WC: General Talk '14 — Canada

[The Bad Guy*]

I just want motivated guys with good coaching, talent is nice but when you are not 100% committed to playing a team game it just becomes a gong show at this thing.

 

[Stats01]

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

You would take MacArthur over Kadri?

 

[xxxx]

I just want motivated guys with good coaching, talent is nice but when you are not 100% committed to playing a team game it just becomes a gong show at this thing.

Totally agree. When you are motivated, like really motivated, and you really play as a team, then with that talent, it shouldn't be a problem to win. I don't think that the players don't play their best, it's just it seems to me that they haven't had any luck lately. But I have no worries. Sooner or later, we will have a golden period again.

 

[OG]

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.

This is not true at all. Jordan Staal has been Carolina's best forward aside from Semin the past month+. Carolina's not gonna move them.

I would be surprised if he doesn't go play for Canada this offseason.

 

[The Bad Guy*]

Totally agree. When you are motivated, like really motivated, and you really play as a team, then with that talent, it shouldn't be a problem to win. I don't think that the players don't play their best, it's just it seems to me that they haven't had any luck lately. But I have no worries. Sooner or later, we will have a golden period again.

I just hope it's soon.

We have already won the real world championship and that is always what mattered but winning this IIHF "B" grade thing thing is always nice too.

 

[Neil Hamburger]

This could be a great experience for a kid like Morgan Rielly.

 

[1Gold Standard]

This is not true at all. Jordan Staal has been Carolina's best forward aside from Semin the past month+. Carolina's not gonna move them.

I would be surprised if he doesn't go play for Canada this offseason.

I would say that he had one good week in that stretch since the Olympic break..but beyond that he has played pretty much the same as he has the entire season - underwhelming. And as a fan of the Staal brothers, I hope they do get moved in the off-season. my preference is to the Jets.

 

[PWJunior]

One name that I hope gets some consideration is Calvin de Haan from the Isles. He's had shoulder injuries that hindered his development, but he has emerged as the probably the best overall defenseman and that's including Hamonic. The two of them logged 30+ minutes against TB and another 26+ against NJ. Stamkos and Jagr saw quite a bit of de Haan and were contained.

CdH was a 2-time WJC participant for Canada so he's been brought up through that system with U-18's experience as well. His injuries may have made him a bit of a forgotten man, but he could be still on the radar. He was paired with Hamonic in his first WJC and their chemistry has really developed since then as the top pair for the Isles. Hamonic was a pre-Olympic camp invite so he should get strong consideration, maybe de Haan has re-emerged as a strong candidate.

CdH has excellent mobility, smarts, poise and skill. He's surprisingly physical too. He only has about 50 NHL games, but he looks like a 10-year veteran. Most Isles fans think he's the best young defenseman we've had since Kenny Jonsson and he still has untapped offensive upside. There are times when he looks like Niedermayer out there, his assist on Colin McDonald's 2nd goal against Carolina was a display of that type of skill. I think he would be well suited for International play.

 

[xxxx]

One name that I hope gets some consideration is Calvin de Haan from the Isles. He's had shoulder injuries that hindered his development, but he has emerged as the probably the best overall defenseman and that's including Hamonic. The two of them logged 30+ minutes against TB and another 26+ against NJ. Stamkos and Jagr saw quite a bit of de Haan and were contained.

CdH was a 2-time WJC participant for Canada so he's been brought up through that system with U-18's experience as well. His injuries may have made him a bit of a forgotten man, but he could be still on the radar. He was paired with Hamonic in his first WJC and their chemistry has really developed since then as the top pair for the Isles. Hamonic was a pre-Olympic camp invite so he should get strong consideration, maybe de Haan has re-emerged as a strong candidate.

CdH has excellent mobility, smarts, poise and skill. He's surprisingly physical too. He only has about 50 NHL games, but he looks like a 10-year veteran. Most Isles fans think he's the best young defenseman we've had since Kenny Jonsson and he still has untapped offensive upside. There are times when he looks like Niedermayer out there, his assist on Colin McDonald's 2nd goal against Carolina was a display of that type of skill. I think he would be well suited for International play.

Interesting.

I actually think that our defence could be solid this year.

 

[JackSlater]

One name that I hope gets some consideration is Calvin de Haan from the Isles. He's had shoulder injuries that hindered his development, but he has emerged as the probably the best overall defenseman and that's including Hamonic. The two of them logged 30+ minutes against TB and another 26+ against NJ. Stamkos and Jagr saw quite a bit of de Haan and were contained.

