WC: 2016 Team Canada

[1Gold Standard]

I would be surprised if Fabbri ended up the better player. Reinhart looks like he could end up as an O'Reilly, which is very good. I could see him slotting into a defensive wing role on a big boy team in the future. As for the makeup of the team... it depends on how players react to the World Cup and who is named to the early roster.

be prepared to be surprised.

anyway, I hope we get a team like last year, young, talented...well coached and equally motivated. The final 2 being what is key for success at this tournament, competent coach and motivated players.

If we get Lindy Ruff like coaching and Getzlaf and Perry type of motivation (partying at Helsinki nightclubs) then it will the same sort of result, 1/4 final exit.

 

[xxxx]

Ok, this would be my team right now: (also, I believe PIT and MTL will make the playoffs)


Taylor Hall - Claude Giroux(A) - Sean Monahan
Ryan O'Reilly(C) - Connor McDavid - Jordan Eberle
Mike Hoffman - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Mark Stone
Boone Jenner - Bryan Little - Mark Scheifele

Mark Giordano(A) - TJ Brodie
Morgan Rielly - Tyler Myers
Ryan Murray - Chris Tanev

Devan Dubnyk, Steve Mason


Available coaches: McLellan (EDM), Babcock (TOR), Hartley(CGY), Peters (CAR), Maurice (WIN), Desjardins (VAN), Tippett (ARI), Cameron (OTT).

I excluded Hamhuis, Reimer, E.Staal, and Ladd because they're UFAs right now. Bunch of players are RFAs (Monahan, Rielly, Jenner, Hoffman, Kadri, Scheifele), but I'm not sure if that's a problem in any context.

Others in the pool:
- Cam Talbot, Jonathan Bernier
- Marco Scandella, Jared Spurgeon, Matt Dumba, Michael Del Zotto, Dougie Hamilton, Darnell Nurse
- Mike Cammalleri, Travis Zajac, Adam Henrique, Wayne Simmonds, Jeff Skinner, S.Reinhart, Tyler Ennis, Kyle Turris, Sam Bennett

 

[tade]

Ok, this would be my team right now: (also, I believe PIT and MTL will make the playoffs)


Taylor Hall - Claude Giroux(A) - Sean Monahan
Ryan O'Reilly(C) - Connor McDavid - Jordan Eberle
Mike Hoffman - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Mark Stone
Boone Jenner - Bryan Little - Mark Scheifele

Mark Giordano(A) - TJ Brodie
Morgan Rielly - Tyler Myers
Ryan Murray - Chris Tanev

Devan Dubnyk, Steve Mason


Available coaches: McLellan (EDM), Babcock (TOR), Hartley(CGY), Peters (CAR), Maurice (WIN), Desjardins (VAN), Tippett (ARI), Cameron (OTT).

I excluded Hamhuis, Reimer, E.Staal, and Ladd because they're UFAs right now. Bunch of players are RFAs (Monahan, Rielly, Jenner, Hoffman, Kadri, Scheifele), but I'm not sure if that's a problem in any context.

Others in the pool:
- Cam Talbot, Jonathan Bernier
- Marco Scandella, Jared Spurgeon, Matt Dumba, Michael Del Zotto, Dougie Hamilton, Darnell Nurse
- Mike Cammalleri, Travis Zajac, Adam Henrique, Wayne Simmonds, Jeff Skinner, S.Reinhart, Tyler Ennis, Kyle Turris, Sam Bennett

Count him out, Del Zotto is out indefinitely (wrist surgery(?), at least I think)

I would add Brayden Schenn to the pool of players, he's having fantastic year.

Obviously, otherwise your team looks damn good.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Count him out, Del Zotto is out indefinitely (wrist surgery(?), at least I think)

I would add Brayden Schenn to the pool of players, he's having fantastic year.

Obviously, otherwise your team looks damn good.

you're the big Philly insider, what's the latest with Couturier's rehab?

We can always find a role for him.

 

[tade]

you're the big Philly insider, what's the latest with Couturier's rehab?

We can always find a role for him.

Couturier is reportedly ahead of schedule so it's a good news if true. His injury was originally scheduled for at least 4 weeks from Feb. 5 which means he could be back at the beginning of March.

 

[1Gold Standard]

^^^ Ok then. So, I'll keep him on my roster for now.

One player I'm thoroughly unimpressed with this entire month is Nate Mackinnon. He has to find his game and find it soon, otherwise HC should look for better options.

I know I dismissed the notion of the 2 Arizona rookies recently, but at this point I may take Domi/Duclair before Mackinnon.

which is a shame, b/c I am a card carrying member of the Nathan Mackinnon fan club.

 

[JackSlater]

^^^ Ok then. So, I'll keep him on my roster for now.

