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

[Sensinitis]

Going a bit off the board here but I liked the chemistry Crosby and Carter had at the last Olympics...

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

O'Reilly - Tavares

Weber - Doughty
Keith - Subban
Pietrangelo - Letang

Vlasic

Price
Holtby
Luongo

Not having MacDavid and McKinnon hurt and I like Luongo as the third goalie just for experience (how often does the third netminder ever play??)

A lot of things wrong with that lineup...
Tavares and Vlasic are locks for the starting lineup.
Ladd is not going to make the team. Also kind of weird having Perry on his off-wing, and Seguin at C considering that, out of the abundance of C's, he's one of the easiest to convert to W.

 

[Sensinitis]

Disagree. WJC Championships, Stanley Cups and simple stats on ES and PK prove otherwise.

Facts are, Brad Marchand ES and PK is better than a lot of names being tossed around here. Oh look Marchand just passed Tarasenko for goals in the NHL in 4 less games and now leads the entire NHL for SH points, with 8 less games than Toews. He is also only one goal behind Benn for being the highest scoring Canadian winger and 2 behind Seguin for goals at any position.

4th line LW, PK specialist. For a guy who is only looking up at Benn for goals by Canadians, he certainly brings more than Hall and many others on that LW.

As for the Penalties, guess you better cross off Subban because of his PIM's right there with Marchand...

Let's not get carried away and take the events over a 60 game sample size for granted. Players who have come out of nowhere for a season to outscore the league's elite goal scorers have come and gone.
That said, Marchand is a very interesting option for that team, and I'd slot him in on the fourth line if it were up to me. Just as talented as many of the guys considered locks.

 

[Sensinitis]

Considering all, I would have this roster right now:

Ryan O'Reilly - Sidney Crosby - Steven Stamkos
Jamie Benn - John Tavares - Tyler Seguin
Matt Duchene - Jonathan Toews - Patrice Bergeron
Taylor Hall - Claude Giroux - Corey Perry
Jeff Carter

Duncan Keith - Shea Weber
MA Vlasic - Drew Doughty
Alex Pietrangelo - P.K. Subban
Brent Burns

Carey Price, Braden Holtby, Corey Crawford

Nice lineup imo. I don't like how Stamkos is playing right now so I'd consider a replacement for him. Also think Duchene is expendable, and would add Marchand for some grit on the fourth, and slot Hall on the third instead of Duchene.

 

[86Habs]

Does anyone know how many players are being named to the roster?

25 (14 F, 8 D, 3 G), like at the Sochi Olympics?

23 (13 F, 7 D, 3 G), like at the Vancouver Olympics?

26 (15 F, 8 D, 3 G), like at the 2004 World Cup? (Though I believe only 20 players dressed each game).

Having a taxi squad of sorts available throughout the tournament, like in 2004, would obviously add to the flexibility of the management team in selecting the roster, and the coaching staff's ability to deploy the proper personnel on a game-by-game basis. For instance, I remember Brendan Morrow playing against the U.S. in the 2004 WC opening game, but otherwise didn't dress the remainder of the tournament. It could also allow the management team an opportunity to get some young guys (well, over the age of 23 anyway) involved in order to get their feet wet for future Olympic tournaments - I'm thinking of guys like Schwartz, Toffoli, Stone...

 

[xxxx]

Twenty-three (and 16 players including 2 goalies must be in the first roster)

 

[duul]

Hall-Crosby-Carter
Benn-Seguin-Stamkos
Tavares-Toews-Perry
O'Reilly-Bergeron-Marchand

Keith-Doughty
Vlasic-Weber
Burns-Subban
Pietrangelo

 

[Get North]

I don't think anything drastic changes from 2014. Out with the old, in with some new players, and then remove most of the '05 JRs in 2018. Getzlaf and Perry ending the year off and playing really well. Marchand having a career year and if he just plays hockey without taking any penalties or trying to be a smartass he'll be a valuable players. He can kill penalties too. O'Reilly is doing well with big responsibility in Buffalo. Jeff Carter is still a valuable hockey player and playing at the same level, 6'4, can skate, shoot, and plays a good two-way dependable game.

Who do we remove? Sharp, Marleau, Duchene, Kunitz, St.Louis (retired). Just passed over by better players or their play has dropped off.

