WJC: Canada 2019 Roster Talk

[Mrb1p]

I see a lot of talk about Brook and Hunter being his coach as a reason he should be on the team....and even dictate his role. Which of course makes my skin crawl. His play has earned him an invite to camp. If his play from then on warrants making the team or playing an important role then perfect. But if they are handing him a spot or an important role on this team because of who his coach is then we have already taken one giant step in the wrong direction for this tournament.

Josh Brook is putting up a 1.5 PPG right now in the dub... Maybe he's goign to make it because... he's a great prospect ?

 

[Mrb1p]

Not defending the other post, but:

1) I'm pretty sure Nick Suzuki is a Canadiens prospect and is expected to make the team.
2) I'm fairly certain saying Bouchard is twice the player than Brook right now is pretty extreme. Both are amongst the top D in their respective leagues and are part of the top-4 Canadian D expected to be available for the tournament (along with Dobson and Wilde). Also, 3 of the 4 are RHD which is why Brook will likely start on the 3rd or 2nd pair, but pairs change too. Bouchard's a better prospect, but we're talking about right now.
3) Expecting one of the top WHL D to not make the team over playing on the top pair when his coach is the HC is pretty bold.

He's the top D in the WHL.

The other one is most likely Smith, too.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Josh Brook is putting up a 1.5 PPG right now in the dub... Maybe he's goign to make it because... he's a great prospect ?

I know what his stats are. Thanks. Doesn't change what I said.

 

[Mrb1p]

I know what his stats are. Thanks. Doesn't change what I said.

Why would you say something like that though ? Do you really think that is the only reason he's going to be on that team ?

Obviously he may be used more vs other guys because Hunter knows what he can and cannot do (Which is not a lot really.)

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Why would you say something like that though ? Do you really think that is the only reason he's going to be on that team ?

Obviously he may be used more vs other guys because Hunter knows what he can and cannot do (Which is not a lot really.)

There have been previous occasions with teams in this tournament where coaches fall in love with their own players to the detriment to the team as a whole. I am not saying anything bad about Brook....I just want to see him truly earn whatever he is given and not get it because of who happens to coach him in the WHL. If he comes into camp and plays like one of our top defensemen then by all means play him as such....but my apprehension comes at the idea of penciling him in their with his WHL coach maybe not being the most objective person in the room when it comes to if it isn't the right fit.

 

[iginlafan77]

Not defending the other post, but:

1) I'm pretty sure Nick Suzuki is a Canadiens prospect and is expected to make the team.
2) I'm fairly certain saying Bouchard is twice the player than Brook right now is pretty extreme. Both are amongst the top D in their respective leagues and are part of the top-4 Canadian D expected to be available for the tournament (along with Dobson and Wilde). Also, 3 of the 4 are RHD which is why Brook will likely start on the 3rd or 2nd pair, but pairs change too. Bouchard's a better prospect, but we're talking about right now.
3) Expecting one of the top WHL D to not make the team over playing on the top pair when his coach is the HC is pretty bold.

I'd say top 4 are Smith, Joseph, dobson and Bouchard

 

[newfy]

Not defending the other post, but:

1) I'm pretty sure Nick Suzuki is a Canadiens prospect and is expected to make the team.
2) I'm fairly certain saying Bouchard is twice the player than Brook right now is pretty extreme. Both are amongst the top D in their respective leagues and are part of the top-4 Canadian D expected to be available for the tournament (along with Dobson and Wilde). Also, 3 of the 4 are RHD which is why Brook will likely start on the 3rd or 2nd pair, but pairs change too. Bouchard's a better prospect, but we're talking about right now.
3) Expecting one of the top WHL D to not make the team over playing on the top pair when his coach is the HC is pretty bold.

When I wrote that I forgot Suzuki was there now, I changed it. But ya twice the player is an exaggeration obviously hes good, hes in the running to make the team but dont let his hot start let you think he shuld be playing over Bouchard. Bouchard is a REALLY good hockey player with NHL experience, high draft pedigree and more than a hot start to one year to back up his claim to that title.

