WJC: Canada WJC Discussion (Part II)

[Bjorn Le]

Huberdeau is better then both of them, and he can play center.
That being said I don't believe they can play wing/do play wing.

Strome can play wing, Schiefele cannot.

And that's subjective, both Strome and Schiefele made their NHL team this year, I wouldn't say Huberdeau is very far ahead of them at this point.

 

[GM17*]

That's the way I see it as well, same as Henrique (good on draws) not a natural center.

Henrique's fine for us atm though. Zajac will return and Josefson later on. All will be right with the world. As for the Sea Dogs, they "swap positions" during play a lot, but other than that I'll never understand for the life of me why those two swapped positions.

 

[Bob Barker]

Strome can play wing, Schiefele cannot.

And that's subjective, both Strome and Schiefele made their NHL team this year, I wouldn't say Huberdeau is very far ahead of them at this point.

Strome didn't even play a game with the Islanders.

 

[Jesus Christ Horburn]

From what I've read on this thread, Team Canada has been less impressed by Strome than Scheifele and Huberdeau. They talked with some of the management during the SS and one of them (I don't remember who) said Scheifele would get strong consideration for #1 C.

That said, I think the players down the middle will go:

Scheifele
Huberdeau/Phillips (2nd line if Phillips is the C, toss up if Huberdeau is the C)
Strome
Jenner/Spooner/Bournival

 

[markrander87]

Not saying I agree with all of this, but an article regarding MacKinnon not receiving an invitation:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/37846-hockey-canada-blew-it-mackinnon

But their failure to even invite MacKinnon to the national camp was downright wrong. Here are a few reasons why:

•MacKinnon isn’t all about potential; he’s already putting up numbers that make him a legitimate Team Canada candidate. Though he’s the guy opposing teams key on when they play the Mooseheads, he’s compiled 43 points in only 27 games and stands tied for seventh in QMJHL scoring. He’s scored eight points in his last three games. How ironic that Hockey Canada said no to MacKinnon on the same day he was named the QMJHL’s player of the week.

•A camp invite wouldn’t necessarily have meant MacKinnon had to be picked for the team. Extending the invite, however, would show that Hockey Canada is looking toward the future, exposing what most regard as one of the world’s best 16-year-old players to what’s ahead. It would have gone a long way toward MacKinnon’s hockey education, given that he’ll no doubt be expected to play a prominent role on the team next year.

•Had MacKinnon been invited, it would have been one of those great stories so loved in Canadian hockey circles. He’s barely 16 but he has more offensive talent than almost all the 19- and 20-year-olds he skates against and already personifies what’s great about Canadian junior hockey. His invitation would have been a great public relations move, rewarding the type of young offensive talent that Canadians love to watch.

•There were reports that Prendergast wasn’t blown away by MacKinnon’s second Subway Super Series game against the Russians. Let’s hope that didn’t play a role in the decision. How about the first game of that series, when MacKinnon was named Canadian player of the game? Have other scouts with input into Team Canada decisions been watching the way MacKinnon consistently outshines older stars in Q regular-season action?

•Inviting MacKinnon to the Dec. 11-13 camp in Calgary would have helped mend Hockey Canada’s weak image among those who believe the national hockey hierarchy too easily overlooks the eastern part of the country at world junior selection time. Only eight of the 41 players invited are from the QMJHL. A MacKinnon invite would have been an acknowledgment to us back east that Hockey Canada, despite the discrepancy in regional selection numbers, really is watching when special talents emerge in the QMJHL.

 

[Jesus Christ Horburn]

Maybe someone can correct me, but wasn't Tavares taken as the 13th forward the first year he went? We all know how he dominated in his draft year, but the year before he was used pretty sparingly (mostly on the PP I believe).

