WC: 2017 Team Canada - Part II

[snipes]

What a gutsy win today.

 

[TruePowerSlave]

This season had much more to do with Bednar than Sakic. The roster wasn't all that different from the one that finished 21st the season before. Bednar couldn't adapt to the team he was given.

Don't get me wrong Bednar was way over his head and should have been axed yesterday. However, the Avs have a deeply flawed roster with a weak D, no depth at offence, lack of goalscorers among many things and top of that quite possibly the worst coaching staff in the NHL. That is all on Sakic, he has created the team and hired or resigned masterminds like Tim Army and Bednar. This season has everything to do with Sakic.

The Avs would be a better team if Sakic had not made a single trade or big ticket UFA signing during his tenure as a GM but instead just resigned the players worth keeping and drafted well.

 

[Voight]

3 straight Gold Medal games... very impressive considering we don't always have our best players playing and we had that stretch from 2010-2014 where we didn't win **** at the WHC.

From 2007-2009 we went Gold/Silver/Silver... lets try and make it 3x Gold this time

 

[NyQuil]

3 straight Gold Medal games... very impressive considering we don't always have our best players playing and we had that stretch from 2010-2014 where we didn't win **** at the WHC.

From 2007-2009 we went Gold/Silver/Silver... lets try and make it 3x Gold this time

All of the teams don't have their best players playing.

 

[JackSlater]

That was a good job by Canada. Russia was better for most of the game but Canada applied pressure when needed. Pickard was pretty good too, so credit to him. I don't think that Canada's system is as effective as it has been the last two tournaments, but they players stepped up when needed. It was good to see Scheifele score too. I still think he's been a bit disappointing, but he's improved as the games are becoming more important.

I was surprised that MacKinnon was not picked as one of the three top players for Canada. I would have gone O'Reilly (best player) MacKinnon and Marner/Vlasic.

 

[jj cale]

That was a good job by Canada. Russia was better for most of the game but Canada applied pressure when needed. Pickard was pretty good too, so credit to him. I don't think that Canada's system is as effective as it has been the last two tournaments, but they players stepped up when needed. It was good to see Scheifele score too. I still think he's been a bit disappointing, but he's improved as the games are becoming more important.

I was surprised that MacKinnon was not picked as one of the three top players for Canada. I would have gone O'Reilly (best player) MacKinnon and Marner/Vlasic.

Was happy with Capt Pickard today, no complaints.

He was my main worry going in but he acquitted himself quite well.

 

[snipes]

Was happy with Capt Pickard today, no complaints.

He was my main worry going in but he acquitted himself quite well.

He made a couple big saves on odd man rushes in the 2nd. We could have been down by more than 2 after the 2nd.

When we play the Canadian way like we did in the 3rd, it is very difficult for any country to handle. Our forecheck was fast and relentless in the 3rd, when we get rolling wave after wave with non-stop pressure it wears teams down.

Great game.

 

[jj cale]

He made a couple big saves on odd man rushes in the 2nd. We could have been down by more than 2 after the 2nd.

When we play the Canadian way like we did in the 3rd, it is very difficult for any country to handle. Our forecheck was fast and relentless in the 3rd, when we get rolling wave after wave with non-stop pressure it wears teams down.

Great game.

Biggest test tomorrow, Swedens defense know how to move that puck. The forwards might not be mind blowing but they have Nylander popping and some dangerous guys who can hurt you and you can be sure the d-men know how to get them the puck. They have Hank backstopping them too, but I really believe we can get to him if we can get guys in front and make life miserable for him.

Should be a real good game.

 

[Get North]

I've been really impressed with the 3 young guys on the team. We already have a good idea of what most of the guys will bring to a national team, but Konecny, Point and Marner are showing they can play on big ice and be more effective players than some of the bigger names on the team. These guys are possible energy guys on an Olympic team because of their speed and intensity

We can win tomorrow, I like our chances against the Swedes than the Russians at every level regardless of what type of level the team is. The Swedes don't like how we play or want to play us. We can beat them.

 

[JackSlater]

Was happy with Capt Pickard today, no complaints.

He was my main worry going in but he acquitted himself quite well.

Yes, other than the Switzerland game you can't really complain about Pickard.

I've been really impressed with the 3 young guys on the team. We already have a good idea of what most of the guys will bring to a national team, but Konecny, Point and Marner are showing they can play on big ice and be more effective players than some of the bigger names on the team. These guys are possible energy guys on an Olympic team because of their speed and intensity

We can win tomorrow, I like our chances against the Swedes than the Russians at every level regardless of what type of level the team is. The Swedes don't like how we play or want to play us. We can beat them.

