WJC: 2025 Team Canada Roster Talk

[JackSlater]

I could see something like this. Of course there will be injuries, quite possibly someone other than Bedard, Benson, and Celebrini will be in the NHL, an Hockey Canada will almost surely make a very random forward pick. Canada has a ton of LW options his year. I also assume that they will err on the side of size and age.

Rehkopf Yager Cowan
Wood Heidt Nadeau
Barlow Ritchie Martone
McKenna Lindstrom Gauthier
Beaudoin

Dickinson Bonk
Molendyk Yakemchuk
Price Gibson
Chadwick

Ratzlaf
George
Bjarnason

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

I could see something like this. Of course there will be injuries, quite possibly someone other than Bedard, Benson, and Celebrini will be in the NHL, an Hockey Canada will almost surely make a very random forward pick. Canada has a ton of LW options his year. I also assume that they will err on the side of size and age.

Rehkopf Yager Cowan
Wood Heidt Nadeau
Barlow Ritchie Martone
McKenna Lindstrom Gauthier
Beaudoin

Dickinson Bonk
Molendyk Yakemchuk
Price Gibson
Chadwick

Ratzlaf
George
Bjarnason

Given how poor Canada was at scoring last year, I'd like to see Zayne Parekh get a look. Dude just puts up points.

 

[JackSlater]

Given how poor Canada was at scoring last year, I'd like to see Zayne Parekh get a look. Dude just puts up points.

I'd probably roll him on the third pairing with a defensive defenceman or as the seventh defenceman, but I can see him getting cut this year. 18, not that big, offensive roles are likely covered anyway. At least Canada shouldn't be hard pressed for goals this year... I think.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I'd probably roll him on the third pairing with a defensive defenceman or as the seventh defenceman, but I can see him getting cut this year. 18, not that big, offensive roles are likely covered anyway. At least Canada shouldn't be hard pressed for goals this year... I think.

By whom? Your lineup has exactly one offensive defenseman, and he isn’t exactly a PPQB or a high-end facilitator. Parekh should absolutely have a role on this team.

 

[JackSlater]

By whom? Your lineup has exactly one offensive defenseman, and he isn’t exactly a PPQB or a high-end facilitator. Parekh should absolutely have a role on this team.

Putting myself in the mindset that Hockey Canada generally uses, they'll put Bonk on one powerplay and probably Yakemchuk on the other. I expect that Parekh will have to go nuts (offensively) to start this year to get on the team. If he does then good for him.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Putting myself in the mindset that Hockey Canada generally uses, they'll put Bonk on one powerplay and probably Yakemchuk on the other. I expect that Parekh will have to go nuts (offensively) to start this year to get on the team. If he does then good for him.

That’s fair, there’s a non-zero chance he gets cut given that this is really a 19 year old tourney. But I really do think there’s a niche for Parekh on this team and Canada would be wise to bring him even if it’s just in a 7th D, PPQB type of role. Especially since other than Parekh, Dickinson will be the only 2006-born D, and it’s not out of the question he makes the NHL the following year. You’d like to have at least one returnee on your defensive squad.

 

[JackSlater]

That’s fair, there’s a non-zero chance he gets cut given that this is really a 19 year old tourney. But I really do think there’s a niche for Parekh on this team and Canada would be wise to bring him even if it’s just in a 7th D, PPQB type of role. Especially since other than Parekh, Dickinson will be the only 2006-born D, and it’s not out of the question he makes the NHL the following year. You’d like to have at least one returnee on your defensive squad.

I'd rather that, I just don't expect it. Hockey Canada would probably be better served year to year taking two 18 year old defencemen most years, and sometimes there are more than that, but there is a clear preference for 19 year olds.

My expectation is that Bonk and Molendyk are on the team since they both made it last year, regardless of Molendyk's injury, that Yakemchuk makes it as a 19 year old with high draft pedigree and good size, and Dickinson makes it as the sort of defenceman template that Hockey Canada dreams of. Outside of those four likely being locks it's probably wide open but size and experience are always going to be coveted.

 

[SOLR]

I could see something like this. Of course there will be injuries, quite possibly someone other than Bedard, Benson, and Celebrini will be in the NHL, an Hockey Canada will almost surely make a very random forward pick. Canada has a ton of LW options his year. I also assume that they will err on the side of size and age.

Rehkopf Yager Cowan
Wood Heidt Nadeau
Barlow Ritchie Martone
McKenna Lindstrom Gauthier
Beaudoin

Dickinson Bonk
Molendyk Yakemchuk
Price Gibson
Chadwick

Ratzlaf
George
Bjarnason

McKenna isn't going to patrol a 4th line, let's get real. They will use him as much as Bedard.

