WC: Should Canada stop sending NHLers?

[Eye of Ra]

A team made of Euro players:

Mathieu Carle - Cory Murphy
Kyle Cumiskey - Shaun Heshka
Chris Lee - Mat Robinson


Nigel Dawes - Kyle Wilson - Dustin Boyd
Wojtek Wolski - Paul Szczechura - Bud Holloway
Jonathan Cheechoo - Tim Brent - Randy Robitaille
Matthew Lombardi - Brett McLean - Greg Scott


Curtis Sandford
Michael Leighton



Btw, It will not be like the Spengler Cup team, the best canadiens in Euro plays in SHL and KHL. Why Team Canada only use players from NLA in Spengler Cup is becuse the tournament is in Switzerland.


What about a team of AHL, NCAA and Junior:


Chris Terry - Zach Boychuk - Spencer Abbott
Mike Hoffman - Jordan Weal - Jason Akesson
Curtis McKenzie - Max Reinhart - Colton Sceviour
Antohny Mantha - Scott Laughton - Jonathan Drouin

Brad Hunt - Brenden Kichton
Danny Syvret - Aaron Johnson
Taylor Fedun - Patrick McNeill

Jake Allen
Tyler Beskorowany




How would this 2 teams do in WCH? Or you can just combined the teams into one strong. Discuss!

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[Jussi]

I'd say it's very possible they declined as well. Remember their season essentially began in early July when KHL training camps began. Fatigue is becoming a factor even for KHL players, e.g. Oskar Osala won the Gagarin Cup but was so exhausted that he declined to play at the Worlds. With Worlds they could have a shorter off-season than NHL players.

 

[Frank the Tank]

There is nothing wrong with the Canada teams that are sent now. Unlike the Olympics, Canadian hockey fans don't expect to win at the WHC as it is used primarily a development tournament for young Canadian players to get experience on European ice dimensions and the international style of play. Every four years, the cream of the crop join the Canadian big guns for the Olympics.

 

[psycho_dad*]

If they want to send a team with no NHL players, it needs to start with Justin Azevedo. How is he not mentioned in the 4 lines? Dude is a BEAST of a knock out player, always performs. I would have been scared with Azevedo there tonight, as a Finn.

 

[OilerPensfan97]

No. Keep sending nhlers. If teams don't want their players to get injured, don't send them.

 

[Canuckistani]

There's no reason why Canada shouldn't keep sending NHLers.

The WC provide a valuable training ground where players get international experience and basically try out for the A-squad at the Olympics or World Cup.

 

[Exarz]

In my opinion, Canada should do as rest of the good WC nations - mix their team with NHL-players and Euro players. At least give it a try and see if it gives any result!

 

[1Gold Standard]

I'm not opposed to using some players who play in Europe...but I'd prefer a team predominately consisting of NHLers with (and I say this every year) with a full time coach and coaching staff, fewer rookies or ELC players. and a team that takes its preparation for the tournament a little more seriously..

 

[Rob]

In my opinion, Canada should do as rest of the good WC nations - mix their team with NHL-players and Euro players. At least give it a try and see if it gives any result!

Agreed. They should try it next year. They couldn't do any worse.

 

[SwissLeaf]

Btw, It will not be like the Spengler Cup team, the best canadiens in Euro plays in SHL and KHL. Why Team Canada only use players from NLA in Spengler Cup is becuse the tournament is in Switzerland.

Maxim Noreau is better than most of the defensemen you mentioned. He would make Team Canada Europe for sure.

 

[joe89]

Could definitely do with some skilled D's over here at least, which I said before the tournament even started(Murphy, Cumiskey). Murphy got the chance once when he played in Finland and put up 7 points in 9 games.. These guys have NHL skill, the big ice makes them able to play respectable D aswell, and make them very solid players overall.

 

[MTLAzzurri]

We should be sending 4-6 European based guys per year to help us with the big ice.

Something obviously isn't working with our current selection process. Try out some euro guys, and if it doesn't work revert back to what we are doing now: Using this tournament as a try out for our young guys for future Olympic teams.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Could definitely do with some skilled D's over here at least, which I said before the tournament even started(Murphy, Cumiskey). Murphy got the chance once when he played in Finland and put up 7 points in 9 games.. These guys have NHL skill, the big ice makes them able to play respectable D aswell, and make them very solid players overall.

if memory serves...the 2007 team that won had 4 players playing in European leagues...

