I highly doubt Virtanen ends up on the 4th line unless he plays absolutely awful.This is how I see it
Crouse - Strome - Marner
Beaullivier - Point - Konecy
Perlini - Barzal - Gauthier
Hawryluk - Stephens - Virtanen
Merkley
Hicketts - Dermott
Sanheim - Fleury
Chabot - Juulsen
Lauzon
Blackwood
Montembault
McDonald
I highly doubt Virtanen ends up on the 4th line unless he plays absolutely awful.
You're right about Couture...I had MDC's high draft selection on my mind and he is certainly the highest draft pick to have been cut twice after his draft. There have been others selected lower who have been passed over. He definitely doesn't deserve to be there though. Assuming Virtanen is loaned this is shaping up to be a solid edition of Team Canada
I highly doubt Virtanen ends up on the 4th line unless he plays absolutely awful.
This is how I see it
Crouse - Strome - Marner
Beaullivier - Point - Konecy
Perlini - Barzal - Gauthier
Hawryluk - Stephens - Virtanen
Merkley
Hicketts - Dermott
Sanheim - Fleury
Chabot - Juulsen
Lauzon
Blackwood
Montembault
McDonald
Lol seriouslyDude, this is like your 20th version. Eventually you'll get it !
No clue why Merkle and Hwyluk or whatever are there but not Aube-Kudel and Dubois.
Also Chabot is Canada fastest D. He's perfect fit for International ICE.
Should easily be in top 6 and on 1st PP unit.
LOL 1st PP unit!!!!
Hickett and Sanheim>>>>>>>>>>> Chabot
You must be a Sens fan....
At least a fan of the Q and not the Dub I would say by those offerings.
I've been doing a bit of research lately for a post coming next week. The highest draftee to not make a team Canada despite remaining in junior for two additional years is the immortal Neil Brady, third overall in the 1986 draft.
Nice to see Virtanen added. Canada was lacking some size up front, and Virtanen brings that element. I agree with those who have suggested that he play with Point.
It will be interesting to see who rounds out Canada's top nine. I expect something like this:
______ Point Virtanen
Crouse Strome Marner
Beauvillier Barzal Konecny
Perlini seems to fit the archetype best, but he hasn't been all that good this year. I had wanted to see Marner with Point (and Konecny with Strome) but Virtanen changes things. Lots of options up front. Good scoring depth this year.
No clue why Merkle and Hwyluk or whatever are there but not Aube-Kudel and Dubois.
Also Chabot is Canada fastest D. He's perfect fit for International ICE.
Should easily be in top 6 and on 1st PP unit.
LOL, so what you're saying is that Dal Colle is in good company. Hopefully for his sake this isn't an omen for how his NHL career will pan out. Obviously this tournament wasn't as widely followed back then but it would be interesting to hear about how these teams were constructed back in that era. From when I started watching in 1991 or so, the teams seemed to be a bit more haphazardly put together based on name recognition but IIRC this changed during the "Drive for Five" from '93 to '97 and the selection process became a bit more professional. The debacle in 1992 may have changed things.
Personally, I would slot Beauvillier in at LW with Point and Virtanen, then line up Perlini with Barzal and Konecny. That way, there is a good distribution of size on each of the top three lines, with two of the big bodies also being elite skaters. That leaves: Quenneville (C/LW), Chartier (C/LW), Merkley (RW), Stephens (C/RW), Gauthier (RW), and Hawryluk (RW) fighting for the final 4 spots.
By process of elimination one of Quenneville or Chartier makes it as a LHed shot; I give Chartier the edge as the older, more experienced player, slightly better skater, versatile across all three forward positions, with Memorial Cup experience. He missed the vast majority of the season so far but seems to be on his game since returning. He was a final cut last year. I also like Stephens as a versatile C/RW who can anchor the presumed defensive/checking line with offensive capability. He's also a strong Hockey Canada guy so I would be a bit surprised if he's cut. Hawryluk, like Chartier, is also an experienced guy who's been around the block, can provide some energy and grit on the bottom line, and who's been in the Hockey Canada system for some time. Chartier and Hawryluk balance off some of the youthfulness of the guys in the top-9. Finally, I'll take Gauthier as a good-skating offensive weapon with great size, and who can fill in on one of the top-3 lines if any of the wingers aren't performing (or if Virtanen does something stupid and gets the book thrown at him by the IIHF).
Beauvillier - Point - Virtanen
Crouse - Strome - Marner
Perlini - Barzal - Konecny
Chartier - Stephens - Hawryluk
Gauthier
I think McCann will be there.
Point McCann Virtanen
Crouse Strome Marner
Beauvillier Barzal Konecny
Perlini Stephens Hawryluk
If Vancouver hasn't released him yet then he won't be there