WJC: 2023 Team Canada Roster Talk Part 2

[FlyguyOX]

Really would like to see Stankoven play with Bedard. Those two process and play the game at a different speed than the rest of the team

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

Tough loss.

Czech came ready today. I fully expect the team to be ready for the rest of the tournament.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

Because he played well in a tournament that was 18 months ago

His head coach with Sarnia being an assistant with Team Canada probably helped as well.

2/4 QMJHL are also from the team of one of the assistants.

 

[CanuckistanFlyerfan]

The narrative of Bedard being selfish is why Canada is falling behind in hockey.

Last 3 WJs...Gold, Silver, Gold. Likely the top pick in this draft, and possibly 2 of the top 3. Last team to finsh this high 3 years in a row...Canada.
This is falling behind?

 

[jj cale]

The narrative of Bedard being selfish is why Canada is falling behind in hockey.

You just concentrate on not getting bounced in the quarters this year by the Czechs.

 

[JackSlater]

It will be interesting to see what Canada does to change things up going forward. Milic is obvious, and hopefully no goaltenders get picked based on what once happened at the u18 level. I don't think that the defence can be changed very much. It's set up to be one defensive guy with one offensive guy, and switching that up doesn't make sense.

The forward groups lines are awkward. The top line has three guys looking to shoot and score, which doesn't really work. Othmann did a good job in the summer doing the dirty work for his line and needs to get back to that. Wright is trying to be the defensive conscience and is forced into playmaker and he's been ok but doesn't seem like a playmaker. Honestly I'd try Roy on that line to set up Wright and Othmann with Othmann doing a lot of the dirty work. Bedard is a great one man army, but I'm not sure how much gain there is having him on a line with two other guys who want to shoot. In the summer once McTavish was off his line he generated little in the offensive zone but was still dangerous off the rush. Putting him with workers like Gaucher and Dean might free him up to do what he wants offensively and his biggest strength for this team, scoring a goal out of nowhere, would still be there. I'd probably drop Fantilli as as well. The second line needs someone to play a simpler game and Fantilli could do well on a depth line with his size and speed and it would free him to be the main creator on his line. I like the second line best when Stankoven has the puck on his stick and while the finish hasn't been there you can see that Guenther knows how to get to good spots.

All that said I'm not sure what to expect. From the quotes that are out there most of the players are aware that their individualistic play is a dead end. We'll see what changes the coaches make.

 

[jj cale]

It will be interesting to see what Canada does to change things up going forward. Milic is obvious, and hopefully no goaltenders get picked based on what once happened at the u18 level. I don't think that the defence can be changed very much. It's set up to be one defensive guy with one offensive guy, and switching that up doesn't make sense.

The forward groups lines are awkward. The top line has three guys looking to shoot and score, which doesn't really work. Othmann did a good job in the summer doing the dirty work for his line and needs to get back to that. Wright is trying to be the defensive conscience and is forced into playmaker and he's been ok but doesn't seem like a playmaker. Honestly I'd try Roy on that line to set up Wright and Othmann with Othmann doing a lot of the dirty work. Bedard is a great one man army, but I'm not sure how much gain there is having him on a line with two other guys who want to shoot. In the summer once McTavish was off his line he generated little in the offensive zone but was still dangerous off the rush. Putting him with workers like Gaucher and Dean might free him up to do what he wants offensively and his biggest strength for this team, scoring a goal out of nowhere, would still be there. I'd probably drop Fantilli as as well. The second line needs someone to play a simpler game and Fantilli could do well on a depth line with his size and speed and it would free him to be the main creator on his line. I like the second line best when Stankoven has the puck on his stick and while the finish hasn't been there you can see that Guenther knows how to get to good spots.

All that said I'm not sure what to expect. From the quotes that are out there most of the players are aware that their individualistic play is a dead end. We'll see what changes the coaches make.

I like the idea of putting Roy with Ottmann and Wright and Bedard with Dean and Gaucher, makes sense and it could work. Not sure how flexible this coach is though,seems like a case of the team running the show rather then the coach, he's starting to worry me.

 

[JackSlater]

I like the idea of putting Roy with Ottmann and Wright and Bedard with Dean and Gaucher, makes sense and it could work. Not sure how flexible this coach is though,seems like a case of the team running the show rather then the coach, he's starting to worry me.

Yeah I have no idea what he will do. The powerplay unit is fine. Other than that some changes need to be made. If the depth lines are not going to be utilized in the way we expected (getting in hard on the forecheck) then he needs to spread around some of the dynamic players to make the other lines threatening.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

They better be working on their Michigans at practice today.

 

[jj cale]

They better be working on their Michigans at practice today.

Yeah, that's enough of that shit.

 

[Serpico]

Ugh that game just pissed me off... some of these kids are going to have a rude awakening if they eventually play for a defensive system style coach in the NHL.

