WJC: 2016 — Canada Roster Talk

[86Habs]

I'll be shocked if McCann isn't involved in the WJC this year. If he's there, that should take care of the third centre spot. If Point looks anything like he did in the summer camp, then there isn't much to worry about with the top centre spot. Barzal is good enough to centre any line 2-4. Marner will likely be a winger, but he is good enough at this level to make any line dangerous. If given the right coaching, this team will be able to score even without McDavid, Bennett, Fabbri or Virtanen.

It will be a small forward group...smaller than most years, to my recollection. Losing Virtanen and his speed and physicality will hurt, but I can still envision him getting loaned out to TC by the Canucks. Crouse will obviously be there, but I could see Perlini getting a good look too to bulk up the forward group. I'm most interested in seeing how Strome continues to develop this season in Erie.

 

[xxxx]

Vey has been placed on waivers (to play the AHL), which means McCann starts in the NHL, and I think his starting position is quite good, wouldn't be surprised if both Virtanen and him stayed there. Honestly I think there's no way we get Virtanen, he's going to be a Canuck this season. McCann, there is a chance, but it remains to be seen and I have a feeling he could have a solid rookie season.

I am optimistic about Fabbri though. Even though it's a maybe, so nothing given at all. He might be the best player out of this trio, but given the depth of his NHL team, I wouldn't be surprised if he is released for the WJs, as it did Ottawa with Lazar last year. Unless Fabbri plays well of course.

Crouse and Strome are definitely a plus.

 

[93LEAFS]

That would make Team Canada's Top 2 centers (according to my depth chart) Matthew Barzal (who's looking decent at Iles camp and Rourke Chartier. Not a big fan of Strome at this point unless his skating has dramatically improved since we last saw him. So, minus McJesus, Fabbri, Bennett and McCann + 1 or 2 others, sorry, it will take a monster miracle performance to repeat... if the team can even compete for a medal I'd be ecstatic.

if in fact McCann sticks in Van City. I'm at a loss as to what to do with Konecny. I'd like to play him further up in the lineup, but not sure where exactly. I will have to watch a few Ottawa games to get a handle on where he's at...but my initial thought is 3rd. line RW

M DAL COLLE R CHARTIER B POINT
J VIRTANEN M BARZAL M MARNER
A BEAUVILLIER C BLEACKLEY J GAUTHIER
M STEPHENS J QUENNEVILLE J HAWRYLUK
T KONECNY
T SANHEIM A CARRIER
J HICKETTS T CHABOT
H FLEURY N JUULSEN
J ROY or M SPENCER

M MCDONALD
M BLACKWOOD

I have no idea how you came to the decision Chartier will be our 1st line center, he hasn't represented Canada at a major tourney with his last experience be on the western Canada under 17 team. Strome most likely makes it and is teamed with Marner as they have experience playing with each other at various Hockey Canada events. Personally I think Dermott gets on but won't be shocked if he's cut. Also no way Crouse gets cut.

edit: Just double checked, Chartier was on the Hnlinka team, my mistake. Still don't think he's a lock or will make it over Strome though.

 

[xxxx]

My eyes will be on Strome and Barzal these couple of months. I think them being the players they can be would help a lot Team Canada.

Crouse - Fabbri - Marner
Dal Colle - Strome - Point

that would be a great top six

 

[xxxx]

some info about Strome from coyotes.nhl.com "came closer than expected"

Strome played extremely well in rookie camp and then well enough to stay in camp with the veterans up until the last day. But Tippett said Strome leveled off during the last few preseason games in which he played, and on Friday vs. San Jose, against a nearly complete NHL lineup, it became clear he wasn’t quite ready to make the jump.

“I think he’s awesome,” Doan said. “I think he’s a great kid…and I think he plays hockey because he loves it, not just because he’s an unbelievable player. That’s a big thing.”

“He’s really, really smart,” Doan said. “He’s in the right areas. Offensively, he makes 5- and 6-foot passes and holds onto the puck at the right time and moves the puck at the right time.”

 

[1Gold Standard]

I have no idea how you came to the decision Chartier will be our 1st line center, he hasn't represented Canada at a major tourney with his last experience be on the western Canada under 17 team. Strome most likely makes it and is teamed with Marner as they have experience playing with each other at various Hockey Canada events. Personally I think Dermott gets on but won't be shocked if he's cut. Also no way Crouse gets cut.

edit: Just double checked, Chartier was on the Hnlinka team, my mistake. Still don't think he's a lock or will make it over Strome though.

If you open your eyes and read the very post you quoted, you'll understand that the roster was based on a what if scenario....

what if ....such and such a player is not available...what happens then...

further to that the quote, I also explained why I excluded both Strome and Crouse. So what exactly do you not get? Certainly it is not my preferred roster, and now that both have been returned to their junior teams, I imagine both will be there come Christmas time. Do I believe Strome is a number 1 or 2 center on a gold medal winning team in Europe? No, I most certainly do not. Do I believe the roster which you quoted and are having an issue with is a gold medal winning team? No, I certainly do not. Not at this point. But my expectations may change or improve over the next few months based on how the players are performing. stay tuned and pay attention.