 

[JackSlater]

McKenna isn't going to patrol a 4th line, let's get real. They will use him as much as Bedard.

Maybe, we'll see. Canada has a much deeper group of forwards than was available for the summer 2022 tournament given all the players who pulled out, and for the 2023 tournament Bedard was a returnee. It helps him that Cameron was the coach in 2022 and did end up using Bedard a lot.

 

[SOLR]

Maybe, we'll see. Canada has a much deeper group of forwards than was available for the summer 2022 tournament given all the players who pulled out, and for the 2023 tournament Bedard was a returnee. It helps him that Cameron was the coach in 2022 and did end up using Bedard a lot.

I'm not even sure what McKenna is doing at Hlinka he should probably be considered graduated from U18 given the world championship performance.

 

[JackSlater]

I'm not even sure what McKenna is doing at Hlinka he should probably be considered graduated from U18 given the world championship performance.

I don't like the graduation idea that Hockey Canada uses sometimes with the u18 tournaments, but generally that's for played who played at the WJC. It is good that McKenna gets more reps in. He'll presumably be the star of the show for Canada at the 2026 WJC.

 

[SOLR]

I don't like the graduation idea that Hockey Canada uses sometimes with the u18 tournaments, but generally that's for played who played at the WJC. It is good that McKenna gets more reps in. He'll presumably be the star of the show for Canada at the 2026 WJC.

And 2025. He's already a top 6 U-20 player on this team.

This U18 is the first time he will be playing in his actual age group. Kinda expecting a new points record, not that it matters. Sure reps are good, but I would understand team Canada classifying him as too strong - that's why the graduation idea exist, so that others players can play a tournament with some adversity.

 

[JackSlater]

And 2025. He's already a top 6 U-20 player on this team.

This U18 is the first time he will be playing in his actual age group. Kinda expecting a new points record, not that it matters. Sure reps are good, but I would understand team Canada classifying him as too strong - that's why the graduation idea exist, so that others players can play a tournament with some adversity.

I understand why it exists, it's just a dumb idea. Let's see what McKenna does if he makes the team in December. If he deserves to get big minutes then hopefully he gets them, but there are a lot of LW options so it remains to be seen.

 

[SOLR]

I understand why it exists, it's just a dumb idea. Let's see what McKenna does if he makes the team in December. If he deserves to get big minutes then hopefully he gets them, but there are a lot of LW options so it remains to be seen.

It's not a dumb rule for the U18 program to remove a guy that can score 6 pts per game. It doesn't benefit the U18 program to have him at this point, he's already a U20 player and would argue that it doesn't benefit him to get the reps in U18 vs. more time in the gym to get ready for the U20 level.

While there are others good LW options like Lindstrom, McKenna brings something that can't be replaced by anyone else. He can take over a game.

 

[JackSlater]

It's not a dumb rule for the U18 program to remove a guy that can score 6 pts per game. It doesn't benefit the U18 program to have him at this point, he's already a U20 player and would argue that it doesn't benefit him to get the reps in U18 vs. more time in the gym to get ready for the U20 level.

While there are others good LW options like Lindstrom, McKenna brings something that can't be replaced by anyone else. He can take over a game.

McKenna is not going to score six points a game, and it is a dumb idea to remove eligible players from tournament just because they played at a higher level. Not that McKenna actually has played at the U20 level yet anyway, so I don't see how it would even apply here. It's development for a player to dominate against elite competition as well, and McKenna is not so good that he's above competing against his own peers. The odds are that McKenna is not going to take over games at the 2025 WJC, but if he does that's a bonus.

LW options include Rehkopf, Wood, Iginla, Nadeau, Barlow, Lindstrom, Beaudoin, and various others. There are lots of options, some who could play RW or C, and probably only three spots for McKenna.

 

[SOLR]

McKenna is not going to score six points a game, and it is a dumb idea to remove eligible players from tournament just because they played at a higher level. Not that McKenna actually has played at the U20 level yet anyway, so I don't see how it would even apply here. It's development for a player to dominate against elite competition as well, and McKenna is not so good that he's above competing against his own peers. The odds are that McKenna is not going to take over games at the 2025 WJC, but if he does that's a bonus.

LW options include Rehkopf, Wood, Iginla, Nadeau, Barlow, Lindstrom, Beaudoin, and various others. There are lots of options, some who could play RW or C, and probably only three spots for McKenna.

