WC: 2015 — Team Canada II

[JackSlater]

Are all likely scenarios for the Olympics as well (Nagano/Torino) So I really hate the 'it's experience' argument and the 'let's put all our eggs in the Olympics basket' approach.

Other than experience, this tournament doesn't have much value. It's a tournament that for decades prevented the world's best players from participating by design, and continues to do so today. There's great fandom for it in Europe, but the best players are never in attendance and the history of the tournament is nowhere near as prestigious as many claim. That's on the IIHF, and they do not seem inclined to change things. There probably isn't a realistic way to change this tournament for the better anyway.

I consider this tournament like the AHL playoffs, with the Olympics/best on best World Cup being the Stanley Cup equivalent. I prefer that the AHL affiliate of my NHL team wins, but I can't bring myself to care very much if they lose. What I really care about is making sure that good young players get experience to help my NHL (Olympic) team in the future.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Other than experience, this tournament doesn't have much value. It's a tournament that for decades prevented the world's best players from participating by design, and continues to do so today. There's great fandom for it in Europe, but the best players are never in attendance and the history of the tournament is nowhere near as prestigious as many claim. That's on the IIHF, and they do not seem inclined to change things. There probably isn't a realistic way to change this tournament for the better anyway.

I consider this tournament like the AHL playoffs, with the Olympics/best on best World Cup being the Stanley Cup equivalent. I prefer that the AHL affiliate of my NHL team wins, but I can't bring myself to care very much if they lose. What I really care about is making sure that good young players get experience to help my NHL (Olympic) team in the future.

Hey, it's not like I'm going to rush out and jump into my car waving the flag out the window while leaning on my horn in a celebratory frenzy if we win this tournament. (The Vancouver celebration) usually after winning this particular IIHF tournament my celebration usually consists of getting up to turn off the TV and then making a trip to my refrigerator for a turkey sandwich...and the game is usually forgotten about within 10 minutes...

BUT

any tournament we play is worth winning and the emphasis should be more on winning than 6-8 players gaining valuable experience. I think the experience factor gained from this tournament and it being a key to Canada's Olympic success is being a tad bit overvalued and overstated here.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Other than experience, this tournament doesn't have much value. It's a tournament that for decades prevented the world's best players from participating by design, and continues to do so today. There's great fandom for it in Europe, but the best players are never in attendance and the history of the tournament is nowhere near as prestigious as many claim. That's on the IIHF, and they do not seem inclined to change things. There probably isn't a realistic way to change this tournament for the better anyway.

I consider this tournament like the AHL playoffs, with the Olympics/best on best World Cup being the Stanley Cup equivalent. I prefer that the AHL affiliate of my NHL team wins, but I can't bring myself to care very much if they lose. What I really care about is making sure that good young players get experience to help my NHL (Olympic) team in the future.

On a more positive note, Mike Smith does have 1 rather famous fan in Prague. Dominik Hasek said today when asked about goaltending at the tournament: "I really like the Canadian, Mike Smith. How he can stickhandle is unreal! It is absolutely a new level. He plays no worse than a defenseman and even better than some. And of course one can't forget Renne. Not allowing a goal for 230 something minutes. It's a great achievement for him personally and for the team as a whole".

 

[JackSlater]

Hey, it's not like I'm going to rush out and jump into my car waving the flag out the window while leaning on my horn in a celebratory frenzy if we win this tournament. (The Vancouver celebration) usually after winning this particular IIHF tournament my celebration usually consists of getting up to turn off the TV and then making a trip to my refrigerator for a turkey sandwich...and the game is usually forgotten about within 10 minutes...

BUT

any tournament we play is worth winning and the emphasis should be more on winning than 6-8 players gaining valuable experience. I think the experience factor gained from this tournament and it being a key to Canada's Olympic success is being a tad bit overvalued and overstated here.

I would much rather have potential Olympic level players get experience in a losing effort than have a team of players who will never play for Canada at the top level win. Just because someone puts on a tournament and some players wear Canadian jerseys doesn't mean it's really worth much of anything to win.

This team is quite good, as players like Ekblad, Seguin, MacKinnon and so on can get experience internationally, while we also get to test out some chemistry. If the team was composed of guys like Thornton and Iginla who are still quite good but have no future at the top level, I would be disappointed regardless of the result. Canada isn't going to dominate or flame out at the Olympics based on the results of these tournaments, but they allow the players to get a little more experience which might make them a little more comfortable when it comes time to play big games. That's good enough.

 

[flaneur]

Am i the only who thinks that canada will fail to gold?

No. In these one and done tourneys it just takes some puck luck and a hot goalie to eliminate anyone. And while smith has been 'fine', he has let in enough bad goals to make me worry. Especially if the game becomes a goalie duel... because between rinne/bob vs smith I know who my money would be on.