One player I'm thoroughly unimpressed with this entire month is Nate Mackinnon. He has to find his game and find it soon, otherwise HC should look for better options.

I know I dismissed the notion of the 2 Arizona rookies recently, but at this point I may take Domi/Duclair before Mackinnon.

which is a shame, b/c I am a card carrying member of the Nathan Mackinnon fan club.

The more reps the better for MacKinnon. Even when slumping he's more than good enough for a tournament of this level.

 

[1Gold Standard]

The more reps the better for MacKinnon. Even when slumping he's more than good enough for a tournament of this level.

oh Jack. always the rational, level-headed thinker. I know I don't value the WHC much, but I value it more than just player such and such getting in some reps.

Nate needs to get his head out of his ass and start asserting himself.

 

[JackSlater]

oh Jack. always the rational, level-headed thinker. I know I don't value the WHC much, but I value it more than just player such and such getting in some reps.

Nate needs to get his head out of his ass and start asserting himself.

Sounds like this tournament could be a good opportunity for him to do that. If they actually considered not taking MacKinnon, it would mean that this team is historically strong.

 

[xxxx]

I'm getting more optimistic that we could see O'Reilly, Hall, and Giroux again at the Worlds this year.

First, I somewhere read O'Reilly's interview lately and he said that it would be an honor to play for Canada at the World Cup, that it's an honor to play for any canadian team. Clearly it seems to me that he doesn't think anything is given to him, so even if he is named in the first roster, I believe he will go to the Worlds, but if not, consider him being 100% there if healthy.

Giroux has already represented Canada twice, in 2013 and 2015 - despite being omitted from the Sochi team, he answered the call. If he's named into the March roster I don't expect him to join TC and neither do I expect HC even call him in that case. But if he's not selected, which might happen, then there is no reason to believe he wouldn't want to prove himself, very likely as the #1 center of the team.

I believe there's at least a 50% chance Hall is not on the first roster. In that case, he is in a similar position as Giroux that he's still yet to represent Canada on a big stage, I don't believe he wouldn't use the chance to prove himself.


Those three forwards are honestly the only ones I can think of of being somewhat questionable when projecting the roster.

Defence looks really interesting. I am absolutely convinced that, if they're available, Gio, Brodie, Rielly, Barrie, and Myers will answer the call. If Montreal is out, which l still find hard to believe really, but if that happens, I'm confident that Subban will go, which would obviously be huge. He's just the type of a person I don't believe would say no. I simply don't believe it. But mainly, I have these two reasons to belive that: First, in 2013, after his Canadiens were eliminated, he jumped on the plane and flew all the way to Sweden, even when it was just for one game. Second, he still has something to prove, he was the 7th/8th guy in Sochi, and even if he's now a better overall player and in a stronger position, I strongly believe that he will use the chance to impress Hockey Canada for what it's worth.

If I'm not wrong, the World Championship starts usually when the 1st round of the playoffs is already finished, so I would definitely wait and see what happens. There is a chance we could be getting Ekblad, Schwartz, Tavares, or Marchand - in the worst case.

 

[hallhopkinseberle]

Whoever is named on the 16 team roster on March 1st most likely wont play in this.

It would be good if Team Canada uses this to somewhat judge the next 7 potential players.

My 16 player roster

Hall-Crosby-Stamkos
Benn-Toews-Seguin
Tavares-Bergeron-Giroux
-Getzlaf-

Keith-Doughty
Subban-Weber

Price
Holtby


Duchene-O'Reilly-Mackinnion
Domi-McDavid-Eberle
Hoffman-Little-Stone
Jenner-Monahan-B.Schenn

Giorando-Brodie
Reilly-Barrie
Murray-Tanev


Two of
Dubnyk/Bernier/Reimer/Anderson/Price(If he comes back to play 10 games in season and wants to play at the WC)/Mason/Talbot

 

[1Gold Standard]

I'm getting more optimistic that we could see O'Reilly, Hall, and Giroux again at the Worlds this year.

First, I somewhere read O'Reilly's interview lately and he said that it would be an honor to play for Canada at the World Cup, that it's an honor to play for any canadian team. Clearly it seems to me that he doesn't think anything is given to him, so even if he is named in the first roster, I believe he will go to the Worlds, but if not, consider him being 100% there if healthy.

Giroux has already represented Canada twice, in 2013 and 2015 - despite being omitted from the Sochi team, he answered the call. If he's named into the March roster I don't expect him to join TC and neither do I expect HC even call him in that case. But if he's not selected, which might happen, then there is no reason to believe he wouldn't want to prove himself, very likely as the #1 center of the team.

I believe there's at least a 50% chance Hall is not on the first roster. In that case, he is in a similar position as Giroux that he's still yet to represent Canada on a big stage, I don't believe he wouldn't use the chance to prove himself.


