WC: 2015 — Team Canada

[Novak Djokovic]

So happy about Brent Burns! He had the best performance by a defenseman for Team Canada I've ever seen (2008)... albeit it was a "lower" tournament (not Olympics).

Team Canada should now wait for first round exits to name the rest.... so it could push guys like Savard to the pressbox or in a "extra" position.

 

[oilerbear]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...ster-2015-iihf-ice-hockey-world-championship/

This is Sportsnets projection. I think all these guys should at least get invited.

FORWARDS

Logan Couture – Many thought he was snubbed of a spot on last year’s Olympic team and this will be a great chance for him to wear the maple leaf on his chest.
Jamie Benn – The Olympic gold medallist is coming off yet another solid season with the Stars.
Tyler Seguin – He was in the Art Ross and Hart conversation until his knee injury.
Claude Giroux – No one in the NHL has more points than Claude Giroux over the past five seasons.
Scott Hartnell – Had 11 goals in 15 games in March.
Jordan Eberle – One of the most productive forwards in the NHL since January.
Ryan O’Reilly – One of the best two-way centres in the game.
Jarome Iginla – This could be one of the last chances Iginla has to represent his country. He would be captain material.
Tyler Ennis – He’s like a water bug in the offensive zone. Highly entertaining to watch.
Jeff Skinner – Has represented Canada at the worlds three times in the past.
Ryan Johansen – Another quality season makes his off-season contract dispute seem like a lifetime ago.
Adam Henrique – One of the few good, young players in New Jersey.
Brandon Pirri – Coming off a remarkably unique campaign.

DEFENCE

Morgan Rielly – Slick skater was on the team last year.
Aaron Ekblad – This would be a great experience for the 18-year-old.
Tyson Barrie – One of the most underrated blueliners in the league.
Trevor Daley – Underappreciated veteran last played in this tournament in 2006.
Brent Burns – Leads all Canadian-born defencemen in points as of Wednesday.
David Savard – Coming off an impressive season in Columbus.
Michael Del Zotto – The pending RFA had a nice bounce-back season.

GOALIES

Cam Ward – Proved this season he still has some fight.
Calvin Pickard – Bright future for Varlamov’s backup.
James Reimer – Maybe wearing a different coloured maple leaf on his chest could cleanse the palate after a forgettable season.

WILD CARDS

Connor McDavid – There’s no rule saying you need to play in the NHL to be on Team Canada. Hockey Canada officials gave Ryan Murray a chance in 2012 prior to him going second overall to the Blue Jackets. If the Erie Otters are eliminated earlier than expected in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs he’ll get invited.
Andrew Hammond – The feel good story of the NHL season has never represented Canada at a major tournament.
Sean Monahan – Played for Canada as a rookie last season.
Bryan Little – Dangerous offensively and kills penalties well.
Mike Hoffman/Mark Stone – These Ottawa youngsters were a big part of the Sens’ turnaround.
Curtis Lazar – World Junior and World Championship gold in the same year might be too good to pass up, should the Sens miss the playoffs or face an early exit.
Kris Russell/TJ Brodie – These Flames defenders both had terrific seasons.
Tyler Myers – His play has improved since being traded by Buffalo.

It is things like this that make me think TOR hockey people are Clueless:

14-15
P V P centers
not 1st/2nd shared by 2 centers
Crosby/Malkin
Backlund/Monohan
or 1st/2nd/3rd split between 3 centers
H. Sedin (34) 48 EVP
Toews (26) 46 EVP
RNH (21) 41 EVP
Datsyuk (36) 41 EVP
O’rielly (24) 41 EVP
Stepan (24) 40 EVP
Kopitar (27) 40 EVP
Bergeron (29) 39 EVP
Koivu (32) 33 EVP
Couturier (22) 29 EVP
Ennis (25) 28 EVP
Fisher (34) 28 EVP in 53gm 40 EVP Season pace.
Vermette (32) 22 EVP in 63gm in ARZ 28/29EVP season
Zajac (29) 16 EVP

Canada'a best P v P option and the clowns do not Pick him.

