WJC: 2021 Canada Roster Talk

[TheBeastCoast]

It is definitely disappointing that the players are being held back for an NHL season we have absolutely no idea when it will start and will definitely not be happening during the tournament. I do find it interesting that the one NHL player to come back and seemingly made it a priority to come and play in the tournament is the one player who didn't get the chance to play in the tournament last year in Dach. Meanwhile Laf,Kakko and Hughes have all done it before so maybe it isn't a priority for them anymore.

 

[GeoBlue]

If you ask me, there are a number of scenarios that can still play out that have not even been considered yet. For example, what if Laf says, " To hell with you guys and your contractual squabbles........I'm going. You won't let me? Talk to my lawyer and agent. $$$$$ ? I'll be okay. I want to play instead of play shinny in NY."

Similar legal challenges have happened in the past. And technically, roster does not have to be set until the day before the tournament starts.

 

[Statsy]

If you ask me, there are a number of scenarios that can still play out that have not even been considered yet. For example, what if Laf says, " To hell with you guys and your contractual squabbles........I'm going. You won't let me? Talk to my lawyer and agent. $$$$$ ? I'll be okay. I want to play instead of play shinny in NY."

Similar legal challenges have happened in the past. And technically, roster does not have to be set until the day before the tournament starts.

The problem with that is there are a bunch of logistical issues involving quarantine. Not to mention that Canada once dropped Eric Lindros into a WJC tournament late and the team bombed out. Hockey Canada made the decision then and there that they wouldn’t mess with camp chemistry by bringing in last minute players.

I’m also quite disappointed that we won’t see these three studs (not counting Seider who actually opted out on his own quite a while ago) this year, but we still have less players missing than usual, so I’ll be thankful for what we have. Should still be a great tournament. Always is!

 

[Prominence Problem]

I don't think their decision is based on COVID. And New York CERTAINLY hasn't shown the world how to deal with the pandemic by any means.

Yeah they did not base there decision based off of Covid. They are in America remember.

And what does this have to do with the New York Rangers again?

 

[ffh]

If you ask me, there are a number of scenarios that can still play out that have not even been considered yet. For example, what if Laf says, " To hell with you guys and your contractual squabbles........I'm going. You won't let me? Talk to my lawyer and agent. $$$$$ ? I'll be okay. I want to play instead of play shinny in NY."

Similar legal challenges have happened in the past. And technically, roster does not have to be set until the day before the tournament starts.

Or maybe ny asked him if he wanted to go and he said no.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

And what does this have to do with the New York Rangers again?

Why would the New York Rangers not send a player to Canada specifically because of Covid....when they are in America. It really isn't hard to figure out. The decision had absolutely nothing to do with Covid.

 

[Prominence Problem]

Why would the New York Rangers not send a player to Canada specifically because of Covid....when they are in America. It really isn't hard to figure out. The decision had absolutely nothing to do with Covid.

So the Rangers decided putting their number one pick on a plane to fly Halfway Around the continent, in a pandemic, to go into quarantine with the rest of the team Canada, has nothing to do in the decision?

I almost wonder if the Rangers didn't send him because they think the tournament is not even going to happen in the first place. So why risk anything ?

 

[TheBeastCoast]

So the Rangers decided putting their number one pick on a plane to fly Halfway Around the continent, in a pandemic, to go into quarantine with the rest of the team Canada, has nothing to do in the decision?

I almost wonder if the Rangers didn't send him because they think the tournament is not even going to happen in the first place. So why risk anything ?

I mean they literally said what the reason for the decision is. I am not sure what need there is to try and infer other reasoning? If the NHL season goes ahead at some point the Rangers will you know be getting in an air plane and flying to different cities. I absolutely think it had nothing to do with the decision. At all.

 

[Prominence Problem]

I mean they literally said what the reason for the decision is. I am not sure what need there is to try and infer other reasoning? If the NHL season goes ahead at some point the Rangers will you know be getting in an air plane and flying to different cities. I absolutely think it had nothing to do with the decision. At all.

