WJC: 2021 Canada Roster Talk Part 2

[snipes]

Its good for the team when everyone feels like they are contributing

Exactly, and contributing doesn’t necessarily need to mean piling on points. It’s everyone buying into a role and playing the proper way.

A big hit on the forecheck and hemming a team in before fresh guys get out there and bury a goal is contributing.

Standing a forward up in the neutral zone by a D man leading to a chance the other way is contributing.

The best way to describe Canadian style of hockey when it’s clicking in best-on-best type events is we are a suffocating team all over the ice. Teams just run out of time and space against our wave after wave attack in all 3 zones with or without the puck. Saw really good glimpses of classic Canadian style of hockey.

Very pleased with the effort top to bottom. Now stay vigilant and keep playing like that from here on out because the tournament starts for real now.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Exactly, and contributing doesn’t necessarily need to mean piling on points. It’s everyone buying into a role and playing the proper way.

A big hit on the forecheck and hemming a team in before fresh guys get out there and bury a goal is contributing.

Standing a forward up in the neutral zone by a D man leading to a chance the other way is contributing.

The best way to describe Canadian style of hockey when it’s clicking in best-on-best type events is we are a suffocating team all over the ice. Teams just run out of time and space against our wave after wave attack in all 3 zones with or without the puck. Saw really good glimpses of classic Canadian style of hockey.

Very pleased with the effort top to bottom. Now stay vigilant and keep playing like that from here on out because the tournament starts for real now.

11/13 forwards had at least 1 pt tonight. The two that didn't both had good games and we discussed them earlier... Holloway and Mercer.

 

[SpoolCat]

I can't remember being as happy for a team Canada player having a big game than I am right now for Byfield. I don't post much but in real life I've been as critical of him as anyone on here and he proved us wrong tonight hopefully he can continue to do that as the tourney moves forward

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Looking for an impartial view, can Mercer's skating improve much from what it is? The only thing I see keeping him from being a 1st liner is that he is lacking explosive speed.

 

[Spic Bud]

This team is gonna win off the strength of the Defense and Goaltending. Byram and Drysdale are on another level and can bail each other out with their skating. Harley Schneider and Barron have looked good and Levi has looked solid. Weak competition so far I get it but I think they can shut down the top teams too mainly through puck possession.

 

[ORRFForever]

I can't remember being as happy for a team Canada player having a big game than I am right now for Byfield. I don't post much but in real life I've been as critical of him as anyone on here and he proved us wrong tonight hopefully he can continue to do that as the tourney moves forward

I felt good for him, too.

I can't remember the last time I felt this good about a Team Canada going into NYE. I know anything can happen but given Canada's talented and depth it's hard not to feel good. Plus, watching the other Big 5 teams, they have weaknesses we don't have.

 

[ORRFForever]

Looking at the other Big 4...

**

The U.S. team's offense is Zegras centric. When he's playing well, and he's played well, the team excels when he's on the ice.

The other forwards on the top 2 lines have had trouble hitting the net and disappointed.

The energy lines have been a pleasant surprise.

D is a weakness. Goaltending did not look good against Russia but were lights out against the Czechs and Austria.

The U.S. was "meh" against the only good team they played.

**

Sweden's D looks good but they don't have a lot of scoring - I was surprised they didn't do more against Austria.

We'll have a better idea after tomorrow night's game.

**

Russia looks like the same old Russians. Amazing ability to counter attack and change the game on a dime. Goaltending has not been as good as expected.

Russia was terrific against the U.S. but <bleeped> the bed against the Czechs.

As is the case with most years, the Russians are hard to figure out. You never know what you're gonna get.

**

Finland looks "okay" but not as good as past years. I don't expect Finland to win on NYE and I don't expect them to get past the quarters - although I hope they make the semis.

**

On any given night, all things being equal, Canada should win 3 out of 4 games against any of these teams.

 

[snipes]

11/13 forwards had at least 1 pt tonight. The two that didn't both had good games and we discussed them earlier... Holloway and Mercer.

They both played a huge role on the PK.

I don’t even think the Swiss had a shot on their first 3 PPs. They both hounded the puck well and hemmed teams in. I was happy with their play on the PK in particular.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

They both played a huge role on the PK.

I don’t even think the Swiss had a shot on their first 3 PPs. They both hounded the puck well and hemmed teams in. I was happy with their play on the PK in particular.

and those big hits

 

[snipes]

and those big hits

You could see on the close ups afterwards how nervous Swiss players were to touch the puck. Routinely D men were snapping their heads back looking for the forecheck before it even arrived.

Holloway, Mercer, and company need to keep striking utter fear in the opponent to touch the puck. It leads to mistakes and poor puck decisions. Loved their physicality and play on the PK.

Physical and psychological intimidation is a big part of junior hockey and always will be. These guys aren’t 15 year NHL vets who are used to that type of attack.

 

[ORRFForever]

Byfield went from being useless to being 3rd in scoring in 1 game. LOL.

Stats during the WJR's are a joke.

 

[Paralyzer008]

If this is the reinforcement that you need that Byfield was the 2nd or 3rd best player in the draft, then so be it. I think most people probably understood that but this just reinforces that.

As much as it was the two goals and six points, a towering performance - it was really everything. The faceoffs, the physical play, the defensive awareness...but to get that offensive outburst the way he did - to get a great powerplay tip goal, to get some of those assists - it was a terrific performance. Everyone has been talking about him because of the slow start and people were saying "what's wrong with him?" and people were criticizing him in those first games. This will silence that - it's just one game, but it was an impressive performance.

Interesting to note Jamie Drysdale getting in on the 2nd PP, getting shots through. He was a catalyst there.

 

[Tomas W]

Looking at the other Big 4...

