WJC: 2015 — Canada Roster Talk (Part III)

[Minister of Offence]

So does Lazar play wing with McDavid or centre in a shut down role?

He'll be expected to contribute offensively wherever he plays.

All situations, net front on pp. Top 6 wing. Probably.
Played all 3 forward spots last year

 

[SpezDispenser]

I would have preferred Horvat, but Lazar is still a huge add to this Canadian team.

Why would you have prefered Horvat?

 

[Proust*]

Canada gets its best player from last year's tournament back. He's gotta be named captain. His work ethic and leadership is going to bolster this team.

 

[Steamwhistle]

I'm hoping to see this lineup:

Fabbri - McDavid - Lazar
Domi - Reinhart - Duclair
Dal Colle - Petan - Virtanen
Crouse - Gauthier - Point
Dickinson

So I'd cut Ritchie, Chartier, and Paul. I could really go either way on Dickinson/Paul/Crouse, but from what I've heard Crouse showed much better at the CIS games last weekend than did the other two, and is also a natural winger. Dickinson is a versatile guy who can slot in at any forward position, play on either of the special teams, or fill in throughout the lineup in case of injury.

I agree, this roster gives Canada the best chance to win.

 

[couture23]

Canada gets its best player from last year's tournament back. He's gotta be named captain. His work ethic and leadership is going to bolster this team.

Yeah I wonder with him and Reinhart who would be named captain.

 

[Scouter]

Canada gets its best player from last year's tournament back. He's gotta be named captain. His work ethic and leadership is going to bolster this team.

I believe last years best players were Ekblad, Drouin and Mantha who made the all-star team, but to each his own.

 

[Minister of Offence]

Yeah I wonder with him and Reinhart who would be named captain.

Best player from last year and lead an unexpected team to the mem cup.

The only thing keeping lazar from captaincy is being late to camp
One political area that may land the C on lazar is HC begs for these loans.

 

[Proust*]

I believe last years best players were Ekblad and Drouin, but to each his own.

I think the consensus amongst the pundits and scouts (and I think this board) put Lazar in the top 2.

 

[ShameOnYouZidlicky]

Awesome to get Lazar. He deserves to be the captain of this team.

 

[Minister of Offence]

I believe last years best players were Ekblad and Drouin, but to each his own.

It's said lazar was best as common knowledge because coaches and media felt that way.

 

[TheNugeIsHuge]

Love the character Lazar has! Always has a smile on his face! Let's Go Canada

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

Lazar usually played on the right side in Edmonton, does this bump Fabbri down into a 13th forward/bottom 6 role?

 

[Steveorama]

Why would you have prefered Horvat?

Would really like to see an elite shutdown centre who brings size. Someone who can shutdown the Eichels of this tournament.
And win d-zone faceoffs in the last minutes of close games.
I like Lazar a lot...but Horvat would fill that role much better.

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

Would really like to see an elite shutdown centre who brings size. Someone who can shutdown the Eichels of this tournament.
And win d-zone faceoffs in the last minutes of close games.
I like Lazar a lot...but Horvat would fill that role much better.

I do think this could be a weakness for Canada. If Gauthier is struggling in a shutdown role, my guess is Lazar moves to the center to play against Eichel.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Thank you very much and a Merci beaucoup!!!

 

[Steveorama]

I do think this could be a weakness for Canada. If Gauthier is struggling in a shutdown role, my guess is Lazar moves to the center to play against Eichel.

I think so, too. I think they will be able to score. I'm not convinced they will be able to keep the puck out of their own net, though.

 

[Halfy]

Lazar usually played on the right side in Edmonton, does this bump Fabbri down into a 13th forward/bottom 6 role?

Fabbri can play both wings

 

[Craz1bo1]

Stephen Whyno ‏@SWhyno 14s
Curtis Lazar will join Canada's world junior team tomorrow night in Toronto but will not play in exhibition game vs. Russia - @SAMMYSAYS2010

 

[bert]

Yeah I wonder with him and Reinhart who would be named captain.

Probably the guy with the mem cup and NHL experience.

Id be surprised if Paul got cut now that Lazar is on the team, I don't think Ottawa would have released him if this was the case with all their current injuries.

 

[bert]

Would really like to see an elite shutdown centre who brings size. Someone who can shutdown the Eichels of this tournament.
And win d-zone faceoffs in the last minutes of close games.
I like Lazar a lot...but Horvat would fill that role much better.

Just described Lazar.

 

[Minister of Offence]

Would really like to see an elite shutdown centre who brings size. Someone who can shutdown the Eichels of this tournament.
And win d-zone faceoffs in the last minutes of close games.
I like Lazar a lot...but Horvat would fill that role much better.

Pretty futile argument considering we've seen lazar play center in the nhl, sometimes against star talent, and he's at many times lead by example in terms of how to play a very detailed two way game.

You can argue horvat is better for that role, but either way canada basically gets a new player to fill it's "most mature two way forward" spot.

If lazar plays shutdown, I'd be surprised if he doesn't get the upper hand regardless of the matchup

 

[shotvalley]

Pretty futile argument considering we've seen lazar play center in the nhl, sometimes against star talent, and he's at many times lead by example in terms of how to play a very detailed two way game.

You can argue horvat is better for that role, but either way canada basically gets a new player to fill it's "most mature two way forward" spot.

If lazar plays shutdown, I'd be surprised if he doesn't get the upper hand regardless of the matchup

Lazar will play with McDavid, but against USA, Lazar will be leading shutdown line against Eichel. And Lazar is gonna win that.

 

[Drew311]

He would play right wing on McDavids line most likely.


Fabbri - McDavid - Lazar
Domi - Reinhart - Duclair
Dal Colle - Petan - Virtanen
Dickinson - Gauthier - Point
Paul

Nurse - Theodore
Morrissey - Bowey
Morin - Hicketts
Fleury
Heatherington

Fucale
Comrie

Although they would be "interesting" defensively, a line of Fabbri - Petan - Duclair would be unbelievably fast and skilled. Would be a good line to throw out against Russia, Finland, etc. to match their speed.

 

[Bileur]

I see your point, though it worked out very poorly for other countries the last year canada had a chance to match a 17 year old phenom with an NHL body.

I can't wait to see it. Lazar is going to beast it against junior players. He has not looked outmatched physically against NHL guys, he's a stocky dude.

 

[Minister of Offence]

I can't wait to see it. Lazar is going to beast it against junior players. He has not looked outmatched physically against NHL guys, he's a stocky dude.

If his ability to crunch guys at the NHL level periodically is any indication, there will be some crunches.

Very feisty all over the ice. Great tone setter