WJC: 2023 Team Canada Roster Talk Part 2

[GermanSpitfire]

I know that every year it’s gold or bust for Canada

However

With the way Hockey Canada constructed it‘s team this year, in that there is a world in which HC has zero returning players for next years team, you have to win gold given the insane amount of talent and the one of the oldest teams in recent memory.

There is more pressure on this team than any other in recent memory. And Rightfully so.

 

[JackSlater]

Of course it will be a massive disappointment if Canada does not win this tournament. Canada is the only country where it really is gold or bust in hockey and not just something that some people say. Looks like comfortably the best roster in the tournament, with several returnees, with NHL reinforcements, and in Canada.

And all that said, the team could absolutely lose. Going out in the semi-finals or losing in the final would not be a shock. The only team that realistically wins its WJC tournament more than 90% of the time if it could be played again and again is the 2005 Canadian team.

 

[PecnoTrunk]

I think Canada are probably the favorite, but I also don't think it's a runaway to the point where anything less than gold would be a disappointment. I know a lot of folks are talking about this group as one of the best all time, but honestly I just don't see it. I think the 2021 team was much stronger. Heck, last year's group was arguably stronger too, as this year's team lost McTavish, Johnson, and Greig. Bringing up 2005 and 2015 is pretty ambitious.

In a single elimination tournament, USA, Finland, and Sweden are all capable of beating Canada. Probably even the Czechs too, who have a pretty strong team this year.

I agree with you , posters here blabbering about this team being the best in 20 years. No it’s not. The defence big but looks slow. We will see the real test against the American team which has an extremely fast team. We will see.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I agree with you , posters here blabbering about this team being the best in 20 years. No it’s not. The defence big but looks slow. We will see the real test against the American team which has an extremely fast team. We will see.

Someone is still mad their favourite prospect didn't make the team! Always the most annoying World Junior fans

 

[PecnoTrunk]

Someone is still mad their favourite prospect didn't make the team! Always the most annoying World Junior fans

I’m not mad (the word is angry not mad and I’m not angry)

That being said , I’m entitled to my opinion like others are, if I’m wrong then I will always admit it unlike others who never admit it

Beck should have been on the team over a player like dach who brings nothing , absolutely nothing to the team

We will see if this team Canada wins gold

We will see if teams can shut down bedard , team USA defence can keep up to bedard.

 

[Patmac40]

I agree with you , posters here blabbering about this team being the best in 20 years. No it’s not. The defence big but looks slow. We will see the real test against the American team which has an extremely fast team. We will see.

Have you seen the defense? Matier is the only one who would even be remotely considered "slow" while the rest have either great skating for their size or are actual dynamic skaters who can dictate the game with their speed. The mobility on the back end and ability to transition to offense is one of the best I've seen on recent rosters especially considering 5 of them are 6'2" or taller.

 

[PecnoTrunk]

Have you seen the defense? Matier is the only one who would even be remotely considered "slow" while the rest have either great skating for their size or are actual dynamic skaters who can dictate the game with their speed. The mobility on the back end and ability to transition to offense is one of the best I've seen on recent rosters especially considering 5 of them are 6'2" or taller.

We will see against the Americans , that’s the real test. Never mind the Switzerland or Finland or Sweden team. The test will be agains the USA team

We will retouch this subject again.

 

[prongertheman9]

We will see against the Americans , that’s the real test. Never mind the Switzerland or Finland or Sweden team. The test will be agains the USA team

We will retouch this subject again.

Sounds like you will be cheering for the
US in that one eh

 

[Patmac40]

We will see against the Americans , that’s the real test. Never mind the Switzerland or Finland or Sweden team. The test will be agains the USA team

We will retouch this subject again.

Looking forward to it. Objectively they're already all plus-skaters at their age group among the elite players but if we need to wait for a single game to be played to confirm it, then sure.

 

[PecnoTrunk]

Sounds like you will be cheering for the
US in that one eh

No. I always cheer for Canada as a fanatic team Canada fan and I actually hope USA loses every game and gets relegated. But that won’t happen , also you need to admit when your rival builds a good quality fast skating team like the USA did. I consider the USA our biggest competitor this tournament. I want to see how our
defence stacks up against the USA fast puck moving defence.

USA defence was built to counter bedard and Fantilli. Fast fast fast

 

[TheBeastCoast]

No. I always cheer for Canada as a fanatic team Canada fan and I actually hope USA loses every game and gets relegated. But that won’t happen , also you need to admit when your rival builds a good quality fast skating team like the USA did. I consider the USA our biggest competitor this tournament. I want to see how our
defence stacks up against the USA fast puck moving defence.

USA defence was built to counter bedard and Fantilli. Fast fast fast

Were they built for a heavy forecheck though.

 

[Statsy]

Were they built for a heavy forecheck though.

They didn't handle the Finns' forecheck through the first period of their pre-tourney game and ours will be even better.

 

[Dominance]

Team USA’s defense lacks anyone who can clear a crease. They can move the puck well but we can put it in the corner and take runs at those shrimps all day long, and the greasy goals around the net will be plentiful.

 

[JackSlater]

I don't know that USA's defence will be that much of a problem in international hockey. In a seven game series in the NHL? Yeah, that defence is a liability, though not as much as it would have been in the past. It'll probably be fine in this context though. We don't even know that Canada and USA will play each other though.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

I agree with you , posters here blabbering about this team being the best in 20 years. No it’s not. The defence big but looks slow. We will see the real test against the American team which has an extremely fast team. We will see.

Defence is rather mobile on paper.

Matier and Clarke aren’t the greatest of skaters but everyone else I would say skating is definitely a strength in their games as a generalized statement.

