WJC and the NHL Lockout

[ZombieMatt]

This weekend I was able to attend the Willie Mitchell Classic (charity golf event) and at the event was Scott Salmond, who is a manager with Hockey Canada, having a big place in the U18 team, as well as WJC, World Championships, and World Cup.

One of the things he mentioned is that if there is a lockout that Canada's WJC team will be able to have four NHL calibre players play: Staal, Horton, Bergeron, and he forgot who the fourth was at the time.

This is in addition to any players who played last year in the WJC who might make the NHL this season (I'm thinking of Getzlaf directly, but there are other candidates as well).

So....two questions.

1)Who are the players that may also benefit from no NHL season in terms of being able to compete in the WJC.

2)Do you think that this would makea difference inthe tournament?

I personally have always believed that if Canada was able to release its actual best U20 roster that nobody could compete with us. I'm pretty certain that if Staal, Horton, Bergeron, etc (there were 7 this year I believe) had been released to play for Team Canada, it would have resulted in a gold medal.

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[Jason MacIsaac]

Burns probably....

 

[Fredrik]

I personally have always believed that if Canada was able to release its actual best U20 roster that nobody could compete with us. I'm pretty certain that if Staal, Horton, Bergeron, etc (there were 7 this year I believe) had been released to play for Team Canada, it would have resulted in a gold medal.

I believe you are right. Canada would have the best team by far 9 out of 10 years. Fortunately for the rest of us NHL clubs won't release its players if there is a season.

 

[eddy]

I personally have always believed that if Canada was able to release its actual best U20 roster that nobody could compete with us. I'm pretty certain that if Staal, Horton, Bergeron, etc (there were 7 this year I believe) had been released to play for Team Canada, it would have resulted in a gold medal.

Ya i've always believes that to. We've missed out on haveing atleast 3-4 good players each year because their NHL team will not allow them to play. Most ridiculous one was the Sens in Spezza's last eligable year they wouldn't release him so he could continue to play down in the AHL. Can't really say we would have won every or most tournaments with these guys but I can tell ya our chances would have been alot greater.

 

[John Flyers Fan]

This weekend I was able to attend the Willie Mitchell Classic (charity golf event) and at the event was Scott Salmond, who is a manager with Hockey Canada, having a big place in the U18 team, as well as WJC, World Championships, and World Cup.

One of the things he mentioned is that if there is a lockout that Canada's WJC team will be able to have four NHL calibre players play: Staal, Horton, Bergeron, and he forgot who the fourth was at the time.

This is in addition to any players who played last year in the WJC who might make the NHL this season (I'm thinking of Getzlaf directly, but there are other candidates as well).

So....two questions.

1)Who are the players that may also benefit from no NHL season in terms of being able to compete in the WJC.

2)Do you think that this would makea difference inthe tournament?

A very good chance that Jeff Carter will be a Flyer this year. No NHL season means that he could return to play for Canada.

On the flip side remember that the Russians will get Ovechkin back. Canada certainly benefits, but they aren't the only ones.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I don't think there's any doubt a junior team is better with the addition of NHL calibre talent, although there could potentially be some chemistry issues.

 

[ZombieMatt]

I don't think there's any doubt a junior team is better with the addition of NHL calibre talent, although there could potentially be some chemistry issues.

I'm just curious what the chemistry issue would be?

Do you think that maybe the NHL players would have big egos going from the NHL to playing junior-level hockey?

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I'm just curious what the chemistry issue would be?

Do you think that maybe the NHL players would have big egos going from the NHL to playing junior-level hockey?

Well, I think in Canada's case with so many players (potentially) returning from last year, it might be more advantageous to leave things "as is". Granted, there will be some openings, and NHL players could slide in there, so it would remain to be seen how they fit in. Probably not a big deal.

 

[cagney]

Just to clarify, Staal will be too old to play in this years WJCs ('84 birthdate).

 

[tony2532]

The last time there was an NHL strike/lockout in 94/95 this very same situation occured. Canada was able to use several players who had been in the NHL the previous year and won the tournament. There was no problem with chemistry.