And they did consistently for several years from 2002-09. I'm not sure as to why they stopped. perhaps being in 6 gold medal games in that span and winning 3 was too much success for Hockey Canada to handle. but augmenting the roster with some European based players is not the only thing that needs to be changed in how HC approaches this tournament.

 

[Mr Kanadensisk]

Btw, It will not be like the Spengler Cup team, the best canadiens in Euro plays in SHL and KHL. Why Team Canada only use players from NLA in Spengler Cup is becuse the tournament is in Switzerland.

Because of the low amount of travel, excellent living conditions, food, level of play as good or better than any other Euro league, etc, etc, Switzerland is still the top choice for most North Americans looking to play in Europe, but the KHL has certainly gained in popularity lately. I think the top Canadians in Europe are first in SUI, 2nd in KHL and 3rd in SHL.
If you look at the Euro league stats you can see that Canada could field a team of Euro league players that was pretty much on par with any other nation using Euro league players.
Having said that I would rather the US and Canada pull out of the WC and instead replace the NHL all-star game with a 3 game CAN-USA mini series every year. If we do continue to go to the WC it's probably better to use it as a development opportunity for young NHLers who might one day play for our top team.

 

[JackSlater]

There is nothing wrong with the Canada teams that are sent now. Unlike the Olympics, Canadian hockey fans don't expect to win at the WHC as it is used primarily a development tournament for young Canadian players to get experience on European ice dimensions and the international style of play. Every four years, the cream of the crop join the Canadian big guns for the Olympics.

I agree with this. I wouldn't mind replacing someone like Coburn (good defenceman, but suited to smaller ice and never going to play for Canada at a best on best) with a Europe based player, so maybe 3-4 Europe based players. In years past I advocated for the inclusion of Kevin Dallman over some random bottom pairing defenceman who will never be of use. There are forwards who would be well suited as well. Ideally, these players could give practical advice to the NHLers on the intricacies of international ice.

The point of this tournament, from a Canadian perspective, is still a chance to get international experience for players who might one day play in a World Cup or Olympics. If Canada sent a team full of Europe based players they might be successful, but it would mostly be a waste in my opinion. I would rather Canada lose this tournament but provide valuable experience for even one future Olympian than win with players who will never compete in the Olympics or World Cup.

 

[Laineux]

Do that and you'll risk even getting to the Olympics

 

[1Gold Standard]

I agree with this. I wouldn't mind replacing someone like Coburn (good defenceman, but suited to smaller ice and never going to play for Canada at a best on best) with a Europe based player, so maybe 3-4 Europe based players. In years past I advocated for the inclusion of Kevin Dallman over some random bottom pairing defenceman who will never be of use. There are forwards who would be well suited as well. Ideally, these players could give practical advice to the NHLers on the intricacies of international ice.

The point of this tournament, from a Canadian perspective, is still a chance to get international experience for players who might one day play in a World Cup or Olympics. If Canada sent a team full of Europe based players they might be successful, but it would mostly be a waste in my opinion. I would rather Canada lose this tournament but provide valuable experience for even one future Olympian than win with players who will never compete in the Olympics or World Cup.

you can do both...win and give future Olympians the experience. It doesn't have to be one or the other...the proof is 2003-09.

 

[JackSlater]

you can do both...win and give future Olympians the experience. It doesn't have to be one or the other...the proof is 2003-09.

Sure. Winning and getting experience would be optimal. Getting the experience should be essential though. If there is a choice, and to a degree there is, err on the side of experience. If Canada stopped sending NHLers, the experience gained for future big tournaments would be zero. This would make the whole exercise pointless, regardless of the result.

 

[Mr Kanadensisk]

Do that and you'll risk even getting to the Olympics

If either Canada or the US didn't qualify for the Olympics then there is zero chance that the NHL would go to those Olympics. The IIHF/IOC would never let that happen, they would change the qualification rules if need be.

