WJC: 2021 Canada Roster Talk Part 2

[Dominance]

Lol

I would also say he has the highest upside, but after that playoff performance and the miserable rookie seasons turned in by Hughes and Kakko, there’s really no argument he isn’t the best forward of that draft class right now.

 

[Statsy]

I would also say he has the highest upside, but after that playoff performance and the miserable rookie seasons turned in by Hughes and Kakko, there’s really no argument he isn’t the best forward of that draft class right now.

I think there’s plenty of argument. A player’s success or failure has as much to do with the situation he’s put into as his own abilities.

 

[MuzzaFuzza]

I too would like to see that first line LOADED up (McMicheal-Cozens-Dach), we have plenty of depth at all other positions to compensate for that. In a short tournament i think its more beneficial to have one line absolutely dominating than two lines just doing good. I'm also pretty shocked to see Mercer as an extra forward so far

 

[Tralfamadore]

I would also say he has the highest upside, but after that playoff performance and the miserable rookie seasons turned in by Hughes and Kakko, there’s really no argument he isn’t the best forward of that draft class right now.

Hughes and Dach produced at nearly identical rates and yet only one of them had a miserable season? Much easier to put up points in Chicago as well.

Dach looked great in the playoffs no doubt but that's a bad take.

 

[Satanphonehome]

I too would like to see that first line LOADED up (McMicheal-Cozens-Dach), we have plenty of depth at all other positions to compensate for that. In a short tournament i think its more beneficial to have one line absolutely dominating than two lines just doing good. I'm also pretty shocked to see Mercer as an extra forward so far

Not that I’m necessarily opposed to this, but the idea that McMichael is head and shoulders above any other possibility for that line is false.

It’s like saying I can’t believe Hawerchuk is playing with Gretzky and Lemieux. It should be Messier, and not Yzerman or Lindros or Neely or...

 

[Dominance]

I think there’s plenty of argument. A player’s success or failure has as much to do with the situation he’s put into as his own abilities.

Hughes and Dach produced at nearly identical rates and yet only one of them had a miserable season? Much easier to put up points in Chicago as well.

Dach looked great in the playoffs no doubt but that's a bad take.

You are both talking about “situations” while ignoring that Hughes was given every opportunity - linemates, ice time, powerplay chances - to produce right off the bat, while Dach had to work his way up from next to nothing.

 

[My3Sons]

You are both talking about “situations” while ignoring that Hughes was given every opportunity - linemates, ice time, powerplay chances - to produce right off the bat, while Dach had to work his way up from next to nothing.

You obviously didn’t watch NJ last season. Wayne Gretzky would have looked average on that team. If you switch Dach and Hughes last season I think Dach plays better than Hughes did but I’m skeptical you are talking about him as “best” in the draft class.

 

[MuzzaFuzza]

Not that I’m necessarily opposed to this, but the idea that McMichael is head and shoulders above any other possibility for that line is false.

It’s like saying I can’t believe Hawerchuk is playing with Gretzky and Lemieux. It should be Messier, and not Yzerman or Lindros or Neely or...

I disagree, I’m not saying he’s “head and shoulders” above everyone but IMO he’s clearly the best LW on the team, and an awesome fit with Dach - Cozens. That combined with him being one of the older players and a returnee (who played extremely well last year, scoring 5 goals) makes him in my mind the go to player to ‘load’ up the top line with.

Not that other players can’t fit that role too, but he’s the best option IMO.

 

[jcs0218]

It is the World Juniors theme song!!!

 

[Adam da bomb]

You are both talking about “situations” while ignoring that Hughes was given every opportunity - linemates, ice time, powerplay chances - to produce right off the bat, while Dach had to work his way up from next to nothing.

Dach is probably better value for his position in draft than Hughes so far but it’s to early to declare Dach the best forward from that year.

 

[Dominance]

Dach is probably better value for his position in draft than Hughes so far but it’s to early to declare Dach the best forward from that year.

I agree.

The point is that he is the best right now.

It’s still a tragedy that we won’t see Lafreniere-Dach rekindle their chemistry and eat every opposing team alive.

 

[lawrence]

Lol

not lol worthy. It's pretty close and he outplayed the 2 guys drafted ahead of him.

 

[Mathieukferland]

It is the World Juniors theme song!!!

I thought it had become a dumb country song, no?

 

[Leviathan899]

Good to know. Didn’t seem to cross the line when watching him in the U18’s. But obviously when you play that game it can happen.

Yeah it was mainly in his rookie an second year season, but now I’m starting to maybe confuse them with his injury history which is also fairly extensive for his age. His compete level and passion will carry him to the NHL, and he actually has some really good skill and goal scoring instincts. Just wish he grew a bit

 

[Leviathan899]

That line has some really good skill and jam.

