WJC: 2015 — Canada Roster Talk (Part IV)

[habsrule4eva3089]

Don't sugar coated, Eva. Tell us what you think.

Question for you...

If 2015 had been Toronto-Hamilton and 2017 had been Montreal-Quebec City, would 2017 have sold out?

Toronto/Hamilton of course.

Montreal/Quebec, no chance.

Just doesn't work here, it's only an NHL town, people don't know Hockey apart from the Montreal Canadiens. The term bandwagoner probably started here lol.

They're barely selling Canada games, I can't imagine how empty the other games will be.

Only one game is selling, can't be that way.

Miss the days when it went to the small towns, and non NHL cities, how it should be.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

Miss the days when it went to the small towns, and non NHL cities, how it should be.

Amen to that.

 

[scotian1]

Amen, only been a few exhibition games but it's been a while since a team that looks this good on paper has looked as good if not better on the ice! Thank god

Nice to see mcdavid get an A which means he will get the ice time he deserves and not get the classic underage treatment (mackinnon/drouin/mcdavid last year) where they seemed to get shafted for ice even after making great plays

The lack of playing time MacKinnon received was mind boggling. If some of the coaches were coaching when Gretzky played in the World's he never would have had the results he had.

As a 16-year-old, Wayne Gretzky was the youngest player to participate in the 1978 tournament, his first of many international appearances. Gretzky’s age didn’t stop him from leading the tournament with 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in just six games played.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Anyone know why Canada has it's players wearing regular visors for the first time ever instead of top covered visors which they've been wearing since basically forever...

NOW

BEFORE (Years 2014,13,12..etc all the way to forever lol)

 

[GuillaumeLetsundress*]

The lack of playing time MacKinnon received was mind boggling. If some of the coaches were coaching when Gretzky played in the World's he never would have had the results he had.

As a 16-year-old, Wayne Gretzky was the youngest player to participate in the 1978 tournament, his first of many international appearances. Gretzky’s age didn’t stop him from leading the tournament with 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in just six games played.

Agreed. Need to let these eagles soar. Glad mcdavid will be given opportunity to shine

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Anyone know why Canada has it's players wearing regular visors for the first time ever instead of top covered visors which they've been wearing since basically forever...

NOW

BEFORE (Years 2014,13,12..etc all the way to forever lol)

haha ok i think we need games to start... we are getting bored it seems!!!

 

[Asinine]

Anyone know why Canada has it's players wearing regular visors for the first time ever instead of top covered visors which they've been wearing since basically forever...

Who knows. I think the Bauer visors (attached at the top) are more of a CHL thing. I have one and i'm pretty sure they are going to be a thing of the past in the next couple years.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Obviously, I hope you're right.

It's funny. For years Hockey Canada was criticized for leaving the skilled scorers at home. It would be awful if that was our downfall this year - because we didn't have enough defensive players.

I've never been a fan of omitting highly skilled scoring forwards in place of older (yet inferior) 2 way players, so long as the skilled guys show intensity and grit when asked. That's why I like the selection of Point - he's got a great scoring touch but plays hard in both ends.

But on D, I think it makes a bit more sense to go with veteran, defensive minded guys a bit more. It's a much harder position to learn. And with a team so deep up front, Canada can afford to prioritize defense first defenseman.

 

[Minister of Offence]

The lack of playing time MacKinnon received was mind boggling. If some of the coaches were coaching when Gretzky played in the World's he never would have had the results he had.

As a 16-year-old, Wayne Gretzky was the youngest player to participate in the 1978 tournament, his first of many international appearances. Gretzky’s age didn’t stop him from leading the tournament with 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in just six games played.

Something tells me had Wayne started on the bottom line he'd have forced the hand by scoring and dominating in the minutes he got. Mackinnon didn't.

Crosby was the same way at 16. Tavares as well. Spezza too.

There's no place in the game anymore for someone like bobby Orr and the days a 16 year old can dominate a tournament of 18-19s is gone. If it were to happen, it would be a 16 year old that scores in big ice time because he woulda scored in little ice time too.

 

[lawrence]

What a dumb post. Virtanen should be on the front line with Mcdavid.

not sure what his issue is, he originally challenged, Gautheir Virtannen and Ritchie "to prove him wrong."

The message was a response to nobody and he decided just to throw it out there, (keep in mind, Gautheir and virtannen are Leafs and CAnucks prospects).

At first again he decides to randomly say "to be honest Virtannen and Ritchie are that good" in response again, to nobody, it's been 20 messages at least since anyone even talked about Virtannen, it's already agreed apon that Ritchie aint that good, yet he decides to Rip em again, Jake Virtannen, demoted to a 4the line player, who is playing great as a 4th line player, the play is always on the other end of the ice when he's out there, yet he decides to rip Virtannen again.

what a joke. Virtannen is on the team! he already proved him wrong by making the team.

btw I do think it's crazy some Canucks fans are putting him on a line with McDavid. My prediction was always Virtannen on the 4th line.