Marchand - Crosby - Bergeron
Tavares - Toews - Carter
O'Reilly - Getzlaf - Perry
Benn - Seguin - Giroux
Nash

Vlasic - Doughty
Keith - Weber
Brodie - Subban
Pietrangelo

Price/Holtby
Fleury

Ton of size in that line-up. I'd say Getzlaf, Perry, Weber, Carter, Nash are out for sure by 2018.

 

[tade]

I don't think anything drastic changes from 2014. Out with the old, in with some new players, and then remove most of the '05 JRs in 2018. Getzlaf and Perry ending the year off and playing really well. Marchand having a career year and if he just plays hockey without taking any penalties or trying to be a smartass he'll be a valuable players. He can kill penalties too. O'Reilly is doing well with big responsibility in Buffalo. Jeff Carter is still a valuable hockey player and playing at the same level, 6'4, can skate, shoot, and plays a good two-way dependable game.

Who do we remove? Sharp, Marleau, Duchene, Kunitz, St.Louis (retired). Just passed over by better players or their play has dropped off.

Marchand - Crosby - Bergeron
Tavares - Toews - Carter
O'Reilly - Getzlaf - Perry
Benn - Seguin - Giroux
Nash

Vlasic - Doughty
Keith - Weber
Brodie - Subban
Pietrangelo

Price/Holtby
Fleury

Ton of size in that line-up. I'd say Getzlaf, Perry, Weber, Carter, Nash are out for sure by 2018.

Just swap them (Giroux C, Seguin RW) and it's okay. And someone other instead of Nash. Duchene probably. Stamkos (or Hall) instead of Marchand. Crosby-Toews-Getzlaf-Giroux down the middle is perfect, imo.

I would like to see Burns on this team though.

 

[JackSlater]

The centres are the most interesting aspect of the team. Crosby and Toews will be centres. If Getzlaf makes it, he's a centre. Then it's between Giroux and Tavares most likely. Seguin and Bergeron get moved to the wing in international hockey.

 

[86Habs]

The centres are the most interesting aspect of the team. Crosby and Toews will be centres. If Getzlaf makes it, he's a centre. Then it's between Giroux and Tavares most likely. Seguin and Bergeron get moved to the wing in international hockey.

I have no doubt Getzlaf will make the roster. I'm also ~60% sure Nash will make it. Personally, if I were Armstrong I would have a difficult time selecting someone who has 7 ****ing goals this season, regardless of how big he is and how well he's played for Canada in the past. I mean, the center depth on Team Canada is absurd and I wouldn't be at all surprised if someone in the Giroux/Duchene/O'Reilly group is bumped off, given what I perceive to be a reluctance to move Tavares to the wing. And Nash, while still very good defensively, would be a true depth player for us (like he was in Sochi) as his offensive game isn't currently at the level of a bunch of other Canadian wingers and he's never really demonstrated any chemistry with Crosby or Getzlaf.

 

[JackSlater]

I have no doubt Getzlaf will make the roster. I'm also ~60% sure Nash will make it. Personally, if I were Armstrong I would have a difficult time selecting someone who has 7 ****ing goals this season, regardless of how big he is and how well he's played for Canada in the past. I mean, the center depth on Team Canada is absurd and I wouldn't be at all surprised if someone in the Giroux/Duchene/O'Reilly group is bumped off, given what I perceive to be a reluctance to move Tavares to the wing. And Nash, while still very good defensively, would be a true depth player for us (like he was in Sochi) as his offensive game isn't currently at the level of a bunch of other Canadian wingers and he's never really demonstrated any chemistry with Crosby or Getzlaf.

I also expect Getzlaf, but I'm thinking that they will move on from Nash... wouldn't be surprised at all to see him, but not expecting it. I am confident that Giroux will be selected this time. I assume that the management know that they were wrong to cut him in 2014 (Kunitz obviously shouldn't have been there) and Hockey Canada was very high on him at the 2015 World Championships, going so far as selecting him as the top forward on the team. A team with Crosby/Toews/Getzlaf/Giroux/Tavares sees either Giroux or Tavares moved to the wing, as I don't think they would be relegated to 13th forward. It's kind of a waste of talent though, as I don't see any legitimate spots for them on the wing other than maybe Giroux as the RW with Toews.

