by meecrofilm on Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:32 am
Pouliot has outperformed other OFD-men like Murphy and Dumba during the regular season, and by all accounts has also played much better than both of them during Canada's WJC camp going on right now (Dumba especially has been brutal -- never been a huge fan of his). But due to a variety of factors such as age, handedness, the fact that the coach is also Murphy's coach in juniors, Pouliot was an early cut, and an unpopular one at that, mind you.
I expect him to play a significant role in next year's team, but like others have said, WJC really has no bearings on a prospect's success or lack thereof. You could make a who''s who list of prospects that never played in the WJC but now have NHL careers, and ones who had a significant role in the tourney but never amounted to anything.
But for anyone wondering:
Harrington is a lock of locks to make Canada's team this year and is considered by many to be the best shutdown D-man in the CHL.
Maatta is a lock for Finland's 1st pairing.
2nd round draft pick from this year Teddy Bleugers is a lock for Latvia's 1C position after Buffalo held back Girgensons.
7th rounder Anton Zlobin has a good shot at making Russia's team.
Can't remember the last time we had 4 prospects playing in the WJC at the same time.