WJC: 2015 — Canada Roster Talk (Part IV)

[arsmaster*]

I think his big body could be very useful against Team USA. I know Canadian fans are upset with his placement, but that does seem a game where Gauthier can bring a lot to the table in my opinion.

Remember buffalo?

Built a team to beat the Americans and got best by Russia in the finals.

Bring the best players.

 

[yoss]

Will be my first chance to see what all the McDavid/Eichel hype is about, haven't really seen those guys play much. So looking forward to that. Definitely saw flashes of it in the exhibition games. Hopefully they find someone with chemistry for that line, whomever they may be. Duclair is another guy I was also not really familiar with who has really impressed me. Would put Paul in that category too.

 

[arsmaster*]

Winning handily? They lost one of their 3 pre tourney games because they only scored one goal.

Sorry I'm taking the guy who has 2ppg and a goal a game in the OHL over a 19 year old who is barely PPG in the Q.

People can call it hate all they want. Or homerism. It's not from my end.

 

[JackSlater]

I actually agree that Gauthier was not the best choice for this team. I feel like there were better options.

That being said, the degree to which some of you are going to crap all over a 19 year old kid is a bit weird to be honest. Is he the best player for the spot? No, he is not. But he is big, great in his own zone, wins draws and kills penalties, and guess what, ain't bad offensively either. I know this is an unpopular opinion, and no he isn't as electric as some of the other guys on the team, but many just put on irrational hatred blinders every time he steps on the ice. He is excellent with the puck down low, he gets in front and wreaks havoc, and he creates space so guys like Virtanen and Crouse can run around and do their thing.

For all of you expecting him to dangle 4 people and score, yeah you're always gonna be complaining. The fact that there is STILL crying about Gauthier being there while Canada is winning these games handily is just ridiculous at this point.

People aren't complaining that Gauthier doesn't "dangle 4 people and score" but that he isn't even doing the basic tasks he was brought in for. That is a problem. Thus far he has killed offensive chances by mishandling the puck at a much higher frequency than anyone else on the team, and he's been a bit too slow to stifle anyone defensively. Hopefully he improves.

They didn't bring Gauthier in to play on a top 3 line. He is there to settle the PK, and play the hard minutes so that the stars can play favourable matchups. Gauthier is a PK specialist, and if he limits a team like USA/Sweden/Russia on the PP then he has done his job. If people think that we're going to win, or lose because of Gauthier then they are morons.

This is idiotic. Of course the fourth line and penalty kill can impact the results. Canada's 13th forward at the 2010 Olympics ended up being the top forward in the tournament. The best plan is to take the best available players as long as that strategy doesn't leave you with glaring holes in the team. Gauthier is unlikely to sink Canada's chances, but he seems even less likely to improve them. That is the problem.

Just let him play. I'm so boring to read people that are mad on 1 player because of his born place or the team he is drafted from. Gauthier will help us on different assets of the game, just stop focusing on him and only on what he did wrong. If you are looking at him thinking that he is a french canadian drafted by the Leafs, yep you'll probably notice more mistakes of him. But if you are a bit neutral, you'll probably see that he makes as many mistakes as the others players, guys like Fabbri,Point, Crouse(Where is the hockey sense of this guy???).

He has looked bad in the three pre-tournament games, and it has nothing to do with where he is from or who drafted him. I certainly hope that he improves and can contribute when the tournament starts, but no forward has been worse thus far. Calling other people biased is a cop out.

 

[arsmaster*]

The funny thing is that if you go back to all the pre tourney potential roster threads many people said exactly their feelings on why they didn't want gauthier on the team. His play is only corroborating those feelings. The same people who wanted him on the team (leafs fans and Q based fans) were making the same excuses then.

 

[CaptainChef]

Winning is great, but they are winning in spite of Gauthier, and it is very apparent how out of his depth Gauthier looks at this level.

I don't think its a matter of people crying about Gauthier being on the team. It's a matter of Team Canada fans being legitimately concerned about what he can bring when the games start to count.

I just want Canada to win. I don't care about what my NHL affiliations are. I hate the politics behind selection and Gauthier isn't the only player I wouldn't select.

