Are we in Canada paranoid about 2026 or should we not be worried?

[HFpapi]

Wyatt Johnston will be on the 4 nations & Olympic teams.

 

[ORRFForever]

LAF with ANOTHER goal tonight. What strides he has taken in ONE year.

 

[ORRFForever]

Skinner was GREAT tonight.

Wyatt Johnston with another terrific goal.

Not a fan but RNH had his best game of the playoffs.

 

[ORRFForever]

Hyman-McDavid-Marner
Byfield-MacKinnon-Point
Reinhart-Bedard-Stamkos
Marchand-Crosby-Stone
Suzuki/Barzal

Toews-Makar
Theodore-Pietrangelo
Rielly-Bouchard
Dobson-Power

Hill
Jarry
Binnington/Skinner
(Hart, we'll see how things work out for him)

After the playoffs, C2010, you'll need to include LAF, Wyatt Johnston, Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett and maybe even RNH.

 

[ORRFForever]

I am going to assume Makar and Thomas are cleared to play. We need both :

- Makar is the NHL's best D-Man.
- Robert Thomas for his PPG+ and his faceoff prowess.

*********************************************************************************************************************

Hyman-McDavid*-Johnston
LAF-MacKinnon-Thomas*
Reinhart-Crosby*-Point
Verhaeghe-Stamkos*-Marner
Horvat*

* Take Faceoffs

Captain : McDavid
A's : MacKinnon, Crosby, Makar

Options : Barzal/Jarvis/Stone/Scheifele/RNH/Byfield/Bedard/Bennett/Tavares/Suzuki/Sillinger

Concern : Players who can win faceoffs - or a lack thereof.

Horvat can replace anyone on the Left Wing if they don't produce - he is also awesome in the dot.
The Right Wing looks great.

MacKinnon is surprisingly weak at winning draws so we need Thomas on his line.

Sid and Point can both win draws on the 3rd line.

We need Stamkos, even at the age of 36, winning draws on the 4th line.

*********************************************************************************************************************

Toews-Makar
Morrisey-Dobson
Theodore-Montour
Harley-Tanev
Doughty/Bouchard

A BIG nasty mix of offense and defense, experience and youth.

*********************************************************************************************************************

Skinner
Hill
Binnington

Not GREAT but not as bad as posters (myself included) make it out to be.

 

[ORRFForever]

2026 looks as good as 2016 (below) and we ran the table in 2016 so...

NAME	NUMBER	POSITION	NHL TEAM
Corey Crawford	50	Goaltender	Blackhawks
Braden Holtby	70	Goaltender	Capitals
Carey Price	1	Goaltender	Canadiens
Jay Bouwmeester	4	Defenceman	Blues
Brent Burns	88	Defenceman	Sharks
Drew Doughty	8	Defenceman	Kings
Jake Muzzin	7	Defenceman	Kings
Alex Pietrangelo	27	Defenceman	Blues
Marc-Edouard Vlasic	44	Defenceman	Sharks
Shea Weber	6	Defenceman	Canadiens
Patrice Bergeron	37	Forward	Bruins
Sidney Crosby	87	Forward	Penguins
Logan Couture	39	Forward	Sharks
Matt Duchene	9	Forward	Avalanche
Ryan Getzlaf	15	Forward	Ducks
Claude Giroux	28	Forward	Flyers
Brad Marchand	63	Forward	Bruins
Ryan O'Reilly	90	Forward	Sabres
Corey Perry	24	Forward	Ducks
Steven Stamkos	91	Forward	Lightning
John Tavares	20	Forward	Islanders
Joe Thornton	97	Forward	Sharks
Jonathan Toews	16	Forward	Blackhawks

 

[Nucks2001]

I know Robert Thomas is currently on the 2018 Do Not Include list but I going to assume he, along with Makar, are cleared by 2026. We need both :

Makar is the NHL's best D-Man.
Thomas for his PPG+ stats and his faceoff abilities.

*********************************************************************************************************************

Hyman-McDavid(C)*-Johnston
LAF-MacKinnon(A)-Thomas*
Reinhart-Crosby(A)*-Point
Verhaeghe-Stamkos*-Marner

* Take Faceoffs

Honourable Mentions : Horvat/Suzuki/Jarvis/Stone/Scheifele/RNH/Byfield/Bedard/Bennett

*********************************************************************************************************************

Toews-Makar
Theodore-Pietrangelo
Dobson-Bouchard
Harley-Tanev
Doughty

*********************************************************************************************************************

Skinner
Hill
Binnington

Bedard likely hits at least 40 goals and 90 points next season just watching him play. 100 points it not outta the question either. Rather have him over Stamkos or Hyman.