CdH was a 2-time WJC participant for Canada so he's been brought up through that system with U-18's experience as well. His injuries may have made him a bit of a forgotten man, but he could be still on the radar. He was paired with Hamonic in his first WJC and their chemistry has really developed since then as the top pair for the Isles. Hamonic was a pre-Olympic camp invite so he should get strong consideration, maybe de Haan has re-emerged as a strong candidate.

CdH has excellent mobility, smarts, poise and skill. He's surprisingly physical too. He only has about 50 NHL games, but he looks like a 10-year veteran. Most Isles fans think he's the best young defenseman we've had since Kenny Jonsson and he still has untapped offensive upside. There are times when he looks like Niedermayer out there, his assist on Colin McDonald's 2nd goal against Carolina was a display of that type of skill. I think he would be well suited for International play.

Good call on Hamonic, I completely forgot about him. De Haan is interesting as well. I never really liked his play for Canada in the WJC though. I agree that his style is well suited to international play (skating and smarts).

 

[PWJunior]

Good call on Hamonic, I completely forgot about him. De Haan is interesting as well. I never really liked his play for Canada in the WJC though. I agree that his style is well suited to international play (skating and smarts).

I think Team Canada is pretty high on Hamonic as a developmental defenseman for the future. In the Making of Team Canada video, one of the GM's (I think it was Chiarelli) remarked that he's a better skating Seabrook who still lacks the experience and overall savvy of Seabrook - or something to that effect. Now that he's no longer saddled with AMac, his game has started trending upwards again with CdH as his usual partner. While they do look their best when together, the rash of injuries have them sheltering some rookies apart like Czuczman (all of like 5 NHL games) and Matt Donovan. It's a pretty incredible feat for de Haan to be sheltering other rookies at the NHL and still progressing.

CdH is an interesting case. I never really thought about him participating in the WC until very recently. If you think about it, he has come through their system. He drew rave reviews in the U-18's with Dylan Olsen as his partner, McKenzie remarked about it in his draft video. He then made Team Canada twice after being drafted. I don't know how much continuity exists from Team Canada Juniors to the big boys, but he has been through their process. Fans have probably forgotten about him, but he does have the pedigree of a 1st round pick and maybe has never been fully of the radar of TC. I think he wore the A in his 2nd WJC, I don't remember exactly.

The Isles have had a dismal season, but de Haan has been the brightest development from the mess. I know I am an Isles fan and have bias, but you don't see many 22-year old rookie d-men step into the NHL and play as a top pairing guy. His stats don't look great, but he didn't record a point for his first 12-13 games or so and his +/- dipped during that time. He was roasted by Crosby and Perry with GOTY candidates early. Since then, he has been logging 20+ minutes (I think he's 3rd amongst rookies in TOI this year at 21+) and creating offense. His hockey sense is very high end. I don't want to sound like a homer, but he has legitimate top pairing potential. He's almost a well kept secret because he plays on LI. In CdH-Hamonic, TC has a ready made pairing for the WC who have been through the TC program as Juniors.

 

[OG]

I would say that he had one good week in that stretch since the Olympic break..but beyond that he has played pretty much the same as he has the entire season - underwhelming. And as a fan of the Staal brothers, I hope they do get moved in the off-season. my preference is to the Jets.

He's coming off a streak where he had 12 or 13 points over the course of 10 games. He and Semin are the Canes best possession players. It's not underwhelming at all. The whole team is under-performing offensively. Go to the Canes board and ask if anyone is unhappy with his game or if he's been "underwhelming".

 

[xxxx]

This is probably the best roster we could send right now:


E.Staal - Spezza - Lupul
Benn - Seguin - Skinner
Hall - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle
Ladd - J.Staal - Little
Turris

B.Campbell - Weber
Phaneuf - Giordano
Hamhuis - Green
Hamonic

Luongo, Bernier, Scrivens/Holtby


not bad

 

[1Gold Standard]

Not to get too far ahead of myself, but with Chicago limping into the playoffs and if Captain Towes is out for any length of time, this doesn't bode well for the Hawks in the POs. They should still have enough to get past the Avs though with Duchene out for a month.

but if they don't, add Seabrook and Shaw to the mix of possible invitees.

