WJC: 2020 Canada Roster Talk Part II

[Jason MacIsaac]

Well that explains a lot. As a biased Avs fan I thought Smith was worse than Byram and Byram had a pretty bad game...

Let's hope iceberg sports is tracking these games with some useful stats to prove either of us wrong.

 

[Gold Standard]

relax people. they're only teenagers. and besides, Hockey Canada is not really in the tournament winning business. They're in the making money business off junior players who are just killing time until their NHL star shines.

 

[nbwingsfan]

McIsaac should be the 7th d. Don't know what you're seeing if you think he deserves to be on the top pair. He basically cost Canada the game with the two first goals that were on him early in the game. Take that out and maybe Canada doesn't get destroyed like that.

While Mcisaac was not good this game, I really question some posters ability to read plays correctly. The first goal was an awful giveaway but it was also clearly offside and shouldn’t have counted (let alone embarrassing goaltending). But the second goal everyone is blaming on Mcisaac but that wasn’t on him at all. It was a 3-3 and he had his man covered. I believe it was Dudas (might be mistaken which forward) who entirely lost his man in front of the net.

 

[JackSlater]

I must say, that was a very pathetic effort. I can accept some bad goals going in, as they did early, and I can accept another team outplaying Canada. The lack of any kind of push back however was absolutely pathetic, to the point that it probably hasn't been seen since 1998 when the team had behind the scenes issues. For a Canadian team at any level to accept a loss like that without upping the physicality to try and spark something on offence or at least leave the other team with something to remember is pathetic.

I'm not going to fully discount this team, but I hate the way the team rolled over. A 10-0 loss with the team at least trying to push back would be much easier to swallow. Foudy played well and Smith was alright, but otherwise everyone was bad. Canada also walked into a goaltending issue by going with Daws instead of Hofer for this game. It will be very important to see how Canada comes out in the next game.

 

[Wintersun]

While Mcisaac was not good this game, I really question some posters ability to read plays correctly. The first goal was an awful giveaway but it was also clearly offside and shouldn’t have counted (let alone embarrassing goaltending). But the second goal everyone is blaming on Mcisaac but that wasn’t on him at all. It was a 3-3 and he had his man covered. I believe it was Dudas (might be mistaken which forward) who entirely lost his man in front of the net.

After watching the replay, you aren't wrong that it was Dubas' man on the goal, although I think McIsaac and him should have switched as Dudas clearly isn't the guy you want protecting the front of the net in this situation.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

While Mcisaac was not good this game, I really question some posters ability to read plays correctly. The first goal was an awful giveaway but it was also clearly offside and shouldn’t have counted (let alone embarrassing goaltending). But the second goal everyone is blaming on Mcisaac but that wasn’t on him at all. It was a 3-3 and he had his man covered. I believe it was Dudas (might be mistaken which forward) who entirely lost his man in front of the net.

Yeah, that goal Dudas went chasing into the corner even though both defenders were already there and had their men taken. Dudas should have just kept in front of the net and taken the Russian standing all by himself.

I guess you could question McIsaac chasing a man to the corner instead of staying put, but in terms of marking an open man, it was Dudas who failed to do that.

 

[nbwingsfan]

After watching the replay, you aren't wrong that it was Dubas' man on the goal, although I think McIsaac and him should have switched as Dudas clearly isn't the guy you want protecting the front of the net in this situation.

They could have switched spots, but Mcisaac was clearly already covering his man, and Dudas decided to follow him instead of taking the open man like he should have.

 

[snipes]

I must say, that was a very pathetic effort. I can accept some bad goals going in, as they did early, and I can accept another team outplaying Canada. The lack of any kind of push back however was absolutely pathetic, to the point that it probably hasn't been seen since 1998 when the team had behind the scenes issues. For a Canadian team at any level to accept a loss like that without upping the physicality to try and spark something on offence or at least leave the other team with something to remember is pathetic.

I'm not going to fully discount this team, but I hate the way the team rolled over. A 10-0 loss with the team at least trying to push back would be much easier to swallow. Foudy played well and Smith was alright, but otherwise everyone was bad. Canada also walked into a goaltending issue by going with Daws instead of Hofer for this game. It will be very important to see how Canada comes out in the next game.

Exactly this. They rolled over and took it like *****es.

One of the worst Canadian performances in recent memory. Completely horrible top to bottom. 100 percent unacceptable to show zero fight, those players and staff should be embarrassed of themselves.

 

[canucksfan]

If Lafrienere is gone for the whole tournament that will be a big blow to the team.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

Byram. Byfield is 17.

