WC: TEAM CANADA 2023

[JackSlater]

Richter was the goaltender for USA in 1996. USA outplayed Canada in two games of the final series, though I'd say that each team won a game where the other team outplayed them.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Richter was the goaltender for USA in 1996. USA outplayed Canada in two games of the final series, though I'd say that each team won a game where the other team outplayed them.

Best international series of my lifetime.

 

[WarriorofTime]

When does this tournament start ? I’m surprised they haven’t named a full team

May 12th, so they basically have to announce tomorrow

 

[ORRFForever]

the roster pretty much says it all you look at the names ..................that was a real strong team from the goaltender on out.

Would love to have that one over with Mario Kariya, Macinnis and Bourque in the lineup though. be lying if i said otherwise.

I remember watching the final game in a Montreal bar. It was a terrific game and everyone left feeling lousy.

 

[Kibe]

Jake Walman was previously confirmed to be going to the Worlds (which was ambiguous as he was eligible for both Canada and the US) and is not on the Team USA roster. Presumably that means he chose the right country to play for and will be filling one of those open vacancies on the blueline

He would be a solid addition. Here's my totally random guess to fill out the X's.

Jake DeBrusk, Sammy Blais, Brett Leason

Jake Walman, Haydn Fleury

And then some AHL players for the extra spots.

DeBrusk - Laughton - Toffoli would be a good 1st line.

 

[weklof]

I think the issue is with 16 teams and thus 8 teams per group, it's a lot of logistics that would make it difficult for a Junior hockey city to host the World Championships. An NHL city isn't going to host it. Not with the NHL Playoffs going on (for one, knowing who is going to be still playing in the postseason by the time a city would need to be ready to host is just not possible, and the event just isn't a big deal in North America)

I think the IIHF should try to move the tournament to September. That would make it possible to arrange in North America that will help with its popularity there and players are not worn out after a long season and have freshly signed contracts. It is not ideal with players not being in midseason form, but something must be done to attract the best players to the tournament. NHL will never pause midseason for a tournament

 

[Gold Standard]

I think the IIHF should try to move the tournament to September. That would make it possible to arrange in North America that will help with its popularity there and players are not worn out after a long season and have freshly signed contracts. It is not ideal with players not being in midseason form, but something must be done to attract the best players to the tournament. NHL will never pause midseason for a tournament

And make it semi-annual event that is not European centric to go along with a once every 4 years World Cup that is not a NHL North American centric tournament. And I think we're in business.

Oh, and Russia is not invited to the party. Not needed.

 

[BigBadBoar]

I think the IIHF should try to move the tournament to September. That would make it possible to arrange in North America that will help with its popularity there and players are not worn out after a long season and have freshly signed contracts. It is not ideal with players not being in midseason form, but something must be done to attract the best players to the tournament. NHL will never pause midseason for a tournament

Players don't like September tournaments. They aren't robots, want to have holidays too. September tournament means they could afford almost none in July/August. It was the problem with late Canada Cups/World Cups already.

 

[weklof]

And make it semi-annual event that is not European centric to go along with a once every 4 years World Cup that is not a NHL North American centric tournament. And I think we're in business.

Oh, and Russia is not invited to the party. Not needed.

I think it would be reasonable to alternate between Europe and NA every other time

Players don't like September tournaments. They aren't robots, want to have holidays too. September tournament means they could afford almost none in July/August. It was the problem with late Canada Cups/World Cups already.

But they don't like tournaments in May either since they are declining in mass. So when should we have it? NHL will not release players midseason

 

[Nexon]

It hasn't been hosted in North America since 2008, as far as I'm aware that's the ONLY time either Canada (it was in Halifax that year) or the USA has ever hosted it. Seems like Canada and the USA just aren't interested in making bids, as the other usual suspects have had multiple goes since then. It's the total opposite in the World Juniors, which feel like they're perennially in Canada or a border U.S. town.

IT was first time since 1962 when it was in Colorado USA. It is just the way it is, I believe IIHF would be willing to make some compromise but NHL are not going to stop their competition for this tournament even if it was every two years. It is very successful tournament in Europe usually generating 400k-750k fans which is a lot given our small rinks and it is of course main money source for local programs and IIHF itself.
I would love to see it in North America again but people here don´t really care about U18, juniors, world cup besides hard core hockey fans, just like common folks in US, CA do not give a sh*t about World Champs. Heck most of people around me did not even know we play in juniors finals this year. While on contrary when Bruins were eliminated, I came to my local gym and 15 people were arguing about who comes to the World Champs from the guys we have there and that it is almost impossible to find available seating to reserve for pubs for our main games anymore.

By the way, that 2008 Canadian final is real classic now...

 

[BigBadBoar]

I think it would be reasonable to alternate between Europe and NA every other time


But they don't like tournaments in May either since they are declining in mass. So when should we have it? NHL will not release players midseason

There have been news that NHL guys should go to Milan 2026. They have it in the CBA after all. So let's wait and see.

