HF Habs: 4 Nations Face-Off: Thurs. February 13th - USA vs Finland, 8 PM | SN, TVAS, ESPN, ESPN+

[LaP]

Obviously

But it is sad that we don't have anyone on the Habs good enough to play for Canada or the USA. Almost every single team has 1-2 players better than our best player, some have 3-4

To be fair Suzuki would be good enough it's just that he was not chosen. Cirelli is not a better player.

 

[SOLR]

I disagree. McDavid needs someone that forechecks hard, he already has the cerebral sniper in Reinhart (like Drai) but you can’t have another guy that just waits in passing lanes as opposed to attacking opposing players. He needs energy with him, like a Hyman.

That isn’t to say Marner doesn’t have a place on the team, he’s clearly a very good player. But he’s not a fit on that line. I’d like to see him and Konecny switch. Or maybe even Sam Bennett come in and Marner go to the 4th line with Hagel and Cirelli to give it more punch.

Reinhart is absolutely not like Drai. This is where your logic falls apart. Drai is forechecking and IQ sniping in the same package, Reinhart isn't either. I think Point is much closer to Drai in a smaller package, but at least brings some speed on top.

I agree a Konecny could be good with McDavid, Marchand even.

Marner isn't the issue at all and is a good fit with McDavid.

Jesus Dude Shut your trap about the hate shit. It's pretty clear I'd prefer another net front guy with McDavid you would think my reference to Zach Hyman would clue you in to the fact that it's a style type and role preference and nothing more. I simply felt Marner was much easier to tie up in and around the net and guess what I wasn't wrong. There were a number of pucks a stronger more familiar with that role type of player could have capitalized on. You don't agree fine but don't try to turn it into something it isn't.

Marner isn't the net front guy, you are blaming Marner for Reinhart inadequacies.
You shut your trap, I wasn't even talking about you about the "Marner hate". Read the whole thread and tell me the % of Marner bad comments based in facts. lol.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

This tournament is the fastest speed hockey has ever been played at lol.

When the first line of superstars play hard like a 4th line, in the very firsts minutes, you know they are not there as showcase figurines. They want that Cup for sure. That tournament will be epic. My only worry is Can goaltending. Crosby was brillant last night.

 

[badfish]

They HAVE to start the season is September it's so freaking obvious to everyone

Fully agree. Heck last year the Habs season didn't even start til October 11. Having the season start around October 1 should be the minimum!

 

[SOLR]

Reinhart would be good with MacKinnon as a center. He's a gap scorer. MacKinnon creates a lot of gap opportunities because he shoots a lot.

 

[Seven7]

I still can't believe Patrick Lalime said that Marchand was the face of Canada.

 

[Habs]

I still don't like Anthony Cirelli or Stone on this team.

I still can't believe Patrick Lalime said that Marchand was the face of Canada.

maybe he meant in a Special Olympics sort of way?

 

[le_sean]

Reinhart is absolutely not like Drai. This is where your logic falls apart. Drai is forechecking and IQ sniping in the same package, Reinhart isn't either. I think Point is much closer to Drai in a smaller package, but at least brings some speed on top.

I agree a Konecny could be good with McDavid, Marchand even.

Marner isn't the issue at all and is a good fit with McDavid.

Reinhart forechecks just as much as Drai. Reinhart isn’t the same level sniper (not nearly the same one-timer) or skill of Drai but at least he’s not garbage defensively, which Drai is. He’s good for McDavid.

Marner adds nothing. He’s not going deep for pucks, he’s going to pass at every opportunity. He won’t ever throw a hit or go in front of the net.

I don’t see how someone could watch the game yesterday and think Marner was a good fit. The only thing that line ever did was McDavid holding on to the puck and trying to do it all himself. But at least Reinhart was covering up for mistakes (made a great backcheck to prevent a possible goal against)

 

[overlords]

I still don't like Anthony Cirelli or Stone on this team.


maybe he meant in a Special Olympics sort of way?

 

[Rapala]

Man I can't believe the hate Reinhart is getting in this thread.

 

[26Mats]

Marner was fine all game with McDavid, but Reinhart was the problem because he was not fast enough. I think bringing Point to McDavid's line is something to try since he also brings some speed. Point also has a good one-timer that McDavid loves to use in his linemates.

The insane Marner hate on this forum is self-evident in this thread. Marner isn't going to be a tier 1 player. He's a good top-line winger, nothing more nor less. Celebrini is likely to become tier 1.

Last night had me hoping Bedard and Celebrini will be ready for the Olympics already in 2026.