Byram is 18. The last standout 18 year old defenseman for Canada was Dougie Hamilton almost a decade ago. Nobody should be expecting Byram to dominate. 19 year olds are always the backbone of Canada’s defense. Unfortunately this year the 19 year olds are horrendous.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Exactly this. They rolled over and took it like *****es.

One of the worst Canadian performances in recent memory. Completely horrible top to bottom. 100 percent unacceptable to show zero fight, those players and staff should be embarrassed of themselves.

well, I would say the staff should be embarrassed. If it's one or two players who look lazy and disinterested, it's on them. If the whole team looks like a mess, I'd look more to coaches. Also, these are still just kids at the end of the day. As talented as they are, I hope they don't beat themselves up too much over this one

 

[TheGoldenJet]

He didn’t even try defending on that 4th(?) goal. He literally skated backward toward the goalie and didn’t even attempt to make a play.

That was Byram.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

While Mcisaac was not good this game, I really question some posters ability to read plays correctly. The first goal was an awful giveaway but it was also clearly offside and shouldn’t have counted (let alone embarrassing goaltending). But the second goal everyone is blaming on Mcisaac but that wasn’t on him at all. It was a 3-3 and he had his man covered. I believe it was Dudas (might be mistaken which forward) who entirely lost his man in front of the net.

Took the words right out of my mouth. Good post.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

I must say, that was a very pathetic effort. I can accept some bad goals going in, as they did early, and I can accept another team outplaying Canada. The lack of any kind of push back however was absolutely pathetic, to the point that it probably hasn't been seen since 1998 when the team had behind the scenes issues. For a Canadian team at any level to accept a loss like that without upping the physicality to try and spark something on offence or at least leave the other team with something to remember is pathetic.

I'm not going to fully discount this team, but I hate the way the team rolled over. A 10-0 loss with the team at least trying to push back would be much easier to swallow. Foudy played well and Smith was alright, but otherwise everyone was bad. Canada also walked into a goaltending issue by going with Daws instead of Hofer for this game. It will be very important to see how Canada comes out in the next game.

There is no goaltending controversy, and I’m glad they went with Daws. He’s done, had his shot and blew it. It’s Hofer’s net to lose now.

As to the rest of your post, I fully agree. The lack of physicality when down 6-0 was embarrassing. Byfield in particular is a big puppy dog out there. No room for that kind of play on this team.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

lol

I assume you failed to read the second paragraph in the post you quoted

 

[wishywashy19]

Never seen Canada lay an egg like this in the WJC, ever since i started watching the tournament in 1994. Such awful defensive play. Hoping the ship gets turned around starting Monday against Germany. Give Hofer the chance to be a starter from here on out. Not much a goalie can do when the defense was so terrible for Canada.

May as well throw in with the recap
Slow start- not ready to play- sitting wondering what the Russians are going to do was clear recipe for what happened
Thro in a crap goal and a second goal before panic set it. Another recipe for disaster to a young team facing adversity
Add to that folks a bad game from a shaken goaltender
Alexis goes down and the world caved in.
Defence was inadequate but the forward leadership Sh.. the bed
So, go with Hofer next game and work on defence support and play with a little desperation
They need to win the 2-1 game
Time to put away the camera make up and don the work boots
The jig is up Canada. Everyone thinks you are on the ropes

 

[Pieck]

I feel like the Lafreniere injury is bigger than just losing our best player. It changes everything.

Who’s supposed to lead this team offensively now? Is Veleno a good enough 1C without Lafreniere on his line? Will the powerplay be effective without him?

It seems like everyone on the team is suited to a 3rd or 4th line role, or as a complementary player on a scoring line. If I had to choose anyone to trust in a scoring role it would probably be McMichael and Cozens. Byfield hasn’t been good but I wonder if it’s worth giving him more opportunities and hoping he figures it out because the upside would be huge.

This team can still win gold if everything goes right. Of course they can, it’s Team Canada. But what about when things don’t go right? Who’s going to score goals if the team is down 2-0 again?

 

[NyQuil]

I feel like the Lafreniere injury is bigger than just losing our best player. It changes everything.

Who’s supposed to lead this team offensively now? Is Veleno a good enough 1C without Lafreniere on his line? Will the powerplay be effective without him?

It seems like everyone on the team is suited to a 3rd or 4th line role, or as a complementary player on a scoring line. If I had to choose anyone to trust in a scoring role it would probably be McMichael and Cozens. Byfield hasn’t been good but I wonder if it’s worth giving him more opportunities and hoping he figures it out because the upside would be huge.

