WC: 2017 Team Canada

[xxxx]

Updated my "dream" roster up front:

Duchene - McDavid - Stamkos
O'Reilly - Tavares - Marner
Hall - Scheifele - MacKinnon
Monahan - Johansen - Stone

please. I say that 11 of these players are doable.

 

[Eye of Ra]

With current NHL-Standings:

Jamie Benn - Mark Scheifele - Tyler Seguin
Taylor Hall - Ryan O'Reilly - Matt Duchene
Jeff Skinner - Nathan Mackinnon - Jonathan Drouin
Tanner Pearson - Jeff Carter - Tyler Toffoli

Jake Muzzin - PK Subban
Calvin De Haan - Tyson Barrie
Thomas Chabot - Aaron Ekblad

Cam Ward
Mike Smith

I don't think locks to the Olympics like Stamkos, Doughty, Tavares etc will show up.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Thought it was time to give this thread a bump. It has been dormant for a few weeks...

but with Hitchcock being pink slipped in St. Louis, Hockey Canada should be on the blower to see if he wants a shot at coaching TC this spring in Paris...it would be a better option than Dave Tippett and him bringing along 4 too many Arizona players. + there's the added bonus, if the NHL takes a pass on next year's Olympics, Hockey Canada could offer him the Olympic gig.



updated roster coming soon. as always an optimistic one.

 

[JackSlater]

Thought it was time to give this thread a bump. It has been dormant for a few weeks...

but with Hitchcock being pink slipped in St. Louis, Hockey Canada should be on the blower to see if he wants a shot at coaching TC this spring in Paris...it would be a better option than Dave Tippett and him bringing along 4 too many Arizona players. + there's the added bonus, if the NHL takes a pass on next year's Olympics, Hockey Canada could offer him the Olympic gig.

updated roster coming soon. as always an optimistic one.

No Hitchcock. He's probably the best assistant coach Canada has ever had internationally (3/3 in Olympics, arguably the most arduous gold in Canadian WJC history) but I've hated his World Championship work. His sit back and protect the lead strategy in 2008 is pretty much the only thing I remember from that tournament and was what cost Canada the win, and his 2011 team performed terribly. If the team skews young, which is likely, his issues become even more pronounced.

 

[1Gold Standard]

No Hitchcock. He's probably the best assistant coach Canada has ever had internationally (3/3 in Olympics, arguably the most arduous gold in Canadian WJC history) but I've hated his World Championship work. His sit back and protect the lead strategy in 2008 is pretty much the only thing I remember from that tournament and was what cost Canada the win, and his 2011 team performed terribly. If the team skews young, which is likely, his issues become even more pronounced.

Ya sure, but I don't see a whole lot of better options out there. I don't believe any of last year's assistants will be available...and can't say I'd be thrilled at Cameron ever getting another head coach gig with Hockey Canada ever again. talk about 3rd period collapses. and don't think Peters will want to come back, as this gig seems to be one and done and next. but if he wants it...then sure.

Other options would be Dejardines or Maurice.

 

[JackSlater]

Ya sure, but I don't see a whole lot of better options out there. I don't believe any of last year's assistants will be available...and can't say I'd be thrilled at Cameron ever getting another head coach gig with Hockey Canada ever again. talk about 3rd period collapses. and don't think Peters will want to come back, as this gig seems to be one and done and next. but if he wants it...then sure.

Other options would be Dejardines or Maurice.

Not interested in Cameron or Dejardins. Maurice would be okay though. In general I would rather give someone new a chance than go for Hitchcock, who has not impressed as a head coach for Canada and probably has little future left in head coaching. Most of the good Canadian coaches all seem to be in the playoffs for now. They should try for Peters again, who seems to be one of the best new coaches in the NHL, or Boucher if Ottawa drops out. Julien would be ok if Boston pulls that trigger.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Not interested in Cameron or Dejardins. Maurice would be okay though. In general I would rather give someone new a chance than go for Hitchcock, who has not impressed as a head coach for Canada and probably has little future left in head coaching. Most of the good Canadian coaches all seem to be in the playoffs for now. They should try for Peters again, who seems to be one of the best new coaches in the NHL, or Boucher if Ottawa drops out. Julien would be ok if Boston pulls that trigger.