 

[JackSlater]

The TSN guys said that Tippett is the frontrunner, should Phoenix miss the playoffs. Tippett is a good coach, but I'm not sure his style of hockey is suited to the type of roster Canada is inevitably going to send. They also mentioned DeBoer, Maurice and MacLean as potential coaching candidates.

 

[1Gold Standard]

The TSN guys said that Tippett is the frontrunner, should Phoenix miss the playoffs. Tippett is a good coach, but I'm not sure his style of hockey is suited to the type of roster Canada is inevitably going to send. They also mentioned DeBoer, Maurice and MacLean as potential coaching candidates.

I'd like to see all 3 involved... Maurice could perhaps provide some big ice experience, given he did coach in the KHL for a year. And didn't Bob Hartley coach in the Swiss league for a year... would be worth some consideration as well.

 

[JackSlater]

I'd like to see all 3 involved... Maurice could perhaps provide some big ice experience, given he did coach in the KHL for a year. And didn't Bob Hartley coach in the Swiss league for a year... would be worth some consideration as well.

Yep, there are a good number of coaches available. I am surprised that Trotz isn't getting any mentions from the media, as he has been an assistant coach with the team numerous times.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Yep, there are a good number of coaches available. I am surprised that Trotz isn't getting any mentions from the media, as he has been an assistant coach with the team numerous times.

Trotz... right. forgot about him. He's a competent coach as well. I hope whoever the assistants are, having Krueger's new phone number in England would be a good idea. I'd be looking to him for some tips.

 

[xxxx]

Trotz... right. forgot about him. He's a competent coach as well. I hope whoever the assistants are, having Krueger's new phone number in England would be a good idea. I'd be looking to him for some tips.

Well, as for the Team Canada stuff, they should already have something from Krueger. I think they should use some informations and system they used in Sochi, they were really well prepared that time. I hope it wasn't just a "one-tournament thing", but a complete step forward as for how to play on big ice.

 

[YMCMBYOLO]

If Tippett is coach of TC< maybe we see the same system from the Olympics?

Anyways, Monahan says he would love to play for Team Canada at the world's this year.

 

[1Gold Standard]

On the Oilers broadcast last night, Johnson stated that Hall, RNH and Eberle will all most likely get invites, but all 3 are at present non-committal on whether or not they'll accept. I hope Hall takes up the cause, don't really care much about Eberle if he goes or not... but I would rather RNH not get an invite.

 

[JackSlater]

On the Oilers broadcast last night, Johnson stated that Hall, RNH and Eberle will all most likely get invites, but all 3 are at present non-committal on whether or not they'll accept. I hope Hall takes up the cause, don't really care much about Eberle if he goes or not... but I would rather RNH not get an invite.

It would be absurd for any of the Oilers to refuse the invitation.

 

[1Gold Standard]

It would be absurd for any of the Oilers to refuse the invitation.

absurd or not, I'm really only interested in Hall accepting the invite. I'd rather HC not even bother invite RNH unless we are really short on bodies. Eberle - I'm indifferent. He can decline as well...wouldn't bother me at all.

 

[Aceboogie]

It would be absurd for any of the Oilers to refuse the invitation.

absurd or not, I'm really only interested in Hall accepting the invite. I'd rather HC not even bother invite RNH unless we are really short on bodies. Eberle - I'm indifferent. He can decline as well...wouldn't bother me at all.

RNH might decline to rest the shoulder. He has been amazing lately, but health is #1.

The line of Hall-RNH-Eberle has 22 points in the last 4 and are on fire, so if they can carry that into the WC they could be the #1 line.

Eberle could have a 30 goal season this year, think hes a bit underrated these days

 

[1Gold Standard]

RNH might decline to rest the shoulder. He has been amazing lately, but health is #1.

The line of Hall-RNH-Eberle has 22 points in the last 4 and are on fire, so if they can carry that into the WC they could be the #1 line.

Eberle could have a 30 goal season this year, think hes a bit underrated these days

Even if he were 100% healthy, I hope we have better centers available who accept the invite.

If his shoulder is that banged up... he should have already shut it down for the season instead of playing in these meaningless games that determine nothing but draft position. He fell softly in front of the goal last night a whole 2 feet and didn't want to get up. Realistically he has no chance of cracking the A team anyway for a long while...so I really don't see the reason of him playing in the WHC. At least for a few years. I hope his shoulder heals over the summer.