The level of clueless hockey people @ TSN And Sportsnet is Embarrasing!

Tell me that does not represent S. Ontario Hockey Knowledge!

 

[BigBen]

It will be exciting to watch this year.

 

[JackSlater]

I would like something like this:

Hall Giroux Seguin
Duchene Nugent Eberle
O'Reilly Spezza MacKinnon
Ennis Eakin Toffoli
X X

X Burns
Muzzin Barrie
Rielly Ekblad
Savard X

I hope that Seguin and Giroux play together. Seguin's future with best on best editions of Canada is likely on the wing, so it will be interesting to see how he functions there with an elite playmaking centre. Duchene has looked pretty good playing wing internationally before, so he probably moves over to make room for the other centres. It will be interesting to see who the PK forwards are. I'm not sure who kills penalties outside of O'Reilly, Giroux and Eakin.

I am guessing that Calgary players are likely to fill out a few of these spots. Brodie is an elite skater and would look good on the left side. Russell might get called again, and he seems to really enjoy playing internationally. Monahan is probably Hockey Canada's ideal addition (young guy with a very diverse skillset) and could fill in on pretty much any line. Same can be said for Stone. With the players already selected, I wouldn't be surprised if Hockey Canada didn't select Tavares even if he is available after the first round. I'm going to guess that Canada will add Brodie, Russell, Monahan and Stone. Apologies to Calgary and Ottawa fans.

 

[Aceonfire*]

I would like something like this:

Hall Giroux Seguin
Duchene Nugent Eberle
O'Reilly Spezza MacKinnon
Ennis Eakin Toffoli
X X

X Burns
Muzzin Barrie
Rielly Ekblad
Savard X

I hope that Seguin and Giroux play together. Seguin's future with best on best editions of Canada is likely on the wing, so it will be interesting to see how he functions there with an elite playmaking centre. Duchene has looked pretty good playing wing internationally before, so he probably moves over to make room for the other centres. It will be interesting to see who the PK forwards are. I'm not sure who kills penalties outside of O'Reilly, Giroux and Eakin.

I am guessing that Calgary players are likely to fill out a few of these spots. Brodie is an elite skater and would look good on the left side. Russell might get called again, and he seems to really enjoy playing internationally. Monahan is probably Hockey Canada's ideal addition (young guy with a very diverse skillset) and could fill in on pretty much any line. Same can be said for Stone. With the players already selected, I wouldn't be surprised if Hockey Canada didn't select Tavares even if he is available after the first round. I'm going to guess that Canada will add Brodie, Russell, Monahan and Stone. Apologies to Calgary and Ottawa fans.

RNH is one of the main PKers for the Oilers. But with his foot being injured he might not be killing PKs even if he is healthy enough to make the team.

Toffoli is also a great Pker and one of the best short handed scorers in the league.

It will be interesting to see who is on the PP though. A lot of talent and guys will want minutes.

 

[LAMONT JENKINS]

I'm not worried about Smith in net.
He had a horrible start to his season, but he posted a .933 svp since March 1st and has really turned his game around. He has experience on the big ice and he's one of the better puck moving goalies.

 

[JackSlater]

RNH is one of the main PKers for the Oilers. But with his foot being injured he might not be killing PKs even if he is healthy enough to make the team.

Toffoli is also a great Pker and one of the best short handed scorers in the league.

It will be interesting to see who is on the PP though. A lot of talent and guys will want minutes.

Interesting about Toffoli. The PP configurations will also be interesting, as this team doesn't have a large number of big PP producers. Giroux is probably the best PP quarterback in hockey, so one unit can be built around him. Philadelphia's PP is mostly built around having LH shots waiting for Giroux's passes though, and most of the big shots on Canada this year are RH. Tough to say. Spezza and Seguin play together on Dallas' powerplay, and Seguin is pretty good as a PP finisher, so there could be something there.

