WJC: 2016 — Canada Roster Talk (Part II)

[tfantasy]

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

Oh nice nice. Thanks. Wondered what happened to him.

 

[tfantasy]

Strome and Marner have obvious chemistry so that line is a lock

 

[199991]

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.

Point, Barzal and mostly Strome are not that bad defensively. This year it's more a combo of the 3.
I mean, last year Duclair was terrible in his zone. This year the 3 players can play Reinhart's role defensively. For exemple, Strome, Perlini and Watson can all do a good job in D. I think it makes up for the lack of a defensive specialist on the line.

I'm not against putting Crouse on the 1st or 2nd line. I just think we would have more depth if we take a better offensive player for this job and slot Crouse to a checking role. For example, we'd have more depth by taking Dal Colle to produce on a 1st-2nd line, then Crouse on the 3rd-4th, Than taking Crouse in a scoring 1st line role with a guy like Chartier or Quenneville on a 3rd-4th line role (guys that are not necessary offensive threats)...because Dal Colle (FE) can't be put on a 4th line IMO.

 

[nelsojc]

Point, Barzal and mostly Strome are not that bad defensively. This year it's more a combo of the 3.
I mean, last year Duclair was terrible in his zone. This year the 3 players can play Reinhart's role defensively. For exemple, Strome, Perlini and Watson can all do a good job in D. I think it makes up for the lack of a defensive specialist on the line.

I'm not against putting Crouse on the 1st or 2nd line. I just think we would have more depth if we take a better offensive player for this job and slot Crouse to a checking role. For example, we'd have more depth by taking Dal Colle to produce on a 1st-2nd line, then Crouse on the 3rd-4th, Than taking Crouse in a scoring 1st line role with a guy like Chartier or Quenneville on a 3rd-4th line role (guys that are not necessary offensive threats)...because Dal Colle (FE) can't be put on a 4th line IMO.

How would that give the team more depth by putting another offensive player on that line? Hockey Canada is moving away from the pure checking line they are going to be putting skill all the way down the four lines so anybody can score at anytime. Having Crouse's experience and a bit of grit will help free up the puck and give space for Strome and Marner to score. There is no need to put more skill on that line....think about it: line 1 will likely include Point and Virtanen, Line 2 Strome and Marner, Line 3 Barzal and Konecny, then there is still guys like Watson, among others who are very skilled. They should keep all 4 lines very skilled to wear down teams with less depth.

 

[Elias Pettersson]

Irfaan Gaffar ‏@sportsnetirf 7m7 minutes ago
Jared McCann will not be going to World Juniors, decision on Virtanen to be made at some point next week. #Canucks

 

[JackSlater]

Point, Barzal and mostly Strome are not that bad defensively. This year it's more a combo of the 3.
I mean, last year Duclair was terrible in his zone. This year the 3 players can play Reinhart's role defensively. For exemple, Strome, Perlini and Watson can all do a good job in D. I think it makes up for the lack of a defensive specialist on the line.

I'm not against putting Crouse on the 1st or 2nd line. I just think we would have more depth if we take a better offensive player for this job and slot Crouse to a checking role. For example, we'd have more depth by taking Dal Colle to produce on a 1st-2nd line, then Crouse on the 3rd-4th, Than taking Crouse in a scoring 1st line role with a guy like Chartier or Quenneville on a 3rd-4th line role (guys that are not necessary offensive threats)...because Dal Colle (FE) can't be put on a 4th line IMO.

There's logic to that idea, but I don't think Canada has the personnel to pull it off without all of its eligible players. Dal Colle and Perlini aren't scoring much this year. Beauvillier is good to take on a scoring line LW role, but there aren't any elite options outside of him. I would rather put Crouse in a position to free up his offensively elite linemates than force an offensive player who isn't performing into a prominent position.

 

[Proust*]

Irfaan Gaffar ‏@sportsnetirf 7m7 minutes ago
Jared McCann will not be going to World Juniors, decision on Virtanen to be made at some point next week. #Canucks

wut a joke, this guy has beenlights out and deserves to be there

 

[snizzbone*]

wut a joke, this guy has beenlights out and deserves to be there

...?

 

[StrictlyCommercial]

...?

Clearly this was a TC decision.

/s

 

[Canucks LB]

wut a joke, this guy has beenlights out and deserves to be there

Jared McCann has been very good for vancouver, he is not scoring every game or anything, but his two way game at such a young age is very nice to see, he is going to be a hell of a player.

With Sutter down for 2 months, McCann staying up with the Canucks is a no brainer.

