2025 Team Canada World Junior Predictions

[frontsfan67]

No look backhand into the middle of the ice with your net empty... What universe is that a sensible idea...

The same one where Dave Cameron plays Pinelli with less than 3 mins to go and he gets a penalty. Surely I would hope he sits in the press box next game… but it’s Cameron he will probably put him with Cowan and Ritchie and put McKenna down to the 13th forward and get Andrew Gibson to run the powerplay

 

[leafs4life94]

This is embarassing.

Dickinson brutally undisciplined, Pinelli brutally undisciplined, Cowan with one of the stupidest hits I've seen in a long time that he's lucky wasn't a 5 with international rules - not even including the crosscheck to Buium that was missed, Rehkopf with a stupid penalty.

There's genuinely not much positive to be said other than George played very well with all the PP opportunities.

Likely a reactionary hot take but at this point I'd almost take a team full of a skaters that didn't make the team over the current team.

 

[TuckerFan1]

That was a clinic by the US. I guess they got the memo about goal prevention AND goal scoring….Hopefully we’re done being gaslit into believing this team was built by people with a brain.

I’ll root for the Cinderella comeback in this tournament, but Canada is boring as hell to watch right now and that’s not something you should ever say about Canada.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Wrong execs, wrong coach, wrong roster.
Can’t really be surprised at what’s taking place.

 

[Millpond]

Wrong execs, wrong coach, wrong roster.
Can’t really be surprised at what’s taking place.

Seeious question- is this the result of the shake up of Hockey Canada braintrust ?

 

[leafs4life94]

Dave Cameron straight up saying he can't fix the discipline issue should be grounds enough for him not to finish the tournament as coach.

 

[OMG67]

Wrong execs, wrong coach, wrong roster.
Can’t really be surprised at what’s taking place.

I’m not a fan of the “brain trust” either. The game has changed dramatically and the formula of having two scoring lines and two energy lines is antiquated. I am good with one line that is more geared to defence like killing penalties etc because we also have that extra player which gives them four forwards to create the PK units etc.

I’m not sure who actually picks the team. Although I am pretty sure the coaching staff has final say, I’m pretty sure there is a ton of politicking going on behind the scenes. As much as I have never been a Dave Cameron fan (even though I am a 67s fan), I really don’t know how much latitude he has to pick the roster. I think he more has the responsibility of how it is deployed.

All the behind the scenes stuff aside, the players are all quality player and World class juniors. I’m not going to pass final judgement until the tournament is over.

It looks like provided there are no real upsets, Canada will play Czechia, then Sweden, then the winner of USA/Finland. That’s their path to Gold. Their alternative path with a win tonight would have been Slovakia, followed by USA, and then the winner of Finland/Sweden for Gold.

If we try to find a silver lining, if we consider USA the strongest team, we now only play them in the Final as opposed to the Semi-Final. We still need to go through what is likely Sweden and USA, just flip the order that we play them.

All that said, the reality is they take stupid penalties and have a hard time making crisp passes to tape. I honestly believe that those two elements are really the only two things wrong. Correct two things. Different story entirely.

I will take the high road and will treat the medal round with confidence. Get a win vs Czechia and start rolling. It’s not like we haven’t been in this same position before saying the same things being down on the team and losing faith and came out with Gold in the end.

There were two things I saw tonight I was more happy with. The top two lines stopped the dump and chance and were entering the zone with possession and Cameron shortened the bench late. Rolling four lines needs to stop and I think he’s now in that mode.

 

[ecraigs]

I’m not a fan of the “brain trust” either. The game has changed dramatically and the formula of having two scoring lines and two energy lines is antiquated. I am good with one line that is more geared to defence like killing penalties etc because we also have that extra player which gives them four forwards to create the PK units etc.

I’m not sure who actually picks the team. Although I am pretty sure the coaching staff has final say, I’m pretty sure there is a ton of politicking going on behind the scenes. As much as I have never been a Dave Cameron fan (even though I am a 67s fan), I really don’t know how much latitude he has to pick the roster. I think he more has the responsibility of how it is deployed.

All the behind the scenes stuff aside, the players are all quality player and World class juniors. I’m not going to pass final judgement until the tournament is over.

The problem may be that HC has also changed. The key decisions on coach and player selection may have devolved to a few individuals who wield enormous influence over the whole process. Fourteen players from the OHL? As for politicking, I'm sure the selection team is besieged by agents, coaches, GM's.

I thought Pinelli had been playing relatively well in a limited role, but his lack of discipline hurt his team last night. It's not like it hasn't happened before. The 67s have been down a goal late more than once and their captain and leading scorer was in the box again.

Quite frankly, Team USA was a much better team last night, more disciplined and better coached. They were prepared and ready to execute their game plan.

I wish I could say that I am surprised, but this performance was predictable. However, hope springs eternal.

 

[bobber]

This Canadian squad was beat by Latvia. You have to score more goals than your opponent if you want to move on. Even the Germans gave them a run. The German goalie even helped us out by scoring one of Canada's goals. Losing to the Americans should probably have been expected. On the discipline side of things take a punch or face wash and walk away. Maybe too late for that conversation.