 

[Slimmy]

If either Canada or the US didn't qualify for the Olympics then there is zero chance that the NHL would go to those Olympics. The IIHF/IOC would never let that happen, they would change the qualification rules if need be.

They'd change the entire qualification criteria for Canada? Yeah, right. But, good luck with pulling out of the WHC.

 

[Hammer Time]

if memory serves...the 2007 team that won had 4 players playing in European leagues...

And they did consistently for several years from 2002-09. I'm not sure as to why they stopped. perhaps being in 6 gold medal games in that span and winning 3 was too much success for Hockey Canada to handle. but augmenting the roster with some European based players is not the only thing that needs to be changed in how HC approaches this tournament.

2003: Jamie Heward (NLA) with all the rest NHLers
2004: all-NHL roster
2005: all-NHL roster. Lockout year, so it actually had a ton of "A" team players.
2007: Jonathan Toews (NCAA D1) and Cory Murphy (SM-Liiga). Remainder were NHLers.
2008: all-NHL roster
2009: Joel Kwiatkowski (KHL) with all the rest NHLers

It's revisionist to suggest that Canada was medalling because they brought European league players.

 

[1Gold Standard]

2003: Jamie Heward (NLA) with all the rest NHLers
2004: all-NHL roster
2005: all-NHL roster. Lockout year, so it actually had a ton of "A" team players.
2007: Jonathan Toews (NCAA D1) and Cory Murphy (SM-Liiga). Remainder were NHLers.
2008: all-NHL roster
2009: Joel Kwiatkowski (KHL) with all the rest NHLers

It's revisionist to suggest that Canada was medalling because they brought European league players.

I wasn't making that leap. It certainly didn't hurt their chances of success by having some European based players on the roster. And as I said, there is more that needs to change at HC than just questions over roster selection.

 

[xxxx]

I wasn't making that leap. It certainly didn't hurt their chances of success by having some European based players on the roster. And as I said, there is more that needs to change at HC than just questions over roster selection.

I agree. I think that we should play at least 3 pre-tournament games, as well as it is before the World Juniors! Something needs to be changed. I was hoping that this team would make it to the gold-medal game, and I think the team was good enough for that, but after all, this is not the first time Canada is eliminated in the QF. So, if you wanna be successful, you simply have to change something. Even though the last 4 QF's were lost by only one goal, you just can't still claim that it's a bad luck. Since 2007, Canada has not won a gold, which is 7 years now. Five QF eliminations in a row.

I respect the fact that the players have a right for time with family, time to rest, or a right to say no when they're injured. Maybe it's not only their fault that they're not participating. I believe that both Hockey Canada and the IIHF can do something about it. Change something to make the tournament more attractive for players.

I'm not saying that this is a super-important tournament, but after all, Canada could've done better so far I think.

 

[Jablkon]

There is nothing wrong with the Canada teams that are sent now. Unlike the Olympics, Canadian hockey fans don't expect to win at the WHC as it is used primarily a development tournament for young Canadian players to get experience on European ice dimensions and the international style of play. Every four years, the cream of the crop join the Canadian big guns for the Olympics.

I agree with the intention to develope young guns for new four years circle. Thats basically why I like to see for example young players form czech league facing NHLers and getting more and more experiences. You never know, one they could be your "A" players. But the difference is how we achieve this goal. The attitude here is to built best team to win it (because it is just big tourney in czech). So those young players often getting to the team because of refuses - I basically like how this natural law works

But if you guys building just a team full of youngsters for purpose - 5 consecutive loses in QF is just a bad sign. And smth. must be wrong. And as it is with bad signs the consequences might appear in a future. I do not remember Canada like that....

 

[Tyler Biggs*]

The World Championships is a great opportunity to allow some of the younger and lesser known/rewarded Canadians to get some valuable experience playing in a professional level international tournament. This will give them confidence and a stronger desire to win for when they eventually participate in a best-on-best and bigger tournament like the Olympics. I know I'm not the only one who sees the World Championships as a lesser tournament since many of the best players are still competing for a Stanley Cup. Even without our best, however, we should win - hockey is unpredictable. Good effort everyone and thanks for representing us; I hope you all learned for the future!