Those three forwards are honestly the only ones I can think of of being somewhat questionable when projecting the roster.

Defence looks really interesting. I am absolutely convinced that, if they're available, Gio, Brodie, Rielly, Barrie, and Myers will answer the call. If Montreal is out, which l still find hard to believe really, but if that happens, I'm confident that Subban will go, which would obviously be huge. He's just the type of a person I don't believe would say no. I simply don't believe it. But mainly, I have these two reasons to belive that: First, in 2013, after his Canadiens were eliminated, he jumped on the plane and flew all the way to Sweden, even when it was just for one game. Second, he still has something to prove, he was the 7th/8th guy in Sochi, and even if he's now a better overall player and in a stronger position, I strongly believe that he will use the chance to impress Hockey Canada for what it's worth.

If I'm not wrong, the World Championship starts usually when the 1st round of the playoffs is already finished, so I would definitely wait and see what happens. There is a chance we could be getting Ekblad, Schwartz, Tavares, or Marchand - in the worst case.

1st game is May 6, so I suspect that we'll be 2-3 games in to the 2nd rd. by then. No need to be constantly adding players to the roster right up to and including elimination games like some do, one in particular, but let's hope this year HC leaves a spot open for Tavares until the completion of 1st. rd., and if J.T. and the Islanders are still a PO team at that point, then that's good for J.T., but I doubt very strongly the Islanders will still be standing by May 1. And J.T. always says that as long as he's healthy and available, he'd never turn down on invite to play... And I'm dying to see what he can do on a PP with McDavid. The two have been friends for a while now. For sure he's in.

 

[JackSlater]

I'm getting more optimistic that we could see O'Reilly, Hall, and Giroux again at the Worlds this year.

First, I somewhere read O'Reilly's interview lately and he said that it would be an honor to play for Canada at the World Cup, that it's an honor to play for any canadian team. Clearly it seems to me that he doesn't think anything is given to him, so even if he is named in the first roster, I believe he will go to the Worlds, but if not, consider him being 100% there if healthy.

Giroux has already represented Canada twice, in 2013 and 2015 - despite being omitted from the Sochi team, he answered the call. If he's named into the March roster I don't expect him to join TC and neither do I expect HC even call him in that case. But if he's not selected, which might happen, then there is no reason to believe he wouldn't want to prove himself, very likely as the #1 center of the team.

I believe there's at least a 50% chance Hall is not on the first roster. In that case, he is in a similar position as Giroux that he's still yet to represent Canada on a big stage, I don't believe he wouldn't use the chance to prove himself.


Those three forwards are honestly the only ones I can think of of being somewhat questionable when projecting the roster.

Defence looks really interesting. I am absolutely convinced that, if they're available, Gio, Brodie, Rielly, Barrie, and Myers will answer the call. If Montreal is out, which l still find hard to believe really, but if that happens, I'm confident that Subban will go, which would obviously be huge. He's just the type of a person I don't believe would say no. I simply don't believe it. But mainly, I have these two reasons to belive that: First, in 2013, after his Canadiens were eliminated, he jumped on the plane and flew all the way to Sweden, even when it was just for one game. Second, he still has something to prove, he was the 7th/8th guy in Sochi, and even if he's now a better overall player and in a stronger position, I strongly believe that he will use the chance to impress Hockey Canada for what it's worth.

If I'm not wrong, the World Championship starts usually when the 1st round of the playoffs is already finished, so I would definitely wait and see what happens. There is a chance we could be getting Ekblad, Schwartz, Tavares, or Marchand - in the worst case.

Giroux is an interesting case, but I expect him to be named to the World Cup list of 16 and thus probably sit the tournament out, and justifiably so. I expect Hall and O'Reilly to go if healthy, as both will want to solidify their positions going forward. Subban would be a great addition too, but he's probably among the initial 16 players for the World Cup and that's a very easy out for any of those players.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Giroux is an interesting case, but I expect him to be named to the World Cup list of 16 and thus probably sit the tournament out, and justifiably so. I expect Hall and O'Reilly to go if healthy, as both will want to solidify their positions going forward. Subban would be a great addition too, but he's probably among the initial 16 players for the World Cup and that's a very easy out for any of those players.

When is the roster of 16 announcement, Monday or Tuesday?

 

[JackSlater]

When is the roster of 16 announcement, Monday or Tuesday?

March 2. I assume that the initial roster will skew old, and some young bubble players will still participate in this tournament.

If Canada is left picking scraps this year (think 2014) then I wouldn't mind the inclusion of one or two Europe based players. For instance, Nigel Dawes has been good for Canada internationally in the past and he was a top ten scorer in the KHL this year. Apparently several Canadian defencemen had good KHL seasons as well. Wouldn't be bad to include those players as they would be highly motivated and could give tips to the presumably younger roster. This is only if the NHL options are terrible.