As for your top 4 comment, I disagree. I think most people familiar with that defense are pencilling Dobson, Smith, Bouchard and Joseph as the top 4. If hes playing more minutes than all of those guys except one I would be surprised. I dont think hockey Canada thought theyw ould even get Bouchard back for the tournamentDoes he make the team? I think he clearly will and will likely be on the bottom pairing with McIsaac. Expecting him to play over all of those guys seems ridiculous to me and its coming from aposter who loves to post hot takes about Habs prospects to make them seem like theyre way better than they are.

I mean, is it fair to say Brook is outplaying Bouchard so far? Theyre in different leagues and Bouchard has played ~half of his season to date in the NHL. Brook is having a great season but its not like Bouchard doesnt have the track record to expect him to be better.

For comparisons sake, what would people say if I as a wings fan said that McIsaac is better than Bouchard right now? McIsaac is a better defensive player than Brook is and more physical, and hes also 4th in point per game in his league for D, vs 2nd for Brook. I wanna be clear that I dont think McIsaac should play in the top 4 on this squad, but you could make just as much of an argument for him over Brook right now. Which means apparently you could argue him over Bouchard. I think people would find that pretty ridiculous, just like it is to do so with Brook

 

[JackSlater]

I see a lot of talk about Brook and Hunter being his coach as a reason he should be on the team....and even dictate his role. Which of course makes my skin crawl. His play has earned him an invite to camp. If his play from then on warrants making the team or playing an important role then perfect. But if they are handing him a spot or an important role on this team because of who his coach is then we have already taken one giant step in the wrong direction for this tournament.

I don't think that players can make the team solely because of their coach, as the coach isn't the sole person picking the team. I am somewhat concerned about usage though, as the coach does control that and there have been multiple instances this decade, particularly with defencemen, where a coach slotted a player from his junior team above where the player belonged and it really hurt the team. Brook is certainly a defensible pick for this team, but so were Murphy in 2013 and Hicketts in 2016 and in each instance the coach rode his defenceman right into the ditch.

 

[Captain Mountain]

When I wrote that I forgot Suzuki was there now, I changed it. But ya twice the player is an exaggeration obviously hes good, hes in the running to make the team but dont let his hot start let you think he shuld be playing over Bouchard. Bouchard is a REALLY good hockey player with NHL experience, high draft pedigree and more than a hot start to one year to back up his claim to that title.

As for your top 4 comment, I disagree. I think most people familiar with that defense are pencilling Dobson, Smith, Bouchard and Joseph as the top 4. If hes playing more minutes than all of those guys except one I would be surprised. I dont think hockey Canada thought theyw ould even get Bouchard back for the tournamentDoes he make the team? I think he clearly will and will likely be on the bottom pairing with McIsaac. Expecting him to play over all of those guys seems ridiculous to me and its coming from aposter who loves to post hot takes about Habs prospects to make them seem like theyre way better than they are.

I mean, is it fair to say Brook is outplaying Bouchard so far? Theyre in different leagues and Bouchard has played ~half of his season to date in the NHL. Brook is having a great season but its not like Bouchard doesnt have the track record to expect him to be better.

For comparisons sake, what would people say if I as a wings fan said that McIsaac is better than Bouchard right now? McIsaac is a better defensive player than Brook is and more physical, and hes also 4th in point per game in his league for D, vs 2nd for Brook. I wanna be clear that I dont think McIsaac should play in the top 4 on this squad, but you could make just as much of an argument for him over Brook right now. Which means apparently you could argue him over Bouchard. I think people would find that pretty ridiculous, just like it is to do so with Brook

In fairness, I meant Smith as a top-4. But I'm taking this from reading guys like Pronman and listening to guys that cover major junior and WJC. I'm sure there's people on here that know better, but, again not thinking one of the best D in the WHL whose coach is the WJC coach isn't likely to play a big role on the team is... weird.

