WJC: 2021 Canada Roster Talk

[SpoolCat]

here's hoping
Laf Dach Krebs
Perfetti Byfield Cozens
Pelleteier Mcmicheal Quinn
Holloway Poulin Mercer
Jarvis

Byram Barron
Harley Drysdale
Power Schneider
Guhle

 

[McDrailers]

Excited for Newhook. Been a while since a Newfoundlander played a significant role in the world juniors. Sucks for Mercer. Looking like he’s gonna have to impress to even make limited time

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Surprised to see Power on the roster and no Brandt Clarke, who I believe goes #1 this year. Just my opinion, of course.

 

[GordonGraham]

So no impact for OHL WHL teams but QJMHL teams will lose a guy for over 50 days

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Would be awesome to see the full contingent of USA and Canada players playing if the NHL teams let them. Would be great of the sport given no other hockey will be going on at that time.

This USA age group has dominated their competition for years. Only been beat a few games, and they usually beat all these top countries by many goals. But some call them overrated because they lost one game that Askarov stood on his head and then were used in minor roles by a bad coach last year. If they are let to play their games, I can’t see how we aren’t the favorites. Canada is good every year and certainly has a chance to win, but we’ve consistently been the best in this age group.

 

[newfy]

Excited for Newhook. Been a while since a Newfoundlander played a significant role in the world juniors. Sucks for Mercer. Looking like he’s gonna have to impress to even make limited time

I would bet on Mercer playing a bigger role than Newhook at the tournament. Mercer is a returning player and for whatever reason hockey Canada doesnt seem to like Newhook.

As for the invites, Drysdale and Byram are very solid returning D. Goaltending better just hope for a hot hand because none of those guys have much track record really. With Dach coming back, even without Lafreniere, those forwards are going to absolutely torch the tournament.

Also looks like next years D should have a lot of experience from this tournament and be extremely physical. Maybe Drysdale back but then add any combo of guys like Power, Guhle, Schneider, Sabrango, O'Rourke and Barron and a lot of those European teams wont want to cross the blue line. Obviously not all of those guys will make it but thats looking to me like possibly the meanest group of defenders that Canada has brought to this tournament since I've been watching it

 

[Malaka]

Hope Dach gets the C

 

[NA Hockey]

I would bet on Mercer playing a bigger role than Newhook at the tournament. Mercer is a returning player and for whatever reason hockey Canada doesnt seem to like Newhook.

As for the invites, Drysdale and Byram are very solid returning D. Goaltending better just hope for a hot hand because none of those guys have much track record really. With Dach coming back, even without Lafreniere, those forwards are going to absolutely torch the tournament.

Also looks like next years D should have a lot of experience from this tournament and be extremely physical. Maybe Drysdale back but then add any combo of guys like Power, Guhle, Schneider, Sabrango, O'Rourke and Barron and a lot of those European teams wont want to cross the blue line. Obviously not all of those guys will make it but thats looking to me like possibly the meanest group of defenders that Canada has brought to this tournament since I've been watching it

Schneider and Barron aren't eligible for next years tournament but the other D names you mentioned will all provide a tough blue line for sure.

 

[tigervixxxen]

I think Byram is the strongest candidate to wear the C as a returning player.

TBH I think this group has enough talent to not need Lafrenière. I’m a massive fan of his but I think he’s moved on and the focus should be on the group at camp, not Lafrenière watch. Every year it’s almost embarrassing how much begging is done through the media to let the NHL guys go. Getting Dach in the camp is a big enough win as it is.

It will depend on how he looks in camp but I think they are dead serious about Wright making the team. Being able to take 25 greatly helps this too.

I found this interesting and was only reported by the French media unless I missed it elsewhere.



So about 20 guys will be cut after about a week and the remaining ~27 will stay in camp until time to go to Edmonton.

 

[thadd]

I dont think the NHLis starting until Feb by the sounds of it. I think you're gonna see every possible NHLer there and I cant wait.

Lafreniere Dach Cozens
Newhook Byfield Tomasino
Perfetti McMichael Quinn
Rees Krebs Mercer
Poulin Holloway Jarvis

Byram Dysdale
Harley Schneider
Guhle Clarke
Power Barron

Garand
Levi

I don't mean to be super negative, but being realistic I've gotta agree. The NHL said they don't want to do bubble cities and if that's the case expecting hockey in February might be overly optimistic.

America is reporting over 70K new cases per day while Canada is still in the thousands. That's not including all of the cases which go unreported. (There's more of those than you'd think.) 100% expect to see Lafreniere and Dach playing together at the world juniors.

This will easily be the most loaded world junior tournament since 2012. TBH this team looks a lot more top heavy on high end talent for Canada. I'm pretty cool with your lines and that depth is flat out insane. Kirby Dach had many moments this past season in which he looked like a complete destroyer of worlds vs adults. Can't wait to see what he does against a team of kids.

 

[DavidLamb]

I invite everyone to watch the HC 2 teams development and provide some ideas:
We will leave out Dach and Lafreniere as there is currently NO 100% certainty that they will be me available to Team Canada.

Here are the possible roster :

Team Red:

Newhook Byfield Cozens
Pelletier Krebs Quinn
Beckman Holloway Wright
Greig Jarvis Clarke
Goncalves
Harley Schneider
Guhle Barron
Power Millman
Hunt Cormier

Team White Forwards:

Perfetti McMichael Tomasino
Poulin Lapierre Mercer
Rees Zary Foerster
Ximoneau Suzuki Schwindt
Bourque
Byram Korzcak
Robertson Drysdale
O'Rouke Spence
Sebrango

 

[bert]

This USA age group has dominated their competition for years. Only been beat a few games, and they usually beat all these top countries by many goals. But some call them overrated because they lost one game that Askarov stood on his head and then were used in minor roles by a bad coach last year. If they are let to play their games, I can’t see how we aren’t the favorites. Canada is good every year and certainly has a chance to win, but we’ve consistently been the best in this age group.

Well you are a massive homer so thats probably why. Never played canada at full strength they always had players still playing major jr. At the U 18's Lafreniere, Dach, Perfetti, Byfield and Quinn were all still in the playoffs. Plus Canadas 2002's age group is way better than USA's. No doubt you think USA is better. But its not the case. The only place USA is better is in net.

If there is a situation where USA brings Jack Hughes and Canada doesnt bring Lafreniere it might swing into USA'S favour but with Chicago already releasing Dach i just dont see how the USA can be seen as the favorite with all things being equal.

Do you honestly see any d core that could handle the size, skill and physicality of Lafreniere Dach Cozens... If so that means Sanderson is one hell of a two way d man because he will be the one taking that matchup.

Graeme Clarke is a pleasant surprise.

Andre Tourigny, loyal guy but he brought the wrong Clarke. Look for Jack Quinn to have a big role and I predict a big tournament. Tourigny leans on him heavily in Ottawa in all situations.

 

[JackSlater]

I would bet on Mercer playing a bigger role than Newhook at the tournament. Mercer is a returning player and for whatever reason hockey Canada doesnt seem to like Newhook.

Yes, I agree with that. Mercer is probably looking at a middle six role while Newhook could get cut or play on the fourth line.

I think Byram is the strongest candidate to wear the C as a returning player.

TBH I think this group has enough talent to not need Lafrenière. I’m a massive fan of his but I think he’s moved on and the focus should be on the group at camp, not Lafrenière watch. Every year it’s almost embarrassing how much begging is done through the media to let the NHL guys go. Getting Dach in the camp is a big enough win as it is.

It will depend on how he looks in camp but I think they are dead serious about Wright making the team. Being able to take 25 greatly helps this too.

I found this interesting and was only reported by the French media unless I missed it elsewhere.



So about 20 guys will be cut after about a week and the remaining ~27 will stay in camp until time to go to Edmonton.

I agree with your sentiments regarding Byram, the begging, and Wright. I do not like, however, the plan to cut 20 players after a week. Most of these players won't be missing games regardless of the camp and they could use the opportunity to play some games with at least some intensity. I don't know that you'd see enough of most of the players with only one week of camp and no regular season to base decisions on.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

I’m here for the Lafreniere - Dach - Newhook line lol.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Here are my projected roster if we don't get Dach/Laf. More of a prediction than how I would do them.

Krebs - Newhook - Cozens
Beckman - Byfield - Quinn
Perfetti - Lapierre - McMichael
Holloway - Rees - Tomasino
(Jarvis, Poulin, Mercer)

If Dach and Lafreniere don't play, I think Team Canada might go with something like this. Lots of emphasis on proven chemistry with the Krebs - Newhook - Cozens line, the Perfetti - Lapierre connection, and so on. Obviously this team will have no trouble scoring, but since goaltending might a bit questionable, they might roll with a more defensive 4th line. I went with Holloway - Rees - Tomasino as they're all relatively fast and gritty, have solid defensive games, and can kill penalties. This line also has proven chemistry, as Rees and Holloway formed a dangerous 2-way duo at the Hlinka. This is how I think the lines will be assembled, not how I would do them. I think Jarvis is better than a few forwards here, but I have a feeling others will play ahead of him.

Byram - Schneider
Power - Drysdale
Guhle - Korczak
(Harley)

Like the forward group, this defensive corps is stacked. Really a lot of ways Team Canada could assemble the pairings, but I think this is the most likely scenario. Harley is a great player but I think they'll favour defensive play, plus they already have Byram for the top PP unit.

Levi
Garand/Gauthier

The biggest question mark for sure, but I don't think it will matter given the team in front of them. My gut tells me Gauthier will win the starter position, but for my money, Devon Levi is the best U20 goaltender Canada has. He's incredibly talented and has experience playing for Team Canada, having backstopped Canada East in the Jr. A Challenge to a Silver Medal and winning tournament MVP.

So yeah, pretty ridiculous team already, and the additions of Dach and/or Lafreniere would just put them over the top.​

 

[dmac7719]

I would bet on Mercer playing a bigger role than Newhook at the tournament. Mercer is a returning player and for whatever reason hockey Canada doesnt seem to like Newhook.

Newhook played for Canada at the u17's and u18's. He was also apart of Canada's best line at the u18's (Newhook-Krebs-Cozens), with both of those other players looking like they're locks for the team. I'd wager that Team Canada already has that line pencilled in for at the very least a "2nd" line role, barring anything crazy happening in the camp.

 

[SOLR]

They have to play Wright because the 2021s are so weak. If they don't play him they won't really have a star for next year. They always bring up 1-2 player early to bring continuity to the team, Wright will be that this year. I don't expect Simoneau (2021) to make the team, but maybe next year.

Moreover, imo Wright is already one of the top 9 forwards we have... I'm still dreaming about Lafreniere - Dach - Wright.

 

[SOLR]

Newhook played for Canada at the u17's and u18's. He was also apart of Canada's best line at the u18's (Newhook-Krebs-Cozens), with both of those other players looking like they're locks for the team. I'd wager that Team Canada already has that line pencilled in for at the very least a "2nd" line role, barring anything crazy happening in the camp.

The Lapierre line with Perfetti was the best like of that u18, not sure what you were looking at. Perfetti was named MVP, and Lapierre was named the team per the team's coach.

Lafreniere - Dach - Wright
Newhook- Byfield-Cozens
Perfetti - Lapierre - Quinn
Holloway-Mercer-McMichael
Krebs

I doubt Krebs will get a shot with Newhook and Cozens, he's just not a primary talent.

 

[dmac7719]

The Lapierre line with Perfetti was the best like of that u18, not sure what you were looking at. Perfetti was named MVP, and Lapierre was named the team per the team's coach.

Lafreniere - Dach - Wright
Newhook- Byfield-Cozens
Perfetti - Lapierre - Quinn
Holloway-Mercer-McMichael
Krebs

I doubt Krebs will get a shot with Newhook and Cozens, he's just not a primary talent.

Newhook-Krebs-Cozen line was the best line for Canada at the u18's World Championships. Lapierre and Perfetti weren't even on that team, you are looking at 2 separate tournaments (Perfetti/Lapierre were apart of Canada's U18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup).

And if you don't think Team Canada would love to have a line that has already thrived together in an international tournament, added on top of all 3 players showing great development in their d+1 seasons, I don't know what to say.

 

[SOLR]

Newhook-Krebs-Cozen line was the best line for Canada at the u18's World Championships. Lapierre and Perfetti weren't even on that team, you are looking at 2 separate tournaments (Perfetti/Lapierre were apart of Canada's U18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup).
And if you don't think Team Canada would love to have a line that has already thrived together in an international tournament, added on top of all 3 players showing great development in their d+1 seasons, I don't know what to say.

Oh, right. Haha --> more coffee for me.

No I think you are right that they tend to do that with lines, I just don't think Krebs is competitive at this stage if Dach and Lafreniere are there. Replacing Krebs with Byfield is a no brainer, unless you think Byfield should be 13th forward (I could respect that). I don't think Lapierre-Mercer are easy to move out of bottom line centers, but I could see Lapierre playing wing.

