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

[jj cale]

Letang plays exactly like him, why he wasnt picked in the first place I still cant understand but to not get the call after his injury is absurd. He is a righty but plays naturally on the left side too unlike Pietrangelo.

I would have liked Letang too but they went with old faithful J-Bo.

Thought he played allright his first game at least, still a questionable call but I can only hope for the best now. He is on the team so I support him now, all we can do now I think.

 

[50 in 07]

Because hall would need to be baby sat for the other 15-20 minutes of games defensively.

O'reilly is just as good offensively and better defensively. The defensive part is the key in the selection. Every one of the forwards on team canada are good to great defensively. And or have shown babcock in the olympics they are able to change there game to be defensively responsible.

It is the main reason why stamkos was left off the team in 2010 in the midst of a 50 goal season. With babcock and the team canada brain trust if you are not willing to show them you can play a 2 way game you will not be selected. No matter how good you are offensively.

ROR is better defensively. He is definitely not "just as good offensively" as Hall.

Hall topped ROR's career high just this past season, and it wasn't even a particularly good season for him.

 

[Samsonite23]

But not as well. Nor does he play the correct positions like Stone does. Not alot longer either there is only 1 year in age difference in the players. Stone isnt all of a sudden going to get worse he is improving.

A lot of people obviously disagree with you.

 

[WayneSid9987]

ROR is a fantastic pick. I wonder if he'll be able to jump in for the game tonight, especially if Giroux requires another maintenance day.

Reading twitter earlier, i believe Duchene is dinged up some so he'll sit with Muzzin tonight.
ROR will play.

 

[Barrie22]

ROR is better defensively. He is definitely not "just as good offensively" as Hall.

Hall topped ROR's career high just this past season, and it wasn't even a particularly good season for him.

Hall and o'reilly the past 2 seasons have been pretty even offensively.. Hall has 1 outlier in his career in which he has never came close to again in the 3rd year.

 

[HarrySPlinkett]

No you're right its not like the team has Toews and Bergeron on the team or anything. Why add a potential game breaker when/if the team is down by 1 in the 3rd of a future game when you can add ANOTHER center who is a slightly worse version of the two above players. It's not like Hall had a great World Championship on a line with Crosby this year or anything.

Stop citing the World Championship like it means something. It doesn't.

Team Canada doesn't need Taylor Hall. Ryan O'Reilly is a far more complete hockey player.

 

[DanrikCarter]

Corey Perry's attempt to join Scott Niedermayer as the sole members of the sextuple gold club is not getting near the attention it deserves.

Stanley Cup
Olympics
World Championships
World Cup
World Juniors
Memorial Cup

What an incredible achievement that would be.

 

[ohcomeonref]

Corey Perry's attempt to join Scott Niedermayer as the sole members of the sextuple gold club is not getting near the attention it deserves.

Stanley Cup
Olympics
World Championships
World Cup
World Juniors
Memorial Cup

What an incredible achievement that would be.

I didn't even realize this was on the line, and I'm a Ducks fan! Thanks!

 

[flaneur]

Corey Perry's attempt to join Scott Niedermayer as the sole members of the sextuple gold club is not getting near the attention it deserves.

Stanley Cup
Olympics
World Championships
World Cup
World Juniors
Memorial Cup

What an incredible achievement that would be.

This reminds me that if Canada won, there would be five quintuple gold members (Toews, Bergeron, Crosby, Perry, and Babcock). Perry is the only one to have also won a Memorial Cup.

I think we Canadians take for granted that we are currently witnessing a golden generation of hockey talent. It's pretty remarkable.

 

[Blue Shakehead]

With all the questionable roster choices and usage, it makes you wonder if Babcock is any good? He's definitely not as good as he thinks he is.

 

[Kelly]

With all the questionable roster choices and usage, it makes you wonder if Babcock is any good? He's definitely not as good as he thinks he is.

I don't think I've ever witnessed a coach who makes choices that aren't questioned. You'll never get 100% of the fans to agree. His resume speaks for itself though. I think he's done a good job. Still a top 3 coach in the NHL, and one exhibition loss won't change that for me, lol.

