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

[therealdeal]

I honestly never even would have considered Mark Stone, but some of those numbers are hard to argue with, especially as a natural winger.

 

[SPF6ty9]

When it comes to Subban, I think he's the type of guy who would reign in his game and play a safer more defensive game if he was told to do so by the Team Canada coaches. I don't see how you can't include him, you get the benefit of his dynamic ability on the powerplay and a guy who by all accounts seems very team first in his play. I would be very surprised if he's not on the team.

For Stone, I could definitely see him getting the nod over maybe a more offensively gifted player like Taylor Hall, because of his more well rounded game. I also think he has shown a more effective game this year than guys like Duchene and O'Reilly. I'm a biased Sens fan so of course I think he should make it haha but whether he does or doesn't it will come down to the last couple picks and it really depends on what the coaching staff wants or needs at that point and those guys like Duchene and O'Reilly offer more versatility in their deployment which could ultimately work in their benefit.

 

[86Habs]

When it comes to Subban, I think he's the type of guy who would reign in his game and play a safer more defensive game if he was told to do so by the Team Canada coaches. I don't see how you can't include him, you get the benefit of his dynamic ability on the powerplay and a guy who by all accounts seems very team first in his play. I would be very surprised if he's not on the team.

For Stone, I could definitely see him getting the nod over maybe a more offensively gifted player like Taylor Hall, because of his more well rounded game. I also think he has shown a more effective game this year than guys like Duchene and O'Reilly. I'm a biased Sens fan so of course I think he should make it haha but whether he does or doesn't it will come down to the last couple picks and it really depends on what the coaching staff wants or needs at that point and those guys like Duchene and O'Reilly offer more versatility in their deployment which could ultimately work in their benefit.

I love Stone as a player, but Canada is loaded on the right side. Carter, Stamkos, Seguin and Bergeron have already been named to the team, and all are likely to convert to RW. Perry also has a high likelihood of making the final roster. Not to mention Giroux, who (if named to the team) could slot in a C or RW. Babcock has a very strong preference for playing his players on their correct wing/side, so unless Stone has demonstrated the ability to play LW as well, he'll likely find himself on the outside looking in. It's too bad, because we're relatively shallow on the left side.

 

[JackSlater]

I love Stone as a player, but Canada is loaded on the right side. Carter, Stamkos, Seguin and Bergeron have already been named to the team, and all are likely to convert to RW. Perry also has a high likelihood of making the final roster. Not to mention Giroux, who (if named to the team) could slot in a C or RW. Babcock has a very strong preference for playing his players on their correct wing/side, so unless Stone has demonstrated the ability to play LW as well, he'll likely find himself on the outside looking in. It's too bad, because we're relatively shallow on the left side.

Carter's inclusion probably rules Stone out. Stone is likely his replacement in the future though.

 

[86Habs]

Carter's inclusion probably rules Stone out. Stone is likely his replacement in the future though.

Indeed. In the likely event that Ottawa misses the playoffs, I'd really like to see Stone get invited to the World Championships; I really can't see how Treveling/McPhee pass on him. The one concern with him is his skating, which he has improved since his junior days, but it's not yet exactly a strong point for him and it will be interesting to see how it holds up on international ice. With the hockey IQ he possesses he should be more than fine, I would think.

 

[SPF6ty9]

I love Stone as a player, but Canada is loaded on the right side. Carter, Stamkos, Seguin and Bergeron have already been named to the team, and all are likely to convert to RW. Perry also has a high likelihood of making the final roster. Not to mention Giroux, who (if named to the team) could slot in a C or RW. Babcock has a very strong preference for playing his players on their correct wing/side, so unless Stone has demonstrated the ability to play LW as well, he'll likely find himself on the outside looking in. It's too bad, because we're relatively shallow on the left side.

Unrelated to Stone, but do you think it's likely they could put Tavares at left wing and put someone like Bergeron at center? To an outside observer it would seem like it may be more beneficial to have Bergeron's game at center and Tavares has skills that would probably translate well to a wing spot, plus the lack of depth at the position.

Edit: https://www.nhl.com/news/tavares-ok-with-playing-wing-for-canada/c-25252 Well apparently he was at least open to it for the Olympics.

 

[86Habs]

Unrelated to Stone, but do you think it's likely they could put Tavares at left wing and put someone like Bergeron at center? To an outside observer it would seem like it may be more beneficial to have Bergeron's game at center and Tavares has skills that would probably translate well to a wing spot, plus the lack of depth at the position.

