WC: 2017 Team Canada

[1Gold Standard]

Considering he didn't go in the most ideal situation imaginable in 2015, I won't believe Johansen is going until I see it. He's also a restricted free agent this summer, which really shouldn't matter that much but we've seen players cite that excuse when opting out before. Here is a list of the noteworthy RFAs:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/rfa-2017-restricted-free-agents-negotiations-johansen-horvat-draisaitl-pastrnak-kuznetsov-galchenyuk-sheary/

Noteworthy Canadians who may be targets for this tournament include Johansen, Drouin, Horvat and Parayko.

Ya, RFAs are always a minefield. so who knows. I've always liked the player, even though his attitude is frustrating as hell at times...and I'm not just talking about international play...dude likes his drama. no video tribute for me upon my return to Columbus?

I could see him doing a whole song and dance this year about how he'd really like to play, the whole spiel, but then cite his contractual status as a reason not to. Oh well, we shall see.

 

[xxxx]

Ya, RFAs are always a minefield. so who knows. I've always liked the player, even though his attitude is frustrating as hell at times...and I'm not just talking about international play...dude likes his drama. no video tribute for me upon my return to Columbus?

I could see him doing a whole song and dance this year about how he'd really like to play, the whole spiel, but then cite his contractual status as a reason not to. Oh well, we shall see.

I think that Kadri would be a good option, as a 3rd line center for example. He's having a great season, I would even consider him for canadian B team. He's been among the 12-13 best canadians in scoring the whole season + is a great two-way player. He was also interested in going last year (and went in 2014), and is signed with the Leafs for 3-4 years or something, so no problem here either. I think him and Marner would be great to get, depending on what forwards we have from those teams eliminated after regular season.

 

[1Gold Standard]

I think that Kadri would be a good option, as a 3rd line center for example. He's having a great season, I would even consider him for canadian B team. He's been among the 12-13 best canadians in scoring the whole season + is a great two-way player. He was also interested in going last year (and went in 2014), and is signed with the Leafs for 3-4 years or something, so no problem here either. I think him and Marner would be great to get, depending on what forwards we have from those teams eliminated after regular season.

I've included him in some of my roster mockups.

Did he go in 2014? I don't remember him. and checking in on his stats I see why I don't remember him. I may have to scratch his name off my wish list. 0 goals 3 helpers in 8 games. Terrible.

 

[JackSlater]

I've included him in some of my roster mockups.

Did he go in 2014? I don't remember him. and checking in on his stats I see why I don't remember him. I may have to scratch his name off my wish list. 0 goals 3 helpers in 8 games. Terrible.

Eh, that whole team was pathetic and Kadri has taken a bit of a leap in terms of his play since then. I wouldn't hold that underwhelming performance against him at all. He would likely be an asset to this team.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Eh, that whole team was pathetic and Kadri has taken a bit of a leap in terms of his play since then. I wouldn't hold that underwhelming performance against him at all. He would likely be an asset to this team.

a bit of a leap, I agree. I've watched him and the Leafs more than usual this year and I've liked his game, but in basic numbers/production...he's not that much better than he was in 2013-14. an uptick in goals and better 2-way game. Babcock effect.

2 years older...a tad bit more mature. If I was 60/40 in favor of him before being reminded of 2014, I'm 50/50 now.

and yes, that whole team was pathetic. 0 commitment. 0 motivation.

 

[Bear12Good]

How many players added in roster NT CANADA after first round SC?

 

[1Gold Standard]

as per a LeBrun tweet.

Hall says he'll skip the WHC this year. nursing injuries.

Good for him. He's done his part for the cause. He deserves a full summer off.

time for a few other of the international rookies to step up.

 

[JackSlater]

as per a LeBrun tweet.

Hall says he'll skip the WHC this year. nursing injuries.

Good for him. He's done his part for the cause. He deserves a full summer off.

time for a few other of the international rookies to step up.

Pretty early for these kind of updates. Anyway as you said, can't blame Hall.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Pretty early for these kind of updates. Anyway as you said, can't blame Hall.

If I were Hall, I'd get it out early just to avoid the guaranteed Hockey Canada April phone call. "Hallsie, you in again and go for a 3-peat? with what's gone on, my response wouldn't be pleasant and would probably end my international career right there.

 

[PecnoTrunk]

Pretty early for these kind of updates. Anyway as you said, can't blame Hall.

I don't blame him at all

He at least deserved to be at the WC him and subban

Anyways. Not bothered by his refusal. I wouldn't go either

 

[therealdeal]

a bit of a leap, I agree. I've watched him and the Leafs more than usual this year and I've liked his game, but in basic numbers/production...he's not that much better than he was in 2013-14. an uptick in goals and better 2-way game. Babcock effect.

2 years older...a tad bit more mature. If I was 60/40 in favor of him before being reminded of 2014, I'm 50/50 now.

and yes, that whole team was pathetic. 0 commitment. 0 motivation.

During the Olympics and World Cups we can be picky, but for the World Championships you can't be ignoring a 30 goal scorer because of a performance 3 years ago when he was essentially a rookie.

