WJC: 2016 — Canada Roster Talk (Part V) [mod warning in OP]

[Mooche]

Canada just completed its worst WJC performance since 1998, and a bottom three performance overall. It's fitting that they were eliminated a one line team with bad defence and bad goaltending. The blame lies in a few places, but we all know the main issue: Lowry. The team was easily talented enough to win. There are no particularly strong teams this year, and Canada showed flashes against each quality team that it played. Still though... Lowry.

This performance may be worse than Steve Spott's, because at least Spott's team (while playing pretty badly) didn't lose a game until elimination. Lowry oversaw two losses and a shootout, and still clung to the same ideas.

Can anyone point to a year with a worse defenceman than Hicketts leading Canada's blueline? I can't. It isn't even Hicketts' fault, as he was good enough to make the team, but Lowry made it clear that Hicketts was unquestionably the #1, most clearly when he played ~4 minutes in a 5 minute overtime. Sanheim, who most expected to be the leader on the blueline, was relegated to a rotating #7 spot until the last half of the elimination game. It was ridiculous. Lowry's forcing of Hicketts into a role he wasn't up to, and keeping two defencemen (McKeown and Sanheim) off balance with his ice time distribution is ultimately the biggest problem with the defence.

Also of note: Hickey and Fleury were Canada's attempt at a shutdown pairing, a staple of the teams of the last decade, and I can't remember a worse pairing. They basically caused two of the goals against Canada in the elimination game and as a pairing were an abject failure. Fleury in particular looked terrible.

Goaltending was a problem as well. McDonald and Blackwood were anointed as the pair before the tournament. McDonald was bad in the summer camp, the super series, the exhibition games and in the tournament. I think we can all agree, he just isn't good. Blackwood is a different case, as he looked good in every opportunity leading into the tournament. He was given the reigns in the final game, and we all saw how terrible he was. Both goaltenders failed. Once again I think about Lowry. It seems clear that Blackwood is the guy that they wanted. If that is the case, and knowing that Blackwood was going to be somewhat cold coming from his suspension....... why not play him in the exhibitions outside of the one Czech game? If he's the goaltender, then give him game experience to make up for his suspension. The failing performance in net is on the goaltenders, but Lowry didn't help.

Another indicator of Lowry's incompetence: can anyone remember worse special teams for Canada? The penalty kill was atrociously ineffective, with unused players in some cases playing a significant role. The powerplay only scored when a player had a great individual effort. You would think that a coach would adjust their idiotic PP formation when they noted that it wasn't working. Lowry doesn't think that way apparently. Stationary umbrella PP. How effective.

The forwards were not bad individually, but there was no structure. Think about how often the forwards had to skate back and carry the puck up ice because the breakout was so bad. Think about Beauvillier, who often made things happen when on the ice,in the 13th forward role for a few games. The whole Barzal line, which was generally effective with Barzal among Canada's best players, barely got any playing time when games got close. Same for the Stephens line. Also, Lowry seemingly blindly believed TSN about there being chemistry between Strome and Marner (still 0 evidence of chemistry) and sat them out in games when he could have... you know... actually looked for chemistry. Inexcusable. Also, I certainly hope Point is injured. He was unexpectedly horrible. If he is injured, then horrible choice of captain by Lowry.

Lowry's bench management. We've all discussed it, but it's unacceptable to have shifts that long in this day and age. There was no accountability on this team. Point's line and Strome's line were going to get big minutes no matter what. Even Virtanen, after practically costing Canada the game with one of the stupidest plays ever witnessed on the international stage, was out there at the end of the game. Mind blowing.

Virtanen turned in by far the worst performance ever for a returned player. He had a role to play, and physically he was capable of fulfilling that role, but he was utilized horribly. Virtanen just isn't suited to a scoring line role. He can't cycle and make quick plays. He was forced into a scoring role and that's not acceptable. Still, he deserves a ton of blame for his own idiocy. No one did more to help Finland in the elimination game than Virtanen did. Not even Lowry.

For positives, there aren't many. Konecny was consistently very good for Canada, and shame on Lowry for not utilizing him enough. Crouse and Stephens were also good in their roles. Strome, who I was quite skeptical of, looked pretty good overall. Smart player. Marner was bad to start the tournament, despite what some want to believe, but he turned it on late. Looks like he could be a great player. Barzal was criminally underutilized, and if he returns next year I would be quite comfortable with him as Canada's top centre. He also looks like he could be elite. Beauvillier is also someone who had a lot more to give, had he been given the chance. None of the defencemen stood out a whole lot in a positive way, perhaps Chabot was the best. The goaltenders sucked.