 

[martygod12]

I think the IIHF should try to move the tournament to September. That would make it possible to arrange in North America that will help with its popularity there and players are not worn out after a long season and have freshly signed contracts. It is not ideal with players not being in midseason form, but something must be done to attract the best players to the tournament. NHL will never pause midseason for a tournament

I think no one would want that, cause european leagues are starting in september and NHL is starting in october, so every injury on such tournament could be really bad for the team in NHL and also in euro leagues. I guess no one would authorize this.

I would rather see having IIHF and NHL synchronize the season and tournament so the WCH always start after at least second round of SC playoff has ended. So most of the NHL players would be available at that time. All what it would take is to WCH just start only like two weeks later. It will end basically around the same time as SC finals, so I guess there should not be a problem for players saying that they have "too streched" season.

 

[Faterson]

Jake Walman was previously confirmed to be going to the Worlds

Who?

 

[weklof]

I would rather see having IIHF and NHL synchronize the season and tournament so the WCH always start after at least second round of SC playoff has ended. So most of the NHL players would be available at that time. All what it would take is to WCH just start only like two weeks later. It will end basically around the same time as SC finals, so I guess there should not be a problem for players saying that they have "too streched" season.

They moved the WCH later in the year so that the tournament will start after the first round. This only resulted in more than usual declines. It also creates an even longer time between the end of the regular season to the start of the tournament. This seems to make it less attractive to players from teams outside of the playoffs.

 

[Faterson]

But they don't like tournaments in May either since they are declining in mass. So when should we have it?

Every year in February, obviously, with every hockey league around the world taking a break of 2 weeks from their regular seasons to allow it to happen. (Every 4th year, it would be the Olympics instead, of course.)

NHL will not release players midseason

The NHL should put up & shut up.

 

[weklof]

Every year in February, obviously, with every hockey league around the world taking a break of 2 weeks from their regular seasons to allow it to happen. (Every 4th year, it would be the Olympics instead, of course.)



The NHL should put up & shut up.

This would be the dream, but I have no faith in the NHL agreeing to this.

Worlds every 4th year, Olympics every 4th year so that there is a major tournament every other year. In off years qualification tournaments are held for the lower ranked teams. This would be optimal

 

[tade]

They are obviously delaying roster announcement because Crosby & MacKinnon are still thinking about it.

Or do we expect Team Canada to participate at all?

 

[JackSlater]

Best international series of my lifetime.

It's underrated with some almost forgotten but very interesting moments. Not as memorable scoring wise as the 1987 Canada Cup but there is more variety and animosity. 1972 Summit Series is a whole other thing really, being almost a first contact scenario. Of course nothing stacks up to Canada 24 and over vs Euro Leftovers in the annals of international hockey series, and that will probably never change.

IT was first time since 1962 when it was in Colorado USA. It is just the way it is, I believe IIHF would be willing to make some compromise but NHL are not going to stop their competition for this tournament even if it was every two years. It is very successful tournament in Europe usually generating 400k-750k fans which is a lot given our small rinks and it is of course main money source for local programs and IIHF itself.
I would love to see it in North America again but people here don´t really care about U18, juniors, world cup besides hard core hockey fans, just like common folks in US, CA do not give a sh*t about World Champs. Heck most of people around me did not even know we play in juniors finals this year. While on contrary when Bruins were eliminated, I came to my local gym and 15 people were arguing about who comes to the World Champs from the guys we have there and that it is almost impossible to find available seating to reserve for pubs for our main games anymore.

By the way, that 2008 Canadian final is real classic now...

The scheduling doesn't really work. I expect that the IIHF would love to have the tournament in Canada again, but most of the big Canadian rinks are potentially unavailable at the time. Overall I expect that Hockey Canada (and Canadian fans) are content to have the WJC in Canada so often, and the IIHF is as well.

 

[jj cale]

This extended wait for names better be worth it.

 

[Faterson]

Worlds every 4th year, Olympics every 4th year so that there is a major tournament every other year. In off years qualification tournaments are held for the lower ranked teams. This would be optimal

Nope, optimal would be a best-on-best international tournament every February (not every other February). The Stanley Cup isn't awarded every other year, either.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

 

[BigBadBoar]

I would say: Pretty solid defense, (mostly) young forward group, some talented as well as reliable, hard working guys. Adding 1-2 "bigger" names would certainly help this team, in particular a good goal scorer, because the scoring (finishing) might be a bit of a problem for them. I assume they are still waiting and hoping for, say, 1-3 quality players to join. Certainly Canada will be a medal conteder, probably even gold medal contender again, although probably won't steamroll through the tournament with ease.

 

[MatBarzal]

The same weak team as in 2021. That year Canada came out of the group by a miracle. Will she be lucky now?

 

[jj cale]

Hopefully the lines will develop some chemistry as the games progress because on face value its not going to strike any fear offensively based on the names here.


Goaltending might be a strength of the team if Monty continues his solid play or Levi takes the ball and runs with it which I have confidence he can.

And last but certainly not least.........we have locked in Jake Walman!!

Won't be the favourite going in but should be competitive enough to have a chance to play for Gold.

 

[jj cale]

The same weak team as in 2021. That year Canada came out of the group by a miracle. Will she be lucky now?

The other teams here aside from Finland aren't all that impressive either , they will be more prepared going in as always but just check out their rosters, they won't have you knocking your knees together.