WJC: Canada 2018 Roster Talk

[bert]

things change in a year, and Bean has made his way onto the roster again right? he is one of the best the countries have to offer, and in general, Jake Bean regular play is anything but a liability.

Agreed he was no good last year but there is a big difference from 18 to 19 years old and he has experience. I prefer Mahura but my sample size is small. Everyone has looked good so far so it's hard to say.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Really liked how Steenbergen looked next to McLeod and Gadjovich. That line needs to stay together and neeeds to see more ice.

 

[JackSlater]

Dube looks like the perfect fit for Steel and Kyrou. Adds that tenacity, physicality and goal scoring touch they need on that line. Steenbergen doesn't have that strength that Dube has yet. McLeod is really impressing me in his secondary scoring role, don't expect him to light it up, but he makes a lot of good players and looks significantly stronger on his skates than last year. He was so easy to push last year but this year he is strong. Him, Gadjovich and Batherson are creating a strong 3rd line that can maintain possession with the Comtois line.

It would be disappointing to see Mahura get cut again because he's playing so well. I feel confident in a defense without Fabbro because of the play of Makar and Mete. I didn't expect these 2 to be able to push the play like this, but they are doing better than Clague who was considered the #1. He's playing a safer role while Mete and Makar are pushing offensively. A defensive core of Clague, Makar, Mete, Fabbro, Mahura, Timmins, and Foote, is a good enough defensive core for me, all 6-7 are playing extremely well and having positive results when they are out there. Bean looks alright though, defensively I still don't feel safe with him and would rather have anybody else out there, but offensively he can find himself a role with his great shot.

Dube is good. He brings energy and a useful element of grit to that line. Really all of Canada's lines have looked pretty good, which is nice considering that Ducharme said that he doesn't want to make changes until several games have been played. We have to remember that it was limited competition though.

The Mahura situation is kind of a good problem. I am comfortable with him there as he fits the team's style of play, but a healthy Fabbro might fulfill a more necessary role defensively. At some point presumably Canada is going to need to defend, and that is when Fabbro's importance grows for the team. The puck movement from the defence is already great. Timmins and Mahura seem to be similar types of players. The key thing will be just how healthy Fabbro and Timmins are.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Agreed he was no good last year but there is a big difference from 18 to 19 years old and he has experience. I prefer Mahura but my sample size is small. Everyone has looked good so far so it's hard to say.

Mahura looked good in the summer series as well. I am sure that's a big part of why he got the call back.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Dube is good. He brings energy and a useful element of grit to that line. Really all of Canada's lines have looked pretty good, which is nice considering that Ducharme said that he doesn't want to make changes until several games have been played. We have to remember that it was limited competition though.

The Mahura situation is kind of a good problem. I am comfortable with him there as he fits the team's style of play, but a healthy Fabbro might fulfill a more necessary role defensively. At some point presumably Canada is going to need to defend, and that is when Fabbro's importance grows for the team. The puck movement from the defence is already great. Timmins and Mahura seem to be similar types of players. The key thing will be just how healthy Fabbro and Timmins are.

this team may be so unexpectedly entertaining, I may have to lift my boycott of the gimmicky outdoor game. Maybe! We'll see how they do in the first 2 games.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Really liked how Steenbergen looked next to McLeod and Gadjovich. That line needs to stay together and neeeds to see more ice.

McCloud seemed to kick his game up a notch later in the game as well. They looked good mostly in the 3rd period .. and the Swiss were beaten down and gassed.. Have to see more, but I would not be surprised if that line was together to start. Not sure if they should just sit Batherson though .. He filled in on the Howden line in the third.. I like that line as it is as well with Comtois Howden Formenton. Someone will have to sit and its a tough call to pick one.

 

[JackSlater]

this team may be so unexpectedly entertaining, I may have to lift my boycott of the gimmicky outdoor game. Maybe! We'll see how they do in the first 2 games.

Trying not to get carried away by pre-tournament exhibitions, but I'm starting to regret not going to Buffalo (though the outdoor game would just annoy me). I attended in 2011 and it was a great time. Of course I also attended the 2003 tournament and Canada blew third period leads to Russia in both gold medal games, so perhaps it is best that I don't attend.

 

[snipes]

Like the speed of this team and the blue collar workmen type attitude that Ducharme's teams seem to play with.

Love the fast wave after wave forechecking we're known for. Need to keep that up all tournament, full throttle step on their throats type attack.

 

[canuck2010]

Trying not to get carried away by pre-tournament exhibitions, but I'm starting to regret not going to Buffalo (though the outdoor game would just annoy me). I attended in 2011 and it was a great time. Of course I also attended the 2003 tournament and Canada blew third period leads to Russia in both gold medal games, so perhaps it is best that I don't attend.

Yes, best that you stay away JackSlater.

Agree with you on the outdoor game, it's complete bullshit. Wait until the winning goal is scored as the goalie loses the puck in the sunshine. Does the sun ever shine in Buffalo this time of year?

