HF Habs: 4 Nations Face-Off

[Ozmodiar]

They might be looking for a 4th line of players with more of a defense/energy/physical profile.

Suzuki is more cerebral, offense, clutch, leadership. They have that already. NS, while smart defensively, is not gonna be a physical challenge for opponents.

 

[Vachon23]

Marchand is on the team and he absolutely sucks this year. They're going to play favorites per usual. Suzuki isn't one of those.

I believe Wilson is on the team to counter the Tkachuk brothers.

Too bad there isn't an All Star game as I'm pretty sure Caufield would have went to his 1st one. I don’t expect CC to make it either despite being the highest scoring American.

Oh well, they all get 2 weeks off now & can go have some fun in the sun. You know someone is getting injured in this tournament and if they don't it's probably because they're All Star quality games.

I don’t think Marchand would have made team if he wasn’t already name.

Wilson could make it yes as a checking energy guy

 

[le_sean]

I don't think any of them made it. I expect Robert Thomas to have made it. The organizers will pick their guys. Thomas is one. Plus has a Stanley Cup.

To be fair he was a passenger on that Cup run. But Suzuki could be a RW with Thomas at centre. I think they’d surprise a lot of people with how much they contribute at both ends.

 

[Picaroon]

That’s why I could see them bringing a ROR/Couturier as 13th forward to use on those specific role. They have so many offensive talent in top 9, I think they will bring players that can bring specific things on the 4th line (like Konecny as an energy player).

Do we see Suzuki being use as an energy or defensive player? For me, the answer is no

Well sounds like you were right. Leaving him off will likely be a decision I disagree with. I do think he could make a great defensive line 4 with Konecny, himself and Stone. I'm curious who they think is a better fit. I could see them going off the board with someone like Lowry.

 

[Vachon23]

There are worse options too. Like if they invite Barzal, Bedard, Celebrini, among others

I expect more guys like Hagel/Cirelli/Konecny

 

[le_sean]

They might be looking for a 4th line of players with more of a defense/energy/physical profile.

Suzuki is more cerebral, offense, clutch, leadership. They have that already. NS, while smart defensively, is not gonna be a physical challenge for opponents.

Yes, Team Canada has always had a knack for inviting bums like Kris Draper and Brendan Morrow

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I don’t think Marchand would have made team if he wasn’t already name.

Wilson could make it yes as a checking energy guy

Maybe Marchand gives up his spot & takes the 2 weeks off to rest for the last 3rd of the season.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I don't know if Denis said it as a source of info or a belief. I didn't listen to the segment to hear exactly what he said.

 

[le_sean]

I expect more guys like Hagel/Cirelli/Konecny

And I’d be interested to know what exactly Hagel and Cirelli bring more than Nick other than skating

Like Cirelli’s best offensive season is Nick’s worst. There’s zero reason to have him there

 

[Picaroon]

I expect more guys like Hagel/Cirelli/Konecny

The more I dig into it, If Suzuki isn't their guy for the 4c role, I think it's Cirelli.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Yes, Team Canada has always had a knack for inviting bums like Kris Draper and Brendan Morrow

I mean Team USA took Justin Abdelkader over Phil Kessel in 2014 for the Olympics. Lol They ended up losing 1-0 to Canada in SF. They couldn't come close to scoring.

 

[EveryDay]

The more I dig into it, If Suzuki isn't their guy for the 4c role, I think it's Cirelli.

Cirelli is amazing this year and one of the best on the PK in the league. It would make sense.

 

[Vachon23]

And I’d be interested to know what exactly Hagel and Cirelli bring more than Nick other than skating

Like Cirelli’s best offensive season is Nick’s worst. There’s zero reason to have him there

Cirelli is a better defensive player and Hagel is better energy/forechek player

They are building a team not an all star team. They already have their offensive guys

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I don't know if Denis said it as a source of info or a belief. I didn't listen to the segment to hear exactly what he said.

Not a surprise with D'Accord unable to play.

It's going to be Binnington, Hill & Montembeault. The only other players even under consideration were D'Accord & Logan Thompson. Every other Canadian goaltender is vomit inducing. Skinner?

 

[le_sean]

Cirelli is a better defensive player and Hagel is better energy/forechek player

They are building a team not an all star team. They already have their offensive guys

Suzuki is good defensively. The difference between him and Cirelli defensively is not half the production. This is Team Canada, there’s no need to sacrifice in one area. You can find players that excel at both. If you tell Suzuki his role is 4th line defensive, he’ll do it better than Cirelli, I have zero doubts about that.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

Yes, Team Canada has always had a knack for inviting bums like Kris Draper and Brendan Morrow

I was only like 12 at the time, but even I had no clue what the f*** Rob Zamuner was doing on the team in 1998.

 

[le_sean]

I was only like 12 at the time, but even I had no clue what the f*** Rob Zamuner was doing on the team in 1998.

Bobby Clarke chose the team. It reflected how dumb he was. The 7th leading scorer of the 1997-98 NHL season, Ron Francis, got to stay home. Adam Oates too. Lo and behold, the team couldn’t find a way to score.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Mitch Marner in important games with a Maple Leaf on his chest - can't say you are taking a bottom 6 to build a team that can win, and take Mitch Marner.

 

[Leto]

I mean Team USA took Justin Abdelkader over Phil Kessel in 2014 for the Olympics. Lol They ended up losing 1-0 to Canada in SF. They couldn't come close to scoring.

I believe it was the 2026 WC. Phil was there at Sochi.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Bobby Clarke chose the team. It reflected how dumb he was. The 7th leading scorer of the 1997-98 NHL season, Ron Francis, got to stay home. Adam Oates too. Lo and behold, the team couldn’t find a way to score.

I'm sure they figured all they needed was Gretzky. But, he was freaking old at the time. Canada was super arrogant at that time about our quality versus other countries other than the USA. Everyone was catching up quick in the 90s.

They figured they could leave whoever they wanted at home & still win.

At least that team lost to an absolutely epic performance by Hasek. It was a goaltending performance for the ages.

The 2006 team that went to Italy was just pathetic. The Todd Bertuzzi and Kris Draper picks. Ugh. They took no speed with them. Lost 2 games in preliminary round to finish 3rd in Division then lost to Russia in QF. They were awful all the way through.

The US took a terrible team too, finished 4th in their Division and lost in QF to Finland.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

View attachment 939313

I believe it was the 2026 WC. Phil was there at Sochi.

2016, you mean. We're still in 2024, dude.

Great post by Phil though!

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Mitch Marner in important games with a Maple Leaf on his chest - can't say you are taking a bottom 6 to build a team that can win, and take Mitch Marner.

He's going to be top 6.

 

[le_sean]

I'm sure they figured all they needed was Gretzky. But, he was freaking old at the time. Canada was super arrogant at that time about our quality versus other countries other than the USA. Everyone was catching up quick in the 90s.

They figured they could leave whoever they wanted at home & still win.

At least that team lost to an absolutely epic performance by Hasek. It was a goaltending performance for the ages.

The 2006 team that went to Italy was just pathetic. The Todd Bertuzzi and Kris Draper picks. Ugh. They took no speed with them. Lost 2 games in preliminary round to finish 3rd in Division then lost to Russia in QF. They were awful all the way through.

The US took a terrible team too, finished 4th in their Division and lost in QF to Finland.

Weird of them to be arrogant in 1998 when in 1996 they lost pretty handily to the US.

2006 team was a disaster. Somehow Canada’s kryptonite is always Switzerland.

 

[Vachon23]

Suzuki is good defensively. The difference between him and Cirelli defensively is not half the production. This is Team Canada, there’s no need to sacrifice in one area. You can find players that excel at both. If you tell Suzuki his role is 4th line defensive, he’ll do it better than Cirelli, I have zero doubts about that.

There is a massive difference between those 2 defensively though. Suzuki is fine defensively but Cirelli is elite. They already have big offensive weapon that will take all the offensive missions they don’t need Suzuki offence

 

[le_sean]

There is a massive difference between those 2 defensively though. Suzuki is fine defensively but Cirelli is elite. They already have big offensive weapon that will take all the offensive missions they don’t need Suzuki offence

Exactly what @MarkovsKnee and I were discussing

“Hey we have Gretzky, why would we need Ron Francis and Adam Oates”