French Collection

Russia’s only right hand shooter was Askarov, their goalie. Their teams from the 70’s and 80’s were like that, almost all LH.

Owen Power had a solid game. He was QB on PP1 and made some nice plays. He skates well and joins the rush quite often. He looks mature and does not panic with the puck in his own end. His reach was evident a few times, keeping the puck in and closing a gap. Novikov played a third pairing role, getting one assist. He is big and looks like a shut down type. Michkov was Russia’s best player, 2023 draft eligible. Looks like a young Tarasenko to me.

Watched about half of the USA-Finland game. Lambert did not catch my eye, he is on PP2 but there were many guys that looked better. Kemmell was OK, loves to shoot. He has the confidence of the coaching staff.

If his instincts are to be more physical he should be OK at the NHL level, where play is tougher than the NCAA.

Two exhibition games today on TSN. USA vs Finland at 2:00. Canada vs Russia at 7:00.

I hope Lambert finds his game in order to make the top picks more interesting. I have not given up on him but he merits close scrutiny to determine if his peak was at age 16 or if he can take the next step. I am sure there are tons of scouts watching every shift of his.

https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada/video/power-employs-patience-more-than-physicality-as-points-soar~2342945 Michigan coach on Power.

World Juniors is great to watch. Olympics are one of the few best on best tournaments. I’m not a fan of shootouts to decide these championships though. I am glad they are not going, there would have been positive tests and a lot of drama around quarantining, travel, pay checks etc…

Fake news. Sometimes a team like Latvia gives Canada quite the run though.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/world-juniors/article/iihf-announces-no-new-positive-covid-19-tests-among-world-juniors-players/ I think they have created a “bubble” of sorts. There is very little interaction between teams and the public. Good thing is, no positive tests for all teams at this point. Hope they can pull it off, I am glued to this tournament during the holidays and it may be the only hockey on TV.

Ombre is french for shade. They look like a different shade of leather.

I hope he does some work on HNIC, he breaks the game down well and is honest.

Leafs because I am surrounded by their “nation” and they dominate the media I am exposed to.

Maurice has been a good coach, always a good interview as well. He won’t be unemployed for long.

Back to back games will be tough but the mood has to be good. Maybe Fitzy slots in and provides a spark. Dahlin continues his good play with a couple points.

Dahlin can play the possession game.

Impressive game, they would be in the playoff hunt if they had this kind of goaltending from day one. Nice to see them remain aggressive and not go Alamo to get a point. They were pressuring and tried for the win in regulation.

I think Orlov is a LHD.

He’s related to the Tkachuks, right? He’s not big but if he’s got grit I’ll take it.

UPL, keep the mojo going. Dahlin, show them that you are a force to be reckoned with. Cozens, your turn to light the lamp. Let’s go Buffalo! Monster Winds outside.

I liked it, as I’ve said before I am old school eyeballs. I liked that 90% of his time is watching the games and not spreadsheets. I understand his role better now.

Better than Don Cherry calling him Sammy Wilson.

Not opposed to this, I think we need Mitts and the Mule though.

Dahlin, Joker, Bryson, Pysyk, Miller, Butcher are left so you are correct. If you bring a guy up, play him and sit Butcher. See what you have coming vs what has Butchered some of the games.

https://www.tsn.ca/Hockey-Canada/video/race-for-the-roster-owen-power~2344248 Link to Craig Button video about Power’s impact on Team Canada.