WJC: 2020 Canada Roster Talk

[TheGreekShot]

Sweden has six first round picks in their top 6. I'm not sure any world junior team will ever be notably superior as individuals to that.

Russia is also pretty strong on the backend. They have a number of returners, and multiple players who play regular roles in the KHL for some of the better KHL teams.

Canada is going to always be good on defense and up front individually. The players are always high picks, so I can see the argument that Canada is the best on defense, but I think you are writing off some of these other defenses a little too much.

Agreed. Sweden is by far the best defense and anyone who thinks otherwise just isn't educated enough on the matter, plain and simple. Canada and Russia are close. If you look solely at production numbers Canadians look better, but that's not considering the fact that Russian d-men are playing - for the most part - 3rd pair minutes in the KHL, whereas Canadian guys are playing top pair minutes in relatively high scoring junior leagues.

 

[wishywashy19]

Agreed. Sweden is by far the best defense and anyone who thinks otherwise just isn't educated enough on the matter, plain and simple. Canada and Russia are close. If you look solely at production numbers Canadians look better, but that's not considering the fact that Russian d-men are playing - for the most part - 3rd pair minutes in the KHL, whereas Canadian guys are playing top pair minutes in relatively high scoring junior leagues.

I believe what you are saying is the main reason that now makes the biggest advantage to the Russians and Swedes.
Our top players in the CHL are playing big minutes in junior but the top Russian players are playing tougher senior competition
Must be true that it gives an edge. The HC experts always talk to the valuable experience that players like Hayton get in the NHL even though they sit mainly in the press box and the owners scoff whenever pressured to return players back to the CHL saying there is nothing more to gain by playing down.

 

[Steazy Doo]

What's with the Foote hate? One of Canada's best players in the Subway series

 

[Paralyzer008]

A lot of how Canada does will be determined by roster politics, because I think the talent to win the tournament is certainly there. They can compare to the USA + Sweden absolutely.

It seems like every year we see decisions that make us go "seriously?" and I await what those will be.

 

[tfantasy]

Hayton - Dach - Cozens
Lafreniere - Byfield - Perfetti
McMichael - Thomas - Veleno
Foote - Dellaandrea - Lavoie
Pelletier

McIssac - Dobson
Smith - Byram
Bahl - Bernard-Docker
Harley

Jones
Rodrigue
Gravel

 

[Hockey Stick]

Hayton - Dach - Cozens
Lafreniere - Byfield - Perfetti
McMichael - Thomas - Veleno
Foote - Dellaandrea - Lavoie
Pelletier

McIssac - Dobson
Smith - Byram
Bahl - Bernard-Docker
Harley

Jones
Rodrigue
Gravel

I think the names are pretty spot on. I think Veleno will have a bigger role, likely where Dach is if he isn't released. I love the idea of that 2nd line, can only imagine all of the scoring chances they'd produce. I get a bit of a kick when people talk about the lack of depth these teams can sometimes have, but where else will you find a guy like Connor McMichael on a 3rd line? This looks like a good team.

 

[Anichels]

If you strip away the fact that Dellandrea was a first rounder, his numbers look very Pedestrian. Not only in previous years but this year especially.
24 games- 11 goals- 15 assists- minus -5
You’d think with all you read about with speed etc, playing in his 4th year against kids he should dominate. He simply hasn’t.
Looks like political machine is working.

Agree,

His main up-side, statistically is the fact that he's 61% on the faceoff

 

[Anichels]

Dach - Hayton - Cozens
Lafrenière - McMichael - Lavoie
Pelletier - Thomas - Veleno
Newhook - Groulx - Byfield
Foudy

Smith - Dobson
Bryam - Bernard - Docker
Bahl - Addison
Harley (McIsaac)

Jones
Rodrigue


Bold are AHL/NHL locks/returning players.

Italics are players who really impressed during the CHL/Russia Series

McIsaac is a big [?] for me, he has only played one game this season.

Veleno I think will be our top shut-down player, but I am willing to swap him with Lavoie - who had chemistry with Pelletier in the series.

If Dach/Hayton don't get released, then I think our 13th F is Perfetti, Foote or Dellandrea (in that order)

 

[tony d]

Always a fun tournament to watch, can't wait to see the final roster.

 

[JPeeper]

If Pelletier doesn't make the team I'm cheering for any opponent Canada faces.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

If Pelletier doesn't make the team I'm cheering for any opponent Canada faces.

Good for you?

 

[jj cale]

If Pelletier doesn't make the team I'm cheering for any opponent Canada faces.

That makes perfect sense.