It's only one game, but I wasn't overly impressed with the supporting cast for McDavid, McKinnon, Crosby and Makar. Point is a stud.

 

[David Suzuki]

If he leaves the Pens, it will be for Colorado and a chance to play with N8

why would he wanna play with that no fun dork when he can come play with pezetta

Obviously

But it is sad that we don't have anyone on the Habs good enough to play for Canada or the USA. Almost every single team has 1-2 players better than our best player, some have 3-4

suzuki and caufield are both talented enough to be on their teams lol

hutson will be too in short order

 

[SOLR]

Last night had me hoping Bedard and Celebrini will be ready for the Olympics already in 2026.

It's only one game, but I wasn't overly impressed with the supporting cast for McDavid, McKinnon, Crosby and Makar. Point is a stud.

Don't think Bedard will be ready for a top 6 role against his competition (McDavid, Mackinnon, Crosby, Marner, Stone, Celebrini) + (Suzuki, Thomas, Hyman... etc.) But Celebrini high % he is. More important player than Reinhart very rapidly.

Bedard needs to overcome Marchand to get a spot, I suspect this is not the next Olympics, but could be.

Now it could be that Point goes in the top 6, but having him as 3rd center is a luxurious position, it instantly means our 3rd line is incredible.

We could do that...
Celebrini - Mcdavid - Marner
Point - MacKinnon - Reinhart
Marchand - Crosby - Stone

Its just one game, but MacKinnon and Crosby both like to carry the puck too much to be together.

Reinhart forechecks just as much as Drai. Reinhart isn’t the same level sniper (not nearly the same one-timer) or skill of Drai but at least he’s not garbage defensively, which Drai is. He’s good for McDavid.

Marner adds nothing. He’s not going deep for pucks, he’s going to pass at every opportunity. He won’t ever throw a hit or go in front of the net.

I don’t see how someone could watch the game yesterday and think Marner was a good fit. The only thing that line ever did was McDavid holding on to the puck and trying to do it all himself. But at least Reinhart was covering up for mistakes (made a great backcheck to prevent a possible goal against)

Reinhart forechecks like Drai...I need new glasses.
Reinhart is a lot less useful at this level because he's not very special in key ways. Marner is.

Marner created 2 scoring chances for McDavid and was high intensity creating space for McDavid. The issue is that Marner was covered because Reinhart was too slow to be opening space.

To keep in mind: We are not playing against nobodies here, the Swedes are all elite too so some of our guys will get covered. McDavid is his own downfall as well, he doesn't shoot enough and that's hard on his linemates because it becomes predictable.

 

[SOLR]

I still don't like Anthony Cirelli or Stone on this team.


maybe he meant in a Special Olympics sort of way?

Stone is just hard to replace because we lost a whole generation of gritty/sizeable players. This team is much smaller than the previous one with BigJoe, Oreilly, Scherfele, Tavares, Nash etc.

New team is much faster.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

USA vs Finland tonight. Poor Finland has a ton of injuries on D, but good goaltending, and some quality defensive forwards. We'll see how it goes.

 

[le_sean]

Don't think Bedard will be ready for a top 6 role against his competition (McDavid, Mackinnon, Crosby, Marner, Stone, Celebrini) + (Suzuki, Thomas, Hyman... etc.) But Celebrini high % he is. More important player than Reinhart very rapidly.

Bedard needs to overcome Marchand to get a spot, I suspect this is not the next Olympics, but could be.

Now it could be that Point goes in the top 6, but having him as 3rd center is a luxurious position, it instantly means our 3rd line is incredible.

We could do that...
Celebrini - Mcdavid - Marner
Point - MacKinnon - Reinhart
Marchand - Crosby - Stone

Its just one game, but MacKinnon and Crosby both like to carry the puck too much to be together.


Reinhart forechecks like Drai...I need new glasses.
Reinhart is a lot less useful at this level because he's not very special in key ways. Marner is.

Marner created 2 scoring chances for McDavid and was high intensity creating space for McDavid. The issue is that Marner was covered because Reinhart was too slow to be opening space.

To keep in mind: We are not playing against nobodies here, the Swedes are all elite too so some of our guys will get covered. McDavid is his own downfall as well, he doesn't shoot enough and that's hard on his linemates because it becomes predictable.

lol to Reinhart not being at the same level as Marner. The guy scored 57 goals last year, he’s elite defensively and he’s not a ghost in the playoffs. Marner wishes he was as useful as Reinhart.

I actually saw Reinhart pin a guy to the boards and win a physical puck battle last night. Can’t say I’ve ever seen Mitch do that in his NHL career.