Ya, makes sense.

on to better news. Huberdeau returned from IR finally and netted a goal in his 1st. game of the season. If he closes out the season strong, and depending on 1st. rd. playoff exits, he could have some gas in the tank to play in May. That would be good to see. But we are looking pretty stacked at available LWers at the moment, Hall, Skinner and Drouin. But a 4th. line of Huberdeau Horvat Smith might be okay...not ideal, but would do in a pinch. I'd prefer to see Schwartz for now, but St. Louis just might get its act together and make a run.

 

[JackSlater]

Ya, makes sense.

on to better news. Huberdeau returned from IR finally and netted a goal in his 1st. game of the season. If he closes out the season strong, and depending on 1st. rd. playoff exits, he could have some gas in the tank to play in May. That would be good to see. But we are looking pretty stacked at available LWers at the moment, Hall, Skinner and Drouin. But a 4th. line of Huberdeau Horvat Smith might be okay...not ideal, but would do in a pinch. I'd prefer to see Schwartz for now, but St. Louis just might get its act together and make a run.

Players like Huberdeau and Skinner are probably the best bets. Young guys who didn't play in the NHL's World Cup. It is difficult to predict who will accept the invitation though.

 

[Mehar]

No Hitchcock. He's probably the best assistant coach Canada has ever had internationally (3/3 in Olympics, arguably the most arduous gold in Canadian WJC history) but I've hated his World Championship work. His sit back and protect the lead strategy in 2008 is pretty much the only thing I remember from that tournament and was what cost Canada the win, and his 2011 team performed terribly. If the team skews young, which is likely, his issues become even more pronounced.

I agree- give someone other than Hitchcock a chance. The team will be likely younger, so i will pass in Hitchcock if i were Hockey Canada.

 

[xxxx]

I agree- give someone other than Hitchcock a chance. The team will be likely younger, so i will pass in Hitchcock if i were Hockey Canada.

If Hitchcock is available I don't see a reason why not him. He's a great coach and has experience with this tournament and is very well respected. Give "those others" a chance different time, when there is not someone like him.

 

[JackSlater]

If Hitchcock is available I don't see a reason why not him. He's a great coach and has experience with this tournament and is very well respected. Give "those others" a chance different time, when there is not someone like him.

His history is a reason, as already stated. His coaching decisions were the main factor in Canada losing the 2008 gold game with a pretty good team, and his 2011 team played terribly. He is also known to not be all that good with young players, and this team is very likely to be young.

 

[thecedex]

So with the current NHL Standings and possible roster does anyone think team Canada can make it to the Semi-Finals? I'd rather see the team play in Cologne (since I am staying near there) and for sure Canada will have some stiffer competition in that round.

 

[xxxx]

So with the current NHL Standings and possible roster does anyone think team Canada can make it to the Semi-Finals? I'd rather see the team play in Cologne (since I am staying near there) and for sure Canada will have some stiffer competition in that round.

I think this team will be the gold-medal favourite no matter who's on the roster. In the best case scenario it will be team comparable or better than 2015, in the worst case scenario it will still be a co-favourite at the very least.

 

[JackSlater]

I think this team will be the gold-medal favourite no matter who's on the roster. In the best case scenario it will be team comparable or better than 2015, in the worst case scenario it will still be a co-favourite at the very least.

It takes some interesting mental gymnastics to conclude that the any team will be the favourite regardless of who the actual players are. I guess the other teams will just give up.

 

[xxxx]

It takes some interesting mental gymnastics to conclude that the any team will be the favourite regardless of who the actual players are. I guess the other teams will just give up.

Of course not any team, but I simply believe that realistically the team will be strong and won't be any worse than the one last year. Maybe some top players won't be going, but it still will be enough to be the favourite.

 

[JackSlater]

Of course not any team, but I simply believe that realistically the team will be strong and won't be any worse than the one last year. Maybe some top players won't be going, but it still will be enough to be the favourite.

It's possible, but I will wait and see. If the NHL doesn't participate in the Olympics then this could be a pretty weak year, but it's difficult to say now. One thing I will say is that most people vastly underrate the Canadian entry at this tournament each year. Canada's team is usually far from its best, but so are the American, Swedish and Finnish teams pretty much every year.

