2010-11 WJC Discussion Thread

I think it's a good thing Lehner faces some controversy and adversity now rather than later.

With all the buzz around Lehner, it seems everyone thought he'd have a flawless rise to the #1 goaltending position, which is unrealistic. At least from a fans' perspective it may temper some unrealistic expectations that he's the next Lundqvist which I think is silly.

Cowen is the same way, quite highly touted but with his injury, mono and his struggles to regain his game and mobility he's one of the most scrutinized prospects we got.

Hoags wrote:I think it's a good thing Lehner faces some controversy and adversity now rather than later.

With all the buzz around Lehner, it seems everyone thought he'd have a flawless rise to the #1 goaltending position, which is unrealistic. At least from a fans' perspective it may temper some unrealistic expectations that he's the next Lundqvist which I think is silly.

Cowen is the same way, quite highly touted but with his injury, mono and his struggles to regain his game and mobility he's one of the most scrutinized prospects we got.

Some controversy and adversity is good for sure, but I just hope he hasn't had too much, too soon. It has been a rough year development-wise for Lehner. His progression is my only focus.

Other than that very minor tweak to your post, I think your other analysis on Lehner and Cowen as prospects is perfect. Something everyone should read and remember.

Another gem from Hoags.

I was wrong, Lehner will not play in the Bronze game today.

SpezDispenser wrote:I was wrong, Lehner will not play in the Bronze game today.

Disappointing, for sure. Can't say I'm surprised, though.

wprager wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:I was wrong, Lehner will not play in the Bronze game today.

Disappointing, for sure. Can't say I'm surprised, though.

I am. Sweden should have given him another try today, he has a lot to prove and he's very motivated.

I wonder if sweden feels lehner let them down in the semis...? He hasn't had strong games the last two, but stoned canada in the shootout.

Either way, I'm disappointed. I wanna see Lehner play.

I can tell you who's really disappointed by this whole fiasco: the Sens organization. They lent out Lehner on the understanding that he would play, lots, barring a colossal collapse. Instead, Lehner got two our four games in the round robin, and one more in the medal rounds. That means he played 50% of the games.

Tim Murray (I think?) was on the air last week saying that they expected Lehner to play a lot -- I'm sure 50% of the games doesn't qualify. The Sens org can't be happy with how Lehner has been handled, at all.

Michallica wrote:I wonder if sweden feels lehner let them down in the semis...? He hasn't had strong games the last two, but stoned canada in the shootout.

Either way, I'm disappointed. I wanna see Lehner play.

I'm trying not to be a homer, but I don't understand if they think Lehner let them down. He kept Sweden in the game in the first period and a half, then let in a tough goal to tie it up. The SO, there was nothing he could do.

I think in the grand scheme Lehner's been really solid. Maybe Gonz has been better, but I can't really think of anyone else head and shoulders about Lehner. Very disappointed personally.

really woudl have been sweet though if Lehner found a way to stone russia in the dying minutes of the game....guaranteed gold medal for one of the sens prospects then. Not to mention an awesome sweden-canada redemption matchup.

Michallica wrote:really woudl have been sweet though if Lehner found a way to stone russia in the dying minutes of the game....guaranteed gold medal for one of the sens prospects then. Not to mention an awesome sweden-canada redemption matchup.

I was more upset when SG11 called me to tell me Russia tied it up than I would be for the Canadians losing to the US. I care more about prospects and I was 100% geared up for Lehner in the Gold Medal game.

Michallica wrote:I wonder if sweden feels lehner let them down in the semis...? He hasn't had strong games the last two, but stoned canada in the shootout.

Either way, I'm disappointed. I wanna see Lehner play.

You may get your wish soon (Murray might call him up soon).

SpezDispenser wrote:

wprager wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:I was wrong, Lehner will not play in the Bronze game today.

Disappointing, for sure. Can't say I'm surprised, though.

I am. Sweden should have given him another try today, he has a lot to prove and he's very motivated.

He had a lot to prove in the semi-final game and he didn't show up in his best form.

I hinted earlier at the fact that I didn't think he would get the start for today's game. I didn't want to come out and say it, because obviously, I have no way of knowing for sure.

Was it just me or did a lot of goals on Lehner go 5-hole? Is that a weakness of his due to his size?

wprager wrote:

Michallica wrote:I wonder if sweden feels lehner let them down in the semis...? He hasn't had strong games the last two, but stoned canada in the shootout.

Either way, I'm disappointed. I wanna see Lehner play.

You may get your wish soon (Murray might call him up soon).

Oh dear God. What a gong-show right from the day Ottawa said he would start the year in the AHL.

shabbs wrote:Was it just me or did a lot of goals on Lehner go 5-hole? Is that a weakness of his due to his size?

To be honest, I don't recall if his 5-hole was getting abused or not.

Was he in his crouch or butterfly when the goals went in? I need to know which of the positions he was in when they went 5-hole to fully answer your question about size, even though it doesn't make that much of a difference.

Maybe I will go back and watch the games I have recorded; but I really don't think his 5-hole is a problem IIRC.

Hmmm... can't recall specifically... on one he was going side to side in a crouch, which does expose the 5-hole as the goalie moves their legs to push...

CockRoche wrote:

wprager wrote:

Michallica wrote:I wonder if sweden feels lehner let them down in the semis...? He hasn't had strong games the last two, but stoned canada in the shootout.

Either way, I'm disappointed. I wanna see Lehner play.

You may get your wish soon (Murray might call him up soon).

Oh dear God. What a gong-show right from the day Ottawa said he would start the year in the AHL.

Let's face it.. Sweden would probably be playing in the Gold medal game today if it wasn't for that non-icing call. He has let in a couple of bad goals.. but I think he's still had a good WJC -- especially that round-robin game when he shut-out Russia. The Canada game.. he was amazing in the shoot-out. So he has had his flashes. That Russia game in the semis -- I think the team in front of him was not very good either until late 2nd period... too little .. too late. I think they were to cocky.. that hurt them.

CockRoche wrote:
He had a lot to prove in the semi-final game and he didn't show up in his best form.

I hinted earlier at the fact that I didn't think he would get the start for today's game. I didn't want to come out and say it, because obviously, I have no way of knowing for sure.

I don't know about that, we talked about that. The goals weren't fantastic on him, but they weren't deplorable. He was one stop away from shutting down the Russians - and that stupid non-icing call hurt him and the Swedes irrecoverably.

Who's been better than Lehner? Maybe Gonz, but that's about it. He deserved this game, but as one Swedish fan I was talking to said: this game means nothing, I'm glad they're resting him so he can get back to the AHL and play there.