WC: General Talk '14 — Canada

[Five Alarm Fire]

Has there been any chatter yet as to who will coach the team? Paul Maurice looks to be an option.

I thought for sure that it would be Kevin Dineen, but it now looks like he will be coaching the u18 team.

 

[MyNameIsNobody*]

I thought for sure that it would be Kevin Dineen, but it now looks like he will be coaching the u18 team.

Theoretically he could do both? depends how he does in U18 ?

Men's World U18 Championship Apr 17-27 in Finland
Men's World Championship May 9-25, 2014 in Minsk, Belarus

I mean who else do they have? Muller?

 

[Frank the Tank]

Rob Blake will be the GM.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=447427

 

[JackSlater]

Rob Blake will be the GM.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=447427

He said many of the right things in his little interview with Reda and has credibility from his numerous times playing for Canada. I am hopeful that he doesn't go full Messier and throw out a hopeless team to the wolves. Yes, this tournament should be used to allow younger players to gain international experience, but going out and getting pounded is not ideal.

Even if every Olympian refuses to go, there are a few decent building blocks out there from the teams that will definitely not make it (Hall, Giordano, Skinner, etc.) Goaltending will be an issue though. Of all the bubble teams, Dallas (Seguin and possibly Benn) and Toronto (Bernier) are the ideal teams to miss the playoffs from a Hockey Canada perspective.

 

[xxxx]

This is my team with players from 10 NHL teams that I think will not play the playoffs (BUF, FLO, NYI, CAR, OTT, NJD - EDM, CAL, WIN, NSH)


Goaltenders: Scrivens, (Luongo), Peters / Hutton / Ward
Defencemen: (Weber), Giordano, B.Campbell, Hamonic, R.Ellis, Myers, Justin Schultz, R.Murphy / Russell / T.J. Brodie
Forwards: Hall, Ladd, Skinner, Eberle, C.Stewart, Little, Turris, Nugent-Hopkins, Cammalleri, M.Fisher, Hodgson, Scheifele, Spezza, Upshall


There are some youngsters who could be on the roster I think (Hickey, R.Ellis, R.Murphy on defence, and M.Stone, Huberdeau, Monahan, Cizikas, Howden, Ennis up-front). Don't know how you feel about players like A.Ference, D.Wideman, Methot, Gryba, Olsen, Gelinas, Cowen, de Haan, Del Zotto, MacArthur, E.Kane, Glencross, Ryder, Boyes, J.Staal, Zajac, Henrique, Gagner, Spaling.... is there anyone from these players who theoretically could crack the team?


Toronto, Washington, Vancouver and Dallas are out of the playoffs now too, so there would be a possibility of a big upgrade:

Goaltenders: + Bernier, Reimer, Holtby
Defencemen: + M.Green, Garrison, Phaneuf, Alzner, Hamhuis, Bieksa, Rielly)
Forwards: + Lupul, Benn, Chimera, Raymond, J.Ward, Brouwer, Chiasson, Seguin, Kadri, Bozak, Eakin)


I would bet my money on Luongo and Hamhuis that they're going, but I won't be surprised if Weber, E.Staal, and Spezza are not going. With this scenario, this is my current possible team:


Benn - Seguin - C.Stewart
Hall - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle
Skinner - Kadri - Lupul
Ladd - Turris - Little

(Perron, Cammalleri)

Hamhuis - Green
Phaneuf - Giordano
Rielly - Hamonic
B.Campbell
Alzner

Bernier, Luongo, Scrivens / Holtby


well, it's really a wild guess. I bet that a ton of names will be different when the tournament starts.

 

[JayKing]

I wonder if Weber accepts the invite.

Defense could be pretty good.

Hamhuis - Weber
Giordano - Myers
Phaneuf - Bieksa/Hamonic

 

[NHL Dude 120]

my updated roster would be (I'm omitting players who were on the Olympic team)
Forwards
Kyle Turris
Clark McAurthur
Andrew Ladd
Evander Kane
Jeff Skinner
Eric Stall
Jordan Stall
Taylor Hall
Jordan Eberle
RNH
Sean Monahan
Tyler Seguin
Mark scheifele

Defense
Phaneuf
Alzner
Myers
Giordano
Justin Schultz
J.Garrison
Methot

Goalie
Bernier
Ward
Scrivens

Coaches (can be either head or assistant coaches): Paul Maurice, Paul MacLean, Bob hartley and , Ted Nolan and Barry Trotz

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

Benn - Seguin - Skinner
Hall - RNH - Eberle
Ladd - Spezza - E. Staal
Little - J. Staal - McArthur
Turris

Hamhuis - Weber
Giordano - Phaneuf
Alzner - Green
Hamonic

Bernier
Scrivens
Holtby

 

[NHL Dude 120]

Benn - Seguin - Skinner
Hall - RNH - Eberle
Ladd - Spezza - E. Staal
Little - J. Staal - McArthur
Turris

Hamhuis - Weber
Giordano - Phaneuf
Alzner - Green
Hamonic

Bernier
Scrivens
Holtby

I doubt Spezza and Weber would actually go, try replacing Spezza with Turris.