Kadri should get the invite and would help the team.

 

[1Gold Standard]

During the Olympics and World Cups we can be picky, but for the World Championships you can't be ignoring a 30 goal scorer because of a performance 3 years ago when he was essentially a rookie.

Kadri should get the invite and would help the team.

if he does, I won't object. If he doesn't, then I won't scream what the hell are they thinking?

all things being equal, I think I'd rather have Horvat as a 3rd. center. but I hoping Tavares and McDavid are my 1-2. but we'll see how rd. 1. goes. If McDavid pulls off a miracle and gets the Oilers past the 1st. rd, then Kadri is close. Leafs just may beat the Sens anyway. if that's the matchup.

 

[Bear12Good]

Hall big patriot for Canada.
He deserved rest after Hockey Canada snub him not inviting to Wcup16.

 

[JackSlater]

I don't blame him at all

He at least deserved to be at the WC him and subban

Anyways. Not bothered by his refusal. I wouldn't go either

It's not like he should have been a lock, but he's been to this tournament three of the last four years and has had two consecutive strong efforts. Indications also seem to be that Hockey Canada doesn't seem to rate him that highly on the depth chart, so it would have been pretty surprising for him to go. He's done his part at this point.

 

[jj cale]

If I were Hall, I'd get it out early just to avoid the guaranteed Hockey Canada April phone call. "Hallsie, you in again and go for a 3-peat? with what's gone on, my response wouldn't be pleasant and would probably end my international career right there.

I would never react this way in the same situation. We all know the depth that exists in Canadian hockey and a coaches preference is sometimes the difference between making it or not making it. I certainly would be dissapointed in not having been picked for the top of the line International Canadian team, especially after going to play in the 2nd rate worlds many times when so many stars beg off it but I would still want to represent my country and do all i could to help them win what is still considered a prestigious International tournament by many people. Hockey and it's history and part in the culture is an heirloom here and i would consider it my DUTY to do what I can to secure Canadian victory if I was asked to play. Perhaps this is not being kept in mind by many of our players. There are some things in life that are bigger then our egos and desires, I would consider this duty to be one of them.

Only way I would refuse is because of injury. I think all our players should see it that way.

 

[xxxx]

In the worse case, I expect a team like this, and it's still a pretty pretty good team.

Marchand - Scheifele - Stone
Monahan - MacKinnon - Simmonds
Schenn - Turris - S.Reinhart
Domi - Horvat - Mantha
Konecny

Muzzin - Subban
Murray - Parayko
De Haan - Severson
Chychrun

Smith/Mason, Pickard

 

[1Gold Standard]

A tad bit over optimistic this morning, but what the hell...

and I'm back on the MacKinnon train for now.

St. Louis/Preds players are the only 1st.rd additions, all other hopefuls move on to rd. 2. No Connor unfortunately.

J BENN T SEGUIN J CARTER
J SKINNER J TAVARES M SCHEIFELE
J DROUIN N MACKINNON B HORVAT
J SCHWARTZ S COUTURIER B SCHENN

J HUBERDEAU A MANTHA

J MUZZIN D DOUGHTY
R ELLIS P.K SUBBAN
B HUTTON C PARAYKO
M MATHESON D SEVERSON

S MASON
C WARD

 

[Bear12Good]

A tad bit over optimistic this morning, but what the hell...

and I'm back on the MacKinnon train for now.

St. Louis/Preds players are the only 1st.rd additions, all other teams move on to rd. 2. No Connor unfortunately.

J BENN T SEGUIN J CARTER
J SKINNER J TAVARES M SCHEIFELE
J DROUIN N MACKINNON B HORVAT
J SCHWARTZ S COUTURIER B SCHENN

J HUBERDEAU A MANTHA

J MUZZIN D DOUGHTY
R ELLIS P.K SUBBAN
B HUTTON C PARAYKO
M MATHESON D SEVERSON

S MASON
C WARD

I think Giroux and Simmonds also can accept invite.
Dougty probably declined.

 

[Bear12Good]

More likely version forwars line

J BENN J TAVARES T SEGUIN
J CARTER C.GIROUX W.SIMMONDS
J SKINNER Ryan O’Reilly M SCHEIFELE


+ 3 or 4 or 5 spots after 1 round Marner,McDavid,Marchand,E.Staal.Kadri,Johansen

 

[JackSlater]

A tad bit over optimistic this morning, but what the hell...

and I'm back on the MacKinnon train for now.

St. Louis/Preds players are the only 1st.rd additions, all other hopefuls move on to rd. 2. No Connor unfortunately.

J BENN T SEGUIN J CARTER
J SKINNER J TAVARES M SCHEIFELE
J DROUIN N MACKINNON B HORVAT
J SCHWARTZ S COUTURIER B SCHENN

J HUBERDEAU A MANTHA

J MUZZIN D DOUGHTY
R ELLIS P.K SUBBAN
B HUTTON C PARAYKO
M MATHESON D SEVERSON

S MASON
C WARD

I've been under the impression all season that Benn and Seguin were banged up. They both had pre-season injuries and they aren't as good this year as they've been in the last three seasons. Perhaps I'm wrong.