Edit: https://www.nhl.com/news/tavares-ok-with-playing-wing-for-canada/c-25252 Well apparently he was at least open to it for the Olympics.

I could see Tavares at LW. Whether Babcock does though is a different story. We know that Crosby, Toews and Getzlaf are locked-in at C. Tavares played C in Sochi, and obviously we have Bergeron, Seguin, Carter and Stamkos who can easily move over to the wing. Duchene and O'Reilly as well, if either or both of them make it. My personal preference is that Giroux grabs that last C position; he fits the current Team Canada thinking with playmakers in the middle and big, fast goal scorers on the wing. Plus, he's an excellent two-way and special teams player. Bergeron typically plays RW for Team Canada.

 

[xxxx]

I've always thought that Tavares-Giroux-Bergeron would be a great line. Great overall line that plays about the same speed, all with high hockey IQ.

 

[JackSlater]

Unrelated to Stone, but do you think it's likely they could put Tavares at left wing and put someone like Bergeron at center? To an outside observer it would seem like it may be more beneficial to have Bergeron's game at center and Tavares has skills that would probably translate well to a wing spot, plus the lack of depth at the position.

Edit: https://www.nhl.com/news/tavares-ok-with-playing-wing-for-canada/c-25252 Well apparently he was at least open to it for the Olympics.

Probably unlikely given that in 2014 they put Bergeron on Tavares' wing. Given that Bergeron now seems proven international with Crosby, he can probably be penciled in as Crosby's RW.

 

[bert]

Indeed. In the likely event that Ottawa misses the playoffs, I'd really like to see Stone get invited to the World Championships; I really can't see how Treveling/McPhee pass on him. The one concern with him is his skating, which he has improved since his junior days, but it's not yet exactly a strong point for him and it will be interesting to see how it holds up on international ice. With the hockey IQ he possesses he should be more than fine, I would think.

Good point about his skating, its ugly but he seems to be able to get to where he needs to be. He will be on the World Championsip team Canada, so it will be interesting to see how he does play on the big ice.

With that being said the World Cup is being played on NHL ice so that should really not factor into whether he is on the team or not. He isnt a flashy player but he is very effective.

 

[86Habs]

Good point about his skating, its ugly but he seems to be able to get to where he needs to be. He will be on the World Championsip team Canada, so it will be interesting to see how he does play on the big ice.

With that being said the World Cup is being played on NHL ice so that should really not factor into whether he is on the team or not. He isnt a flashy player but he is very effective.

I'm more interested in Stone for the 2018 Olympic team (assuming NHL participation), thus my comment regarding his skating and international ice. By 2018 it's possible (perhaps likely) that Bergeron, Perry or Carter would have declined such that they are no longer in the conversation for Team Canada. Stone could be a worthy replacement in a checking line role for us going forward.

 

[xxxx]

Kris Letang is having his career season statistically. Now 54 points in 61 games.

There are three players I will really feel bad for if they are left off - given their current season -, and one of them is Letang. The other two are Burns and Thornton.

 

[SilverSeven]

It will be a joke if Stone isnt on this team.

He is the highest scoring Canadian RW, the 8th highest scoring Canadian forward, and should be winning the Selke this year. He is a beast.

 

[SilverSeven]

When it comes to Subban, I think he's the type of guy who would reign in his game and play a safer more defensive game if he was told to do so by the Team Canada coaches. I don't see how you can't include him, you get the benefit of his dynamic ability on the powerplay and a guy who by all accounts seems very team first in his play. I would be very surprised if he's not on the team.

For Stone, I could definitely see him getting the nod over maybe a more offensively gifted player like Taylor Hall, because of his more well rounded game. I also think he has shown a more effective game this year than guys like Duchene and O'Reilly. I'm a biased Sens fan so of course I think he should make it haha but whether he does or doesn't it will come down to the last couple picks and it really depends on what the coaching staff wants or needs at that point and those guys like Duchene and O'Reilly offer more versatility in their deployment which could ultimately work in their benefit.

Psst...Stone has 1 less goal and 1 more point than the "more offensively gifted" Hall. And he has done it in 4 less GP.

 

[xxxx]

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/03/2...nted-on-for-leadership-at-world-cup-of-hockey

good article about Getzlaf and his selection for the World Cup


https://www.nhl.com/news/wayne-gretzky-world-cup-rexall-place/c-279859506

Gretzky interview with a little bit on the World Cup, Canada.

 

[earlimus]

Well said about Getzlaf.

