WJC: 2020 Canada Roster Talk

[TheBeastCoast]

Any idea when the preliminary games are? Can't find that info anywhere

Swiss on the 19th and Finland on the 23rd

 

[ETTHAKING67]

Here is my projected Line-Up

Forwards :
1- Lafrenière - Veleno - Cozens
2- Mcmichael - Byfield - Krebs
3- Groulx - Dellandrea - Thomas
4- Foudy - Newhook - Lavoie
13th - Foote

Defense
1- B.Byram - J.B Docker
2- T.Smith - C.Addison
3- J.McIsaac - T.Harley
7th - K.Bahl

In Net
1- Olivier Rodrigue
2- Hunter Jones


Extra Spot would be for an NHL coming back, if not Zary could steal that last spot imo.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Here is my projected Line-Up

Forwards :
1- Lafrenière - Veleno - Cozens
2- Mcmichael - Byfield - Krebs
3- Groulx - Dellandrea - Thomas
4- Foudy - Newhook - Lavoie
13th - Foote

Defense
1- B.Byram - J.B Docker
2- T.Smith - C.Addison
3- J.McIsaac - T.Harley
7th - K.Bahl

In Net
1- Olivier Rodrigue
2- Hunter Jones


Extra Spot would be for an NHL coming back, if not Zary could steal that last spot imo.

Extra spot? You've already got 20 skaters listed, the only extra you could tack on is a 3rd goalie.

 

[Garyboy]

The Dry Guy to play top pairing minutes by the medal round.

 

[JackSlater]

Do the releases happen after this camp or after the first USports game?

And now to contradict myself from a few hours ago, on TSN Mark Masters said that the plan is to have the roster down to 23 players on Thursday night after the second USports game.

McKenzie also said that the NHL roster freeze comes into effect on the 19th, so we should know who is available by then. He again made it sound like Dobson is the only remaining possibility but New York keeps its plans quiet.

 

[Pieck]

Lafreniere - Veleno - Lavoie
Krebs - Byfield - Cozens
Perfetti - McMichael - Thomas
Foudy - Newhook - Dellandrea
Foote

Smith - Bernard-Docker
Byram - Harley
McIsaac - Drysdale
Addison

 

[hockey20000]

whens the first cuts?

 

[Halfy]

Alexis Lafreniere – Joe Veleno – Akil Thomas
Connor McMichael – Quinton Byfield – Dylan Cozens
Nolan Foote – Peyton Krebs – Ty Dellandrea
Liam Foudy – BO Groulx – Raphael Lavoie
Alex Newhook

Ty Smith – Jacob Bernard-Docker
Bowen Byram – Jamie Drysdale
Jared McIsaac – Calen Addison
Thomas Harley

Olivier Rodrigue
Hunter Jones
Joel Hofer

idk, probably the team I would take but I see Bahl and a Dudas making it due to age
Debated between Perfetti/Foudy and Newhook

 

[NeverForget06]

Very exciting group this year. Lots of high level talent. Excited to see how Lavoie and Rodrigue look from the Oilers.

Also been a while since team Canada had a player with the pedigree of Lafreniere.

 

[Jayevs]

Disappointed Korczak isn’t getting a legit look with the puck moving abilities on the left side he’d be a good RD compliment.

 

[biturbo19]

I'd probably try to go with something like:

Lafreniere - Veleno - Thomas
Byfield - McMichael - Lavoie
Newhook - Krebs - Cozens
Foote - Groulx - Dellandrea
*Foudy

Smith - Docker
Byram - Harley
McIsaac - Drysdale


Thinking being:

1st: load up skilled wingers around Veleno who should be able to hold his own there and give them some freedom to run, 'cause they're gonna be leaned on offensively.
2nd: stick McMichael between a pair of offensive players that he'll more than keep up with, but can maybe help cover for some lapses.
3rd: never a guarantee you can just rekindle chemistry, but i liked that trio at the U18s last year and it makes sense as a responsible "checking line" with offensive upside.
4th: the sort of "energy line" Canada likes to take players for, but without that "defensive plug" they sometimes decide to take. Some size, some speed and relentless hustle, and a center who can generate some chances and hopefully pull it all together.

Spare: Foudy makes sense to me as that "Swiss Army Knife" spare. Not really exciting, but easy enough to see him plugging in pretty much anywhere and contributing some energy in limited minutes.

I think that gives you plenty of options on the PP, and at least enough PK options up front to keep from leaning too hard on anyone in particular.


1stD: Smith is a HC fav for good reason, and Docker comes with a maturity and experience that i think makes for your top/shutdown pairing.
2ndD: Probably a risk putting two catalysts like that together, but you probably want the "babysitter" with the draft eligible, so hopefully it works.
3rdD: I think you have to take Drysdale, he's just too good not to. But at evens, you're gonna want that "babysitter" like McIsaac for a draft-eligible Dman.