This isn't an issue of poor player development, despite what some (Sportsnet is already beating this drum) are going to claim. This team was easily talented enough to win, and add Ekblad/Bennett/Fabbri/McCann/McDavid and they walk all over the tournament. This is an issue of coaching. Canada has won gold with teams half as talented as this. Hockey Canada cannot make such an idiotic coaching selection again. Lowry is an idiot, it is as plan as day for anyone to see. Here's a thought: don't select junior coaches with only a few years of experience who haven't won a thing.

I'm looking forward to next year now, should be a good roster unless the team is decimated by the NHL. I've learned though that it may be more critical to see who is named to the team this spring than it is next December.

I have two words: thank you.

This pretty much sums up everything you need to know about this TC squad.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Canada won gold at the Olympics in Sochi in 2014. I believe you're referring to the Ufa tournament in Russia, where we finished 4th largely in part to another terrible coach in Steve Spott.

Good call...

Point still stands, I am a little sick of the who is not there talk. They had them all of them in Ufa and lost. If terrible coaching was the cause and that explains the sentiments of many posters i this thread is in fact the problem as suggested for this year as well, um, the same terrible coach would have been expected to coach those guys. They wouldn't walk up and down the tournament as suggested.

Heck their worst player today (outside of perhaps the Blackwood) was loaned to them by a NHL team, what he did was help them pack their bags early with that effort today.

 

[YMCMBYOLO]

Good call...

Point still stands, I am a little sick of the who is not there talk. They had them all there and lost. If terrible coaching which explains the sentiments of many posters i this thread is in fact the problem the same terrible coach would have been expected to coach those guys. They wouldn't walk up and down the tournament as suggested.

Heck their worst player today was loaned to them by a NHL team, what he did was help them pack their bags early with that effort today.

JackSlater's "excuse" wasn't because of the players not there. Let's be honest, if Canada had all those players, they are instantly the best team in the tournament, so lets not act like its an entitlement issue. It is what it is; it's like this EVERY single year for Canada so it's not a big deal at all.

The issue is the coaching, which is what the whole point of the post was; I feel you completely missed the point of his post.

 

[NyQuil]

I am a little sick of the who is not there talk.

I agree.

I disagree that a Canadian team going out in the quarterfinals warrants some kind of re-examination of Canadian hockey.

Let's be honest, if Canada had all those players, they are instantly the best team in the tournament, so lets not act like its an entitlement issue.

A team that also could have easily gone out in the quarterfinals. Who knows?

Russia almost got knocked out by Denmark.

But if you mean more that, Canada is still producing top talent, and so it's silly to agonize over a tournament loss, then yes, that makes sense.

This team never really got it together for any number of reasons.

 

[Ohashi_Jouzu*]

Was prepared to write a book on the extent of failure on this team, but then I found someone who basically covered it all:

Canada just completed its worst WJC performance since 1998, and a bottom three performance overall. It's fitting that they were eliminated a one line team with bad defence and bad goaltending. The blame lies in a few places, but we all know the main issue: Lowry. The team was easily talented enough to win. There are no particularly strong teams this year, and Canada showed flashes against each quality team that it played. Still though... Lowry.

This performance may be worse than Steve Spott's, because at least Spott's team (while playing pretty badly) didn't lose a game until elimination. Lowry oversaw two losses and a shootout, and still clung to the same ideas.

Can anyone point to a year with a worse defenceman than Hicketts leading Canada's blueline? I can't. It isn't even Hicketts' fault, as he was good enough to make the team, but Lowry made it clear that Hicketts was unquestionably the #1, most clearly when he played ~4 minutes in a 5 minute overtime. Sanheim, who most expected to be the leader on the blueline, was relegated to a rotating #7 spot until the last half of the elimination game. It was ridiculous. Lowry's forcing of Hicketts into a role he wasn't up to, and keeping two defencemen (McKeown and Sanheim) off balance with his ice time distribution is ultimately the biggest problem with the defence.

Also of note: Hickey and Fleury were Canada's attempt at a shutdown pairing, a staple of the teams of the last decade, and I can't remember a worse pairing. They basically caused two of the goals against Canada in the elimination game and as a pairing were an abject failure. Fleury in particular looked terrible.

