[GT] WJC: Bronze Medal - FIN vs RUS (3:30pm MT). Gold Medal - CAN vs USA (7:30 pm MT)

[Erick Estrada]

The only player of note I thought was underwhelming in the tournament was Byfield. While far too early to sour on any prospects he did not have anywhere near the level of compete or polish I would expect of a player taken that high.

[FlameyMcFlameFace]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The only player of note I thought was underwhelming in the tournament was Byfield. While far too early to sour on any prospects he did not have anywhere near the level of compete or polish I would expect of a player taken that high.

I agree, but I also feel the same about Perfetti. TSN led me to believe this was the steal of the century in the draft

[Enoch Root]

I agree about Byfield. Perfetti wasn't great, but there is a huge difference between being drafted 2nd and 10th.

I kept waiting for Byfield to do something impressive, but all I saw was plays dying on his stick over and over.

I was actually hoping that they would move Zary off his line. which is crazy when you consider the hype and draft pedigree.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The only player of note I thought was underwhelming in the tournament was Byfield. While far too early to sour on any prospects he did not have anywhere near the level of compete or polish I would expect of a player taken that high.

NHL scouts are still in love with size and projecting how effective a big kid might become if he puts it all together.

Spoiler!

I'm just glad LA grabbed Byfield and not Stutzle.

[Enoch Root]

Well, with his size (and eventual strength), he will almost certainly be a handful to play against as an NHLer.

I just didn't see the high-end offensive flair that I would expect from a #2OA

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I'm just glad LA grabbed Byfield and not Stutzle.

Me too. I hadn't seen much of Stutzle before this tournament and colour me impressed. Man that kid can play.

[HighLifeMan]

Harsh analysis of Zary going on in here.. especially when you consider the factors at play. Jakob Pelletier for example has had the luxury of attending a training camp and getting club games in prior to this tournament. Zary has not played in a competitive environment in over 9 months. Zary played strictly even strength minutes and was put out every 6-8 shifts with a laundry list of linemates. He was also playing on the wing.

He was one of a few forwards on Canada that showed a consistent willingness to play in the dirty areas and his work ethic and instincts at both ends of the ice were very evident. The execution was not where you would want it to be but honestly the factors mentioned above clearly played a massive role in that.

It's quite clear that Zary will need to continue to work on his skating and strength, but those are things that are very easily improved upon with proper teaching and hard work.

When you compare him directly to the likes of Perfetti and Quinn who were taken well above him in the most recent draft I actually think he showed quite well given the lack of opportunity he received. Both Perfetti and Quinn were gifted opportunity after opportunity all tournament long with not only better linemmates but consistent shifts and special teams play. Both were extremely underwhelming from my perspective.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

They went one after the other in the draft - I guess after the tournament people are happy with Zary over Barron?

Yes. Making determinations about players from this one, short tournament is simply foolish.

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[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I was actually hoping that they would move Zary off his line.

I guess I'm not the only one as it was frustrating seeing plays die on his stick. I fully realize that it's a short tournament and this year even more factors at play than normal but he was 2nd overall and I can only assume he has much, much better film in the OHL.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I guess I'm not the only one as it was frustrating seeing plays die on his stick. I fully realize that it's a short tournament and this year even more factors at play than normal but he was 2nd overall and I can only assume he has much, much better film in the OHL.

He is also really young. Byfield is still eligible to play in the 2022 WJC.

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[genetic_phreek]

I wouldn't compare Zary's skating to Tkachuk, Zary skates much better. He's just weak on his balance. This is where he can improve similarly to guys like Draisatl and Horvat who was also criticised after their draft.

Zary's speed is already more apparent than Monahan, it's just a weak stride. Time will tell how much improvement he will be able to do.

[Bingo]

I wasn't a fan of Quinn or McMichael as the tournament worn on.

Quinn (to me) doesn't seem to see the ice well, and McMichael almost seemed selfish to me. Long shifts, shoots every time he gets a chance. I was hoping Calgary took him in 2019, not so sure now.

Zary needs some girth ... he just looked so much smaller than the rest of the team. I liked his ability down low to keep pressure alive and find outlets. But he seemed physically overwhelmed in rebound/goal-mouth-scramble situations.

Pelletier looks like a pretty solid, complete second line hockey player with some great intangibles.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

I wouldn't compare Zary's skating to Tkachuk, Zary skates much better. He's just weak on his balance. This is where he can improve similarly to guys like Draisatl and Horvat who was also criticised after their draft.

Zary's speed is already more apparent than Monahan, it's just a weak stride. Time will tell how much improvement he will be able to do.

And he's really bent over ... Gretzky like (in skating)

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I wasn't a fan of Quinn or McMichael as the tournament worn on.

Quinn (to me) doesn't seem to see the ice well, and McMichael almost seemed selfish to me. Long shifts, shoots every time he gets a chance. I was hoping Calgary took him in 2019, not so sure now.

Zary needs some girth ... he just looked so much smaller than the rest of the team. I liked his ability down low to keep pressure alive and find outlets. But he seemed physically overwhelmed in rebound/goal-mouth-scramble situations.

Pelletier looks like a pretty solid, complete second line hockey player with some great intangibles.

Quinn was one of the oldest players in this year's draft crop - and does one thing very well - which is score goals. But the questions around him are about his hockey sense and overall game. Did he just explode in goal totals in the OHL because of his age and hands, or is there actually a player there who's offense will translate to the NHL. To me he reeks of a guy who scores a lot of "junior quality goals" - kinda like Brendl.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Bingo

And he's really bent over ... Gretzky like (in skating)

Im kind of in the camp that his skating will be a big issue at the NHL level.

He is fine at the junior level for sure, but translating that another level is going to be a challenge.

Other than that though, really impressed by him. He has a lot of that "dog on a bone" to his game as well as really good anticipation on where to be...particularly in his own end.

Every player taken in the later part of round 1 will have flaws...just hope he can overcome his because he looks like a really good pick.