It doesn't matter who the options are, the difference in talent between the tier 1s (Bedard/McKenna/Celebrini) and tier 2s / 3 is a gulf. He's not going to fight for anything. This is not young Lafreniere or MacKinnon.

At the U18 in April, where all the best players were 1 year older than his age peers he got 20 points in 7 games. Now most of the best players won't be there for Hlinka, I'm expecting at least 30 points, probably more if he didn't feel bad about it himself - started to tone it down. I'm not talking about the WJC, I've been talking since the start about him skipping Hlinka. There is no benefit to 10+ to 1 shellacking for the team winning or the team losing. Sure he won't get 6 pts in the final, who cares he's out of place, that's the point.

 

[JackSlater]

It doesn't matter who the options are, the difference in talent between the tier 1s (Bedard/McKenna/Celebrini) and tier 2s / 3 is a gulf. He's not going to fight for anything. This is not young Lafreniere or McKinnon.

At the U18 in April, where all the best players were 1 year older than his age peers he got 20 points in 7 games. Now most of the best players won't be there for Hlinka, I'm expecting at least 30 points, probably more if he didn't feel bad about it himself - started to tone it down. I'm not talking about the WJC, I've been talking since the start about him skipping Hlinka.

Yeah I know, and he shouldn't skip the Hlinka. The odds of a 17 year old taking over at this tournament are very low. Lindros and Bedard are pretty much alone in Canadian 16/17 year olds who took over. McDavid had a great tournament but he played on Canada's second line and there were a few better players. Crosby didn't take over, he was elite but Canada had better players. MacKinnon didn't take over, in fact he barely made an impact. Lafreniere was CHL player of the year in his age 17 season but he wasn't a big factor until the next year. Tavares was mostly a PP specialist despite being similar age to what McKenna will will be and having a bigger profile. Even Mario Lemieux was elite without taking over in the tournament, and he was the same age McKenna will be and had two future HHOF linemates. Looking outside of Canada, Eichel and Matthews had similar birthdays to McKenna and neither dominated the WJC in their pre-draft season.

I am not looking to continue going back and forth with repetitive points on McKenna. It's good that he is going to play at the Hlinka, against his peers, and likely dominate. It's possible that he could dominate at the WJC, but it's more likely that he's just a contributor. If he does more than that then that's great.

 

[SOLR]

Yeah I know, and he shouldn't skip the Hlinka. The odds of a 17 year old taking over at this tournament are very low. Lindros and Bedard are pretty much alone in Canadian 16/17 year olds who took over. McDavid had a great tournament but he played on Canada's second line and there were a few better players. Crosby didn't take over, he was elite but Canada had better players. MacKinnon didn't take over, in fact he barely made an impact. Lafreniere was CHL player of the year in his age 17 season but he wasn't a big factor until the next year. Tavares was mostly a PP specialist despite being similar age to what McKenna will will be and having a bigger profile. Even Mario Lemieux was elite without taking over in the tournament, and he was the same age McKenna will be and had two future HHOF linemates. Looking outside of Canada, Eichel and Matthews had similar birthdays to McKenna and neither dominated the WJC in their pre-draft season.

I am not looking to continue going back and forth with repetitive points on McKenna. It's good that he is going to play at the Hlinka, against his peers, and likely dominate. It's possible that he could dominate at the WJC, but it's more likely that he's just a contributor. If he does more than that then that's great.

You are the repetitive one right now. Not me.

You are conflating my argument, I'm not talking about him taking over WJC, I couldn't care less if he does or doesn't. I know he's going to have a big role.

I'm talking about Hlinka, in 15 days. He already took over the U18. He doesn't need to take it over twice as much. That's where I see as graduated from the U18 level (U18 championship and Hlinka). It's not good for anyone to have a 35 pts guy in 7 games. Not him, not the team, not the tournament.

Of course, selfishly I want to watch him dominate Hlinka. But I recognize that guys with 4+ pts per game need to graduate out of that level, the U20 level is right there waiting for these guys with a much higher physical strength requirement.

 

[BondraTime]

You are the repetitive one right now. Not me.

You are conflating my argument, I'm not talking about him taking over WJC, I couldn't care less if he does or doesn't. I know he's going to have a big role.

I'm talking about Hlinka, in 15 days. He already took over the U18. He doesn't need to take it over twice as much. That's where I see as graduated from the U18 level (U18 championship and Hlinka). It's not good for anyone to have a 35 pts guy in 7 games. Not him, not the team, not the tournament.

Of course, selfishly I want to watch him dominate Hlinka. But I recognize that guys with 4+ pts per game need to graduate out of that level, the U20 level is right there waiting for these guys with a much higher physical strength requirement.