 

[b in vancouver]

Corey Perry's attempt to join Scott Niedermayer as the sole members of the sextuple gold club is not getting near the attention it deserves.

Stanley Cup
Olympics
World Championships
World Cup
World Juniors
Memorial Cup

What an incredible achievement that would be.

Bergeron also won the Spengler Cup. Might not have the panache of the others but gives him five also - and I think he'd be the first ever to win those six.

 

[86Habs]

With all the questionable roster choices and usage, it makes you wonder if Babcock is any good? He's definitely not as good as he thinks he is.

His resume speaks for itself and I believe he deserves the benefit of the doubt. Sure, some of the roster choices and player usages are questionable (in terms of player usage it's quite obvious he's using these exhibition games as a way to feel things out...this was not a choice available to him in 2010 or 2014), but he's got a system he wants to deploy and has influence over the selection of players to implement it. It's not the most exciting hockey and can result in some nail-biters, but it's efficient and effective.

Although, I wouldn't mind seeing some turnover in the management team and coaching staff heading into 2018/2020. Some of these guys are on their last legs at this level of hockey and should be put out pasture after this tournament.

 

[TheBigThree]

With all the questionable roster choices and usage, it makes you wonder if Babcock is any good? He's definitely not as good as he thinks he is.

Yes I bet you would be the better choice

 

[JackSlater]

Some things to keep in mind with regard to Babcock. First, and anyone who regularly watched Detroit during Babcock's tenure knows this, he prefers veterans. Generally a young player had to be unquestionably better by a sizable margin before Babcock trusted him as much as he did a veteran. Even at the 2010 Olympics, I believe it was Pronger who had the most ice time among Canadians in the tournament. If not in the tournament, then for certain in the gold medal game. Pronger wasn't one of Canada's three best defencemen in that tournament, but that was who Babcock trusted the most. That is just the way it is.

Second, and more importantly, no Canadian coach has a better record than Babcock. He's never lost a tournament with Canada to my knowledge, and no one can match two best on bests plus WC plus WJC. He knows what he's doing.

 

[Blue Shakehead]

Yes I bet you would be the better choice

Yeah, that was a good take away from what I said.

 

[Frank the Tank]

Yeah, that was a good take away from what I said. :donkey

Please enlighten us as to what you meant when you stated, "if Babcock is any good?"

His numerous championships and respect throughout the hockey world would indicate otherwise; however, I am willing to entertain evidence you can provide to support your opinion.

 

[JaegerDice]

I do find it kind of funny that Babcock's number one use for Giroux thus far has been serving TMM penalties.

 

[KBobs]

Besides the Crosby line, the lines need to be juggled. It's interesting that Babcock has hardly changed them, considering in Sochi it took him so long to settle on combos. I take it he has changed his mentality, now believing that the chemistry will grow in time. However, 5 on 5 offense hasn't been overwhelming, with guys like Toews, Stamkos, Giroux having produced nothing. Aside from 1 or 2 PP's, Stamkos has been non-existent. The Toews and Thornton lines need to be changed.

 

[86Habs]

Besides the Crosby line, the lines need to be juggled. It's interesting that Babcock has hardly changed them, considering in Sochi it took him so long to settle on combos. I take it he has changed his mentality, now believing that the chemistry will grow in time. However, 5 on 5 offense hasn't been overwhelming, with guys like Toews, Stamkos, Giroux having produced nothing. Aside from 1 or 2 PP's, Stamkos has been non-existent. The Toews and Thornton lines need to be changed.

Obviously the Crosby line is firing on all cylinders, but I thought Getzlaf-Tavares have also been a nice pairing so far and should be kept together. Perry was good in the 2nd American game but looked pretty poor last night imo, but maybe he's the guy that gets pulled into the lineup against heavier opponents. Toews-Couture have been consistent on the forecheck and defensively but haven't really created much ES with Stamkos. It's a weird line combination because all three are better goal-scorers than playmakers, and Toews/Couture would typically be used more in defensive matchup situations. Stamkos could benefit from better playmakers and offensively-minded players around him. I'd shuffle things around a bit as such:

Marchand - Crosby - Bergeron
Tavares - Getzlaf - Stamkos
Couture - Toews - Duchene
O'Reilly/Thornton/Giroux/Perry

The 4th line then becomes the "leftovers", with O'Reilly and maybe Thornton as permanent fixtures but Giroux/Perry drawing in depending on the opponent.

