WJC: 2017 Canada Roster Talk - Part 2

[Statsy]

I'm actually less impressed by the team than I would be in most years, but that's not to say that they can't win. Any team we ice should be in contention and this team might have better goaltending than we've seen in quite a while from TC. Players aren't as high end as usual, but there is good balance up and down the lineup. Hopefully the group comes together and finds some real chemistry, which is an area that was sorely lacking last year.

 

[snipes]

I'm actually less impressed by the team than I would be in most years, but that's not to say that they can't win. Any team we ice should be in contention and this team might have better goaltending than we've seen in quite a while from TC. Players aren't as high end as usual, but there is good balance up and down the lineup. Hopefully the group comes together and finds some real chemistry, which is an area that was sorely lacking last year.

Pretty wide open year, I don't think there is any clear favourite. Maybe a bit of an underdog role could be good for this group, especially after last year.

Hopefully they come together and take the opportunity to represent Canada as a privilege. I want to see a team that flies around wave after wave with 100% effort and relentless pace every game. No room for divas or anyone above the team.

Not the most talented team, but no reason to think that these guys can't win Gold if they come together and play for each other and their country. I have faith in Ducharme as the Head Coach.

 

[Statsy]

Pretty wide open year, I don't think there is any clear favourite. Maybe a bit of an underdog role could be good for this group, especially after last year.

Hopefully they come together and take the opportunity to represent Canada as a privilege. I want to see a team that flies around wave after wave with 100% effort and relentless pace every game. No room for divas or anyone above the team.

Not the most talented team, but no reason to think that these guys can't win Gold if they come together and play for each other and their country. I have faith in Ducharme as the Head Coach.

Yes, I think I agreed with every damn thing you said in that post.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Didn't really see this year's team as a serious contender for gold. but even less now with Steel and Girard cut.

But, we'll see how it goes. If HC blows this one, there'll be lots of ammo for me to do what I do best - ***** and complain about HC bureaucrats.
Hopefully our goaltending and some inspired play can pull off the impossible like the Vancouver '06 team. I didn't give that team much of a shot either.

 

[Statsy]

Didn't really see this year's team as a serious contender for gold. but even less now with Steel and Girard cut.

But, we'll see how it goes. If HC blows this one, there'll be lots of ammo for me to do what I do best - ***** and complain about HC bureaucrats.
Hopefully our goaltending and some inspired play can pull off the impossible like the Vancouver '06 team. I didn't give that team much of a shot either.

I've been watching some old replays of games throughout the years and it seems we've won a few titles with what you would consider a less than stellar lineup. Certainly the field is more wide open this year, and any team that comes together nicely and gets good goaltending can pull off the victory.

 

[JackSlater]

I'm surprised that Steel was cut. He looked good every time he played in assessment games and has been great in junior, but I'm guessing that Dube usurped him with a strong camp. Somewhat surprised by Girard being cut as well, but Clague looked good in camp and brings a different but valuable skillset.

Many are down on this team but I like it. Strong down the middle, balanced defence, seemingly good goaltending. Ducharme is also a competent coach. If they play aggressively like his best Halifax teams then they should be very dangerous to any team.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Mildy surpised Girard was cut, thought he would make it but like Clague too.

Kinda annoyed Steel was cut, thought he should easily be on this team, but oh well. Hope what they're going for works

 

[docbenton]

I'm not sure I love the defense. I don't think Lauzon is a great puck mover at this level, and Bean makes a lot of questionable decisions with the puck in his own end. Girard had actually really impressed me, his skating really picked up from last year and he looked much better than Chabot or Bean on the PP. If moving the puck cleanly out of your own end was the top criteria I would have kept Girard and Brisebois over Lauzon and Bean. Clague earned a spot and so did Myers.

 

[nbwingsfan]

I'm not sure I love the defense. I don't think Lauzon is a great puck mover at this level, and Bean makes a lot of questionable decisions with the puck in his own end. Girard had actually really impressed me, his skating really picked up from last year and he looked much better than Chabot or Bean on the PP. If moving the puck cleanly out of your own end was the top criteria I would have kept Girard and Brisebois over Lauzon and Bean. Clague earned a spot and so did Myers.

Lauzon has been putting up over PPG for the last two seasons. Puck moving is actually his strong suit from what I've seen.

 

[86Habs]

Not in love with this team, nor do I hate it. The team is a underwhelming, but still certainly a contender in what could be somewhat of a down year for this tournament. Not a big fan of two guys with a combined total of 14 games played this year (Dube & Speers) on the roster, strong camps notwithstanding. Will be interesting to see how they hold up against the stronger teams in a few weeks. I wouldn't have left potential gamebreakers in Senyshyn or Steel off the roster, but Ducharme obviously has a style of play in mind that those two players didn't mesh with but the likes of Cirelli, Dube, Joseph do. The defense looks solid, and the goaltending should be the strongest we've had in a number of years.