I think Giroux and Simmonds also can accept invite.
Dougty probably declined.

I read that Giroux has had hip problems all season. I would guess that he is highly doubtful.

 

[1Gold Standard]

I've been under the impression all season that Benn and Seguin were banged up. They both had pre-season injuries and they aren't as good this year as they've been in the last three seasons. Perhaps I'm wrong.

They were to start the season... very few players at this time of the year are 100%. They are in the lineup, playing decent somewhat, will be available. So, until they pull the chute on the season, they are in play. I don't expect them to really accept an invite...but you never know.

 

[JackSlater]

They were to start the season... very few players at this time of the year are 100%. They are in the lineup, playing decent somewhat, will be available. So, until they pull the chute on the season, they are in play. I don't expect them to really accept an invite...but you never know.

I guess, but we hear guys pull out all the time claiming injuries that weren't significant enough to get them out of the lineup. My assumption was more that Seguin and Ben are more banged up than typical NHLers and have been for a lot of the season. Seguin has done this multiple times. To Benn's credit in his Art Ross year he was banged up and said that he would go until the extent of his injury was discovered.

 

[therealdeal]

So I would say the West is all settled as to who I already eliminated. LA and Winnipeg are done.

That gives a couple potential options. Lets not get our hopes up for Doughty, but maybe Muzzin and Pearson and Morrisey.

The East is still too close to call, any three of those teams of Carolina, NYI, and Tampa could sneak in. But hopefully of the 3 teams that don't make it we get some solid recruits.

 

[JackSlater]

So I would say the West is all settled as to who I already eliminated. LA and Winnipeg are done.

That gives a couple potential options. Lets not get our hopes up for Doughty, but maybe Muzzin and Pearson and Morrisey.

The East is still too close to call, any three of those teams of Carolina, NYI, and Tampa could sneak in. But hopefully of the 3 teams that don't make it we get some solid recruits.

The Islanders are the best team to miss the playoffs, from the perspective of this team at least. Plenty of solid Canadian players.

They talked about this tournament on TSN the other day. They think that Hextall is the most likely candidate to be GM. It's tough to assume that a GM can get their players to participate after Treliving failed to get anyone from Calgary last year. The unknown status of NHL Olympic participation also makes it more difficult to predict who will accept invitations.

I've said this in other years, but if it is difficult to get good players to accept the invitation, I wouldn't mind Hockey Canada looking at some Canadian KHLers. It is always surprising to see that there are a fair number of successful Canadians in that league. Young talented NHL players are optimal, but if Canada is left to select among players like Bieksa or Dillon again, I would rather them take a top end KHL defenceman who can at least give the (presumably) young Canadian defencemen some tips on playing defence on the larger ice surface. Someone like Chris Lee (sixth in overall KHL scoring this year as a defenceman) could be useful in a mentor role, especially once again over slugs like Bieksa. Canada usually gets good young forwards for this tournament, but in the rare event that those players are difficult to come by there could be room for a successful Canadian KHL forward as well. Two guys who had good offensive years are Brandon Kozun (9th in scoring, nearest teammate was 28th in scoring) and Matt Ellison (14th in scoring, nearest teammate 33rd in scoring). The forwards are unlikely, but just a thought.

 

[1Gold Standard]

The Islanders are the best team to miss the playoffs, from the perspective of this team at least. Plenty of solid Canadian players.

They talked about this tournament on TSN the other day. They think that Hextall is the most likely candidate to be GM. It's tough to assume that a GM can get their players to participate after Treliving failed to get anyone from Calgary last year. The unknown status of NHL Olympic participation also makes it more difficult to predict who will accept invitations.

I've said this in other years, but if it is difficult to get good players to accept the invitation, I wouldn't mind Hockey Canada looking at some Canadian KHLers. It is always surprising to see that there are a fair number of successful Canadians in that league. Young talented NHL players are optimal, but if Canada is left to select among players like Bieksa or Dillon again, I would rather them take a top end KHL defenceman who can at least give the (presumably) young Canadian defencemen some tips on playing defence on the larger ice surface. Someone like Chris Lee (sixth in overall KHL scoring this year as a defenceman) could be useful in a mentor role, especially once again over slugs like Bieksa. Canada usually gets good young forwards for this tournament, but in the rare event that those players are difficult to come by there could be room for a successful Canadian KHL forward as well. Two guys who had good offensive years are Brandon Kozun (9th in scoring, nearest teammate was 28th in scoring) and Matt Ellison (14th in scoring, nearest teammate 33rd in scoring). The forwards are unlikely, but just a thought.

Ya, I wouldn't mind seeing a few KHL players, 1 or 2. hopefully there's no need for any more than 1 or 2. And you hit on all the names. There's really nobody else there, as all others are a dog's breakfast that the dog puked up on the front lawn.