World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team Canada (Part II)

[86Habs]

You recall wrong. Canada's four centres were Crosby, Getzlaf, Toews and Tavares/Duchene. Bergeron started as Tavares' RW and then moved into a spot as Crosby's RW. Taking faceoffs on his strong side doesn't make him the centre, it makes him a winger who took faceoffs on his strong side. I believe the same system was utilized on the PK when Canada rotated PKers very regularly. Bergeron could theoretically end up as a centre on this team, but it's factually wrong to list him as one of the centres of the 2014 team when five other players actually did play that position while he was on the wing.

He's thinking in EA Sports NHL 2016 mode where the player you slot in at center takes all of the faceoffs and plays center forever, without shifting positions or responsibilities in the offensive or defensive zones, or accommodating strong- and weak-side faceoff capability. My recollection is the same as yours, in that Bergeron played the vast majority of his shifts in Sochi at RW with Tavares or Crosby.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

What political games are those?



You recall wrong. Canada's four centres were Crosby, Getzlaf, Toews and Tavares/Duchene. Bergeron started as Tavares' RW and then moved into a spot as Crosby's RW. Taking faceoffs on his strong side doesn't make him the centre, it makes him a winger who took faceoffs on his strong side. I believe the same system was utilized on the PK when Canada rotated PKers very regularly. Bergeron could theoretically end up as a centre on this team, but it's factually wrong to list him as one of the centres of the 2014 team when five other players actually did play that position while he was on the wing.

Did you also recall Tavares was hurt early on?

 

[triggrman]

Funny, I've watched Weber throughout his career. Late last season he looked slower but then we find out he had been playing with a knee injury and eventually took him out of the playoffs.

This season though, he's looked good, so I don't get the lost a step. He's been great this season.

 

[Choralone]

Defense >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Offence

In Today's NHL.

Carter has proven he can trap and wing lock with the best of them.

Ultra conservative defensive hockey is the key to international tournaments.

Funnily enough, Jeff Carter led all forwards on Team Canada in both goals and points in the 2014 Olympics, with 3 goals and 2 assists in 6 games.

AND he played good defense.

Carter would have hard time to make the initial roster for team Sweden, probably on par with Steen.

In the same tournament, Carter would have tied for with Daniel Sedin for the most points by a forward, and would have led all Swedish forwards in goals.

 

[JackSlater]

Did you also recall Tavares was hurt early on?

Yes, and he was then replaced by Duchene, which is why I wrote Tavares/Duchene and mentioned the five players who actually did play centre on the team.

Seems that every Calgary fan prefers Brodie over Giordano. I rarely watch Calgary. Is there a clear separation between the two?

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Yes, and he was then replaced by Duchene, which is why I wrote Tavares/Duchene and mentioned the five players who actually did play centre on the team.

Seems that every Calgary fan prefers Brodie over Giordano. I rarely watch Calgary. Is there a clear separation between the two?

Brodie>>Gio

 

[drewstar]

I don't care what kind of half a season he has been having, is Marchand really Canada's 14th best forward?

In terms of performance this year, he's been one of the 13 best.

But by that same logic, Carter wouldn't be on the initial 16 either statistically.

Like I said, 4/5 will get picked: Giroux/Perry/Hall/Duchene/Marchand.

Among the defensemen, 3/5 will get picked: Subban/Burns/Brodie/Giordano/Pietrangelo.

I don't see guys like Letang, Seabrook, Muzzin being realistic options to make it.

 

[joe66]

Hall - Crosby - Stamkos
Benn - Tavares - Seguin
Giroux - Toews - Bergeron
Carter - Getzlaf - Perry
duchene/marchand

Keith - Seabrook
Vlasic - Doughty
Giordano- Weber
Subban
Price
Holtby
Crawford

 

[tade]

Funnily enough, Jeff Carter led all forwards on Team Canada in both goals and points in the 2014 Olympics, with 3 goals and 2 assists in 6 games.

AND he played good defense.



In the same tournament, Carter would have tied for with Daniel Sedin for the most points by a forward, and would have led all Swedish forwards in goals.