 

[jj cale]

Not in love with this team, nor do I hate it. The team is a underwhelming, but still certainly a contender in what could be somewhat of a down year for this tournament. Not a big fan of two guys with a combined total of 14 games played this year (Dube & Speers) on the roster, strong camps notwithstanding. Will be interesting to see how they hold up against the stronger teams in a few weeks. I wouldn't have left potential gamebreakers in Senyshyn or Steel off the roster, but Ducharme obviously has a style of play in mind that those two players didn't mesh with but the likes of Cirelli, Dube, Joseph do. The defense looks solid, and the goaltending should be the strongest we've had in a number of years.

And in the end this will probably be the deciding factor on whether this team has a chance at gold or not. We either after what seems like an eternity get well above average goaltending at this thing or we go home maybe without a medal of any color again.

I'm happy that so many people in the know are so confident in our guy between the pipes this year but frankly, until I actually see Hart or Ingram deliver the goods I am going to be skeptical. Just have had my heart broken too many times with our goalies at the junior level for so long now.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Yeah definitely happy abut the goaltending. Hart is really solid, and should start every game besides for maybe the token give the backup a game against probably Latvia.

Team probably slightly weaker than usual but goaltending alone could make it better than usual

 

[snipes]

And in the end this will probably be the deciding factor on whether this team has a chance at gold or not. We either after what seems like an eternity get well above average goaltending at this thing or we go home maybe without a medal of any color again.

I'm happy that so many people in the know are so confident in our guy between the pipes this year but frankly, until I actually see Hart or Ingraham deliver the goods I am going to be skeptical. Just have had my heart broken too many times with our goalies at the junior level for so long now.

I was just thinking about our goaltending, it's something that hasn't been overly discussed, we'll need them to be at their best to get Gold.

Hart is the real deal, he's also composed and takes the game very seriously. He works hard in the offseason at improving his game, he'll need to be our best player.

We're somewhat underdogs here, and I love Canadian teams when we go in underdogs. When our backs are against the wall, Canadians bring their best. We've seen it over and over again. There seems to be a good buzz around this team to want to be the best and buying into a team first mentality.

Last year it was all about Marner-Strome and you could tell they were more interested in talking about their NHL futures rather than focusing on representing Canada. Team first above all, I think Ducharme is doing a good job mentally preparing these kids. They need to attack wave after wave relentlessly, every shift.

This is Junior hockey, mental advantages matter far more at this level than at the pro level. There is no reason we can't win Gold and defend our game on our soil. These guys will have to fight tooth and nail for it and play with a sense purpose and togetherness to take what is ours.

 

[jj cale]

I was just thinking about our goaltending, it's something that hasn't been overly discussed, we'll need them to be at their best to get Gold.

Hart is the real deal, he's also composed and takes the game very seriously. He works hard in the offseason at improving his game, he'll need to be our best player.

We're somewhat underdogs here, and I love Canadian teams when we go in underdogs. When our backs are against the wall, Canadians bring their best. We've seen it over and over again. There seems to be a good buzz around this team to want to be the best and buying into a team first mentality.

Last year it was all about Marner-Strome and you could tell they were more interested in talking about their NHL futures rather than focusing on representing Canada. Team first above all, I think Ducharme is doing a good job mentally preparing these kids. They need to attack wave after wave relentlessly, every shift.

This is Junior hockey, mental advantages matter far more at this level than at the pro level. There is no reason we can't win Gold and defend our game on our soil. These guys will have to fight tooth and nail for it and play with a sense purpose and togetherness to take what is ours.

You nailed it here, at least for me.

Fight tooth and nail......................period.

I am really starting to dig my teeth into and get a good feeling about this team due to that underdog label and feel of this team, i love that **** for our teams, it's a nice change and challenge.

As for Hart, I love what you and everyone seems to think about him, a goalie like that is long overdue. But until I see it on the ice and in the big games......................................

Consistent rock solid work and saves under big pressure is what I am looking for, not words and press clippings.

Sick and Tired of having to close my eyes when any shot from just about anywhere is launched at our goalies at this tournament.

Can't take it anymore. This year it's got to change.

 

[PecnoTrunk]

Coaching was abysmal. Over-relying on little Joe, insisting on Strome-Marner together and just overall dumb choices.

The guys deserve blame though for last years performance, our 19 year olds didn't step up. We played like a soft Euro style team and lacked the heart and soul Canadian style hockey. It was disgusting.