 

[PKWeber]

Brook is going to surprise a lot of people. He will start on the third pair and end up in the top 4.

 

[McFlash97]

When I wrote that I forgot Suzuki was there now, I changed it. But ya twice the player is an exaggeration obviously hes good, hes in the running to make the team but dont let his hot start let you think he shuld be playing over Bouchard. Bouchard is a REALLY good hockey player with NHL experience, high draft pedigree and more than a hot start to one year to back up his claim to that title.

As for your top 4 comment, I disagree. I think most people familiar with that defense are pencilling Dobson, Smith, Bouchard and Joseph as the top 4. If hes playing more minutes than all of those guys except one I would be surprised. I dont think hockey Canada thought theyw ould even get Bouchard back for the tournamentDoes he make the team? I think he clearly will and will likely be on the bottom pairing with McIsaac. Expecting him to play over all of those guys seems ridiculous to me and its coming from aposter who loves to post hot takes about Habs prospects to make them seem like theyre way better than they are.

I mean, is it fair to say Brook is outplaying Bouchard so far? Theyre in different leagues and Bouchard has played ~half of his season to date in the NHL. Brook is having a great season but its not like Bouchard doesnt have the track record to expect him to be better.

For comparisons sake, what would people say if I as a wings fan said that McIsaac is better than Bouchard right now? McIsaac is a better defensive player than Brook is and more physical, and hes also 4th in point per game in his league for D, vs 2nd for Brook. I wanna be clear that I dont think McIsaac should play in the top 4 on this squad, but you could make just as much of an argument for him over Brook right now. Which means apparently you could argue him over Bouchard. I think people would find that pretty ridiculous, just like it is to do so with Brook

Bouchard is Canada's best defenseman under or at the age of 19 right now. If you take off those glasses you would notice just how dominant he has been since joining the London Knights. He is just warming up and has 12 points and is plus 16 in 9 games. Brook and Bouchard should be first pairing.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Bouchard is Canada's best defenseman under or at the age of 19 right now. If you take off those glasses you would notice just how dominant he has been since joining the London Knights. He is just warming up and has 12 points and is plus 16 in 9 games. Brook and Bouchard should be first pairing.

Pretty sure they are both right side players so I can't see them playing together under any scenario really.

 

[Janne Niinimaa]

Bouchard is Canada's best defenseman under or at the age of 19 right now. If you take off those glasses you would notice just how dominant he has been since joining the London Knights. He is just warming up and has 12 points and is plus 16 in 9 games. Brook and Bouchard should be first pairing.

Brook and Bouchard play the same side. Ty Smith is probably Canada's best defenseman right now.

 

[BigRangy]

Canada played Makar and Sanheim as their 7th d-men when they were both clearly the best defensemen on the roster.

Short tournaments lead to weird coaching decisions.

As long as they end up at the top of the podium, they will have done the right thing.

 

[biturbo19]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Brook ultimately end up with more ice than Dobson, but it's not necessarily a bad thing and it doesn't have to be just Hunter playing favourites. Brook is a darn good defenceman. If Hunter wanted to lean on a guy he's familiar with, maybe pair him up with Ty Smith and you've got a pretty top notch big minute puck-moving matchup pairing.

I don't think it'd be outlandish to kinda just roll 3 pairings with the players available to this team like:

Smith-Brook
Joseph-Bouchard
McIsaac-Dobson

I think that's basically 3 pairings you don't have to worry about, all should be able to play real minutes, and all should be able to tilt the ice. You've got a few guys who can run a PP, and plenty of guys who can PK which is always important. Bouchard will probably make up lots of icetime running the top PP. Others will get more PK duty. But that's what probably makes sense to me.

That 7th spot seems totally up for grabs. A lot of different ways they could go with that, and have it be a fine choice. I think McIsaac probably locks down at least one of those 6/7th D spots. He's been a HC guy and he brings mobility, some size, and a bit of a different skillset to the table that they'll want to have 5v5 and PK. I think they probably lean toward a versatile guy for that 7th spot, but that could still mean a handful of different guys including the college kids like Mitchell and Bernard-Docker. That's probably the last ticket onto the team on defence though.

