WC: 2016 Team Canada Pt. II

[Bear12Good]

Marchand will play today?

 

[tade]

Where are GDTs?

 

[jj cale]

God I hope I don't get called into work today half way through this game.

 

[jj cale]

Where are GDTs?

Maybe there aren't any this year and that might be a good thing.

No *****ing and moaning by the losing fans.

 

[aphyro]

Where can i See Canada vs USA? any stream?

 

[1Gold Standard]

Maybe there aren't any this year and that might be a good thing.

No *****ing and moaning by the losing fans.

actually thinking about it, it's perhaps best to forgo the GDTs for PGTs. (post game) There's nothing more ridiculous than 50 posters doing play-by-play. and 50 posts of Scores. McDavid with the shot.

but your point is a good one as well.

I see this coach is insistent on Duchene on RW. I'm beginning to dislike him already.

 

[jj cale]

actually thinking about it, it's perhaps best to forgo the GDTs for PGTs. (post game) There's nothing more ridiculous than 50 posters doing play-by-play. and 50 posts of Scores. McDavid with the shot.

but your point is a good one as well.

I see this coach is insistent on Duchene on RW. I'm beginning to dislike him already.

Did Duchene play on the wing in Sochi? I can't remember.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Did Duchene play on the wing in Sochi? I can't remember.

C/LW. Babcock believes you play your natural/strong side unless you have a proven and established track record of playing your off position. When asked, Duchene will respond with, if not at center, then more comfortable on LW...and especially so in Europe on big ice.

So much for Peters being a Babcock disciple. He's already breaking Babcock's cardinal rule.

 

[jj cale]

C/LW. Babcock believes you play your natural/strong side unless you have a proven and established track record of playing your off position. When asked, Duchene will respond with, if not at center, then more comfortable on LW...and especially so in Europe on big ice.

O.k, thanks.

Have to keep an eye on how he plays today.

 

[86Habs]

C/LW. Babcock believes you play your natural/strong side unless you have a proven and established track record of playing your off position. When asked, Duchene will respond with, if not at center, then more comfortable on LW...and especially so in Europe on big ice.

So much for Peters being a Babcock disciple. He's already breaking Babcock's cardinal rule.

Eh, I would give him a bit more time. If he looks uncomfortable today, move him back to LW or C. We have other options as we discussed. But yes, that is/was Babcock's cardinal rule but I guess options are a bit more limited when you're pulling random players for a WC instead of building a roster from scratch with every possible special teams/handedness scenario built into it.

Duchene is such a good soldier for Hockey Canada by the way, I'm really rooting for him to make the World Cup team. This is his 5th World Championships and he's what, 25?

 

[1Gold Standard]

Eh, I would give him a bit more time. If he looks uncomfortable today, move him back to LW or C. We have other options as we discussed. But yes, that is/was Babcock's cardinal rule but I guess options are a bit more limited when you're pulling random players for a WC instead of building a roster from scratch with every possible special teams/handedness scenario built into it.

Duchene is such a good soldier for Hockey Canada by the way, I'm really rooting for him to make the World Cup team. This is his 5th World Championships and he's what, 25?

that is good point.

and I'm pulling for Duchy as well.

 

[tony d]

Was a little disappointed to see our TSN not carry the Canada game live today, it'll be on tonight. Got to watch a good game between Sweden and Latvia though.

 

[JackSlater]

I only saw the last 15 minutes or so of the third period, Jenner goal onward. Crappy stream on my lunchbreak. Marchand looked good, not happy with the coach wasting the last PP (great practice opportunity for the top unit) by using the seldom used players. Both teams seemed to just skate the game out, the American team obviously outgunned.

The most interesting thing to me is seeing who can establish themselves as Canada's top LWs. Canada is most likely going to take two players as LWs for the NHL's tournament, and this team has the four most likely candidates. I assume that Giroux and Perry are already on that team, and two LW spots remain. I see the competition as between Hall and Duchene for the more offensive role, and between O'Reilly and Marchand for the more defensive role. Interesting to see how it goes. Sounds like all four were decent in the game today.

 

[Smif]

Was a little disappointed to see our TSN not carry the Canada game live today, it'll be on tonight. Got to watch a good game between Sweden and Latvia though.

I watched it on TSN.ca

 

[1Gold Standard]

Was a little disappointed to see our TSN not carry the Canada game live today, it'll be on tonight. Got to watch a good game between Sweden and Latvia though.

you subscribe only to 1 TSN channel? They had the game on 3 channels.

 

[86Habs]

I only saw the last 15 minutes or so of the third period, Jenner goal onward. Crappy stream on my lunchbreak. Marchand looked good, not happy with the coach wasting the last PP (great practice opportunity for the top unit) by using the seldom used players. Both teams seemed to just skate the game out, the American team obviously outgunned.

