WJC: Canada 2019 Roster Talk Part 2

[Baksfamous112]

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.

We’ll see how Dobson does after the WJC. He’s been traded to the best CHL team

 

[4thlineduster]

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

I’ve never seen this guy play and to be honest he’s never really even been on my radar.

Am I right out to lunch in having no idea why HC is waiting so long to see if he’s ready for the tourney despite having not practiced, let alone played at game speed in how long now?

What am I missing here regarding Vilardi?

 

[Dod93Cityt]

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

Whats your thoughts/expectations on Teams USA this year?

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Whats your thoughts/expectations on Teams USA this year?

Don't want to derail this thread but I think it's reasonable to suggest the U.S. can challenge for gold. It's a deep team from goal out. A lot of good teams in this tournament though-including Canada. It will be tough.

 

[Statsy]

I’ve never seen this guy play and to be honest he’s never really even been on my radar.

Am I right out to lunch in having no idea why HC is waiting so long to see if he’s ready for the tourney despite having not practiced, let alone played at game speed in how long now?

What am I missing here regarding Vilardi?

I’m wondering the same thing. If this were a Crosby or McDavid I could see the team waiting a little longer, but there are guys in the same talent ballpark that are 100% healthy and have their game shape and timing down. Even if Vilardi can play, he’s likely going to be rusty as s#!t.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Didn’t Vilardi skate yesterday? Maybe I misread. I was surprised he missed today because I could have sworn I saw he was at practice yesterday

 

[JackSlater]

Vilardi has been taking part in practices and I believe he had a contact jersey on during the first week. I do agree with the general sentiment that this seems like an unnecessary risk.

 

[SI90]

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.

This makes more sense to me. Even though I’m an isles fan and would love to see Dobson get some PP time, they’re going to need him a lot 5vs5 and on the PK.

 

[SI90]

Whats your thoughts/expectations on Teams USA this year?

I’m a team USA fan as well. I’m an islanders fan so best case scenario for me is team canada does great with Dobson having a great showing but ultimately I want Wahlstrom and USA to win gold obviously.

I really like this years team USA and think they have a legit shot at gold. The top scoring line is young but extremely talented wirh Wahlstrom-Hughes- Farabee

Defensively they’re really good as well with Quinn Hughes leading the pack.

 

[Dominance]

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.

JAD is amazing, as someone who has watched him for years in the dub. Very good offensively, capable of driving his own line and making his own chances, and extremely intelligent and committed defensively. I’d be comfortable with him playing literally anywhere in the lineup. Give him some time to change your opinion, I beg of you.

 

[1909]

JAD is amazing, as someone who has watched him for years in the dub. Very good offensively, capable of driving his own line and making his own chances, and extremely intelligent and committed defensively. I’d be comfortable with him playing literally anywhere in the lineup. Give him some time to change your opinion, I beg of you.

That's one of the players the Habs were targeting when they tried to trade Pacioretty to LA last Summer.

 

[HanSolo]

As a fan of both the Knights and the Ducks, I'm really looking forward to seeing Comtois and Glass together.

 

[xIsle]

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.

But you have 4 right-handed shooters on PP2. Do you really need so much? It seems to me that a better balance between left-handed and right-handed makes more sense.

 

[Playmaker09]

But you have 4 right-handed shooters on PP2. Do you really need so much? It seems to me that a better balance between left-handed and right-handed makes more sense.

The playmaker in a 1-3-1 (in this case Suzuki) can shoot either side, it doesn't really matter.

Washington and Winnipeg both use Backstrom and Wheeler to great effect.

 

[xIsle]

The playmaker in a 1-3-1 (in this case Suzuki) can shoot either side, it doesn't really matter.

Washington and Winnipeg both use Backstrom and Wheeler to great effect.

Ah ok. But I don't think Suzuki is a playmaker as Backtrom or Wheeler. I think he is more a goal scorer, no? Maybe switch Frost with Suzuki.

 

[jj cale]

I’m a team USA fan as well. I’m an islanders fan so best case scenario for me is team canada does great with Dobson having a great showing but ultimately I want Wahlstrom and USA to win gold obviously.

I really like this years team USA and think they have a legit shot at gold. The top scoring line is young but extremely talented wirh Wahlstrom-Hughes- Farabee

Defensively they’re really good as well with Quinn Hughes leading the pack.

I actually think the defense is the real strength of that team, not that the offense is chopped liver.

 

[SI90]

I actually think the defense is the real strength of that team, not that the offense is chopped liver.

I agree. Defense is really solid. The team is solid throughout.

Russia is really good.

This has the makings of a really fun and exciting tournament.

 

[Hockey Stick]

Ah ok. But I don't think Suzuki is a playmaker as Backtrom or Wheeler. I think he is more a goal scorer, no? Maybe switch Frost with Suzuki.

Suzuki is a special kind of player, he scores goals a lot, but my God he can pass the puck nicely too

 

[jj cale]

I agree. Defense is really solid. The team is solid throughout.

Russia is really good.

This has the makings of a really fun and exciting tournament.

Russia seems to be flying under the radar a tad, they will be real good this year.

 

[SI90]

Russia seems to be flying under the radar a tad, they will be real good this year.

I’m excited to see Podkolzin. For a second I thought he wasn’t coming lol.
But yeah not many people talking about them but they’re good

 

[Playmaker09]

Ah ok. But I don't think Suzuki is a playmaker as Backtrom or Wheeler. I think he is more a goal scorer, no? Maybe switch Frost with Suzuki.

In theory, you're right. Frost would do well there.

But Suzuki can't play down low on that particular unit because he's a RHS and you need a LHS to provide an option for the guy on the half-wall and for better passing angle to the guy in the slot (Vilardi).

I'm just trying to put together two units that make sense using what I think are the 10 most talented players. And it's very hard to put every single one of those 10 players in the perfect role for them to shine.

You could also stack up your top unit with Glass/Suzuki/Bouchard at the expense of your second unit but for the most part I prefer the balanced approach on teams as deep offensively as Team Canada always is (or like the Leafs did last year).

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I’m excited to see Podkolzin. For a second I thought he wasn’t coming lol.
But yeah not many people talking about them but they’re good

I don't think it is even close to a sure thing he makes the roster. Hopefully he does though.

 

[YP44]

Sounds like Vilardi had a pre-scheduled appointment today

 

[kingsboy11]

 

[Hfbsux]

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?

Or maybe to see how he does at RW so he can take Enwistle spot on the 4th line for starters?