WC: 2015 — Team Canada II

[1Gold Standard]

I'm interested to see how the culture develops. Crosby, MacKinnon, Duchene, Tavares and others train together in the summer. They've been spending time in Halifax (Spezza too) the last two summers at the very least, which gets local attention, and then different parts of North America. Tavares and Duchene are proven to be dedicated to playing for Canada, Crosby looks like he might be that guy too when healthy, and perhaps MacKinnon has been brought up in that direction. It's a good thing if the next generation of top Canadian players (McDavid, Bennett, Monahan, Reinhart, Hamilton, Rielly etc.) come up with the desire to play for Canada whenever they can.

Roster management can't be criticized too much this year. Doughty said no, and all of the other top defencemen were injured or in the playoffs. Tavares would have gone apparently, but they probably never expected Crosby.

It's hard to guess about next year. They're always going to fill most of the spots with teams that miss the playoffs just to be safe. There are plenty of good young players available, so it will be interesting once again if most of them agree to go. At the very least we should see Hall - McDavid - Eberle.

I would look forward to that. BTW Canada plays in the St. Petersburg Group next year.

 

[Macman]

[/B]


I would look forward to that. BTW Canada plays in the St. Petersburg Group next year.

Oh, that's good. The city has a lot to do with attracting players to the worlds. St. Petersburg should help.

 

[Aceboogie]

Also think that Hall, Seguin, Ekblad and maybe Eberle have all punched their ticket to the Olympic team.

Agreed. Although on Eberle he is still a bubble player to me. There is so many good options at forward and some players bring better 2 way. He would have to put up 75-80 points for me to justify him going

 

[JackSlater]

Oh, that's good. The city has a lot to do with attracting players to the worlds. St. Petersburg should help.

It certainly doesn't hurt. I also think that the new million franc reward could entice Hockey Canada to pursue players a little more doggedly. It's less of an issue to insure a big contract if that reward is dangled in front of them as a possibility.

Difficult to predict what we might see next year. Oilers (McDavid, Hall, Eberle, Nugent) Sabres (Ennis, Reinhart, Kane) Leafs (Rielly) and not much else to pencil in. I hope to see guys like Rielly, Murray and Hamilton be healthy enough to play if their teams are eliminated. This year was a good experience though. Lots of reps for young forwards, and Ekblad too. No one seemed happier after this tournament than Ekblad. Given that he's on Florida, I think we will be seeing a lot of him at this tournament.

 

[Cellee]

Miller and Ferraro joked that the 1 million dollar bonus may not last very long as a feature of the WHC.

Haha

 

[MiamiHockey]

Agreed. Although on Eberle he is still a bubble player to me. There is so many good options at forward and some players bring better 2 way. He would have to put up 75-80 points for me to justify him going

Agreed, and I'm a big Eberle fan. He's a really strong complementary player, and if he is selected it will be like when Kunitz was selected for Sochi ... it will be a question of how he fits with other players in the lineup.

In 3 years from now, Canada will have some tough choices. Here's my projected lineup as of now:

McDavid - Crosby - Stamkos
Hall - Toews - MacKinnon
Duchene - Giroux - Seguin
O'Reilly - Tavares - Perry
Nugent-Hopkins / Bergeron

Brodie - Doughty
Giordano - Subban
Pouliot - Ekblad
Pietrangelo / Weber

Price / Bernier / Jones

 

[David Strorm]

Agreed, and I'm a big Eberle fan. He's a really strong complementary player, and if he is selected it will be like when Kunitz was selected for Sochi ... it will be a question of how he fits with other players in the lineup.

In 3 years from now, Canada will have some tough choices. Here's my projected lineup as of now:

McDavid - Crosby - Stamkos
Hall - Toews - MacKinnon
Duchene - Giroux - Seguin
O'Reilly - Tavares - Perry
Nugent-Hopkins / Bergeron

Brodie - Doughty
Giordano - Subban
Pouliot - Ekblad
Pietrangelo / Weber

Price / Bernier / Jones

Replace RNH with Benn.

 

[MiamiHockey]

Replace RNH with Benn.

Three years from now, it will be tough to tell which is the better choice. Benn has the better offensive numbers and size. RNH is developing into a Toews-like two-way player. I would see him in Korea fitting that type of role.

Again, this is simply guesswork for which guy will be the better fit.

 

[klozge]

Three years from now, it will be tough to tell which is the better choice. Benn has the better offensive numbers and size. RNH is developing into a Toews-like two-way player. I would see him in Korea fitting that type of role.

Again, this is simply guesswork for which guy will be the better fit.

Cute idea but no. Just replace RNH.

 

[MiamiHockey]

Cute idea but no. Just replace RNH.

Feel free to watch RNH play. He was supposed to be on this WHC Team, but had to recover from a broken foot. He's an outstanding centreman.

