2014 — Canada Roster Discussion (Part XXII)

[YP44]

are you dumb? if youre gonna play zero minutes in a 1-0 game then why have a strictly defensive player ready to go? what if we were down 1-0 with 2 minutes left? thats where subban would come in. there is literally no situation where hamhuis would play over any of the top 6 canadian D but subban is the best offensive Dman and if we are down a goal we can at least put him out for that.

Since you're making up scenarios let's make up another.
Imagine Canada is up by 1 goal, and one of the top 6 get injured. who would you rather have protecting that lead. Hamhuis or PK?

Before anyone jumps to conclusions I am not saying PK cannot be responsible defensively, but there are more secure options on this team

 

[WayneSid9987]

Can't really complain about anything other than the finishing.
Would be nice if they continue the trend of dominating possession/shots and finally start putting pucks in the back of the net.

I probably would've tinkered around with Crosby-Bergeron a bit. Get MSL or Duchene out there some. Hard to get Duchene there now though since JT went down. It's also a little late in the tourney to start tinkering again but still. A few shifts with MSL instead of Kunitz, you're not losing much in other areas of the roster.

 

[YP44]

Can't really complain about anything other than the finishing.
Would be nice if they continue the trend of dominating possession/shots and finally start putting pucks in the back of the net.

I probably would've tinkered around with Crosby-Bergeron a bit. Get MSL or Duchene out there some. Hard to get Duchene there now though since JT went down. It's also a little late in the tourney to start tinkering again but still. A few shifts with MSL instead of Kunitz, you're not losing much in other areas of the roster.

The is the first game I was happy with Kunitz. I 100% agree with you about maintaining puck procession and shots is what will be key for this team to beat Sweden

 

[Will Hunting]

The is the first game I was happy with Kunitz. I 100% agree with you about maintaining puck procession and shots is what will be key for this team to beat Sweden

He was at his very best in some manner. I really can´t remember the better all-around game by him than he had today. He was playing very smart hockey and was very visible, the only thing that failed was the thing which is usually his strength - THE FINISH. I´m really surprised, the player I see on the ice doesn´t play like a normal Kunitz. It´s not a bad player, though.

 

[Lshap]

There is not offensive domination (if talking about scoring goals) from Canada in this tournament, however, Canada is dominating defensively. We have allowed only 3 goals in 5 games. I don't remember the goal against Norway, but the only goal against Finland, it was a tip, no chance for Price. Against Latvia, it was basically something like a penalty-shot. We will see on Sunday, but this is the best defensive performance by a canadian team I have ever seen.

Boy, do I agree with you. The word "Awesome" gets tossed around easily, but watching the almost total control of their zone by Canada's D and the Vulcan-like precision of Price filled me with awe. The US's unstoppable force met Canada's immovable object, and the object won. Man, are we good.

I don't say that with arrogance 'cause my personal contribution to Team Canada has been sitting on my couch and eating BBQ chips. I'm not feeling arrogant, just amazed by the talent and the resolve on our team. Team Canada is the Borg mothership of hockey. Resistance is futile.

 

[Habsawce]

Can't help but think Stamkos would have had 3 goals today with the chances Kunitz had from Crosby. Oh well, still a big W!

 

[YP44]

Can't help but think Stamkos would have had 3 goals today with the chances Kunitz had from Crosby. Oh well, still a big W!

So you are a glass half empty kind of guy

 

[habs03]

Since you're making up scenarios let's make up another.
Imagine Canada is up by 1 goal, and one of the top 6 get injured. who would you rather have protecting that lead. Hamhuis or PK?

Before anyone jumps to conclusions I am not saying PK cannot be responsible defensively, but there are more secure options on this team

Subban...

He has proved in the past under Martin that when asked to play a pure shutdown role, he will do that.

Under Therrien he plays more risky then he did under Martin because he is used in a more offensive role under Therrien.

With Martin, Subban was top 2 on the team in SH/TOI in both season, even tho having the most PIM on a pk unit that ranked 7th best and 2nd best in the league in those years.

But anyways who cares, about that, if you paid attention to what team Canada's managment and coaches have been saying, the REAL reason why Hamuis is dressed instead of Subban is because none of Doughty, Weber or AP have every played LD in the NHL, and out of the lefty's Jay Bouw has played RD in the NHL.