 

[jj cale]

A good thing is that the chance to 3 peat may be a pretty good selling point for Hockey Canada to throw at the players. It is not as good as a possible olympic team berth is but it's not bad. A persuasive G.M could use this to his advantage.

Not every day you get to win three times in a row at this thing. I know if I was in that position that is something I would focus on when talking to the players.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Not interested in Cameron or Dejardins. Maurice would be okay though. In general I would rather give someone new a chance than go for Hitchcock, who has not impressed as a head coach for Canada and probably has little future left in head coaching. Most of the good Canadian coaches all seem to be in the playoffs for now. They should try for Peters again, who seems to be one of the best new coaches in the NHL, or Boucher if Ottawa drops out. Julien would be ok if Boston pulls that trigger.

and trigger pulled.

could be interesting...although my guess is he finds another NHL gig rather quickly.

 

[xxxx]

This is a team I would LOVE to see.

Jeff Skinner - Connor McDavid - Mark Scheifele (primary scoring line, would certainly get a lot of points)
Jonathan Drouin - Nathan MacKinnon - Mitch Marner (secondary scoring line, amazing skill and speed)
Bo Horvat - Nazem Kadri - Sam Reinhart (shut-down line)
Sam Bennett - Nolan Patrick - Anthony Mantha (4th line that would get 7-12 minutes per game depending on game situations)
Matthew Barzal/Dylan Strome/Lawson Crouse (would get 4-6 minutes per game)

Darnell Nurse - P.K. Subban (top elite pairing, it gives Nurse the older mentor and also experience in important moments)
Morgan Rielly - Dougie Hamilton (Rielly in second pairing to spread the power, also not a bad pair)
Michael Matheson - Damon Severson (pretty solid 3rd pair that would give 12-15 minutes per game to each defensemen)
Thomas Chabot/Jacob Chychrun (would get 5-10 minutes per game depending on how well they do)

possibly one of Murray/Allen/Jones, Pickard, a junior goalie

PP lines:
MacKinnon - McDavid - Scheifele - Drouin - Subban
Skinner - Kadri - Marner - Rielly - Hamilton
- two pretty good PP lines

PK lines:
Kadri - Reinhart - Nurse - Subban
Horvat - Scheifele - Rielly - Hamilton
(players like McDavid, MacKinnon, Patrick, Bennett, Crouse, Strome could handle a few SH minutes too)


Crazy that the average age must be around 21-22 years, still the team is looking good. In my opinion it would be great great for development of those players. It would give them a taste of pretty good international competition, the experience of tough, tight, intense game situations, etc. Quite honestly, I would really want to see a team like that for once.

The good news is, even this team could easilywin the tournament, and the even better news is, the team that will be in France this year will almost certainly be stronger so there is something to be excited about.

 

[Bear12Good]

This is a team I would LOVE to see.

Jeff Skinner - Connor McDavid - Mark Scheifele (primary scoring line, would certainly get a lot of points)
Jonathan Drouin - Nathan MacKinnon - Mitch Marner (secondary scoring line, amazing skill and speed)
Bo Horvat - Nazem Kadri - Sam Reinhart (shut-down line)
Sam Bennett - Nolan Patrick - Anthony Mantha (4th line that would get 7-12 minutes per game depending on game situations)
Matthew Barzal/Dylan Strome/Lawson Crouse (would get 4-6 minutes per game)

Darnell Nurse - P.K. Subban (top elite pairing, it gives Nurse the older mentor and also experience in important moments)
Morgan Rielly - Dougie Hamilton (Rielly in second pairing to spread the power, also not a bad pair)
Michael Matheson - Damon Severson (pretty solid 3rd pair that would give 12-15 minutes per game to each defensemen)
Thomas Chabot/Jacob Chychrun (would get 5-10 minutes per game depending on how well they do)

possibly one of Murray/Allen/Jones, Pickard, a junior goalie

PP lines:
MacKinnon - McDavid - Scheifele - Drouin - Subban
Skinner - Kadri - Marner - Rielly - Hamilton
- two pretty good PP lines

PK lines:
Kadri - Reinhart - Nurse - Subban
Horvat - Scheifele - Rielly - Hamilton
(players like McDavid, MacKinnon, Patrick, Bennett, Crouse, Strome could handle a few SH minutes too)


Crazy that the average age must be around 21-22 years, still the team is looking good. In my opinion it would be great great for development of those players. It would give them a taste of pretty good international competition, the experience of tough, tight, intense game situations, etc. Quite honestly, I would really want to see a team like that for once.

