be on the Swedes.

He's holding back the conversation ever moving forward. Surprised he's still not banging on and demanding the Nucks draft Dubois because of size
- walshyleafsfan

He's also the guy that proclaimed Sutter will scored the cup winning goal, then he wonders why trolls show up.

I almost forgot that Nick Foligno used to be a Sen.

He's also the guy that proclaimed Sutter will scored the cup winning goal, then he wonders why trolls show up.
- golfingsince

LOL. Wait. Wut? Brandon Sutter? Hopefully, this was back when he played for the Pens, right?

LOL. Wait. Wut? Brandon Sutter? Hopefully, this was back when he played for the Pens, right?
- prock

Yes and no.

Yes and no.
- golfingsince

okay, I can see how maybe, if he played for the Pens, and maybe someone got injured, and he ended up on Crosby's wing, and Crosby banked one off his shins or something, it could happen.

But in current situation?

okay, I can see how maybe, if he played for the Pens, and maybe someone got injured, and he ended up on Crosby's wing, and Crosby banked one off his shins or something, it could happen.

But in current situation?
- prock

I mean, it is Vantel we're talking about. The same guy that suggested for 2 years we waive Daniel Sedin and let Kellen Lain become our future top centre.

I mean, it is Vantel we're talking about. The same guy that suggested for 2 years we waive Daniel Sedin and let Kellen Lain become our future top centre.
- golfingsince

I have never heard of Kellen Lain

I have never heard of Kellen Lain
- prock

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIcdbxzrtbI

I almost forgot that Nick Foligno used to be a Sen.
- daeth

Yup and Bishop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIcdbxzrtbI
- golfingsince

looks like first line centre material to me.

We should be hearing from Spatso today
- walshyleafsfan

Still hiding....

looks like first line centre material to me.
- prock

For the Chiefs.

We should be hearing from Spatso today
- walshyleafsfan

Sorry I have not posted more. I do follow the thread but have been crazy busy at work since coming back from the bush.

We went into the cottage Dec 26 until New Year's eve and then back for a few days. For those of you who have never been able to experience the Canadian bush in winter, it is very special. This winter might be the best in many years.

Ottawa certainly has their best group of prospects in a very long time. Logan Brown is the forgotten guy. He has missed a lot of time with a wrist injury. But, in his first few games back he is playing really well. He is a playmaker more than a shooter and has picked up a bunch of assists since returning to the lineup. He has a very good shot and needs to shoot more.

Ottawa certainly has their best group of prospects in a very long time. Logan Brown is the forgotten guy. He has missed a lot of time with a wrist injury. But, in his first few games back he is playing really well. He is a playmaker more than a shooter and has picked up a bunch of assists since returning to the lineup. He has a very good shot and needs to shoot more.
- spatso

well hopefully for the Sens he is really good because the rest of the organization is a steaming pile of dog shyt.

well hopefully for the Sens he is really good because the rest of the organization is a steaming pile of dog shyt.
- prock

WJC tend to inflate players

well hopefully for the Sens he is really good because the rest of the organization is a steaming pile of dog shyt.
- prock

Who is the leading (points) D man at the WJC?

Hint, it's the guy that Bob Mackenzie said is "clearly the best player on Team Canada".

Who is that Guy who leads Team USA in goals scored, and shooting percentage???

WJC tend to inflate players
- senstroll

correct ^

Detroit is doing a damn good job of building/keeping a decent young core while the vets get older. Especially up front, defense does look thin though. Nyquist, Mantha, Tatar, Sheahan, Jurco, Pulkkinen, Larkin, etc is a solid young core of forwards. And Mrazak looks like a promising young goalie.

Babcock was also pretty critical of his teams at time last year, this year he said it's one of the best teams he's coached. I don't think it's a bad situation long-term at all.
- Nucker101

Whoops!

They are a world class organization. They are run well from top to bottom. They are in better shape than Toronto in every way. Other than money I cant think of a reason why Babcock would choose Toronto over Detroit and I'm certain Detroit won't be cheap with him.

I hope I am wrong and he comes here but I would be surprised.
- daeth

Nice being wrong sometimes I guess

Funny, I googled and easily found this, from Saturday.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=746892


"Curtis Lazar's ever-present grin has been the backdrop for a team trying to win Canada's first gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship since 2009.

Lazar is Canada's captain and leader. "




"Every day he comes to the rink and he works hard," Canada coach Benoit Groulx said. "The way he acts is contagious in the dressing room. He's got that swagger and he is very confident. He believes in himself and he believes in his teammates. He is a competitor who wants to win and he's a big-time team guy."





In terms of offense, Lazar is one of a handful of weapons Canada boasts. Sam Reinhart (Buffalo Sabres) is tied for the tournament lead with nine points and Nicolas Petan (Winnipeg Jets) is tied for fourth with eight points.




Connor McDavid, who is expected to be the first player chosen in the 2015 NHL Draft, has two goals and seven points after missing five weeks with an injury to his right hand.

Canada has a lot of weapons, but it all comes back to Lazar.

"It's pretty nice to have a leader who calms everyone else like he does," Reinhart said. "He can be serious when it is needed, but the composure he brings to the table is the most important thing for sure."
- Doppleganger

How is Lazar's leadership on display this year?

If you mean covering up your spending mistakes by shipping out terrible contracts, taking one back and burying them in the AHL or on the IRL.......... then no, toronto has Ottawa beaten in that department,

But when you claim that the Sens have a "Cheap owner" and he's spending just 285K less than the leafs are, on their respective rosters, then you're not making a lot of sense, and seem to be misinformed.

Ottawa's overall salary total has risen as younger players re-sign in the off season, and that's the nature of any level headed re-build. Ottawa is a number of year ahead of where the leafs are, and they will do the same thing once their prospects on the AHL roster make it to the NHL club and move beyond their ELCs.

A few years ago leaf fans were crowing about their team spending to the Cap, as the way to go, and now that they've taken the same route as the Senators have taken, all of a sudden what the leafs are doing is the way to go.

Been there done that.......... Sens are in a better position than the leafs as they're a few years ahead in the same re-build route, and will contend for the Cup sooner.
- D0PPELGANGER

Oh?