 

[Get North]

I wonder if some players will get frustrated with not enough PP time. I like these PP units of Giroux-Seguin-Barrie-Hall-Nugent-Hopkins and Spezza-MacKinnon-Burns-Duchene-Ennis. Hopefully they'll be able to work like the Capitals PP with good options all over the ice.

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

Rielly should be on the 2nd pairing if he passes his medical.

Who would he push down? The 50 point top 4 defender Tyson Barrie or the steady defensive presence in Jake Muzzin? You can't pair Barrie and Rielly together. One of them would be forced to hold back. There's no way Rielly plays above Barrie because Barrie is just better then Rielly.

 

[Aceonfire*]

I wonder if some players will get frustrated with not enough PP time. I like these PP units of Giroux-Seguin-Barrie-Hall-Nugent-Hopkins and Spezza-MacKinnon-Burns-Duchene-Ennis. Hopefully they'll be able to work like the Capitals PP with good options all over the ice.

Its going to be interesting for sure.

Burns will be on the 1st PP. With McLellan running the bench and considering how many PP points he has, its probably a safe bet.

The Avs PP was god awful. Barrie is a great EV scorer but his strength is not on the PP.

 

[xxxx]

Even though it remains to be seen how well they play defensively, all of the defensemen on the roster put up great numbers this season: Burns 60 points (2nd in the NHL behind only Karlsson), D.Savard 36 points and 11 goals, Muzzin 41 points, Barrie 53, Ekblad 39.


From this perspective is this group from completely another planet in comparison to the last year where only Garrison had 33 points, the rest had under-30 point seasons.

 

[spacemunky]

What about Benn?

edit- just read about the hip surgery, nvrmnd.

 

[Get North]

Its going to be interesting for sure.

Burns will be on the 1st PP. With McLellan running the bench and considering how many PP points he has, its probably a safe bet.

The Avs PP was god awful. Barrie is a great EV scorer but his strength is not on the PP.

Hockey Canada selected Jay Woodcroft as an assistant coach which I thought was interesting since Woodcroft is the PP coach for the Sharks and we all know how good their PP is. It says he's the PK coach but I remember hearing on a broadcast that he does the PP, maybe he does both but I think it's the PP because San Jose's is dangerous while the PK doesn't stand out that much to me.

 

[leafsfuture]

Is Huberdeau not even in the discussion or what? I find it interesting that he was invited and played for Canada after a pretty dreadful 2013-14. Now he puts together his best season yet and he's not even being mentioned?

Its about players who accept.

Nill being GM got Seguin to accept, who probably otherwise wouldnt. Then you have the ever loyal Edmonton trio who took last year off, but are back.

This years roster is probably the most stacked since 2008, when it was last in Canada. And yes that includes the 2013 team that had Getzlaf and Perry

is

Who would he push down? The 50 point top 4 defender Tyson Barrie or the steady defensive presence in Jake Muzzin? You can't pair Barrie and Rielly together. One of them would be forced to hold back. There's no way Rielly plays above Barrie because Barrie is just better then Rielly.

You wont here me argue Rielly > Barrie because right now its 100% not true. Im a big Barrie fan.

But Rielly is the type of guy who can play with a fellow PMD, puck rusher. Rielly is best when he is moving forward and has the green light, but one thing that he has shown as a 20 year old is restraint. When the coach says stay back, he does. Not a rash player

 

[1Gold Standard]

Its about players who accept.

Nill being GM got Seguin to accept, who probably otherwise wouldnt. Then you have the ever loyal Edmonton trio who took last year off, but are back.

This years roster is probably the most stacked since 2008, when it was last in Canada. And yes that includes the 2013 team that had Getzlaf and Perry

is


You wont here me argue Rielly > Barrie because right now its 100% not true. Im a big Barrie fan.

But Rielly is the type of guy who can play with a fellow PMD, puck rusher. Rielly is best when he is moving forward and has the green light, but one thing that he has shown as a 20 year old is restraint. When the coach says stay back, he does. Not a rash player

And NO! The 2013 team did NOT include Getzlaf and Perry. That was 2012 and also included 6 other players that went on to play in Sochi for a total of 8. So, no, this is not the most stacked team since 08.