Far more troubling to me was there being no competition for the goaltending position. How Tristan Jarry doesn't even get an invite is horrendous. Fucale being handed the reins scares me far more than Gauthier sucking for 8 minutes a game.[/QUOTE]

Fucale is definitely the biggest mistake that HC made in selecting this team. While he has the potential to be good, he has much more potential to be bad lately. They chose him for political reasons (Montreal & Q representation), and HC executive will go down with that decision.

 

[Leviathan899]

Does everyone remember that Gauthier was a big part of the 2013 U-18 team that upset team USA in the gold medal game? Gauthier played really well and scored the game winning goal in the Gold Medal game to beat USA.

 

[Baby Pettersson]

Does everyone remember that Gauthier was a big part of the 2013 U-18 team that upset team USA in the gold medal game? Gauthier played really well and scored the game winning goal in the Gold Medal game to beat USA.

What's that got to do with him sucking in the WJC this year. The tournament is only going to get harder. It's not looking to good for Gauthier, or for team Canada for that matter. The way this tournament is, you need every line rolling to win. Gauthier single handidly has been the dead weight bring down that line.

 

[zeke]

all this talk about gauthier when he isn't even the worst forward on the team. weird.

but how long are they going to keep ritchie with mcdavid, anyways?

 

[Ed Belfour]

Gauthier is playing well this tourny. The fact that you guys think he has been awful or a weight dragging down the incredible and amazing Virtanen really says all we need to know.

 

[euro35]

Heres How I see Canada's best shot for gold

Domi Rienhart Duclair we all get this !

Fabbri McDavid Rithchie This makes McDavid comfortable you have speed size skill

Virtanen Lazar Point This gives you loads of skill size and speed

Crouse Petan Paul This lets Petan Create from his natural position with two big wingers


Gautier can spray water in Mcdavids mouth when he needs it

 

[xIsle]

Heres How I see Canada's best shot for gold

Domi Rienhart Duclair we all get this !

Fabbri McDavid Rithchie This makes McDavid comfortable you have speed size skill

Virtanen Lazar Point This gives you loads of skill size and speed

Crouse Petan Paul This lets Petan Create from his natural position with two big wingers


Gautier can spray water in Mcdavids mouth when he needs it

This is three righties on a same line.

 

[GroundskeeperWillie*]

Can we still switch Gauthier for Ho-Sang?

Thought the team looked real good against Sweden and the Swiss. Can't wait to play the Americans.

 

[arsmaster*]

Gauthier is playing well this tourny. The fact that you guys think he has been awful or a weight dragging down the incredible and amazing Virtanen really says all we need to know.

There hasn't been a post in the last two pages linking virtanen and Gauthier.

Not surprised the leafs fans are out in full force.

On the topic of virtanen, I've wanted him on the 3rd line with Petan since before this camp even started but I think that Petan, point Fabbri line could tear other teams bottom lines apart so I have no problem with them getting their shifts together.

 

[GroundskeeperWillie*]

I think Ritchies going to be on his best behaviour this tournament. I think its Viranen thats going to do something stupid and take a 10 or 15 game suspension. I'd like to have Ho-Sang over Point just to add more offense even though we aren't hurting with what we have (Domi, Duclair, Virtanen, Mcdavid) but it couldn't hurt. Gautheir is slow and hasn't really impressed me but then again he has. I don't have a problem with him being used on the PK. And having his size against the U.S can't hurt either. I'd just like to have Ho-Sang instead of Point or Fabbri but it's too late.

 

[GroundskeeperWillie*]

Ritchie - Mcdavid - Lazar
Domi - Reinhart - Duclair
Ho-Sang - Paul - Petan
Crouse - Gauthier - Virtanen
Point

That's what I would have gone with but its easy to say this now.

 

[How Ya Drouin]

I think Ritchies going to be on his best behaviour this tournament. I think its Viranen thats going to do something stupid and take a 10 or 15 game suspension. I'd like to have Ho-Sang over Point just to add more offense even though we aren't hurting with what we have (Domi, Duclair, Virtanen, Mcdavid) but it couldn't hurt. Gautheir is slow and hasn't really impressed me but then again he has. I don't have a problem with him being used on the PK. And having his size against the U.S can't hurt either. I'd just like to have Ho-Sang instead of Point or Fabbri but it's too late.