Spare: I don't really feel great about any of them tbh. I'd say probably Bahl, who has some versatility and size...but ehhh, i could take it or leave it compared to Diliberatore. I don't love taking Addison, because i've never liked taking that "offensive-oriented" spare. It just doesn't work out. Prefer more of a "steady defensive" type who can maybe chip in a bit with some PK minutes, and just quietly slide in if they have to step into the Top-6. Already a ton of skill in the rest of the d-corps.

 

[greasysnapper]

Having watched all 4 goalies now this season, I still think Hofer is the best of the bunch. The kid is really playing well.

 

[Tube Skates]

I see a lot of effort being put into the line up. I think it’s more important to look at our special teams. What have you guys got for the top two PP units and a SH unit. Here in Halifax Groulx is an exceptional penalty killer. Lavoie is also good but not as agressive. Just something to think about while building this team. We can skate with anyone 5vs5. Special teams will make or break us.

 

[bert]

Tourigney is the assistant coach. Bahl is going to be on this team and likely plays a pretty big role. He is a true shut down d man that plays both sides has a great first pass and is very mobile for 6'7. His edgework for a guy his size is impressive. If you are trying to accurately pick the team he should be on it.

 

[Hockey Stick]

Tourigney is the assistant coach. Bahl is going to be on this team and likely plays a pretty big role. He is a true shut down d man that plays both sides has a great first pass and is very mobile for 6'7. His edgework for a guy his size is impressive. If you are trying to accurately pick the team he should be on it.

And deservedly so... as much as that kills a Petes fan to admit

 

[tfantasy]

whens the first cuts?

Probably after the first two Usports games

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Veleno also absent. (Rees as well )

 

[Hockey Stick]

Veleno also absent. (Rees as well )

Don't think we'll see Veleno until the pre tourney games

 

[JackSlater]

Veleno also absent. (Rees as well )

It's interesting that Byram is the defenceman moved to his off side. The lines also look odd but these camp lines tend to be that way.

McKenzie also gave some detail on Lafreniere. He's had a nagging ankle injury so they are giving him some rest. Same thing that kept him out of the super series games. McKenzie doesn't expect Lafreniere to play in either of the USports games.

 

[jj cale]

Now we gotta worry about Lafreniere, this is all shaping up nicely.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

It's interesting that Byram is the defenceman moved to his off side. The lines also look odd but these camp lines tend to be that way.

McKenzie also gave some detail on Lafreniere. He's had a nagging ankle injury so they are giving him some rest. Same thing that kept him out of the super series games. McKenzie doesn't expect Lafreniere to play in either of the USports games.

I'm sure these lines are very very preliminary. They have one draft eligible forward on every line .. I would guess intentionally. Too bad Laf can't go early and I hope it does not impede him when the time comes. Not ideal to say the least.

 

[newfy]

Tourigney is the assistant coach. Bahl is going to be on this team and likely plays a pretty big role. He is a true shut down d man that plays both sides has a great first pass and is very mobile for 6'7. His edgework for a guy his size is impressive. If you are trying to accurately pick the team he should be on it.

Depends on your definition of pretty big role. I could see him being leaned on on the PK for sure but thats about it. He doesnt move the puck as well as anyone else likely to make it and doesnt have the offense of anyone else likely to make it. Mobile for a 6'7 guy is true but hes still not as good of a skater as the rest of them either.

I think he makes it but I dont think hes playing over Smith, McIsaac, Byram or JBD in the top 4 and that without knowing about Dobson coming back or not. He seems like an easy choice for the bottom pairing/7th D that could play a safe game in case someone like Drysdale doesnt pan out

 

[Oleksiak]

Depends on your definition of pretty big role. I could see him being leaned on on the PK for sure but thats about it. He doesnt move the puck as well as anyone else likely to make it and doesnt have the offense of anyone else likely to make it. Mobile for a 6'7 guy is true but hes still not as good of a skater as the rest of them either.

I think he makes it but I dont think hes playing over Smith, McIsaac, Byram or JBD in the top 4 and that without knowing about Dobson coming back or not. He seems like an easy choice for the bottom pairing/7th D that could play a safe game in case someone like Drysdale doesnt pan out

A lack of quality shutdown D crippled us last year. I'd expect Bahl to play a similar role to Timmins, who was outstanding in Buffalo

 

[tfantasy]

Veleno also absent. (Rees as well )

Finally some updates as to whats going on during camp! Great find Sens of Anarchy!

 

[JackSlater]

Now we gotta worry about Lafreniere, this is all shaping up nicely.

It's not serious apparently, as it's something he's been playing with most of the season as he's been dominating the QMJHL. It makes sense to give him the time off given that he's been playing regularly and is obviously already on the team.