**

The U.S. team's offense is Zegras centric. When he's playing well, and he's played well, the team excels when he's on the ice.

The other forwards on the top 2 lines have had trouble hitting the net and disappointed.

The energy lines have been a pleasant surprise.

D is a weakness. Goaltending did not look good against Russia but were lights out against the Czechs and Austria.

The U.S. was "meh" against the only good team they played.

**

Sweden's D looks good but they don't have a lot of scoring - I was surprised they didn't do more against Austria.

We'll have a better idea after tomorrow night's game.

**

Russia looks like the same old Russians. Amazing ability to counter attack and change the game on a dime. Goaltending has not been as good as expected.

Russia was terrific against the U.S. but <bleeped> the bed against the Czechs.

As is the case with most years, the Russians are hard to figure out. You never know what you're gonna get.

**

Finland looks "okay" but not as good as past years. I don't expect Finland to win on NYE and I don't expect them to get past the quarters - although I hope they make the semis.

**

On any given night, all things being equal, Canada should win 3 out of 4 games against any of these teams.

Sweden missed Broberg against the Austrians, with him back the offense will be better again.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Does it not make sense to have given Garand the Switzerland game? If he’s going into next year as the likely starter, you’d have liked him to have gotten a start this year. It seems very shortsighted and poor planning to have Levi play against Switzerland. Canada will probably also be the only team to not give two goalies a start. The coach could risk running Levi into the ground with too much hockey in a short span.

 

[Harbour Dog]

Does it not make sense to have given Garand the Switzerland game? If he’s going into next year as the likely starter, you’d have liked him to have gotten a start this year. It seems very shortsighted and poor planning to have Levi play against Switzerland. Canada will probably also be the only team to not give two goalies a start. The coach could risk running Levi into the ground with too much hockey in a short span.

He's only faced 43 shots in three games. He's practically taken half a game off, every game.

As a Rangers fan, I'd like to see Garand get a start as well, but giving Levi a rest is definitely not a reason to get Garand in. He isn't being over-worked, and it is important to keep your starter sharp for when the games get more competitive.

 

[ItWasJustified]

Russia looks like the same old Russians

Except they have an entirely different playstyle than they've had for the past 15 years.

 

[Statsy]

Does it not make sense to have given Garand the Switzerland game? If he’s going into next year as the likely starter, you’d have liked him to have gotten a start this year. It seems very shortsighted and poor planning to have Levi play against Switzerland. Canada will probably also be the only team to not give two goalies a start. The coach could risk running Levi into the ground with too much hockey in a short span.

I’ve been a little surprised we haven’t seen someone else get a start, but at the same time the lack of games this year pretty much makes the fatigue issue a moot point.

 

[JackSlater]

If this is the reinforcement that you need that Byfield was the 2nd or 3rd best player in the draft, then so be it. I think most people probably understood that but this just reinforces that.

As much as it was the two goals and six points, a towering performance - it was really everything. The faceoffs, the physical play, the defensive awareness...but to get that offensive outburst the way he did - to get a great powerplay tip goal, to get some of those assists - it was a terrific performance. Everyone has been talking about him because of the slow start and people were saying "what's wrong with him?" and people were criticizing him in those first games. This will silence that - it's just one game, but it was an impressive performance.

Interesting to note Jamie Drysdale getting in on the 2nd PP, getting shots through. He was a catalyst there.

I liked Byfield dominating faceoffs. Canada typically does very well on faceoffs but it seems off this year, outside of him. I also liked Drysdale on the second powerplay. Harley has a big wrist shot from the point but it isn't getting through or getting on net. I've not been impressed with him in general. Drysdale deserves that spot.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

This team is gonna win off the strength of the Defense and Goaltending. Byram and Drysdale are on another level and can bail each other out with their skating. Harley Schneider and Barron have looked good and Levi has looked solid. Weak competition so far I get it but I think they can shut down the top teams too mainly through puck possession.

The defense/goaltending is reminding me of the junior version of the 2014 Olympic team. Almost impossible to get a good chance against and when somebody does they have Levi making it look easy just like Price did.

 

[Back in Black]

Canada should be allowed to enter 2 teams....

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Byfield went from being useless to being 3rd in scoring in 1 game. LOL.

Stats during the WJRs are a joke.

Counting stats do not reflect great play. The same lines continue to get hemmed in their own zone at the end of their shifts. This against weak competition as well. What happens when they face better competition.

 

[HSF]

its so hard to gauge these teams with all the blow out games. The elimination rounds is going to be fun

 

[snipes]

The defense/goaltending is reminding me of the junior version of the 2014 Olympic team. Almost impossible to get a good chance against and when somebody does they have Levi making it look easy just like Price did.

I thought the exact same thing yesterday, it’s our defensive play that really jumps out the most much like the 2014 Sochi team where teams could barely get across the blue line for any sustained pressure.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

I thought the exact same thing yesterday, it’s our defensive play that really jumps out the most much like the 2014 Sochi team where teams could barely get across the blue line for any sustained pressure.

They have played Swiss, Germany (14 players) and slovakia..wait until they at least play a poor Finland team.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Byfield was fantastic, he started the game out throwing the body and being tough on the forecheck opening the ice up for his skill.

Night and day difference effort on the forecheck by the forwards as a group. Well done, that’s the Canadian Way the way they played.

Everyone bought in and the just broke the Swiss will to compete completely. Excellent hockey game in terms of improving our play and playing the proper way we need to going into the next games.

You’re overdoing it with this Canadian way stuff. As has already been pointed out in this thread, there is less physicality and presence on the forecheck now by our team than Canadian teams brought in the past. The game is evolving and so are our junior leagues, with focus on concussions and safety. This is by and large a skill team that can play some good uptempo hockey when they work together.