And you don't break Lapierre-Perfetti either.

 

[dmac7719]

Oh, right. Haha --> more coffee for me.

No I think you are right that they tend to do that with lines, I just don't think Krebs is competitive at this stage if Dach and Lafreniere are there. Replacing Krebs with Byfield is a no brainer, unless you think Byfield should be 13th forward (I could respect that). I don't think Lapierre-Mercer are easy to move out of bottom line centers, but I could see Lapierre playing wing.

And you don't break Lapierre-Perfetti either.

Well, based on the lines you posted above, I would personally put Byfield up with Laf and Dach and let those guys just toy with anyone they are put on the ice with.

Wright is an amazing player, but there is no way Team Canada puts a 16 year old on their top line. This isn't even taking into consideration that this may be a better than normal tournament considering players like Laf and Dach may be abailable.

 

[WRC]

I would bet on Mercer playing a bigger role than Newhook at the tournament. Mercer is a returning player and for whatever reason hockey Canada doesnt seem to like Newhook.

As for the invites, Drysdale and Byram are very solid returning D. Goaltending better just hope for a hot hand because none of those guys have much track record really. With Dach coming back, even without Lafreniere, those forwards are going to absolutely torch the tournament.

Also looks like next years D should have a lot of experience from this tournament and be extremely physical. Maybe Drysdale back but then add any combo of guys like Power, Guhle, Schneider, Sabrango, O'Rourke and Barron and a lot of those European teams wont want to cross the blue line. Obviously not all of those guys will make it but thats looking to me like possibly the meanest group of defenders that Canada has brought to this tournament since I've been watching it

Wow. Crazy view if you watched any NCAA hockey in the spring. Newhook was probably the best player in the country. I'd say he should be top 6 even with Dach and Laf there.
Mercer will be there because he's a returnee. Probably similar role to last year.

 

[SOLR]

Well, based on the lines you posted above, I would personally put Byfield up with Laf and Dach and let those guys just toy with anyone they are put on the ice with.

Wright is an amazing player, but there is no way Team Canada puts a 16 year old on their top line. This isn't even taking into consideration that this may be a better than normal tournament considering players like Laf and Dach may be abailable.

Crosby was on the first line at early 17, RW. Wright is in the same league as Crosby, and will be 17 in early January.

 

[NA Hockey]

Just a few thoughts.

This is a loaded team obviously and a number of high quality players are not going to make it. You could make a second team out of the invite list and contend for a medal.

If you are putting a team together for 3 or 5 years from now, Wright is a top line player from this group. But as of today he is not a better player than most on the team. I do put him on the fourth line for two reasons though. One, for the experience, as he is the future of Hockey Canada and two because he can play up and down the line up in a variety of roles and if someone gets hurt up the line up, he can jump in a play with top line guys.

Team will go with 14 forwards, 8 defence and 3 goalies most likely so I could see something like below. If Lafreniere and or Dach don't play all four from the "5th" line make it. If they do, two of those four are released.

The top 3 D pairings are all lefty righty combos which is nice. The team will dress 7 D for games so the last pairing both being lefties is not an issue.

The first line should absolutely dominate this tournament.

PP1 and 2 is an embarrassment of riches and the PK with the likes of Rees, Holloway and Mercer should be lights out.

Lafreniere - Dach - Cozens
Perfetti - Byfield - McMichael
Newhook- Tomasino - Krebs
Rees - Wright - Mercer
Suzuki - Lapierre/Holloway - Quinn

Byram - Schneider
Harley - Drysdale
Robertson - Barron
O'Rourke - Power

Levi
Garand
Brochu/Lennox

 

[bert]

With Lafreniere this is my prediction.

Lafreniere	Dach	Cozens
Perfetti	Byfield	Quinn
Newhook	Mcmichael	Tomasino
Rees	Krebs	Mercer
Poulin	Holloway
Byram	Drysdale
Harley	Schneider
Guhle	Barron
Power
Garand
Levi
Gauthier

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Without Lafreniere

Quinn	Dach	Cozens
Newhook	Byfield	Jarvis
Perfetti	Mcmichael	Tomasino
Rees	Krebs	Mercer
Poulin	Wright
Byram	Drysdale
Harley	Schneider
Guhle	Barron
Power
Garand
Levi
Gauthier

[TBODY] [/TBODY]