WJC: 2022 Team Canada Roster Talk, Part II

[ORRFForever]

I honestly thought Finland would be much better. Sweden has looked about as expected.

It's hard to gauge both Canada and US so far, as they haven't faced a real contender yet. But they seem to be the clear favorites at this point. Canada's offense looks scary considering they really haven't clicked yet, and USA's defense seems really solid. Ultimately I'd give the edge to Canada because Garand is so much better than anyone the US has.

I expect both of them to finish 1st in their pools.

Well said. I agree.

If I had to bet my last $100, I'd bet on a rematch of last year's GMG.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

 

[ORRFForever]

Based on what you've seen so far, how would you rank the Top 4?

For me :

Canada
USA
Finland
Sweden

 

[Statsy]

Based on what you've seen so far, how would you rank the Top 4?

For me :

Canada
USA
Finland
Sweden

Yep! That’s what I would go with as well.

 

[ORRFForever]

Yep! That’s what I would go with as well.

Not sure why so many "pros" (Craig Button + others) feel Sweden is so strong. I must be missing something.

We'll know more tonight : Sweden vs USA.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Not sure why so many "pros" (Craig Button + others) feel Sweden is so strong. I must be missing something.

We'll know more tonight : Sweden vs USA.

They have the best goaltender. USA probably has better outskaters but not a great deal is known about how their undrafted goaltenders will deal against better competition. Canada has by far the best attack and is solid in net with Garand but puck distribution from the defenceman is a concern

 

[ORRFForever]

They have the best goaltender. USA probably has better outskaters but not a great deal is known about how their undrafted goaltenders will deal against better competition. Canada has by far the best attack and is solid in net with Garand but puck distribution from the defenceman is a concern

So how would you rank the Top 4?

**

TSN is REALLY pushing women's sports.

 

[Leviathan899]

The fact they are begging to come to the tournament would seemingly lead me to believe it is in fact not meaningless to them. But some rando's on the internet think it doesn't matter!

Nobody whose got an ounce of intelligence thinks it’s pointless. Hockey is just full of fans who seemingly think it’s trendy or cool to pretend they don’t care about anything but their favourite team. Simpletons.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

They have the best goaltender. USA probably has better outskaters but not a great deal is known about how their undrafted goaltenders will deal against better competition. Canada has by far the best attack and is solid in net with Garand but puck distribution from the defenceman is a concern

I wouldn’t be sure Canada doesn’t have the best goaltender.

 

[Mathieukferland]

So how would you rank the Top 4?

**

TSN is REALLY pushing women's sports.

1. Canada
2. Sweden
3. USA
4. Finland

 

[Leviathan899]

Rooting for them to lose every game, simply for not picking Brandt Clarke.

Brandt Clarke is a good player but extremely overrated, and not to mention a very immature kid off the ice. HC brass were not impressed with his off ice demeanour in Texas. Also not a good skater at all. I think end of the day Clarke will be a bust and seen as that in 5 years time. Zellweger is the better 03 D

 

[ORRFForever]

Didn't a wise man (in this forum) say (paraphrasing), "Don't sleep on the Latvians"?

 

[Mooche]

Based on what you've seen so far, how would you rank the Top 4?

For me :

Canada
USA
Finland
Sweden

Yessir.

This is how I'd have it based on what we have seen thus far.

But I think we will have a clearer sense of where the top four sits when we get some quality games tonight and tomorrow.

 

[ORRFForever]

Yessir.

This is how I'd have it based on what we have seen thus far.

But I think we will have a clearer sense of where the top four sits when we get some quality games tonight and tomorrow.

Team Canada is on the verge of something special. My concern is Canada's lack of chemistry - which is both a positive and a negative. A negative for the obvious reasons. A positive because we have room to grow - if Canada can get on the same page (in sync), this team could be scary good

Of course, the D could be better but they are still terrific - at least offensively.

I expect a rematch of last year's GMG with Canada getting revenge.

 

[Statsy]

They have the best goaltender. USA probably has better outskaters but not a great deal is known about how their undrafted goaltenders will deal against better competition. Canada has by far the best attack and is solid in net with Garand but puck distribution from the defenceman is a concern

Puck distribution from the defensemen isn’t a concern… defending is.