Goaltending was a problem as well. McDonald and Blackwood were anointed as the pair before the tournament. McDonald was bad in the summer camp, the super series, the exhibition games and in the tournament. I think we can all agree, he just isn't good. Blackwood is a different case, as he looked good in every opportunity leading into the tournament. He was given the reigns in the final game, and we all saw how terrible he was. Both goaltenders failed. Once again I think about Lowry. It seems clear that Blackwood is the guy that they wanted. If that is the case, and knowing that Blackwood was going to be somewhat cold coming from his suspension....... why not play him in the exhibitions outside of the one Czech game? If he's the goaltender, then give him game experience to make up for his suspension. The failing performance in net is on the goaltenders, but Lowry didn't help.

Another indicator of Lowry's incompetence: can anyone remember worse special teams for Canada? The penalty kill was atrociously ineffective, with unused players in some cases playing a significant role. The powerplay only scored when a player had a great individual effort. You would think that a coach would adjust their idiotic PP formation when they noted that it wasn't working. Lowry doesn't think that way apparently. Stationary umbrella PP. How effective.

The forwards were not bad individually, but there was no structure. Think about how often the forwards had to skate back and carry the puck up ice because the breakout was so bad. Think about Beauvillier, who often made things happen when on the ice,in the 13th forward role for a few games. The whole Barzal line, which was generally effective with Barzal among Canada's best players, barely got any playing time when games got close. Same for the Stephens line. Also, Lowry seemingly blindly believed TSN about there being chemistry between Strome and Marner (still 0 evidence of chemistry) and sat them out in games when he could have... you know... actually looked for chemistry. Inexcusable. Also, I certainly hope Point is injured. He was unexpectedly horrible. If he is injured, then horrible choice of captain by Lowry.

Lowry's bench management. We've all discussed it, but it's unacceptable to have shifts that long in this day and age. There was no accountability on this team. Point's line and Strome's line were going to get big minutes no matter what. Even Virtanen, after practically costing Canada the game with one of the stupidest plays ever witnessed on the international stage, was out there at the end of the game. Mind blowing.

Virtanen turned in by far the worst performance ever for a returned player. He had a role to play, and physically he was capable of fulfilling that role, but he was utilized horribly. Virtanen just isn't suited to a scoring line role. He can't cycle and make quick plays. He was forced into a scoring role and that's not acceptable. Still, he deserves a ton of blame for his own idiocy. No one did more to help Finland in the elimination game than Virtanen did. Not even Lowry.

For positives, there aren't many. Konecny was consistently very good for Canada, and shame on Lowry for not utilizing him enough. Crouse and Stephens were also good in their roles. Strome, who I was quite skeptical of, looked pretty good overall. Smart player. Marner was bad to start the tournament, despite what some want to believe, but he turned it on late. Looks like he could be a great player. Barzal was criminally underutilized, and if he returns next year I would be quite comfortable with him as Canada's top centre. He also looks like he could be elite. Beauvillier is also someone who had a lot more to give, had he been given the chance. None of the defencemen stood out a whole lot in a positive way, perhaps Chabot was the best. The goaltenders sucked.

This isn't an issue of poor player development, despite what some (Sportsnet is already beating this drum) are going to claim. This team was easily talented enough to win, and add Ekblad/Bennett/Fabbri/McCann/McDavid and they walk all over the tournament. This is an issue of coaching. Canada has won gold with teams half as talented as this. Hockey Canada cannot make such an idiotic coaching selection again. Lowry is an idiot, it is as plan as day for anyone to see. Here's a thought: don't select junior coaches with only a few years of experience who haven't won a thing.

I'm looking forward to next year now, should be a good roster unless the team is decimated by the NHL. I've learned though that it may be more critical to see who is named to the team this spring than it is next December.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I agree.

I disagree that a Canadian team going out in the quarterfinals warrants some kind of re-examination of Canadian hockey.

The goalie issue really needs to be examined... I think a longer development camp is just a good idea. I mean these other national teams spend a lot more time together by in large, I think Canada would benefit from putting together a longer camp in the summer after the NHL development camps let out.

That is not a huge re-examination or some massive blow. But I cannot for the life of me figure out what is going on with Hockey Canada and the goalies. The exclusion of foreign born goalies is a limp response in my opinion and the wrong direction... It isn't bringing your level of play up and developing or evaluating better.

We all know Hockey Canada will be fine, it is the best hockey nation in the world in terms of the pool to draw from, but there are absolutely things they can improve on and must as the competition has come up.

 

[Tripod]

Here is an idea, hire a NON-Jr coach as head coach.