Overall the forward group lacks speed and will be hurt by the losses of Carter, Seguin and Benn.

 

[JaegerDice]

Obviously the Crosby line is firing on all cylinders, but I thought Getzlaf-Tavares have also been a nice pairing so far and should be kept together. Perry was good in the 2nd American game but looked pretty poor last night imo, but maybe he's the guy that gets pulled into the lineup against heavier opponents. Toews-Couture have been consistent on the forecheck and defensively but haven't really created much ES with Stamkos. It's a weird line combination because all three are better goal-scorers than playmakers, and Toews/Couture would typically be used more in defensive matchup situations. Stamkos could benefit from better playmakers and offensively-minded players around him. I'd shuffle things around a bit as such:

Marchand - Crosby - Bergeron
Tavares - Getzlaf - Stamkos
Couture - Toews - Duchene
O'Reilly/Thornton/Giroux/Perry

The 4th line then becomes the "leftovers", with O'Reilly and maybe Thornton as permanent fixtures but Giroux/Perry drawing in depending on the opponent.

Overall the forward group lacks speed and will be hurt by the losses of Carter, Seguin and Benn.

Couture and Toews are pretty much being used as the hard matchup line. They were up against Datsyuk and Ovechkin for the bulk of their shifts.

They were also the 2nd best possession line on the team behind the Crosby line. They just haven't generated a ton of chances with that possession.

I agree Stamkos is the odd fit on that line. Carter fit like a glove in Sochi.

 

[86Habs]

Couture and Toews are pretty much being used as the hard matchup line. They were up against Datsyuk and Ovechkin for the bulk of their shifts.

They were also the 2nd best possession line on the team behind the Crosby line. They just haven't generated a ton of chances with that possession.

I agree Stamkos is the odd fit on that line. Carter fit like a glove in Sochi.

Yeah, I'm certainly not disputing that Toews/Couture have been as expected, defensively/possession-wise, just that Stamkos is a weird fit there. I mean, he's not that great defensively and his skillset is obviously better suited on a "scoring" line. I agree that Carter was a great fit with Toews in Sochi. As Stamkos is a RHS, that may be Babcock's thinking in terms of having him on that line to take d-zone draws on his strong side (as Toews and Couture are both LHS). Hard to say. I could imagine Giroux or Duchene getting a look on that line in the Saturday game.

 

[CrypTic]

Obviously the Crosby line is firing on all cylinders, but I thought Getzlaf-Tavares have also been a nice pairing so far and should be kept together. Perry was good in the 2nd American game but looked pretty poor last night imo, but maybe he's the guy that gets pulled into the lineup against heavier opponents. Toews-Couture have been consistent on the forecheck and defensively but haven't really created much ES with Stamkos. It's a weird line combination because all three are better goal-scorers than playmakers, and Toews/Couture would typically be used more in defensive matchup situations. Stamkos could benefit from better playmakers and offensively-minded players around him. I'd shuffle things around a bit as such:

Marchand - Crosby - Bergeron
Tavares - Getzlaf - Stamkos
Couture - Toews - Duchene
O'Reilly/Thornton/Giroux/Perry

The 4th line then becomes the "leftovers", with O'Reilly and maybe Thornton as permanent fixtures but Giroux/Perry drawing in depending on the opponent.

Overall the forward group lacks speed and will be hurt by the losses of Carter, Seguin and Benn.