 

[xxxx]

hm, just have been thinking about Daniel Sprong (RW/LW), the Pittsburgh prospect who made their opening roster and had a very solid camp for them - he's just 18, and even though born in Netherlands, his family moved to Canada when he was 7, now living in Montreal, Quebec. Not sure if he already has canadian citizenship, maybe yes, eliteprospects.com has a canadian flag on his profile. He played for Team Québec White in season 2012/13. He's eligible to play for TC, just needs to get the citizenship as soon as possible, if he doesn't have it yet.

I don't know what are the chances he could potentially play at this World Juniors, but definitely an interesting player to watch imo, not only now, but for the future of Canada, as we don't have that many quality wingers, which Sprong could potentially be. To be honest with you, I didn't notice him until the pre-season. And even then, I thought he was american.

I added some interesting quotes, + if anyone is interested, I recommend the two articles below, from Hockey Buzz, published this week, and The Hockey News, published just yesterday.

from sportsnet.ca, year ago

Sprong’s favourite NHL player is Patrick Kane and he models his game after the Blackhawks’ all-star right winger. Kane’s name also comes up when NHL scouts look for talents comparable to Sprong’s.

“His strengths—skating and finishing—are the same strengths in Kane’s game,” one NHL scouting director says. “His puck skills probably aren’t where Kane’s were at 18, but whose are? Sprong might project to be a faster skater at the next level. His game is still growing. He’s physically stronger than he was last year and he’ll have to be. He’s going to command a lot more attention from other teams and they’ll try to lean on him.”

Over the summer, Sprong trained with Andy O’Brien in Toronto and skated with a few of the strength coach’s A-list clients. “I was pretty nervous the first time I got on the ice with Jason Spezza and John Tavares,” Sprong says. “But they were great to me and pretty soon I just settled in and fit in. I’ve stayed in touch with some of them. Just the other day, John Tavares texted me to see how I was doing. Sometimes I stop and wonder, ‘Is this real?’”

TheHockeyNews, yesterday:

One talent hawk (who does not work for the Penguins, by the way), even told me that in terms of raw skill, Sprong was “right up there with McDavid and Eichel.”
Another scout, from a different franchise (again, not Pittsburgh), offered the following assessment: “Tremendous puck skills. The kid can play; not many can match his skill set.”

+ Hockey Buzz article

I think his eliteprospects.com profile says enough:

A prolific scoring winger who possesses an elite-level skillset: has dynamic skating ability, is a creative passer, and has incredible puckhandling ability. While he is offensively dominant, he is also defensively responsible. A very hard working player who strives to improve all aspects of his game. Absolutely electric. (Curtis Joe, EP 2014) - See more at: http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=231299#sthash.8FZcSaIP.dpuf

It would be fantastic if we could somehow get him this World Juniors, or the next ones

 

[JackSlater]

hm, just have been thinking about Daniel Sprong (RW/LW), the Pittsburgh prospect who made their opening roster and had a very solid camp for them - he's just 18, and even though born in Netherlands, his family moved to Canada when he was 7, now living in Montreal, Quebec. Not sure if he already has canadian citizenship, maybe yes, eliteprospects.com has a canadian flag on his profile. He played for Team Québec White in season 2012/13. He's eligible to play for TC, just needs to get the citizenship as soon as possible, if he doesn't have it yet.

I don't know what are the chances he could potentially play at this World Juniors, but definitely an interesting player to watch imo, not only now, but for the future of Canada, as we don't have that many quality wingers, which Sprong could potentially be. To be honest with you, I didn't notice him until the pre-season. And even then, I thought he was american.

I added some interesting quotes, + if anyone is interested, I recommend the two articles below, from Hockey Buzz, published this week, and The Hockey News, published just yesterday.

from sportsnet.ca, year ago



TheHockeyNews, yesterday:


+ Hockey Buzz article

I think his eliteprospects.com profile says enough:


Even though it's mainly an interesting player for future, it would be great if we could somehow get him this World Juniors, or the next ones

I doubt that Sprong has Canadian citizenship, as some outlet probably would have mentioned it at some point. It will be interesting to follow his situation. I don't understand why it has taken such a long time for him and his family to get citizenship. If he doesn't get citizenship but remains with Pittsburgh, USA might pursue him.

 

[xxxx]

I doubt that Sprong has Canadian citizenship, as some outlet probably would have mentioned it at some point. It will be interesting to follow his situation. I don't understand why it has taken such a long time for him and his family to get citizenship. If he doesn't get citizenship but remains with Pittsburgh, USA might pursue him.

I've read some articles and he says he wants to play for Canada, sportsnet.ca said last year that he should be on HC radar once he gets that thing done. I agree it would probably be mentioned somewhere if he already was eligible. But, theoretically, if he could, (and I think Hockey Canada is sure interested in this situation) he would be a nice and welcomed addition I saw him play in the pre-season, just one game, but he really is a very skilled player for his age, good skater too.

