Canada Has 3 Man Race For 2nd Line LW At WJC, But Hounds Smith Favoured To Get The Job [1/2]

[cody73 87]

As the WJC approaches, there are 3 wingers trying their best to prove they have what it takes not just to take part in the big event, but also play a big role. Blake Laughton of the Ottawa Lynx, Cody Smith of the Missisauga Hounds & Blake Gaudette of the Halifax 21st all have a right to claim they deserve the chance to be on the 2nd line for Team Canada. So far for the season, Smith has been the most offensive of the 3, leading the VHLM in goals at 13 & being 3rd in total points with 23. Gaudette's not far behind, having notched 20 points, an even 10 goals & 10 helpers. Laughton has only 19 points, but he also has the most shots of the trio at 105. In regards to a attribute breakdown, Smith & Laughton are very similar, playing a well-rounded game with a slight physical edge to it. Gaudette meanwhile is more offensive & not know to lay the body. However, an area in which Smith has a edge of Laughton might be discipline, as Laughton so far has racked 24 PIM's to Smith's 12, even though they both have impressive hit totals, 48 for Laughton, 38 for Smith. That being said, if Canada wanted to go with a clean winger, Gaudette's the clear choice, with only 8 PIM's & 17 hits for the season. There's also the plausibility the GM of Canada chooses to go with playing somebody else out of position for the spot, but either way, this is a battle to keep your eye on. 
 

When asked about who should get the job, here's what some guys around the league said: 
 

"If we're talking WJC, I think Cody Smith gets the nod at this point. Obviously early in the season, but Smith leads over Gaudette and Laughton in goals and points. While Laughton has more hits, Cody Smith leads the entire VHLM in goals and is not that far behind in the hits category himself. Not only that, but his shot percentage is nothing to scoff at with 14.29%." - Travis Boychuk, Ex Toronto Legion GM 
 

"While all three are deserving, I’d have to say Cody Smith takes it in my opinion. The kid’s been off the charts with his scoring early in the season leading the league in goals, and he’s definitely been a huge part of Mississauga’s success. He’s only gonna get better as well. Kid’s a star in the making." - George Jihagovich, Houston Bulls AGM. 

"You know who lost the finals last season to an inactive GM? Canada. You know who wasn't playing for Canada? Smith. Don't think that's a coincidence. I don't care if Laughton or Gaudette was there last season, and neither should you. The scientific method dictates that only one variable should be changed to determine causality, and here we have our one variable. The only way to truly test if not including Smith was the reason for failure is to throw him in there this year, and throw him in there a lot for the sake of sample size." - Jerry Garcia, Malmo Nighthawks Defenseman 

[Jables 73]

They’re all gonna know my real name now.....

[fonziGG 1,065]

Review: Interesting write up. Hopefully Smith crushed it at the WJC. You brought up some great points on the competition Canada had on the winger position. Might have been nice to see some images but honestly, your content made up for it.