I was talking about the current roster (first 16 names), not about the tournament which was played 2 years ago.

 

[Paxton Fettel]

Can we give Canada the cup already? I mean I don't think this tournament needs to be played at all. Look at the defense : Doughty, Keith, Vlasic, Weber. GAME OVER.

 

[yourbestfriend]

Yes, and he was then replaced by Duchene, which is why I wrote Tavares/Duchene and mentioned the five players who actually did play centre on the team.

Seems that every Calgary fan prefers Brodie over Giordano. I rarely watch Calgary. Is there a clear separation between the two?

I wouldn't say he's a better player based purely on "defense”. What Brodie does have is elite skating ability (and ridiculous backhand sauces) that allows him to push play up the ice at a far quicker pace than Gio. If you’re talking about pure defense (board play, physicality, ability to break the cycle and strong stick) Gio has Brodie covered here. That’s why they complement each other so well.

With that being said, I think a lot of people are not taking into account that this is going to be played on NHL ice. Skating ability is obviously very important, but less of a factor than if it were on international ice. If you look at the 2010 Olympics’ guys like Seabrook, Pronger, M.Richards, Thornton, Heatley and Morrow made the team. All very good players who deserved to be there, but guys you wouldn’t necessarily associate with being elite skaters.
Contrast that to 2014, where a huge emphasize was made on skating ability. Pretty much all of the non-core guys were elite skaters (ie. carter, j.bo, duchene)
This time around, I think a good middle ground is needed. You want elite skaters (Brodie, Letang) but at the same time you also need guys who can be physical and can break a cycle (Gio,Burns?). From a flames POV, on international ice, I take Brodie no questions asked (although he has the worlds biggest muffin), but on NHL ice, that decision is a lot harder to make.

Anyways, my team:
Hall – Crosby – Stammer
Benn – Grioux – Seguin
Carter – Getzlaf – Perry (good luck stopping their cycle)
Tavares – Toews – Bergeron
One of: Duchene/O’reily

Keith – Weber
Vlasic – Doughty
Brodie – Petro
Take your pick: Subban/Burns/Gio

 

[duul]

Let me try this out.

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

Keith-Weber
Vlasic-Doughty
Brodie-Pietrangelo
Subban

 

[86Habs]

In terms of performance this year, he's been one of the 13 best.

But by that same logic, Carter wouldn't be on the initial 16 either statistically.

Like I said, 4/5 will get picked: Giroux/Perry/Hall/Duchene/Marchand.

Among the defensemen, 3/5 will get picked: Subban/Burns/Brodie/Giordano/Pietrangelo.

I don't see guys like Letang, Seabrook, Muzzin being realistic options to make it.

You're missing O'Reilly in your list of forwards, and I personally believe he'll eventually make the team. He's a versatile forward who can play any position, play up and down the forward lineup, kill penalties, take faceoffs, and is extremely disciplined. He's been really good for us internationally, too.

The inherent conservatism of the Team Canada management group and coaching staff since 2010 can almost guarantee that a guy like O'Reilly gets the nod over someone like Marchand. The risk/reward factor is tilted heavily in O'Reilly's favour, despite the outstanding season that Marchand is having. That's also why people shouldn't be at all surprised by the inclusion of guys like Vlasic or Carter, who have already proven that they could buy into Babcock's system and have earned his trust, and the omission of Subban, Hall, and Giroux, who apparently haven't - rightly or wrongly. Now, I think Perry, Giroux and Subban will make the final roster (Subban may end up as a lower-pairing defenceman), but if the final spot comes down to Hall or Duchene, I personally believe Duchene gets the spot based on Babcock's familiarity with him.

The template has been built, and I don't see Armstrong changing it so long as Babcock is the head coach.

 

[H a w k s*]

Team Canada's captain...

It's gotta be mcdavid or Crosby. They are the two best captains in the sport.

 

[duul]

It's gotta be mcdavid or Crosby. They are the two best captains in the sport.

Sure, Crosby will be the captain of team Canada in this tournament. For North America, I think someone like Ekblad, Saad, or Jenner will captain the team. McDavid will have an A.