 

[Statsy]

Team Canada is on the verge of something terrific. A concern is Canada's lack of chemistry which is both a positive and a negative. Negative for the obvious reason. Positive because, if Canada can ever get on the same page (in sync), this team could be scary good.

Of course, the D could be better.

I expect a rematch of last years GMG with Canada getting revenge.

It’s actually quite strange to see Canada dominating games this much and scoring so many goals despite having chemistry issues on multiple lines. We‘re definitely getting outsized contributions from the top line, and the D is quite good on the attack as well. Also weird to see our powerplay look so clunky at times.

 

[ORRFForever]

It’s actually quite strange to see Canada dominating games this much and scoring so many goals despite having chemistry issues on multiple lines. We‘re definitely getting outsized contributions from the top line, and the D is quite good on the attack as well. Also weird to see our powerplay look so clunky at times.

I've just seen so many missed opportunities that would go in if the players had a feel for their line mates. If they could just get "there"...

Bedard has been a liability on the PP (I will get eaten alive for that comment) and we have relied on McT too much but, again, we are so close.

 

[Statsy]

I've just seen so many missed opportunities that would go in if the players had a feel for their line mates. If they could just get "there"...

Bedard has been a liability on the PP (I will likely get eaten alive for that comment) and we have relied on McT too much but, again, we are so close.

I agree about Bedard. It’s hard to say how he should best be utilized on the PP. He likes to glide in off the right point to get that wicked wrister away, which is a system used by no powerplay ever. I feel a good right handed shooter should be on the left boards for a one-timer, but he doesn’t seem to like his slapshot nearly as much so that doesn’t really work either. I don’t know what the answer is, yet I definitely DO want him out there. They just have to keep tinkering and hopefully they figure it out.

Johnson is probably more of a concern for me on the PP. Maybe he’ll have more confidence in his game after that nifty lacrosse goal.

 

[JackSlater]

It’s actually quite strange to see Canada dominating games this much and scoring so many goals despite having chemistry issues on multiple lines. We‘re definitely getting outsized contributions from the top line, and the D is quite good on the attack as well. Also weird to see our powerplay look so clunky at times.

It's difficult to judge where Canada is at, the team hasn't played a legitimate contender yet. If the Stankoven line can build on its play in the last game then that bodes well. The pieces are there for the powerplay. Bedard has a rocket, McTavish is good in front of the net and can win most battles at this level, Zellweger is smart with a good shot. They can be a bit too deliberate though. It's something that really needs to get figured out soon.

 

[ORRFForever]

I agree about Bedard. It’s hard to say how he should best be utilized on the PP.

His passes have been off and when the puck is ripped along the boards, he misplays it.

Like you said, we want him on the PP but... somewhere else.

 

[ORRFForever]

My hope for a Gold just increased...

Sweden is meh.

The U.S. is terrific defensively but that goaltender is a BAD game waiting to happen.

If we can get by the Finns tomorrow night, I really like our chances.

 

[wishywashy19]

It's difficult to judge where Canada is at, the team hasn't played a legitimate contender yet. If the Stankoven line can build on its play in the last game then that bodes well. The pieces are there for the powerplay. Bedard has a rocket, McTavish is good in front of the net and can win most battles at this level, Zellweger is smart with a good shot. They can be a bit too deliberate though. It's something that really needs to get figured out soon.

This sounds so familiar.
today is a good test of what this team is made of.
if we can’t play in our own end the offence stalls out.
the Amerks seem to have figured this out.
this is only a four team championship.
let the games begin
Hope some good crowds bring some life back like the good old days.

 

[Peasy]

Should move McTavish to the right half wall imo. Dude has an unbelievable shot and can one time it. That's where he played on the pp for Hamilton.

 

[newfy]

They have the best goaltender. USA probably has better outskaters but not a great deal is known about how their undrafted goaltenders will deal against better competition. Canada has by far the best attack and is solid in net with Garand but puck distribution from the defenceman is a concern

Sweden doesnt have the best goalie and hes had some shaky games already in this tourney.

 

[rocketdan9]

Who is Canada best player so far? McTavish?