Beyond what I have previously posted as the 'locks' for Canada, here is my personal opinion of who should/will make it:
Forwards:
The best pure offensive talent we have next are: St.Louis, Tavares, Giroux and Thornton. I see at least 2, but maybe even all of these guys making it.
Obviously all the invitees can score, but those remaining who would be most suited to a checking role include: Jo. Stall, Richards, Couture, Kunitz, Ladd, Lucic, Marchand and Sharp. I see at least 2 of these guys making it
Then there are Nash, Carter and Neal whom I see as filling a similar big, shoot-first winger type role, but who maybe lack the all around game of the previous category. At most I see 1 of these guys making it.
There are the young guns: Hall, Duchene and Eberle. At most I see 1 of these guys making it, but I think it likely they have to wait for 2018.
I personally favour having 2 lines with top end offensive skill, having the big, all around Stall Getzlaf Perry line and then having 4 great checking/defensive forwards.
Something like:
Stamkos Crosby © St.Louis (A) - Arguably our top 3 players from a purely offensive standpoint, the Tampa duo have definite chemistry too.
Tavares Thornton Giroux - Maybe our next 3 best offensive players.
E. Staal Getzlaf (A) Perry - Big and good in 2010, can bruise and score. Staal is my dark horse for team MVP.
Richards Toews Bergeron - Arguably our top 3 players from a purely defensive standpoint. Also impressive in 2010.
Couture - In my opinion the next best defensive player, as a canucks fan one cannot but have seen his PK work (last year's playoffs!).
Notable omissions/ injury replacements:
Nash - I could see him very easily replacing someone in our top 6 (most likely one of the ageing Thornton and St. Louis). He seems to be a favorite of the Canadian brass.
Jo. Stall - The next next best defensive forward, and someone I am surprised not to have seen in more peoples lineups. Maybe I am a Staal fanboy (Carolina is my team in the East), but I think Eric will be Canada's best player and Jordan has a legitimate shot at making the team.
Defense:
Mostly offensive minded d-men include: Doughty, Boyle, Subban, Green, Phaneuf and Letang. I see at least 2 of these guys making it.
Mostly defensive minded d-men include: Seabrook, Hamhuis, Methot, Staal, Vlasic, Bouwmeester and Alzner. I see at least 2 of these guys making it.
All around d-men?: Pietrangelo. Hard to say yet if he will become known primarily for offensive or defense, probaby has the biggest upside of all our defencemen. Likely makes it.
2018 potential, yet to fully evolve into one of the previous categories: Hamonic. Likely doesn't make it.
The real difficulty here is deciding whether the coaching staff will prefer RH, LH pairs, shutdown - puck moving balance and PP or PK specialists. I tend to think defensive d-men who can skate will be valued the most highly.
So, something like:
Weber (A) Doughty - Both returnees from 2010, Doughty gets sheltered by our best defensive d-man.
Keith Seabrook - Chemistry is the choix du jour. Seabrook is safer, if less flashy than PK and Letang here.
Bouwmeester Pietrangelo - Again with the teammates. Bouwmeester is a better skater than pretty much all the other defensive d-men in camp. Could be a huge breakout year and tournament for Pietrangelo (my Norris choice for next year)
Subban - Should've been called Pernell Pernell, because he is here as the PP specialist.
Notable omissions / injury replacements: So many it seems.
Letang: My next choice for making it. I could see him slotting in for either Doughty or Subban in an offensive role. I could also see him replacing Bouwmeester if Jay has a slower season.
Staal: Gotta mention all the Staals. If he is 100% healthy i could see him replacing Bouwmeester or Seabrook in a defensive role. Could also end up paired with Weber if a LH RH shutdown pairing is deemed necessary.
Boyle: Time to move on to younger offensive talents.
Hamhuis. Such a good positional player that you almost never notice that he a quite average skater. Good at pivoting, but lacks the extra gear necessary to be as effective on the larger ice surface. I am as big a Hamhuis fan as any, but he is on the outside looking in.
Net:
Luongo - The reigning starter. His job to lose.
Price - Far enough ahead of anyone else. Small chance of moving ahead of Luongo though.
Ward - I know he wasn't a camp invitee, but the guy is just clutch. If he can have an injury free season, it should be a good one on what I see as an upwards trending Carolina team. Has a legitimate shot of being the starter if he gets hot.
Notable omissions: Honestly too many to acknowledge. Goalie is a wierd position and pretty much anything can happen/ anyone could get hot at the right time.