 

[JackSlater]

Feel free to watch RNH play. He was supposed to be on this WHC Team, but had to recover from a broken foot. He's an outstanding centreman.

Even if Nugent becomes equal to Benn or a little bit better he is still unlikely to make the team over him. Benn is one of relatively few elite and natural Canadian wingers, plus he brings a physical element that most elite players don't. Being an elite centre for Canada is comparatively less valuable.

 

[flaneur]

gosh. just read that like crosby, tavares also volunteered for this tournament but was turned down because they were out of roster spots

 

[Jesus Christ Horburn]

2018:

Crosby
Tavares
Stamkos
McDavid
Toews
Hall
Seguin
Benn
Duchene
Eberle
O'Reilly
MacKinnon
Drouin
Huberdeau
Johansen
Couture
Couturier
Scheifele
Ennis
Nugent-Hopkins
Monahan
Bennett
etc.

The options at forward are limitless

 

[MiamiHockey]

Even if Nugent becomes equal to Benn or a little bit better he is still unlikely to make the team over him. Benn is one of relatively few elite and natural Canadian wingers, plus he brings a physical element that most elite players don't. Being an elite centre for Canada is comparatively less valuable.

We're comparing apples and oranges here, and it's 3 years away. RNH is younger and still developing, whereas Benn is hitting his prime right now. Tough to say who will be better come 2018.

Physical play is much less important (and skating ability much more important) on Olympic-sized ice than it is on NHL-sized ice, and while Benn is a good skater, RNH is deceptively fast and quick, and it's extremely unlikely that Benn is as quick as RNH. as we saw in Sochi, Benn generates his offense with his power, and was a great fit with Getzlaf and Perry for that reason. But how would he fit on a line with an elite skater like Crosby or McDavid?

Importantly, it really depends on how the rest of the team shapes up. It's not going to be a choice between Benn vs. RNH - they are completely different players.

Hockey Canada builds its teams so that the bottom 6 forwards are highly capable penalty-killers. Looking at Sochi, you see guys like Rick Nash, Patrick Sharp, Matt Duchene, and Patrice Bergeron. If RNH gets picked, it will be as a bottom-six guy, and he's got the strong two-way game for that position. Benn, on the other hand, is more likely to be battling for a top-6 LW spot with McDavid and Hall. Duchene and O'Reilly are likely to be the bottom-6 LW's based on their superior skating and two-way ability.

I'd like to see Benn on the team, and I'd like to see RNH. But it's not going to be a choice between the two.

 

[JackSlater]

gosh. just read that like crosby, tavares also volunteered for this tournament but was turned down because they were out of roster spots

Some in the media said that Tavares wanted to play but there wasn't a spot, which does fit with what Tavares has said in the past.

We're comparing apples and oranges here, and it's 3 years away. RNH is younger and still developing, whereas Benn is hitting his prime right now. Tough to say who will be better come 2018.

Physical play is much less important (and skating ability much more important) on Olympic-sized ice than it is on NHL-sized ice, and while Benn is a good skater, RNH is deceptively fast and quick, and it's extremely unlikely that Benn is as quick as RNH. as we saw in Sochi, Benn generates his offense with his power, and was a great fit with Getzlaf and Perry for that reason. But how would he fit on a line with an elite skater like Crosby or McDavid?

Importantly, it really depends on how the rest of the team shapes up. It's not going to be a choice between Benn vs. RNH - they are completely different players.

Hockey Canada builds its teams so that the bottom 6 forwards are highly capable penalty-killers. Looking at Sochi, you see guys like Rick Nash, Patrick Sharp, Matt Duchene, and Patrice Bergeron. If RNH gets picked, it will be as a bottom-six guy, and he's got the strong two-way game for that position. Benn, on the other hand, is more likely to be battling for a top-6 LW spot with McDavid and Hall. Duchene and O'Reilly are likely to be the bottom-6 LW's based on their superior skating and two-way ability.

I'd like to see Benn on the team, and I'd like to see RNH. But it's not going to be a choice between the two.

I disagree with your assessment. Benn is basically a lock if healthy, and RNH is decidedly a long shot. Benn is a winger that can fit on any line. He looked great next to Getzlaf, but also looked very good earlier in the tournament with Tavares. He can play on any line (he was a penalty killer in 2014) and brings a relatively unique element with his physical abilities. Proven chemistry with Seguin also doesn't hurt.

RNH has the potential to be an elite two way, playmaking centre. Canada already has many of these players. In 2018 Canada should have access to Crosby, Tavares, Getzlaf, Toews, Bergeron, Duchene, Seguin, Giroux, McDavid, Stamkos, Johansen and others at centre. Of course many of these players will move to wing, but it's a loaded forward group. He will have to improve significantly and probably demonstrate some ability on the wing to make that team.