Bought the full package for the WJC in Ottawa, the most fun I've had in years. Sat in a great section with a bunch of other folks that also went to all of the games. Some crazy things lol.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

 

[Fonzieleaf]

I'm surprised Philly didn't lend us Patrick. I don't think it would've been a massive blow to their team if they lost him. It would've been good for him to get international experience and maybe win a gold medal.

 

[DatDude44]

Robert Thomas gettin ready to blow up imo. Would any non-blues fans who pay attention to thomas give me an nhl comparison? I will admit i'm a blues fan but i try to be unbias in my comparisons and excitement for specs whether blues or not.....but every time i watch thomas....I feel like i'm watching the next Claude Giroux, sees the ice so well, makes so many quick little passes into space even going between his legs off the wall etc..., has total control over the puck w/speed. He is by far my favorite blues spec to watch and i think his ceiling is alot higher than initially thought at the draft.

I guess ishould've posted this in his prospect thread, but i figured more canadian fans who've been following the team and have unbiased views could give me a better answer than people who all worship him like in every players prospect thread lol

 

[carlhockey]

Robert Thomas gettin ready to blow up imo. Would any non-blues fans who pay attention to thomas give me an nhl comparison? I will admit i'm a blues fan but i try to be unbias in my comparisons and excitement for specs whether blues or not.....but every time i watch thomas....I feel like i'm watching the next Claude Giroux, sees the ice so well, makes so many quick little passes into space even going between his legs off the wall etc..., has total control over the puck w/speed. He is by far my favorite blues spec to watch and i think his ceiling is alot higher than initially thought at the draft.

I guess ishould've posted this in his prospect thread, but i figured more canadian fans who've been following the team and have unbiased views could give me a better answer than people who all worship him like in every players prospect thread lol

TSN keeps saying his NHL comparison is Patrice Bergeron i.e. all around good player and can do everything

 

[Tralfamadore]

I wasn’t able to to watch the the juniors last year since I was living overseas but the consensus seemed to be that Chabot played a phenomenal tournament and really solidified himself as an elite guy. From what we’ve seen in these two games how does Makar stack up?

 

[carlhockey]

I wasn’t able to to watch the the juniors last year since I was living overseas but the consensus seemed to be that Chabot played a phenomenal tournament and really solidified himself as an elite guy. From what we’ve seen in these two games how does Makar stack up?

Makar looked amazing in the first two games...but the real test will come with that first game against Finland. But he looked really good.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I wasn’t able to to watch the the juniors last year since I was living overseas but the consensus seemed to be that Chabot played a phenomenal tournament and really solidified himself as an elite guy. From what we’ve seen in these two games how does Makar stack up?

Too early to say.. Chabot really rose his game when it was important and the team needed it.

 

[Bluesnatic27]

Robert Thomas gettin ready to blow up imo. Would any non-blues fans who pay attention to thomas give me an nhl comparison? I will admit i'm a blues fan but i try to be unbias in my comparisons and excitement for specs whether blues or not.....but every time i watch thomas....I feel like i'm watching the next Claude Giroux, sees the ice so well, makes so many quick little passes into space even going between his legs off the wall etc..., has total control over the puck w/speed. He is by far my favorite blues spec to watch and i think his ceiling is alot higher than initially thought at the draft.

I guess ishould've posted this in his prospect thread, but i figured more canadian fans who've been following the team and have unbiased views could give me a better answer than people who all worship him like in every players prospect thread lol

The more I’ve seen Thomas, the more I don’t understand the Giroux comparison.

I just don’t think they’re stylistically comparable.

 

[JackSlater]

Fabbro is taking part in practice today.

 

[coolwood]

Timmins back with Mete too

 

[TheBeastCoast]

The more I’ve seen Thomas, the more I don’t understand the Giroux comparison.

I just don’t think they’re stylistically comparable.

They put a Bergeron comp on him last night which was interesting. I haven't watched enough of him to know whether that is fair or not but he is really impressive.

 

[DatDude44]

The more I’ve seen Thomas, the more I don’t understand the Giroux comparison.

I just don’t think they’re stylistically comparable.

Really? Vision and puck handling wise I see it.

 

[cgf]

Him and Girard on the Avs blueline will be a treat to watch.


Hope Fabbro gets healthy enough to play.

With how well Zadorov is playing in the NHL, Timmins' big year, and Meloche working through his first pro season as well; it's starting to become weird to be an avs fan. This is more blueline talent than we know how to react to.

 

[Wings4Life]

Lines today:

Dube-Steel-Kyrou
Katchouk-Thomas-Raddysh
Gadjovich-McLeod-Batherson/Steenbergen
Comtois-Howden-Formenton

Clague-Makar
Mete-Timmins
Bean-Foote
Mahura-Fabbro

Point

I feel Steenbergen earned that spot next to McLeod. Kind of helps that he's the leading goalscorer in the WHL. Batherson should be on the 4th line at this point, he'd be an upgrade there over Formenton IMO. Don't know why they would split time on the third line.

 

[lakai17]

Robert Thomas = Stevie Y

 

[lakai17]

Everyone snoozing on Comtois here.

He's going to have a big tournament, he can slot in on any line right now.

Mark my words as I don't say this often.