The most interesting thing to me is seeing who can establish themselves as Canada's top LWs. Canada is most likely going to take two players as LWs for the NHL's tournament, and this team has the four most likely candidates. I assume that Giroux and Perry are already on that team, and two LW spots remain. I see the competition as between Hall and Duchene for the more offensive role, and between O'Reilly and Marchand for the more defensive role. Interesting to see how it goes. Sounds like all four were decent in the game today.

I'm not so quick to assume that Giroux will make this team, given the history, current composition of the team, and smaller ice surface. He'd be a very surprising omission and there would be no end to the screaming and yelling from Flyers fans, but if I were a betting man right now I'd wager that he's left off the roster again. Here's what we know so far:

Center - Crosby, Toews, and Getzlaf are locks down the middle. If history is any indication Tavares also gets deployed at center.

LW - Benn

RW - Stamkos (pre-Sochi discussion had him locked-in at RW with Crosby), Seguin (fits the mold of a Babcock-era winger for TC, no room for him at C), Carter, Bergeron (typically plays RW for TC, but can obviously play C as well).

There are 4 open forward spots. One is almost guaranteed to go to Perry, for reasons which are obvious. 3 left. Assuming Tavares stays at C, which Babcock seemed very comfortable with at Sochi (and Tavares's recent very high level of play does nothing to discredit that opinion) and Bergeron is the C/RW swingman on any of the four lines, I think Giroux gets left out of the mix again unless the management team and coaching staff make a bold move to shift one of Carter, Stamkos or Seguin (or Giroux) over to the left side. It's possible, but I'm betting on the inherent conservatism of Hockey Canada to win out again.

As you state above the contenders for the 3 remaining spots would be Marchand, O'Reilly, Duchene, Hall, and I'll add Couture (who's having a strong playoffs, and if HC can look past his prior WC refusals)....which is really good depth and you probably can't go wrong in whatever direction is chosen.

Possible lineup:

Marchand - Crosby - Bergeron
O'Reilly - Toews - Carter
Benn - Getzlaf - Perry
Duchene - Tavares - Stamkos/Seguin

OR,

Couture - Crosby - Stamkos
Marchand - Toews - Bergeron
Benn - Getzlaf - Perry
Hall - Tavares - Carter/Seguin

You can see how Hall/Duchene, and O'Reilly/Marchand/Couture are kind of interchangeable, though its worth noting that Duchene, O'Reilly and Couture can easily play center which of course came to be beneficial for us when Tavares got injured in Sochi.

 

[topshelf15]

Good showing for one of the leagues more, underated young blueliners in Ceci

 

[McMozesmadness]

Didn't think there was any one standout player for Canada today.

I really liked what I saw from the Perry - Berassard - Hall line and the Stone - Schiefele line (can't remember the other winger).

Defence looked good and Talbot was really solid. Nice start to the tournament for Canada.

 

[JackSlater]

I'm not so quick to assume that Giroux will make this team, given the history, current composition of the team, and smaller ice surface. He'd be a very surprising omission and there would be no end to the screaming and yelling from Flyers fans, but if I were a betting man right now I'd wager that he's left off the roster again. Here's what we know so far:

Center - Crosby, Toews, and Getzlaf are locks down the middle. If history is any indication Tavares also gets deployed at center.

LW - Benn

RW - Stamkos (pre-Sochi discussion had him locked-in at RW with Crosby), Seguin (fits the mold of a Babcock-era winger for TC, no room for him at C), Carter, Bergeron (typically plays RW for TC, but can obviously play C as well).

There are 4 open forward spots. One is almost guaranteed to go to Perry, for reasons which are obvious. 3 left. Assuming Tavares stays at C, which Babcock seemed very comfortable with at Sochi (and Tavares's recent very high level of play does nothing to discredit that opinion) and Bergeron is the C/RW swingman on any of the four lines, I think Giroux gets left out of the mix again unless the management team and coaching staff make a bold move to shift one of Carter, Stamkos or Seguin (or Giroux) over to the left side. It's possible, but I'm betting on the inherent conservatism of Hockey Canada to win out again.

As you state above the contenders for the 3 remaining spots would be Marchand, O'Reilly, Duchene, Hall, and I'll add Couture (who's having a strong playoffs, and if HC can look past his prior WC refusals)....which is really good depth and you probably can't go wrong in whatever direction is chosen.

Possible lineup:

Marchand - Crosby - Bergeron
O'Reilly - Toews - Carter
Benn - Getzlaf - Perry
Duchene - Tavares - Stamkos/Seguin

OR,

Couture - Crosby - Stamkos
Marchand - Toews - Bergeron
Benn - Getzlaf - Perry
Hall - Tavares - Carter/Seguin

You can see how Hall/Duchene, and O'Reilly/Marchand/Couture are kind of interchangeable, though its worth noting that Duchene, O'Reilly and Couture can easily play center which of course came to be beneficial for us when Tavares got injured in Sochi.

My thought with Giroux is that he did enough at the World Championships last year to make it as the fifth centre. The biggest problem for him is that Getzlaf made it, as replacing Getzlaf was his easiest path to make this team. It's not the best roster fit but I don't think that Hockey Canada will "snub" him again. Wouldn't be shocked to be wrong.

I don't think Couture has much of a great chance barring a Conn Smythe worthy performance. Essentially no history with Hockey Canada and not clearly better than any of his competition. Thinking about it rationally, I do think that Duchene is a sizable favourite to make that team over Hall. Duchene has been very loyal to Hockey Canada, and more importantly he is the incumbent. Both had somewhat disappointing years this year, they were pretty much equal at the World Championship this year, both can play LW. Neither has noteworthy NHL playoff experience. There isn't much of an advantage for Hall anywhere. The coaching staff and Hockey Canada already know Duchene, and other than an MVP worthy performance at the World Championship this year I don't see Hall realistically passing Duchene.

With the defensive role, I forgot to mention that Schwartz might have an outside shot depending on his playoffs. Probably similar to Couture, maybe more since his GM is picking the team. Comparing Marchand and O'Reilly, it may just come down to preference. O'Reilly is better defensively and was quite good at the World Championship last year. Marchand was better offensively this year and is a bit more experienced at LW. Marchand also has his linemate on the team already. I could honestly see it coming down to performance in this tournament and possibly preference as to which style of hockey Canada24O wants to play.

 

[tigervixxxen]

C/LW. Babcock believes you play your natural/strong side unless you have a proven and established track record of playing your off position. When asked, Duchene will respond with, if not at center, then more comfortable on LW...and especially so in Europe on big ice.

So much for Peters being a Babcock disciple. He's already breaking Babcock's cardinal rule.

Duchene is much better on the right, if he's playing wing it should be on the right. I'm sure he's willing to do what's asked but he's not going to look great on the left side. Duchene played a good amount of this past year on the right side and did well. We always believed he couldn't be an effective winger all this time but that's because he'd only been tried on the left. The goal he scored today is exactly why he likes the right side.

 

[Nalens Oga]

^ He played with McDavid today right? Hahah poor Duchene finally gets a good winger....himself.

 

[drewstar]

The 6 favourites to land 4 spots are:

Giroux
Perry
Duchene
Hall
Marchand
O'Reilly

2 worthy candidates but lack of previous stints with TC etc leave these guys as unlikely to make it:

Couture
Schwartz

Both are more than worthy if their playoff play is any indication. I personally really like Couture as he fits the Bergeron/Toews/Carter defensive mold combined with his versatility to slot in at LW or C.

If it comes down to one each of Duchene/Hall, and Marchand/O'Reilly. I think Duchene would get that nod and Marchand (when you factor in his offense and chemistry with Bergeron) would get his over O'Reilly. This is all assuming you consider Giroux and Perry locks, which is certainly far from a given as TC is deep on the right side. Somehow, I think Giroux gets looked over again. The problem for Giroux is that TC is strong on the right side, and Carter's inclusion means it will be very hard to have him as one of your top 8 at center/RW (Crosby, Stamkos, Tavares, Seguin, Toews, Bergeron, Carter, Getzlaf) unless you move Tavares to LW. I personally think Hall/Duchene offering speed on LW will get in, as will Marchand. That leaves one of Giroux/Perry to be cut.

On defense, Burns you would think has to be a lock. That leaves 2 spots, likely one each of Giordano/Brodie and Subban/Pietrangelo. My guess now is Giordano and Pietrangelo.

It is obvious that Giroux and Subban are not TC favourites, and it hurts their chances because they play in the most stacked position TC has, namely at center and at RD.

Hall - Crosby - Stamkos
Benn - Tavares - Seguin
Duchene - Toews - Bergeron
Marchand - Getzlaf - Perry
Carter

Keith - Weber
Giordano - Doughty
Vlasic - Burns
Pietrangelo

Price
Holtby
Crawford

 

[sportsdynasty]

The 6 favourites to land 4 spots are:

Giroux
Perry
Duchene
Hall
Marchand
O'Reilly

2 worthy candidates but lack of previous stints with TC etc leave these guys as unlikely to make it:

Couture
Schwartz

Both are more than worthy if their playoff play is any indication. I personally really like Couture as he fits the Bergeron/Toews/Carter defensive mold combined with his versatility to slot in at LW or C.