 

[PecnoTrunk]

Defence is rather mobile on paper.

Matier and Clarke aren’t the greatest of skaters but everyone else I would say skating is definitely a strength in their games as a generalized statement.

Allen is being demoted for Hinds today

I don’t think this defence is as mobile as people say they are

I hope I’m as wrong as “beck is a lock” statement I made

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Allen is being demoted for Hinds today

I don’t think this defence is as mobile as people say they are

I hope I’m as wrong as “beck is a lock” statement I made

Or the “Canada won’t medal” after Canada won 5-3 over Latvia last year.

Size and Skating is the identity of this team early on.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Defence is rather mobile on paper.

Matier and Clarke aren’t the greatest of skaters but everyone else I would say skating is definitely a strength in their games as a generalized statement.

Matier is actually a very good skater; his skating ability, coupled with his size and reach make him an ideal shutdown defender at the junior level (he's also producing at a PPG pace and QBs Ottawa's power-play, but obviously he won't be counted on for that on this team). He's 6'5", and in addition to his technical skating ability he can really move once he hits his stride.

I would say Clarke is the "ugliest" skater in the group, but he's improved since he was drafted and certainly isn't a liability, at least in the role he'll be counted on for this team. His skating deficiencies may have held him back from making the 2022 teams, but that's besides the point now.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I don't know that USA's defence will be that much of a problem in international hockey. In a seven game series in the NHL? Yeah, that defence is a liability, though not as much as it would have been in the past. It'll probably be fine in this context though. We don't even know that Canada and USA will play each other though.

The U.S. brass clearly decided to go with a smallish, puck moving/skating defense. If they can execute the puck may not be in their own zone all that often. If they get hemmed in though it will be a struggle against larger/heavier teams. As you say though, this isn't the NHL, It's junior hockey.

 

[ORRFForever]

I think Canada are probably the favorite, but I also don't think it's a runaway to the point where anything less than gold would be a disappointment. I know a lot of folks are talking about this group as one of the best all time, but honestly I just don't see it. I think the 2021 team was much stronger. Heck, last year's group was arguably stronger too, as this year's team lost McTavish, Johnson, and Greig. Bringing up 2005 and 2015 is pretty ambitious.

In a single elimination tournament, USA, Finland, and Sweden are all capable of beating Canada. Probably even the Czechs too, who have a pretty strong team this year.

Being honest...

If the overtime puck hits MacTavish's stick one centimeter lower or one centimeter higher, or the puck hits the ice and bounces "in" instead of "straight up", Finland wins in the summer (it was truly a miracle on ice) so....

Anything can happen and anyone can win in a one loss and out tournament.

Or the “Canada won’t medal” after Canada won 5-3 over Latvia last year.

Size and Skating is the identity of this team early on.

Poor Pecno. Let's all forgive and forget his "Canada won't medal" comment.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Matier is actually a very good skater; his skating ability, coupled with his size and reach make him an ideal shutdown defender at the junior level (he's also producing at a PPG pace and QBs Ottawa's power-play, but obviously he won't be counted on for that on this team). He's 6'5", and in addition to his technical skating ability he can really move once he hits his stride.

I would say Clarke is the "ugliest" skater in the group, but he's improved since he was drafted and certainly isn't a liability, at least in the role he'll be counted on for this team. His skating deficiencies may have held him back from making the 2022 teams, but that's besides the point now.

I agree that Matier is a good skater “for his size” but that doesn’t make him a good skater in a general sense. He lacks in four way mobility and lacks in top speed - he is good at getting up to speed however and has good positioning to where his skating isn’t expiloited at the OHL level.

I wouldn’t go as far as to call Matier a bad skater, but I also definitely wouldn’t call him a good skater, if you catch my drift.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Allen is being demoted for Hinds today

I don’t think this defence is as mobile as people say they are

I hope I’m as wrong as “beck is a lock” statement I made

Hinds is very mobile. Not the fastest skater, but super smooth strides. Glad to see he is getting a shot in the top 4.

My prediction is that everyone will love him after the tournament. Hope I did not jinx him...

 

[NordiquesForeva]

I agree that Matier is a good skater “for his size” but that doesn’t make him a good skater in a general sense. He lacks in four way mobility and lacks in top speed - he is good at getting up to speed however and has good positioning to where his skating isn’t expiloited at the OHL level.

I wouldn’t go as far as to call Matier a bad skater, but I also definitely wouldn’t call him a good skater, if you catch my drift.

I catch your drift, yeah, but I guess I just don't necessarily agree with some of your views. I would say his mobility is "good enough" at the world junior level, and "good" at the CHL level. With his skating ability (acceleration, top-end speed, and agility/mobility) being "good enough" (which is my personal assessment), and his reach, size and positioning (his strengths), I can't see him being exposed at the world junior level and he'll be coached-up to play to his strengths and provide cover for whatever offensive-minded defenseman he ends up paired with (Korchinski atm). Will he turn heads at this level of competition for his explosive skating? No, he won't. In fact, the less we hear about Matier at this tournament, the better for Team Canada.

Ironically, I thought he was underwhelming last season and being a 67s fan, wasn't sure if a Team Canada nod for this upcoming tournament was in the cards for him at this time last year. He got caught out of position significantly more than he is now, some of it due to maturity in his game, and some of it being just driven too hard by Cameron on a thin Ottawa defense group. He's improved significantly since last season and has been Ottawa's best player this season, hands down.

 

[Arhidia]

what time is puck drop tonight?

 

[TheBeastCoast]

what time is puck drop tonight?

6:30 EST