 

[MiamiHockey]

No. In these one and done tourneys it just takes some puck luck and a hot goalie to eliminate anyone. And while smith has been 'fine', he has let in enough bad goals to make me worry. Especially if the game becomes a goalie duel... because between rinne/bob vs smith I know who my money would be on.

What's with all the negativity? Seriously. Canada manhandled the next two best teams in their division ... Sweden and the Czechs ... and the other division was won by the Americans whose Team Captain is a 4th line plugger from the Oilers.

Is it possible that Canada will run into a hot, hot goalie in the next three games? Yes. Is it likely? No. The goalie would have to stand on his head to stop this Canadian offense. 7 of Canada's 9 forwards have had a point-per-game season in the NHL. No other team has offense even remotely close to that potent.

 

[xxxx]

There is no one stopping us this year, seriously. Just no. You can score 5 goals on us. doesn't matter. I believe even if it's 0-4 after the second, this team is capable of winning that game. Personally, I think Canada will play on a different level now when the real hockey starts. I expect total domination. Seriously.

 

[1Gold Standard]

There is no one stopping us this year, seriously. Just no. You can score 5 goals on us. doesn't matter. I believe even if it's 0-4 after the second, this team is capable of winning that game. Personally, I think Canada will play on a different level now when the real hockey starts. I expect total domination. Seriously.

and if a 9.5 quake struck 1 km deep just under the city of Calgary, Calgary would be devastated beyond recognition, and the only building left standing, in your opinion, would be Hockey Canada HQ.

It must be nice living in your world.

 

[MiamiHockey]

and if a 9.5 quake struck 1 km deep just under the city of Calgary, Calgary would be devastated beyond recognition, and the only building left standing, in your opinion, would be Hockey Canada HQ.

It must be nice living in your world.

He lives in a pretty good world - the real one. The only position where any team at the WHC is better than Canada is in net. Rinne and perhaps Bobrovsky are better than Smith.

Sweden's FIRST-line center started this season in the AHL (Lander). The Czechs are actually relying on 43-yr-old Jagr, Russia's Def features ONE marginal NHLer (Kulikov) and a guy who was waived by the Oilers (Belov), and Finland's offence is anchored by a guy who scored 8 goals for the Panthers this season (Jussi Jokinen).

Canada is really icing a dominant team here. The only thing that stands in their way is an other-worldly performance by an opposing goalie. But, Canada will outshoot and outchance their opponents.

 

[playasRus]

He lives in a pretty good world - the real one. The only position where any team at the WHC is better than Canada is in net. Rinne and perhaps Bobrovsky are better than Smith.

Sweden's FIRST-line center started this season in the AHL (Lander). The Czechs are actually relying on 43-yr-old Jagr, Russia's Def features ONE marginal NHLer (Kulikov) and a guy who was waived by the Oilers (Belov), and Finland's offence is anchored by a guy who scored 8 goals for the Panthers this season (Jussi Jokinen).

Canada is really icing a dominant team here. The only thing that stands in their way is an other-worldly performance by an opposing goalie. But, Canada will outshoot and outchance their opponents.

As someone mentioned, all it takes is a hot goalie and any of the next three games could have us eliminated with no medal or silver. Belarus is no push over and it only gets tougher after that. It's happened before, and at the Olympics to boot where we boast we send out unbeatable best so it can easily happen at the WC, although I do say this is one of the best teams I've seen in a while. Even our D would be in the top tier in the NHL.

Anything goes!

 

[flaneur]

What's with all the negativity? Seriously. Canada manhandled the next two best teams in their division ... Sweden and the Czechs ... and the other division was won by the Americans whose Team Captain is a 4th line plugger from the Oilers.

Is it possible that Canada will run into a hot, hot goalie in the next three games? Yes. Is it likely? No. The goalie would have to stand on his head to stop this Canadian offense. 7 of Canada's 9 forwards have had a point-per-game season in the NHL. No other team has offense even remotely close to that potent.

Lol. I'm just tempering my own expectations. honestly I watched this team live and they are really good and should go all the way.

 

[Yakushev72]

Other than experience, this tournament doesn't have much value. It's a tournament that for decades prevented the world's best players from participating by design, and continues to do so today. There's great fandom for it in Europe, but the best players are never in attendance and the history of the tournament is nowhere near as prestigious as many claim. That's on the IIHF, and they do not seem inclined to change things. There probably isn't a realistic way to change this tournament for the better anyway.

I consider this tournament like the AHL playoffs, with the Olympics/best on best World Cup being the Stanley Cup equivalent. I prefer that the AHL affiliate of my NHL team wins, but I can't bring myself to care very much if they lose. What I really care about is making sure that good young players get experience to help my NHL (Olympic) team in the future.