I think that Point hurt something last week, but yes those guys have been good. The performances of those guys and MacKinnon, plus the experience they've gained, have made me view this tournament as a success already. It's good to be able to get reps for young players at this level. Winning tomorrow would be better, but I'm already satisfied.

You bring up an interesting point about Sweden. Stylistically they tend to struggle with Canada. On the other hand, they have the strongest defence this tournament has seen in a very long time and probably have Canada beat on talent. It will be interesting to see if that defence gets rattled by the Canadian forecheck. Should be another good game.

Also, if there actually was a best on best tournament to prepare for I think that O'Reilly and MacKinnon would really be boosting their cases. MacKinnon would still be a longshot, but I would like O'Reilly for either the defensive LW or 13th forward.

 

[Guardian17]

Can't wait for tomorrow's Final.

 

[Get North]

Yes, other than the Switzerland game you can't really complain about Pickard.



I think that Point hurt something last week, but yes those guys have been good. The performances of those guys and MacKinnon, plus the experience they've gained, have made me view this tournament as a success already. It's good to be able to get reps for young players at this level. Winning tomorrow would be better, but I'm already satisfied.

You bring up an interesting point about Sweden. Stylistically they tend to struggle with Canada. On the other hand, they have the strongest defence this tournament has seen in a very long time and probably have Canada beat on talent. It will be interesting to see if that defence gets rattled by the Canadian forecheck. Should be another good game.

Also, if there actually was a best on best tournament to prepare for I think that O'Reilly and MacKinnon would really be boosting their cases. MacKinnon would still be a longshot, but I would like O'Reilly for either the defensive LW or 13th forward.

That's what I thought going into the World Cup especially since we had some players cut off from the U23 team. Somehow, Thornton, Couture got on the team which I didn't agree with. O'Reilly was coming off 2 excellent WC's in 2015 and 2016 which made the decision even harder to understand. I feel like O'Reilly boosted his case enough the last 2 years. He's a quality two-way/defensive player who can support an offensive line or create a shutdown/energy line at the best-on-best level for sure.

 

[snipes]

O'Reilly will be on the Team Canada at the next best on best tournament. If the NHLers were to go in 2018, I had him on my roster.

 

[llwyd]

I don't think that Canada's system is as effective as it has been the last two tournaments,

I absolutely agree with this. That 2015 team was one of the best EVER - amazing high speed, high skill hockey while maintaining perfect balance and discipline. That sort of domination I last saw with the Soviet Union... And 2016 team was not far behind. This year's Canada is quite a bit more "ordinary" in the sense that it really doesn't control the puck as much and is more conventional and slower for many stretches of the games. But they have flashes of brilliance too.

 

[Scotty B]

Losing Tyson Barrie ( a BIG LOSS! )made this team more vanilla than it otherwise would have been...Last year's team was better...and 2015 team was light year's better...

Still crushing all comers , a la 2015, was never expected ...Just WIN BAByyy

Maybe Swede D is marginally better, on paper, plus their goalie is better...But our forward depth is a Big Plus...Plus , stylistically, Swedes have never matched up well vs Canada...

Historically, in do or die games, Swedes have displayed an emotional fragility vs Canada...seems to be some mysterious mental block?

No reason to expect anything other than same old, same old, in GMG =3 PEAT for Team Maple Leaf and MORE MISERY for 3 Crowns...

 

[snipes]

The Swedes have good D we'll have to play physical and fast on the forecheck on them. Use our board work advantage by keeping the play and cycle tight to the boards to wear out the Swedes. Dictate the style of play and play our style.

If we play the Canadian way we'll capture Gold. Relentless pace, wave after wave.

 

[grieves]

Just came to say that Marner is awesome.

 

[JackSlater]

That's what I thought going into the World Cup especially since we had some players cut off from the U23 team. Somehow, Thornton, Couture got on the team which I didn't agree with. O'Reilly was coming off 2 excellent WC's in 2015 and 2016 which made the decision even harder to understand. I feel like O'Reilly boosted his case enough the last 2 years. He's a quality two-way/defensive player who can support an offensive line or create a shutdown/energy line at the best-on-best level for sure.

Yep. Very good versatile player who can score 60 points in the NHL and in among the best defensive forwards in the world. Throw in his ability to play LW and his now ample experience with the larger ice and he looks like a great fit to me. I would easily take him over Couture for an international event, though I think Hockey Canada really does value playoff performance over international performance. With Thornton I think they just fell in love with his numbers. It's too bad that O'Reilly wasn't rewarded with a spot no that team.