He’s never played at the Hlinka, if he was there last year he possibly wouldn’t be there this year.

He’ll be on the team regardless, but it seems TC wants to see him at the Hlinka this summer.

And he’s not going to have 35 points in 7 games, not sure what you think he is

 

[SOLR]

He’s never played at the Hlinka, if he was there last year he possibly wouldn’t be there this year, but I’m not sure there is a precedent of guys who never made the U-20 at 16 who was considered graduated at 17.

I’m not sure, but I’d be surprised if there were any player who never played at the U-20’s at 16 like Crosby, Bedard, etc. who was considered graduated at 17.

Most player go to Hlinka, then the world U18. When they are very good they make the WJC in between and skip the World U18. Then there's a lot of players just never going to the world U18 because they have good CHL teams / injuries etc.

But Mckenna started with the world U18, dominated it - suddenly he will be in a Hlinka that's much weaker for him (1 year younger), it's projectable that he will be too strong for the competition (nearly 3 pts per game at the world U18). And for him you'd have to consider that 1 month in the gym would be more beneficial for his career at this point. It also makes the Hlinka quite different for a guy like Roobroek etc. who could benefit more from some Hlinka adversity than having a literal super weapon on his side.

There's all kinds of problems that comes with "dunking" on the opposition.
Injuries, aggression, lack of development, etc.

 

[BondraTime]

Most player go to Hlinka, then the world U18. When they are very good they make the WJC in between and skip the World U18. Then there's a lot of players just never going to the world U18 because they have good CHL teams / injuries etc.

But Mckenna started with the world U18, dominated it - suddenly he will be in a Hlinka that's much weaker for him (1 year younger), it's projectable that he will be too strong for the competition (nearly 3 pts per game at the world U18). And for him you'd have to consider that 1 month in the gym would be more beneficial for his career at this point. It also makes the Hlinka quite different for a guy like Roobroek etc. who could benefit more from some Hlinka adversity than having a literal super weapon on his side.

The most points scored in Hlinka history is 13…

He very well may have the best tournament in history, he’s certainly one of the best players to suit up there for Canada all time, but 15 points would be what you’re looking at as an unbelievable tournament, 35 is bonkers.

Those who make the U-18 at 16 almost always play in the Hlinka a few months later. It wouldn’t be surprising for McKenna to be given a skip, but it’s also not surprising for him to play in it.

 

[SOLR]

The most points scored in Hlinka history is 13…

The real measure should be points per game, if someone gets 3-4 pts per game in any tournament they are a little too strong for their level in pee wee, bantam, midget etc. you get promoted. McKenna already did this at the U18.

Hlinka is 5 games vs 7 games for the U18.

 

[BondraTime]

The real measure should be points per game, if someone gets 3-4 pts per game in any tournament they are a little too strong for their level in pee wee, bantam, midget etc. you get promoted. McKenna already did this at the U18.

Which is great.

Now he can go and try and score 15ish points in the tougher Hlinka tournament, then head to the WJ’s in December. He’s still going to ply at the WJ’s, hes just going to suit up in the Hlinka for the 1st time beforehand.

He absolutely could be at the WJ camp, but him captaining the Hlinka tournament and carrying over his great play is more than fine for him.

He’s looking to be doing the same thing Stamkos did. Canadas best player at U-18’s as 16 year old, suit up and captain the Hlinka team a few months later, Make the WJ team as a 17 year old, and then go on to be the 1st overall pick down the road.

 

[SOLR]

Which is great.

Now he can go and try and score 15ish points in the tougher Hlinka tournament, then head to the WJ’s in December. He’s still going to ply at the WJ’s, hes just going to suit up in the Hlinka for the 1st time beforehand.

He absolutely could be at the WJ camp, but him captaining the Hlinka tournament and carrying over his great play is more than fine for him.

The Hlinka is much weaker than the U18 for him. It removes all players that were competitive with him at the U18.

 

[BondraTime]

The Hlinka is much weaker than the U18 for him. It removes all players that were competitive with him at the U18.

But is the tougher tournament, it has the better players compared to the U-18’s outside of the States. No different than Stamkos leading Canada as a 16 year old at the U-18’s then putting up 4 points at the Hlinka as a 17 year old.

McKenna is going to be the best player by a sizeable amount, and is going to lead the tournament. He isn’t above the tournament, he’s the best player amd is going to be the top scorer, but it’s a perfectly fine tournament for him to star in before he makes his way to the WJ’s in December.