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

[NyQuil]

As for Stanley Cups wins...

Canada has 21 Stanley Cup wins and the U.S. has 4.

Apples and oranges for a short tournament like this IMO.

 

[ORRFForever]

Apples and oranges for a short tournament like this IMO.

Every year we proudly say how many Canadians are in the Stanley Cup finals. How many Canadian players are "winners" and willing to do what it takes. All that "winning" certainly can't hurt.

 

[Crosby2010]

Re : "I don't get Konecny there. He is having a nice start to the year, but so? I'd have rather seen a Lafreniere/Bedard type in there. "

No me. I like him - LAF and Bedard are simply too inconsistent.

Re : "Scheifele was tailor made for this team too. Because the size of the forwards is suspect. Not a lot of beef up front vs. the Americans"

Agree. I wanted Scheifele and his size will be missed.

Re : "Loads of skill, so they'll ride that"

Yes. Posters in the Canadian Junior thread are complaining we didn't bring enough skill. Here, posters will complain we have too much. Hockey Canada can't win.

TBH, I'd prefer we lose this and win at the Olympics. Having said that, we have the best team / players.

I was surprised who the U.S. left off their rosters. They could have done better. Maybe even MUCH better.

I think we'll win this and the Olympics. There is always a bit of panic when a team is announced. And the USA has the best team they've ever iced since 1996/1998. But we'll still win. We still have the best team on paper. They were talking about the USA on TSN looking better than us. They don't. Goaltending, that's it. And Binnington will be fine. Or Hill. Our defense is better. Their defense is good but man are they small on the back end. Up front they left some talent at home like we did. Thompson and Caufield not making the team surprises me. Looks like they did what we did and added some role players/all around guys to play that 200ft. game. But we also have Cooper back behind the bench. I am sure he can make it in a way that we have either one of McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby or Makar on the ice at all times. You ride these guys and you'll be just fine. Matthews is the Americans' best player and despite being in his 9th year he has never done anything worthwhile when the game was on the line. I am a Leaf fan, so I see it all of the time. They talk about his defense, sorry, I just never see it with Matthews. He's alright positionally, but he just looks confused in the defensive end all of the time, slow moving, not physical, etc. I don't understand how he was a Selke finalist last year. But whatever.

You do need those two-way guys. That will prove to pay off I think. It isn't as if these guys picking the teams didn't hash over this constantly. Think of a guy like Stone and how hard he will be to play against. I can remember back in 2014 when the team was announced a guy I work with was distraught and said "We're going to lose big time!" Funny looking back at it, but it was the same fear then too. He felt we left some talent at home, and we did. But there was a reason for some of the picks too. It is the best TEAM, not necessarily the best individuals. If your best team includes all of your star players then so be it, but this is the norm for Canada, they always pick those two-way guys to fill a role. Think Brendan Morrow, even Shane Doan. Ryan Smyth. Or Brent Sutter.

 

[MikeK]

I think the 4 Nations Tourney is going to be a good indication on just how much our goaltending is going to hold us back. Canada has the depth up front to get the job done but in my lifetime Canada has never had such a weak goalie pool.

 

[jj cale]

I think we'll win this and the Olympics. There is always a bit of panic when a team is announced. And the USA has the best team they've ever iced since 1996/1998. But we'll still win. We still have the best team on paper. They were talking about the USA on TSN looking better than us. They don't. Goaltending, that's it. And Binnington will be fine. Or Hill. Our defense is better. Their defense is good but man are they small on the back end. Up front they left some talent at home like we did. Thompson and Caufield not making the team surprises me. Looks like they did what we did and added some role players/all around guys to play that 200ft. game. But we also have Cooper back behind the bench. I am sure he can make it in a way that we have either one of McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby or Makar on the ice at all times. You ride these guys and you'll be just fine. Matthews is the Americans' best player and despite being in his 9th year he has never done anything worthwhile when the game was on the line. I am a Leaf fan, so I see it all of the time. They talk about his defense, sorry, I just never see it with Matthews. He's alright positionally, but he just looks confused in the defensive end all of the time, slow moving, not physical, etc. I don't understand how he was a Selke finalist last year. But whatever.