 

[lawrence]

whois starting on Tuesday?

Comrie right? I hope it's comrie, if it's Fucale, then I have no hopes in our goaltending.

 

[CanadianSniper]

whois starting on Tuesday?

Comrie right? I hope it's comrie, if it's Fucale, then I have no hopes in our goaltending.

I also hope it's Comrie, but Groulx has remained very tight-lipped about who is starting. I don't believe in Fucale, he seems to give up weak goals at the worst times.

 

[Dr.Sens(e)]

The lack of playing time MacKinnon received was mind boggling. If some of the coaches were coaching when Gretzky played in the World's he never would have had the results he had.

As a 16-year-old, Wayne Gretzky was the youngest player to participate in the 1978 tournament, his first of many international appearances. Gretzky’s age didn’t stop him from leading the tournament with 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in just six games played.

Well, MacKinnon wasn't, isn't, and never will be, Gretzky. Hell, Crosby saw sheltered minutes when he was 16, more so than Gretzky. Of course, he wasn't Gretzky either. And MacKinnon isn't even Crosby.

Don't get me wrong, I like MacKinnon, as he is terrific NHLer and will be an allstar for many years. But using Gretzky as a comparison to how he was treated is just silly, as Gretzky was clearly the best teenage player in the world at 16. People weren't even sure MacKinnon was the best 17 year old on his own team at that time of his draft year, at least until the Memorial Cup.

 

[canucks10]

to be fair Ritchie and Virtanen arent very good either

Be nice

 

[StrictlyCommercial]

Kind of distressing how few righties we have.

 

[sabresEH]

Anyone know why Canada has it's players wearing regular visors for the first time ever instead of top covered visors which they've been wearing since basically forever...

NOW

BEFORE (Years 2014,13,12..etc all the way to forever lol)

Who knows. I think the Bauer visors (attached at the top) are more of a CHL thing. I have one and i'm pretty sure they are going to be a thing of the past in the next couple years.

The visors they have this year are also Bauer. They are the Bauer pro visor so the attachments are just on the sides instead of an entire face plate. These visors are not csa or hecc approved and therefore they are not allowed in CHL play. I'm not sure of the iihf's rules for the u-20 but if they are allowed to use them then the boys would've asked for them.

 

[STL fan in MN]

I really hate saying this cause I want to see Canada win in every single aspect of this tournament, but I think Eichel is going to steal the show away from McDavid as far as this whole McDavid/Eichel thing is going on. I still think McDavid will go number 1 in the draft, but after this tournament, Eichel will shrink the gap and with the tournament being in Canada, he will want to prove to Canada that he thinks he is better than McDavid. Eichel is a very special talent and will put on a show this tournament IMO.... like I said, I hate saying that!!.... so dont hate me haha

I could see you being right for two reasons.

1. Eichel will be the obvious go-to guy for the US while Canada has more offensive options
2. It's very possible McDavid will be rusty at first

 

[BasedGOD*]

Eberle is the best WJC player of all time, yes better than Lindros

 

[Skip2myBordyloo]

Eberle is the best WJC player of all time, yes better than Lindros

Best Canadian*....maybe.

 

[The Iron Goalie]

Best Canadian*....maybe.

Indeed. Peter Forsberg's 31Pts is 7Gp wins out...lol his stat line was just stupid good 7Gp 7G 24A 31Pts. Incredible player.

 

[Icebreakers]

Indeed. Peter Forsberg's 31Pts is 7Gp wins out...lol his stat line was just stupid good 7Gp 7G 24A 31Pts. Incredible player.

Yeah but he got 10 points in one game vs Japan... lol

 

[topched88]

Yeah but he got 10 points in one game vs Japan... lol

But still, even omitting the fact he got 10 points in one game (which is incredible anyway) he would have still put up 21 in 6...not to shabby lol

 

[Icebreakers]

But still, even omitting the fact he got 10 points in one game (which is incredible anyway) he would have still put up 21 in 6...not to shabby lol

Yeah its impressive but theres a big difference between 21 in 6 or 31 in 7.

 

[nowhereman]

to be fair Ritchie and Virtanen arent very good either

Virtanen is a sixth overall pick who scored 45 goals in the WHL as a 17 year old and was almost eligible for this year's draft. Yeah, sounds like a player who's not very good...

I'd wager he ends up a better NHLer than 4/5ths of the players on this team. Get a clue, pal.

 

[irunthepeg]

Eberle is the best WJC player of all time, yes better than Lindros

Agreed (at least best Canadian). I still want to see him out of Edmonton so I can cheer for him and so I can see him in the playoffs. I want to see if his clutch magic still exists haha.