Sure, IF the season goes ahead as planned, the Rangers will most certainly be going in a plane and flying City to City. Doesn't mean they have to add more risk right now.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree then. You think it absolutely had nothing to do with covid, I do.

 

[dmac7719]

If you ask me, there are a number of scenarios that can still play out that have not even been considered yet. For example, what if Laf says, " To hell with you guys and your contractual squabbles........I'm going. You won't let me? Talk to my lawyer and agent. $$$$$ ? I'll be okay. I want to play instead of play shinny in NY."

Similar legal challenges have happened in the past. And technically, roster does not have to be set until the day before the tournament starts.

In your example, the only talking NYR would have to do to Laf's lawyer and agent would be to remind them that Laf is under contract with the Rangers and they get to dictate where and when he plays.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

....maybe these kids just don't want to play in this tournament, especially if they have already won it? Their motivations tend to be very different than that of the fans (which is driven a lot by emotion <patriotism>).

 

[TheBeastCoast]

....maybe these kids just don't want to play in this tournament, especially if they have already won it? Their motivations tend to be very different than that of the fans (which is driven a lot by emotion <patriotism>).

I think that has a lot to do with it. I am sure if Hughes and Lafreniere really pushed to go the clubs would accommodate(potentially) but if the players are happy to just stick with the pro players and work on their future in the big league the team isn't going to change their mind. Then you look at Dach who missed out on playing at the tournament and went out of his way to make it clear he wants to go if the NHL isn't playing and it gets done.

 

[Dack]

....maybe these kids just don't want to play in this tournament, especially if they have already won it? Their motivations tend to be very different than that of the fans (which is driven a lot by emotion <patriotism>).

I think if Lafreniere or Hughes really wanted to go they would be at the WJC. Dach made it very clear he wanted to go, if Laf or Hughes did the same I have a hard time believing either organization would hurt their relationship to stop them from playing ~ 8 games in a bubble.

 

[RandomTask26]

Lafreniere had his chance to be a leader on this team, and he took it and ran with it. He was amazing last year.

Personally I'd rather watch and see what other players step up; the fun of the WJC is discovering new Canadian hockey heroes

 

[GeoBlue]

In your example, the only talking NYR would have to do to Laf's lawyer and agent would be to remind them that Laf is under contract with the Rangers and they get to dictate where and when he plays.

So he breaks the contract.........then what? Do you think Laf will be unemployed for the rest of his hockey career? A similar thing almost happened a while back when the NHL said that they were not going to the Olympics and some Russians stated, "To hell with it...I'm playing for my country!" A league is only as strong as the players within it. If the top 20 signed picks in the draft decided to move on, you can be sure that the league, or the individual teams, would work something out without waving the contract.

I tend to think that perhaps, as some have mentioned, that some players involved indicated that they would prefer to pass on the tournament. Unfortunately, I have not heard Laf himself say anything as of yet. Has anyone?

 

[ORRFForever]

It is definitely disappointing that the players are being held back for an NHL season we have absolutely no idea when it will start and will definitely not be happening during the tournament. I do find it interesting that the one NHL player to come back and seemingly made it a priority to come and play in the tournament is the one player who didn't get the chance to play in the tournament last year in Dach. Meanwhile Laf,Kakko and Hughes have all done it before so maybe it isn't a priority for them anymore.

Good points and well said.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I think if Lafreniere or Hughes really wanted to go they would be at the WJC. Dach made it very clear he wanted to go, if Laf or Hughes did the same I have a hard time believing either organization would hurt their relationship to stop them from playing ~ 8 games in a bubble.

Well, in Hughes' case the Devils said it was up to him. I mean, both sides can try to pin it on the other so as not to be the "bad guy" but I think you're right-if the player wants to go they usually go.