 

[Franck]

I wonder if Weber accepts the invite.

As I understood it Weber wanted to go last year but Hockey Canada were unwilling to pay the insurance on his massive contract.

I'd imagine the insurance situation for him will be much the same this year.

 

[1Gold Standard]

As I understood it Weber wanted to go last year but Hockey Canada were unwilling to pay the insurance on his massive contract.

I'd imagine the insurance situation for him will be much the same this year.

Ya, realistically I don't think we'll ever see players like Weber or Crosby playing in the World Championships. not with those type of contracts and esp. with Sid, as I don't think his contract can be fully insured anyway, given his injury history. So, for tournaments that mean nothing in the grand scheme of things other than fan bragging rights, we'll never see big money players... at least not Canadian. I'm sure this year the vast majority of the team will be 23 years old and younger.

 

[JackSlater]

Ya, realistically I don't think we'll ever see players like Weber or Crosby playing in the World Championships. not with those type of contracts and esp. with Sid, as I don't think his contract can be fully insured anyway, given his injury history. So, for tournaments that mean nothing in the grand scheme of things other than fan bragging rights, we'll never see big money players... at least not Canadian. I'm sure this year the vast majority of the team will be 23 years old and younger.

Did we ever receive full confirmation on the Weber situation last year? I do believe that he didn't go because of the associated cost (I think that may also be why Tavares did not join the team right after elimination) but it would be interesting to see it confirmed. In any event, I'm sure HC is happy enough that Weber played in the Olympics and thus does not face expectations to play this year.

It's interesting to see that Canada is so much stronger at LW than RW, at least among the potential players for this tournament. Hall, Skinner, Benn, MacArthur, Ladd and Kane are all solid options. In any event, this is my team given the teams currently out of the playoffs as well as the two wild card teams:

Benn Seguin Ladd
Hall Johansen Skinner
MacArthur Turris Eberle
Kane Little J. Staal
Zajac

Giordano Alzner
Hamhuist Campbell
Methot Ellis
Murray

Bernier
Scrivens
Garnett

A less talented team than Canada has sent in recent years, but those are the breaks. I think that both Benn and Hamhuis would accept invitations. Benn is still quite young and would get to play with linemate Seguin on the top line, while Hamhuis has represented Canada numerous times and wouldn't be exactly exhausted from the Olympics. The lack of quality RWs forced a few LW/C into those spots, but I do not think it's an issue. I made a conscious effort to ensure there were enough PKers, hence Zajac and J. Staal.

It was really difficult to find quality RHD for Canada out of the teams presumably out of the playoffs in time (plus Weber). I considered Myers, but I just don't like his game. I selected Ellis for the third pairing and PP responsibilities. I like him over Schultz because he's more competent defensively (not a strength though) but also his international pedigree. In goal, Bernier and Scrivens are a solid enough duo for this tournament. Garnett seems to be one of the better KHL goaltenders over the last few years, and could be an asset in terms of insights into the larger ice surface.

 

[Jesus Christ Horburn]

With it being an Olympic year, I don't see a lot of established players accepting an invite (ex. Spezza, Ladd, Ward, Staal, etc).

I think we're going to see a lot of youth due to no real expectations to win.

Guys like Monahan, Seguin, Turris, Scheifele, Scrivens, etc. are the types of guys I think will be going.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Did we ever receive full confirmation on the Weber situation last year? I do believe that he didn't go because of the associated cost (I think that may also be why Tavares did not join the team right after elimination) but it would be interesting to see it confirmed. In any event, I'm sure HC is happy enough that Weber played in the Olympics and thus does not face expectations to play this year.

It's interesting to see that Canada is so much stronger at LW than RW, at least among the potential players for this tournament. Hall, Skinner, Benn, MacArthur, Ladd and Kane are all solid options. In any event, this is my team given the teams currently out of the playoffs as well as the two wild card teams:

Benn Seguin Ladd
Hall Johansen Skinner
MacArthur Turris Eberle
Kane Little J. Staal
Zajac

Giordano Alzner
Hamhuist Campbell
Methot Ellis
Murray

Bernier
Scrivens
Garnett

A less talented team than Canada has sent in recent years, but those are the breaks. I think that both Benn and Hamhuis would accept invitations. Benn is still quite young and would get to play with linemate Seguin on the top line, while Hamhuis has represented Canada numerous times and wouldn't be exactly exhausted from the Olympics. The lack of quality RWs forced a few LW/C into those spots, but I do not think it's an issue. I made a conscious effort to ensure there were enough PKers, hence Zajac and J. Staal.

