[GDT] North America vs Sweden - 1 pm - Sportsnet

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

McDavid sucks

I wouldn't go that far, but I think it is fair to say that he is not in a class by himself.

[Since1984]

I am tired of the McDavid/Matthews love fest. Mcdavid has two moves on breakaways...all include a head. Keep him to the outside and he has no moves. Very impressed with Mackinnon and Gaudreau though....also that Colton Parayko kid is a stud.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Am I the only one seeing how much better Matthews looks than McDavid?

I think they gel together but no I think McDavid has looked better. Mathews shifts are way too long and he (that line) is getting the easiest minutes on this team.

[CroFlames]

Public Service Announcement:

McDavid: 0G 3A, -2

Johnny: 5G, 3A, +3

[GreenLantern2814]

I really hate the Sportsnet voiceover guy.

[polak]

Carried over from the other thread: Over Under on Ron Maclean giving us a tidbit about how some old time player interacted with one of the U23 players during this intermission?

[bubbsy]

awesome.

"Johnny Hockey" is trending on twitter (i am in toronto).

[calgaryblood]

Think it is obvious team NA is exposing Sweden's D by going behind them and making the breakout pass. 6 or 7 breakaways in one period is insane.

[Tinordi]

Is this a hockey panel or a leather tannery?

Lol

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Think it is obvious team NA is exposing Sweden's D by going behind them and making the breakout pass. 6 or 7 breakaways in one period is insane.

While true that the Swedish D was exposed that period, there is enough class and experience on that team to adjust in the 2nd, whereas I think NA comes out with the exact same game plan for the 2nd.

My bet is Sweden pulls ahead in the 2nd, and probably wins the game.

[underclassman]

I really hate the ESPN guys . McJesus this, Matthews that .

[bubbsy]

man johnny.

Sign long term already so i can go out and grab a jersey.

[Flash Walken]

McDavid is super flashy.

I fear that this will be regarded as anti-oiler whining but McDavid is impressive as an individual player but I do not get the sense that it's wonderful playing with him.

Matthews seems much more economical and possession oriented, more of a three zone player, uses his speed more effectively on the defensive side of the coin and seems more interested in distributing the puck to linemates who may be in a better position.

McDavid looks eerily similar to Taylor Hall in that his skillset seems largely self involved and that he seems to be about 30% slower without the puck than he is with it.

Surrounded by elite players McDavid doesn't look as elite as he did surrounded by ECHL all stars up in the chuk.

His ability is undeniable, the speed, the shot, the passing ability all elite, but he doesn't look nearly as impressive as his teammates because his highlights are mostly individual.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

While true that the Swedish D was exposed that period, there is enough class and experience on that team to adjust in the 2nd, whereas I think NA comes out with the exact same game plan for the 2nd.

My bet is Sweden pulls ahead in the 2nd, and probably wins the game.

Why wouldn't they come out and play the same way? Keep going to the well until it's dry and then change it up. You don't over think it and try and change before the team with the problem changes.

[Tinordi]

I can't objectively evaluate but how does McDavid look compared to Cros at the same age? Because that's the benchmark. Anything less = sucks.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Am I the only one seeing how much better Matthews looks than McDavid?

I agree with you. Matthews has impressed the hell out of me.

[GranteedEV]

*Takes McByron Hater Shades Off For A Second*

McDavid is an elite player and will be for his whole career. He's a mix between Patrick Kane and Pavel Bure in one package, and I'm sure he'll develop his centre abilities with due time.

But I don't think he has Crosby's hockey sense. I have only seen two players with the same kind of vision and "thinking four steps ahead" ability that Crosby possesses, Lemieux and Thornton. Crosby then added a net front game that is virtually unrivaled in the league, and he is probably the best "grinder" in the league not named Bergeron. He is a few inches short of being the absolute perfect player.

McDavid is more a smaller, faster Malkin than Crosby. Which is still a hell of a player.

*Puts Shades Back On*

So what's the missed net + botched breakaway count on this third liner?

[Firebot]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

McDavid is super flashy.

I fear that this will be regarded as anti-oiler whining but McDavid is impressive as an individual player but I do not get the sense that it's wonderful playing with him.

Matthews seems much more economical and possession oriented, more of a three zone player, uses his speed more effectively on the defensive side of the coin and seems more interested in distributing the puck to linemates who may be in a better position.

McDavid looks eerily similar to Taylor Hall in that his skillset seems largely self involved and that he seems to be about 30% slower without the puck than he is with it.

Surrounded by elite players McDavid doesn't look as elite as he did surrounded by ECHL all stars up in the chuk.

His ability is undeniable, the speed, the shot, the passing ability all elite, but he doesn't look nearly as impressive as his teammates because his highlights are mostly individual.

Great as a Flames fan, because we will keep hearing how great he is, he will get 30-40 goals this year likely, and in the end Edmonton will still be near the bottom of the standings because he is Taylor Hall # 2. Great players learn to adapt, and so far McDavid seems to be solely using his speed and his patented junior hockey moves that teams adapt to play against.

[bubbsy]

gibson looks rocky as hell.

wow, gaudreau tripped/hooked down, no call. weak.

[CroFlames]

Johnny is like a slithering little worm greased up.

Who is fast as hell and can play hockey. haha.