 

[Regal]

Bedard likely hits at least 40 goals and 90 points next season just watching him play. 100 points it not outta the question either. Rather have him over Stamkos or Hyman.

The concern for Bedard is whether he can round out his game as he’s currently a liability defensively in a tournament like this, though he should be fine with another two years under his belt. I agree on Stamkos though as he’s hugely regressed at ES himself and while his shot would help the PP, Bedard could probably provide the same thing.

 

[ORRFForever]

The concern for Bedard is whether he can round out his game as he’s currently a liability defensively in a tournament like this, though he should be fine with another two years under his belt. I agree on Stamkos though as he’s hugely regressed at ES himself and while his shot would help the PP, Bedard could probably provide the same thing.

Stamkos is amazing at faceoffs - Bedard is not. I'll take Stamkos's shot, size and faceoffs.

Bedard is not ready - hope he proves me wrong.

********************************************************************************************************

Sam Bennett is having himself quite a playoff run. Remember when he was a major bust?

 

[Nucks2001]

The concern for Bedard is whether he can round out his game as he’s currently a liability defensively in a tournament like this, though he should be fine with another two years under his belt. I agree on Stamkos though as he’s hugely regressed at ES himself and while his shot would help the PP, Bedard could probably provide the same thing.

Agreed. The only Canadian offensive minds that are better than Bedard rn are McDavid, Mack, Crosby and arguably Marner. That’s it. I just don’t see how you can leave that type of talent off a Team Canada roster.

I am going to assume Makar and Thomas are cleared to play. We need both :

- Makar is the NHL's best D-Man.
- Robert Thomas for his PPG+ and his faceoff prowess.

*********************************************************************************************************************

Hyman-McDavid*-Johnston
LAF-MacKinnon-Thomas*
Reinhart-Crosby*-Point
Verhaeghe-Stamkos*-Marner
Horvat*

* Take Faceoffs

Captain : McDavid
A's : MacKinnon, Crosby, Makar

Options : Barzal/Jarvis/Stone/Scheifele/RNH/Byfield/Bedard/Bennett/Tavares/Suzuki/Sillinger

Concern : Players who can win faceoffs - or a lack thereof.

I would love to pull Hyman and replace him with Horvat but McDavid has chemistry with Hyman.

MacKinnon is surprisingly weak at winning draws so we need Thomas on his line.

Sid and Point can both win draws on the 3rd line.

We need Stamkos, even at the age of 36, winning draws on the 4th line.

*********************************************************************************************************************

Toews-Makar
Theodore-Pietrangelo
Dobson-Bouchard
Harley-Tanev
Doughty

A lot of same team familiarity - that's always a plus.

A nice mix of young and old.

*********************************************************************************************************************

Skinner
Hill
Binnington

Not GREAT but not as bad as posters (myself included) make it out to be.

No Josh Morrisey? Love Tanev as a Canucks fan and he’s one of the best shutdown guys in the league, but he’s getting cooked with speed on international ice. I do wonder how Pietrangelo and Doughty age, but less concerned about them as they still provide that offensive upside. Love the addition of Thomas Harley and agreed, Robert Thomas is a key part of this roster.

 

[ORRFForever]

FOR ALL THE CANADIAN POSTERS WHO FRET THAT OUR D IS BEHIND THE U.S...

How did Quinn Hughes, Adam Fox, K Miller and Charlie McAvoy look in the playoffs? Pretty ordinary, huh?

The BEST half dozen D-Men in the playoffs have been (in alphabetical order)

Bouchard
Forsling
Lindell
Makar
Montour
Tanev

Honourable Mention goes to Drew Doughty who was L.A.'s best player by a wide margin before getting bounced after 5 games.

 

[FastEddie]

Re : "Just imagine if another country had this kind of gold medal haul since the start of the decade, nobody has won more than this so far this decade, they'd be boasting and salivating about the future of their hockey program and so excited for 2026, but here in Canada some people still aren't satisfied with how often we're actually winning."

