WJC: Canada 2018 Roster Talk

[PG Canuck]

This is the type of team that somehow rallies together and wins gold or completely falls flat on their face. I don’t see any in between with this roster.

 

[LakeSuperiorHockey]

This is the type of team that somehow rallies together and wins gold or completely falls flat on their face. I don’t see any in between with this roster.

I don't see it that way. I could see them finishing 2nd or 3rd, although I have faith this roster can win it all.

 

[Baxterman]

If Hart falters at all they are in big trouble as Point is terrible and the team needs Hart to be at a Legace level if they have a chance at a medal.

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

If Hart falters at all they are in big trouble as Point is terrible and the team needs Hart to be at a Legace level if they have a chance at a medal.

That's a very, very interesting point of view and look forward to you expanding on this point.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

This is the type of team that somehow rallies together and wins gold or completely falls flat on their face. I don’t see any in between with this roster.

I don't think I'd call it falling on their face. Finland, USA, and Sweden all look better to me so I don't really expect Canada to medal

 

[Steazy Doo]

Mitchell Stephens and Anthony Cirelli were two of the best forwards last year on a Gold caliber team. People overreacting in here.

 

[landy92mack29]

One of Glass or Suzuki had to be picked I think that sucks. Stoked on the defense tho.. few questions. Who do you think will be our...
1) Top Pair Defense
2) Best Hitter
3) Most Goals
4) Most Points
5) Biggest surprise Good/Bad

1-At the start Clague-Fabbro end Clague-Foote
2-Comtois
3-Raddysh
4-Clague
5-Good Comtois Bad Timmins

 

[My3Sons]

I know that them having played is an obvious factor, I was saying that it probably shouldn't be a very big factor as they were both marginal players last year. It's a plus for them but everything we have heard indicates that they were locks as returning players and that shouldn't have been the case. They are on the team though and I am hoping for the best. If utilized properly they could be useful, particularly McLeod in a more two way role.

I understand your point more with Raddysh. As the last forward McLeod did a good job and played well at the end. I realize there are different styles of choosing a team but I think the devil you know is the fallback position of most people, hence the saying. We will see if familiarity triumphs over potential. As always with Team Canada coaching and goaltending will make a big difference for good or ill.

 

[PG Canuck]

I don't see it that way. I could see them finishing 2nd or 3rd, although I have faith this roster can win it all.

USA/Finland/Sweden I think will be better than Canada with Russia as a wildcard. I see no reason why 2/3 of USA/Sweden/Finland won't medal.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

That's a very, very interesting point of view and look forward to you expanding on this point.

Spoiler:He won't

 

[Statsy]

I have been following this tournament and specifically Team Canada since the initial national team 1982.
Always my favorite time of year and hockey tournament.
I have seen some so called average skilled Canadian teams win gold many times. It’s the team that matters!
This team starts from the net out in Hart and could have a great defense in playing up tempo puck possession hockey.
It’s Canada and the debate over who coulda shoulda been on the team is never ending when it comes to Canadians and there team.
I may not have picked Howdon or Comtois, I liked Lind in the super series but the Coaching staff is picking the Team and this process started a year ago.
I Was there at General Motors Place 2006 when we smoked the Russians. That team also had no skill and scoring, that worked out pretty good. That year We kept hearing about the Americans and Russian and how good they were.
I give this team a 100% chance to win gold . Many of these forwards may surprise the critics.
Going for gold!!

This is the best post I've read in quite a while.

 

[JackSlater]

Mitchell Stephens and Anthony Cirelli were two of the best forwards last year on a Gold caliber team. People overreacting in here.

It happens every year. Steve Downie was comfortably Canada's best forward on the winning team in 2006. Lacking a top end star is fine if the team has depth. Canada's forward group has decent depth and the defence should be very capable of supporting the offence. Hart should be the best goaltender in the tournament. The coaching staff won't be a sideshow like in 2013 and 2016. There are reasons for optimism.

 

[CRhockey]

No... they really aren’t.

They can be considered a favorite along with USA, Sweden , Finland and Russia. It’s anyone’s tournament and Canada has as good a chance or better than most teams. So yes they can be considered a favorite.

 

[Statsy]

There is always so much doom and gloom on this forum. "This guy should've been picked" or "that guy shouldn't have been picked". Much of the criticism is based on personal likes/hates of NHL affiliation, which is a ludicrous thing to base an appraisal off of. I think the team looks fine. Not stacked, nor a tourney favourite, but certainly competitive with any other roster I've seen. Can't wait to see them play when the action starts for real.

