WJC: 2016 — Canada Roster Talk (Part II)

[leafs1396]

Ho Sang can stay home. Don't need someone with attitude issues especially when we're going overseas. We need classy players that will represent Canadians proudly while they are over there.

I agree completely, I think the tip of the iceberg for Hockey Canada was when he was sent home from NYI main camp. Up until that point I thought he was at least going to get invited, too much skill to deny him an opportunity.

 

[leaflover]

He's on a conditioning stint because he was injured. The only way he can play in the AHL is if its a post injury conditioning stint.

I think that he will be loaned to the WJC and to be honest I'd be surprised/pissed if he wasn't. He was not playing a key role on the Canucks and he would benefit greatly from playing in this tournament again especially since he's coming back from injury.

Hopefully he goes. Players with NHL experience have proven to do very well at the WJC regardless of how they fared or were utilized in the show.

 

[leafsfuture]

Hopefully he goes. Players with NHL experience have proven to do very well at the WJC regardless of how they fared or were utilized in the show.

Virtanen stylistically is exactly the type of player Canada needs:
1. Big body
2. Fast
3. Good shot

My only concern is his temperment, which almost became an issue last year. I like that he gives-a-*****, but in tournaments you cant lose contriol

 

[93LEAFS]

I think Dunn has the upperhand on Chychrun. Hockey Canada historically didn't like taking draft eligible defenceman until Aaron Ekblad and Chychrun is no Ekblad.

Changes, they have taken a bunch of draft eligible late birthdays over the years such as Schenn, Doughty, Ryan Murray, and even early year ones such as Ryan Ellis. I can see Chychrun getting a spot, as while not Ekblad good he is still probably the 2nd best D prospect we've produced in the last 5 years.

 

[Get North]

I don't really like the idea of a Crouse-Strome-Marner line. They are '97s, very skilled players but I think adding a mature '96 player and some players who can play without the puck well is a better idea. Strome and Marner are puck carriers, great ones, so separate them and create 2 threats to score. I know we have Point and some others but these guys are exceptional OHL talents and you gotta create more depth and better match-ups for the team. On paper it looks good but in this tournament balance is needed. I also think some are really underrating a guy like Brandon Hickey, I caught a NCAA couple games + summer camp and he's a very good hockey player. He might be the best skating defenceman in camp, he's physical, athletic like a Nurse, and he moves the puck up really well. I can't be the only one who thinks he's being a bit underrated? Juulsen with Sanheim is a better pairing than Fleury because Fleury at this level doesn't need a reliable defensive presence, Sanheim will need one in this tournament. I also thought Sawchenko could have been 3rd goalie considering he can come back next year and he's been the #1 goalie for the '97s so probably has chemistry with Marner, Strome, Crouse, Konecny in the locker room. Talking about Konecny, don't forget about him, speed, shot, hands, he can dominate this tournament and be a deadly weapon overlooked by opponents on our 2nd/3rd line.

Here's my projection at the roster, Dal Colle can't be any better on big ice in my opinion:

Perlini - Point - Marner
Crouse - Strome - Watson
Quenneville - Barzal - Konecny
Beauvillier - Chartier - Hawryluk
Dubois

Fleury - Hicketts
Sanheim - Juulsen
Dermott - Hickey
Chabot

The 3 top LW are big bodies who go to the net and will dig dig dig while creating traffic, pressure on defencemen, and hitting. Then beside them, playmakers and finishers/snipers. Crouse, Strome, Watson were awesome in the WJC tournament. 3rd line, same thing that speed, playmaking, sniping ability on the C and RW. LW brings maturity, space, and a big body. 4th line is a great two-way line, Beauvillier and Chartier both Cs that use their hockey sense before anything else and always make the right play. Gallagher type of player in Hawryluk who can create a lot just by his playing style each shift.

Dubois over Gauthier because Dubois is more versatile. Dubois can fill in as a big body like top 3 LWs and he's a very smart mature player for his age. Throw him anywhere because he's smart, good defensively, and he has a good touch offensively with physicality.