Virtanen on the other hand has been off and on for the canucks, seems like the NHL is a bit ahead of his level atm which is normal, he is extremely young.

I can easily see virtanen being the 1st/2nd line RW for Canada this WJC.

 

[Atomos2]

On another note:



I'm guessing Strome, Marner and Crouse won't be playing in the CIS game tomorrow.

 

[leafs1396]

Assuming Virtanen gets loaned (looking more and more likely now):

Projected Lines:

Dal Colle - Point - Virtanen
Crouse - Strome - Marner
Beauvillier - Barzal - Konecny
Perlini - Stephens - Watson
Gauthier

Sanheim - Hicketts
Fleury - Juulsen
Dermott - McKeown
Chrychrun

*I have Chychrun in since Dunn has recently left camp due to injury*

Let me know what you guys think about the line combos.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Another smart decision by Vancouver. Both Horvat and Mccann will go 20 years without winning anything and the one chance they had to play in a tournament people care about they aren't sent for meaningless games in the nhl. Good job growing your player's potential. And great to see where that organization is going also.

 

[DanrikCarter]

On another note:



I'm guessing Strome, Marner and Crouse won't be playing in the CIS game tomorrow.

Hard to imagine Hicketts not being on the power play as well.

I think the power play should be:

Point - Strome - Marner
Virtanen - Hicketts

 

[Icebreakers]

Dal Colle actually has to put up numbers if he wants a chance at making the team. He has to actually score in these pre tourney games.

 

[WonderTwinsUnite]

Another smart decision by Vancouver. Both Horvat and Mccann will go 20 years without winning anything and the one chance they had to play in a tournament people care about they aren't sent for meaningless games in the nhl. Good job growing your player's potential. And great to see where that organization is going also.

You should write them a scathing letter articulating your feelings about this abomination of a decision. Your powerful prose and ingenious insight into the development of young NHL'ers will surely sway those heartless higher-ups.

 

[Get North]

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...

Yeah, even without Virtanen the RWs are deep with Marner, Konecny, Watson, and Barzal if he plays wing. That's a deep RW with all guys having a good offensive game.

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

I don't think so. I thought someone said it would have been but it's not on my listings for TSN.

edit: not.

 

[tfantasy]

I don't think so. I thought someone said it would have been but it's on my listings for TSN.

Darn

 

[WonderTwinsUnite]

Yeah, even without Virtanen the RWs are deep with Marner, Konecny, Watson, and Barzal if he plays wing. That's a deep RW with all guys having a good offensive game.

I don't think so. I thought someone said it would have been but it's on my listings for TSN.

Although, the reason people want Virtanen so badly is inherent in the four guys you mentioned - they all have a non-exisitent physical game, and not one of them is over 185 pounds. They're skilled definitely, but there's no versatility there whatsoever.

 

[BigMacAttack*]

What are the chances Juulsen makes the team?

 

[Get North]

Although, the reason people want Virtanen so badly is inherent in the four guys you mentioned - they all have a non-exisitent physical game, and not one of them is over 185 pounds. They're skilled definitely, but there's no versatility there whatsoever.

True but on the left side there is Crouse, Perlini, Quenneville, Dubois. Gauthier can play on the right side and he's big, fast, and physical that goes to the net. Dal Colle is big although pretty soft.

 

[bert]

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.

How do you come to this conclusion exactly? What makes Dermott and Fleury locks? I get Juulsen, Mckeown because they are righties and Hicketts and Sanheim because they are returning (even though I think that Hicketts should not be there when compared to other players helps that he plays right but I really dont like him when I watch).

Id imagine that the last two spots on the left side are going to go with the guys that play the best and deserve them I dont see what Fleury and Dermott have done at this point to separate themselves. Chabot skates better than both of them Hickey, Chychurn and Lauzon are no slouches either.

 

[tfantasy]

Dal Colle is big although pretty soft.

Very soft

 

[Atomos2]

Hard to imagine Hicketts not being on the power play as well.

I think the power play should be:

Point - Strome - Marner
Virtanen - Hicketts

Odds are Marner will most likely be occupying one of the points on the powerplay in the actual tournament. He's played that spot on every team he has been on this year, including the the Team Canada summer camp and the CHL russia super series.

 

[Halfy]

Yeah, even without Virtanen the RWs are deep with Marner, Konecny, Watson, and Barzal if he plays wing. That's a deep RW with all guys having a good offensive game.

I don't think so. I thought someone said it would have been but it's not on my listings for TSN.

edit: not.

It's always available live online.