Toggle sidebar

Are Stamkos and Tavares both locks for Team Canada?

  • Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates

lbj23

Registered User
Jun 22, 2017
27
43
Seems to be a debate going on currently on tsn where the guys are saying it could come down to Stamkos or Tavares making the team? I think they are both making it, what says you guys?
Click to read more...
 
Stamkos, yes. It’s really valuable to have a guy who can play both wing and C with that kind of offensive pop.

Suspect Tavares makes it as a spare forward, for leadership and depth purposes. They have better options at C and the way these teams are usually constructed, they will probably go with a more natural bottom-6 winger (e.g. Wilson) rather than ask a skilled center to play that role.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Riddum, Alexander the Gr8 and DeysArena
I wouldn't say either are locks but both are making a very good case, Stamkos especially, carrying a team right now without Kucherov, Point, and Cerelli.

Stamkos has been absolutely snake bitten with the Olympics.

2010 his sophomore season gets passed up while in the middle of scoring 51 goals and 95 points.
2014 he's leading the league in goals and points when he breaks his leg, returns to play 2 weeks after the Olympics.
2018 no NHL players.

Would be a shame if a player of his caliber never gets the chance to compete on that stage.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: TB12, KoozNetsOff 92, NHL WAR and 22 others
Stamkos will definitely get selected this year, Taveras is far from a certainly to make it.
 
Being T9 in points isn’t good enough for JT to secure a spot these days huh? I think he’d be a great third line winger on team Canada. Clearly there are better C options, but I thought he played wing on national teams before? I really can’t see him not making it to be honest. He’s still an extremely good player.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dache, HarrySPlinkett and Riddum
tarheelhockey said:
Stamkos, yes. It’s really valuable to have a guy who can play both wing and C with that kind of offensive pop.

Suspect Tavares makes it as a spare forward, for leadership and depth purposes. They have better options at C and the way these teams are usually constructed, they will probably go with a more natural bottom-6 winger (e.g. Wilson) rather than ask a skilled center to play that role.
Click to expand...
It' strange how everything you said about Stamkos is equally true for Tavares but they should take one and the other is doubtful. Doesn't seem objective.

Canada has an embarrassment of riches but both can play wing so they have good chances.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Voight
They just check too many boxes now and it's why they will get the nod over more risky guys (Kadri/Wilson).

Both having great years, great team guys, great leaders, both returnees and both were even on the same line in 2016.

Expect to see a Tavares/O'Reilly/Stamkos 4th line to be causing all kinds of nightmares for secondary matchups at the games.
 
  • Like
Reactions: The Podium
Tavares is going to make it because he did that full page ad dressed in the most ridiculous outfit.

"I'll do anything to make Team Canada"

He's a skilled player, but he's really f***ing slow.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hn777
SensontheRush said:
Tavares is going to make it because he did that full page ad dressed in the most ridiculous outfit.

"I'll do anything to make Team Canada"

He's a skilled player, but he's really f***ing slow.
Click to expand...

Yup. Not as slow as a lot of people think but it certainly could be an issue on a bigger ice surface against some teams. Canada has a wealth of fast players to rely on, though, so it might not even be an issue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Llamamoto and SensontheRush
Warden of the North said:
In the real world they should be.

I'm sure management will overthink this and we'll get Turino'd with the 2022 versions of Todd Bertuzzi and Kris Draper.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but the players that won't be selected because of that won't be Tavares and Stamkos. Both have seniority in the program. HC usually brings those guy. A guy like Dougthy is also a lock for that very reason.

In 2006, bringing Bertuzzi and Draper cost spots to younger guys like Crosby, Staal and Spezza, not vets.

Hockey Canada usually prioritize older guys with seniority in the program. They DO make exceptions though (Bouwmeester in 04, Doughty in 10 - both were on the junior team though).
 
SensontheRush said:
Tavares is going to make it because he did that full page ad dressed in the most ridiculous outfit.

"I'll do anything to make Team Canada"

He's a skilled player, but he's really f***ing slow.
Click to expand...

Yep, has nothing to do with him having a really good season, being sound defensively, and having great leadership.

You seem to not watch much of him, he isn't as slow as you lead on.
 
East Coast Icestyle said:
Yup. Not as slow as a lot of people think but it certainly could be an issue on a bigger ice surface against some teams. Canada has a wealth of fast players to rely on, though, so it might not even be an issue.
Click to expand...

I would have more concerns with Tavares (and a couple of other players) on the bigger ice surface but they announced that the tournament is going to take place on NHL rink size.
 
SensontheRush said:
Tavares is going to make it because he did that full page ad dressed in the most ridiculous outfit.

"I'll do anything to make Team Canada"

He's a skilled player, but he's really f***ing slow.
Click to expand...
He’s always been slow. He’s also always been an excellent ppg player.
 
According to the Athletic Kadri isn't eligible because he didn't make the long list, so that leaves McDavid, Stammer, Huberdeau and Tavares as the top 4 scoring players team Canada could select for this team as it stands.

Both should be on it
 
notbias said:
Yep, has nothing to do with him having a really good season, being sound defensively, and having great leadership.

You seem to not watch much of him, he isn't as slow as you lead on.
Click to expand...

That other guy did a good summary of the situation. He's slow but not that slow. I was just being intentionally provocative haha.

Though I would consider Team Canada, as drawn up today, to be overly lumbering.
 
I think they are both there. Stammer in the top two lines and Tavares as the 13th forward with the ability to plug in anywhere.
 
waitin425 said:
I think they are both there. Stammer in the top two lines and Tavares as the 13th forward with the ability to plug in anywhere.
Click to expand...

It really is crazy how a guy T9th in NHL points can be considered an option for 13th fwd. Canada is so deep. I personally think he will have a bigger role but I see the logic
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom