Blind Gardien
nexus of the crisis
Now that we've had this extra evaluation stage of seeing the CHL all-star teams against the Russian Selects, perhaps we can re-re-visit the eternal question of how Team Canada might shape up now.
Looking back at the default roster as we know it:
FORWARDS
Dawes-Richards-Stewart
F2-Carter-Getzlaf
F3A-Crosby-F3B
Colliton-Dixon-F4
F5
This shows approximately 5 rosters spots open, if you assume that all the incumbents will be back (and I can only really see Dixon being potentially questioned in there).
On top of this, however, we know that Patrice Bergeron gets one of the spots. Here's what I'm seeing:
F3B = Bergeron
F2/F3A = two of: Bernier, Perry, Fehr, Ladd, Horton (if he's allowed). Personally, I think any of them would be suitable choices. I like Perry on the 2nd line, and I would be happy with Bernier or especially Fehr playing with Crosby. (I don't think Perry and Crosby would gel as well together, as they both need the puck).
F4 = Meyer/Bolland: Meyer has really convinced me.
F5 = Chipchura/Bolland: as the extra forward, like Colliton was before, getting a guy who has good character and will be expected to step up to a leadership role next year might be a good idea. So I lean towards Chipchura. There will be more talented players who get cut or aren't invited, but I'd invest the spare spot on Chipchura (hopefully, objectively. ).
DEFENSE
Phaneuf-Weber
Seabrooke-Coburn
Burns-Belle
D7-D8?
I almost hope that the team could risk dropping Burns from this tourney. But realistically, it can't happen, and he does give good insurance with the versatility to play forward too in the event of injury. As for Belle, I'm not sold on him either, but he sure fit in well on last year's team, however he might look otherwise this season.
That means that one or two D positions will remain for: Green, Syvret, Barker to battle for. Barker has to be there, IMO. And as much as I like Syvret, if there's another spot, I give it to Green
GOAL
18G - Shantz, Dubnyk, Glass
19G - Nastiuk, Munce, Beauchemin
In goal... well... Shantz, Munce, Nastiuk, Beauchemin, Dubnyk, Glass... choose one 18-year old and one 19-year old, and frankly I don't think it makes very much difference which ones they are.
So in summary, if Sutter is serious about only inviting 28 players to camp, then I think this would be the camp composition, with the players in italics fighting for spots:
F (15+1): Dawes, Richards, Stewart, Getzlaf, Carter, Crosby, Colliton, Dixon, Bergeron, Perry, Bernier, Fehr, Meyer, Ladd, Chipchura ( + maybe Horton).
D(9): Phaneuf, Weber, Seabrooke, Coburn, Burns, Belle, Barker, Green, Syvret
G(4): Shantz, Dubnyk, Nastiuk, Beauchemin
Looking back at the default roster as we know it:
FORWARDS
Dawes-Richards-Stewart
F2-Carter-Getzlaf
F3A-Crosby-F3B
Colliton-Dixon-F4
F5
This shows approximately 5 rosters spots open, if you assume that all the incumbents will be back (and I can only really see Dixon being potentially questioned in there).
On top of this, however, we know that Patrice Bergeron gets one of the spots. Here's what I'm seeing:
F3B = Bergeron
F2/F3A = two of: Bernier, Perry, Fehr, Ladd, Horton (if he's allowed). Personally, I think any of them would be suitable choices. I like Perry on the 2nd line, and I would be happy with Bernier or especially Fehr playing with Crosby. (I don't think Perry and Crosby would gel as well together, as they both need the puck).
F4 = Meyer/Bolland: Meyer has really convinced me.
F5 = Chipchura/Bolland: as the extra forward, like Colliton was before, getting a guy who has good character and will be expected to step up to a leadership role next year might be a good idea. So I lean towards Chipchura. There will be more talented players who get cut or aren't invited, but I'd invest the spare spot on Chipchura (hopefully, objectively. ).
DEFENSE
Phaneuf-Weber
Seabrooke-Coburn
Burns-Belle
D7-D8?
I almost hope that the team could risk dropping Burns from this tourney. But realistically, it can't happen, and he does give good insurance with the versatility to play forward too in the event of injury. As for Belle, I'm not sold on him either, but he sure fit in well on last year's team, however he might look otherwise this season.
That means that one or two D positions will remain for: Green, Syvret, Barker to battle for. Barker has to be there, IMO. And as much as I like Syvret, if there's another spot, I give it to Green
GOAL
18G - Shantz, Dubnyk, Glass
19G - Nastiuk, Munce, Beauchemin
In goal... well... Shantz, Munce, Nastiuk, Beauchemin, Dubnyk, Glass... choose one 18-year old and one 19-year old, and frankly I don't think it makes very much difference which ones they are.
So in summary, if Sutter is serious about only inviting 28 players to camp, then I think this would be the camp composition, with the players in italics fighting for spots:
F (15+1): Dawes, Richards, Stewart, Getzlaf, Carter, Crosby, Colliton, Dixon, Bergeron, Perry, Bernier, Fehr, Meyer, Ladd, Chipchura ( + maybe Horton).
D(9): Phaneuf, Weber, Seabrooke, Coburn, Burns, Belle, Barker, Green, Syvret
G(4): Shantz, Dubnyk, Nastiuk, Beauchemin
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