Jesper Wallstedt Is a brick wall

[Krynn]

I was impressed last year by him but damn tonight he put on a clinic and Is the only reason sweden won .Slovakia out shot the sweden like 48 or 49 to 25 or something like that and more the half of those shots where excellent scoring chances. I know he was drafted but I can't remember who got him but I can't wait to see how he does over here once he's contract is up with his European team. The Slovaks deserved a better fate tonight if they keep playing like that I could see them being a dark horse for the Gold

[Jetfire]

Surprised there isn't a general world juniors thread, just the daily ones. I'm just really glad to see the Slovak hockey program coming back to life a bit. Not only do they look decent, but they're super young too. They have what, 9 players under 18 this year? Miroslav Šatan has done wonders rebuilding their national program so far.

[Rutuu]

The Wild 20th overall last draft.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by Jetfire

Surprised there isn't a general world juniors thread, just the daily ones. I'm just really glad to see the Slovak hockey program coming back to life a bit. Not only do they look decent, but they're super young too. They have what, 9 players under 18 this year? Miroslav Šatan has done wonders rebuilding their national program so far.

The Germans look like they’re starting to catch up too.

It will be nice to have a bit more competition outside of the big 5 (Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden, and Finland).

[Sandman]

Detroit may regret taking Cossa before Wallstedt. All signs before the Draft pointed at Wallstedt being the better ‘tender, and he’s still turning heads.

[tvp2003]

I hope Wallstedt ends up having a fantastic NHL career.

And not just because the Oilers traded their first round pick at 20 to Minnesota, who subsequently drafted him.

Okay, so that’s 100% the only reason, but the point stands. Go Jesper!

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by Rutuu

The Wild 20th overall last draft.

Still happier with Coronato

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Detroit may regret taking Cossa before Wallstedt. All signs before the Draft pointed at Wallstedt being the better ‘tender, and he’s still turning heads.

Sounds like a McDonald/Demko repeat.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Detroit may regret taking Cossa before Wallstedt. All signs before the Draft pointed at Wallstedt being the better ‘tender, and he’s still turning heads.

I'm almost positive that Yzerman is going to regret that one. Cossa is going to need to prove that he's more than a big body against professional competition. He looked like garbage in the exhibition game.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by MrMike

Still happier with Coronato

Imagine if we had taken Wallstedt though, our goalie prospects would be:

Wolf, 20
Sargeev, 19
Wallstedt, 19

Plus, we could then have a thread about: "The Wolf and Wallstedt"

[Jiri Hrdina]

I think both will end up being excellent goalies

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I think both will end up being excellent goalies

Either way, I’m sure Yzerman isn’t looking to fire any scouts based on one exhibition game at the world juniors…

[Gemnoble]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

The Germans look like they’re starting to catch up too.

It will be nice to have a bit more competition outside of the big 5 (Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden, and Finland).

Was actually just discussing this with my Father. These 5 and really, barely even Finland as they never win they just reliably make the quarters or semis and occasionally beat one of the other four.

But these 5 dominate the sport on all levels, how have we not had another country not step up. I was especially curious about Germany being a wealthy, winter sport interested country and not having a very good hockey program. They always have decent speed skaters so it's not because no one ice skates.

[Badgers Nose]

Put your trust in Satan, that’s what I always say.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by Gemnoble

Was actually just discussing this with my Father. These 5 and really, barely even Finland as they never win they just reliably make the quarters or semis and occasionally beat one of the other four.

But these 5 dominate the sport on all levels, how have we not had another country not step up. I was especially curious about Germany being a wealthy, winter sport interested country and not having a very good hockey program. They always have decent speed skaters so it's not because no one ice skates.

Hockey is expensive and requires a lot of infrastructure. It’s hard to get new rinks built in Canadian cities, so I’m not surprised that countries that aren’t already very interested in hockey have trouble growing the game.