I've been beefing about this forever. Canadians have an inferiority complex.

It's not like we invented it or anything, have the record as the greatest country at the sport, and yet demographics are trending against us.

Think he’s referring to more skilled goal scorers. Down years from both Tkachuk and Robertson. Eichel and Connor likely would have hit 40 if not for injury as well. Jack Hughes was injured for the majority of the season as well and JUST AN ABYSMAL YEAR BY TAGE THOMPSON.

The USA has more historical 40-50 goal scorers. While this is Reinhart and Hyman’s first years breaking 50.

Not to say that Canada has ample 40-50 goal scorers in Mack, Crosby and Point. We cannot disregard the fact that McDavid could have gone for another 60 goal season, but remained passive this season. Also huge breakthroughs from high volume shooters such as Verhaege, Marchesseault and Stamkos continuing to stay in form.our list of 30+ goal scorers outnumbers any nation by a good portion. Certainly not a shortage of goal scorers in Canada though I will admit the top-end of our goal scorers are certainly being challenged by the ole USA

Thanks for having my back, but how do you not mention Matthews, the Rocket winner, in a post like this where you're listing them off? Too obvious, I guess.

 

[Crosby2010]

After the playoffs, C2010, you'll need to include LAF, Wyatt Johnston, Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett and maybe even RNH.

Hyman does look out of place on any sort of list, I think. Laf is definitely belonging now, especially two years from now. My goodness, what will it take for the Rangers to put that guy on their top power play? An elimination game in the Stanley Cup final? Nope, not even that. Wyatt is definitely looking good. Not sure about Verhaeghe, he might get a shot, but as a left winger like Nuge would be the only place for him. Don't know about Bennett either. He is certainly useful and one of those guys I wish the Leafs had for a playoff run, but in a short tournament how does he fit in with the elite players? Not sure.

 

[Crosby2010]

Stamkos is amazing at faceoffs - Bedard is not. I'll take Stamkos's shot, size and faceoffs.

Bedard is not ready - hope he proves me wrong.

********************************************************************************************************

Sam Bennett is having himself quite a playoff run. Remember when he was a major bust?

I think Bedard not only is there but thrives. Look at him this year in the World Championship. Being almost a point per game on Chicago as an 18 year old is incredible. That team had no one, and their goal scoring took a nosedive when he was injured. But even with him that was an awful team. He's got two years to prove he belongs, and I think he'll be a top 10 player in the NHL by then, maybe better. Hard to imagine him NOT there.

 

[Crosby2010]

What's interesting is that Canada has never lost a best-on-best tournament due to poor goaltending. You could say that Joseph was outplayed by Richter in 1996, and Roy was outplayed by Hasek in 1998, but goaltending wasn't even close to the primary reason Canada lost those tournaments. Even in the abysmal 2006 Olympics, Canada got really strong goaltending from Brodeur and Luongo.

There is a real risk that goaltending will be our downfall in 2025 and 2026. Its our achilles heel, of that I have absolutely no doubt. At this point our best bet is that someone gets hot over a playoff run and the start of 2025-26 and clarifies at least the #1 goaltending spot for us, but I'm not sure that is going to happen. More likely, we'll have a number of B to B+ options (guys like Hill, Binnington) and hope that one or two of of them step up and provide us with a solid tandem option. And batten down the hatches defensively with an emphasis on strong defensive d-men and forwards.

The 4 losses in the best on best are as follows: 1981, 1996, 1998 and 2006. I don't disagree with you on most of what you posted. Start with 1996. Richter played out of his mind in Game 3 and Joseph played alright but collapsed the final 3-4 minutes. However, there was more wrong with this team than that. Lots of omissions, strange picks and even stranger line combinations. I don't think Joseph blew it so to speak as he was brilliant in double overtime vs. Sweden to get us to the final (remember the partial breakaway save on Sundin?). 1998 definitely not a problem with goaltending. Roy was great. 1 goal allowed in the semi final and one shootout goal. Not to mention in 5 goals in 5 games until the 3 goals allowed in the bronze medal game vs. Finland. Brodeur or Joseph should have been in for that game as they would have had more to gain from it and were fresh and had not just lost the semi final. But either way, no way is goaltending to blame. No chance. 2006 it was a suspicious lack of scoring, not goaltending. Final game was 2-0 Russia, not Brodeur's fault.