Hello all

I need some comforting ... i dont know much about this team except they have good skating PMD and i really cant remember anything good of last years team i also dont remember the forwards of last year....

having said all this, i looked over the stats of our current roster and because of the smaller ice, i see that the players arent monsters but are not tiny either

so...can you guys tell me if this team will be hard to play against in the corners or will they try to skate like a euroteam ? will they be pushed off the puck? have they broken the 2010,2014,2016 olympic template where puck possession was a must??

analysis please

thanks all

 

[snipes]

Hello all

I need some comforting ... i dont know much about this team except they have good skating PMD and i really cant remember anything good of last years team i also dont remember the forwards of last year....

having said all this, i looked over the stats of our current roster and because of the smaller ice, i see that the players arent monsters but are not tiny either

so...can you guys tell me if this team will be hard to play against in the corners or will they try to skate like a euroteam ? will they be pushed off the puck? have they broken the 2010,2014,2016 olympic template where puck possession was a must??

analysis please

thanks all

Lots of uncertainty still, this isn't the best team on paper, isn't the worst either. Goaltending should be strong. By our standards, this is an average team/slightly below average Canadian team on paper. But that means nothing, our standards are different than other countries and we've won Gold with lesser teams. There's more than enough talent top to bottom here.

I think we'll need to see more action before we know for sure the exact style of play. I hope we don't try to skate around like a Euro team. Ducharme seems to be well entrenched in the Canadian way. Heavy, relentless forecheck and hard on the puck, non-stop compete every shift. This isn't necessarily the most physical team, but they seem to be hard on the forecheck battling for pucks.

I think this is more of a workman and blue collar type team. No real off the charts skill players, good skaters all around. The success of this team will come down to them all buying in and playing a team game the Canadian way. Wave after wave of relentless attack, not trying to be pretty or playing a Euro style game. If we play our heart and soul game this team has a chance at Gold.

Ducharme seems to be building a team first attitude with these guys which I like. Add in strong goaltending and we can compete for Gold.

 

[86Habs]

Hello all

I need some comforting ... i dont know much about this team except they have good skating PMD and i really cant remember anything good of last years team i also dont remember the forwards of last year....

having said all this, i looked over the stats of our current roster and because of the smaller ice, i see that the players arent monsters but are not tiny either

so...can you guys tell me if this team will be hard to play against in the corners or will they try to skate like a euroteam ? will they be pushed off the puck? have they broken the 2010,2014,2016 olympic template where puck possession was a must??

analysis please

thanks all

Personally I think they'll be a difficult team to play against. There will be a good level of skill up and down the lineup...certainly not as much skill as the 2015 team, and probably not as much as last year's team either. I really liked Groulx's approach in 2015 of 3 scoring + 1 heavy puck possession line, but the players to implement such an approach weren't necessarily available to Ducharme this year.

There is a good amount of size as well. Strome & Raddysh are big guys at the junior level who can employ a good puck possession game, which Jost should compliment well. Roy, Dubois, Gauthier and McLeod are big boys, while guys like Joseph and Stephens have some sandpaper to their game.

If there is a potential weakness, it could be scoring. Over-reliance on the Strome and Barzal lines for production is potentially a concern. I would have liked to have seen more game-breaking ability lower in the lineup. However, Ducharme is a good coach who should be able to deploy his players to the best of their abilities and strengths.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Coaching was abysmal. Over-relying on little Joe, insisting on Strome-Marner together and just overall dumb choices.

The guys deserve blame though for last years performance, our 19 year olds didn't step up. We played like a soft Euro style team and lacked the heart and soul Canadian style hockey. It was disgusting.

And not giving Konecny a bigger role.

 

[snipes]

And not giving Konecny a bigger role.

Another of the grievances from many of us. He was the only one at times playing with heart and soul. 5'10 175 pound Konecny was a beast and sacrificing his body laying big hits every chance he could.

He would have been the captain this year if he was back.

 

[TimeZone]

Didn't really see this year's team as a serious contender for gold. but even less now with Steel and Girard cut.

But, we'll see how it goes. If HC blows this one, there'll be lots of ammo for me to do what I do best - ***** and complain about HC bureaucrats.
Hopefully our goaltending and some inspired play can pull off the impossible like the Vancouver '06 team. I didn't give that team much of a shot either.

You should probably take a look at other teams rosters. This Tournament is pretty damn weak all around for most teams.

 

[Tripod]

I actually like that there is not any superstars on this team. Too often, the coach tries to rely on them too much at the expense of others....who most are great players on their teams too.

We need a fast skating, hard hitting, lunchbox team that the fans love. Use the emotion the crowd gives to fuel the team.

11 days....

 

[TimeZone]

Sure could've used Steel and Girard....

 

[SNMU]

Speers over Steel? Lets hope that doesn't come back to bit us in the ass

 

[Novak Djokovic]

Can McDavid skip few Oilers games and play for Team Canada?

 

[Striiker]

Don't think is about his size , hope not . 2016 defensemen have to move puck and beat F1 for be dominate #1 . Girard is that type of player , he's dominante in is way to play . Don't know why is cut .

Not a group of power-foward but have some big guys at forwards and some intense player . For know Ducharme , Canada will be in face , with a aggressive forecheck .

At D , like i say all defensemen can move puck but all Left D is more offensive and Right D more safe so we have 3 duo equilibrated . All D is mobile and have a good first pass , no Morin or Reinhart here . Interesting team

You've clearly never watched Morin play.