It almost goes without saying that this year's IIHF World Junior Championship was a magnificent tournament, but I'm still far from being over it, so I'll mention it as much as I can. Hockey fans of all nations were reeling after every great hockey game put forth in Alberta over the past few weeks. The competition was full of excitement, and took until the very last moment to be decided. We all know that Sweden captured their first World Junior title since 1981, that this tournament that the Russians have returned back to prime form as an international threat again, and that U.S. had a more then disappointing showing (and I mean really disappointing,) but here are few more objective points, a "What We Learned", if you will, that must be mentioned following the conclusion if the 2012 World Junior Championship.
RED SCARE COMING TO D.C.
Anyone with eyes could see Russian forward Yevgeni Kuznetzsov was the most commanding force on the ice for any team at the tournament. Whether or not they used their eyes by looking at the scoresheet or his actual gameplay is the question. Kuznetsov led the entire tournament in points (13), and was a threat at all times to opponents. Kuznetsov displayed his finishing touch, Bounty-soft hands, and eagle-like vision countless times, but everyone was so caught up in his performance in the present to recognize what this promising prospect holds for NHL hockey for the next few years...
Kuznetsov is property of the Washington Capitals (selected 26th overall in 2010), who just happen to have his motherland's most destructive weapon sent overseas since the Cuban missile crisis, Alexander Ovechkin. Quite convenient, unless you happen to be wearing a sweater that isn't "Rocking the Red". Now, I'm not saying Kuznetsov is a lock for 52 goals and 54 assists in his rookie season with the Caps, but looking even a few years further into the future and Alex Semin's value fading, the possibility of Kuznetsov playing alongside Ovi on the right wing, or even following up The Great 8 on another line back-to-back would be a devastating combination to face.
RED SCARE COMING TO D.C.