Okay, but 1981, let's admit, this was partially due to goaltending. That was a great team in front of Liut, loads of Hall of Famers. Maybe some wily vets not picked that should have been, but there is no way this team should have lost 8-1. I'll give Liut credit, it was 3-1 after two periods in the final for Russia. Only in the 3rd period did he contribute to Canada's implosion. I'll give Lafleur some heck here too, when the game was 4-1 and Canada was on the power play he literally stepped aside and let the Russians score. It was terrible defense. Sure Liut could have stopped it, but that team did leave him out to dry at times in the 3rd. So that game is never the sad sack goaltending performance that many think it was. Liut didn't play well, but this guy was the Pearson winner in 1981, and finished 2nd in Hart voting. Was a 1st team all-star too. Don Edwards was the back up, and maybe things are different with him but in reality when Billy Smith got hurt in training camp that was probably their biggest weapon in net. He had just won back to back Cups. I think he's in there for sure over Liut and that would have likely made a difference. So I'll say 1981 comes to mind as a time when goaltending was at least part of the reason for the collapse. However, the team itself collapsed in front of him. So it isn't all him.

That bodes well for Skinner/Binnington and co trying to bring gold home. He is going to have to play horribly bad to be the reason Canada loses. Historically speaking it has almost never been our downfall. I will say in 1972 without the comeback in the 3rd period had we lost that game and series there would be a lot of blame going around but probably none worse than towards Dryden. But................we still won, and he came around in the 3rd, so there's that.

 

[Nucks2001]

It's not like we invented it or anything, have the record as the greatest country at the sport, and yet demographics are trending against us.

Thanks for having my back, but how do you not mention Matthews, the Rocket winner, in a post like this where you're listing them off? Too obvious, I guess.

I was more listing Americans that had a down-year in the goal scoring department or were injured to show that the USA’s high-end goal scoring talent is just as good as Canada’s right now despite they’re being more Canadian 40+ and 50+ goal scorers right now. Matthews is Matthews when it comes to goal scoring. No need to mention him

 

[ORRFForever]

Thanks for having my back, but how do you not mention Matthews, the Rocket winner, in a post like this where you're listing them off? Too obvious, I guess.

??? You lost me. Help me understand.

Hyman does look out of place on any sort of list, I think.

But why does Hyman look out of place?

I'm not being smart with you. I am wondering because I feel the same way. Eventually, WE need to give Hyman credit where credit is due. Eventually, we have to accept that he belongs - add the fact that he plays really well with McDavid and he becomes a no brainer.

 

[ORRFForever]

I think Bedard not only is there but thrives. Look at him this year in the World Championship. Being almost a point per game on Chicago as an 18 year old is incredible. That team had no one, and their goal scoring took a nosedive when he was injured. But even with him that was an awful team. He's got two years to prove he belongs, and I think he'll be a top 10 player in the NHL by then, maybe better. Hard to imagine him NOT there.

I hope you're right but I was disappointed in him at the WC. He looked small and out of place. Let's hope that motives him.

 

[ORRFForever]

Not sure about Verhaeghe, he might get a shot, but as a left winger like Nuge would be the only place for him. Don't know about Bennett either. He is certainly useful and one of those guys I wish the Leafs had for a playoff run, but in a short tournament how does he fit in with the elite players? Not sure.

Verhaeghe is a winner. He comes thru when it counts.

I used to be someone who believed in putting only high scoring talent out there - even on the 4th line, but I've changed my mind. On my 4th line, I want guys who are tough to play against and can score.

As a Leaf fan, if we want to slow Matthews down, we have to disrupt his rhythm - teams do that in the playoffs and it works like a charm. A tough 4th line, that can also score, will do exactly that.

 

[ORRFForever]

What's interesting is that Canada has never lost a best-on-best tournament due to poor goaltending. You could say that Joseph was outplayed by Richter in 1996, and Roy was outplayed by Hasek in 1998, but goaltending wasn't even close to the primary reason Canada lost those tournaments. Even in the abysmal 2006 Olympics, Canada got really strong goaltending from Brodeur and Luongo.