The tournament is important enough so that Canada's best player, and arguably the best player in the World, jumps on a plane after a post-season disappointment and joins the Canadian team. If Canada's best and most famous player identifies it as one of his top personal priorities, how can casual fans make a case that its really irrelevant. Canada has a good chance to win it this year, and we'll all hear about it if they do. Its the only legitimate world championship sanctioned by the Hockey Federation of which Canada is a member organization.

 

[Get North]

The tournament is important enough so that Canada's best player, and arguably the best player in the World, jumps on a plane after a post-season disappointment and joins the Canadian team. If Canada's best and most famous player identifies it as one of his top personal priorities, how can casual fans make a case that its really irrelevant. Canada has a good chance to win it this year, and we'll all hear about it if they do. Its the only legitimate world championship sanctioned by the Hockey Federation of which Canada is a member organization.

We'll see if we win, if we do, no one is going to make any noise. It'll make noise for a day, then we're back to the NHL playoffs in Canada.

 

[Canuck21t]

The tournament is important enough so that Canada's best player, and arguably the best player in the World, jumps on a plane after a post-season disappointment and joins the Canadian team. If Canada's best and most famous player identifies it as one of his top personal priorities, how can casual fans make a case that its really irrelevant. Canada has a good chance to win it this year, and we'll all hear about it if they do. Its the only legitimate world championship sanctioned by the Hockey Federation of which Canada is a member organization.

We've won this tournament before and there has never been any celebration like we see in Europe. When you say if Canada wins we'll all hear about it, let it be clear that 'all' really means in this forum.

 

[Drij]

The tournament is important enough so that Canada's best player, and arguably the best player in the World, jumps on a plane after a post-season disappointment and joins the Canadian team. If Canada's best and most famous player identifies it as one of his top personal priorities, how can casual fans make a case that its really irrelevant. Canada has a good chance to win it this year, and we'll all hear about it if they do. Its the only legitimate world championship sanctioned by the Hockey Federation of which Canada is a member organization.

its only the 2nd time he's come, maybe he just wants another medal for his trophy case.

 

[xxxx]

and if a 9.5 quake struck 1 km deep just under the city of Calgary, Calgary would be devastated beyond recognition, and the only building left standing, in your opinion, would be Hockey Canada HQ.

It must be nice living in your world.

I just think that HockeyCanada guys know what they are doing. Doesn't mean I would agree with everything.

In terms of this tournament - I do think we are going to dominate in the next three games. I understand that even with this star-filled team it's a bold prediction, but that's how I see it. Gold will be enough for me though.

 

[JackSlater]

There is no one stopping us this year, seriously. Just no. You can score 5 goals on us. doesn't matter. I believe even if it's 0-4 after the second, this team is capable of winning that game. Personally, I think Canada will play on a different level now when the real hockey starts. I expect total domination. Seriously.

He lives in a pretty good world - the real one. The only position where any team at the WHC is better than Canada is in net. Rinne and perhaps Bobrovsky are better than Smith.

Sweden's FIRST-line center started this season in the AHL (Lander). The Czechs are actually relying on 43-yr-old Jagr, Russia's Def features ONE marginal NHLer (Kulikov) and a guy who was waived by the Oilers (Belov), and Finland's offence is anchored by a guy who scored 8 goals for the Panthers this season (Jussi Jokinen).

Canada is really icing a dominant team here. The only thing that stands in their way is an other-worldly performance by an opposing goalie. But, Canada will outshoot and outchance their opponents.

Canada often sends the most talented team to this tournament (and often to an even greater degree at other tournaments) but still loses frequently. It's a one game elimination situation. Canada is the favourite for the remainder of this tournament, but are in no way a lock. In 2012 and 2013 at this tournament Canada lost to far less talented teams. It's happened in the Olympics several times. At least this team has looked pretty solid in each of its games thus far.

The tournament is important enough so that Canada's best player, and arguably the best player in the World, jumps on a plane after a post-season disappointment and joins the Canadian team.

For the first time in almost a decade, despite multiple opportunities to play.

If Canada's best and most famous player identifies it as one of his top personal priorities, how can casual fans make a case that its really irrelevant.

For the reasons that I already listed. I've also never seen Crosby list this tournament as one of his top priorities. It's nice that many of the better players who are available have gone for Canada, but they demonstrate consistently that it isn't a "top" priority.

Canada has a good chance to win it this year, and we'll all hear about it if they do.

I doubt it, unless you come to this specific thread repeatedly. In the Canadian media whatever is happening in the playoffs will be far bigger news.

Its the only legitimate world championship sanctioned by the Hockey Federation of which Canada is a member organization.