So if a RD is hurt, they can slid Bouw to RD and have Hamuis play LD.

But if Subban is on in, and Hamuis isn't, if a LD is hurt, none of Subban, AP, Doughty, or Weber have played LD.

IMO its not the smartest idea to have, because I think guys like Subban, and Doughty and AP are great puck handlers and skaters where they would be able to play their offside, the USA proved that by having Ryan McDonaugh play his offside so that he can be on the top pairing, and he has never played RD before now, and he was one of the USA best Dmen.

 

[habs03]

This was said in the last thread and I had to address it.

Did you even watch the game? Pietrangelo and Bouwmeester logged a lot of minutes, especially in the third. They were even on the ice with under a minute to go in the third..

Kieth on the other hand was horrible. He was constantly getting beat and causing turnovers. He has been for most of the tournament as well.

Sorry but Pietrangelo has been the least impressive dmen on the team so far, maybe because I expected him to be a difference maker, but he has been very disappointing, specially offensively with the puck.

I will say that he has been great defensvily, calm, and smart, expect for a bad give away near the end of the USA game, he has been great.

Issue is in the offensive zone has not been able to create anything, he has killed the offensive plays more than created any so far.

Maybe its jus that I expected him to be a difference maker like Doughty and Weber, but he is playing more like Vlasic, and Bouweester.

And while I agree that Keith has not be great, he is going up vs other teams top lines, AP has been getting 3rd pair duties going up vs other teamm bottom lines.

 

[YP44]

Sorry but Pietrangelo has been the least impressive dmen on the team so far, maybe because I expected him to be a difference maker, but he has been very disappointing, specially offensively with the puck.

I will say that he has been great defensvily, calm, and smart, expect for a bad give away near the end of the USA game, he has been great.

Issue is in the offensive zone has not been able to create anything, he has killed the offensive plays more than created any so far.

Maybe its jus that I expected him to be a difference maker like Doughty and Weber, but he is playing more like Vlasic, and Bouweester.

And while I agree that Keith has not be great, he is going up vs other teams top lines, AP has been getting 3rd pair duties going up vs other teamm bottom lines.

I expected him to get more points, however as you have even said he has been very good defensively.
I have zero issues with our defense.

 

[Habsawce]

So you are a glass half empty kind of guy

It was an observation, not a slight.

 

[evolutionbaby]

3 hot goalies stopped Canada pretty good in their last 3 games.

Problem for those teams was their offense was nonexistent as well, thus Canada won.

People keep saying the opposition had zero offense. This is a Babcock team with legit talent, he's not throwing Cleary out there. They are very sound from goaltending up. Plain and simple, they have dictated the pace in all the games and are playing very sound hockey.

 

[evolutionbaby]

Since you're making up scenarios let's make up another.
Imagine Canada is up by 1 goal, and one of the top 6 get injured. who would you rather have protecting that lead. Hamhuis or PK?

Before anyone jumps to conclusions I am not saying PK cannot be responsible defensively, but there are more secure options on this team

They are probably rolling two pairs anyways in that scenario, the third will get a 3-40 second shift every 5 minutes.

 

[Drij]

I was expecting something to do with Canada roster discussion... I'm confused.

 

[YP44]

They are probably rolling two pairs anyways in that scenario, the third will get a 3-40 second shift every 5 minutes.

So either way no Subban

 

[habs03]

I expected him to get more points, however as you have even said he has been very good defensively.
I have zero issues with our defense.

Defense as a well is very solid, but just reply to someone asking why another poster thought AP hasn't been all tha great.


With how little our forward are scoring, our the dmen that are able to help out should help out, Doughty, Weber have helped, AP could took his game up a notch offensively. I'd say Keith too, but I gave him somewhat of break because he goes up vs other teams top lines.

 

[Classicnamesup]

Happy with the lineup, don't change anything.

Price has my confidence now, Kunitz was good, the D was great.

 

[SnapVirus]

Since you're making up scenarios let's make up another.
Imagine Canada is up by 1 goal, and one of the top 6 get injured. who would you rather have protecting that lead. Hamhuis or PK?