 

[Bear12Good]

March 2. I assume that the initial roster will skew old, and some young bubble players will still participate in this tournament.

If Canada is left picking scraps this year (think 2014) then I wouldn't mind the inclusion of one or two Europe based players. For instance, Nigel Dawes has been good for Canada internationally in the past and he was a top ten scorer in the KHL this year. Apparently several Canadian defencemen had good KHL seasons as well. Wouldn't be bad to include those players as they would be highly motivated and could give tips to the presumably younger roster. This is only if the NHL options are terrible.

I completely agree
Dawes is clearly better or conditional Monahan and Bozak

 

[JackSlater]

I completely agree
Dawes is clearly better or conditional Monahan and Bozak

I would rather Dawes than Bozak, but definitely Monahan before Dawes.

 

[1Gold Standard]

I would rather Dawes than Bozak, but definitely Monahan before Dawes.

I agree, Dawes before Bozak but definitely not before Monahan. besides, Dawes is in the process of obtaining Kazakh citizenship, therefore I don't think he'll accept an invite if one were to come. Not sure how far he's in to that process, but the last I heard was that he was waiting for a Kazakh passport. Team Kazakhstan is loaded up with foreign born and naturalized players.

 

[Bear12Good]

Justin Azevedo great player too)
I would like to see him in the NHL
It is much better Burmistrov

 

[JackSlater]

I agree, Dawes before Bozak but definitely not before Monahan. besides, Dawes is in the process of obtaining Kazakh citizenship, therefore I don't think he'll accept an invite if one were to come. Not sure how far he's in to that process, but the last I heard was that he was waiting for a Kazakh passport. Team Kazakhstan is loaded up with foreign born and naturalized players.

Interesting, I hate when players do that but I suppose there are monetary incentives in play. I would have liked to have seen Dawes in 2014. It's actually funny to note that there were three Canadians in the top 10 KHL scorers this year (plus the eleventh place scorer was Canadian) which is the same as the number of Russians who are top ten scorers in the NHL this year, and more than the number of Russian top ten scorers last year.

Justin Azevedo great player too)
I would like to see him in the NHL
It is much better Burmistrov

Sure, there are a few quality players who would be better options for Canada than third line or third pairing NHLers. Could be Dawes, Azevedo, Ellison or someone else. Just like Barker or Robinson for instance wouldn't be bad as depth defencemen. It all depends on who Hockey Canada can get to accept invitations though.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Interesting, I hate when players do that but I suppose there are monetary incentives in play. I would have liked to have seen Dawes in 2014. It's actually funny to note that there were three Canadians in the top 10 KHL scorers this year (plus the eleventh place scorer was Canadian) which is the same as the number of Russians who are top ten scorers in the NHL this year, and more than the number of Russian top ten scorers last year.



Sure, there are a few quality players who would be better options for Canada than third line or third pairing NHLers. Could be Dawes, Azevedo, Ellison or someone else. Just like Barker or Robinson for instance wouldn't be bad as depth defencemen. It all depends on who Hockey Canada can get to accept invitations though.

huge monetary incentives, and in the end his 1st priority is to provide for his family...so good for him.

I just hope this is not an Olympic year type of tournament. I was half tempted in going, but the risk of it being one of those types of rosters made me prioritize that travel money into a Costa Rica trip in August for summer vaca. not spending all that money to go watch AHL/KHL level talent. True Hockey Fan lucked out last year in his Prague trip.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Marner - is he good enough?

 

[1Gold Standard]

Marner - is he good enough?

He'll be good enough in a year or two, but not now. besides, his team should be busy at that time and contending for the Memorial Cup. No need to be including junior players.

 

[xxxx]

I like the new nhl.com selection, finally Thornton getting some big consideration. He still drives and controls the play at an elite evel. Overall a VERY offensive roster and likely we won't see that, but it's ok. They left out some big names, but what can you expect when it's Team Canada.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Time for more roster projections.

Pittsburgh looks as though they'll make a quick exit, so anybody up for some M.A. Fleury adventures in net and overseas, à la WJHC 2004 Helsinki, Finland. Probably doesn't have much of a chance to make the World Cup team, therefore he may not be motivated for this B level tournament...but who knows, perhaps Sid inspired him last year.

T HALL C GIROUX J EBERLE
M HOFFMAN J TAVARES M STONE
M DUCHENE C MCDAVID N MACKINNON
A HENRIQUE S COUTURIER B GALLAGHER

S MONAHAN M SCHEIFELE

M GIORDANO T.J. BRODIE
M SCANDELLA P.K. SUBBAN
M RIELLY T BARRIE
J SPURGEON T MYERS

M.A. FLEURY
C TALBOT