I don't know why Team Canada didn't do that with Seguin two years ago, RNH last year or with MacKinnon this year. I know in MacKinnon's case that he can and will play next year, but for a future 1st overall and surely a player that Team Canada will want to develop a good relationship with for the future, I'm pretty surprised that he didn't at least get an invite.

 

[Bjorn Le]

Strome didn't even play a game with the Islanders.

That means he didn't make the team?

 

[leafsfuture]

Maybe someone can correct me, but wasn't Tavares taken as the 13th forward the first year he went? We all know how he dominated in his draft year, but the year before he was used pretty sparingly (mostly on the PP I believe).

I don't know why Team Canada didn't do that with Seguin two years ago, RNH last year or with MacKinnon this year. I know in MacKinnon's case that he can and will play next year, but for a future 1st overall and surely a player that Team Canada will want to develop a good relationship with for the future, I'm pretty surprised that he didn't at least get an invite.

Tavares was 17, and was in his 3rd OHL season. And lets be realistic, Tavares had junior credentials that none of Seguin, RNH and Mackinnon had (ie. CHL player of the Year)

Seguin didnt make it because he played bad. Everyone felt coming into the camp that if Seguin played decent he would make it. But he tried to do too much in camp, and a 17 year old has a bad camp, it doesnt matter who he is, he wont make it.

RNH by all accounts had a good camp, but he didnt fit Cameron's style of team. A guy like Brett Connolly fit better (bigger stronger, better on the cycle)

 

[MarkovtoSubban]

Want to see 8 defenders like in 2009 and three scoring lines.

Can we expect DSP and Gudbranson now?

Bunz
Visentin

Gormley-Hamilton
Beaulieu-Gudbranson
Murray-Murphy
Oleksiak-Harrington (pk specialists like Aulie-Myers from '09)

Schwartz-Schiefele-DSP
Huberdeau-Phillips-Stone
Howden-Strome-Gallagher
Danault-Jenner-Bulmer
Bournival

Morrow, Toffoli, Thomas and McNeil are the last cuts.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

i really like all 4 goalies brought to camp

don't count wedgewood and domingue out just yet!!!

I don't know about the rest of the goaltenders, only Visentin is remotely close in playoff sv%, but Wedgewood has shown the ability to absolutely steal a games/series when all is on the line. Is that what you want in a short tournament, or do you want a goaltender who won't lose you the game.

 

[floridada]

huberdeau is a natural centre, phillips a natural winger. They've swapped positions, and ironically Huberdeau played centre in Florida's camp and Phillips will 100% be a winger at the NHL level

That said, with the surplus of centres on team Canada, if one is comfortable on wing, he should slide over. Huberdeau will play wing probably

He played as a center in like one rookie camp game.

 

[GM17*]

and preseason

 

[YNWA14]

Why are people putting Stone anywhere but the first line?

 

[derriko]

Why are people putting Stone anywhere but the first line?

I don't think it matters as long as he is in the top 6 because ice time is lots more even when every player is a star...but seriously, he is arguably the best player on the team (not counting potential, just what he is right now.) I mean his issues going forward are all skating, but just average skating is adequate when you play in juniors and you have hands and hockey iq like him.

 

[leafsfuture]

Why are people putting Stone anywhere but the first line?

Because any coach with a brain doesnt put all his offensive weapons on the 1st line. And if your saying Stone is better than Shiefele or Huberdeau your dead wrong

Eberle played on the "2nd line" in 2010, last year Johansen was on the "2nd line", in 09 Tavares was on the "2nd line".

 

[Minister of Offence]

Why are people putting Stone anywhere but the first line?

Because there's no guarantee whatsoever he ends up on the top line.

 

[Sticks and Pucks]

Why did Kichton even get an invite? They already have 13 other dmen in camp and I cannot see him coming close to making the team. The only place he would fit in is as a 7th PP dman and they already have Murphy, Gauthier-Leduc and Morrow in camp. That spot will also most definitely go to Murphy.

 

[R S]

Why are people putting Stone anywhere but the first line?