Defence has defensive guys in Juulsen, Dermott, Hickey, Fleury. Lowry mentioned Juulsen bringing some unexpected offence, IMO Juulsen might be the MVP of the defence. What an underrated stud he is. Sanheim, Hicketts, Chabot all have an high offensive reputation.

Blackwood is my starter but McDonald has been good enough for this age group and he has to do that one more time.

 

[Halfy]

I don't really like the idea of a Crouse-Strome-Marner line. They are '97s, very skilled players but I think adding a mature '96 player and some players who can play without the puck well is a better idea. Strome and Marner are puck carriers, great ones, so separate them and create 2 threats to score. I know we have Point and some others but these guys are exceptional OHL talents and you gotta create more depth and better match-ups for the team. On paper it looks good but in this tournament balance is needed. I also think some are really underrating a guy like Brandon Hickey, I caught a NCAA couple games + summer camp and he's a very good hockey player. He might be the best skating defenceman in camp, he's physical, athletic like a Nurse, and he moves the puck up really well. I can't be the only one who thinks he's being a bit underrated? Juulsen with Sanheim is a better pairing than Fleury because Fleury at this level doesn't need a reliable defensive presence, Sanheim will need one in this tournament. I also thought Sawchenko could have been 3rd goalie considering he can come back next year and he's been the #1 goalie for the '97s so probably has chemistry with Marner, Strome, Crouse, Konecny in the locker room. Talking about Konecny, don't forget about him, speed, shot, hands, he can dominate this tournament and be a deadly weapon overlooked by opponents on our 2nd/3rd line.

Here's my projection at the roster, Dal Colle can't be any better on big ice in my opinion:

Perlini - Point - Marner
Crouse - Strome - Watson
Quenneville - Barzal - Konecny
Beauvillier - Chartier - Hawryluk
Dubois

Fleury - Hicketts
Sanheim - Juulsen
Dermott - Hickey
Chabot

The 3 top LW are big bodies who go to the net and will dig dig dig while creating traffic, pressure on defencemen, and hitting. Then beside them, playmakers and finishers/snipers. Crouse, Strome, Watson were awesome in the WJC tournament. 3rd line, same thing that speed, playmaking, sniping ability on the C and RW. LW brings maturity, space, and a big body. 4th line is a great two-way line, Beauvillier and Chartier both Cs that use their hockey sense before anything else and always make the right play. Gallagher type of player in Hawryluk who can create a lot just by his playing style each shift.

Dubois over Gauthier because Dubois is more versatile. Dubois can fill in as a big body like top 3 LWs and he's a very smart mature player for his age. Throw him anywhere because he's smart, good defensively, and he has a good touch offensively with physicality.

Defence has defensive guys in Juulsen, Dermott, Hickey, Fleury. Lowry mentioned Juulsen bringing some unexpected offence, IMO Juulsen might be the MVP of the defence. What an underrated stud he is. Sanheim, Hicketts, Chabot all have an high offensive reputation.

Blackwood is my starter but McDonald has been good enough for this age group and he has to do that one more time.

We can't have Marner and Point on the same line..... it wouldn't be fair to the other teams. Canada needs to show class when we go overseas.

 

[SubyDubyTML]

Does anyone know if the practices are open to the public? I'd love to try to head down and watch a few scrimmages.

 

[JackSlater]

I think Dunn has the upperhand on Chychrun. Hockey Canada historically didn't like taking draft eligible defenceman until Aaron Ekblad and Chychrun is no Ekblad.

They've taken plenty of draft eligible defencemen before Ekblad. They even took Bouwmeester when he was 16.