This team can still win gold if everything goes right. Of course they can, it’s Team Canada. But what about when things don’t go right? Who’s going to score goals if the team is down 2-0 again?

Well, a team isn't built properly if losing one guy means we can't win gold.

It's not like we're Slovenia with Anze Kopitar.

 

[Sens72]

While it is easy to overreact over one of the most humiliating losses ever by Team Canada, they still play Germany and the Czech Republic. Sure, the Czechs beat Russia who beat us 6-0, but if we are being real here, Canada’s roster is A LOT better than the Czechs and it is their game to lose. Germany who beat the Czechs, who beat Russia, who beat us would also be scary to think about if it wasn’t for the fact we beat the states, who beat Germany. Canada should be fine and while a gold medal might not be in our sights this year, the team will still crawl its way up to the top of the Pool again.

 

[oooooooooohCanada]

 

[Kshahdoo]

I must say, that was a very pathetic effort. I can accept some bad goals going in, as they did early, and I can accept another team outplaying Canada. The lack of any kind of push back however was absolutely pathetic, to the point that it probably hasn't been seen since 1998 when the team had behind the scenes issues. For a Canadian team at any level to accept a loss like that without upping the physicality to try and spark something on offence or at least leave the other team with something to remember is pathetic.

I'm not going to fully discount this team, but I hate the way the team rolled over. A 10-0 loss with the team at least trying to push back would be much easier to swallow. Foudy played well and Smith was alright, but otherwise everyone was bad. Canada also walked into a goaltending issue by going with Daws instead of Hofer for this game. It will be very important to see how Canada comes out in the next game.

You just don't understand the nature of the tournament. With that "push back" they could easily do something stupid, got thrown out of the tournament and made the situation even worse, while now they just lost a game. They still need to win another one to get into the playoffs, where the tournament will really start.

 

[JackSlater]

I feel like the Lafreniere injury is bigger than just losing our best player. It changes everything.

Who’s supposed to lead this team offensively now? Is Veleno a good enough 1C without Lafreniere on his line? Will the powerplay be effective without him?

It seems like everyone on the team is suited to a 3rd or 4th line role, or as a complementary player on a scoring line. If I had to choose anyone to trust in a scoring role it would probably be McMichael and Cozens. Byfield hasn’t been good but I wonder if it’s worth giving him more opportunities and hoping he figures it out because the upside would be huge.

This team can still win gold if everything goes right. Of course they can, it’s Team Canada. But what about when things don’t go right? Who’s going to score goals if the team is down 2-0 again?

If Lafreniere is out then I think McMichael is the player that should be given more opportunity, with Byfield getting some extra chances as well. Byfield hasn't shown much, and short of Lindros 17 year olds always perform below their level for Canada, but he at least has the offensive talent to make a difference if something clicks for him.

Then again, there is always the option to tighten up defensively, win most of the puck battles, and win a game 2-1 rather than 6-4.

 

[wishywashy19]

Is it now time to talk changes
I know I know it is one game gone bad but.....
Let’s stop giving the Russians a bigger advantage of prep in this
Subway series
And who comes over to play in our junior a challenge but their National under 18 team. Let’s give them more of a leg up.
This Russian team is not dog meat.
If they win this I am ok with that as long as we are in the gold medal fight and go down with a bit of fire in the belly doing it
A can be proud losing to this team but never the way we responded today
Dale Hunter must be ready to blow a gasket.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Is it now time to talk changes
I know I know it is one game gone bad but.....
Let’s stop giving the Russians a bigger advantage of prep in this
Subway series
And who comes over to play in our junior a challenge but their National under 18 team. Let’s give them more of a leg up.
This Russian team is not dog meat.
If they win this I am ok with that as long as we are in the gold medal fight and go down with a bit of fire in the belly doing it
A can be proud losing to this team but never the way we responded today
Dale Hunter must be ready to blow a gasket.

Agreed. Hunter was outcoached today, he deserves a tonne of criticism for how flat his team came out today, poor goaltending or not.

 

[JackSlater]

You just don't understand the nature of the tournament. With that "push back" they could easily do something stupid, got thrown out of the tournament and made the situation even worse, while now they just lost a game. They still need to win another one to get into the playoffs, where the tournament will really start.

I understand the nature of the tournament well. What you describe is very short sighted and foolish for a Canadian team. The risk of a player getting suspended is extremely low, but even then I would have gladly sacrificed one player for a few games if it meant that the Canadians followed almost every other Canadian team ever and didn't roll over. Then again, I'm also not talking about a Canadian player doing something that would get them suspended.