Holy **** how stupid are we talking?

 

[GroundskeeperWillie*]

Holy **** how stupid are we talking?

I just have a bad feeling about him. Ritchie knows all eyes are on him before the puck is even dropped but Virtanen is an animal. I can't wait for the U.s game

 

[arsmaster*]

I think Ritchies going to be on his best behaviour this tournament. I think its Viranen thats going to do something stupid and take a 10 or 15 game suspension. I'd like to have Ho-Sang over Point just to add more offense even though we aren't hurting with what we have (Domi, Duclair, Virtanen, Mcdavid) but it couldn't hurt. Gautheir is slow and hasn't really impressed me but then again he has. I don't have a problem with him being used on the PK. And having his size against the U.S can't hurt either. I'd just like to have Ho-Sang instead of Point or Fabbri but it's too late.

I don't understand how you think Ho-sang would bring more offensively when both guys you named are better offensively and perform better in the confines of systems play. I'm a Ho-sang fan but that complaint doesn't compute.

---

You expecting Virtanen to pull out an ak-47 on the ice? Lol.

Generally the hits that lead to suspensions in this tournament are retaliation penalties (looks more likely that Virtanen would draw one of these than take one. You can tell he's driving guys nuts out there) or hits where the hitter just isn't quick enough to get there. Not too worried. Virtanen has the skating speed and agility where I don't expect him to be late on his hits.

 

[Love]

Does everyone remember that Gauthier was a big part of the 2013 U-18 team that upset team USA in the gold medal game? Gauthier played really well and scored the game winning goal in the Gold Medal game to beat USA.

It does not matter what Gauthier did almost 2 years ago. The bottom line is Gauthier over MDC was a mistake whether Canada wins this tournament or not.

 

[Jetlaggedoil]

Really wish they would have at least brought jarry to camp, then consequently cut fucale. The fact that they seem determined to run with him regardless of how the rest of our goalies perform is unsettling. Hope they end up giving the reigns to Comrie, I feel way more comfortable with him between the pipes.

 

[GroundskeeperWillie*]

I don't understand how you think Ho-sang would bring more offensively when both guys you named are better offensively and perform better in the confines of systems play. I'm a Ho-sang fan but that complaint doesn't compute.

---

You expecting Virtanen to pull out an ak-47 on the ice? Lol.

Generally the hits that lead to suspensions in this tournament are retaliation penalties (looks more likely that Virtanen would draw one of these than take one. You can tell he's driving guys nuts out there) or hits where the hitter just isn't quick enough to get there. Not too worried. Virtanen has the skating speed and agility where I don't expect him to be late on his hits.

If you're saying that Gautheir is as good as Ho-Sang then you my friend are delusional. Gautheir is our worst player.

 

[CanaFan]

If you're saying that Gautheir is as good as Ho-Sang then you my friend are delusional. Gautheir is our worst player.

You said you'd prefer to have seen Ho-Sang over Fabbri or Point, that is what he is responding to. Trust me, no one thinks Gauthier is better offensively.

 

[Leviathan899]

It does not matter what Gauthier did almost 2 years ago. The bottom line is Gauthier over MDC was a mistake whether Canada wins this tournament or not.

I know I was just using it as an example for the people who say he wouldn't be able to keep up with the speed of the US, when a lot of those same players will be suiting up for the US this year. It was only a year and a half ago anyways, so it still has relevance, as it was the 95 birth year that won the U-18's, and now they are in line for the World Juniors. But I the teams are definitely different, but I was just using it as an example to show Gauthier can perform in a tournament like this, and was an integral part of that teams success.

 

[Hyzer]

I would argue that Ritchie would be WAY more likely to dish out a stupid hit than Virtanen. Virtanen is fast/agile enough that the hit wouldn't be late or could change direction, compared to Ritchie's overall speed and skating ability. This is just my opinion though.