 

[Trap Jesus]

I don't see Marchand as a possibility given they don't even use Bergeron as a center for whatever reason. If they did, that pair would be deadly though.

 

[86Habs]

I also expect Getzlaf, but I'm thinking that they will move on from Nash... wouldn't be surprised at all to see him, but not expecting it. I am confident that Giroux will be selected this time. I assume that the management know that they were wrong to cut him in 2014 (Kunitz obviously shouldn't have been there) and Hockey Canada was very high on him at the 2015 World Championships, going so far as selecting him as the top forward on the team. A team with Crosby/Toews/Getzlaf/Giroux/Tavares sees either Giroux or Tavares moved to the wing, as I don't think they would be relegated to 13th forward. It's kind of a waste of talent though, as I don't see any legitimate spots for them on the wing other than maybe Giroux as the RW with Toews.

Correct, and given our superior depth at RW, I could see Tavares being moved over:

Locks:
Crosby - C
Toews - C
Benn - LW
Stamkos - RW/C
Bergeron - RW/C
Seguin - RW/C
Perry - RW
Tavares - C/LW

Strong / very-strong possibilities:
Getzlaf - C
Hall - LW
Duchene - LW/C
O'Reilly - LW/C
Giroux - C/RW
Carter - RW
Nash - RW/LW
Marchand - LW

With a depth chart (ignoring optimal line combinations) as follows:

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

Take that for what you will, but with a 13-man forward group, only two of the O'Reilly/Duchene/Nash/Carter/Marchand group would crack the roster (assuming Giroux is a lock or near-lock, and Tavares shifts to LW). Carter pretty much needs to be there, IMO, and depending on how one feels about Mr. Nash do you go with Duchene, who has always answered the call for Hockey Canada, or the more versatile and dependable defensive player in O'Reilly (who has also been good for us internationally)? As much as I like Duchene (and Nash), with a gun to my head I take Carter and O'Reilly without much hesitation.

So, taking an under-performing player like Getzlaf would really force Armstrong into making some tough decisions on players like Duchene, Carter and ROR who have performing very well this season, and who have also stepped up for Canada in the past.

 

[xxxx]

The centres are the most interesting aspect of the team. Crosby and Toews will be centres. If Getzlaf makes it, he's a centre. Then it's between Giroux and Tavares most likely. Seguin and Bergeron get moved to the wing in international hockey.

I want Getzlaf there - as long as he's good enough - just because of his - and Perry's - different style of game, his physical style, and just his all-around hockey. I mean, he's the type of a forward that can power through defensemen and simply out-strenght them just because of his - and not only - physical power, but also because of his willingness to play aggressively, etc., he's just simply a captain material imo and that simply shows up in his character on the ice.

he's never really demonstrated any chemistry with Crosby or Getzlaf.

He did in 2008 whc. That line Nash-Getzlaf-Heatley was unbelievable. I also think he played quite well with Crosby (for 3 games) in 2010.

 

[xxxx]

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

that looks good honestly

I also agree with you, I would take O'Reilly over Duchene and Nash now too. Even though, I hope Duchene somehow sneaks in. But how?

 

[NyQuil]

I respect what Marchand has accomplished this year, but in a short tournament with single elimination semi-final games, I don't want him losing his head and taking an undisciplined penalty at the wrong time.

 

[JackSlater]

Take that for what you will, but with a 13-man forward group, only two of the O'Reilly/Duchene/Nash/Carter/Marchand group would crack the roster (assuming Giroux is a lock or near-lock, and Tavares shifts to LW). Carter pretty much needs to be there, IMO, and depending on how one feels about Mr. Nash do you go with Duchene, who has always answered the call for Hockey Canada, or the more versatile and dependable defensive player in O'Reilly (who has also been good for us internationally)? As much as I like Duchene (and Nash), with a gun to my head I take Carter and O'Reilly without much hesitation.

So, taking an under-performing player like Getzlaf would really force Armstrong into making some tough decisions on players like Duchene, Carter and ROR who have performing very well this season, and who have also stepped up for Canada in the past.

Yes, the selection of Getzlaf and Perry dictates a lot for the team. I also like O'Reilly and Carter for the defensive role players on the team. Duchene misses out because the NHL, for reasons that are unclear given its goal, decided to keep rosters at 23.