The IIHF can call their tournament whatever they like. A legitimate World Championship has the world's best players competing, which unfortunately this tournament never does. It would be ideal if the IIHF could fix that problem, but it seems unlikely.

 

[xxxx]

The tournament is important enough so that Canada's best player, and arguably the best player in the World, jumps on a plane after a post-season disappointment and joins the Canadian team. If Canada's best and most famous player identifies it as one of his top personal priorities, how can casual fans make a case that its really irrelevant. Canada has a good chance to win it this year, and we'll all hear about it if they do. Its the only legitimate world championship sanctioned by the Hockey Federation of which Canada is a member organization.

yeah, that's exactly the same way I think about World Cup.

 

[illpucks]

The tournament is important enough so that Canada's best player, and arguably the best player in the World, jumps on a plane after a post-season disappointment and joins the Canadian team.

Crosby is an opportunist. He wants his triple gold and that's it. If Canada wins, I doubt we ever see Crosby back in the WC again. He saw his opportunity on a stacked team and went for it.

 

[MiamiHockey]

Crosby is an opportunist. He wants his triple gold and that's it. If Canada wins, I doubt we ever see Crosby back in the WC again. He saw his opportunity on a stacked team and went for it.

This criticism of Crosby is ridiculous. In every season since he last participated (2006) he's either gone deep into the playoffs, had also played in the Olympics that season, or was recovering from an injury.

These guys do not get paid anything for going to the World Championships. There is nothing to criticize.

 

[JackSlater]

Crosby is an opportunist. He wants his triple gold and that's it. If Canada wins, I doubt we ever see Crosby back in the WC again. He saw his opportunity on a stacked team and went for it.

Ehhhh there's a fair amount of projection here. Crosby was asked once or twice about the IIHF's "triple gold club" (that I've seen) but has never brought it up unprompted or spoken strongly about wanting to win this tournament for that reason. We also don't know about his thoughts on team composition. He played this year, but not in other years with quality teams. It happens.

 

[Chileiceman]

I think it's crazy to think that it would take a miracle for Canada to lose. Yes, on paper they are the best team, perhaps even by a fairly wide margin. But they cut it close against Sweden and France. They have a bad goalie.

Belarus beat the US and came very close to beating Finland. They are much better than Austria or Germany. My final score prediction is 6-3 Canada (including an ENG).

 

[1Gold Standard]

We'll see if we win, if we do, no one is going to make any noise. It'll make noise for a day, then we're back to the NHL playoffs in Canada.

For a day? more like 10 minutes. There'll be no grand reception at the airport to greet our conquering heroes (if they were to win it) as there is in other countries. Although the Air Canada crew at Terminal 1 in Toronto may organize a modest reception with donuts and coffee supplied from Tim Horton's. There'll be no grand parade through Toronto or Montreal, as in other countries. There'll be no grand reception at the Prime Minister's residence, although being the hockey historian our PM is, he'll probably make a 5 minute congratulatory call to the coach and to Sid on the taxpayers expense. I hear he's a bit of a cheapskate. There'll be no cross country tour of the IIHF trophy, photo opps for the casual fan, as there are in other countries. It will however be the lead on that evening's TSN SC broadcast...only because the IIHF WHC is a TSN property and the only hockey they have left to promote. Winning it would be nice, and true, I prefer to win it, but win or lose, this tournament will be forgotten by the time the puck drops for that evening's NHL play-off action.

 

[Juppy61]

For a day? more like 10 minutes. There'll be no grand reception at the airport to greet our conquering heroes (if they were to win it) as there is in other countries. Although the Air Canada crew at Terminal 1 in Toronto may organize a modest reception with donuts and coffee supplied from Tim Horton's. There'll be no grand parade through Toronto or Montreal, as in other countries. There'll be no grand reception at the Prime Minister's residence, although being the hockey historian our PM is, he'll probably make a 5 minute congratulatory call to the coach and to Sid on the taxpayers expense. I hear he's a bit of a cheapskate. There'll be no cross country tour of the IIHF trophy, photo opps for the casual fan, as there are in other countries. It will however be the lead on that evening's TSN SC broadcast...only because the IIHF WHC is a TSN property and the only hockey they have left to promote. Winning it would be nice, and true, I prefer to win it, but win or lose, this tournament will be forgotten by the time the puck drops for that evening's NHL play-off action.

Yep, what he said. I am one of the few Canadians who pays attention to this tournament. Heck, I make a point of watching the semi and final games regardless if Canada is in or not. This is not the case for most Canadian fans. As I said in another post, if Canada makes the final there will be heightened interest but no there will be no grand reception, no parade.

 

[tony d]

If anything we should get to the semi's. Think we beat Belarus 7-1 today.