I agree that it's odd that the Toews line has three shoot-first type guys. I might try Thornton or Giroux there since playmaking is their strong suit (so they aren't a great match on their line anyway and could add to the Toews line). Probably Giroux since he's a rightie but try both in practice. The 4th line gets the fewest 0-zone starts, though, so that's probably not a great option for Stamkos if you want him to score. You're looking for players to shut down the other team and get the puck out, not score. Perry would be a good option there (with Stamkos moved to the Getzlaf line like you have him) but then you lose the Getzlaf - Perry chemistry. Stamkos could click with either Getzlaf or Tavares, which would help scoring.

There aren't going to be perfect lines. I would have liked to see players moved around a bit more in the pre-tournament games but I'm sure the coaches have good reasons for the lines they have.

Losing Benn, Seguin, and Carter definitely hurt, but I don't think of any of them as speedsters. Keith's pretty fast, though.

 

[86Habs]

I agree that it's odd that the Toews line has three shoot-first type guys. I might try Thornton or Giroux there since playmaking is their strong suit (so they aren't a great match on their line anyway and could add to the Toews line). Probably Giroux since he's a rightie but try both in practice. The 4th line gets the fewest 0-zone starts, though, so that's probably not a great option for Stamkos if you want him to score. You're looking for players to shut down the other team and get the puck out, not score. Perry would be a good option there (with Stamkos moved to the Getzlaf line like you have him) but then you lose the Getzlaf - Perry chemistry. Stamkos could click with either Getzlaf or Tavares, which would help scoring.

There aren't going to be perfect lines. I would have liked to see players moved around a bit more in the pre-tournament games but I'm sure the coaches have good reasons for the lines they have.

Losing Benn, Seguin, and Carter definitely hurt, but I don't think of any of them as speedsters. Keith's pretty fast, though.

I'd be willing to forego the Getzlaf/Perry chemistry in favour of getting a more productive player up with Getzlaf/Tavares, who have been going pretty good so far. Maybe dress Perry for the U.S. game, but I don't think he looked good at all last night and may prove to be a step behind against faster/more skilled competition. And on second thought, I'd have Giroux on the Toews/Couture line to give them an elite RHS faceoff man to balance-off the two LHSs, as well as a playmaker that would (theoretically) mesh better with the two shoot-first guys. Giroux is also good enough defensively that he could be used in defensive matchup situations.

Duchene/O'Reilly/Perry/Thornton can shuffle in and out on the 4th line, but of all those guys I'd definitely want Duchene in there every game to bring some needed speed and energy.

 

[CrypTic]

I'd be willing to forego the Getzlaf/Perry chemistry in favour of getting a more productive player up with Getzlaf/Tavares, who have been going pretty good so far. Maybe dress Perry for the U.S. game, but I don't think he looked good at all last night and may prove to be a step behind against faster/more skilled competition. And on second thought, I'd have Giroux on the Toews/Couture line to give them an elite RHS faceoff man to balance-off the two LHSs, as well as a playmaker that would (theoretically) mesh better with the two shoot-first guys. Giroux is also good enough defensively that he could be used in defensive matchup situations.

Duchene/O'Reilly/Perry/Thornton can shuffle in and out on the 4th line, but of all those guys I'd definitely want Duchene in there every game to bring some needed speed and energy.

I agree. That's why I'd try Giroux/Thornton with Couture and Toews, move Perry to the 4th line, and move Stamkos up with Tavares and Getzlaf. It might not work but it's worth a try IMO. If they could get Stamkos going, it would really help the team. That's probably the top priority IMO, though getting Couture and Toews scoring more would help too.

I'd also lean toward Giroux with Toews and Couture bc he's a rightie but, so far, he hasn't clicked with anyone. Maybe he's recovering from his hip surgery. Thornton is a leftie so it's not ideal but he's used to playing with Couture and I think he'd work well with Toews too but one never knows until it's tried. I think either one might help that line by giving them a top playmaker. And since both Giroux and Thornton have been doing well defensively these games (and are both good defensive players in general, though Thornton is better at possession), they should theoretically work well on the Toews line. That's why I'd look at both in practice and see if either is a fit (going with Giroux if both are bc he's a rightie). But I assume the coaches have thought of all this already; it's just fun speculating.