I want Getzlaf there - as long as he's good enough - just because of his - and Perry's - different style of game, his physical style, and just his all-around hockey. I mean, he's the type of a forward that can power through defensemen and simply out-strenght them just because of his - and not only - physical power, but also because of his willingness to play aggressively, etc., he's just simply a captain material imo and that simply shows up in his character on the ice.

He did in 2008 whc. That line Nash-Getzlaf-Heatley was unbelievable. I also think he played quite well with Crosby (for 3 games) in 2010.

I agree that Getzlaf brings a unique element. There isn't really another top player who does what he does anymore. Nash looking good with Crosby in 2010 though..... you are probably the first person to ever say that.

 

[xxxx]

Assuming that we have a give group of 13-14 players (Benn, Seguin, Crosby, Tavares, Bergeron, Toews, O'Reilly, Perry, Giroux, Hall, Stamkos, Getzlaf, Carter, and Duchene), which line-up of the following three would you rather see?

1
O'Reilly - Crosby - Stamkos
Duchene/Hall - Toews - Bergeron
Benn - Giroux - Seguin
Tavares - Getzlaf - Perry
Carter


2
Benn - Crosby - Seguin
Tavares - Toews - Bergeron
O'Reilly - Giroux - Stamkos
Hall/Duchene - Getzlaf - Perry
Carter


3
Tavares - Crosby - Bergeron
Benn - Giroux - Seguin
O'Reilly - Toews - Stamkos
Hall/Duchene - Getzlaf - Perry
Carter

 

[Coach Parker]

Let's not get carried away and take the events over a 60 game sample size for granted. Players who have come out of nowhere for a season to outscore the league's elite goal scorers have come and gone.
That said, Marchand is a very interesting option for that team, and I'd slot him in on the fourth line if it were up to me. Just as talented as many of the guys considered locks.

I agree but in the same sense why not a person with Marchand's trophy case over an O'Reilly, Ladd and Hall?

Marchand with his 29th and 30th to tie Benn.

 

[Coach Parker]

I respect what Marchand has accomplished this year, but in a short tournament with single elimination semi-final games, I don't want him losing his head and taking an undisciplined penalty at the wrong time.

I get what your saying but he brings so much more to the 4th line than Hall or O'Reilly. I honestly don't get the hype of those two over him right now. When the game is on the line and the stakes are high, Marchand had 2 goals and an assist, PK and PP time.

On Team Canada he would see limited time but be the first PK unit with Bergeron.

O'Reilly isn't as skilled as Brad Marchand.

 

[1Gold Standard]

I get what your saying but he brings so much more to the 4th line than Hall or O'Reilly. I honestly don't get the hype of those two over him right now. When the game is on the line and the stakes are high, Marchand had 2 goals and an assist, PK and PP time.

On Team Canada he would see limited time but be the first PK unit with Bergeron.

O'Reilly isn't as skilled as Brad Marchand.

that's debatable. but one thing that isn't debatable, O'Reilly is a much more versatile and responsible player.

If the Bruins make an early exit in this year's POs then Marchand can get on board and drag his ass over to St. Petersburg/Moscow for this year's WHC and make a claim for his spot on the big boy's team.

 

[xxxx]

latest LeBrun's roster (from February 11)

good team

 

[1Gold Standard]

latest LeBrun's roster (from February 11)

good team

I'd drop Perry in favor of Tyler Toffoli. more deserving at this point imo...a better more versatile player.

But I've never been a card carrying member of the Anaheim Bobbsey Twins fan club.

a few other of LeBrun's selections I question, but nothing too egregious considering it's the gimmicky cup we're debating.

 

[xxxx]

Worth noting, that in their last 19 respective games, only three canadian players have as many or more points than Ryan Getzlaf, who has 24 points. Those three are Joe Thornton (24), Sidney Crosby (25) and Connor McDavid (26). I don't know for sure, but checked the other star players in the league, and the only two other non-canadian forwards that have similar statistics to Getzlaf in that span are Patrick Kane (23pts), and Evgeny Kuznetsov (24). Hopefully, Getzy continues like that

Aslo, another interesting stat...Marchand 15 goals in his last 16 games didn't really realized that.

 

[Willy Stylez]

I'd like something like this:

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