WC Preview - F - Switzerland
In our first article, we presented the 3 goalies and 10 defencemen of the Swiss national team. Here, we’ll briefly present the 15 forwards selected by Patrick Fischer. His list includes 11 players that already played in North America, 1 player who sould sign overseas soon (Hofmann), 1 who could have signed there in 2019 (Scherwey) and finally two neophytes (Mottet and Simion), who’ll take part in their first official tournament with the A team, both coming out of their very best season in the National League so far.
No real surprises in this line-up. Fischer trusts the best Swiss players of the National League as well as the available players coming from the NHL. The offence seems fast and should be excellent in transition thanks to its forwards, but also thanks to a mobile and skillful backend, able to launch it.
Ambühl
One of the pillars of this national team, he played his first game in the NLA back in 2000/01, played his first World Championship in 2003/04 and just had his most productive season in the National League with 44 points in 45 games at the age of … 37. He’ll play in his 16th World Championship, tying Seger’s record. Apart from his offensive production, his Win Shares, his statistics in transition and his shot assists confirm that he is still one of the best forwards in the NL and that his xG contribution is important. With its versatility, it will be interesting to see how Fischer uses him.
Andrighetto
Coming off a very successful first season in the National League, Fischer will be able to count on one of its best forwards. Announced as a star, Andrightto responded well after a slow start to the season. At the 95th percentile in terms of Win Shares, he was the best Zurich player in the playoffs. His ability to carry the puck from goal to goal places him at the 98th percentile in transition. He also knows how to find solutions on the ice and make sure actions result in a shot.
Bertschy
Lausanne’s best goal scorer and NL’s best scorer at even-strength (tied with Simion), Bertschy had his best season in the NL. With a shot volume well above his two previous seasons (+37%), and a larger proportion reaching the target (64% vs. 50%), the goals simply came without a shooting percentage that skyrocketed. Very close to the elite players in the National League if we consider Win Shares, his 2020/21 season puts him among the very best. As a fast player, it's no surprise to see him among the league's top players in transition, but where he really stands out is in his defensive impact at 5v5 (99th percentile).
Corvi
Corvi silently had his best season with 52 points in 44 games, propelling him to the 97th percentile in Win Shares. He is one of the league's best playmakers thanks to his transitions and offensive zone’s play. He could be key on the power-play.
Herzog
Herzog is maybe one of the National League’s most underrated players. His two seasons in Davos propelled him to the 96th percentile in terms of Win Shares and to the 98th in terms of offensive impact, only sitting behind Hofmann, Cervenka, Kovar, Corvi and Mottet according to the model. His play in transition and xG contribution are good, but he remains a shooter. His physical impact is interesting if he avoids taking penalties.
Hischier
In 2018/19, Nico Hischier was the national team’s leading scorer, with 9 points in 8 games. He was coming off two very good seasons with the New Jersey Devils, with a very strong offensive impact. Since then, it has been more complicated (cf. the analysis of CJ Turtoro on All About The Jersey). He had an overall negative impact during the last two seasons (cf. the graph below, available on hockeyviz.com), where he suffered injuries, got the Covid, missed part of the preparation on a season with a very condensed schedule. Nonetheless, he should be the offensive leader of this team.
Hofmann
In the last 4 seasons, Hofmann has been one of the very best players in the National League. Consistency at such a high level is sign of greatness, for he who sits at the 100th percentile overall among forwards. Over this same period, he is the best even-strength scorer in the league (among players with more than one season played, he is first in goals, primary points, goals per 60 minutes, primary points per 60 minutes). And he’s been able to elevate his play during the playoffs, being decisive as he was during the final against Geneva. Furthermore, he’s one of the best players in transition, on the power-play and is one of the best and biggest volume shooters in the league. Next stop, the NHL? He has all he needs to succeed.
Kurashev
This season, Kurashev was able to play 54 games on a young Chicago squad, without stealing the scene. During his short stint in Lugano, he showed some ability to create danger in the offensive zone but his play on transition probably needs some improvement (even though his numbers were better in the NHL and slightly above average). Now, let’s not forget that he is only 21 years old.
Meier
As the graphs below show, and like Hischier, his impact has diminished over the last two seasons. If in 2018/19 he was one of the best players in the NHL, it has been more difficult since, especially defensively. But he is also following his aging team course and he has been less used by his coach Bob Boughner.
Offensively however, at 5v5, he is one of the most active players among the Sharks (1st on shots, chances, primary shot assists, etc.) and expecially off the rush. Like we see on the graph below, he is just missing the finishing touch. He is also the player carrying the most the puck in the offensive zone. Like Hischier, despite coming out of two underachieving seasons, he should be a driver for this team.
(Above are data tracked by Corey Sznajder available on his Patreon)
Mottet
He would be called a “late-bloomer” in North-America, a player reaching the top level later than usual. We can see on the graph below. Mottet has been progressing steadily since 2016/17 and comes out from his best season ever, by far, with 48 points in 50 games at the age of 30. His association with Desharnais and Stalberg worked very well and he was one of the best shooters in the league. Will Fischer use him in that role? Mottet shoots a lot but only hits the net 54% of the time over the last 3 seasons, only ranking at the 25th percentile in the league. In a short tournament, you don’t have the luxury of trying over and over and you need to be decisive right away. Should he be more a depth player on some games? With Andrighetto, Meier and Hofmann on the left wing, he may be a notch below his competition for a spot.
Praplan
Since he came back from North America, Praplan is less incisive offensively, in a Bern team that showed its limitations in the past two seasons. He is still a well rounded player though. Good passer, good in transition and with a positive impact on puck possession at 5v5. Used on the wings or at center this season, he might be missing playing with impactful players like Santala and Hollenstein like he did during his time in Kloten.
Rod
Often seen as a role player with the national team, the GSHC captain has more to offer. Even with an average transition game, his ability to play a role in high value sequences puts him at the 97th percentile for xG Contribution. Very useful defensively at 5v5 and on the penalty-kill, he should be a logical choice for the bottom of the line-up.
Scherwey
We could copy and paste Noah Rod’s text for Tristan Scherwey. Almost as they hold similar role in their own teams. And he should play a similar role if Fischer decides to play him. He has been consistent those last years according to his Win Shares. No surprises with Scherwey, Fischer knows what to expect.
Simion
Another “late-bloomer”, the soon to be 27 Dario Simion has surfed on playing with Hofmann and Kovar to have his best season to date. With 33 goals (incl. 3 empty nets), he scored as much as in the past 4 seasons. With a shooting% of 21% it will be difficult for him to repeat his season. However, he has a pretty unique profile in this team and coaches seem to like it: he knows how to create space in front of the net and be opportunistic. And he is also very good in transition. Great resume to complement better players than him.
Vermin
During his previous World Championship, Vermin was used at center, like he did early in the season with Geneva. With a lot of competition on the wings, he could be a solution in the middle down in the line-up. Moreover, if his offensive impact has diminished over the past seasons (look at his shots and shot assists), his impact on transition and building plays is still very solid.
Top-12
The round-robin should allow every players to see some ice but what will be the line-up for the quarterfinals? Here is our selection:
Meier - Hischier - Andrighetto
Hofmann - Corvi - Simion
Bertschy - Kurashev - Praplan
Rod - Vermin - Ambühl
Scherwey
In the stands : Mottet, Herzog