You do need those two-way guys. That will prove to pay off I think. It isn't as if these guys picking the teams didn't hash over this constantly. Think of a guy like Stone and how hard he will be to play against. I can remember back in 2014 when the team was announced a guy I work with was distraught and said "We're going to lose big time!" Funny looking back at it, but it was the same fear then too. He felt we left some talent at home, and we did. But there was a reason for some of the picks too. It is the best TEAM, not necessarily the best individuals. If your best team includes all of your star players then so be it, but this is the norm for Canada, they always pick those two-way guys to fill a role. Think Brendan Morrow, even Shane Doan. Ryan Smyth. Or Brent Sutter.

I appreciate your confidence.

 

[ORRFForever]

I think we'll win this and the Olympics. There is always a bit of panic when a team is announced. And the USA has the best team they've ever iced since 1996/1998. But we'll still win. We still have the best team on paper. They were talking about the USA on TSN looking better than us. They don't. Goaltending, that's it. And Binnington will be fine. Or Hill. Our defense is better. Their defense is good but man are they small on the back end. Up front they left some talent at home like we did. Thompson and Caufield not making the team surprises me. Looks like they did what we did and added some role players/all around guys to play that 200ft. game. But we also have Cooper back behind the bench. I am sure he can make it in a way that we have either one of McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby or Makar on the ice at all times. You ride these guys and you'll be just fine. Matthews is the Americans' best player and despite being in his 9th year he has never done anything worthwhile when the game was on the line. I am a Leaf fan, so I see it all of the time. They talk about his defense, sorry, I just never see it with Matthews. He's alright positionally, but he just looks confused in the defensive end all of the time, slow moving, not physical, etc. I don't understand how he was a Selke finalist last year. But whatever.

You do need those two-way guys. That will prove to pay off I think. It isn't as if these guys picking the teams didn't hash over this constantly. Think of a guy like Stone and how hard he will be to play against. I can remember back in 2014 when the team was announced a guy I work with was distraught and said "We're going to lose big time!" Funny looking back at it, but it was the same fear then too. He felt we left some talent at home, and we did. But there was a reason for some of the picks too. It is the best TEAM, not necessarily the best individuals. If your best team includes all of your star players then so be it, but this is the norm for Canada, they always pick those two-way guys to fill a role. Think Brendan Morrow, even Shane Doan. Ryan Smyth. Or Brent Sutter.

I agree with everything you wrote minus a few points...

First, Eichel is the U.S.'s best player.

Second, Matthews' defense is strong.

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

For the record, I REALLY like H.C.'s team. Up front, it is young and fast and talented and it can score. ALL of our players are also HOT right now - the coldest player is Sid and he is the least of my worries.

I also love the D - C.P. on the backend was a perfect add.

The goaltending will be more than fine - I just wish they'd brought Thompson over Hill but I will bow to H.C. on that one.

There will always be the, "This team will NOT medal", posters. I remember them back in 2002 and they'll always be there, waiting / hoping to be the first person to scream, "I told you so". Still, overall and on paper, we have the best team.

Could we lose? Of course and, if we do, no big deal - I'd much prefer winning the Olympics and if losing this silly little tournament lights a fire under the team, all the better.

 

[ORRFForever]

I think the 4 Nations Tourney is going to be a good indication on just how much our goaltending is going to hold us back. Canada has the depth up front to get the job done but in my lifetime Canada has never had such a weak goalie pool.

It will play out one of 2 ways...

Either the goaltending does well and everyone says, "I knew the fears were overblown", or someone <bleeps> the bed in a big game and everyone screams in unison, "Something has to be done about the goaltending!!!!".

2 of our goalies have won the Cup. What other nation in this tournament can say that? What other nation even has one?