 

[DanrikCarter]

Is Hicketts the front runner for team captain right now?

 

[JackSlater]

I've read some articles and he says he wants to play for Canada, sportsnet.ca said last year that he should be on HC radar once he gets that thing done. I agree it would probably be mentioned somewhere if he already was eligible. But, theoretically, if he could, (and I think Hockey Canada is sure interested in this situation) he would be a nice and welcomed addition I saw him play in the pre-season, just one game, but he really is a very skilled player for his age, good skater too.

I've read that he wants to play for Canada, which makes sense given that he has lived primarily in Canada since he was seven. He can't without citizenship though, and I'm not sure how that would be impacted if he begins living in Pittsburgh regularly. If Hockey Canada can't lock him in through the WJC, it's quite possible that he never plays for Canada.

 

[therealdeal]

Brendan Guhle made the Sabers, at least he's on the 9 game tryout. Eliteprospects has him listed as a Canadian, anyone know anything about this kid? He's only 18. If he gets sent down after 9 games, could he challenge for a roster spot?

 

[JackSlater]

Brendan Guhle made the Sabres, at least he's on the 9 game tryout. Eliteprospects has him listed as a Canadian, anyone know anything about this kid? He's only 18. If he gets sent down after 9 games, could he challenge for a roster spot?

All I remember (mostly because of his odd name) is that he was touted at the draft as being quite athletic.

 

[Cotton]

Brendan Guhle made the Sabres, at least he's on the 9 game tryout. Eliteprospects has him listed as a Canadian, anyone know anything about this kid? He's only 18. If he gets sent down after 9 games, could he challenge for a roster spot?

That he needs to keep his head up.

 

[tade]

I'll take my shot (not counting with Bennett, Virtanen, Fabbri and McCann atm).

Lawson Crouse - Brayden Point - Mitchell Marner
Michael Dal Colle - Dylan Strome - Jayce Hawryluk
John Quenneville - Mathew Barzal - Travis Konecny
Brendan Perlini - Rourke Chartier - Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Joshua Ho-Sang / Anthony Beauvillier

Travis Sanheim - Noah Juulsen
Haydn Fleury - Jakob Chychrun
Joe Hicketts - Roland McKeown

Alexandre Carrier / Thomas Chabot

Mackenzie Blackwood
Mason McDonald

What do you think about this?

 

[JackSlater]

Perlini McDavid Fabbri
Crouse Bennett Point
Dal Colle McCann Virtanen
Strome Barzal Marner
Konecny

Sanheim Ekblad
Fleury Roy
Hickey Hicketts
Juulsen

McDonald
Blackwood
Booth

 

[Dack]

I think McDonald will start his numbers suck in comparison to Blackwood's but if you look what teams they play on it adds some context. The islanders were considered awful last year and were only made worse by Sprong making the penguins.

 

[YMCMBYOLO]

I honestly think the Flames will release Bennett for the World Juniors. Just my opinion, though.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Perlini McDavid Fabbri
Crouse Bennett Point
Dal Colle McCann Virtanen
Strome Barzal Marner
Konecny

Sanheim Ekblad
Fleury Roy
Hickey Hicketts
Juulsen

McDonald
Blackwood
Booth

I'd like to see that team get together for a tourney. I bet they could play some pretty dominate tic tac tao! About the only thing that could scuttle it would be some Steve Spott coaching.

 

[JackSlater]

I'd like to see that team get together for a tourney. I bet they could play some pretty dominate tic tac tao! About the only thing that could scuttle it would be some Steve Spott coaching.

It would be a good team, very scary at forward. Speaking of which, ESPN Classic is about to play the gold medal game from 2005, and just in time for my Thanksgiving supper.

 

[BanditKeith99]

McDonald's 10 times better than his numbers indicate

 

[1Gold Standard]

It would be a good team, very scary at forward. Speaking of which, ESPN Classic is about to play the gold medal game from 2005, and just in time for my Thanksgiving supper.

It's a shame HC and USAH can't put their collective heads together and give us a once every 4 years junior border clash...best of 4 out of 7 series.

with the direction the NHL is going, that may very well be the only international hockey worth watching in a few years.

 

[OrangeAndBlackMetal]

Is there a chance for Nicholas Aube-Kubel to make the WJC team? Would love to see how he'd do on the international stage.

 

[JackSlater]

Is there a chance for Nicholas Aube-Kubel to make the WJC team? Would love to see how he'd do on the international stage.

Probably an outside chance. The forward group is pretty strong this year, and unfortunately for him most of his competition is also right handed. His summer camp was pretty good though.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Probably an outside chance. The forward group is pretty strong this year, and unfortunately for him most of his competition is also right handed. His summer camp was pretty good though.

He plays LW for his club team which helps his case. He can play C in a pinch too. I could see him being the 13th forward because of his versatility, but he needs to continue his strong start.