French Collection

I love the Olympics when the best from every country is available. The players want the best on best opportunity as well.

I hope Asplund doesn’t go back, he has passed Erod on the depth chart in my opinion.

-13 Celsius (8 Fahrenheit) this AM and throwing a nice piece of wood in the stove.

Ray Ferraro (TSN colour analyst for WJHC) was asked which “under the radar” Team Canada player impressed him the most. He said Dylan Cozens was really good and will be a good pro player. Size and speed were the things he highlighted.

It is tough in the elimination round, one so-so game or your opponent bringing their A+ game and you’re out. I found the USA team to be underwhelming overall, lots of top prospects who had played together at USNDP, couldn’t get in the ‘zone’. I watched Canfield closely for 3 games, I wanted to see what the hype was about. He showed me nothing except on one shift in a 3 on 3 overtime where he had room to move and unleashed a game winning shot. Otherwise he was invisible, a puny guy easily pushed around and a perimeter player. He may be the next Debrincat but I didn’t see it. Zegras was a difference maker. Another disappointment was Canada’s Bowen Byram, Colorado’s 1st rounder. He played hurt for the last two games but he showed nothing special for the tournament. The WJHC doesn’t make or break an NHL career but it can be a big step in developing elite talent. It has got to help your confidence to be among the best in the world.

Yes, I looked it up, his name was Kompalla. He was Polish born but living in East Germany, behind the Iron Curtain. He had never refereed NHL players before.

Yeah, I was just reading a story about guys whose careers peaked at 19. Two examples were Canadian goalies Jeff Glass and Justin Pogge. They were outstanding in the WJHC yet only have a handful of NHL games between them.

The refs on the other side of the pond. I think one guy was East German.

I watched the 2nd and 3rd in the Montreal airport. Penalties and lucky breaks went Canada’s way at the end. Pretty good game and I love the result.

Sweden beats Finland 3-2 for the bronze medal. Canada-Russia at 12:00.

I’m in the avenge the earlier beating camp, but these guys manhandled Canada. Canada’s captain, Barrett Hayton is probably out. Cozens was held off of the scoresheet today, time to step up.

Happy Birthday! Let’s go Buffalo!

Fingers crossed, he’s been good and improving.

I think it is Ho Chi Sock.

I was a Hai Karate guy, you had to fight the girls off after putting it on. YouTube the commercials for a grainy video chuckle.

I am hearing more and more comments about wasting Eichel’s prime. I agree this rebuild is taking a long time but, there have been superstars that won a Cup late into their careers. Stevie Y. was 32 and Mario was 26 when they broke through. I am not saying JBot is doing a great job, but I think he needs a bit more time. I am frustrated like many but I guess I’ve been backing this team for so long I am numb to the pain now.

Kidding, he should’ve been a pylon for McDavid but he found a way to get in the way.

He had the speed to negate McDavid, lol.

Sweden vs Russia, I haven’t seen Sweden play but they seem to have a good D with some young prospects up front. Russia seems like Jekyl and Hyde, destroying Canada but losing to Czechs. I would like Canada to avenge their loss, but they scare me. Go Sweden! Canada vs Finland, revenge for Canada’s elimination last year. Best word to describe Finnish hockey, pesky.

There is a lot of forward talent in this draft. I’ve watched Byfield live a few times and I love his game. His performance at the WJHC is meh, but many 17 year olds do that. He will be fine and I would take him in a heartbeat. He could be back there next year and dominate.

Canada beats Germany 4-1 to tie the USA at the top of their group. They both have one game vs the Czechs to go. Cozens with a helper today. He has not stood out but he belongs there. I’ve watched him closely. He takes a lot of key draws and wins his fair share. He plays RW, the lines were mixed up today with Veleno suspension and Lafreniere injury. Cozens skates very well but has not had many chances to explode up the wing. On PP1 he is the face off guy and then the net front presence. He provided a great screen on one goal and his assist was from winning a draw in the O-zone. He threw a few hits and showed some stick handling skills in tight.

Good work by. Asplund.

Vesey with brutal play as a Dman there. Good on him covering for Ristolainen but I think I could skate backwards better than that.

Nice saucer pass by Sam.

Good work by Lazar, he should stay.