WJC: 2022 Team Canada Roster Talk

[Gold Standard]

Whats that about?

probably means we can forget L.A. releasing Byfield for the tournament. either Hockey Canada is pissed with L.A. management or now L.A. management is pissed at Hockey Canada people. This is not trending in the right direction.

 

[Digital Dog]

He hasn’t been too good this year in all honesty.

But they have virtually no right-hand D-man options so it's bizarre to not even invite Clarke to camp, just bizarre

 

[JohnLennon]

He hasn’t been too good this year in all honesty.

Isn't he leading the OHL in points for defensemen...?

 

[Dominance]

He hasn’t been too good this year in all honesty.

What? The stats are there, the prestige/history of quality play with TC is there, and from all I have seen and read he is Barrie’s top player by far. This is a simply insane omission.

 

[HSF]

probably means we can forget L.A. releasing Byfield for the tournament. either Hockey Canada is pissed with L.A. management or now L.A. management is pissed at Hockey Canada people. This is not trending in the right direction.

kinda dumb if LA is holding back Byfield imo

 

[86Habs]

I have a hard time believing that they go into the tournament with 6 defenceman (out of 7) being LHS. Doesn't seem reasonable. I also can't see Wright as a lock given his play so far this year, although his on-ice play (based on my viewings) has been somewhat better than his production on the scoresheet. Cameron sees a lot of Wright though, so that may be his edge in making this team.

 

[93LEAFS]

probably means we can forget L.A. releasing Byfield for the tournament. either Hockey Canada is pissed with L.A. management or now L.A. management is pissed at Hockey Canada people. This is not trending in the right direction.

Any actual smoke outside a surprising non-invite for Clarke? Hockey Canada being down on a highly touted player happens every so often. I remember them not inviting Domi or Nurse in 2013 and I don't believe they invited Dal Colle after he was drafted.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

What? The stats are there, the prestige/history of quality play with TC is there, and from all I have seen and read he is Barrie’s top player by far. This is a simply insane omission.

Isn't he leading the OHL in points for defensemen...?

I’m not doubting his ability to put up points. Guy is elite in that regard, but theres more to this guy than looking at a stat sheet.
At the u18’s last year, even with how highly regarded Clarke is/was - it wasn’t him running Canada’s PP1; it was Zellweger getting the majority of starts.
Theres also the issue of Clarke overcommitting in the offensive zone and being out of position leading to odd man rushes. I also find he puck watches a little too often for my liking. Yeah Barrie’s goalies haven’t been too good this season but their defence hasn’t helped much. That includes Clarke.

Simply put, there are better 19 year olds to do Clarkes job. Theres always next year where I imagine he’s one of the leaders on the team.
Being a high draft selection gets you through the door, but it doesn’t guarantee you get to dance.
I remember the outrage when Glass didn’t make the team in 2018

 

[bsu]

kinda dumb if LA is holding back Byfield imo

Byfield should definitely be playing. Oh well I'm okay with Byfield and Clarke not playing. Go USA!

 

[kyle44]

 

[JackSlater]

Seemed like a slam dunk choice to at the very least go to camp. Very... odd if he doesn't even get a camp invite. He does seem like far and away the best right handed option. Between Clarke not being invited and McKenzie's musings it seems like a lot is being left on the table. At least the goaltending situation looks stable.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Anyone know where the full list is?

Pretty sure the official invite list comes out tomorrow.

 

[JohnLennon]

I’m not doubting his ability to put up points. Guy is elite in that regard, but theres more to this guy than looking at a stat sheet.
At the u18’s last year, even with how highly regarded Clarke is/was - it wasn’t him running Canada’s PP1; it was Zellweger getting the majority of starts.
Theres also the issue of Clarke overcommitting in the offensive zone and being out of position leading to odd man rushes. I also find he puck watches a little too often for my liking. Yeah Barrie’s goalies haven’t been too good this season but their defence hasn’t helped much. That includes Clarke.

Simply put, there are better 19 year olds to do Clarkes job. Theres always next year where I imagine he’s one of the leaders on the team.
Being a high draft selection gets you through the door, but it doesn’t guarantee you get to dance.
I remember the outrage when Glass didn’t make the team in 2018

Totally fair! My question then becomes... why snub your best offensive defenseman, even if he isn't defensively sound? Seems like he can make your team better if utilized correctly.

 

[Digital Dog]

Ok, that MUST be it.

 

[JohnLennon]

Seemed like a slam dunk choice to at the very least go to camp. Very... odd if he doesn't even get a camp invite. He does seem like far and away the best right handed option. Between Clarke not being invited and McKenzie's musings it seems like a lot is being left on the table. At least the goaltending situation looks stable.

Can you link McKenzie's musings? I'm not aware what you're referring to!

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Totally fair! My question then becomes... why snub your best offensive defenseman, even if he isn't defensively sound? Seems like he can make your team better if utilized correctly.

I don’t know why he didn’t at the VERY least been given an invite.
Edit: I see now he may have been exposed to Covid. That’s why he didn’t get an Inv.

 

[JackSlater]

Can you link McKenzie's musings? I'm not aware what you're referring to!

I'm referring to the TSN WJC preview show and McKenzie's locks and frontrunners. There is a link to it a page or two back. Generally if McKenzie mentions something related to Hockey Canada there is a good reason for it.

 

[kyle44]

 

[Static]

Galaxy brain decision.

 

[JohnLennon]

OK what the hell??

 

[93LEAFS]

I'm referring to the TSN WJC preview show and McKenzie's locks and frontrunners. There is a link to it a page or two back. Generally if McKenzie mentions something related to Hockey Canada there is a good reason for it.

Yeah, he's the most well-connected insider with scouts/Hockey Canada.

 

[goonybird]

Hockey Canada continuing their long tradition of completely overthinking things

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Hockey Canada continuing their long tradition of completely overthinking things

Its an omission for sure but I believe Canada has guys just like him that weren’t top 10 picks. I’ll put it this way, not having Clarke on the team isnt going to be the reason why Canada is/isn’t going to lose.

 

[fsanford]

probably means we can forget L.A. releasing Byfield for the tournament. either Hockey Canada is pissed with L.A. management or now L.A. management is pissed at Hockey Canada people. This is not trending in the right direction.

Byfield is recovering from a fractured ankle, no way LA risks letting him play, if they did Blake should be fired

 

[goonybird]

Its an omission for sure but I believe Canada has guys just like him that weren’t top 10 picks. I’ll put it this way, not having Clarke on the team isnt going to be the reason why Canada is going to lose.

Just wait and see which top prospect gets stuck on the fourth line despite outplaying 3/4 of the team like Huberdeau, McDavid, Mercer, MacKinnon etc. all were in their first years (both for Mercer). But who knows. Maybe they know something about Brandt we don't.