There is a real risk that goaltending will be our downfall in 2025 and 2026. Its our achilles heel, of that I have absolutely no doubt. At this point our best bet is that someone gets hot over a playoff run and the start of 2025-26 and clarifies at least the #1 goaltending spot for us, but I'm not sure that is going to happen. More likely, we'll have a number of B to B+ options (guys like Hill, Binnington) and hope that one or two of of them step up and provide us with a solid tandem option. And batten down the hatches defensively with an emphasis on strong defensive d-men and forwards.

Skinner has looked pretty darn good - and he does NOT have a GREAT D in front of him.

Bouchard and Ekholm have worked nicely (together) but Nurse and Ceci are mistake prone dummies on the 2nd and 3rd line. Imagine having those 2 in front of you?

It's odds... Even against goalies he's outplaying, Skinner does not give fans (Oilers of Canadian) confidence. Not sure why.

 

[ORRFForever]

A U.S. player that Canada will need to worry about is Eichel. He is the best most complete U.S. player / forward.

 

[ORRFForever]

Nuge

I'm not as big a fan of Nuge as I should be. Not sure why. Based on the TV commentators and his coach, he plays a PERFECT game.

I want Jarvis but I don't know where to put him.

 

[Crosby2010]

??? You lost me. Help me understand.


But why does Hyman look out of place?

I'm not being smart with you. I am wondering because I feel the same way. Eventually, WE need to give Hyman credit where credit is due. Eventually, we have to accept that he belongs - add the fact that he plays really well with McDavid and he becomes a no brainer.

For starters, it is two years from now. Hyman was a 40 point guy on the Leafs and while Matthews is not McDavid nor is he the type that makes his teammates better by playmaking, he still only had those numbers playing on a team with Matthews and sometimes Marner. But on Edmonton Hyman couldn't tie his shoes without an assist from McDavid. Therefore he isn't the individual talent that would normally make that team. He's Chris Kunitz if anything. And you all know how we complain about Kunitz. He may not be an Oiler in two years, and if that's the case he is back to being a 40 point guy. There are just better names ahead of him.

I hope you're right but I was disappointed in him at the WC. He looked small and out of place. Let's hope that motives him.

Still had 8 points though. He's thrived at every level he's ever been in. I think he'll do fine. Many on here figure he will be one of the engines that drives the bus on the 2026 team

Verhaeghe is a winner. He comes thru when it counts.

I used to be someone who believed in putting only high scoring talent out there - even on the 4th line, but I've changed my mind. On my 4th line, I want guys who are tough to play against and can score.

As a Leaf fan, if we want to slow Matthews down, we have to disrupt his rhythm - teams do that in the playoffs and it works like a charm. A tough 4th line, that can also score, will do exactly that.

Matthews I am not worried about. When the chips are down he'll likely disappear as he has shown no willingness to be a big game player in his career. You might be right about Verhaeghe. He'll be 30 at the time of the Olympics. He has 5 playoff overtime goals. Anytime you do something better than even Wayne Gretzky did then you are onto something. He'd be that Chris Drury type on Canada. We'll see, because you are right he does have that big game factor to him and you can't ignore that.

 

[ORRFForever]

For starters, it is two years from now. Hyman was a 40 point guy on the Leafs and while Matthews is not McDavid nor is he the type that makes his teammates better by playmaking, he still only had those numbers playing on a team with Matthews and sometimes Marner. But on Edmonton Hyman couldn't tie his shoes without an assist from McDavid. Therefore he isn't the individual talent that would normally make that team. He's Chris Kunitz if anything. And you all know how we complain about Kunitz. He may not be an Oiler in two years, and if that's the case he is back to being a 40 point guy. There are just better names ahead of him.

You make good points about Hyman. The Chris Kunitz comparison is spot on. If it makes McDavid happy and they make magic together, that works for me - Hyman JUST scored off a McDavid feed.

As for Bedard...

IIRC, Bedard got his WC points against the early weak competition and, in my eyes, that takes away from the accomplishment. Having said that, I hope you're right - nothing would make me happier than to see Bedard dominating in a Canadian jersey.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

I think Hyman is closer to Perry than he is to Kunitz, in terms of level of production and style of play. I wouldn’t hesitate to put him on Team Canada - not something I would have said a few years ago, but players can improve and he’s a better overall player now than he was with the Leafs. We’ll need someone that can go hard to the net, score some greasy goals in tight, and win board battles in the top 6.

In the first period alone, Hyman drew a penalty with a nice power move around the net and sniped one from the slot!