 

[Fonzieleaf]

If this team gets on a roll, they will be unstopable.

If Round Robin games were important, Sweden would be have more Golds than anyone - and they only have 2.

It used to be important in the 80’s. The best round Robin got the gold I think.

 

[Daximus]

It will be interesting to see what Canada does to change things up going forward. Milic is obvious, and hopefully no goaltenders get picked based on what once happened at the u18 level. I don't think that the defence can be changed very much. It's set up to be one defensive guy with one offensive guy, and switching that up doesn't make sense.

The forward groups lines are awkward. The top line has three guys looking to shoot and score, which doesn't really work. Othmann did a good job in the summer doing the dirty work for his line and needs to get back to that. Wright is trying to be the defensive conscience and is forced into playmaker and he's been ok but doesn't seem like a playmaker. Honestly I'd try Roy on that line to set up Wright and Othmann with Othmann doing a lot of the dirty work. Bedard is a great one man army, but I'm not sure how much gain there is having him on a line with two other guys who want to shoot. In the summer once McTavish was off his line he generated little in the offensive zone but was still dangerous off the rush. Putting him with workers like Gaucher and Dean might free him up to do what he wants offensively and his biggest strength for this team, scoring a goal out of nowhere, would still be there. I'd probably drop Fantilli as as well. The second line needs someone to play a simpler game and Fantilli could do well on a depth line with his size and speed and it would free him to be the main creator on his line. I like the second line best when Stankoven has the puck on his stick and while the finish hasn't been there you can see that Guenther knows how to get to good spots.

All that said I'm not sure what to expect. From the quotes that are out there most of the players are aware that their individualistic play is a dead end. We'll see what changes the coaches make.

The team is set up in such a weird way. You have a lot of puck dominant shooters in Bedard, Stankoven, Roy, Fantilli, Guenther and Othmann. All guys that have been at or close to 50 goal junior scorers in junior, outside of Fantilli who is doing his thing in the NCAA. Typically the ones who are the puck dominant carriers on their team looking to score. And really only one guy that is a highly capable setup men in Wright. Then the rest are typically more bang and crash types like Gaucher, Schaefer, Ostapchuk, Bankier, Dean and Dach.

I always look at some of the better lines we've ever seen and it's a setup guy, a shooter and someone who can bang and crash in the corners and retrieve pucks. I think line wise we need to really maximize everyone's talents that way. Some of our shooters are going to have to settle into more of a setup role. Which for some is going to be a hard change from what they are used to. It's why I think we really could have used guys like Dumais, Morrison and Savoie who are very solid setup players on this team.

Either way I think maybe something like this for next game would be interesting.

Ostapchuk - Stankoven - Bedard
Schaefer - Wright - Guenther
Othmann - Guacher - Roy
Dach - Bankier - Fantilli

It's just really hard to get a solid mix of players who can help each other out. But I think given what I've seen from Stankoven in junior and at the international level he is very capable of being that setup man and can focus on trying to get Bedard some looks and conversely Wright can now focus on trying to get the puck to Guenther on that line. Though you could swap Guenther to the left and slide in Roy and maybe try to run with two shooters.

It's just a really hard mix of players to work with. So many puck dominant shooters that it is gonna lead to a lot of individual looking efforts because that is what they are used to doing.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

The team is set up in such a weird way. You have a lot of puck dominant shooters in Bedard, Roy, Fantilli, Guenther and Othmann. All guys that have been at or close to 50 goal junior scorers in junior, outside of Fantilli who is doing his thing in the NCAA. Typically the ones who are the puck dominant carriers on their team looking to score. And really only one guy that is a highly capable setup men in Wright. Then the rest are typically more bang and crash types like Gaucher, Schaefer, Ostapchuk, Bankier, Dean and Dach.

I always look at some of the better lines we've ever seen and it's a setup guy, a shooter and someone who can bang and crash in the corners and retrieve pucks. I think line wise we need to really maximize everyone's talents that way. Some of our shooters are going to have to settle into more of a setup role. Which for some is going to be a hard change from what they are used to. It's why I think we really could have used guys like Dumais, Morrison and Savoie who are very solid setup players on this team.

Either way I think maybe something like this for next game would be interesting.

Ostapchuk - Stankoven - Bedard
Schaefer - Wright - Guenther
Othmann - Guacher - Roy
Dach - Bankier - Fantilli

It's just really hard to get a solid mix of players who can help each other out. But I think given what I've seen from Stankoven in junior and at the international level he is very capable of being that setup man and can focus on trying to get Bedard some looks and conversely Wright can now focus on trying to get the puck to Guenther on that line. Though you could swap Guenther to the left and slide in Roy and maybe try to run with two shooters.

It's just a really hard mix of players to work with. So many puck dominant shooters that it is gonna lead to a lot of individual looking efforts because that is what they are used to doing.