I don't really like the idea of a Crouse-Strome-Marner line. They are '97s, very skilled players but I think adding a mature '96 player and some players who can play without the puck well is a better idea. Strome and Marner are puck carriers, great ones, so separate them and create 2 threats to score. I know we have Point and some others but these guys are exceptional OHL talents and you gotta create more depth and better match-ups for the team. On paper it looks good but in this tournament balance is needed. I also think some are really underrating a guy like Brandon Hickey, I caught a NCAA couple games + summer camp and he's a very good hockey player. He might be the best skating defenceman in camp, he's physical, athletic like a Nurse, and he moves the puck up really well. I can't be the only one who thinks he's being a bit underrated? Juulsen with Sanheim is a better pairing than Fleury because Fleury at this level doesn't need a reliable defensive presence, Sanheim will need one in this tournament. I also thought Sawchenko could have been 3rd goalie considering he can come back next year and he's been the #1 goalie for the '97s so probably has chemistry with Marner, Strome, Crouse, Konecny in the locker room. Talking about Konecny, don't forget about him, speed, shot, hands, he can dominate this tournament and be a deadly weapon overlooked by opponents on our 2nd/3rd line.

I agree that balance is important, but Crouse fits well with two other players as the puck carriers. I'm not so enamored with Strome and Marner as a pair, but Crouse is a pretty good linemate for them if need be. As far as puck carriers, inevitably Canada is going to have lines with two puck dominant players. Marner, Strome, Point, Konecny, Barzal, Beauvillier are all going to be there, so it's unavoidable. At least some of them (Marner, Point) have shown that they can generate a lot of offence through quick strikes/passing.

I agree about Hickey too. He has good size, he looks good defensively and he can move. I think he would make a good pairing with Hicketts.

 

[nelsojc]

I don't really like the idea of a Crouse-Strome-Marner line. They are '97s, very skilled players but I think adding a mature '96 player and some players who can play without the puck well is a better idea. Strome and Marner are puck carriers, great ones, so separate them and create 2 threats to score. I know we have Point and some others but these guys are exceptional OHL talents and you gotta create more depth and better match-ups for the team. On paper it looks good but in this tournament balance is needed. I also think some are really underrating a guy like Brandon Hickey, I caught a NCAA couple games + summer camp and he's a very good hockey player. He might be the best skating defenceman in camp, he's physical, athletic like a Nurse, and he moves the puck up really well. I can't be the only one who thinks he's being a bit underrated? Juulsen with Sanheim is a better pairing than Fleury because Fleury at this level doesn't need a reliable defensive presence, Sanheim will need one in this tournament. I also thought Sawchenko could have been 3rd goalie considering he can come back next year and he's been the #1 goalie for the '97s so probably has chemistry with Marner, Strome, Crouse, Konecny in the locker room. Talking about Konecny, don't forget about him, speed, shot, hands, he can dominate this tournament and be a deadly weapon overlooked by opponents on our 2nd/3rd line.

Here's my projection at the roster, Dal Colle can't be any better on big ice in my opinion:

Perlini - Point - Marner
Crouse - Strome - Watson
Quenneville - Barzal - Konecny
Beauvillier - Chartier - Hawryluk
Dubois

Fleury - Hicketts
Sanheim - Juulsen
Dermott - Hickey
Chabot

The 3 top LW are big bodies who go to the net and will dig dig dig while creating traffic, pressure on defencemen, and hitting. Then beside them, playmakers and finishers/snipers. Crouse, Strome, Watson were awesome in the WJC tournament. 3rd line, same thing that speed, playmaking, sniping ability on the C and RW. LW brings maturity, space, and a big body. 4th line is a great two-way line, Beauvillier and Chartier both Cs that use their hockey sense before anything else and always make the right play. Gallagher type of player in Hawryluk who can create a lot just by his playing style each shift.

Dubois over Gauthier because Dubois is more versatile. Dubois can fill in as a big body like top 3 LWs and he's a very smart mature player for his age. Throw him anywhere because he's smart, good defensively, and he has a good touch offensively with physicality.

Defence has defensive guys in Juulsen, Dermott, Hickey, Fleury. Lowry mentioned Juulsen bringing some unexpected offence, IMO Juulsen might be the MVP of the defence. What an underrated stud he is. Sanheim, Hicketts, Chabot all have an high offensive reputation.

Blackwood is my starter but McDonald has been good enough for this age group and he has to do that one more time.