 

[Crosby2010]

I think the 4 Nations Tourney is going to be a good indication on just how much our goaltending is going to hold us back. Canada has the depth up front to get the job done but in my lifetime Canada has never had such a weak goalie pool.

I worry about the depth more than anything. As others have said we have two goalies that have won a Cup. The only goalies in this tournament with a Cup win are on our team. But it is the fact that we don't have a strong pool of goalies in the NHL. 20 years ago we had half of the goalies in the NHL. Roy didn't play in 2002. Okay fine. Brodeur, Joseph and Belfour were there. We had to leave off Burke, Luongo and others. Theodore was in the middle of a Hart season. Potvin was still good, Osgood was just regularly good, Turco, even Thibault, were all solid goalies. That's the issue today, just no depth.

If I were to pick a year where the goaltending was as weak on our team as now I can't. But I would say 1987 would have made me awfully nervous if Fuhr wasn't up to the task. You had Hextall and Hrudey there. However, there were good goalies in the NHL not picked as well.

It will play out one of 2 ways...

Either the goaltending does well and everyone says, "I knew the fears were overblown", or someone <bleeps> the bed in a big game and everyone screams in unison, "Something has to be done about the goaltending!!!!".

2 of our goalies have won the Cup. What other nation in this tournament can say that? What other nation even has one?

Russia........................if they let them play. But 2014 is the last time a goalie that wasn't Russian or Canadian has won the Cup. Look, even in 1981 Mike Liut was a Pearson winner and he kept that final game close. It was 3-1 going into the 3rd. Then the floodgates opened up. Maybe Lafleur can try to block a shot instead of literally clearing a path for Krutov (I think it was?). But even in that 8-1 shellacking we didn't lose because Liut blew it. We just couldn't score and the Soviets scored in bunches at the end. Lots was wrong in that game. And I'll tell you what, none of the teams we are playing are the 1981 Soviets. And we still beat them a few days earlier 7-3. Our goalies will be fine. With that team in front of them it should be fine.

I appreciate your confidence.

The only people saying Canada is going to lose is Canadians. You think the Americans wouldn't want a trifecta of McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar? To top it off Crosby in there. They'd trade with us. I can confidently say I would not make a trade with any other roster. We'll win this thing.

I agree with everything you wrote minus a few points...

First, Eichel is the U.S.'s best player.

Second, Matthews' defense is strong.

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

For the record, I REALLY like H.C.'s team. Up front, it is young and fast and talented and it can score. ALL of our players are also HOT right now - the coldest player is Sid and he is the least of my worries.

I also love the D - C.P. on the backend was a perfect add.

The goaltending will be more than fine - I just wish they'd brought Thompson over Hill but I will bow to H.C. on that one.

There will always be the, "This team will NOT medal", posters. I remember them back in 2002 and they'll always be there, waiting / hoping to be the first person to scream, "I told you so". Still, overall and on paper, we have the best team.

Could we lose? Of course and, if we do, no big deal - I'd much prefer winning the Olympics and if losing this silly little tournament lights a fire under the team, all the better.

I just don't see it like others do with Matthews defensively. Maybe I am too much of a critic of him. Either way, he's never answered the bell in the postseason. Marner hasn't either, but Marner is going to be teamed with someone (McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby) who has, so no worries there. I'd have liked Binnington, Hill and Thompson. Or Skinner as the 3rd guy. I don't get Montembault on there. You never pick a goalie because you want them to have experience, you pick them thinking that it is possible they actually suit up and play.

And I agree with you. I don't know if I can remember a time when there wasn't harsh critics of Team Canada when the team was picked. I can remember 2002 when we lost to Sweden in the 1st game. Mario looked like an "old tractor" according to a Swedish newspaper. And then we never lost again and the Swedes lost to Belarus, who we beat 7-1. Don't get me wrong I can remember being mad after that 1st game but there was this panic in Canada as if all of our first borns died. I can remember Al MacInnis saying after the game that he knows the fans wish we could win every game but it doesn't always work out. In other words, they were still confident they would win. They were the best team after all. And they did win. Isn't it funny how people thought this team was too old and it ends up being Mario, Sakic and Yzerman who star on it?