He can play that role, if needed. That's why he's going to make this team.

He can either be an offensive guy, a guy that provides room for his offensive linemates or play as a third line big body presence.

 

[R S]

Why did Kichton even get an invite? They already have 13 other dmen in camp and I cannot see him coming close to making the team. The only place he would fit in is as a 7th PP dman and they already have Murphy, Gauthier-Leduc and Morrow in camp. That spot will also most definitely go to Murphy.

We've seen it before and we'll see it again...Canada is VERY picky about having certain roles for certain players.

Kichton won't make the team, but they obviously see him as a guy that would provide something to the team if he either plays well enough to make the team or if several people get hurt in front of him.

 

[arsmaster*]

We've seen it before and we'll see it again...Canada is VERY picky about having certain roles for certain players.

Kichton won't make the team, but they obviously see him as a guy that would provide something to the team if he either plays well enough to make the team or if several people get hurt in front of him.

Exactly.

See Neil Manning's invite last year.

Am I the only one who sees Dumba beating out a player like Beaulieu or Leduc to make this team....

I think his performance at the Hlinka as a shutdown player and captain will lead well to him making this team.

I think this is where Pendergrast's comments that it will be a young team come from, as both Murray and Dumba look poised to make the team IMO.

 

[Almember]

ATTACK​

Jonathan Huberdeau - Ryan Strome - Mark Stone

Jaden Schwartz - Mark Scheifele - Ty Rattie

Quinton Howden - Zack Phillips - Brendan Gallagher

Brad Ross - Boone Jenner - Brett Bulmer

Michael Bournival


DEFENSE

Brandon Gormley - Joe Morrow

Dougie Hamitlon - Nathan Beaulieu

Mark Pysyk - Jamie Oleksiak

Ryan Murphy



KEEPER

Tyler Bunz - Louis Domingue​

That's my team

CENTER :
Mark Scheifele
Ryan Strome
Zack Philipps
Boone Jenner

LEFT WING
Jonathan Huberdeau
Jaden Schwartz
Quinton Howden
Brad Ross
Michael Bournival



RIGHT WING
Ty Rattie
Mark Stone
Brendan Gallagher
Brett Bulmer



Huberdeau would be the best player for Canada. He impressed myself in the way in put out point and score the big goal, he's a gamebreaker for sure. Give it to him at speedy skilled center like Ryan Strome and a big strong powerforward like Stone than he's the scoring leader in WHL... and you have your first line. You can add a goal scorer like Toffoli in the lineup, but you didn't anybody than he can protect the puck, make space for your skills guys, so it's the reason why i take Stone over a guy like Toffoli.

My second line is a identique copy of the first line, except your big boy take the faceoff. Scheifele will help the team with he's big and strong shape. He will go to the dirt area and score goal. Schwartz is a very sick passer. He can repere his teammates very quickly and make some nice pass. Rattie is a gamble between he and Toffoli. You take guy like that to score goal, but i think Rattie could be more useful because of his speed, something than Toffoli didn't have.

Phillips isn't the fastly forward, but he's anticipating vision is great. He can read the play excessivly fast and help his team defensivly. He can take faceoff and contribue at both end of the ice. If Phillips isn't fast as some other guy, Howden is the faster guy of this team for sure. An excellent two-way player, than he can be dangerous on PK. Gallagher will complete this trio with his scoring ability. In spite of is 5 foot 8, he drives the net well and he's a little pitbull.

To finish, he's my Hammer Line. Ross-Bulmer-Jenner, what a sick one. Ross and Bulmer will add some grit and some toughness to this group. I hope than the two guy will be more discipline than Della Rovere was when he plays for Canada. The One-Two punch can change the game by them intensity. Jenner really look like an other Adam Henrique. He's a top faceoff circle winner and he's a hard working forward and give the best of him everytime is on the ice.


