WJC: Canada 2018 Roster Talk

[Emerz]

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.

The main problem is I think that both Batherson and Steenbergen have played well enough to not be the 13th forward, so do they start to look at taking someone else out? Not sure...

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

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.

Can confirm it's a weird time to be an Avs fan. Now all we need is a goalie pipeline to be proud of to make us wonder if this is all just a dream.

 

[Tripod]

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.

Sort of how Flyers fans felt when Ghost was having a rookie year while Provy was winning the CHL Dman of the year, Sanheim posting the best WHL numbers in 20 years, and Myers becoming a legit prospect after signing him for free.

Trust me, enjoy it!

 

[jj cale]

It might just be me but I think Steenbergen should be the 13th forward, don't see how anyone can put Batherson below him.

Batherson is starting to become a real revelation IMO.

 

[Wings4Life]

The main problem is I think that both Batherson and Steenbergen have played well enough to not be the 13th forward, so do they start to look at taking someone else out? Not sure...

Both have outplayed Formenton, and Batherson would fit nicely next to Howden/Comtois. It's not an easy call but it's the right one.

 

[Scrantonicity 2]

It might just be me but I think Steenbergen should be the 13th forward, don't see how anyone can put Batherson below him.

Batherson is starting to become a real revelation IMO.

Agreed. Honestly, there's a couple guys not even on this team who I'd prefer over Steenbergen.

 

[LeafChief]

Sort of how Flyers fans felt when Ghost was having a rookie year while Provy was winning the CHL Dman of the year, Sanheim posting the best WHL numbers in 20 years, and Myers becoming a legit prospect after signing him for free.

Trust me, enjoy it!

I'm hoping now that the Leafs have their forwards figured out, we can have this sort of renaissance with our young D and D prospects.

Anyways - really excited about Team Canada. No firepower in the sense of McDavid but a very well balanced team. Super fast.

 

[jj cale]

Agreed. Honestly, there's a couple guys not even on this team who I'd prefer over Steenbergen.

Steenbergen hasn't played bad but of all the forwards so far I think he has graded out the lowest. There is no way I would bump Batherson down for him I know that, I keep getting more and more impressed with that kid. He plays a real good low game,is big, is a good passer,can score goals, and a good in front net presence. Starting to fall under the spell of this guys game.

 

[cgf]

Sort of how Flyers fans felt when Ghost was having a rookie year while Provy was winning the CHL Dman of the year, Sanheim posting the best WHL numbers in 20 years, and Myers becoming a legit prospect after signing him for free.

Trust me, enjoy it!

Yeah but you had Provy; and he's gunna win a norris someday. None of our kids is a clearcut #1 like that. So even though it's hard not to get excited by all of these promising youths; it's also difficult not to think that it'll all still fail to live up somehow once EJ falls off.

 

[Simplicity]

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.

Batherson was leading the Q in goal scoring and points before his injury, not sure leading the W in goal scoring is any better than leading the Q.

 

[EveryDay]

Dube named Captain.

Mete is Alternate Captain plus someone else.

 

[DieTomi]

Dube named Captain.

Mete is Alternate Captain plus someone else.

Fabbro and Clague have A's as well

 

[jj cale]

Fabbro and Clague have A's as well

Does this mean Fabbro is a go I wonder?

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

As fan of McLeod, I prefer Steenbergen with McLeod. He makes McLeod a better player which is all that matters..when Mike is going he takes over games.

 

[Halfy]

It’s too bad. I’ve really liked Mahura’s game

 

[jj cale]

It’s too bad. I’ve really liked Mahura’s game

Yeah, I would rather go with him then a Fabbro who isn't 100% and i suspect that guy is not 100%.

He better really be ready to go.

 

[Statsy]

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.

Do NOT break up that "4th" line! They are so ridiculously effective the way they are. Someone in the other lines will struggle at some point, allowing you to move Batherson or Steenbergen in to that spot. For now they can do a temporary spot rotation. We'll probably also pick up a forward injury at some point which would solve the logjam.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Batherson was leading the Q in goal scoring and points before his injury, not sure leading the W in goal scoring is any better than leading the Q.

On pace for is not quite the same as being the leader right up until the WJC. Steenbergen can do one thing well and that is score, as he showed last night. McLeod does all the little things on his line anyway, so I think Steenbergen is the perfect RW for that line.

 

[Deen]

Doobie named captain came as a surprise. Good for him.

 

[Simplicity]

On pace for is not quite the same as being the leader right up until the WJC. Steenbergen can do one thing well and that is score, as he showed last night. McLeod does all the little things on his line anyway, so I think Steenbergen is the perfect RW for that line.

So you are saying that neither Batherson or Stennbergen are leading their league in scoring right now, but the arbitrary date you picked means more than the date I picked? Really mine seems more fair since both players were healthy as it was before some guy tried to Sidney Crosby Batherson's finger.

 

[JackSlater]

I don't see how anyone could criticize Formenton. I wasn't big on him before the camp but he has been very good in every game in camp and in the exhibitions. Ducharme clearly wants an energy type lnie that gives opponents a different look and Formenton has been great in that role. If Batherson and Steenbergen are sharing one spot then that isn't really a problem.

 

[Bluesnatic27]

Really? Vision and puck handling wise I see it.

Thomas and Giroux both have those attributes, but it's how they use them that's different. Giroux is more of a creative playmaker. He has this ability to create plays from nothing that lead to glorious scoring chances. Thomas is more cerebral. He doesn't force the play if it's not there. He will utilize his surroundings all across the ice to create a speedy transition.

Thomas reminds me more of Doug Weight or the aforementioned Bergeron than he does of Giroux.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

So you are saying that neither Batherson or Stennbergen are leading their league in scoring right now, but the arbitrary date you picked means more than the date I picked? Really mine seems more fair since both players were healthy as it was before some guy tried to Sidney Crosby Batherson's finger.

Steenbergen is still leading the WHL in goals, lol. Not to mention, sample size and all that.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

As fan of McLeod, I prefer Steenbergen with McLeod. He makes McLeod a better player which is all that matters..when Mike is going he takes over games.

Well said.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

As fan of McLeod, I prefer Steenbergen with McLeod. He makes McLeod a better player which is all that matters..when Mike is going he takes over games.

Could be true.. they looked good for parts of the game yesterday,.
I don't think they take Formenton out yet.,.. the other guy that Batherson could replace is Katchouk with Thomas and Raddysh,.. I see a fit there but ,,, it will all work out Ducharme knows what he has and what he wants. If one of Comtois or Formenton comes out that would be a tough choice imo