 

[dirty12]

I’m not a fan of the “brain trust” either. The game has changed dramatically and the formula of having two scoring lines and two energy lines is antiquated. I am good with one line that is more geared to defence like killing penalties etc because we also have that extra player which gives them four forwards to create the PK units etc.

The two energy lines consist of Beaudoin, and …Cowan? The team could use a couple more players like Kevin He imo.

I’m not sure who actually picks the team.

Martone, McKenna, Ivankovic do not really help this year; so I really doubt the roster selection is entirely on the coaching staff.

 

[swoopster]

Every year it can change, but the NCAA dominated team, 23 to 2 OHL ( 1 who is seeing little to no ice time ) is making the CHL brand look weak at the moment.

This is not the sales pitch the CHL needs!

 

[ScoutLife4]

The roster is selected by the HC Committee with Dave Cameron having input.
I'm told he had more input this years team then ever because of his past history and the desperation to win due to the embarrassment last year.

We cannot downplay this performance because he's Ottawa's coach and act like this is just some discipline problems and not finishing a 2nd pass.

The loss to Lativa and 45 minutes of struggle against Germany + the loss to USA are not some anomaly.
The team is poorly assembled and even after they poorly selected players they are not using them properly. -How many games did it take to have Bonk in the Bumper spot?

There has been opportunity to adjust but DC is far to stubborn to do so.
Mckenna and Martone have had success playing together previously in HC but he sticks his boy with Mckenna instead.
I think even below would be a better line structure if he doesn't want to play Mckenna and Martone together for whatever reason.

McKenna-Ritchie-Catton
Rehkopf-Luchanko-Cowan
Cataford-Yager-Martone
Nadeau--Beaudoin-Gauthier
Pinelli

I still don't think it would be good enough to win with the roster selections but I think it provides a better Line structure.

The D and George have done fine in my opinion.
The group up front is not pulling their weight.

Pinelli cannot keep up to Mckenna is what i have been seeing so why are they on a line together still?
I have watched over and over again Mckenna try and guide Pinelli into a lane and he can't keep up or takes a bad route.
Catton imo can skate with Mckenna and has the IQ to make this a deadly combo. -You throw in Ritchies skill and thats a deadly line.

This DC skate around the perimeter until we turn over the puck bullshit has got to stop.
Canada may get 40 shots a game but 38 of them are low quality garbage chances that most 16 year old goalies are going to save.

Cowan may have it in tough trying to stick handle himself through full grown men next year in the AHL.
He will end up on his back 9/10x playing the way he has this tournament.

We also have to consider that Canada did not need to take this many 17 year olds but choose to do so surprising a lot of people. -In doing so they overlooked ALOT of strong 18 and 19 year olds that would have made this team much stronger.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

This Canadian squad was beat by Latvia. You have to score more goals than your opponent if you want to move on. Even the Germans gave them a run. The German goalie even helped us out by scoring one of Canada's goals. Losing to the Americans should probably have been expected. On the discipline side of things take a punch or face wash and walk away. Maybe too late for that conversation.

Fewest goals in group play since 2000.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

Fewest goals in group play since 2000.

They haven't given up a 5 on 5 goal in 4 games. Say what you will - they are in the 1/4's when it actually matters, and until they've been eliminated all this hand wringing, second guessing and I know more than anyone else hot air is just a big BMW session.

 

[bobber]

The roster is selected by the HC Committee with Dave Cameron having input.
I'm told he had more input this years team then ever because of his past history and the desperation to win due to the embarrassment last year.

We cannot downplay this performance because he's Ottawa's coach and act like this is just some discipline problems and not finishing a 2nd pass.

The loss to Lativa and 45 minutes of struggle against Germany + the loss to USA are not some anomaly.
The team is poorly assembled and even after they poorly selected players they are not using them properly. -How many games did it take to have Bonk in the Bumper spot?

There has been opportunity to adjust but DC is far to stubborn to do so.
Mckenna and Martone have had success playing together previously in HC but he sticks his boy with Mckenna instead.
I think even below would be a better line structure if he doesn't want to play Mckenna and Martone together for whatever reason.

McKenna-Ritchie-Catton
Rehkopf-Luchanko-Cowan
Cataford-Yager-Martone
Nadeau--Beaudoin-Gauthier
Pinelli

I still don't think it would be good enough to win with the roster selections but I think it provides a better Line structure.

The D and George have done fine in my opinion.
The group up front is not pulling their weight.

Pinelli cannot keep up to Mckenna is what i have been seeing so why are they on a line together still?
I have watched over and over again Mckenna try and guide Pinelli into a lane and he can't keep up or takes a bad route.
Catton imo can skate with Mckenna and has the IQ to make this a deadly combo. -You throw in Ritchies skill and thats a deadly line.

This DC skate around the perimeter until we turn over the puck bullshit has got to stop.
Canada may get 40 shots a game but 38 of them are low quality garbage chances that most 16 year old goalies are going to save.

