International TournamentsDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
I like that Reinhart and Corrado are being paired together today. I'm interested to see how they play together. Could be a preview of Canada's 3rd pairing.
Which of Murphy or Sproul is better at playing their "off-side" on the left? A bit of a drag to be forced out of position in your last game of evaluation.
S_C
Judging by these pairings, if Corrado and Reinhart prove they have decent chemistry, they will be Canada's third pairing and Dumba will be cut. I think Corrado is in the drivers seat now and its his to lose.
You really think so? I don't know man. Cutting the d-man who has been the biggest standout in camp (positive) in favour of someone who has been the biggest standout (negative) sends a horrible message to the team IMO. I think it's already too late for Dumba to make it over Corrado.
Maybe they both make it and Murphy or Reinhart (doubtful) are cut, but I can't see a scenario where Dumba makes it in Corrado's place. Maybe I'm just blinded by their opposite end of the scales play so far.
I completely agree with you, Dumba should be the one to go, but Hockey Canada has done some stupid things in the past and they might do it again. Because they are giving Dumba every chance to make it after playing poorly in the first two games.
Last year, heading into camp Tyler Bunz was the starter; it was his job to lose. He played his way off the team.
This year, Subban is playing worse than Bunz played last year.
Lol what?
Everyone knew Visentin was going to be the defacto starter... he was a returning player. Bunz was competing with others for the backup role which was won by Wedgewood.
Subban is going to make this team based on his play this year in Bellville, at the Hlinka, and in the Super Series. He's a class above, even if he didn't play like that yesterday during a game vs. a CIS team.
I completely agree with you, Dumba should be the one to go, but Hockey Canada has done some stupid things in the past and they might do it again. Because they are giving Dumba every chance to make it after playing poorly in the first two games.
Ya man. One of the most intriguing storylines today is the D. 3 spots remain for 6 guys, and they are all playing today. Funny the way the numbers shook out. 4 D are locks so they all sit today. The rest battle it out for 3 spots!
Who will stand out? I think Reinhart is on the team and I think Spott is taking Murphy as 7th D/PP specialist. So out of Corrado/Sproul/Wotherspoon/Dumba who makes it? Today will decide a lot but Corrado has to be winning that race right now!
I like that Reinhart and Corrado are being paired together today. I'm interested to see how they play together. Could be a preview of Canada's 3rd pairing.
That, but also, I think both Corrado and Reinhart have shown good chemistry in the past with others, namely Reinhart and Rielly, and Corrado showed well in the SSS with Hamilton.
I like the way it is shaping up, I think the battle now is for 7th defensman, and its between Sproul, Dumba, and Murphy.
Interesting lines. Catennaci has now played all three forward positions. I'm not sure if that's a plus for his versatility or a minus because he has no secured role. Could be good if they want him as a 13th forward.
Subban is an absolute lock despite his performance so far. Paterson has been the best goalie in camp and is the only goalie eligible to return next year so I think we can pencil him in as well. With the rule change that allows you to take three goalies I think it would be a no brainer to always take an underager that can get experience for the following year either as a starter or backup (no need to worry about the NHL taking goalies). So with Subban and Paterson all but guaranteed to be on the team the other spot will come down to Brossoit vs. Binnington. Brossoit was money last year in the playoffs and was there in the Summer Series but Binnington has had the far better season. Based on the fact that Spott singled out Brossoit after both games so far in camp I think he might have a slight edge. Realistically though this teams hopes are going to ride with Malcolm Subban.
The top four are pretty much locked in with Hamilton, Rielly, Ouellet and Harrington. I think Reinhart has played very well in camp and was a frontrunner from the start - I think it's more likely he sits out today then gets cut as he's pretty much a lock now as well. That leaves two spots for five players. HF places way too much emphasis on the selection camp but I really think Dumba and Corrado did complete 180's this week when it comes to their chances on the team. Dumba is one of the few righty shots, has a ton of International experience and was Spott's captain last year at the U18s. I know I had him pencilled in with Reinhart on the third pairing a few days ago. But he hasn't had an impressive year and has been the worst player on the ice in selection camp. I think he's played his way off the team to be honest but still wouldn't surprise me to see him make the cut. Say what you want about Murphy but I would be surprised to see him cut. Spott has that familiarity with him from Kitchener and he can run a powerplay very well which is what you want from the 7th defensemen. The right-handed shot certainly helps his cause as well. I think Corrado's play at the selection camp and at the Subway Series may have won him a spot just like it won Marcus Foligno, another Sudbury Wolf, a spot two years ago. He's steady and a right-handed shot. I think Reinhart and Corrado could be a very serviceable, safe and steady third pairing. With all the risky guys back there and no Ryan Murray I think Corrado should make this team. Rielly, Hamilton, Ouellet and Murphy are tremendous offensively but at times will leave something to be desired on the defensive side of the puck. I don't think Canada needs to take Dumba to add to that list. This leaves Sproul, Wotherspoon and Dumba as the cuts. Sproul has not impressed me whatsoever in this camp so far even though I seem to be in the minority. He's been exposed defensively and hasn't produced offense and I feel like it's between him and Murphy for the 7D PP specialist. Sproul would have had to have a great camp to win the spot over Spott's man and he certainly hasn't done that. I think Dumba being cut is pretty self-explanatory but it still wouldn't surprise me if he made it - guy will need a big game today to justify it though. 4 of the 5 locks on the blueline has left-handed shots and I feel like you need to balance it out a little which means no Wotherspoon. He hasn't stood out in camp and I feel like he's another guy that needed a big camp a la Corrado to make it.
