WJC: 2017 Canada Roster Talk - Part 1

[JT63]

So if we consider all the options, a possible of 8 eligible NHLers can be loaned back to play for Canada.

Here are my rankings from least likely to most likely being loaned:

1. Connor McDavid (absolutely no chance)
2. Mitch Marner (chances are decreasing faster and faster because of his importance to the leafs, as a leafs fan and world junior nut, I am torn between either choice the leafs make. Selfishly they'll want him with the leafs but it wouldnt surprise me that Lou and Babcock decide that they send him back for the tournament because the risk of injury may be lower at the WJC then in the NHL. On the other hand, recall Nylander getting concussed last year at WJC so overall I can't see the leafs taking that risk again)
3. Travis Konecny (same scenario as Marner basically but due to his performance being a lot less remarkable than Marner's he gets a little bit higher chance of being loaned. Plus Philly has some other players in the lineup that can fill the void Konecny would leave for 3 weeks.)
4. Jakob Chychrun (on a struggling Arizona team, not really playing much significant minutes, i say from this kid and onward down the list, there is a more than 50% chance he gets loaned to Hockey Canada)
5. Anthony Beauvillier (same type of scenario as McCann last year, playing well in sheltered minutes on a struggling team. not getting much PP time and not in top 6 role. If Grabovski comes back, its almost certain he'll be loaned out.)
6. Lawson Crouse (i view the chances of getting lawson is the same chances we had from getting Virtanen last year, lets hope he plays like virtanen did last year but overall good chance he gets loaned out.)
7. Matthew Barzal sent down to junior recently so he'll be a lock
8. Dylan Strome sent down today so lock as well

Mostly curious to hear your guys thoughts on my #2 through #6 situations... I can't help but imagine our forward group if we were to get all these players back. But one can dream right.

Crouse-Strome-Marner (would be my pick for most dominant line at the tournament)
Jost-Barzal-Konecny (good combination of speed and grit, would be best line on any other team at the tournament besides maybe the americans)
Dubois-Beauvillier-Gauthier (an all QMJHL line sounds pretty scary, especially with 2 big power forwards on the wings)
Mascherin-Stephens-Patrick (mix of speed and size on this good possession fourth line)
Raddysh (the guy has simply been too good to not put on the team)

Chabot-Juulsen (will be a great pairing to play against other teams top lines)
Chychrun-Bean (Chychruns strong defensive mind and skills will allow bean to create chances and push the play offensively)
Stanley-Myers (I fell inlove with Keith Aulie and Tyler Myers in 09' as the twin towers, i say we bring back Twin Towers 2.0)
Fabbro (If coach feels he wants Left and Right shooting Pairings, Fabbro easily can play up and down the lineup where you see fit)

Hart
Ingram
(Not sure who is really the go-ahead starter but I'd feel comfortable with either goalie in my net based on the way they've played this season)

Now to air on the side of caution, lets say we don't get anyone back from the NHL:

Dubois-Strome-Gauthier
Jost-Barzal-Patrick
Mascherin-Cirelli-Raddysh
Dubé-Stephens-Sideroff
Roy

Chabot-Juulsen
Bean-Fabbro
Stanley-Myers
Girard (The second coming of Ryan Ellis aka PP Specialist)

Hart
Ingram

Would really love to hear your thoughts guys so please let me know what you think.

I don't really want to see Crouse in the top 6 again. I'd like him to play a bottom 6 energy role, like he did in 2015.

 

[JackSlater]

So if we consider all the options, a possible of 8 eligible NHLers can be loaned back to play for Canada.

Here are my rankings from least likely to most likely being loaned:

1. Connor McDavid (absolutely no chance)
2. Mitch Marner (chances are decreasing faster and faster because of his importance to the leafs, as a leafs fan and world junior nut, I am torn between either choice the leafs make. Selfishly they'll want him with the leafs but it wouldnt surprise me that Lou and Babcock decide that they send him back for the tournament because the risk of injury may be lower at the WJC then in the NHL. On the other hand, recall Nylander getting concussed last year at WJC so overall I can't see the leafs taking that risk again)
3. Travis Konecny (same scenario as Marner basically but due to his performance being a lot less remarkable than Marner's he gets a little bit higher chance of being loaned. Plus Philly has some other players in the lineup that can fill the void Konecny would leave for 3 weeks.)
4. Jakob Chychrun (on a struggling Arizona team, not really playing much significant minutes, i say from this kid and onward down the list, there is a more than 50% chance he gets loaned to Hockey Canada)
5. Anthony Beauvillier (same type of scenario as McCann last year, playing well in sheltered minutes on a struggling team. not getting much PP time and not in top 6 role. If Grabovski comes back, its almost certain he'll be loaned out.)
6. Lawson Crouse (i view the chances of getting lawson is the same chances we had from getting Virtanen last year, lets hope he plays like virtanen did last year but overall good chance he gets loaned out.)
7. Matthew Barzal sent down to junior recently so he'll be a lock
8. Dylan Strome sent down today so lock as well

Mostly curious to hear your guys thoughts on my #2 through #6 situations... I can't help but imagine our forward group if we were to get all these players back. But one can dream right.

Crouse-Strome-Marner (would be my pick for most dominant line at the tournament)
Jost-Barzal-Konecny (good combination of speed and grit, would be best line on any other team at the tournament besides maybe the americans)
Dubois-Beauvillier-Gauthier (an all QMJHL line sounds pretty scary, especially with 2 big power forwards on the wings)
Mascherin-Stephens-Patrick (mix of speed and size on this good possession fourth line)
Raddysh (the guy has simply been too good to not put on the team)

Chabot-Juulsen (will be a great pairing to play against other teams top lines)
Chychrun-Bean (Chychruns strong defensive mind and skills will allow bean to create chances and push the play offensively)
Stanley-Myers (I fell inlove with Keith Aulie and Tyler Myers in 09' as the twin towers, i say we bring back Twin Towers 2.0)
Fabbro (If coach feels he wants Left and Right shooting Pairings, Fabbro easily can play up and down the lineup where you see fit)

Hart
Ingram
(Not sure who is really the go-ahead starter but I'd feel comfortable with either goalie in my net based on the way they've played this season)

Now to air on the side of caution, lets say we don't get anyone back from the NHL:

Dubois-Strome-Gauthier
Jost-Barzal-Patrick
Mascherin-Cirelli-Raddysh
Dubé-Stephens-Sideroff
Roy

Chabot-Juulsen
Bean-Fabbro
Stanley-Myers
Girard (The second coming of Ryan Ellis aka PP Specialist)

Hart
Ingram

Would really love to hear your thoughts guys so please let me know what you think.

I don't believe Canada has ever received an NHLer getting even decent minutes from an NHL team. Write off Marner, Konecny and Chychrun immediately. Beauvillier and Crouse are getting 10+ minutes a game as well, so I'm pretty doubtful there. The roster that you made looks good, with one exception... please no Logan Stanley. Canada doesn't need a project defenceman. It needs players who are elite right now.

Looks like we are going to rely heavily on our goaltending in order to have a chance at a medal of any color. It has been a really long time since Canada won as a result of good goaltending. Probably have to go all the way back to Manny Legace in '94.
Can Carter Hart or Connor Ingram be that guy?

I don't quite get this talk. If Canada needs to heavily rely on goaltending to even get a medal... who are the three (or more) teams that are clearly better than what Canada looks to have right now?

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

I'm surprised Cliff Pu hasn't received more attention. I really feel in a year where so many spots are open that he can come to camp and steal a spot. He's quite versatile, has great speed and is having a fantastic season thus far. Was surprised he wasn't on the roster for the Canada-Russia series. Be interesting to see if he gets a camp invite.

Agree
He deserves a shot with the way he's been playing

 

[Rob]

I don't quite get this talk. If Canada needs to heavily rely on goaltending to even get a medal... who are the three (or more) teams that are clearly better than what Canada looks to have right now?

The three teams that beat them this Summer?

 

[1Gold Standard]

Very nice.

Ya, I'm not thrilled about this development. I would have preferred he stayed in Arizona now that he's done with junior.

but maybe he proves me wrong and actually does something useful to break the Strome family curse at the WJHC.

I'll gladly post an apology in the post GDT on the 5th.

if I'm not... I'm going to be loud.

 

[kyle44]

Ya, I'm not thrilled about this development. I would have preferred he stayed in Arizona now that he's done with junior.

but maybe he proves me wrong and actually does something useful to break the Strome family curse at the WJHC.

I'll gladly post an apology in the post GDT on the 5th.

if I'm not... I'm going to be loud.

I've been following these boards for years and frankly I can't seem to figure out what your aim is with this foolishness. Year after year after year you post the same crap: "Hockey Canada is terrible"; "here's why X team will be better than Canada's junior team" "in not impressed with X Canadian roster". Now you've been beating this Dylan Strome business to death. It's the same recycled crap over and over again.

Stome has 15 goals and 21 points in 15 career games at all levels for Hockey Canada, but please continue to enlighten us as to why he he shouldn't be on this team.

 

[1Gold Standard]

I've been following these boards for years and frankly I can't seem to figure out what your aim is with this foolishness. Year after year after year you post the same crap: "Hockey Canada is terrible"; "here's why X team will be better than Canada's junior team" "in not impressed with X Canadian roster". Now you've been beating this Dylan Strome business to death. It's the same recycled crap over and over again.

Stome has 15 goals and 21 points in 15 career games at all levels for Hockey Canada, but please continue to enlighten us as to why he he shouldn't be on this team.

year after year, that's right. Tell me again how many Gold Medal games has Canada played in the past 5 years? 1. How many other medal finishes has HC collected in that span? If you like those results, then good for you. I expect a little better. Pease enlighten me as to why I need to kiss Hockey Canada's ass?

 

[kyle44]

year after year, that's right. Tell me again how many Gold Medal games has Canada played in the past 5 years? 1. How many other medal finishes has HC collected in that span? If you like those results, then good for you. I expect a little better. Pease enlighten me as to why I need to kiss Hockey Canada's ass?

Nowhere in my post did I say you needed to be a Hockey Canada cheerleader. What I'm saying is I see little value in you continuing to lament your discontent for certain players and the junior program in essentially every post. It adds little to the discussion. It's as if you're hoping these teams lose so that if they do you can come back on here and list all the reasons why you were right.

I don't think many fans of Canada's national junior program are happy with results in recent years, but other nations are improving and we are seeing more and more u-20 players in the NHL in the salary cap era. This is no excuse for some of the decisions that have been made in the last 5 years, but again, where is the value in continuing to reiterate the same points in every post ?

 

[ValeriKamensky]

Dubois-Strome-Gauthier
Mascherin-Barzal-Raddysh
Benson-Patrick-Jost
Smyth-McLeod-Steel
Roy(Comtois, Vilardi ............Salinitri?=))))

Chabot - Myers
Clague - Juulsen
Stanley - Day
Girard(Fabbro?)

Hart
Ingram

I don`t know why there is no talk about Clague. Great mobile D-man with pretty good shot and vision. Nice perfomance in WHL this season and Canada-Russia series.

Probably Canada can think about PWF on the 13th place. Cam Morrison, Wade Allison from NCAA.

 

[jj cale]

This is somewhat as we have to do with Canadian hockey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3beI0f8G-3A
Very detail oriented, with focus.

Of course we can skip with the jumping up and down like latent morons after a win but the training guide here is more what we are looking at going forward.

 

[JackSlater]

The three teams that beat them this Summer?

You must put a lot more faith in the summer exhibition games than I do. It's better than nothing though. We shall see.

Ya, I'm not thrilled about this development. I would have preferred he stayed in Arizona now that he's done with junior.

but maybe he proves me wrong and actually does something useful to break the Strome family curse at the WJHC.

I'll gladly post an apology in the post GDT on the 5th.

if I'm not... I'm going to be loud.

Strome will probably be the best player on the team. If he gets in game shape by December 26, this team will be much better for his inclusion.

This is somewhat as we have to do with Canadian hockey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3beI0f8G-3A
Very detail oriented, with focus.

Of course we can skip with the jumping up and down like latent morons after a win but the training guide here is more what we are looking at going forward.

I will watch that later, but I can guess what it covers. I have been a fan of the Spanish soccer development program, and I've hoped that Hockey Canada would at least consider adopting some of its principles. It is difficult to change a firmly entrenched system,but good tweaks are always welcome.

 

[1Gold Standard]

You must put a lot more faith in the summer exhibition games than I do. It's better than nothing though. We shall see.



Strome will probably be the best player on the team. If he gets in game shape by December 26, this team will be much better for his inclusion.



I will watch that later, but I can guess what it covers. I have been a fan of the Spanish soccer development program, and I've hoped that Hockey Canada would at least consider adopting some of its principles. It is difficult to change a firmly entrenched system,but good tweaks are always welcome.

That's a BIG IF. He's got 8 games to get up to speed, camp and pre-tournament games. no excuses.

 

[JackSlater]

That's a BIG IF. He's got 8 games to get up to speed, camp and pre-tournament games. no excuses.

Sure, and I agree that he should have enough time. He has at least been practicing and will be able to play in games heading into the camp. I hope that Canada doesn't proceed to sit him out of some exhibitions (as it did with Virtanen last year I believe) when he obviously would benefit from game time. Sad that we won't get to see his fabled chemistry with Marner once more though.

 

[jj cale]

I wish we had just one guy like this on the team...............just one

you would hope one single Q d-man would watch this and get inspired.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okMMqsrX71U

 

[1Gold Standard]

Sure, and I agree that he should have enough time. He has at least been practicing and will be able to play in games heading into the camp. I hope that Canada doesn't proceed to sit him out of some exhibitions (as it did with Virtanen last year I believe) when he obviously would benefit from game time. Sad that we won't get to see his fabled chemistry with Marner once more though.

good point. I was going to say the exact same thing in my previous post, but apparently my criticism of way Hockey Canada does things rubs some people the wrong way. So I thought I'd just let that slide for now.

 

[Get North]

Camp Forwards: Barzal, Stephens, Roy, Steel, Cirelli, McLeod, Harkins, Dubois, Howden, Benson, Mascherin, Fortin, Gauthier, Jost, Kyrou, Raddysh, Tippett, Merkley, Senyshyn

Camp Defencemen: Chabot, Bean, Lauzon, Myers, Fabbro, Girard, Hobbs, Vande Sompel, Clague, Foote (cannot be selected)

Camp Goaltenders: Ingram, Hart, Cormier, Fitzpatrick

My projected team, given the above assumptions:

Dubois Barzal Gauthier
Mascherin Steel Raddysh
Howden Stephens Jost
Benson Roy Merkley
McLeod

Chabot Juulsen
Bean Hobbs
Lauzon Myers
Girard

Hart
Ingram
(Sadly no third goaltender)

I like the camp rosters, mine would be a little different and I don't know if I'd have Hobbs, Howden or Mascherin on the team though. I don't think Patrick will make it or Speers, I don't want rusty players out there or injured players, need a 100% team especially with a lot of depth.

Camp forwards: Gauthier, Dubois, Roy, Joseph, Benson, Steel, Wagner, Sideroff, Senyshyn, Bastian, McLeod, Knott, Cirelli, Stephens, Raddysh, Strome, Barzal.

Camp defencemen: Lauzon, Myers, Chabot, Girard, Brisebois, Juulsen, Clague, Bean (injured?), Guhle, Mete.

Camp goalies: Hart, Ingram, Wells, Cormier.

A lot of players for a really tight selection. I think every player here deserves a second chance to be looked at, some skill guys I want to see if they are good enough for a limited 4th line role like Steel, McLeod. But, you need skill, especially this team so I give everyone a chance. The Super Series determined a lot of these camp selections IMO, we need to take the hottest players and can't just bank on their reputation. Someone like Cirelli isn't known, but he's playing really well and improved a ton, someone like Senyshyn is probably in here because of his skill-set and reputation, otherwise he hasn't done a lot to be selected.

 

[wishywashy19]

I like the camp rosters, mine would be a little different and I don't know if I'd have Hobbs, Howden or Mascherin on the team though. I don't think Patrick will make it or Speers, I don't want rusty players out there or injured players, need a 100% team especially with a lot of depth.

Camp forwards: Gauthier, Dubois, Roy, Joseph, Benson, Steel, Wagner, Sideroff, Senyshyn, Bastian, McLeod, Knott, Cirelli, Stephens, Raddysh, Strome, Barzal.

Camp defencemen: Lauzon, Myers, Chabot, Girard, Brisebois, Juulsen, Clague, Bean (injured?), Guhle, Mete.

Camp goalies: Hart, Ingram, Wells, Cormier.

A lot of players for a really tight selection. I think every player here deserves a second chance to be looked at, some skill guys I want to see if they are good enough for a limited 4th line role like Steel, McLeod. But, you need skill, especially this team so I give everyone a chance. The Super Series determined a lot of these camp selections IMO, we need to take the hottest players and can't just bank on their reputation. Someone like Cirelli isn't known, but he's playing really well and improved a ton, someone like Senyshyn is probably in here because of his skill-set and reputation, otherwise he hasn't done a lot to be selected.

One of the better posts. I have read
Competition is wide open
Some really talented players should be left home for all the reasons given

 

[JesseHenry9]

2017 Canada World Junior Team (Prediction)

Here is what I got for Canada:

Beauviller - Strome(A) - Raddysh
Jost - Barzal - Joseph
Dubois - Patrick - Gauthier
Crouse(C) - Cirelli - Stephens
Steel

Chabot(A) - Chychrun
Lauzon - Juulsen
Bean - Fabbro
Girard

Hart
Ingram

Just missed... Nick Merkley, Michael McLeod, Brett Howden, Phillippe Myers(If Chychrun isnt loaned hes in), Connor Hobbs.

- Massive skill in the top 2 lines
- 3rd line is a really good big and heavy two-way line that that can wear teams down and score
- 4th line is solid in all zones and extremely reliable
- Chabot is by far the best d-man in the tournament by a country mile
- Chychrun is a perfect partner for him, reliable and also solid in all zones
- 2nd and 3rd pairs are a good mix of offensive and two-way/defensive play
- Girard is a guy that can come in to supply offence and PP time
- Goalies I think are a lock, maybe they go with Cormier becuase of his age and the extra year of experience but I doubt it

This team is the best on paper, I think if anyone gives them a run its USA.I know this is a Canada thread but you can compare them to the USA.
Here is what they could look like from my perspective:

Foley - White(C) - Boeser(A)
Greenway - Brown - Fischer
Debrincat - Keller - Bracco
Bellows - Roslovic - Thompson
Kunin
Yamamoto

Jones - McAvoy(A)
Krys - Fitzgerald
Lindgren - Fox
Marino
Boka
Peeke

Woll
Parsons

 

[JackSlater]

Here is what I got for Canada:

Beauviller - Strome(A) - Raddysh
Jost - Barzal - Joseph
Dubois - Patrick - Gauthier
Crouse(C) - Cirelli - Stephens
Steel

Chabot(A) - Chychrun
Lauzon - Juulsen
Bean - Fabbro
Girard

Hart
Ingram

Just missed... Nick Merkley, Michael McLeod, Brett Howden, Phillippe Myers(If Chychrun isnt loaned hes in), Connor Hobbs.

Pretty optimistic with regard to NHL releases, but that would certainly be a good team.

I'm curious to hear what thoughts people have with regard to Roy/McLeod/Steel/Cirelli. Those guys, plus maybe Harkins, are probably competing for one or at best two centre spots. I'm mostly familiar with Roy, which is probably why I favour him for the fourth line centre spot. I'm also wondering if any of them actually have experience playing wing.

 

[86Habs]

Pretty optimistic with regard to NHL releases, but that would certainly be a good team.

I'm curious to hear what thoughts people have with regard to Roy/McLeod/Steel/Cirelli. Those guys, plus maybe Harkins, are probably competing for one or at best two centre spots. I'm mostly familiar with Roy, which is probably why I favour him for the fourth line centre spot. I'm also wondering if any of them actually have experience playing wing.

I can only speak to McLeod but in my mind he'd be competing for a bottom six center role. Fantastic skater, good puckhandling and distribution skills, uses his body pretty well (6'2", ~195 lbs), his speed and work ethic / work capacity make him a reasonably effective defensive player. Probably not creative enough offensively to anchor a scoring line and also probably not well-equipped to move over to the wing. I'd prefer to see Stephens move over to the wing if it means getting both guys on the team.

Edit: Looking back at recent (successful) Team Canada's, despite his size McLeod is not going to be a guy like, say, Nick Paul who is able to play a heavy, possession-oriented game with similar-minded wingers if that is how the head coach would want to construct a "checking" line. Depending on how he performs at camp there's probably a spot for him on the roster...personally I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to have his kind of skating ability + size + work ethic combo on a team even if its in a limited role...but realize that for McLeod it will probably come down to roster construction. At the risk of being a little OHL-centric, a combo of McLeod + Senyshyn could be an interesting look given their complimentary stengths, skating ability and size.

 

[whlscowt]

Here is what I got for Canada:

Beauviller - Strome(A) - Raddysh
Jost - Barzal - Joseph
Dubois - Patrick - Gauthier
Crouse(C) - Cirelli - Stephens
Steel

Chabot(A) - Chychrun
Lauzon - Juulsen
Bean - Fabbro
Girard

Hart
Ingram

Just missed... Nick Merkley, Michael McLeod, Brett Howden, Phillippe Myers(If Chychrun isnt loaned hes in), Connor Hobbs.

- Massive skill in the top 2 lines
- 3rd line is a really good big and heavy two-way line that that can wear teams down and score
- 4th line is solid in all zones and extremely reliable
- Chabot is by far the best d-man in the tournament by a country mile
- Chychrun is a perfect partner for him, reliable and also solid in all zones
- 2nd and 3rd pairs are a good mix of offensive and two-way/defensive play
- Girard is a guy that can come in to supply offence and PP time
- Goalies I think are a lock, maybe they go with Cormier becuase of his age and the extra year of experience but I doubt it

This team is the best on paper, I think if anyone gives them a run its USA.I know this is a Canada thread but you can compare them to the USA.
Here is what they could look like from my perspective:

Foley - White(C) - Boeser(A)
Greenway - Brown - Fischer
Debrincat - Keller - Bracco
Bellows - Roslovic - Thompson
Kunin
Yamamoto

Jones - McAvoy(A)
Krys - Fitzgerald
Lindgren - Fox
Marino
Boka
Peeke

Woll
Parsons

Nice job man. I think there's a bit of optimism in this lineup; I'm really wondering if Patrick and Bean will be ready due to injury, and I can't see any of the NHL kids, especially Chychrun being loaned. And personally I'd rather have a Mcleod, Roy, Fortin etc then Joseph, or especially Cirelli.

 

[JesseHenry9]

Nice job man. I think there's a bit of optimism in this lineup; I'm really wondering if Patrick and Bean will be ready due to injury, and I can't see any of the NHL kids, especially Chychrun being loaned. And personally I'd rather have a Mcleod, Roy, Fortin etc then Joseph, or especially Cirelli.

Thank you! I definitely think Chychrun will be a last minute call from ARI. The team seems to be a little weaker on RW, however I figured Joseph and his goal scoring ability could be effective with a guy like Barzal and I like the way he seems to be leading the way with Saint Johns. As for Cirelli, I loved his play at the U-18s, I thought he was Canada's best player. He is just a bull and relentless. McLeod and N. Roy were guys I had just outside the roster. Wouldn't bother me one bit if they made it. Very excited for this team. Especially being so strong down the middle.

 

[Get North]

...personally I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to have his kind of skating ability + size + work ethic combo on a team even if its in a limited role...but realize that for McLeod it will probably come down to roster construction. At the risk of being a little OHL-centric, a combo of McLeod + Senyshyn could be an interesting look given their complimentary stengths, skating ability and size.

I like that combination and I think a LW that can fit really well with them is someone like Wagner. You could add a possession, playmaking type of LW as well, but if you want another speed, physical player someone like Wagner who was outstanding in the Super Series could fit there too.

I'm curious to hear what thoughts people have with regard to Roy/McLeod/Steel/Cirelli. Those guys, plus maybe Harkins, are probably competing for one or at best two centre spots. I'm mostly familiar with Roy, which is probably why I favour him for the fourth line centre spot. I'm also wondering if any of them actually have experience playing wing.

I think Cirelli can play LW, he was playing there in the summer camp I believe. I wasn't that impressed with Harkins but he still might get an invite. Is it possible we can have all 4 players on the roster despite being centres? I know this isn't a men's level tournament, but at the World Cup they had a RH C and a LH C on each line so they could take face-offs on their strong side. These kids aren't as experienced on the wings, but it's not a difficult position to learn.

Here is what I got for Canada:

Beauviller - Strome(A) - Raddysh
Jost - Barzal - Joseph
Dubois - Patrick - Gauthier
Crouse(C) - Cirelli - Stephens
Steel

The bolded is what I see as locks. Lines aren't really specific, but I like the Cirelli and Stephens duo. Two tenacious OHL players that are responsible defensively, can skate well, hockey sense, battle, and make good plays with the puck. That's a reliable, tenacious line there. Two Cs out there as well. I like the Jost and Barzal combo, two skilled, good skating, hockey sense players together. Coach will have to figure out if they work with a big body or another skilled player. I don't see Patrick making the roster if he's not 100% healthy, there's no need to rush him we have a lot of other good players IMO. He won't be as useful as the others if he's injured. Here's what I got:

Jost - Barzal -
- Strome - Raddysh
Benson - Cirelli - Stephens
Wagner - McLeod - Senyshyn

That's what I have for forwards, chemistry on the second line, speed on the 4th line, two-way, hockey IQ players on the 3rd line. I guess Gauthier and Dubois will take two spots, then there's 1 spot left. Patrick/Speers if they get healthy, or could go to Joseph/Steel/Merkley for skill, or Knott/Roy/Smith/Harkins/ for utility/size. I think cutting down the skill guys, Merkley hasn't done enough to get an invite even though he has a good reputation, poor camp, poor start, poor super series, that leaves Joseph and Steel. Smith's time is probably next year, not skilled enough yet to make the team. Knott is a 50/50 IMO, he has good speed for a big guy, but we could use more skill on this team. Bastian is an interesting one, big, late '97. Sideroff is another one, speed, intensity, and two-way ability, not enough skill though IMO. Wade Allison is another interesting one, does he get an invite just to get a close look at him? Playing in the NCAA, 6'2, '97 born.

On defence, I liked the offensive pairing of Chabot-Girard in the QMJHL series. Both moved the puck up the ice very quickly, I'd start with this pairing in the tournament to see how dynamic they can make the offence. Juulsen is the RD on the second pairing, I see him with an offensive/two-way D like Clague, Bean (injured). Pairing Juulsen with Girard or Chabot might have to be necessary because there isn't much of LD, OFD after the 2 QMJHL D. Lauzon, Myers, Fabbro get the next 3 spots, but it's fairly weak after that. Gets to Brisebois, Mete, Clague (very well at the SS). An interesting one is Owen Headrick, RD, 12 points in 12 games in the NCAA, 6'0 205 pounds. Invite him to camp just to get a look? I've got:

Girard-Juulsen
Chabot-Myers
Lauzon-Clague
Mete/Headrick/Fabbro

Hart/Ingram

 

[JackSlater]

I can only speak to McLeod but in my mind he'd be competing for a bottom six center role. Fantastic skater, good puckhandling and distribution skills, uses his body pretty well (6'2", ~195 lbs), his speed and work ethic / work capacity make him a reasonably effective defensive player. Probably not creative enough offensively to anchor a scoring line and also probably not well-equipped to move over to the wing. I'd prefer to see Stephens move over to the wing if it means getting both guys on the team.

Edit: Looking back at recent (successful) Team Canada's, despite his size McLeod is not going to be a guy like, say, Nick Paul who is able to play a heavy, possession-oriented game with similar-minded wingers if that is how the head coach would want to construct a "checking" line. Depending on how he performs at camp there's probably a spot for him on the roster...personally I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to have his kind of skating ability + size + work ethic combo on a team even if its in a limited role...but realize that for McLeod it will probably come down to roster construction. At the risk of being a little OHL-centric, a combo of McLeod + Senyshyn could be an interesting look given their complimentary stengths, skating ability and size.

McLeod is my least favourite of the four centres. Never liked what I saw from him internationally and he is having the least impressive year of the four thus far (superficially at least). Sounds more like a utility payer than a centre. It will depend on what Hockey Canada wants. McLeod has speed, Roy has size, Steel/Cirelli bring more offence.

I think Cirelli can play LW, he was playing there in the summer camp I believe. I wasn't that impressed with Harkins but he still might get an invite. Is it possible we can have all 4 players on the roster despite being centres? I know this isn't a men's level tournament, but at the World Cup they had a RH C and a LH C on each line so they could take face-offs on their strong side. These kids aren't as experienced on the wings, but it's not a difficult position to learn.

The Canadian centres at the senior level who shift to the wing almost all have wing experience and are far more experienced in general than juniors. Compared to the top level, there isn't nearly as much history of Canada converting centres to wing spots at the junior level, especially playmakers. That's why I don't think that all four of those centres will make it. If Stephens is put at centre again, which is feasible since he was good there last year, then there is only one centre spot left. If Cirelli has LW experience that is a positive for him and the team.

 

[SNMU]

Dubois - Strome - Gauthier
Benson - Barzal - Raddysh
Jost - Stephens - Roy
Fontin - McCleod - Steel
Smith

Chabot - Juulsen
Lauzon - Myers
Girard - Bean
Clague

Hart
Ingram