That doesn't mean however that this team can't perform better and have better results. It needs a couple of serious additions, be better prepared and play like they are actually interested in winning. At this tournament the will to win is almost as important as talent, maybe even more so.

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

You wont here me argue Rielly > Barrie because right now its 100% not true. Im a big Barrie fan.

But Rielly is the type of guy who can play with a fellow PMD, puck rusher. Rielly is best when he is moving forward and has the green light, but one thing that he has shown as a 20 year old is restraint. When the coach says stay back, he does. Not a rash player

I just think that's unfair to Rielly though. He shouldn't be forced to hold back. His talent is moving the puck up the ice and in the offensive zone. I've watched some Toronto games and he does his job very well. Rielly deserves a chance to show off his skill on the big ice. Let him do that on the PP and by letting him have free reign on the 3rd pairing. Hit the other team with Barrie and then follow up with Morgan Rielly.

 

[leafsgirl12]

I just think that's unfair to Rielly though. He shouldn't be forced to hold back. His talent is moving the puck up the ice and in the offensive zone. I've watched some Toronto games and he does his job very well. Rielly deserves a chance to show off his skill on the big ice. Let him do that on the PP and by letting him have free reign on the 3rd pairing. Hit the other team with Barrie and then follow up with Morgan Rielly.

If he is on the top pp and than i am ok with his him being on the third pairing.

 

[OilerTyler]

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

No RNH...wonder who gets the call then. Henrique?

 

[leafsgirl12]

No RNH...wonder who gets the call then. Henrique?

maybe or maybe someone on a team elimated early in the playoffs

 

[xxxx]

that sucks since he and Eberle were on fire at the end of the season...but on the other hand there is more room for possible additions from the 1st round.

Speedy recovery RNH!

 

[Drij]

And NO! The 2013 team did NOT include Getzlaf and Perry. That was 2012 and also included 6 other players that went on to play in Sochi for a total of 8. So, no, this is not the most stacked team since 08.

That doesn't mean however that this team can't perform better and have better results. It needs a couple of serious additions, be better prepared and play like they are actually interested in winning. At this tournament the will to win is almost as important as talent, maybe even more so.

2012 wasn't that great of a team. Most of those players where young kids still. Not even close to what they are today in terms of development.

 

[1Gold Standard]

2012 wasn't that great of a team. Most of those players where young kids still. Not even close to what they are today in terms of development.

And the 8 would be Sochi Olympians? Getzlaf, Perry, Keith, Bouwmeester, Vlasic, Tavares, Sharp and Benn. what development did they have to do exactly less than 2 years later? And the question isn't about how strong that team was or wasn't... the question I was responding to was, how in god's name is this year's team with Giroux, Hall and Duchene + a different cast of young and still developing players better than the 2012 team? the answer. It isn't. Can this year's team have better results than 2012. Sure they can. good teams play poorly at times and bad teams or weaker teams play above their heads at times. None of the teams that we send to this tournament are really that great, but the 18 players currently named to this roster certainly don't match that of 2012...and imo that's not even debatable. Maybe this year's edition of TC youngsters has a greater compete level in the 1/4 final than we've seen in the past 5 years and can actually pull one out for a change. Eventually the law of averages suggests that we have to win a 1/4 final game at some point.

 

[Aceonfire*]

That really sucks that RNH can't go. He has the worst luck sometimes. But it's better that he gets healthy.

They will likely just wait and see who gets eliminated. They have a lot of natural Cs anyways.

Eberle will likely be paired with Duchene. They had chemistry before and did well.

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

That really sucks that RNH can't go. He has the worst luck sometimes. But it's better that he gets healthy.

They will likely just wait and see who gets eliminated. They have a lot of natural Cs anyways.

Eberle will likely be paired with Duchene. They had chemistry before and did well.

Can't have chemistry when Duchene hogs the puck right?