It was really difficult to find quality RHD for Canada out of the teams presumably out of the playoffs in time (plus Weber). I considered Myers, but I just don't like his game. I selected Ellis for the third pairing and PP responsibilities. I like him over Schultz because he's more competent defensively (not a strength though) but also his international pedigree. In goal, Bernier and Scrivens are a solid enough duo for this tournament. Garnett seems to be one of the better KHL goaltenders over the last few years, and could be an asset in terms of insights into the larger ice surface.

I never heard anything official that it was due to insurance costs. I just connected the dots b/c I know how much HC frets about it.

re: roster I'd like it a lot more if I can get my Avs trio in there of O'Reilly Duchene and Nate + d-man Barrie. I'd rather wait and see who's available after the 1st. rd. and thus avoid loading up on Edmonton and Buffalo players, but rather Avs players who have had a much more positive vibe to their seasons. As of right now I don't think the Avs are getting out of the 1st. rd.

 

[JackSlater]

I never heard anything official that it was due to insurance costs. I just connected the dots b/c I know how much HC frets about it.

re: roster I'd like it a lot more if I can get my Avs trio in there of O'Reilly Duchene and Nate + d-man Barrie. I'd rather wait and see who's available after the 1st. rd. and thus avoid loading up on Edmonton and Buffalo players, but rather Avs players who have had a much more positive vibe to their seasons. As of right now I don't think the Avs are getting out of the 1st. rd.

Duchene, MacKinnon and O'Reilly would be huge for Canada at the WC. There isn't really any way to load up on Buffalo players... they don't have anyone worth taking.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Duchene, MacKinnon and O'Reilly would be huge for Canada at the WC. There isn't really any way to load up on Buffalo players... they don't have anyone worth taking.

Warm bodies to wear a Maple Leaf and who on a regular or semi-regular basis collect an NHL paycheck. All too often in Olympic years that is all Hockey Canada requires.

And as for wingers.. I'd still don't see the problem with adding Drouin to the team should he be available. I don't care that he was sent back to the Q this year. If Hockey Canada can take an undrafted 18 year old d-man (Murray) to the WHC a few years back, then I don't see the issue with taking Drouin and reuniting him with Nate...shake things up and see what comes out. Towes played when he was still a NCAA player...This is the only time I agree that HC gets a bye (Olympic year) and can experiment with a roster...so experiment with talent and not marginal NHL pros.

 

[JackSlater]

[/B]

Warm bodies to wear a Maple Leaf and who on a regular or semi-regular basis collect an NHL paycheck. All too often in Olympic years that is all Hockey Canada requires.

And as for wingers.. I'd still don't see the problem with adding Drouin to the team should he be available. I don't care that he was sent back to the Q this year. If Hockey Canada can take an undrafted 18 year old d-man (Murray) to the WHC a few years back, then I don't see the issue with taking Drouin and reuniting him with Nate...shake things up and see what comes out. Towes played when he was still a NCAA player...This is the only time I agree that HC gets a bye (Olympic year) and can experiment with a roster...so experiment with talent and not marginal NHL pros.

I disagree on Drouin. Murray was a complete mistake on the part of HC, as it basically allowed Lowe to take an cup close look at one of his potential #1 picks. He was not a valuable member of the team that year. I want this tournament to be mostly for young Canadian players to get additional international experience, but only if they are in a situation to contribute positively. Canada is loaded with young LW who can contribute more to a winning effort than Drouin can at the moment. Kane, Skinner, Hall, Benn are all better and also under 25, and they might even give a chance to someone like Huberdeau.

It's all probably moot however since Halifax will probably come out of the Q.

 

[1Gold Standard]

I disagree on Drouin. Murray was a complete mistake on the part of HC, as it basically allowed Lowe to take an cup close look at one of his potential #1 picks. He was not a valuable member of the team that year. I want this tournament to be mostly for young Canadian players to get additional international experience, but only if they are in a situation to contribute positively. Canada is loaded with young LW who can contribute more to a winning effort than Drouin can at the moment. Kane, Skinner, Hall, Benn are all better and also under 25, and they might even give a chance to someone like Huberdeau.

It's all probably moot however since Halifax will probably come out of the Q.

Hall and Benn I agree with... but I've seen enough of both Skinner and Kane at the WHC and other than Skinner's 1st kick at the can, he has disappointed me each and every time..and Kane? I just don't think he's a smart enough player to play on big ice. great skater no doubt, but 0 smarts .. the potential to be a prototypical NHL power forward, but not smart enough to play the international game.

On a side note: Anybody on Pittsburgh not named Crosby we can use...b/c it looks as though they are primed for another playoff meltdown.

