WC: 2015 — Team Canada

[1Gold Standard]

Are we certain Johansen and Couture declined the invitation? If so, a very curious decision on both their parts as presumably they're in the mix for a roster spot on the 2016/2018 teams. I'm not terribly surprised by Couture refusing to go, to be honest, but I am by Johansen. This will not help their case, however, when players of similar quality like Hall and Duchene are making their way over (and in Duchene's case, repeatedly and enthusiastically).

Can't remember the sports writer who 1st. tweeted it, but I did see the tweets, both Coutour and Johansen decline invites to the WHC. mind boggling. I'd like for J.T. to make a long run in the playoffs, but with the way the Isles have been playing and if eliminated, I sure hope J.T. comes through.

 

[JackSlater]

Canada held all three in early part of 2005, having won WJC title, until Czech Republic won WC in May (Canada was a champion in 2004).

Czech Republic had Olympics, WC and WJC for 2000 and 2001.

Are we certain Johansen and Couture declined the invitation? If so, a very curious decision on both their parts as presumably they're in the mix for a roster spot on the 2016/2018 teams. I'm not terribly surprised by Couture refusing to go, to be honest, but I am by Johansen. This will not help their case, however, when players of similar quality like Hall and Duchene are making their way over (and in Duchene's case, repeatedly and enthusiastically).

Ryan Rishaug reported their refusals on Twitter and TSN included it in a story they published on the weekend.

The one I'm really curious about it Benn, since at least one person said that Benn claimed he would play in a post game interview, but now the rumours (not conformed that I know) are that he will not play. Just curious as to whether he is going or not. I can understand Benn turning down the invitation (he's played in the tournament and is now a lock for best on best level Canada) much more than I can either Johanson or Couture doing the same.

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

Bernier's confirmed he's not going.

 

[CtB]

The one I'm really curious about it Benn, since at least one person said that Benn claimed he would play in a post game interview, but now the rumours (not conformed that I know) are that he will not play. Just curious as to whether he is going or not. I can understand Benn turning down the invitation (he's played in the tournament and is now a lock for best on best level Canada) much more than I can either Johanson or Couture doing the same.

He's having hip surgery. I'm guessing that he wanted to play but had his final medical tests with the team after the comment and was told it wasn't an option.

 

[Alberta tough]

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun · 1d1 day ago
Stars captain Jamie Benn needs hip surgery. Played through it most of the year. And won scoring title. Pretty impressive.
Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun · 1d1 day ago
Morgan Rielly says he wants to play for Team Canada at worlds - was invited - but needs to be cleared medically. So not sure if he goes

 

[mattihp]

If McDavid makes it, make sure to bring some good muscle to protect him... Some teams (especially Russia) are sore losers and might be after him if they lose.

 

[JackSlater]

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun · 1d1 day ago
Stars captain Jamie Benn needs hip surgery. Played through it most of the year. And won scoring title. Pretty impressive.
Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun · 1d1 day ago
Morgan Rielly says he wants to play for Team Canada at worlds - was invited - but needs to be cleared medically. So not sure if he goes

That clears up the Benn discrepancy. I hope that Rielly is able to participate. He looks like he could become an elite defenceman and I am hoping for puck movers on the back end.

 

[Eye of Ra]

If McDavid makes it, make sure to bring some good muscle to protect him... Some teams (especially Russia) are sore losers and might be after him if they lose.

evgeny artuchkin is tough, yes.

 

[mattihp]

evgeny artuchkin is tough, yes.

You don't have to be tough to knee-to-knee or slash, hook and trip. Look up Russia in the losing minutes of any deciding game the last 5-6 years.

 

[xxxx]

If McDavid makes it, make sure to bring some good muscle to protect him... Some teams (especially Russia) are sore losers and might be after him if they lose.

take it easy, Russia won't make it to the gold-medal game

 

[leafsgirl12]

That clears up the Benn discrepancy. I hope that Rielly is able to participate. He looks like he could become an elite defenceman and I am hoping for puck movers on the back end.

whatever injury Rielly has been dealing with it is likely very minor since it didn't look he was dealing with a injury during any of the games. I hope he is allowed to go since he wants to go and team canada could use him.

 

[scotian1]

whatever injury Rielly has been dealing with it is likely very minor since it didn't look he was dealing with a injury during any of the games. I hope he is allowed to go since he wants to go and team canada could use him.

Hopefully the Leafs wouldn't deny him again the opportunity to represent Canada.

 

[Kshahdoo]

If McDavid makes it, make sure to bring some good muscle to protect him... Some teams (especially Russia) are sore losers and might be after him if they lose.

Well, when Russia lost to Finland in Sochi, Russian fans never blamed "dirty Finns", but admitted that our team was bad. But when we beat Finland last year, there was a big ****rain from some Finnish fans. You should look in a mirror to see a sore loser.

