[News] Jay Bouwmeester replaces Duncan Keith for Canada @ World Cup of Hockey

[Samonadreau]

I'll be cheering for NA first and Canada second. It's the Gaudreau and Monahan factor that tip the scales for me. But its gonna be really weird if these teams end up playing each other.

[FireGilbert]

The 2014 Olympics were played on bigger ice which suited Bouwmeester's game. I do not think he is the best pick on smaller ice.

That said there is a worry this tournament will lack the intensity of the Olympics so maybe he is well suited after all.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Canada doesn't win every Olympics or every Canada Cup. The fact that the 2014 team dominated tells me that was a well put together and well coached team. I kind of disagree that their performance was so totally expected. Watched the World Juniors lately?

Give Bouwmeester his due. He played very well on a dominant team.

Originally Posted by Mike F

Tell that to the 2006 Olympic team.

You still have to play the games obviously, but that doesn't negate our dominance in talent.

It is a ridiculous argument to say the team won, therefore all the roster decisions were the correct ones.

And again, no one is arguing that Bouwmeester is a bad player - there are dozens of fantastic hockey players that can't make TC. Jay is a solid player but that doesn't change the fact that Giordano and Brodie are both better.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

You still have to play the games obviously, but that doesn't negate our dominance in talent.

It is a ridiculous argument to say the team won, therefore all the roster decisions were the correct ones.

And again, no one is arguing that Bouwmeester is a bad player - there are dozens of fantastic hockey players that can't make TC. Jay is a solid player but that doesn't change the fact that Giordano and Brodie are both better.

No one is saying all the roster decisions were the right ones. But its just as ridiculous to claim with certainty that player X would have been better than Bouwmeester. I think you have to acknowledge that in total, the guys building the team really showed they knew what they were doing.

I wouldn't trade Brodie or Giordano for Bouwmeester, but I don't think those 2 guys are viewed around the league as the biggest snubs either.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

No one is saying all the roster decisions were the right ones. But its just as ridiculous to claim with certainty that player X would have been better than Bouwmeester. I think you have to acknowledge that in total, the guys building the team really showed they knew what they were doing.

I wouldn't trade Brodie or Giordano for Bouwmeester, but I don't think those 2 guys are viewed around the league as the biggest snubs either.

Agreed, and chemistry and role fit is also key. I would never build my teams "D" around Bouwmeester above Gio or Brodie. I'd take either of those Flames first. But as hard as I was on Bouw when he was here because he didn't step up to that number 1 role (IMO) and earn his contract (IMO) he's also proven to be an amazing complimentary D-man when he's got other elites around him. And that includes playing that role at a world class level, whether that be at the Olympics or the NHL Playoffs.

[jlh2640]

I am ok with Jbouw replacing Keith. He got a bad rap while he played in Calgary and I am a huge fan. However I am still enraged that Jake Muzzin got picked over Brodie and Gio.

[locsofblu]

I'd say if this tournament was on the big ice surface I'd be ok with this choice. J-Bo is always a safe choice in that regards. That being said I thought they should of taken Brodie instead.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

I am ok with Jbouw replacing Keith. He got a bad rap while he played in Calgary and I am a huge fan. However I am still enraged that Jake Muzzin got picked over Brodie and Gio.

Your feelings are really that strong about this?

Aren't you happy that you know for sure we'll have a healthy Gio and Brodie to start the year?

[CaptainCrunch]

Meh, I'd really rather have our guys rested and healthy at the start of the season then take place in a meaningless tournament that's going to have about as much intensity as two drunk guys playing pingpong.

[1qqaaz]

At least Canada's selections aren't as bad as the USA's selections. Theirs is a gong show.

[ricardodw]

I would like to have Brodie and Gio get some high pressure games under their belt.

Brodie has the 11 playoff games and Gio has a whole career where he has not been a key player in important games.

Maybe that is why they were left off the team..... a lack of big game experience.

Since he left the Flames with 0 playoff games Bouwmeester has 38 playoff games including 20 this last season.

from the SUN

When we spoke to Babcock about who might be amongst the final selections in May, the Team Canada head coach said lasting impressions were important to him. The players who were having long playoff runs — or who were playing at the world hockey championships — had an advantage over those whose season ended early. Subban had the misfortune of playing on a team that was missing its No. 1 goalie for most of the year and finished with the fourth-worst record in the Eastern Conference. Bouwmeester, meanwhile, went all the way to the conference final where he scored four points in 20 games.

Doesn't explain why Letang was not picked ahead of Bouwmeester (other than shooting R)

It is pretty obvious that the Flames star players are going to be underrated compared to their home fan evaluations until they start winning as a team.

[thefoss1957]

Meh...I HATE the Olympics, for many reasons, and also have no use for this gimmick tourney...Championship caliber players already have a lot of wear and tear from NHL games/Playoffs...I am relieved that Keith has taken a pass.

It also seems a pattern that GMs for these events seem to pick their own guys, rather than the best available, to avoid the issues like M. St. Louis seemed to have on his Olympic snub. Really, IMO, it seems silly that some egos are no better than teenagers getting passed over in popularity contests.

[jlh2640]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Your feelings are really that strong about this?

Aren't you happy that you know for sure we'll have a healthy Gio and Brodie to start the year?

I think it was beyond a surprise. Rob Zamuner type of surprise.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

I think it was beyond a surprise. Rob Zamuner type of surprise.

You are really overrating Gio / Brodie, or underrating Bouw or a combination of both if you were Rob Zamuner surprised by this.

[Hey Connor, It's Mess]

Hockey Canada again demonstrating this odd old boys' club that pops up with their roster decisions. Haven't represented Canada much in the past? Aren't the D partner of one of our stars? You're probably SOL. Vlasic isn't better or worse than Gio/Brodie and Muzzin is almost certainly worse than both of them. I've always liked Bouwmeester, but again, difficult to justify taking him over Gio and Brodie in my mind.
Of course, with how deep Canada's talent pool is, dumb mistakes like this are rarely ever exposed because they just win regardless.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

I think it was beyond a surprise. Rob Zamuner type of surprise.

You are that surprised when a player who was on the 2004 World Cup teams, the 2006 and 2014 Olympic teams (and was an alternate for the 2010 team) is picked as an alternate for this one?

Gio and Brodie >>>> Jaybo, but there's a lot of familiarity with the coaching staff, D partner, etc. that go into it. So while I don't think he's the best choice, it's no huge shock.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

I am ok with Jbouw replacing Keith. He got a bad rap while he played in Calgary and I am a huge fan. However I am still enraged that Jake Muzzin got picked over Brodie and Gio.

Is that a Michael Dukakis type of enraged? Or the Bruce banner sort?

[Hackey]

Maybe once the actual tournament starts I'll feel differently but I have zero excitement leading up to this. I just want the NHL season to start. That being said it will be nice to see if some of our guys can do well. Definitely no vested interest other than Flames players though.

[Ashartus]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Meh, I'd really rather have our guys rested and healthy at the start of the season then take place in a meaningless tournament that's going to have about as much intensity as two drunk guys playing pingpong.

Exactly. They need to rest up so they're still in good shape for a long playoff run.

[saillias]

Muzzin is a good pick and belongs. It's JBo that should be enraging you.

There's a post earlier on this page that says "no one is arguing that JBo is a bad player" - actually I would, he is no longer a serviceable NHL defenseman. Below replacement level. It's like if they picked Engelland or Wideman