 

[Frank the Tank]

It's gotta be mcdavid or Crosby. They are the two best captains in the sport.

Based on your username and post, I really cannot tell if you are being serious.

It will be Crosby or Toews. I wouldn't be surprised if Crosby asks Hockey Canada to give Toews the C this tournament. Nonetheless, who wears the letters really does not matter for an experienced team like Canada.

 

[86Habs]

I don't see any reason at all why they would move away from Crosby as the captain.

C - Crosby
A - Toews
A - Weber

Same as in Sochi.

 

[User9992]

Crosby will be C of Canada, but Toews will be best C.

 

[User9992]

Can we give Canada the cup already? I mean I don't think this tournament needs to be played at all. Look at the defense : Doughty, Keith, Vlasic, Weber. GAME OVER.

Sweden's defence isn't worse at all.

 

[Bear12Good]

Can we give Canada the cup already? I mean I don't think this tournament needs to be played at all. Look at the defense : Doughty, Keith, Vlasic, Weber. GAME OVER.

If everything is clear why spend this tournament?

 

[H a w k s*]

Crosby will be C of Canada, but Toews will be best C.

Most overrated, give me mcdavid, Benn, Crosby, Austin Matthews, getzlaf, Joe Thornton, phaneuf etc etc, over toews.

 

[Habsawce]

Sweden's defence isn't worse at all.

Sweden's defense is absolutely unreal. They have so much speed and high end puck skill, they'll be dangerous at all times offensively. I love how they play and think taking defensive defencemen to a tournament like this is just dumb.

It makes no sense to me why a team like Canada would limit themselves with a guy like Vlasic who only plays one side of the game at a high level. I'm not saying he doesn't have offensive talent, but compared to other guys he's not close. Personally, I want 30+ minute guys that are all-stars at both ends of the rink.

Keith-Doughty
Burns-Subban
Letang-Weber
Brodie

Done. You have Carey Price in net, take chances and pile goals into the net. Enough with this lock down trying to win 1-0 crap that we saw at the Olympics. Blow these teams out, make a goddamn statement.

 

[JackSlater]

I wouldn't say he's a better player based purely on "defenseâ€. What Brodie does have is elite skating ability (and ridiculous backhand sauces) that allows him to push play up the ice at a far quicker pace than Gio. If you’re talking about pure defense (board play, physicality, ability to break the cycle and strong stick) Gio has Brodie covered here. That’s why they complement each other so well.

With that being said, I think a lot of people are not taking into account that this is going to be played on NHL ice. Skating ability is obviously very important, but less of a factor than if it were on international ice. If you look at the 2010 Olympics’ guys like Seabrook, Pronger, M.Richards, Thornton, Heatley and Morrow made the team. All very good players who deserved to be there, but guys you wouldn’t necessarily associate with being elite skaters.
Contrast that to 2014, where a huge emphasize was made on skating ability. Pretty much all of the non-core guys were elite skaters (ie. carter, j.bo, duchene)
This time around, I think a good middle ground is needed. You want elite skaters (Brodie, Letang) but at the same time you also need guys who can be physical and can break a cycle (Gio,Burns?). From a flames POV, on international ice, I take Brodie no questions asked (although he has the worlds biggest muffin), but on NHL ice, that decision is a lot harder to make.

Interesting, thanks. Sounds like Brodie would be a good partner for Weber, but not as much for Canada's other top right handed options. Interesting to see who Hockey Canada prefers. I can't see Subban being cut. Then it's probably two from the group of Pietrangelo/Burns/Brodie, with outside chances for Giordano, Letang and Seabrook.

 

[friction]

Most overrated, give me mcdavid, Benn, Crosby, Austin Matthews, getzlaf, Joe Thornton, phaneuf etc etc, over toews.

Wait ... Auston Matthews? ...

 

[Mc5RingsAndABeer]

Brodie should have made the team initially... and the fact that I am an Oiler fan saying that should mean something.
Leaving Hall and Giroux off is also really stupid, but they will always go with guys who have played on teams that go deep in the playoffs. I guess Carter's 6 game sample size is all that we need.