Holloway is a fantastic skater and a wrecking ball on the forecheck and along the walls at both ends of the ice, Pelletier has some jam as well to his game.

I suspect they’ll play a big role especially with how some strong Holloway and Pelletier are defensively. Newhook has so much skill as well, plus having Holloway on his line who is strong on the face off dot helps.

I’m expecting big things from that line at both ends of the ice.

Do you think Holloway can be like this years Foudy for us? Just skating well every game and first on the puck a lot, so good at extending plays and using his speed to create chances. Holloway isn’t as fast, but he’s no slouch. Also more physical and harder on the puck than Foudy, but Liam was such a key for Canada last year.

 

[Leviathan899]

LALALALALALA USA HISTORICALLY DOMINATED CANADA WHITE AT THE U17S AND IS THE FAVORITE LALALALALA.

Really though it's a pretty small pool beating that drum, and the Canadian counterparts are almost certainly more annoying.



Beckman didn't look good in the camp and has limited Hockey Canada experience. Rees looked good and most people here were surprised when he was cut.

Even Carolina wouldn’t take Rees over Suzuki right now, Rees is good and had a strong camp but just simply too many good players ahead of him. Suzuki can actually play a solid two way game, he isn’t bad defensively and will win his share of puck battles out of pure sense and smarts.

 

[lawrence]

I believe we will take gold. Expecations are there for Canada once again. Pressure is on them, they are the most stacked roster in 2021.

 

[JPeeper]

I believe we will take gold. Expecations are there for Canada once again. Pressure is on them, they are the most stacked roster in 2021.

If Canada can get the goaltending, they should cruise to Gold. This team is deep AF even without Laffy.

 

[JackSlater]

Canada has a deep roster this year and certainly what looks like the most talented roster. I don't think that Canada's ever had a bigger question mark in net though, and it's difficult to say how the lack of games relative to some other teams can impact things. I would not be surprised at all to see this team go out in the quarterfinals or win the gold medal. I can't think of another year where the exhibition games held larger interest.

 

[Gold Standard]

Canada has a deep roster this year and certainly what looks like the most talented roster. I don't think that Canada's ever had a bigger question mark in net though, and it's difficult to say how the lack of games relative to some other teams can impact things. I would not be surprised at all to see this team go out in the quarterfinals or win the gold medal. I can't think of another year where the exhibition games held larger interest.

Win or lose this tournament....they'll be GOLD medal winners at the '26 Olympics.

but looking forward to this tournament for now.

 

[JackSlater]

Win or lose this tournament....they'll be GOLD medal winners at the '26 Olympics.

but looking forward to this tournament for now.

Definitely looking forward to it. Even in lockout years there wasn't this dearth of hockey. Looking forward to Germany-Finland after the Christmas food is put away. The exhibitions against Sweden and Russia should be particularly good viewing as well.

 

[Macman]

As good as this team appears to be, I think some of you need to rein in your expectations. The majority of players on this team have yet to even play a game this year while the Europeans have.

 

[Auto Pilot]

not lol worthy. It's pretty close and he outplayed the 2 guys drafted ahead of him.

no he didn’t. And yes it is lol worthy. So is your comment that he outplayed the other two drafted a head of him.

He had the same amount of points as Kakko, though better advanced stats. He had 2 more points than Hughes all while playing with a better forward group and in 5 more games. That’s not exactly out playing them. Dach is going to be good, but already declaring he’s the best forward in the draft when he produced the same amount as Kakko and only put up 2 more points than hughes in 5 more is hilarious. It’s as bad as calling players a bust after their first season.


That said, he’s going to be a damn good player and could very well be the best forward in this tournament.

 

[Prominence Problem]

Even Carolina wouldn’t take Rees over Suzuki right now, Rees is good and had a strong camp but just simply too many good players ahead of him. Suzuki can actually play a solid two way game, he isn’t bad defensively and will win his share of puck battles out of pure sense and smarts.

Considering Zuke has an eye injury that is left him blind in the centre of his one eye. Could you imagine how good he would be if he didn't have that injury?!

He is a heck of a player being able to learn to adapt to play at a high level with that injury.

 

[ORRFForever]

Canada has a deep roster this year and certainly what looks like the most talented roster. I don't think that Canada's ever had a bigger question mark in net though, and it's difficult to say how the lack of games relative to some other teams can impact things. I would not be surprised at all to see this team go out in the quarterfinals or win the gold medal. I can't think of another year where the exhibition games held larger interest.

Well said. My thoughts exactly.

I HOPE we get some kind of "scare" in the Round Robin. Some adversity. Some challenge. It really helps.