Lowry's use of Hicketts and Spotts use of Murphy had a direct effect on Canada losing.

Favouritism at it's worst.

 

[NyQuil]

The exclusion of foreign born goalies is a limp response in my opinion and the wrong direction... It isn't bringing your level of play up and developing or evaluating better.

I agree.

We have plenty of goalies who can challenge for those spots on Junior teams if they are good enough.

We all know Hockey Canada will be fine, it is the best hockey nation in the world in terms of the pool to draw from, but there are absolutely things they can improve on and must as the competition has come up.

Sometimes It's hard to separate the systematic problems from the vagaries of a particular class of players.

 

[superdeluxe]

Not sure that the Isles will release Barzal

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

JackSlater's "excuse" wasn't because of the players not there. Let's be honest, if Canada had all those players, they are instantly the best team in the tournament, so lets not act like its an entitlement issue. It is what it is; it's like this EVERY single year for Canada so it's not a big deal at all.

The issue is the coaching, which is what the whole point of the post was; I feel you completely missed the point of his post.

Really? I missed the guy already in the NHL that would be playing goalie for this team.

Also don't act like Eichel, Larkin and Hafinin dropping in on the Team USA with an actual good goalie back there isn't a huge deal. Sorry in this particular year, no getting everyone available probably wasn't the answer to what failed this team, though it is hard to envision them out before the medal round.

Again last time they had everyone available they didn't medal.

I think there is plenty to examine and chew on before opting to the easy excuse column. Which is why I said I agreed with a ton of his post but took issue with that common excuse when Team Canada falters. It certainly doesn't come up often in a year where they are boat racing this competition...

And walking up and down them isn't a description of what would have happened either so the emphatic nature is also something I take issue with. The rest of the World is getting a lot better at hockey and to me that is a good thing and actually in large part because of the carrot they have been chasing all these years in Canada and to some extent especially in Europe in Russia.

 

[thepuckmonster]

The goalie issue really needs to be examined... I think a longer development camp is just a good idea. I mean these other national teams spend a lot more time together by in large, I think Canada would benefit from putting together a longer camp in the summer after the NHL development camps let out.

That is not a huge re-examination or some massive blow. But I cannot for the life of me figure out what is going on with Hockey Canada and the goalies. The exclusion of foreign born goalies is a limp response in my opinion and the wrong direction... It isn't bringing your level of play up and developing or evaluating better.

We all know Hockey Canada will be fine, it is the best hockey nation in the world in terms of the pool to draw from, but there are absolutely things they can improve on and must as the competition has come up.

I agree. Hockey Canada basically has what it wants as a roster decided 4-5 months in advance with a few invites.

The goaltending issue has been going on for years and really stems from draft pedigree. The OHL has never been a strong league for goaltending yet they continue to choose players from it because of exposure.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Lowry's Victoria teams are the most penalized teams the past 2 seasons in the Dub

'nuff said

terrible hire

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I also really like the idea of selecting somebody outside of major junior. Tough to find a guy without anything in the way of commitments. But I have to think it could be done. Goalies and coaching have been an issue now for far too long to not do a serious evaluation of that selection process.

I mean could Tom Renney who is committed to Hockey Canada not sign like a three year deal on top of that for extra coin to say hey I will also be coaching the World Juniors Team as a part of my commitment to Hockey Canada and my role in the organization.

 

[EveryDay]

Every defenceman outside of Sanheim-Dermott pairing were awful ....... Not one defenceman on this team is able to play as good defensively as Noah Juulsen but hey we had to make a spot on the team for Hickey and McKeown.

1-Sanheim = simply the best
2-Dermott = Was solid on both end of the puck
3-Fleury= was awful offensively and good defensively
4-Hicketts = good with the puck on his stick but totally lost without it.
5-Chabot = he was good offensively but pretty bad in his own zone
6-Hickey = a very average defenceman
7-McKeown = Worst defenceman to make TC in the last few years.....

Also this was by far the worst coaches we had on TC in the last 15 years.....

Blackwood = Choker

 

[thepuckmonster]

I also really like the idea of selecting somebody outside of major junior. Tough to find a guy without anything in the way of commitments. But I have to think it could be done. Goalies and coaching have been an issue now for far too long to not do a serious evaluation of that selection process.

I mean could Tom Renney who is committed to Hockey Canada not sign like a three year deal on top of that for extra coin to say hey I will also be coaching the World Juniors Team as a part of my commitment to Hockey Canada and my role in the organization.