Spott had 8 forwards sitting out yesterday and I'm not a Mackinnon or a Q supporter but I think he's played his way into that group as well. That leaves 4 spots left up front. I like Ritchie and Hudon's versatility to play top six or bottom six. I don't want 3 scoring lines but I don't want 2 full meathead lines either so I think Hudon and Ritchie could make the third line well rounded. There's no way that three draft-eligible forwards make this team so I think you need to pick at most 2 out of Drouin/Mackinnon/Shinkaruk. I like McNeill's game a lot at this camp and he's had a good year and was probably a favourite coming in to the week so I'm pretty confident about him being on this team. Wilson I liked coming into the week as well but I think his undisciplined play has really hurt him while Camara has been impressive. I like a guy like Drouin for the 13th forward. This is my first time seeing him and he reminds me of a faster version of Sam Gagner at this tournament. You can tell he has a ton of skill but he's victimized by occasionally trying to do too much so Spott can shelter him as the 13th forward. I'm a little surprised Catenacci made it through the first cut yesterday as he stood out for the wrong reasons yesterday. Lipon is a little bit redundant on this team and hasn't produced offensively enough to warrant a spot for a guy that's top six or bust. I think Rattie had a very good chance coming into the week and he wasn't too bad yesterday either. His very good summer series I think gets him a spot but he'll need a big game today to really secure that spot. I do like players like Tom Wilson but he hasn't looked very smooth with the puck and is perhaps too one-dimensional for this tournament as an 18-year-old. Reminds me a bit of Colton Gillies in this tournament though and he made it and contributed so you never know - I feel like he was a frontrunner coming into the week and was great in the summer.
good comments. Sounds like you nailed it.
I would say Shinkaruk is battling Drouin for the 13th spot.
Which of Murphy or Sproul is better at playing their "off-side" on the left? A bit of a drag to be forced out of position in your last game of evaluation.
S_C
Sproul plays his offside in the Soo so I would assume he will be tonight. Looking at those pairings to me it looks like theyre trying out their third pairing (Corrado and Reinhart) and then putting Sproul and Murphy on the same pairing to watch whose better out there together.
Murphy hasnt done much offensively, neither has Sproul. However Murphys mad e alot of defensive gaffs whereas Sproul hasnt had any big turnovers or got beat bad like Murphy has. Interesting to see if thats enough to put him over Spotts guy. I think it really comes down to who impresses more today
Everyone knew Visentin was going to be the defacto starter... he was a returning player. Bunz was competing with others for the backup role which was won by Wedgewood.
Subban is going to make this team based on his play this year in Bellville, at the Hlinka, and in the Super Series. He's a class above, even if he didn't play like that yesterday during a game vs. a CIS team.
McKenzie and everyone had Bunz as the starter after Vis' proverbial bed crap the year before.
So Xavier Oullet will become the 2nd player in as many years to make Team Canada without playing a scrimmage game. Not that I dont think he doesnt deserve to be on the team (because he does) but no offence, but hes not Jonathan Huberdeau
I think its time Hockey Canada cuts the crap with the 36 - 40 players camp and just do what the Americans do, that is bring in 3 - 4 extra forwards, and 2 - 3 extra D.
I know Steve Spott would have preferred this (firstly because he said he wanted a small camp, second because no one was added for Scissons), but you really get the feeling HC wouldnt let that be the case with the lockout
So Xavier Oullet will become the 2nd player in as many years to make Team Canada without playing a scrimmage game. Not that I dont think he doesnt deserve to be on the team (because he does) but no offence, but hes not Jonathan Huberdeau
I think its time Hockey Canada cuts the crap with the 36 - 40 players camp and just do what the Americans do, that is bring in 3 - 4 extra forwards, and 2 - 3 extra D.
I know Steve Spott would have preferred this (firstly because he said he wanted a small camp, second because no one was added for Scissons), but you really get the feeling HC wouldnt let that be the case with the lockout
So what's your point? That Ouellet isn't one of the 4 best D available for this tournament? Dude is a rock back there... Poise, mobility, solid D, what more do you need?
I think its time Hockey Canada cuts the crap with the 36 - 40 players camp and just do what the Americans do, that is bring in 3 - 4 extra forwards, and 2 - 3 extra D.
Then guys who have shown better than expected: Corrado, Shinkaruk, Drouin wouldn't have even got invited.
Canada HAS to have a big camp, that is how deep the talent pool is in this country.
Not many people had Shinkaruk or Corrado getting a sniff, and right now they've been two of the better performers so far.