 

[LakeSuperiorHockey]

USA/Finland/Sweden I think will be better than Canada with Russia as a wildcard. I see no reason why 2/3 of USA/Sweden/Finland won't medal.

I guess I just don't understand the concept of either being first of last. I think they could have an amazing tournament, and medal with a silver or bronze. They are definitely not the favourites.

 

[Frenzy31]

There is always so much doom and gloom on this forum. "This guy should've been picked" or "that guy shouldn't have been picked". Much of the criticism is based on personal likes/hates of NHL affiliation, which is a ludicrous thing to base an appraisal off of. I think the team looks fine. Not stacked, nor a tourney favourite, but certainly competitive with any other roster I've seen. Can't wait to see them play when the action starts for real.

This maybe post on this page. Too many fans watch their team and prospects only and when their expected player is cut, then all heck breaks loose.

Some of the prospect selected in this team come from teams where their fan base is less active on these boards and guys like Thomas are only known by draft position. If Thomas was a leafs prospect or a Nucks prospect, posters wouldn’t be dumping in taking him over Glass -based solely on draft position. But he is a Blues prospect and fan base is smaller and tends to keep out of the main boards.

 

[93LEAFS]

To me, the Team Canada brass took a very thoughtful approach to constructing this team. Did they over think it? Not for me to say. Normally the approach is to take the best talent and go from there but the reality is no team in this tournament has a game changer we're used to seeing. The U.S. doesn't and my guess the identity of that team with be very similar to what Canada ended up with.

Russia might, Svechnikov is a dynamic offensive talent, but is till 17, but as seen before with the 2016 Finns, 17-year-olds if special enough are capable of taking over this tournament.

This team (and pretty much any team we send) is capable of winning it. You can ride a hot goalie in single elimination,

 

[Scouter]

Some people are putting Finland too high, they like Russia are a WC, both teams maybe have game breakers, but are not as solid a team like Canada, US and Sweden, Finland have a lot of work to do from last year to go from last to a medal.

 

[ahmedou]

Whatever our favorite Hockey club of Canada (Vancouver,Toronto,Winnipeg,Ottawa,Montréal) we'll all stand up together for the Canadian Flag when it comes to an international competition. Honestly,the only dude I know is Victor Mete, the others I'll learn to know their names during this competition

 

[Baxterman]

Some people are putting Finland too high, they like Russia are a WC, both teams maybe have game breakers, but are not as solid a team like Canada, US and Sweden, Finland have a lot of work to do from last year to go from last to a medal.

I had Finland as silver medalists only because of the way I had the bracket going.

I had them as 2A but benefitting from Canada pulling off a victory against Sweden (they always seem to beat them in the elimination games) in the 1B vs. 4A game so then Finland gets the gimme Canada game in the SF to get to the final.

I really don't think there are any strong teams, outside of maybe Sweden, so getting a good draw could help a team like Finland overachieve.

 

[Scouter]

To me, the Team Canada brass took a very thoughtful approach to constructing this team. Did they over think it? Not for me to say. Normally the approach is to take the best talent and go from there but the reality is no team in this tournament has a game changer we're used to seeing. The U.S. doesn't and my guess the identity of that team with be very similar to what Canada ended up with.

The US may have a game breaker in Mittelstadt, or Brown, or Jones, or Yamamoto, or Bellows or even Tkachuk. Sweden have Pettersson, Andersson and Dahlin. Finland have Tolvanen, Heiskanen and Juolevi. Russia have Svechnikov. Czech's have Zadina.

 

[Scouter]

I had Finland as silver medalists only because of the way I had the bracket going.

I had them as 2A but benefitting from Canada pulling off a victory against Sweden (they always seem to beat them in the elimination games) in the 1B vs. 4A game so then Finland gets the gimme Canada game in the SF to get to the final.

I really don't think there are any strong teams, outside of maybe Sweden, so getting a good draw could help a team like Finland overachieve.

Canada, US and Sweden have strength at all positions, Finland is lacking in some areas, same with Russia.

 

[Baxterman]

Canada, US and Sweden have strength at all positions, Finland is lacking in some areas, same with Russia.

Canada's forwards are pathetic and the defense is ok at best.

 

[Scouter]

I even think the Czech's are more solid, but they are young so, next year will be it for them.

 

[Scouter]

Canada's forwards are pathetic and the defense is ok at best.

They are not "pathetic", as a group they are one of the better ones, top 3 forward group no doubt, the D is better than the forwards, so it's not ok, again as a group it might be the best with only Sweden edging them out.