I really do try to avoid doing this once the team has been picked....but the team really could have used the playmaking ability of Dumais. They have so many big and strong forwards they should have taken a smaller skilled guy in Dumais whose thing is creating offense for his linemates, that is what he does best and what the team seems to be lacking.

 

[Daximus]

I really do try to avoid doing this once the team has been picked....but the team really could have used the playmaking ability of Dumais. They have so many big and strong forwards they should have taken a smaller skilled guy in Dumais whose thing is creating offense for his linemates, that is what he does best and what the team seems to be lacking.

Dumais, Morrisson and Savoie are all very capable playmakers that were left behind or didn't even get camp invites. So many questionable picks on this team. There's just to many shooters and bang and crash players and not enough guys that can carry pucks and setup teammates. At the very least I would have taken Savoie and Dumais and left two of Schaefer, Fantilli or Bankier at home. Sure Savoie isn't having a huge season in junior but he's still outscoring many of the kids that were brought. And Dumais is killing it yet left off a team that clearly needs players like him.

 

[JackSlater]

The team is set up in such a weird way. You have a lot of puck dominant shooters in Bedard, Roy, Fantilli, Guenther and Othmann. All guys that have been at or close to 50 goal junior scorers in junior, outside of Fantilli who is doing his thing in the NCAA. Typically the ones who are the puck dominant carriers on their team looking to score. And really only one guy that is a highly capable setup men in Wright. Then the rest are typically more bang and crash types like Gaucher, Schaefer, Ostapchuk, Bankier, Dean and Dach.

I always look at some of the better lines we've ever seen and it's a setup guy, a shooter and someone who can bang and crash in the corners and retrieve pucks. I think line wise we need to really maximize everyone's talents that way. Some of our shooters are going to have to settle into more of a setup role. Which for some is going to be a hard change from what they are used to. It's why I think we really could have used guys like Dumais, Morrison and Savoie who are very solid setup players on this team.

Either way I think maybe something like this for next game would be interesting.

Ostapchuk - Stankoven - Bedard
Schaefer - Wright - Guenther
Othmann - Guacher - Roy
Dach - Bankier - Fantilli

It's just really hard to get a solid mix of players who can help each other out. But I think given what I've seen from Stankoven in junior and at the international level he is very capable of being that setup man and can focus on trying to get Bedard some looks and conversely Wright can now focus on trying to get the puck to Guenther on that line. Though you could swap Guenther to the left and slide in Roy and maybe try to run with two shooters.

It's just a really hard mix of players to work with. So many puck dominant shooters that it is gonna lead to a lot of individual looking efforts because that is what they are used to doing.

Yes that's the weird thing. Canada usually has a ton of playmakers and could use an extra shooter. Not the case this year. I do like your forward lineup and could see it working. Ultimately they need to fit the talent to the team and not just put all the offensive talent on the same line, and the model you suggest with a playmaker, a shooter, and a worker traditionally works.

Stankoven is the main guy I think they need to get going. He was tremendous in the knockout phase of the summer tournament and he can function as a playmaker. They need someone to play like Foerster did on his line in the summer, which was mainly to do the dirty work and chip in with goals here and there. Roy is the guy who has most looked like a playmaker through the pre-tournament games and the first game, and should be pushed up the lineup to add some variety to the top lines.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Dumais, Morrisson and Savoie are all very capable playmakers that were left behind or didn't even get camp invites. So many questionable picks on this team. There's just to many shooters and bang and crash players and not enough guys that can carry pucks and setup teammates. At the very least I would have taken Savoie and Dumais and left two of Schaefer, Fantilli or Bankier at home. Sure Savoie isn't having a huge season in junior but he's still outscoring many of the kids that were brought. And Dumais is killing it yet left off a team that clearly needs players like h

Yes, the lack of playmakers is a real problem with this forward group. Ultimately someone like Othmann is going to have to put his ego in check and play a more limited role on this team - namely, being the man responsible for doing the dirty work for whatever line he ends up on. I don’t think Dach, Ostapchuk, or Bankier really have the talent to hang with the likes of Bedard, Stankoven, or Guenther and they’re more suited to limited minutes/game situations.

Morrison (if it’s Logan you’re referring to) is ineligible for this tournament. Dumais should have been a lock for this forward group.

 

[jackp0t]

Not sure why Clarke got some praise. He played very poorly overall and looked slow at times.

The first goal he went down behind the net, and it created a turnover. I understand mistakes happens but after that he PARKED himself in front of the net. So Gaudreau had a double screen (Clarke + Czech player) and couldnt see anything. He never tried to push the guy once, that was as soft as pee-wee league. And yes Fantilli lost his man in coverage but you can also see that Gaudreau was still on his post and he couldnt even see the pass.

And around the 11 minutes mark of the first period, he pinch deep, made a no look backhand pass that went straight on the Czech tape for a clean exit with now Bedard playing as a defenseman.