 

[ORRFForever]

Lafreniere had his chance to be a leader on this team, and he took it and ran with it. He was amazing last year.

Personally I'd rather watch and see what other players step up; the fun of the WJC is discovering new Canadian hockey heroes

Yup.

He really has no reason to return. The problems:

1) He'd have to quarantine,
2) He'd have to give up his Christmas;
3) He could get hurt;
4) Why take the chance of replacing your Gold winning WJR memory with a less positive one?

Add the fact that there is a "been there, done that" element to it and I can see why he didn't go.

Having said that, as a Canadian, I am disappointed. I'm less disappointed because Canada has such a strong team.

 

[ORRFForever]

Well, in Hughes' case the Devils said it was up to him. I mean, both sides can try to pin it on the other so as not to be the "bad guy" but I think you're right-if the player wants to go they usually go.

Yup. I think a lot of teams take the hit / blame for the player.

 

[dmac7719]

So he breaks the contract.........then what? Do you think Laf will be unemployed for the rest of his hockey career? A similar thing almost happened a while back when the NHL said that they were not going to the Olympics and some Russians stated, "To hell with it...I'm playing for my country!" A league is only as strong as the players within it. If the top 20 signed picks in the draft decided to move on, you can be sure that the league, or the individual teams, would work something out without waving the contract.

I tend to think that perhaps, as some have mentioned, that some players involved indicated that they would prefer to pass on the tournament. Unfortunately, I have not heard Laf himself say anything as of yet. Has anyone?

The fact that you think the NHL or the NHLPA would allow either side to break a contract just shows how little you understand.

And of course Laf has the talent to be employed outside the NHL. But he has signed his ELC and therefore NYR has say on where he plays for the next 3 years.

 

[Canada4Gold]

The fact that you think the NHL or the NHLPA would allow either side to break a contract just shows how little you understand.

And of course Laf has the talent to be employed outside the NHL. But he has signed his ELC and therefore NYR has say on where he plays for the next 3 years.

What kind of hockey related activities does a contract dictate in the offseason? There's no season or training camp right now. Isn't Lafreniere or anyone else under NHL contract free to play in an international event? Could an NHL team tell a player after they don't qualify for the playoffs that said player cannot play in the IIHF World Championships? Once training camp officially starts sure he's obligated by contract to be in New York with the team. Until then I would think he's free to play the WJC if he wanted to and it wouldn't break the contract.

Not saying he's ever doing that but just going down the road of a players options regarding what does and doesn't break a contract.

 

[dmac7719]

What kind of hockey related activities does a contract dictate in the offseason? There's no season or training camp right now.

Idk, but common sense and logic would say that teams at least somewhat monitor what their players are doing in the off season. Would be pretty bad business practice to let multi-million dollar assets do their own thing with no oversight

Isn't Lafreniere or anyone else under NHL contract free to play in an international event?

No, they still need permission from the team that holds their contract. It just would not look good what so ever if a team came out and said they were withholding one of their players.

Could an NHL team tell a player after they don't qualify for the playoffs that said player cannot play in the IIHF World Championships?

Yes.

Once training camp officially starts sure he's obligated by contract to be in New York with the team. Until then I would think he's free to play the WJC if he wanted to and it wouldn't break the contract.

Contracts don't pause at the end of a players season and then start back up again at the next training camp. They are all year round.

 

[Asinine]

I'm sure Laf would like to go but he knows his priority right now is the Rangers and his NHL career.

 

[New User Name]

I'm disappointed he won't play but whether it's him or the Rangers I understand it. (I still think the draft was fixed LOL)

An Injury, contracting the virus, any number of reasons would make me think twice of playing or letting him play if I was the team that drafted him.

He was with the team that won last year so he has nothing to prove anymore when it comes to Junior hockey.

NYR are not being jerks, nor is he in refusing to go (if it turns out he made the decision)

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I actually like it. A lot.