World Cup 2016

[WildCard]

Damn McDavid

[sodbuster]

McDavis is ok I guess.

[Randall Flagg]

:O

How can he be so much faster than other pros

[sabills]

Pretty entertaining stuff.  NA's level of speed and skill at forward is really impressive.

 

Russia vs. Team NA Monday night (ie tomorrow) at 7:30 pm.

 

Now that seems like good fun

[Taro T]

:O

How can he be so much faster than other pros

Steroids. ;)

[ct fab]

Johnny hockey is a RFA as is risto. Johnny for risto? though our d would be very weak. Johnny and eichel would look great together and are best of friends - were in Nantucket together with Gronk Mem Day weekend. One can dream, but do this and trade for shattenkirk

[WildCard]

Johnny hockey is a RFA as is risto. Johnny for risto? though our d would be very weak. Johnny and eichel would look great together and are best of friends - were in Nantucket together with Gronk Mem Day weekend. One can dream, but do this and trade for shattenkirk

Risto goes nowhere for any forward not named McDavid for me Edited September 19, 2016 by WildCard

[TrueBlueGED]

Johnny hockey is a RFA as is risto. Johnny for risto? though our d would be very weak. Johnny and eichel would look great together and are best of friends - were in Nantucket together with Gronk Mem Day weekend. One can dream, but do this and trade for shattenkirk

 

As fun as it would be, I have no idea how we could have even a sliver of hope of icing a Cup caliber blue line without Risto in the fold. 

Another wicked stretch pass from Eichel to Gaudreau.

[Randall Flagg]

Jack took Ghost's spot and played it better than he has been.

[sodbuster]

Dude, these Finns are getting so frustrated because these kids are so slippery.

[dudacek]

Imagine how good TNA would be if they had been smart enough to add Reinhart? ????

Edited September 19, 2016 by dudacek

[Randall Flagg]

Ekblad is incredible, probably the fifth time I've said that this tournament.

 

Imagine how good TNA would be if they had been smart enough to add Reinhart?

He's our secret weapon. Soon the rest of the league will realize what this kid is.

[SwampD]

Boy, a Canada/NA final is going to be really fun,

[3putt]

Sweden is still the class of group b. Canada Sweden final. But this is fun.

[WildCard]

See that speed and effort Jack just had through the neutral zone on the back check? That's what I expect to see out of him every time, and I don't understand why I'm not

[dudacek]

See that speed and effort Jack just had through the neutral zone on the back check? That's what I expect to see out of him every time, and I don't understand why I'm not

Is this about tonight, or his game in general?

Or are you playing Marchand to Smell again?

[WildCard]

Is this about tonight, or his game in general?

Or are you playing Marchand to Smell again?

His game in general. It's been my only complaint with him from day one

[dudacek]

I think as a rookie he was usually thinking offence, even when he's back checking.

That's why he tended to find a seam where he can move to react to a turnover.

 

I thought tonight he was playing like an NHL centre and concentrating on clogging the zone and thwarting the rush.

 

It's not lack of hustle, it's just focus and maturity.

Edited September 19, 2016 by dudacek

[Randall Flagg]

I don't think I've ever seen a mix of speed, skill, and hands like that before. Random thoughts:

 

I don't ever want to give a goalie more than 4 or 5 million dollars per season. Ever. Rinne has fallen so far, and the guy on the other end with an ELC won a cup and looks phenomenal. 

 

This is not a shot at Eichel: Matthews is closer to McDavid than anyone on this site and outside of Toronto would ever want to admit, IMO. I'm stunned by his hands, positioning, IQ, passing, defense at his age. He looks like Malkin out there, with Kopitar's head. I'm pissed that Toronto gets him. The only thing it seems like he has to learn is how to pace himself, he's always the best player for the first period and a half and then fades a bit. Team USA has a great future.

 

Seeing the enthusiasm of the kids on the bench, and the plays they make on the ice, this league is in great hands if you forget about the suits for a bit. So charismatic and unbelievably skilled. 

 

If McDavid came into the league in 2005 he would have outscored Ovi and Crosby. If McDavid learns how to finish those rushes he creates, and develops his shot, I think he can hit a tier above the one Crosby sits, and I have a very high opinion of Crosby, who is the best hockey player I've ever seen, by far. McD is the best skater I've ever seen, by far. 

 

Didn't watch Ristolainen after the first, because I didn't want flashbacks of 2014-15. I'm sure he did all that he could with the trash he had. Not worried about his play, or paying him. Get it done.

 

And Jack; THIS game is one of the best I've ever seen him play. He's grown this summer, and will be a different player from the one we saw last year. His burst is there, but it's more controlled, and it seems like he has a better handle on just how fast to go to keep optimal distance between him and the defensemen in front of him. He was a true center tonight. Exactly where he needed to be, timing his loops to start rushes and to get into lanes better than he ever has, dishing the puck and rushing it as needed, always picking the right option. A few tremendous stretch passes, one when he was covering a Gostisbehere pinch, both sent Gaudreau in for chances. It's so encouraging to get our franchise player, but watching him and seeing that he's grown is just as fun. He's really ours, he's really getting better, and he's creating plays that superstars like Gaudreau and McDavid are benefiting from, not just getting carried along for the ride. 

Man oh man October needs to get here.

Also, I'd love to see video of other random teams in the tournament (particularly Canada) watching this game and reacting to it in real time.

[beerme1]

Hockey is FUN. Who knew?

[Randall Flagg]

McLellan's line mixing worked well, and he nailed his first shot at creating them in a real game. These lines make sense on paper and seemed to maximize every player on the team. No one had a bad game. I hope they stay the same the rest of the tournament.

[Winston]

Awesome game, tons of fun being there. I'll post some thoughts and pics tomorrow.

 

One thing that was cool: tons of Eichel/Sabres fans up here. My dad and I got lots of "Go Sabres" for our gear. Obviously it was a Matthews/McDavid lovefest as expexted, but there was lots of love to go around for Jack too.

[beerme1]

Good stuff EichSnipe!

[That Aud Smell]

Watching the highlights: Eichel's goal was from Matthews and McDavid, eh?

[dudacek]

I thought Risto was a beast in the first. I love how he wants to be a difference maker.

Yes, he was on for the first two goals, but he also saved one, stopped multiple puck carriers in their tracks (including a great stand-up on a McKinnon rush), made guys pay in front of the net QBed the point and carried the puck.

He was awfully quiet after that though. Disappeared as the team got overwhelmed. Flashbacks to the tank.

Edited September 19, 2016 by dudacek