Not the end of the world, but saying he was everywhere is not a valid argument if the efficiency is not there.

 

[Daximus]

Yes, the lack of playmakers is a real problem with this forward group. Ultimately someone like Othmann is going to have to put his ego in check and play a more limited role on this team - namely, being the man responsible for doing the dirty work for whatever line he ends up on. I don’t think Dach, Ostapchuk, or Bankier really have the talent to hang with the likes of Bedard, Stankoven, or Guenther and they’re more suited to limited minutes/game situations.

Morrison (if it’s Logan you’re referring to) is ineligible for this tournament. Dumais should have been a lock for this forward group.

Yeah you're right forgot he was 20 this past summer. For some reason I thought he was 19.

Either way I think both Dumais and Savoie should have been on this team.

 

[Daximus]

Yes that's the weird thing. Canada usually has a ton of playmakers and could use an extra shooter. Not the case this year. I do like your forward lineup and could see it working. Ultimately they need to fit the talent to the team and not just put all the offensive talent on the same line, and the model you suggest with a playmaker, a shooter, and a worker traditionally works.

Stankoven is the main guy I think they need to get going. He was tremendous in the knockout phase of the summer tournament and he can function as a playmaker. They need someone to play like Foerster did on his line in the summer, which was mainly to do the dirty work and chip in with goals here and there. Roy is the guy who has most looked like a playmaker through the pre-tournament games and the first game, and should be pushed up the lineup to add some variety to the top lines.

Yeah the coach really has to look at this lineup and choose the players he wants to maximize and get a few guys to be setup men for them. We can't just have everyone busting into the zone every play and shooting wildly at the net hoping to beat the goalie clean everytime and although the Michigan is fun it resulted in a dead play every time they tried it. So maybe leave the theatrics at home and focus on getting setup in the zone and cycle the puck and look for opportunities. Maybe once were up by a few goals we can focus on embarassing our opponents.

Not sure why Clarke got some praise. He played very poorly overall and looked slow at times.

The first goal he went down behind the net, and it created a turnover. I understand mistakes happens but after that he PARKED himself in front of the net. So Gaudreau had a double screen (Clarke + Czech player) and couldnt see anything. He never tried to push the guy once, that was as soft as pee-wee league. And yes Fantilli lost his man in coverage but you can also see that Gaudreau was still on his post and he couldnt even see the pass.

And around the 11 minutes mark of the first period, he pinch deep, made a no look backhand pass that went straight on the Czech tape for a clean exit with now Bedard playing as a defenseman.

Not the end of the world, but saying he was everywhere is not a valid argument if the efficiency is not there.

There were way to many plays where the defence activated and no forward went back to cover. That is on the coaching staff as much as the players. If you are giving your defence the green light you have to make sure your players know that when they activate, someone has to fall back into coverage.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Wright I think needs his own line away from Bédard; the secondary scoring was non existant and having Wright play with players who can get the puck to him in space like Roy would be to his benefit. As poor as Fantilli has been, I think he should replace othmann on the top line. If he gets into the types of situations that Bédard has been providing Othmann with, he will score.

As for other changes, Milić is the obvious one. I think Matier needs to be hidden as the 7th defenseman and taken off the penalty kill, his situational and positional awareness (he’s been walked 5 times in the last 2 games) is very poor

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Wright I think needs his own line away from Bédard; the secondary scoring was non existant and having Wright play with players who can get the puck to him in space like Roy would be to his benefit. As poor as Fantilli has been, I think he should replace othmann on the top line. If he gets into the types of situations that Bédard has been providing Othmann with, he will score.

As for other changes, Milić is the obvious one. I think Matier needs to be hidden as the 7th defenseman and taken off the penalty kill, his situational and positional awareness (he’s been walked 5 times in the last 2 games) is very poor

Matier has been bad so far. As a 67s fan, he’s gotten away from doing what he does best in Ottawa, namely playing strong positional defense. Looks nervous out there, and not ready for prime time unfortunately. Del Mastro hasn’t been much better imo.

 

[JackSlater]

Matier has been bad so far. As a 67s fan, he’s gotten away from doing what he does best in Ottawa, namely playing strong positional defense. Looks nervous out there, and not ready for prime time unfortunately. Del Mastro hasn’t been much better imo.

All Matier has to do is defend. That's all he, Del Mastro, Allan, and Hinds are there to do.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

All Matier has to do is defend. That's all he, Del Mastro, Allan, and Hinds are there to do.

He seems to have forgotten how to defend though, since arriving on the east coast. Allan and Hinds have been fine, imo.

 

[nbwingsfan]

I’d actually like to see Fantilli on Bedard’s line, Roy on the second line and Othmann on that third line.

I’d like to see Fantilli dropped to 13th forward. Hess useless at best