I think no matter what that line will start the tournament together in less they play poorly in the pre-tournament exhibition games. If Virtanen is released this team becomes ever more deadly. Virtanen I'm assuming would likely be paired on the wing on the first line being centered by Point...follow that up with the Strome line and then possibly a third line including Barzal at center and teams will have a lot of difficulty stopping their attack...

 

[86Habs]

Interesting, though I'm not sure if there is much to really be gleaned from this until Point (presumably our #1 centerman) is inserted onto one of the lines. The current lines look well-balanced, with the Strome-Crouse-Marner line coming as no surprise.

 

[Canada4Gold]

I agree about Hickey too. He has good size, he looks good defensively and he can move. I think he would make a good pairing with Hicketts.

I disagree, Hickey and Hicketts would make a horrible pair because it would be hell on the play by play guy

 

[Atomos2]

I don't really like the idea of a Crouse-Strome-Marner line. They are '97s, very skilled players but I think adding a mature '96 player and some players who can play without the puck well is a better idea. Strome and Marner are puck carriers, great ones, so separate them and create 2 threats to score. I know we have Point and some others but these guys are exceptional OHL talents and you gotta create more depth and better match-ups for the team. On paper it looks good but in this tournament balance is needed. I also think some are really underrating a guy like Brandon Hickey, I caught a NCAA couple games + summer camp and he's a very good hockey player. He might be the best skating defenceman in camp, he's physical, athletic like a Nurse, and he moves the puck up really well. I can't be the only one who thinks he's being a bit underrated? Juulsen with Sanheim is a better pairing than Fleury because Fleury at this level doesn't need a reliable defensive presence, Sanheim will need one in this tournament. I also thought Sawchenko could have been 3rd goalie considering he can come back next year and he's been the #1 goalie for the '97s so probably has chemistry with Marner, Strome, Crouse, Konecny in the locker room. Talking about Konecny, don't forget about him, speed, shot, hands, he can dominate this tournament and be a deadly weapon overlooked by opponents on our 2nd/3rd line.

Sometimes it's not about spreading the offense, its about creating a line that other teams have to worry about and gives you the best chance to create offense. Similar to the Marner, Dvorak, Tkachuk line on London. Teams have to worry about defending against that line instead of trying to play their own game. Sometimes its best to let other teams react to what you do, than to adjust yourself to difficulties that haven't happened yet.

 

[199991]

I'd put Crouse on a more checking role, I think he'd b more in his element and I'd let offensive players have fun together.
I think the Domi-Reinhart-Duclair line was the perfect fit last year, so I'd mold this year's 1st 2 lines like this one.2 Dynamic offensive player(Goal scorer or Skilled player)+ 1 Playmaker who slows the game and gives time to his line mates to speed up)

Dal Colle-Point-Marner (Goal scorer in Dal Colle with two speedy and creative play makers)

Perlini-Strome-Watson (Speed w/ Perlini,Skilled Playmaker w/ Strome,Goal Scorer Watson)

Beauvillier-Barzal-Konecny (Speed from the wing and Smart from Center)

My fourth line would be a fast checking line with skills.

Crouse-Stephens-Hawryluk
13th=Gauthier (Can slot him anywhere in le lineup)

Fleury-Dermott
Sanheim-Juulsen
Hickey-Hicketts
Chabot

I don't care about Right Handed D, we won last year with only one RHD, so that's not a problem here.

MacDonald
Blackwood

 

[86Habs]

I'd put Crouse on a more checking role, I think he'd b more in his element and I'd let offensive players have fun together.
I think the Domi-Reinhart-Duclair line was the perfect fit last year, so I'd mold this year's 1st 2 lines like this one.2 Dynamic offensive player(Goal scorer or Skilled player)+ 1 Playmaker who slows the game and gives time to his line mates to speed up)

Dal Colle-Point-Marner (Goal scorer in Dal Colle with two speedy and creative play makers)

Perlini-Strome-Watson (Speed w/ Perlini,Skilled Playmaker w/ Strome,Goal Scorer Watson)

Beauvillier-Barzal-Konecny (Speed from the wing and Smart from Center)

My fourth line would be a fast checking line with skills.