 

[Oleksiak]

If Pelletier doesn't make the team I'm cheering for any opponent Canada faces.

This entitled attitude is what led to players getting blasted on Twitter. I'm not happy Woo wasn't invited but I'm sure as hell going to support our kids who do get selected.

 

[Juniorhockeyguru]

What's with the Foote hate? One of Canada's best players in the Subway series

He doesn't show up every game. He's soft, and at least this year not that impressed with his skating.

 

[bert]

Hunter is not a good coach. We saw that in the pre tournament.

Another wild hot take. What else have you got for us baha

 

[Anichels]

What's with the Foote hate? One of Canada's best players in the Subway series

You're right - he was one of the top players during the Subway Series.
For me it's not so much "hate" for Foote, for me it's that this team is deep on LW with high-end offensive talent.

Lafrenière, is a lock, Pelletier was also very impressive during the Subway Series.
Perfetti, and Foudy both have higher P/GP in their respective leagues. In fact, we have 13 forwards from the CHL with higher P/GP than Foote, not counting Veleno, Dach, Hayton, and 2 US college players.

I don't think Foote was on the Team Canada invitation list until he impressed at the Subway Series, that's why people are surprised to see him there.

If the game was played in NA with small ice surface, you could make a strong case for a 6-Foote-4 player. I'm wondering how he will transition to the big ice. Is he fast? Can he play a bottom 6 role?

 

[kyle44]

You're right - he was one of the top players during the Subway Series.
For me it's not so much "hate" for Foote, for me it's that this team is deep on LW with high-end offensive talent.

Lafrenière, is a lock, Pelletier was also very impressive during the Subway Series.
Perfetti, and Foudy both have higher P/GP in their respective leagues. In fact, we have 13 forwards from the CHL with higher P/GP than Foote, not counting Veleno, Dach, Hayton, and 2 US college players.

I don't think Foote was on the Team Canada invitation list until he impressed at the Subway Series, that's why people are surprised to see him there.

If the game was played in NA with small ice surface, you could make a strong case for a 6-Foote-4 player. I'm wondering how he will transition to the big ice. Is he fast? Can he play a bottom 6 role?

Foote was the top scorer at the World Junior Summer Showcase (double the points of Lafreniere, Dach and Veleno), and as you said was also probably the best WHL player in the Canada-Russia Series. Hockey Canada traditionally puts a great deal of stock in these events, so it should come as no surprise to see his name on the selection camp list.

 

[Hockey Stick]

Jones sure picked a good time of year to put on a clinic against Hunter's Knights

 

[LDN]

Jones sure picked a good time of year to put on a clinic against Hunter's Knights

I am sure Dale was impressed. Jones played well!

 

[LDN]

Who are the 10 locks at forward?

 

[WildWillie]

Who are the 10 locks at forward?

1. Dach*
2. Hayton*
3. Lafreniere
4. Veleno*
5. Cozens
6. McMichael
7. Krebs
8. Byfield
9. Pelletier
10. Dellandrea

pending relaease:
11. Thomas
12. Newhook
13. Foudy

 

[EON]

Any chance Drysdale makes this team? I'm guessing not, it's probably pretty rare Canada has draft eligible dmen on the team. But he's a pretty special player, arguably the top dman in the OHL already.

 

[Hale The Villain]

Any chance Drysdale makes this team? I'm guessing not, it's probably pretty rare Canada has draft eligible dmen on the team. But he's a pretty special player, arguably the top dman in the OHL already.

I could see him making the team, especially if Dobson isn't released. He's one of the only decent right-handed D available this year.

Harley - Dobson
Byram - JBD
Bahl - Drysdale
Smith

That's the D I'd take.

 

[nbwingsfan]

1. Dach*
2. Hayton*
3. Lafreniere
4. Veleno*
5. Cozens
6. McMichael
7. Krebs
8. Byfield
9. Pelletier
10. Dellandrea

pending relaease:
11. Thomas
12. Newhook
13. Foudy

Id say Byfield isn’t a lock just due to how little often Canada takes 17yo’s

He should be there though.

 

[newfy]

I could see him making the team, especially if Dobson isn't released. He's one of the only decent right-handed D available this year.

Harley - Dobson
Byram - JBD
Bahl - Drysdale
Smith

That's the D I'd take.

There is literally no way thats the D they take. Bringing 5 new D including one who is draft eligible this year. Leaving a guy who would be a returnee at home for 5 new D. Smith is gonna be wearing a letter, hes not going to be the extra D over Harley on the top pair or Bahl and Drysdale on the bottom pair.