 

[1Gold Standard]

let's turn our attention to the 2016 Team Canada roster... and perhaps our Olympic coach being available (Toronto Maple Leafs coach) to lead the team next year... he may be interested in the gig if he still has aspirations to coach the NT at the World Cup.

Should make for interesting banter next year.

 

[NyQuil]

I doubt Babcock will coach the WCs.

It'll be a coach looking for a job.

 

[1Gold Standard]

I doubt Babcock will coach the WCs.

It'll be a coach looking for a job.

What????????

Just because this year McLennan was transitioning from one team to another doesn't mean that it is going to be that every year...

if Babcock has intentions of coaching TC in the World Cup he may have interest in taking the team and some of its players to the WHC as a tune up...

makes a little bit of sense...more so than just, ah it will be someone out of a job and looking to impress to get another gig.

 

[MiamiHockey]

I doubt Babcock will coach the WCs.

It'll be a coach looking for a job.

Babcock likes to work, and he likes to win. If the Leafs are well out of a playoff position, it would not surprise me if Babcock coached the WHC team, with one caveat.

The World Cup is also scheduled for 2016. If Babcock is announced as the World Cup coach, I don't see him also serving as the head coach for the WHC. That would be extremely demanding.

 

[NyQuil]

What????????

Just because this year McLennan was transitioning from one team to another doesn't mean that it is going to be that every year...

I think it makes sense from both the coach's point of view and the point of view of Team Canada.

Team Canada gets a guy who is singularly focused on the task at hand.

Meanwhile, the coach gets an opportunity to prove himself in the coaching market.

if Babcock has intentions of coaching TC in the World Cup he may have interest in taking the team and some of its players to the WHC as a tune up...

makes a little bit of sense...more so than just, ah it will be someone out of a job and looking to impress to get another gig.

At this point, if Babcock wants to coach TC at the World Cup, he just has to ask.

Or they will come right to him.

 

[1Gold Standard]

I think it makes sense from both the coach's point of view and the point of view of Team Canada.

Team Canada gets a guy who is singularly focused on the task at hand.

Meanwhile, the coach gets an opportunity to prove himself in the coaching market.



At this point, if Babcock wants to coach TC at the World Cup, he just has to ask.

Or they will come right to him.

Mclennan was named to coach Team Canada when he was still the Sharks coach...I don't think employment status should have any bearing on what Hockey Canada should or shouldn't do.

 

[NyQuil]

I don't think employment status should have any bearing on what Hockey Canada should or shouldn't do.

Babcock is a unique case in that he's an active two-time Gold Medal winning coach and has nothing to prove at the national team level.

I don't think him coaching the WHC will have anything to do with the World Cup.

I could easily see a situation where the chosen coach for the WHC ends up as an assistant to Babcock, or Hockey Canada moving on entirely.

The World Cup occurs at an odd time of year and I still wonder whether teams will want the attention of their coach elsewhere while they are supposed to be prepping for the season.

I really wouldn't be surprised if the coach for the World Cup, or the WHC for that matter, is an experienced coach who is currently not engaged by one of the NHL teams.

 

[JackSlater]

I can see Guy Boucher being involved as a coach. He's been in Europe coaching so he's familiar with the ice surface, and apparently he and Babcock have some kind of relationship. Babcock wanted him in Detroit as an assistant this past year, and there is talk that he may go to Toronto as an assistant (if he can't get a head coaching job with another NHL team).

 

[Tripod]

2018:

Crosby
Tavares
Stamkos
McDavid
Toews
Hall
Seguin
Benn
Duchene
Eberle
O'Reilly
MacKinnon
Drouin
Huberdeau
Johansen
Couture
Couturier
Scheifele
Ennis
Nugent-Hopkins
Monahan
Bennett
etc.

The options at forward are limitless

Not to be picky....but you missed Giroux. Lol.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Babcock is a unique case in that he's an active two-time Gold Medal winning coach and has nothing to prove at the national team level.

I don't think him coaching the WHC will have anything to do with the World Cup.

I could easily see a situation where the chosen coach for the WHC ends up as an assistant to Babcock, or Hockey Canada moving on entirely.

The World Cup occurs at an odd time of year and I still wonder whether teams will want the attention of their coach elsewhere while they are supposed to be prepping for the season.

I really wouldn't be surprised if the coach for the World Cup, or the WHC for that matter, is an experienced coach who is currently not engaged by one of the NHL teams.

It has nothing to do with proving anything. If I'm MLSE paying him that ridiculous super-inflated salary, he doesn't get a day off for the next 8 years imo. If he's not coaching the leafs, then I'm ordering him to get out there and rep the brand. plain and simple. Who knows, maybe a relationship formed with various players at various international events influences a player's decision to play in Toronto.

And no, I'm not a leafs fan.