Regarding the Gretzky interview:

This is really one of those times that I wish some of the NHL stars, coaches, and past players would step up, stop toeing the line (something I do love about hockey in general), and say what they feel about this stupid setup.

I know that some of them did speak out about their dislike in the format when it was first announced, but come on.....grow a pair and tell the fans what you feel about it. Gretzky, I love you man but %$^@ off about Kopitar. The man is brilliant but he's Slovanian. Period. WTF is he doing in a best of 8 world cup? I'm sick of hearing this regurgitated crap.

 

[Super Cake]

I somewhat doubt Stone gets invited to this world cup. But if he keeps up his great play in future seasons, i could definitely see him being invited for the next world cup.

Having said that, i of course hope he gets invited to the world cup this year, but i am not expecting it.

 

[drewstar]

I've always thought that Tavares-Giroux-Bergeron would be a great line. Great overall line that plays about the same speed, all with high hockey IQ.

Agreed, TC likes players on their strong side with goal scoring wingers.

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

HM: Marchand

Keith-Weber
Vlasic-Doughty
Giordano/Brodie-Subban
Burns

HM: Pietrangelo

Price
Holtby
Crawford

 

[LcBoivin17]

I don't know if I should post this here, but here it goes anyways.

Since this NHL is clearly making this tournament for the North American audience, why not a French Canadian team? Imagine the excitement of every separatist (note: I am not) would get from this news, and I am sure Acadians and other French Canadians would love to see a team like that. I'd rather have no gimmick teams, but since the NHL apparently doesn't mind, I think it'd make more sense than a u23 team or a rest of Europe.

Also, it would be competitive. Let's say that every Quebec-born players cannot play for Canada, and that other players can be picked after Team Canada is formed. Here's what the team could look like:

Offense

Huberdeau - Bergeron - Giroux
Perron - Brassard - Pominvile
Perrault - Couturier - Killorn
Pouliot - Ribeiro - Duclair

Vermette - Pageau

Defense

Vlasic - Letang
Methot - Hamonic
Scandella - Demers

Savard

Goalies

Crawford
Luongo
Fleury

Now, I believe Giroux makes Team Canada which would make this team really bad offensively, but defensively this team is solid. What do you guys think?

 

[JackSlater]

I don't know if I should post this here, but here it goes anyways.

Since this NHL is clearly making this tournament for the North American audience, why not a French Canadian team? Imagine the excitement of every separatist (note: I am not) would get from this news, and I am sure Acadians and other French Canadians would love to see a team like that. I'd rather have no gimmick teams, but since the NHL apparently doesn't mind, I think it'd make more sense than a u23 team or a rest of Europe.

Also, it would be competitive. Let's say that every Quebec-born players cannot play for Canada, and that other players can be picked after Team Canada is formed. Here's what the team could look like:

Offense

Huberdeau - Bergeron - Giroux
Perron - Brassard - Pominvile
Perrault - Couturier - Killorn
Pouliot - Ribeiro - Duclair

Vermette - Pageau

Defense

Vlasic - Letang
Methot - Hamonic
Scandella - Demers

Savard

Goalies

Crawford
Luongo
Fleury

Now, I believe Giroux makes Team Canada which would make this team really bad offensively, but defensively this team is solid. What do you guys think?

It makes as much sense as the other gimmicks. It's also tricky because not all people from Quebec are French Canadians and not all French Canadians are in Quebec. By no means would all French Canadians or Acadians be in favour of this though.

 

[xxxx]

^^

on paper, the team is stronger than Finland imo. And if Finland is able to beat Russia or the US, this team could too

 

[1Gold Standard]

so pumped. Blue Jays baseball is back today...and since nothing else of consequence is planned for the September sporting calendar, I'm looking forward to another pennant drive come September.

 

[drewstar]

Marchand and Burns are certainly making it difficult to exclude them from the team in September.

Does Hall end up being the odd man out with the 4 remaining forwards being Giroux/Perry/Marchand/Duchene?

 

[JackSlater]

Marchand and Burns are certainly making it difficult to exclude them from the team in September.

Burns particularly. With a less conservative coaching staff they might even consider unleashing Burns and Letang, but with this group the remaining defencemen will likely be Burns and some steadier hands.

 

[drewstar]

Burns particularly. With a less conservative coaching staff they might even consider unleashing Burns and Letang, but with this group the remaining defencemen will likely be Burns and some steadier hands.

Assuming Burns makes it, who do you think gets the final nod as the other right handed shot... Subban/Letang/Pietrangelo/Seabrook?