Defensivly, Gormley will be the leader. He supposes to make the team last year, but he's be injured just before the camp. He's a great defenseman at both end, than he can contribute offensivly and defensivly.

Morrow will surprise everybody. He's a aggressive defenseman, than he make the good play and work hard. I like his game and how much is good in his decisions. He had a really big strong shot

Hamilton is the full package of what you want in a defenseman. He's big, he's strong, he's tough and he's good at both ends. He will but my #2. He's the style of guy than he will perform in every situations.

Beaulieu is my PMD. Mobile, sick skating ability and made a lot of improvement in his defensive game. He will lead the rush and turn on the PP.

Pysyk and Oleksiak is my Two Twin Towers. They will be very effective to clear the net and play tough. They had some grits to the D. They will be very useful in PK time, to block shot and give the easy way for the keeper.

I take Murphy for the 7 spot because i saw what i saw offensivly by Ryan Ellis. Nice skills, very very offensivly, bu i can't insert him into the Top 6, because of his defensive game, i'm not very convinced


Bunz is my number one! He's big in his net and he makes a lot of improvement in his game. I'm not a Visentin fan because of what i saw last year.

Wedgewood and Domingue will play for the last spot. I will gave the advantage to Domingue because i saw a big improvement in his mental game, that's what he's wrong with him since his beginning. This year, he's strong at every game and when he give a poor goal, he come back with some goods save, than what he doesn't make last year.

 

[R S]

Exactly.

See Neil Manning's invite last year.

Am I the only one who sees Dumba beating out a player like Beaulieu or Leduc to make this team....

I think his performance at the Hlinka as a shutdown player and captain will lead well to him making this team.

I think this is where Pendergrast's comments that it will be a young team come from, as both Murray and Dumba look poised to make the team IMO.

I could see that for sure. With that being said, I don't think it happens.

Dumba's skillset is absolutely great and fun to watch...but his aggressive style could be more of a problem then a solution for Canada.

He runs around a lot, looking for physical contact. Isn't too great in his own zone. Isn't good enough offensively to be out a guy like Murray or Murphy.

 

[TonyTinglebone]

KEEPER

Tyler Bunz - Louis Domingue[/CENTER]

That picture of Bunz looks like it was taken after spending 45 mins in the room after a beer league game.

 

[rick3652]

I could see that for sure. With that being said, I don't think it happens.

Dumba's skillset is absolutely great and fun to watch...but his aggressive style could be more of a problem then a solution for Canada.

He runs around a lot, looking for physical contact. Isn't too great in his own zone. Isn't good enough offensively to be out a guy like Murray or Murphy.

Am I the only one that thinks the OHL has beaten the Russian every game. Quebec lost both games and the WHL lost one game this year and both last year. So why would you not lean towards as many OHL players as you can. Because they just win all the time.

 

[Pick Six]

Not saying I agree with all of this, but an article regarding MacKinnon not receiving an invitation:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/37846-hockey-canada-blew-it-mackinnon

That's a pretty bad article, IMO. Too much crying about the east-coast for my liking (I go to school in Halifax and it seems to happen a lot in newspaper). Hockey Canada felt MacKinnon wasn't going to fill a role on the team, thus didn't get an invite. Simple as that.

Want to see 8 defenders like in 2009 and three scoring lines.

Can we expect DSP and Gudbranson now?

Bunz
Visentin

Gormley-Hamilton
Beaulieu-Gudbranson
Murray-Murphy
Oleksiak-Harrington (pk specialists like Aulie-Myers from '09)

Schwartz-Schiefele-DSP
Huberdeau-Phillips-Stone
Howden-Strome-Gallagher
Danault-Jenner-Bulmer
Bournival

Morrow, Toffoli, Thomas and McNeil are the last cuts.

I'm assuming Bournival would also be cut from the team on your roster? I'm pretty confident you can only carry 22 players during the WJC.

EDIT: The post above me is hilarious.