The good news is, even this team could easilywin the tournament, and the even better news is, the team that will be in France this year will almost certainly be stronger so there is something to be excited about.

Too young team
I think can add some veterans like SPEZZA or STAAL/Benn

 

[1Gold Standard]

This is a team I would LOVE to see.

Jeff Skinner - Connor McDavid - Mark Scheifele (primary scoring line, would certainly get a lot of points)
Jonathan Drouin - Nathan MacKinnon - Mitch Marner (secondary scoring line, amazing skill and speed)
Bo Horvat - Nazem Kadri - Sam Reinhart (shut-down line)
Sam Bennett - Nolan Patrick - Anthony Mantha (4th line that would get 7-12 minutes per game depending on game situations)
Matthew Barzal/Dylan Strome/Lawson Crouse (would get 4-6 minutes per game)

Darnell Nurse - P.K. Subban (top elite pairing, it gives Nurse the older mentor and also experience in important moments)
Morgan Rielly - Dougie Hamilton (Rielly in second pairing to spread the power, also not a bad pair)
Michael Matheson - Damon Severson (pretty solid 3rd pair that would give 12-15 minutes per game to each defensemen)
Thomas Chabot/Jacob Chychrun (would get 5-10 minutes per game depending on how well they do)

possibly one of Murray/Allen/Jones, Pickard, a junior goalie

PP lines:
MacKinnon - McDavid - Scheifele - Drouin - Subban
Skinner - Kadri - Marner - Rielly - Hamilton
- two pretty good PP lines

PK lines:
Kadri - Reinhart - Nurse - Subban
Horvat - Scheifele - Rielly - Hamilton
(players like McDavid, MacKinnon, Patrick, Bennett, Crouse, Strome could handle a few SH minutes too)


Crazy that the average age must be around 21-22 years, still the team is looking good. In my opinion it would be great great for development of those players. It would give them a taste of pretty good international competition, the experience of tough, tight, intense game situations, etc. Quite honestly, I would really want to see a team like that for once.

The good news is, even this team could easilywin the tournament, and the even better news is, the team that will be in France this year will almost certainly be stronger so there is something to be excited about.

That team skews way too young and inexperienced for my liking with way too many junior and junior aged players.

re: D-corp. Nurse hasn't played in months and until we see him return from injury and play at a high level, I'd say a big fat NO to him....but if he returns and plays well and is available, then I'm not opposed to him being there as a 3rd. pairing guy with an experienced partner...a Chriss Tanev sort of guy. certainly not as a Number 1 big minutes backbone of the D type guy.

another thing, I've never liked Rielly and Hamilton when they played together in the past. same thing applies. If Hamilton is available then so too is Giordano, and if Olympics is still an option for NHLers, then Mark should really get his ass to Paris.

The WHC is just for ***** and giggles I know...but the ***** and giggles are a lot better when you win it. Your roster doesn't have much of a chance at winning it imo.

I have no interest in seeing Dylan Strome at the WHC until he is at least a 30 goal scorer in the NHL. if that day ever comes. It was bad enough watching him drag his lazy feet around on N. American ice at the WJHC.

 

[Jarey Curry]

I hope he doesn't, but understandable if he does. He's answered the call 3 out of the last 4 years to go along with something of a dis for a World Cup team...understandable if he puts Hockey Canada's phone number on ignore this spring and doesn't respond to whatever message they leave for him.

but, welcome to life as a Canadian hockey player. There have been better players excluded from Team Canada A-Teams in the past at a young age. So, don't get all high and mighty, Taylor.

If he wants a full summer off to recover and train, then he's earned that right. God Bless. Thanks for the 2 gold medals.

I'm almost ready to give a resurgent Jeff Skinner another shot at LW. Even though he's not one of my favorites, he's pretty much in the Strome family and Corey Perry group of players...

but he seems to be over his injuries and is playing some decent hockey...so, Skinner is an option and a decent replacement for the WHC should Taylor decline.