It's really hard to do this because of a few reasons.

a) Junior A in Canada is a significant step below the CHL and generally isn't recognized aside from maybe the U18 tournament because of their affiliation with NCAA. Hockey politics basically.

b) A lot of the Canadian goalies in the NCAA play until they're 20 in the Junior A leagues so age-wise they're not eligible. There's not many 19 year olds playing in the NCAA or USHL that are good enough to make the national team.

Frankly they need to be bringing in more WHL guys for the goaltending position, at least to let them try out. Some of the best goaltending coaches in major junior work with WHL teams so one would think that there might be at least a few options to work with.

I hope they bring Sawchenko in to next camp but wouldn't be totally shocked because he will be still quite young.

 

[Giuseppe Sallo]

Agreed. This team was do unorganized abd undisciplined. Lowry **** the bed with his bias, could gave made changes. Goaltending? Maybe it's best to get goalies from Q or west.

 

[NyQuil]

Every defenceman outside of Sanheim-Dermott pairing were awful ....... Not one defenceman on this team is able to play as good defensively as Noah Juulsen but hey we had to make a spot on the team for Hickey and McKeown.

1-Sanheim = simply the best
2-Dermott = Was solid on both end of the puck
3-Fleury= was awful offensively and good defensively
4-Hicketts = good with the puck on his stick but totally lost without it.
5-Chabot = he was good offensively but pretty bad in his own zone
6-Hickey = a very average defenceman
7-McKeown = Worst defenceman to make TC in the last few years.....

Also this was by far the worst coaches we had on TC in the last 15 years.....

Blackwood = Choker

LOL, ok.

I pretty much disagree with your entire ranking.

 

[moon*]

Give the US Eichel, Larkin and Hanafin.

McDavid, Bennett, Fabbri and Ekblad are much better additions.

As mentioned Canada has to deal with this every year and is still able to win but if you give everyone their eligible players Canada wins in a walk.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Give the US Eichel, Larkin and Hanafin.

McDavid, Bennett, Fabbri and Ekblad are much better additions.

As mentioned Canada has to deal with this every year and is still able to win but if you give everyone their eligible players Canada wins in a walk.

they aren't the only nation and thats just a horrible excuse

talent wasn't the issue, it was the selection of the team and coaching...

 

[Giuseppe Sallo]

LOL, ok.

I pretty much disagree with your entire ranking.

Which do you disagree?

Dermott/Sanheim were the most consistent. Hicketts was just okay.

 

[Tripod]

Give the US Eichel, Larkin and Hanafin.

McDavid, Bennett, Fabbri and Ekblad are much better additions.

As mentioned Canada has to deal with this every year and is still able to win but if you give everyone their eligible players Canada wins in a walk.

No they don't because there is still luck, goaltending, bad coaching decisions, bad penalties, injuries etc...that okay into a game.

Or maybe you just hit a hot goalie against you in an elimination game.

I hate when people say Canada would win for sure. Favourites? Sure. Absolutely din? Not a chance. Too many variables.

And note: I. Am. Canadian.

 

[thepuckmonster]

No they don't because there is still luck, goaltending, bad coaching decisions, bad penalties, injuries etc...that okay into a game.

Or maybe you just hit a hot goalie against you in an elimination game.

I hate when people say Canada would win for sure. Favourites? Sure. Absolutely din? Not a chance. Too many variables.

And note: I. Am. Canadian.

I agree. At the Junior level there is a lot more parity between teams than at the Olympic level.

A lot of the European teams have kids playing in bonafide men's leagues, you can't ignore that the level of competition is much higher and therefore produces more complete players at this age range.

The CHL may be professional hockey but it's still 16-20 year olds.

 

[EK47]

Can someone please explain how marner got so much ****? he was your biggest offensive threat all tournament.

 

[theaub]

No they don't because there is still luck, goaltending, bad coaching decisions, bad penalties, injuries etc...that okay into a game.

Or maybe you just hit a hot goalie against you in an elimination game.

I hate when people say Canada would win for sure. Favourites? Sure. Absolutely din? Not a chance. Too many variables.

And note: I. Am. Canadian.

I mean, the last time there was a tournament where the NHL wasn't a factor in player selection Canada didn't even medal.

 

[Giuseppe Sallo]

Can someone please explain how marner got so much ****? he was your biggest offensive threat all tournament.

Haters looking for a way out over JV who was disappointing mess. Point was also a disappointment.