 

[leafsgirl12]

Hopefully the Leafs wouldn't deny him again the opportunity to represent Canada.

leafs can't deny from going he went last year but he wants to meet with team doctors before he makes his decision.

 

[mattihp]

Well, when Russia lost to Finland in Sochi, Russian fans never blamed "dirty Finns", but admitted that our team was bad. But when we beat Finland last year, there was a big ****rain from some Finnish fans. You should look in a mirror to see a sore loser.

Find one post from me saying that.

Russians fans (especially here) are quite civil. The players however... Not so much.

And Russian ice hockey players get VERY dirty when they are losing, not when they are winning...

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Find one post from me saying that.

Russians fans (especially here) are quite civil. The players however... Not so much.

And Russian ice hockey players get VERY dirty when they are losing, not when they are winning...

Dirtiest player while losing in World Hockey today and the biggest sore loser easily lol.

I can't imagine how many things he must've broken after Sochi.

If Crosby was a whiner while young, Kovalchuk has completely lost his mind while getting older, hard to believe he's become the way he has.

He needs to watch those old ''Relax, It's just a game'' commercials lol.

 

[JackSlater]

If McDavid makes it, make sure to bring some good muscle to protect him... Some teams (especially Russia) are sore losers and might be after him if they lose.

I can't remember Russia taking serious runs at Canadians at any level. Some cheap things, but Canada dishes them out more than well enough themselves.

As for McDavid, I'm not personally all that curious to see him at the tournament given the names that Canada already has apparently. He would clearly not be playing a significant roll for the team given some of the forwards being mentioned. Let him focus on preparing his body for the NHL, and odds are we will see him in this tournament next spring anyway.

 

[mattihp]

Dirtiest player while losing in World Hockey today and the biggest sore loser easily lol.

I can't imagine how many things he must've broken after Sochi.

If Crosby was a whiner while young, Kovalchuk has completely lost his mind while getting older, hard to believe he's become the way he has.

He needs to watch those old ''Relax, It's just a game'' commercials lol.

I do prefer that to the things guys like Sundin and Forsberg did. If they were losing, they went out and dominated.

 

[xxxx]

Find one post from me saying that.

Russians fans (especially here) are quite civil. The players however... Not so much.

And Russian ice hockey players get VERY dirty when they are losing, not when they are winning...

The only thing I can recall between Russia and Canada is 2007 superseries ... Maxim Chudinov hit Giroux after the offside call, which wasn't really appreciated by our players.

 

[xxxx]

I don't think anything is confirmed officially, but if those players mentioned here are on the team, here's my lines: (I added Monahan and Tavares as possible additions)

Monahan - Tavares - MacKinnon
Duchene - Giroux - Seguin
Hall - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle
O'Reilly - Spezza - Eakin

would be one hell of a forward group. Two super-scoring lines, Hall-RNH-Eberle as your third line, Spezza and O'Reilly as the fourth line. Enough said. I don't think we are that far from that. But again, nothing is official yet, so who knows who ends up on the roster.

 

[Drij]

Interesting to hear about MacKinnon... I didn't expect him to play given how his season ended. The Avalanche writer suggests that MacKinnon is looking to impress Hockey Canada... imagine that. Couture and Johansen disagree with that strategy I guess.

worked for Duchene....

 

[sepHF]

Ya, no better way to piss off a bunch of elite professionals by gifting 1st line duties to a junior player who hasn't yet played a shift in the pros. As big a fan I am of our Wunderkind, McJesus, he still has to earn it.

seriously

If he does make the team I assume it would be as 13th forward.

 

[xxxx]

 

[JackSlater]

I don't think anything is confirmed officially, but if those players mentioned here are on the team, here's my lines: (I added Monahan and Tavares as possible additions)

Monahan - Tavares - MacKinnon
Duchene - Giroux - Seguin
Hall - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle
O'Reilly - Spezza - Eakin

would be one hell of a forward group. Two super-scoring lines, Hall-RNH-Eberle as your third line, Spezza and O'Reilly as the fourth line. Enough said. I don't think we are that far from that. But again, nothing is official yet, so who knows who ends up on the roster.

If most of the players already rumoured are there, it will be interesting to see who slides over to wing. I definitely think Monahan gets an invite if Calgary is eliminated. I would hope Tavares gets invited should the Islanders be eliminated, but in 2013 they invited Burrows over him.

worked for Duchene....

Yes, as it should. If MacKinnon works hard to come back in time to play in this tournament then all credit to him. On the last Olympic team I think that WC participation played a big role in the selections of Duchene and particularly Hamhuis.

 

[LegionOfDoom91]

I know there was some speculation by Pierre & Doc Emrick during last week's Pens game about Mason's availability but it was confirmed again today at their end of the year interviews he won't be going.

Hockey Canada asked for Steve Mason’s services in Worlds, but Ron Hextall thought his knee could use the rest.

Source: Dave Isaac @davegisaac