 

[newfy]

In fairness, I meant Smith as a top-4. But I'm taking this from reading guys like Pronman and listening to guys that cover major junior and WJC. I'm sure there's people on here that know better, but, again not thinking one of the best D in the WHL whose coach is the WJC coach isn't likely to play a big role on the team is... weird.

I never said he isnt going to have a big role or that he isnt a great player. I'm saying thinking hes going to play top pairing minutes over Bouchard is pretty unlikely and I think a lot of people on here would agree with me. Saying Brook is going to be top pair over Dobson, Bouchard or Smith given their histories seems pretty unlikely and something that a fan of the team who drafted Brook would say.

Mind you it could happen, Brook is good especially if he gets hot in the tourney but saying hes better than Bouchard right now is.... weird

Bouchard is Canada's best defenseman under or at the age of 19 right now. If you take off those glasses you would notice just how dominant he has been since joining the London Knights. He is just warming up and has 12 points and is plus 16 in 9 games. Brook and Bouchard should be first pairing.

Did you mean to quote me? I'm saying Bouchard is probably Canadas best dman, I'm pretty sure we have the same glasses on...

 

[Skolman]

Some of you guys are in for a surprise when you watch Bouchard at the WJ's, he's been underrated ever since the Oilers selected him over Dobson.

He will be Canada's best defenseman this year.

 

[93LEAFS]

I never said he isnt going to have a big role or that he isnt a great player. I'm saying thinking hes going to play top pairing minutes over Bouchard is pretty unlikely and I think a lot of people on here would agree with me. Saying Brook is going to be top pair over Dobson, Bouchard or Smith given their histories seems pretty unlikely and something that a fan of the team who drafted Brook would say.

Mind you it could happen, Brook is good especially if he gets hot in the tourney but saying hes better than Bouchard right now is.... weird



Did you mean to quote me? I'm saying Bouchard is probably Canadas best dman, I'm pretty sure we have the same glasses on...

The coach of the team is Brooks coach. Does anyone remember how much Dave Lowry used Joe Hicketts in 2016? Canada also has a propensity to rely on 19 year olds these days, and neither Smith or Dobson is 19.

 

[lawrence]

Some of you guys are in for a surprise when you watch Bouchard at the WJ's,

surprised? Most of us know he's real gud already.

 

[Skolman]

surprised? Most of us know he's real gud already.

Hense the word "some", clearly there's some posters who don't know how good he really is.

 

[lawrence]

There's still hope we may get Rasmussen on loan. less than 10 minutes TOI. I think he deserves a shot a Christmas gold and return to the Wings Jan 6.

I'd prefer Thomas from St. Louis, but I'll take Rasmussen.

Some Wings fans said he will be loaned to Canada when I asked them about the WJC. He will be men among boys.

 

[Gold Standard]

Some Wings fans said he will be loaned to Canada when I asked them about the WJC. He will be men among boys.

yeah, possible I guess, but I'm skeptical. His quarter of a NHL season experience is good to have, and he should be great in front of the net on the PP, but I doubt he'll be a tournament dominate player. He may not even be the best player on the team. I'll take him though.

 

[JackSlater]

Vilardi has been sent to the AHL for a conditioning stint. We'll see if he holds up and what LA wants to do with him. From LA's perspective the WJC might be a good way to ease him back in to competitive hockey, but they may also want to keep him and his back under close supervision.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Villardi getting into some games a month before the tournament starts would be big. Hopefully we can get him for the tournament. Team could be absolutely loaded.

 

[Gold Standard]

Reign play tomorrow, Friday and Sunday. that will be his 3 game conditioning stint. not sure if he has to dress for a game in order for it to count. but at least the timing lines up well for invites to camp, which is Monday, I suspect.