WJC: 2017 Canada Roster Talk - Part 1

[Mad Brills*]

Is this the weakest team in a while?

There's no star power this year.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Is this the weakest team in a while?

There's no star power this year.

All depends on the loans. If this team gets Chychrun, while having Hart who looks like he will be a very strong goalie for us and with Ducharme the coaching should at least be decent I think the team has as good of a shot as any other but I would not say they are "favorites" the team will need to really gel together and it will have to be a team that counts on the goalie to win a game or two along with good defense.

 

[JackSlater]

Well as you see every year with the WJC, no matter how good of a team you might have, there are tons of momentum swings and you cant always shut down every game. Tokarski wasn't exactly a brick wall either. And well like I said Hicketts played ALOT of minutes. Chabot was better, but Hicketts was pretty very poised, physical, really tenacious with stick on pucks and blocked alot of shots. Plus all tournament long the team and coaches preached what a good leader he was, which is something that goes unnoticed to people viewing the game. Im sure every analyst who covered the tournament would tell you he did a great job. I have no idea what anyone would complain about his performance.

Im sure everyone can agree we need to be better in general, regardless of who is loaned and who isn't... No reason we shouldn't be a top 4 lock every year.

Well, you are still the only person I've seen speak positively of Hicketts' performance, but that is in the past thankfully. Honestly, I blame Lowry more than Hicketts. I very much agree that Canada should be making at least semi final appearances every year. Below that level is not acceptable.

well, he was another healthy scratch last night, so the odds increase daily he'll be released for the tourney.

a more pressing concern is Strome. In the way he played in his 1st.game back in Erie, if that's the type of game he gives to us as 1st line center at the tourney, then we may as well kiss any medal aspirations good-bye. I'd bounce him down to 3rd line center or off the team if that's his level of compete. but Hockey Canada doesn't have the stones for that.

I haven't watched Strome play in junior this year, but obviously the guy needs to be given some time. I will be somewhat concerned if Strome looks bad two-three weeks from now.

Is this the weakest team in a while?

There's no star power this year.

It might be difficult to be weaker than the 2014 team.

 

[JesseHenry9]

Is this the weakest team in a while?

There's no star power this year.

Far from the weakest team..... All depends who is loaned but I really like the team this year, especially on LW and C..... Strome, Barzal, Chabot to me is star power..... Beauviller, Crouse and Chychrun could be sent too which would help alot. Nolan Patrick if healthy could be a guy who could turn alot of heads as well. I also think Jake Bean is ganna have a very good offensive tournament too, he is very very good with the puck.

There is no one better than us on paper thats forsure.

 

[Joe Zanussi]

Is this the weakest team in a while?

There's no star power this year.

You guys are going to be fine. I expect Crouse to go....maybe Beauvillier and Chychrun.

And you have the best goalie in the tourney.

You'll be alright.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Well, you are still the only person I've seen speak positively of Hicketts' performance, but that is in the past thankfully. Honestly, I blame Lowry more than Hicketts. I very much agree that Canada should be making at least semi final appearances every year. Below that level is not acceptable.



I haven't watched Strome play in junior this year, but obviously the guy needs to be given some time. I will be somewhat concerned if Strome looks bad two-three weeks from now.



It might be difficult to be weaker than the 2014 team.

He played better last night, but still nowhere near the level he needs to be at or HC needs him to be at as a 1st. line center on a team with Gold medal aspirations. Barzal on the other hand played a terrific game yesterday. a true #1 center...or at least a #2 center filling in for a #1 (McDavid) center.

so, some good news there.

I know there's probably not much chance Philly gives us Konecny, but a line of BEAUVILLIER BARZAL KONECNY would be my 1st. line. Hell, if I were HC, I'd consider sending all 3 to Paris in May. May be something to consider if we are short on acceptees.

 

[JackSlater]

He played better last night, but still nowhere near the level he needs to be at or HC needs him to be at as a 1st. line center on a team with Gold medal aspirations. Barzal on the other hand played a terrific game yesterday. a true #1 center...or at least a #2 center filling in for a #1 (McDavid) center.

so, some good news there.

I know there's probably not much chance Philly gives us Konecny, but a line of BEAUVILLIER BARZAL KONECNY would be my 1st. line. Hell, if I were HC, I'd consider sending all 3 to Paris in May. May be something to consider if we are short on acceptees.

Barzal is a capable number one centre for this tournament. Strome getting up to that level puts Canada in a very good position. Getting Beauvillier would be a nice boost as well, but I'm not expecting it.

I don't expect to see any of the above players in the spring, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Marner.

 

[Bullseye]

Barzal is a capable number one centre for this tournament. Strome getting up to that level puts Canada in a very good position. Getting Beauvillier would be a nice boost as well, but I'm not expecting it.

I don't expect to see any of the above players in the spring, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Marner.

Not a chance in Hades. After Nylander got concussed last year they will be very very reluctant to send Marner. And he is the Leafs BEST player. Not happening.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Not a chance in Hades. After Nylander got concussed last year they will be very very reluctant to send Marner. And he is the Leafs BEST player. Not happening.

He was talking about the men's spring tournament. leafs probably don't make the POs, or if they do, they make an early exit.

I'd like to see Mitchy Boy fly on the big ice with McDavid at center.

 

[Bullseye]

He was talking about the men's spring tournament. leafs probably don't make the POs, or if they do, they make an early exit.

I'd like to see Mitchy Boy fly on the big ice with McDavid at center.

Gotcha my bad. That would be beautiful. Many great young Canadian star possibilities.

 

[Macman]

He was talking about the men's spring tournament. leafs probably don't make the POs, or if they do, they make an early exit.

I'd like to see Mitchy Boy fly on the big ice with McDavid at center.

That would be something to see.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

What i want to see is a line of Mackinnon-McDavid-Marner in Pyeongchang in 15 months. The ''4th'' line could be the kid's line lol.

 

[Petes]

I actually like the look of this years team.... Strome will come into it with something to prove. He will have a big tourny...

Dubois-Strome-Raddysh is a line with size speed and skill and can play a lot of different styles for you..

Defense is my main concern, Chychrun is a must. Wonder if hockey Canada looks at Fabbro from NCAA for third pair RD.

Jost will be a lock for F group as well.

 

[tfantasy]

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


Chabot - Juulsen
Girard - Bean
Lauzon - Myers
Clague

Hart
Ingram

 

[LeafChief]

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


Chabot - Juulsen
Girard - Bean
Lauzon - Myers
Clague

Hart
Ingram

I don't think Senshyn should make this team. Much better options. I'd rather take a chance with Patrick (assuming he is healthy enough to go).

I love Givani Smith. If he makes it, he'll become Canada's darling by the end of the tournament.

 

[KBobs]

For those interested, Bob McKenzie delved into World Jr. talk in his podcast this week. As I listen via mobile, I apologize for not being able to state the exact time into the podcast when it comes up - however it's the first topic Bob covers after his lengthly introduction.

http://www.tsn.ca/bobcast/the-bobcast-episode-4-1.616906

 

[JackSlater]

For those interested, Bob McKenzie delved into World Jr. talk in his podcast this week. As I listen via mobile, I apologize for not being able to state the exact time into the podcast when it comes up - however it's the first topic Bob covers after his lengthly introduction.

http://www.tsn.ca/bobcast/the-bobcast-episode-4-1.616906

Nice, thanks for that. Not getting into the details, but McKenzie named a lot of the people that we regularly discuss. I'm a little surprised by Dube being named specifically. Nice to see McKenzie noting that a lot of the team looks like it will be from the QMJHL. I remember being confused by some of the Sportsnet analysts dismissing QMJHL players after the super series.

Not really relevant to WJC discussion of this team given his injury, but Sprong is still not a Canadian citizen according to McKenzie. He makes it sound like there isn't much reason to expect Sprong to attain citizenship going forward either.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Nice, thanks for that. Not getting into the details, but McKenzie named a lot of the people that we regularly discuss. I'm a little surprised by Dube being named specifically. Nice to see McKenzie noting that a lot of the team looks like it will be from the QMJHL. I remember being confused by some of the Sportsnet analysts dismissing QMJHL players after the super series.

Not really relevant to WJC discussion of this team given his injury, but Sprong is still not a Canadian citizen according to McKenzie. He makes it sound like there isn't much reason to expect Sprong to attain citizenship going forward either.

If the kid's end up winning Gold maybe they can teach their teammates to sing the beginning of the anthem in French, the final afterall will be played in Montreal.

 

[PecnoTrunk]

Nice, thanks for that. Not getting into the details, but McKenzie named a lot of the people that we regularly discuss. I'm a little surprised by Dube being named specifically. Nice to see McKenzie noting that a lot of the team looks like it will be from the QMJHL. I remember being confused by some of the Sportsnet analysts dismissing QMJHL players after the super series.

Not really relevant to WJC discussion of this team given his injury, but Sprong is still not a Canadian citizen according to McKenzie. He makes it sound like there isn't much reason to expect Sprong to attain citizenship going forward either.

What do you mean here ? I'm not on wifi and can't listen to an hour bobcast

Thanks

 

[JackSlater]

What do you mean here ? I'm not on wifi and can't listen to an hour bobcast

Thanks

McKenzie implies that Sprong isn't going to get Canadian citizenship, at least in the near future. He says that after a complicated process they found out that there "isn't really a basis for Canadian citizenship". Says that unless the Netherlands national team can make it, there isn't any reason to expect to see Sprong at the WJC or the World Championships any time soon. I'm kind of surprised because he and his family have been here for a long time and it isn't very hard to get citizenship if you have a decent job (so presumably his parents could get it).

 

[wings5]

I would love to see Kolesar and Smith both on the team. Bring some of the meat and potatoes hardnosed play back to Canadian Hockey, and then throw some skilled players around.

 

[Skip2myBordyloo]

I would love to see Kolesar and Smith both on the team. Bring some of the meat and potatoes hardnosed play back to Canadian Hockey, and then throw some skilled players around.

Which Smith?

 

[Get North]

Which Smith?

Givani Smith I'm pretty sure.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Nice, thanks for that. Not getting into the details, but McKenzie named a lot of the people that we regularly discuss. I'm a little surprised by Dube being named specifically. Nice to see McKenzie noting that a lot of the team looks like it will be from the QMJHL. I remember being confused by some of the Sportsnet analysts dismissing QMJHL players after the super series.

Not really relevant to WJC discussion of this team given his injury, but Sprong is still not a Canadian citizen according to McKenzie. He makes it sound like there isn't much reason to expect Sprong to attain citizenship going forward either.

While this is the best group of Quebec players we've seen in a long time, I'm not sure if there are more than 5 or 6 QMJHL players who will or should be on the Boxing Day roster, mostly d-men and not counting Anthony Beauvillier.

I'd take Adam Mascherin over Nic Roy for example.

but am CURIOUS to see Max Fortier at camp...real deal or not.

 

[JackSlater]

While this is the best group of Quebec players we've seen in a long time, I'm not sure if there are more than 5 or 6 QMJHL players who will or should be on the Boxing Day roster, mostly d-men and not counting Anthony Beauvillier.

I'd take Adam Mascherin over Nic Roy for example.

but am CURIOUS to see Max Fortier at camp...real deal or not.

I have seven, Roy among them. The coach and "GM" being from the QMJHL certainly won't hurt QMJHL players.