WJC: Canada 2018 Roster Talk

[Boonk]

How has Foote and Howden looked so far?

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Based on the interview with Point it really does seem genuine that he had no thoughts of playing for the US. Have to take these reports with a grain of salt sometimes.

That might very well be but he did attend an USA Hockey camp over the summer.

 

[Statsy]

As a Canucks fan it's weird seeing Lind cut while Gadjovich still has a good chance. Lind is the better prospect. But I guess this team is much deeper at right wing than on the left.

Yes, it is weird, but keep in mind Lind is coming off Mono and still trying to get back up to speed.

 

[MatthewFlames]

Kaspick's gonna make the team

 

[canucks20]

Literally zero chance Clague gets cut.

Zero chance? Really

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Zero chance? Really

I mean...Yes?

 

[Skip2myBordyloo]

Zero chance? Really

Yeah, zero chance.

 

[canucks20]

I mean...Yes?

I mean I highly doubt it, and he will most likely make it 99 percent. But you never know with Hockey Canada. Sometimes they make weird choices.

D is tough this year. A guy like Bean probably shouldn't make it but he will since he is a returnee. Also, not sure if Mete should be gifted a spot but we all know he is on the team.

So that leaves:

Fabbro, Makar, Mete, Clague, Bean, Ferraro in my top 6

 

[Dominance]

Zero chance? Really

This is TC we’re talking about. Not to mention that he’s quite probably (although not indisputably) the best defenseman in the CHL this year. Beast in both ends, don’t let his size fool you.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I mean I highly doubt it, and he will most likely make it 99 percent. But you never know with Hockey Canada. Sometimes they make weird choices.

D is tough this year. A guy like Bean probably shouldn't make it but he will since he is a returnee. Also, not sure if Mete should be gifted a spot but we all know he is on the team.

So that leaves:

Fabbro, Makar, Mete, Clague, Bean, Ferraro in my top 6

Clague is coming in as the clear cut #1 D. Every other defensemen that is making the team would get cut before he did. I would say he is about as safe as it gets.

 

[Canada4Gold]

So Bean is a returnee so you're slotting him in because Hockey Canada an then throwing Clague and Fabbro in with the rest of the group? Do you not realize Clague and Fabbro are both returning guys as well? Clague is the best defencemen on this team and possibly the best skater, maybe the best player period. The only way he's not on this team is if he gets hurt

 

[Dotter]

There are 11 D in camp, 10 now with Cholowski cut.

Who are the better D?

 

[Statsy]

Zero chance? Really

Add me to the list of people that finds this thought ridiculous. Not only did he play last year, but he was a standout. So he returns a year older, and absolutely dominating his league.... and you're like "Yeah, let's cut him."

 

[Scouter]

Who are the better D?

Clague, Fabbro, Bean, Mete, Makar, Timmins, Foote.

 

[tigervixxxen]

Unless Clague gets injured he's pretty much the biggest lock on the team.

 

[Dodospice]

So basically looking at what we know (or think we know) here’s who I’d say the “locks are”

F:
1- Sam Steel C L
2- Robert Thomas C R
3- Michael McLeod C R
4- Brett Howden C L
5- Dillon Dube LW L
6- Tyler Steenbergen LW L
7- Alex Formenton LW L
8- Between Gadjovich/Katchouk
9- Jordan Kyrou RW R
10- Taylor Raddysh RW R
11- Between Suzuki/Batherson
12- Between Kaspick/Comtois
13- Between Suzuki/Comtois/Katchouk

To me Gadjovich and Katchouk are fighting for the same role on the 3rd/4th line depending on what side Steenbergen plays. I think I give the nod to Gadjovich because he’s a bigger body, can score and seems like a player who would thrive for some reason.

I see Batherson and Suzuki fighting for the same spot on a “scoring line”, I give the nod to Batherson as I think he’s played really well and just have a feeling he’d be a better fit.

On the 4th line I think it comes down to Kaspick/Comtois fighting for the same spot, I’d lean Kaspick as I think he’s a little better scorer but Ducharme may be more familiar with Comtois and give him the nod.

The 13th forward spot id use for Suzuki, I think there’s enough physicality and PK type guys, roll with the offensive flair and hope he hits.

D:
1- Kale Clague L
2- Victor Mete L
3- Jake Bean L
4- Dante Fabbro R
5- Cale Makar R
6- Conor Timmins R
7- Between Mahura/Foote/Ferraro

Mahura, Foote and Ferraro are all battling for the 7th spot. I lean towards Callan Foote because I think he’s the best option and gives a bigger body that can really thrive in a defensive role.

G:
1- Carter Hart
2- Between Point/DiPietro

So DiPietro and Point are in a dog fight for the 2nd spot. I think I’d lean Point but I was Team DiPietro up until very recently... very tough call here.

 

[Dodospice]

So in Summary I’d say a roster something like this:

Dube- Steel- Kyrou
Steenbergen- Thomas- Raddysh
Formenton- McLeod- Batherson
Gadjovich- Howden- Kaspick
Suzuki

Clague- Fabbro
Mete- Makar
Bean- Timmins
Foote

Hart
Point

I’d like to see Dube on an energy line, think it fits his role better but I can see him starting on a scoring line. The back end is a lot of offence to be had, if Foote plays a really steady game on the back end he could easily slide into the top 6 I think. It’s Hart’s job in net to lose, both have ridiculous stats this year.

 

[DFAC]

Pretty shocked Glass got cut.... that's a pretty weak group of centers too. Not a fan of that forward group at all

I could see TC leaning heavily on their goalies and D this tourny

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

I like our defense and goaltending a lot. Our forwards are pretty dismal for our standards, but compared to other teams it's not like we're at a huge disadvantage. Not being the massive favourite feels bad though

 

[mw2noobbuster]

Can't wait to see Thomas impress at this tournament.

 

[1Gold Standard]

I can't say that I'm in agreement with some of those cuts, but as always, whatever the final roster will be, I hope they can find some magic sauce and deliver the only medal that matters on January 5.

 

[JackSlater]

So Bean is a returnee so you're slotting him in because Hockey Canada an then throwing Clague and Fabbro in with the rest of the group? Do you not realize Clague and Fabbro are both returning guys as well? Clague is the best defencemen on this team and possibly the best skater, maybe the best player period. The only way he's not on this team is if he gets hurt

Fifth stage of grief - acceptance. I certainly wouldn't have Bean on the team.

It's been noted that only four of the players remaining have played centre at camp - Steel, Thomas, McLeod and Howden. I'm not really impressed. I would like more scoring from a top 9 centre than what McLeod or Howden provides.

 

[93LEAFS]

Unless Clague gets injured he's pretty much the biggest lock on the team.

I'd say Carter Hart is. But really, we are probably debating 99.9 to 99.99.

 

[DFAC]

Obv. final cuts depend on if they are taking 2 or 3 goalies, if it's 3 goalies then that obv. they have to cut another player.

Don't we always take 3 goalies?

 

[93LEAFS]

Don't we always take 3 goalies?

No, its a rarity now. Partially due to an agreement with the CHL on player loans (teams were not happy about sending a guy to ride the bench when they have games). Here's a tweet about it.