Cowan may have it in tough trying to stick handle himself through full grown men next year in the AHL.
He will end up on his back 9/10x playing the way he has this tournament.

We also have to consider that Canada did not need to take this many 17 year olds but choose to do so surprising a lot of people. -In doing so they overlooked ALOT of strong 18 and 19 year olds that would have made this team much stronger.

Great post Scout!

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

Every year it can change, but the NCAA dominated team, 23 to 1 OHL ( who is seeing little to no ice time ) is making the CHL brand look weak at the moment.

This is not the sales pitch the CHL needs!

what did you say when the CHL beat the USDP/USHL in 2 games earlier? That's more of a fair comparison

The problem may be that HC has also changed. The key decisions on coach and player selection may have devolved to a few individuals who wield enormous influence over the whole process. Fourteen players from the OHL? As for politicking, I'm sure the selection team is besieged by agents, coaches, GM's.

I thought Pinelli had been playing relatively well in a limited role, but his lack of discipline hurt his team last night. It's not like it hasn't happened before. The 67s have been down a goal late more than once and their captain and leading scorer was in the box again.

Quite frankly, Team USA was a much better team last night, more disciplined and better coached. They were prepared and ready to execute their game plan.

I wish I could say that I am surprised, but this performance was predictable. However, hope springs eternal.

Canada was dominating when they weren't in the box. To say otherwise is to give into the dog pile mentality. The shots were 24-6 at one point - to get that many more shots means you have to have the puck and possession more than the other team. Lack of discipline killed this team

 

[TuckerFan1]

Wrong execs, wrong coach, wrong roster.
Can’t really be surprised at what’s taking place.

Scary part is you could use this exact line to describe last years team. 0 change year over year which is very unusual for HC. All they did was go back to their tried and true well of coaches and somehow landed on Cameron. Roster construction is just as bad if not worse this year, especially with all the bizarre omissions and now bizarre line combos

 

[analyser]

The bottom line is they do not play disciplined hockey and cannot score with all of these so called stars from their club teams. 5v5 they have not allowed goals but somebody has to do some scoring.

 

[EvenSteven]

Jeff O’Neill made a good point post game. After rolling out the same PP1 throughout, when PP2 scores a skilled goal at the tail end of a PP, this coaching staff goes back to PP1 to start the next PP.

PP2 should have started the next PP.

 

[bobber]

Scary part is you could use this exact line to describe last years team. 0 change year over year which is very unusual for HC. All they did was go back to their tried and true well of coaches and somehow landed on Cameron. Roster construction is just as bad if not worse this year, especially with all the bizarre omissions and now bizarre line combos

The job isn't a great add to a resume if they falter.

 

[bobber]

Jeff O’Neill made a good point post game. After rolling out the same PP1 throughout, when PP2 scores a skilled goal at the tail end of a PP, this coaching staff goes back to PP1 to start the next PP.

PP2 should have started the next PP.

Cameron is using the definition of insanity. At the very least he has proven Einstein to be correct.

 

[ScoutLife4]

Jeff O’Neill made a good point post game. After rolling out the same PP1 throughout, when PP2 scores a skilled goal at the tail end of a PP, this coaching staff goes back to PP1 to start the next PP.

PP2 should have started the next PP.

It’s easier for the coach to blame discipline than his coaching abilities though.

Oh wow we are great a goal suppression but can’t score for the life of us.
Make a fackin adjustment you old stubborn prick!

 

[OMG67]

It’s easier for the coach to blame discipline than his coaching abilities though.

Oh wow we are great a goal suppression but can’t score for the life of us.
Make a fackin adjustment you old stubborn prick!

In all honesty, these are a lot of the same things we say about DC on the 67s thread.

He is stubborn, won’t change, structure over creativity etc. I’ve been suggesting that since the 67s are entering a rebuild cycle, and DC is 68, his time is done. Time to retire. The game has changed.

I still feel there is more than enough talent on this roster to win the tournament. Stay out of the box and allow the skill guys to play their puck possession game. Stop with the dump and chase. Turning over possession constantly only to have to regain it is dumb. There is more than enough skill to use speed to gain the zone with possession.

But regardless, stay out of the box and make some f’n passes with authority. They are forcing the puck around the ice. When you see the slow passes, you can tell they are trying to guide the pass instead of zip it around naturally.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

2nd canceled practice in less than a week



I can understand people saying let it play out but none of this seems good.

 

[dirty12]

Scary part is you could use this exact line to describe last years team. 0 change year over year which is very unusual for HC. All they did was go back to their tried and true well of coaches and somehow landed on Cameron. Roster construction is just as bad if not worse this year, especially with all the bizarre omissions and now bizarre line combos

The common denominator between this and last years Canada teams are; for the OHL at least, the 2004-05 classes are weak compared to 2002-03 & 2006.

What should have been done; select an even younger roster, maybe more 5’10” forwards? Martone and McKenna had a lot of success vs U18, so it only stands to reason they should be together vs U20?