If it comes down to one each of Duchene/Hall, and Marchand/O'Reilly. I think Duchene would get that nod and Marchand (when you factor in his offense and chemistry with Bergeron) would get his over O'Reilly. This is all assuming you consider Giroux and Perry locks, which is certainly far from a given as TC is deep on the right side. Somehow, I think Giroux gets looked over again. The problem for Giroux is that TC is strong on the right side, and Carter's inclusion means it will be very hard to have him as one of your top 8 at center/RW (Crosby, Stamkos, Tavares, Seguin, Toews, Bergeron, Carter, Getzlaf) unless you move Tavares to LW. I personally think Hall/Duchene offering speed on LW will get in, as will Marchand. That leaves one of Giroux/Perry to be cut.

On defense, Burns you would think has to be a lock. That leaves 2 spots, likely one each of Giordano/Brodie and Subban/Pietrangelo. My guess now is Giordano and Pietrangelo.

It is obvious that Giroux and Subban are not TC favourites, and it hurts their chances because they play in the most stacked position TC has, namely at center and at RD.

Hall - Crosby - Stamkos
Benn - Tavares - Seguin
Duchene - Toews - Bergeron
Marchand - Getzlaf - Perry
Carter

Keith - Weber
Giordano - Doughty
Vlasic - Burns
Pietrangelo

Price
Holtby
Crawford

Best post in this whole thread. This should be the lineup.

 

[JackSlater]

The 6 favourites to land 4 spots are:

Giroux
Perry
Duchene
Hall
Marchand
O'Reilly

2 worthy candidates but lack of previous stints with TC etc leave these guys as unlikely to make it:

Couture
Schwartz

Both are more than worthy if their playoff play is any indication. I personally really like Couture as he fits the Bergeron/Toews/Carter defensive mold combined with his versatility to slot in at LW or C.

If it comes down to one each of Duchene/Hall, and Marchand/O'Reilly. I think Duchene would get that nod and Marchand (when you factor in his offense and chemistry with Bergeron) would get his over O'Reilly. This is all assuming you consider Giroux and Perry locks, which is certainly far from a given as TC is deep on the right side. Somehow, I think Giroux gets looked over again. The problem for Giroux is that TC is strong on the right side, and Carter's inclusion means it will be very hard to have him as one of your top 8 at center/RW (Crosby, Stamkos, Tavares, Seguin, Toews, Bergeron, Carter, Getzlaf) unless you move Tavares to LW. I personally think Hall/Duchene offering speed on LW will get in, as will Marchand. That leaves one of Giroux/Perry to be cut.

On defense, Burns you would think has to be a lock. That leaves 2 spots, likely one each of Giordano/Brodie and Subban/Pietrangelo. My guess now is Giordano and Pietrangelo.

It is obvious that Giroux and Subban are not TC favourites, and it hurts their chances because they play in the most stacked position TC has, namely at center and at RD.

Hall - Crosby - Stamkos
Benn - Tavares - Seguin
Duchene - Toews - Bergeron
Marchand - Getzlaf - Perry
Carter

Keith - Weber
Giordano - Doughty
Vlasic - Burns
Pietrangelo

Price
Holtby
Crawford

This is all reasonable, but I disagree about a few points. I don't think that Hockey Canada dislikes Subban or Giroux. Subban was the latest import Hockey Canada has ever sent to the World Championships, and Giroux was the forward that Hockey Canada raved about the most at the tournament last year. He also handled his snub very well. Both may be cut, but that's more due to the emergence of Burns (hurts Subban) and the reduction in roster size from the Olympics.

I also think that there is a decent chance that Stamkos could be utilized on the LW. Bergeron is going to play with Crosby again, and considering that they can take care of the defence, board play and playmaking, a sniper is needed more than anything else. Stamkos fits the bill better than any other Canadian. This doesn't exactly free up a wing spot for Giroux, but it does make him more likely.

It's possible that the defence shakes out as you suggest, and if they go for another left handed defenceman it will definitely be Brodie or Giordano. I am not convinced that they will do that though. We all know that Canada sought out defencemen that would play on their strong sides, but it was explained (by Hitchcock I believe) that this was so significant because the tournament was on international ice. There is more ice to cover (more difficult to keep pucks in the wider zone on your off side) and some Canadians would be less comfortable on the off side. It isn't as big a deal on the NHL ice surface. I wouldn't be surprised to see Pietrangelo (experience on the left side) lining up as the left defenceman in one top six pairing, leaving Subban available for the seventh spot.

Other than some of the line combinations though, I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out exactly as you listed. I do think that this World Championship tournament will be a significant factor in deciding who plays one if not two LW spots.

 

[tony d]

you subscribe only to 1 TSN channel? They had the game on 3 channels.

Not home but the TSN where I'm to carried Tennis instead of hockey. In any event good win for the team yesterday. Hungary tomorrow.