WJC: Canada 2019 Roster Talk Part 2

[tony d]

Lafreniere's going to be a good one. Hope he makes the final team.

 

[SI90]

Debatable based on play this year for Dobson..especially if Brooks is playing his wrong side. They are playing Smith as if he is a defensive liability, which i would say is based on his size. We will soon find out if he is right.

The Titan are absolutely horrendous this year. Dobson is the only bright spot on the team. His +/- does not represent his play. He’s been good. After he’s traded to a stronger team his stats will look much better. His play has been fine. This tournament will show how good Dobson is.

 

[JackSlater]

This corroborates what McKenzie says:



Lafreniere on his off wing in what is obviously a spot meant for Vilardi.

I have a question for anyone who follows the WHL. How often does Anderson-Dolan play LW?

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Yeah it definitely looks like Lafreniere is the odd man out if Vilardi is good to go.

 

[wishywashy19]

This corroborates what McKenzie says:



Lafreniere on his off wing in what is obviously a spot meant for Vilardi.

I have a question for anyone who follows the WHL. How often does Anderson-Dolan play LW?

Dear Lord- when is Vilardi going to skate. You mean he can't even compete in a practice.

 

[Baksfamous112]

I'm assuming you haven't watched much of the 4 players this year?

Dobson & Brook haven't been better than Bouchard this year, and I'd argue Smith has been better than Dobson & Brook as well imo.

It's not a big deal, this stuff tends to sort itself out during the Tourny.

In all honesty I'm not a big Dobson fan, but hopefully he proves me wrong.

And I bet you would have a different views had you team taken Dobson instead of Bouchard

 

[780il]

Hoping Bouchard can rip it up (possibly captain?) and lead the team to gold!

 

[Gold Standard]

This corroborates what McKenzie says:



Lafreniere on his off wing in what is obviously a spot meant for Vilardi.

I have a question for anyone who follows the WHL. How often does Anderson-Dolan play LW?

not sure. but from what I've seen of him wearing a Team Canada sweater, playing him anything above a 4th. line C or LW would be a travesty. but I suppose 5 games of NHL experience buys you that kind of street cred with Hockey Canada.

 

[SI90]

Hoping Bouchard can rip it up (possibly captain?) and lead the team to gold!

I think Bouchard will definitely put up points but I think they go with an older guy for captain. Like Glass maybe.

 

[780il]

I think Bouchard will definitely put up points but I think they go with an older guy for captain. Like Glass maybe.

Yeah, probably

The Dobson pairing seems to be the shutdown pairing. Bouchard will likely be used in more offensive situations and on the #1pp. Using the players to their strengths

 

[admiralcadillac]

Hope Suzuki and Brook light it up, looking like they'll be given prominent roles.

 

[SI90]

Yeah, probably

The Dobson pairing seems to be the shutdown pairing. Bouchard will likely be used in more offensive situations and on the #1pp. Using the players to their strengths

Agreed.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Hoping Bouchard can rip it up (possibly captain?) and lead the team to gold!

I would be shocked if Comtois is not the captain.

 

[bukwas]

Brook and Dobson are the top 2 D on the team

I think a lot of people will gain respect for Brook during this tournament.

 

[780il]

I would be shocked if Comtois is not the captain.

That would make a lot of sense, he was pretty good in his short NHL stint

 

[Skolman]

And I bet you would have a different views had you team taken Dobson instead of Bouchard

What? I was advocating for the Oilers to draft Bouchard over Dobson before the draft.

And I don't think there are many NHL teams today that wouldn't take Bouchard over Dobson

 

[TheBeastCoast]

That would make a lot of sense, he was pretty good in his short NHL stint

Yeah and the usually default to returning players for the captaincy. Comtois with the C and Bouchard with an A are pretty clear choices to me.

 

[SI90]

Why does the 2nd unit look better to me?

 

[780il]

And I bet you would have a different views had you team taken Dobson instead of Bouchard

I actually wanted Dobson before the draft. But after watching Bouchard, his crazy good offensive skills swayed me. His poise with the puck, passing game, and shot are all incredible. The d zone play will come with time.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Why does the 2nd unit look better to me?

They are both weird for different reasons....why is Dobson down on the half wall?

 

[780il]

They are both weird for different reasons....why is Dobson down on the half wall?

Trying to use his big shot as a one t in the Ovi spot I guess

 

[Rabid Ranger]

This seems like one of those years Team Canada is overthinking things. Trust me, as an American I know that well (unfortunately).

 

[newfy]

Dear Lord- when is Vilardi going to skate. You mean he can't even compete in a practice.

I keep harping on it, but if he cant even play in practice right now how is he going to hop into a pretourney game in 2 days? He has no business being there over Lafreniere.

Why does the 2nd unit look better to me?

Looks the same to me as well. Studnicka had a good camp but how does a guy thats right around point per game, late 2nd rounder have a spot on the PP? Like when theyre talking about cutting Lafreniere for Vilardi you would think its because the other guys are there to play a less skilled role, like Studnicka would be an energy/PK guy that Laferniere couldnt play his spot. Instead hes being used on the PP, I dont care about handedness when theres that big of a skill difference

 

[4thlineduster]

I would be shocked if Comtois is not the captain.

Just watched an interview on TSN where Staios was talking about Comtois’ leadership ability.

If that’s their true opinion, coupled with gold medal and NHL experience.....I don’t see any scenario where he isn’t captain.

 

[Playmaker09]

Trying to use his big shot as a one t in the Ovi spot I guess

That's easy to take away when you have two lefties in the middle in Smith/Frost , and therefore no other options.

Both units are all kinds of wonky.

Smith
Comtois - Hayton - Glass
Tippett

and

Brook
Suzuki - Vilardi - Bouchard
Frost

Or something like that makes more sense.