Crouse-Stephens-Hawryluk
13th=Gauthier (Can slot him anywhere in le lineup)

Fleury-Dermott
Sanheim-Juulsen
Hickey-Hicketts
Chabot

I don't care about Right Handed D, we won last year with only one RHD, so that's not a problem here.

MacDonald
Blackwood

As one of only two returning forwards I think we'll see Crouse get more than 4th line minutes. I know that tactically in recent years we have rolled four lines fairly evenly, but over the course of a tournament the bottom 6 generally receives less ice time than the top-6. I believe Crouse will be counted on to contribute in a top-6 role this year, riding shotgun with either Point or Marner in order to do the dirty work on either of those lines.

I'm also not that enamored with Watson that I want to see him in a top-6 role. The forward group is already small and Watson would be redundant....I'd prefer Gauthier, who brings size, similar goal-scoring ability, and similar speed. Hopefully we'll see Virtanen loaned out, which would probably bounce Watson off the team (perhaps Gauthier as well).

 

[MackAttack26]

What I would like to see...

Crouse - Point - Virtanen
Dal Colle - Strome - Marner
Beauvillier - Barzal - Konecny
Luc-Dubois - Watson - Gauthier
Merkley
(Just missed: Perlini)

Sanheim - Hicketts
Fluery - McKeown
Dermott - Juulsen
Chabot
(Just missed: Chychrun)

Blackwood
MacDonald

Doubt Luc-Dubois makes it, but he is someone I would love to see get a shot.

 

[xxxx]

The ideal scenario would be getting Virtanen, and Dal Colle and Perlini both having a great camp. In that case, give us the gold.

Dal Colle - Point - Virtanen
Crouse - Strome - Marner
Beauvillier - Barzal - Konecny
Perlini - Chartier - Hawryluk
Watson/Quenneville/Merkley/Gauthier/...

Sanheim - Hicketts
Fleury - Chabot
Dermott - McKeown
Juulsen

 

[Canada4Gold]

 

[1Gold Standard]

ouch. getting down to bare bones.

Not much left.

Point and Hawryluk nursing injuries. Dal Colle with his head up his ass... NHL GMs being Bad Santas... oh well. Oh and by the way, Bad Santa with Billy Bob has to be an alltime Christmas classic. I may key that up this weekend to get into the festive mood.

 

[nelsojc]

ouch. getting down to bare bones.

Not much left.

Dunn was not a lock to make the team at all...Seems like Hicketts, Sanheim, Fleury, Juulsen, Mckeown and most likely Dermott are all pretty close to locks for the D...that leaves the others to battle for the final spot. Also Point is completely fine...they said he could play today if he had too...they have just had a yellow jersey on him for precaution.

 

[saintflannel]

Two rearguards injured already. Yikes.

 

[nelsojc]

Looking back at previous world junior teams this group of defencemen may be one of the best "two-way" groups Canada has had in a while. All the remaining D in camp are extremely mobile, have good size, are responsible defensively, but at the same time can contribute in the offensive zone as well.

 

[tfantasy]

Wheres Hawryluk?

 

[nelsojc]

Wheres Hawryluk?

I think he was an extra at practise along with Point wearing a yellow jersey for no contact but I'm not sure.

 

[JackSlater]

I'd put Crouse on a more checking role, I think he'd b more in his element and I'd let offensive players have fun together.
I think the Domi-Reinhart-Duclair line was the perfect fit last year, so I'd mold this year's 1st 2 lines like this one.2 Dynamic offensive player(Goal scorer or Skilled player)+ 1 Playmaker who slows the game and gives time to his line mates to speed up)

There's a key point that you didn't mention though - Reinhart was elite defensively. None of Point, Barzal or Strome can really touch Reinhart in that regard. Crouse brings a defensive element to the scoring lines, which could be quite important since this year Canada isn't going to play two centres who are strong defensively. Crouse balances more offensive C/RW pairings with defence and size, while still being competent offensively.

Unfortunate for him. I viewed him as the least likely defenceman (after Lauzon) at the camp to make the team though.

 

[tfantasy]

We play the CIS all star team this weekend? Anybody know if its going to be televised?