Before anyone jumps to conclusions I am not saying PK cannot be responsible defensively, but there are more secure options on this team

Dude. PK is on the best PK unit of the NHL. And hes playing the biggest part of it. PK Is as good in PK than in PP.

 

[TheGoalJudge]

PK is better than Hamhuis at everything probably.

 

[JackSlater]

Well, before the gold medal game permanently affects how we all view this team, I have some thoughts. First, I finally understand what the management group wanted. I always liked the Carter and Marleau picks as elite utility players who bring speed and defence from the wing. I did not appreciate that Canada planned to use players in that capacity up and down the line up in support of the elite defence. Good job by them. Ultimately the lack of finishing boils down to bad luck to a degree, but the defence has mostly been by design.

TSN has talked about how calm these players are, and it honestly does come across on the ice. Most of these guys have played in big situations and won, both internationally and in the NHL, and I think it comes across.

Ralph Krueger was a big influence on the team. Offensively Canada has struggled, but offence is difficult to structure. Defensively Canada has played a game very well suited to the big ice, and I suspect he is a big reason why.

This team reminds me of the Czechs in the late 90s. They calmly defend and do not lose composure. Price is no Hasek, but the 1998 Czech skaters were not as good as the 2014 Canadian skaters.

I was wrong to complain about some of the selections. I was fine with the goaltenders and agreed 100% with the defence. I did not like the Kunitz, Perry, Benn or Nash picks. Ultimately I was wrong on three of those, and even Kunitz has at least looked better lately. Benn is skating better than I expected (which some posters said) and Perry has played a controlled and mostly smart game. I also wanted no part of Benn Getzlaf Perry as a line, due to their limited success in the past, but they have evolved to the point that the line is quite effective. Even Nash has looked good in the specific role that he is being used in. Regardless of how he is playing offensively, he's still big, fast and a quality defensive player when deployed in that role. I'm glad to be proven wrong for the most part.

Duchene looked great at #4 centre. He's a nice change of pace for the team since he's clearly the best skating forward in the tournament. Great job by him.

Regarding Crosby, I think it is clear that he is a very valuable contributor to this team even without scoring. He's dominating possession and with Bergeron on his line, they are essentially an elite shutdown line. He also happens to draw top defencemen from the other team, while still setting up great scoring chances. He has been much better than 2010.

This defence has played better defensively (so far) than any Canadian defence, even the 1976 Canada Cup team. There is room for improvement though. Keith needs to be a bit steadier.

I think that Sweden is ill prepared to face Canada. USA failed against Canada because they lacked any real creativity, or the size to push the defence around. Sweden has those same issues at forward. I also like the prospect of any Canadian forward line against any of Sweden's defence pairings. Sweden can obviously win, but I like Canada's odds at the moment.

 

[Taak19]

Can Kunitz please catch the next flight hime? He's not good.

 

[Peen]

Ok, cool. Subban is probably the 5th best defenseman on this team.

Sadly, 3/4 of the guys better than him are on Canada's right side.

I don't even understand why this is being talked about anymore. They don't need him on the PP lol.

 

[Habsawce]

Ok, cool. Subban is probably the 5th best defenseman on this team.

Sadly, 3/4 of the guys better than him are on Canada's right side.

I don't even understand why this is being talked about anymore. They don't need him on the PP lol.

It's the same non-Montreal fans that keep bringing it up to incite Montreal fans to react. It would have died a long time ago if not for that.

 

[DearDiary]

Can Kunitz please catch the next flight hime? He's not good.

Kunitz had more scoring chances than any other player. What were Nash and Carter doing?

I'm not a fan of Kunitz being on the team, but the Kunitz bashing is ridiculous. Why isn't anyone talking about how bad Sharp played? He was the worst forward tonight.

After todays game, there's no chance Kunitz won't be in next game. The 1st line was by far the best line, and only line that was able to hem the americans in their own zone on every shift.

 

[Chairman Mallard]

For all the pre-games talk of a decent percentage of Canadian posters wanting to have Marleau as the 13th forward or scratched, he's been damn good out there.

Hasn't potted any goals but he has more than warranted getting the call to make the team.