WJC TALK

[inferno31]

I like the USA's chances this tourney to be honest, the USNTDP gives them a huge step up IMO. But who knows Canada's got a blue collar team, never count them out could be impressive. I think though US or Russia wins this year, Russia for once won the tourney with the CHL teams.

Still not against the OHL... where our coach is from and where at least a few of the players will be coming from.

My fear is that we try and focus overly on a defence first, two way type game... that's not our prospect strength this year, we could ice a very very competitive small, skilled team. That would also make use of the softer calls that we typically have trouble adjusting too.



Michael Bournival L
Casey Cizikas L
Brett Connolly R
Sean Couturier L
Brendan Gallagher R
Joey Hishon L
Ryan Howse L
Ryan Johansen R
Louis Leblanc R
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins L 6
Brandon Pirri
Brayden Schenn
Jaden Schwartz L
Linden Vey


All skill players... the passing and hockey IQ in this group is unmatched by any other nation, we could run complex systems and bring an attack that no one anticipates... and these kids are all used to facing bigger opponents so that'll be nothing new...

Agreed, I'm glad Schenn is there now, really improves our chances. Coaching I think we are the best team in the tourney, but nothing new there. Seems like its a similar story every year where Chemistry plays a huge role which is why I think the US has a huge edge there over us.

[Nick]

Connolly-Couturier-Leblanc
Howse-Schenn-Vey
Schwartz-Johansen-RNH
Cizikas-Hishon-Gallagher


All guys that can make plays... size is the only lacking variable but they all make do; I don't want to try to match the size+speed/simple game of the americans... that '3rd' line could be a game breaker type... incredibly stable 2/4 and a top line that would demand a matchup....

[bma]

First Cuts made: http://tsn.ca/world_jrs/story/?id=345454

Brad Ross
Joey Hishon
Garrett Wilson
Brendan Gallagher
Linden Vey
Ryan Howse
Reilly Smith
Brayden Mcnabb
Jesse Blacker

Sucks that there will be no Leaf on Team Canada this year. Blacker was always a long shot but thought Ross might have a slight chance with his chemistry with Ryan Johansen.

[bma]

My revised lineup based on what I've been reading/hearing:

Schwartz -Couturier - Connolly
Ashton- Schenn - Kassian
Eakin - Johansen - Leblanc
Hamilton - Czikias - Foligno
RNH

Cowen - Gudbrandson
Murray - Ellis
de Haan - Olsen
Murphy

Pickard
Visentin

[Nick]

My revised lineup based on

how smart I am:

Schwartz - Schenn - Connolly
Ashton -Couturier- Leblanc
Eakin - Johansen - Kassian
Hamilton - Sheahan - Foligno
RNH

Cowen - Ellis
Gudbrandson - Olsen
de Haan - name escaping me...
Murphy

Roy
Visentin

[bma]

Via Bob Mackenzie's twitter:

Cowen, de Haan, Ellis, Schenn, Johansen, Leblanc, Kassian, and Cizikas are all scratches in tonight's game against the CIS allstars. All of them are virtual locks on the team with the exception of Cizikas who isn't playing due to an injury. Final cuts will be made tomorrow morning!

[bma]

Via Tsn and Bob Mackenzie:

Here are the final cuts:

Calvin Pickard
JP Anderson
Mark Pysyk
Ryan Murray
Ryan Murphy
Brandon Pirri
Riley Sheahen
RNH
Michael Bournival

[Lee]

Barrie made the team excited to see him play.

[bma]

FINAL ROSTER:
Forwards:
Carter Ashton
Casey Cizikas
Brett Connolly
Sean Couturier
Cody Eakin
Marcus Foligno
Curtis Hamilton
Quinton Howden
Ryan Johansen
Zack Kassian
Louis Leblanc
Brayden Schenn
Jaden Schwartz

Defence:
Jared Cowen
Calvin de Haan
Ryan Ellis
Dylan Olsen
Simon Depres
Erik Gudbrandson
Tyson Barrie

Goalies:
Olivier Roy
Mark Visentin

[Scott]

No Brayden Schenn?

[bma]

No Brayden Schenn?

OMG, HE GOT CUT!!

no..I just missed him, my bad. Fixed.

[Scott]

No Brayden Schenn?

OMG, HE GOT CUT!!

no..I just missed him, my bad. Fixed.

haha

[Robin Hood]

No Brayden Schenn?

OMG, HE GOT CUT!!

no..I just missed him, my bad. Fixed.

LOL

[armandtanzarian]

Marcus Foligno made it eh...Nice. I got him as a toss in bit in a trade I made. Might be a keeper

[Scott]

Marcus Foligno made it eh...Nice. I got him as a toss in bit in a trade I made. Might be a keeper

He looks beast this season with Sudbury. The kid's such a great skater and his on ice vision is really great.

[Florida Chris]

Awsome I got Cowen, Howden and newely acquired Cizikas all making the team.

[Nick]

We've built a big fast team, quiet obviously lacking game-breaker type skill as well as elite playmaker compared to previous groups (ie top u20 player in the world is typically on our team). Basically across the board we went with the older bigger body. However... 15 1st's made the team, that'll still be highest in the tourney.... so to say we lack skill is incorrect, it's just the world class top-end skill that's missing, we have a bunch of guys that *will* be good NHLers.


I love the goalie selections

1.CAN
2.RUS
3.USA
4.SWE
5.FIN

[Shep]

Let's see the Russian and Finnish teams. I don't draft North Americans.

[Arian The Insider]

damn i thought calvin pickard would make it

[shooker]

damn i thought calvin pickard would make it

he has had a very meh year and I think Roy is stellar. I was hoping Roy would be our number 1 ever since the camp rosters were released. Imo they picked the right goalies. I think sheahan should have made the team. I know I am a homer but its a short tourny and his instant chem with Hamilton could have been helpful. Overal good choices though imo.