I can remember when Canada lost to the U.S. in 2010 in the round robin game I was livid too. I can remember saying something to the effect of "Well, if we only added Mike Green and Stamkos to the team we'd have some more offense!" lol. Can you imagine thinking Mike Green was going to be a difference with that Hall of Fame defense? That's just how it is. There are funny things people panic over in the middle of a tournament. 2014 we literally did not trail for a single minute of the entire tournament and I can remember people thinking we were dead meat against the Americans in the semis simply because they had Jonathan Quick. Yeah, but we had Carey Price. It all worked out right?

 

[jj cale]

The only people saying Canada is going to lose is Canadians. You think the Americans wouldn't want a trifecta of McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar? To top it off Crosby in there. They'd trade with us. I can confidently say I would not make a trade with any other roster. We'll win this thing.

With Eichel. Matthews, Hughes and Hughes at their disposal ( this is to say nothing of the rest of the team, heck.......they left a guy like Thompson off their roster) I don't think they are too worried they don't have those 4 guys you mentioned.

You are underrating their top nucleus.

 

[Mathieukferland]

The only people saying Canada is going to lose is Canadians

My favourite type of person on these boards or on social media is the fan of X Canadian team who says they hope Canada loses or will support another country because Y player from their team wasn’t selected

I just don't see it like others do with Matthews defensively.

He’s good at straight line forechecking and breaking up breakouts 200ft from his own net below the opposition goal line, but the way he’s talked about in the Toronto media you’d think he’s the second coming of Bob Gainey. He’s just an average in zone defender in termd of positions and routes and is below average in breaking up play in the neutral zone. It’s really only the forechecking he’s above average at. If he played in Columbus hé wouldn’t be considered a selke candidate

 

[ORRFForever]

With Eichel. Matthews, Hughes and Hughes at their disposal ( this is to say nothing of the rest of the team, heck.......they left a guy like Thompson off their roster) I don't think they are too worried they don't have those 4 guys you mentioned.

You are underrating their top nucleus.

Well, my friend, you are getting good odds (for the U.S.) on the betting market so I suggest you jump at it.

I am off to shovel and then to swim - then I am off to the Convent.

 

[jj cale]

Well, my friend, you are getting good odds (for the U.S.) on the betting market so I suggest you jump at it.

I am off to shovel and then to swim - then I am off to the Convent.

I don't believe in gambling.

My favourite type of person on these boards or on social media is the fan of X Canadian team who says they hope Canada loses or will support another country because Y player from their team wasn’t selected

God I despise them.

 

[ORRFForever]

I don't believe in gambling.


God I despise them.

Good man.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Seeing as we'll be part of America by then, I don't know why we should be worried.

 

[Grifter3511]

I think we'll win this and the Olympics. There is always a bit of panic when a team is announced. And the USA has the best team they've ever iced since 1996/1998. But we'll still win. We still have the best team on paper. They were talking about the USA on TSN looking better than us. They don't. Goaltending, that's it. And Binnington will be fine. Or Hill. Our defense is better. Their defense is good but man are they small on the back end. Up front they left some talent at home like we did. Thompson and Caufield not making the team surprises me. Looks like they did what we did and added some role players/all around guys to play that 200ft. game. But we also have Cooper back behind the bench. I am sure he can make it in a way that we have either one of McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby or Makar on the ice at all times. You ride these guys and you'll be just fine. Matthews is the Americans' best player and despite being in his 9th year he has never done anything worthwhile when the game was on the line. I am a Leaf fan, so I see it all of the time. They talk about his defense, sorry, I just never see it with Matthews. He's alright positionally, but he just looks confused in the defensive end all of the time, slow moving, not physical, etc. I don't understand how he was a Selke finalist last year. But whatever.

