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WJC: 2020 Canada Roster Talk Part II

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Might as well start the thread off with some news.

Mark Masters is reporting that Benoit-Olivier Groulx is the final forward cut for Team Canada.
 
Paralyzer008 said:
Might as well start the thread off with some news.

Mark Masters is reporting that Benoit-Olivier Groulx is the final forward cut for Team Canada.
Click to expand...

What? He is a good forward for the team, I thought he was a lock. Great two way player.
 
after hunter's comments about mercer's versatility and engine, had a feeling this
was gonna happen. look forward to seeing him in action.
 
The way Mercer played the pre tourney game pretty well.made this one a no brainer. I think Huntet was going to keep Thomas regardless, so it really only left Groulx
 
I'm glad that Mercer made it. He played well at every opportunity and from Hunter's comments it sounds like he impressed. Groulx never impressed at any of the selection events.

It's nice to have the team set. Hoping for the best.
 
Watching Groulx in the game against the Swiss he really didn’t do anything special that would say we need this guy on our roster. He also looked quite slow on the big ice surface which surprised me. We don’t need a penalty killer that can’t get there to put pressure on the defence and knock down a pass. This was the correct cut in my eyes.
 
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JackSlater said:
I'm glad that Mercer made it. He played well at every opportunity and from Hunter's comments it sounds like he impressed. Groulx never impressed at any of the selection events.

It's nice to have the team set. Hoping for the best.
Click to expand...

I quoted your post to say exactly what BondraTime said below. I could absolutely see Mercer working his way onto the top line, hes a little buzz saw out there and goes to the dirty areas, plus he skates really good. If one of those top 2 lines needs a jump I expect itll be him that gets the bump to that line.

Not surprised by the Groulx cut at all. He should've been throwing his weight around more or something to show he brought something to the table besides playing on the PK. Plenty of guys on the team could already PK but they all provided something more. Where this team could lack is a physical edge. Looking at the line up I would say McIsaac might be the only one who plays fairly mean. But guys like Laffy, Byram, Foote and Lavoie can turn it up when they need to. Hopefully Lavoie from the fourth line goes out with energy and throws his weight around every shift. This was a spot where Groulx could've found his niche and stuck but he didnt bring it at all physically

BondraTime said:
I’d be willing to bet Mercer replaces either Lavoie or Foote on the 1st/2nd line sometime short into the tournament.
Click to expand...
 
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lakai17 said:
What? He is a good forward for the team, I thought he was a lock. Great two way player.
Click to expand...
Just curious, who would you have preferred to cut instead? I didn't catch the game vs. the Swiss, and I've been a little out of the loop, but I was sort of thinking it would be Groulx getting cut all along tbh. He's a good player, but I'm not sure what he brings that someone else can do better.
Such a tough call at this point though. It seems like the margins are so small, and there are so many potential players. It kind of just comes down to stylistic preferences from the coaches I guess.
 
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newfy said:
I quoted your post to say exactly what BondraTime said below. I could absolutely see Mercer working his way onto the top line, hes a little buzz saw out there and goes to the dirty areas, plus he skates really good. If one of those top 2 lines needs a jump I expect itll be him that gets the bump to that line.

Not surprised by the Groulx cut at all. He should've been throwing his weight around more or something to show he brought something to the table besides playing on the PK. Plenty of guys on the team could already PK but they all provided something more. Where this team could lack is a physical edge. Looking at the line up I would say McIsaac might be the only one who plays fairly mean. But guys like Laffy, Byram, Foote and Lavoie can turn it up when they need to. Hopefully Lavoie from the fourth line goes out with energy and throws his weight around every shift. This was a spot where Groulx could've found his niche and stuck but he didnt bring it at all physically
Click to expand...

Yes, I am optimistic that Mercer can impress. Good utility player who could fit in on pretty much any line at even strength.With Mercer there with McIsaac, we almost saw 3/4 Atlantic provinces represented had Dobson been released. I'm sure that's never happened. Plus the novelty of Cozens representing the Yukon.

Regarding a physical edge, I suppose that Rees might have provided some of it but it seems that he wasn't close to making the team. Unfortunately Canada has lost that element for the most part. Before, there is almost no way that guys like Lavoie or Byfield would get to this point without developing a physical edge, but here we are.
 
Dudas is a player I don't know a lot about. Does he look like a future NHLer at this point? What's his realistic potential?
 
Regarding a physical edge, I suppose that Rees might have provided some of it but it seems that he wasn't close to making the team. Unfortunately Canada has lost that element for the most part. Before, there is almost no way that guys like Lavoie or Byfield would get to this point without developing a physical edge, but here we are.[/QUOTE]

Agree, but when Byfield starts to play a big mans game look out. Still a few of years a way but he will only take so much shit.
 
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