I absolutely agree with this. That 2015 team was one of the best EVER - amazing high speed, high skill hockey while maintaining perfect balance and discipline. That sort of domination I last saw with the Soviet Union... And 2016 team was not far behind. This year's Canada is quite a bit more "ordinary" in the sense that it really doesn't control the puck as much and is more conventional and slower for many stretches of the games. But they have flashes of brilliance too.

Yes, that is what I see. This Canadian team is stylistically just a typical, kind of generic team Canada. The 2015 team had great talent but even played above its talent level due to the aggressive system they had in place, particularly with the defencemen playing up high. They played nearly half of Russia's recent Olympic team and destroyed them. The 2016 team was really great defensively and kind of chocked the life out of the opposition, similar stylistically to the 2014 Canadian Olympic team. This team is doing well, and credit to them, but it is just the typical aggressive forecheck game that Canada usually plays.

In any event it would be nice to see Canada pull off the win today. I'll predict 4-2 Canada with a late goal from Duchene to seal the win.

 

[Bear12Good]

Offtop.
What do you think about KHL players in Russia roster? Many KHL players play good against Team Canada!
Gusev,Barabanov,Tkachev,Telegin,Dadonov,Gavrikov etc nhl level players or not?
Andronov play very good vs top nhl players like Simmonds)

 

[tony d]

Good comeback for Canada yesterday. Always good to see that.

 

[86Habs]

Yep. Very good versatile player who can score 60 points in the NHL and in among the best defensive forwards in the world. Throw in his ability to play LW and his now ample experience with the larger ice and he looks like a great fit to me. I would easily take him over Couture for an international event, though I think Hockey Canada really does value playoff performance over international performance. With Thornton I think they just fell in love with his numbers. It's too bad that O'Reilly wasn't rewarded with a spot no that team.

O'Reilly was on the World Cup team - he made it as an injury replacement for Seguin. He centered the 4th line for the entirety of the tournament, essentially playing over Giroux (who was initially named to the team). If there were a best-on-best in the next couple of years I would have no doubt we'd see ROR make the team.

 

[JackSlater]

Offtop.
What do you think about KHL players in Russia roster? Many KHL players play good against Team Canada!
Gusev,Barabanov,Tkachev,Telegin,Dadonov,Gavrikov etc nhl level players or not?
Andronov play very good vs top nhl players like Simmonds)

Gusev is definitely good enough to be a scoring line player in the NHL. Very good player. Dadonov we saw in the NHL, and while he is good enough in terms of talent his style doesn't fit the NHL. Most of those KHL players are talented enough, but their style might not fit the style of the NHL. I doubt that most of them would be stars or anything though.

O'Reilly was on the World Cup team - he made it as an injury replacement for Seguin. He centered the 4th line for the entirety of the tournament, essentially playing over Giroux (who was initially named to the team). If there were a best-on-best in the next couple of years I would have no doubt we'd see ROR make the team.

My mistake, I forgot about that. I am retroactively glad for O'Reilly then. I agree that he would be very likely on such a team. O'Reilly would kind of be a slightly lesser version of Bergeron. A smart player, not a tremendous skater, who could support as the defensive conscience of a scoring line (as O'Reilly has done at the last three WC tournaments) or function as the LW on Canada's matchup line. O'Reilly has gotten a lot of quality international reps over the last few years, it is unfortunate that it won't really pay off in a bigger way.

 

[Get North]

A loss in the shootouts in the gold medal game is good enough for me. This was a good tournament from the guys especially since we had a fairly weak defence and weak goaltenders. Pickard was great though, played well and give us a chance in every game.

All in all, didn't get the gold, but the guys played well and pushed a very strong Swedish team to the edge. IMO, we outplayed them even though it was close.

 

[JackSlater]

I can't really complain about that tournament. It was good to see the young guys play well, and Sweden was quite talented. Good learning experience for our players. Quite impressed with O'Reilly and MacKinnon. I was also glad to be wrong about Pickard, Marner and Parayko. Losing a coin flip with a young team is preferable to inexcusably blowing games with loaded teams like in 2008, 2012 and 2013.

 

[Critical13]

The PGT people are saying Marner should have been the 13th forward. Finishes the tournament 6th in points, playing the lowest TOI of anyone in the top 20, while also playing defence for Calvin the Haan half the tournament.