 

[JackSlater]

Hall and Benn I agree with... but I've seen enough of both Skinner and Kane at the WHC and other than Skinner's 1st kick at the can, he has disappointed me each and every time..and Kane? I just don't think he's a smart enough player to play on big ice. great skater no doubt, but 0 smarts .. the potential to be a prototypical NHL power forward, but not smart enough to play the international game.

On a side note: Anybody on Pittsburgh not named Crosby we can use...b/c it looks as though they are primed for another playoff meltdown.

Skinner is only 21 years old, there is no way he can be written off. Overall he has performed well for Canada at this tournament, though sometimes in a less than ideal role (2013 for instance). I liked Kane at the 2012 tournament, when he brought speed and some sound forechecking to his line. He's still only 22, and could easily improve and become a very valuable player for Canada. You can't write anyone off at that age.

Neal could be useful from Pittsburgh, but that's it. Given his exclusion from the Olympic team and an injury earlier in the year, I would be surprised to see him attend.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Skinner is only 21 years old, there is no way he can be written off. Overall he has performed well for Canada at this tournament, though sometimes in a less than ideal role (2013 for instance). I liked Kane at the 2012 tournament, when he brought speed and some sound forechecking to his line. He's still only 22, and could easily improve and become a very valuable player for Canada. You can't write anyone off at that age.

Neal could be useful from Pittsburgh, but that's it. Given his exclusion from the Olympic team and an injury earlier in the year, I would be surprised to see him attend.

Ya well, OK. but if I get a sense of the same ol' same ol' from Skinner, i.e. the pirouettes coming down the wing, I'm going to have to switch to viewing on the 23" generic knock off model TV in the guest room as something will most likely get tossed.

 

[Theokritos]

There isn't really any way to load up on Buffalo players... they don't have anyone worth taking.

Yes, you might as well call up that Spengler Cup Team Canada. AHL level too and at least they know the big ice inside out.

Ya well, OK. but if I get a sense of the same ol' same ol' from Skinner, i.e. the pirouettes coming down the wing, I'm going to have to switch to viewing on the 23" generic knock off model TV in the guest room as something will most likely get tossed.

There is a lot of space to do multiple pirouettes on international ice.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Skinner is only 21 years old, there is no way he can be written off. Overall he has performed well for Canada at this tournament, though sometimes in a less than ideal role (2013 for instance). I liked Kane at the 2012 tournament, when he brought speed and some sound forechecking to his line. He's still only 22, and could easily improve and become a very valuable player for Canada. You can't write anyone off at that age.

Neal could be useful from Pittsburgh, but that's it. Given his exclusion from the Olympic team and an injury earlier in the year, I would be surprised to see him attend.

Well, he's not really impressing me this year. I can see some major changes in Pitt this off season. I think I'd rater take Mike Cammalleri atm. he's been playing well, putting up pts. and for the most of the season, while a poor team, at least they've been putting in the effort. So, I'll take your roster, drop Kane, J. Staal and Zajac for Cammalleri, Monahan and Henrique.

 

[The Bad Guy*]

Yes, you might as well call up that Spengler Cup Team Canada. AHL level too and at least they know the big ice inside out.



There is a lot of space to do multiple pirouettes on international ice.

I bet The spengler cup team could medal at this thing.

 

[JackSlater]

Well, he's not really impressing me this year. I can see some major changes in Pitt this off season. I think I'd rater take Mike Cammalleri atm. he's been playing well, putting up pts. and for the most of the season, while a poor team, at least they've been putting in the effort. So, I'll take your roster, drop Kane, J. Staal and Zajac for Cammalleri, Monahan and Henrique.

I don't really understand your changes. Zajac and Staal are there as seasoned defensive players, on a team that is going to be lacking just that. Monahan is the type of guy I really don't want to see on this team. He'll get buried with a very small role, he isn't likely to be a big factor for Canada in the future and he isn't a specialist (like Zajac and Staal) who can have an impact in a small role. Cammalleri would be a good pick though, bringing some experience and leadership.

 

[1Gold Standard]

I don't really understand your changes. Zajac and Staal are there as seasoned defensive players, on a team that is going to be lacking just that. Monahan is the type of guy I really don't want to see on this team. He'll get buried with a very small role, he isn't likely to be a big factor for Canada in the future and he isn't a specialist (like Zajac and Staal) who can have an impact in a small role. Cammalleri would be a good pick though, bringing some experience and leadership.

You know I'm a big Staal brothers fan, but the 2 Carolina Staals have been a whole lot of disappointing this year and both will be worried about where they'll be playing next year as it looks like Carolina will be dumping them. Send them home for a long summer of R&R.

Henrique is every bit a competent defensive player as Zajac is and overall a better player than Zajac imo.. and maybe playing him with Hall (junior connection from Windsor) would be good for Hall.

Monahan I can take or leave, promising young player. He and Mackinnon fit my 2 rookie maximum rule.