I'm currently working on my WHC roster for Paris, it includes both Hall and Skinner.

Honest question. Are there actually any players in the real world that have been like "I got turned down once from a potential gold medal so now I dont even wanna try for a gold medal anymore" type of player/players? I cannot believe that... Although one was pretty nasty when Yzerman didn't pick St. Louis.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Honest question. Are there actually any players in the real world that have been like "I got turned down once from a potential gold medal so now I dont even wanna try for a gold medal anymore" type of player/players? I cannot believe that... Although one was pretty nasty when Yzerman didn't pick St. Louis.

Well, there was Brett Hull who got spurned by Hockey Canada, threw a hissy fit and decided to take his skates and stick and play for the U.S. instead. Lucky for him he managed a gold medal in '96.

There have been other instances where players had little or no interest in playing internationally, whether or not they were spurned once and said the hell with it, or just couldn't be bothered with the trappings of international play. Adam Oates would be one example, he hated international play.

 

[xxxx]

That team skews way too young and inexperienced for my liking with way too many junior and junior aged players.

re: D-corp. Nurse hasn't played in months and until we see him return from injury and play at a high level, I'd say a big fat NO to him....but if he returns and plays well and is available, then I'm not opposed to him being there as a 3rd. pairing guy with an experienced partner...a Chriss Tanev sort of guy. certainly not as a Number 1 big minutes backbone of the D type guy.

another thing, I've never liked Rielly and Hamilton when they played together in the past. same thing applies. If Hamilton is available then so too is Giordano, and if Olympics is still an option for NHLers, then Mark should really get his ass to Paris.

The WHC is just for ***** and giggles I know...but the ***** and giggles are a lot better when you win it. Your roster doesn't have much of a chance at winning it imo.

I have no interest in seeing Dylan Strome at the WHC until he is at least a 30 goal scorer in the NHL. if that day ever comes. It was bad enough watching him drag his lazy feet around on N. American ice at the WJHC.

I would like to see such a team though.

If the NHL goes, and the teams who are out of the plyoffs now, are out of the playoffs then, + some aquisitions from the playoffs, this I think could be realistic, very strong roster:

John Tavares - Connor McDavid - Mark Scheifele
Taylor Hall - Claude Giroux - Wayne Simmonds
Matt Duchene - Ryan O'Reilly - Mark Stone
Jonathan Drouin - Nazem Kadri - Nathan MacKinnon
Mitch Marner

Mark Giordano - P.K. Subban
Jake Muzzin - Kris Letang
Morgan Rielly - Travis Hamonic
Colton Parayko

Martin Jones, Steve Mason, Calvin Pickard


A team like this could even exceed the one from 2015. If the olympics are a thing, and players get also attracted by Paris, I seriously think it is possible.

 

[Bear12Good]

I would like to see such a team though.

If the NHL goes, and the teams who are out of the plyoffs now, are out of the playoffs then, + some aquisitions from the playoffs, this I think could be realistic, very strong roster:

John Tavares - Connor McDavid - Mark Scheifele
Taylor Hall - Claude Giroux - Wayne Simmonds
Matt Duchene - Ryan O'Reilly - Mark Stone
Jonathan Drouin - Nazem Kadri - Nathan MacKinnon
Mitch Marner

Mark Giordano - P.K. Subban
Jake Muzzin - Kris Letang
Morgan Rielly - Travis Hamonic
Colton Parayko

Martin Jones, Steve Mason, Calvin Pickard


A team like this could even exceed the one from 2015. If the olympics are a thing, and players get also attracted by Paris, I seriously think it is possible.

Best scenario


Jamie Benn- Connor McDavid - Tyler Seguin
Steven Stamkos(if recover)-John Tavares-Mark Scheifele
Taylor Hall - Claude Giroux - Wayne Simmonds
Matt Duchene - Ryan O'Reilly -Jeff Carter
Nathan MacKinnon

Mark Stone
Mitch Marner

Mark Giordano - P.K. Subban
Jake Muzzin -Drew Daughty (Triple gold club)
Kris Letang-Morgan Rielly

Travis Hamonic
Colton Parayko