WJC: 2015 — Canada Roster Talk (Part II)

[199991]

Yes, agreed. If Groulx is modelling this line off the Getzlaf-Perry-Benn line from 2014, he's forgetting that Getzlaf is one of the top playmakers in the world that can significantly improve the games of his linemates and Gauthier, well...isn't. This line would be an elite possession line, in theory, but they could probably get more out of Virtanen if they paired him up with a playmaking center. I'd drop Point down with Crouse & Gauthier on a 4th line, which would introduce a good offensive dimension to that line without sacrificing much in defensive play.

I'm hoping they cut Ritchie. Discipline is obviously the issue with him, and we've gotten ourselves in trouble in the past with guys like Jenner who cross the line at this level of competition and with IIHF refereeing. I'm fairly indifferent as to who the other forward cut is, but its shaping up as someone from the Chartier/Dickinson/Paul group. I'd lean towards cutting Chartier, just to maintain Dickinson's versatility in the forward group and Paul's size/defensive play if they do end up cutting Ritchie.

Gauthier's playmaking abilities are his main offensive assets. If you had watch him sometimes this year you would notice this.

 

[Ho Borvat]

Really was hoping Horvat would be released.

 

[Steveorama]

Bad news for Team Canada, Canuck bias aside.
Horvat is a terrific, big shut-down centre who is amazing in the faceoff circle.
Not sure Canada has someone else who can do that.

 

[FoppaForsberg*]

Not really our strongest team, hopefully we'll get a bronze.

 

[Scouter]

Not really our strongest team, hopefully we'll get a bronze.

Better than last year, compared to the rest of the teams it's good enough to get to the Gold medal game.

 

[BeardyCanuck03]

Gauthier's playmaking abilities are his main offensive assets. If you had watch him sometimes this year you would notice this.

Playmaking is my main offensive asset, doesn't make it really good...

For me I just think that Virtanen and Team Canada could benefit more if Virtanen is paired with one of McDavid/Reinhart/Petan as his center.

As I said previously, the top 2 lines are a bit on the small side, it be nice to spread the size around to all the lines a bit more than just focusing it on 2 lines as the current setup has it.

 

[86Habs]

Gauthier's playmaking abilities are his main offensive assets. If you had watch him sometimes this year you would notice this.

[mod]

Gauthier will not be on the team for his offense, he'll be there for his size, defensive play, and faceoff ability. He has a very limited offensive repertoire and he should be deployed to his strengths. Same goes for Virtanen - he's an offensive player, with great speed and shooting ability; he should be paired with a center with the vision and skill to get him the puck at opportune times, which maximizes his skillset. Which is not a knock at Gauthier, who's good at what he does.

 

[Intangiblezz]

Just because I hate the practice lines:

Robbie Fabbri - Connor McDavid - Jake Virtanen
Max Domi - Sam Reinhart - Anthony Duclair
Michael Dal Colle - Nic Petan - Nick Ritchie
Nick Paul - Frederik Gauthier - Braydon Point
Lawson Crouse

Those top 2 lines are insane offensively. The 3rd line has a very nice mix. Dal Colle is the sniper, Petan the playmaker and Ritchie the physical beast(hoping he can stay out of the box). The 4th line is the "defensive line". Although they can more than hold up their own offensively. Crouse can take Ritchie's spot if he is too undisciplined.

 

[Skip2myBordyloo]

Better than last year, compared to the rest of the teams it's good enough to get to the Gold medal game.

States are definitely going to be a challenge if we hit them in a semi-final.

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

For me the big questions lie in defense and goal tending. The forward group is one of the best in years.

 

[Scouter]

States are definitely going to be a challenge if we hit them in a semi-final.

Yeah, they could even finish 3rd in the group with Finland and the US there, I'm not saying it will be easy.

 

[TheOllieC]

Lines at Practice Today

Domi-Reinhart-Duclair
Petan-McDavid-Fabbri
Ritchie-Paul-Point
Crouse-Gauthier-Virtanen
Dal Colle-Dickinson-Chartier

Nurse-Theodore
Morin-Bowey
Morrissey-Fleury
Heatherington-Hicketts

Didn't Fleury play some RD during summer camp?

 

[JackSlater]

Not really our strongest team, hopefully we'll get a bronze.

Yeah not a patch on the immortal 2006 WJC team. I wish desperately that Canada had a Blake Comeau or Steve Downey for 2015.

 

[Scouter]

Yeah not a patch on the immortal 2006 WJC team. I wish desperately that Canada had a Blake Comeau or Steve Downey for 2015.

06', try 05'.

 

[Primetimey*]

because dickinson is still with Dallas? Whoever makes it will most likely be playing on the 4th line so hardly a "big" mistake. Right now from watching the games and following along every step of the way I would give the edge to paul right now if it comes down to the two, fairly easily and the only horse i have in this race is Canada

Not the reason at all. If Paul was still a Dallas prospect I would say Dickinson over Paul AINEC. You want a versatile (Left Wing, Center, Right Wing), defensive minded player in that fourth line/13th forward role you take Dickinson over Paul.

 

[Hale The Villain]

Not the reason at all. If Paul was still a Dallas prospect I would say Dickinson over Paul AINEC. You want a versatile (Left Wing, Center, Right Wing), defensive minded player in that fourth line/13th forward role you take Dickinson over Paul.

Paul is everything that you just described except he's 6'3, 220lbs and has been the better offensive player of the two this season.

 

[JackSlater]

06', try 04'.

What? I fully meant the 2006 WJC team that featured Downey and Comeau as the leaders up front and romped through the competition.

 

[Scouter]

What? I fully meant the 2006 WJC team that featured Downey and Comeau as the leaders up front and romped through the competition.

The 06' team has nothing on the 05', or were you too young for it, look it up.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Didn't Fleury play some RD during summer camp?

Yeah and for some reason didn't play him there in the Super Series or exhibition games even though he looked good.

 

[GuillaumeLetsundress*]

Paul is everything that you just described except he's 6'3, 220lbs and has been the better offensive player of the two this season.

no kidding!

 

[leafsfan2point0]

keep Dickinson!

 

[crayzy8]

With all the injuries Ottawa has incurred, looks like Lazar may not be available to Team Canada. This kid, although he has yet to score has been playing very well all over the ice. With Neil and Smith out Lazar is the team leader in hits. Only a matter of time before he nets his first in the NHL

 

[Primetimey*]

Paul is everything that you just described except he's 6'3, 220lbs and has been the better offensive player of the two this season.

Paul is not as versatile changing over the to right side or playing wing as Dickinson is. Paul can move around, sure, any player can but when Paul is at the top of his game and most effective he is in the center of the ice.

Paul might be everything I described but Dickinson does it better. Also, if you want to compare statistics look at their entire career it isn't even close.

U18 experience, Mem cup experience, Guelph captain.. I take Dickinson 10 times out of 10.

 

[member 147413]

I'm a Leafs fan, I'm critical of Gauthier's game and I'm not a big fan of the Leafs picking him over some others in the draft, but man is he ever underrated.

 

[sda]

Bad news for Team Canada, Canuck bias aside.
Horvat is a terrific, big shut-down centre who is amazing in the faceoff circle.
Not sure Canada has someone else who can do that.

They actually have several players that can fill that role. Horvat might have been the smallest centre if he made the team