You do need those two-way guys. That will prove to pay off I think. It isn't as if these guys picking the teams didn't hash over this constantly. Think of a guy like Stone and how hard he will be to play against. I can remember back in 2014 when the team was announced a guy I work with was distraught and said "We're going to lose big time!" Funny looking back at it, but it was the same fear then too. He felt we left some talent at home, and we did. But there was a reason for some of the picks too. It is the best TEAM, not necessarily the best individuals. If your best team includes all of your star players then so be it, but this is the norm for Canada, they always pick those two-way guys to fill a role. Think Brendan Morrow, even Shane Doan. Ryan Smyth. Or Brent Sutter.

I disagree. I believe USA's defense is better than Canada's. And I think in an exhibition style tournament that is taking the place of the frickin All-Star game, of all things, physicality will not be nearly as vital and prominent as it would be at the Olympics or a traditional Canada/World Cup.

My favourite type of person on these boards or on social media is the fan of X Canadian team who says they hope Canada loses or will support another country because Y player from their team wasn’t selected

What about Canadians who pull for other countries because their favourite player(s) is from there and not from Canada?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Seeing as we'll be part of America by then, I don't know why we should be worried.

51st state? The question everyone would want to know before it happens is if it increases the Leafs chances to win the Cup.

 

[jj cale]

Monty with the shutout, my guy.

Come in playing well big fella.

 

[HockeyWooot]

With Eichel. Matthews, Hughes and Hughes at their disposal ( this is to say nothing of the rest of the team, heck.......they left a guy like Thompson off their roster) I don't think they are too worried they don't have those 4 guys you mentioned.

You are underrating their top nucleus.

This. In terms of players who are often the best player on the ice in any given game, US stack up well in terms of count.


Matthews Eichel Hughes Hughes Hellebuyck

v

McDavid Mackinnon Makar Reinhart Stone

Not to say which group is superior, rather for illustrative purposes that it isn’t Canada in a landslide as some suggest.

 

[Nucks2001]

This. In terms of players who are often the best player on the ice in any given game, US stack up well in terms of count.


Matthews Eichel Hughes Hughes Hellebuyck

v

McDavid Mackinnon Makar Reinhart Stone

Not to say which group is superior, rather for illustrative purposes that it isn’t Canada in a landslide as some suggest.

Not sure what you’re talking about, there’s a big gap between the top-end talent:

McDavid HUGE gap Matthews
MacKinnon HUGE gap Eichel
Makar HUGE gap Q.Hughes *As a Canucks Fan

Jack Hughes, Kyle Connor, the Tkachuks might be slightly better offensive options than Crosby, Point, Stone, Reinhart or Marner, but the difference is pretty negligible and I like the much better 2-way play the Canadian players provide.

The Americans do have more established depth guys though and I like the Boldy pick better than the Jarvis one. Kreider, Trochek and Larkin provide skilled 2-way play in the bottom 6 and are better than Sam Bennett or Anthony Cirelli. You also have some guys that can provide some offensive juice in the bottom 6 like JT Miller and Jake Guenztel, which I think Canada may regret bringing someone like a Thomas or Suzuki in their bottom 6.

 

[ORRFForever]

With Eichel. Matthews, Hughes and Hughes at their disposal ( this is to say nothing of the rest of the team, heck.......they left a guy like Thompson off their roster) I don't think they are too worried they don't have those 4 guys you mentioned.

You are underrating their top nucleus.

You're a great guy, JJ, but PLEASE stop. I can't take the negativity / pessimism - EVERY tournament. If you weren't you, I would have blocked you years ago.

 

[jj cale]

You're a great guy, JJ, but PLEASE stop. I can't take the negativity / pessimism - EVERY tournament. If you weren't you, I would have blocked you years ago.

I'm just calling it like it is, I still think we can win, it's Canada after all.

The team will be good.

 

[ORRFForever]

I'm just calling it like it is, I still think we can win, it's Canada after all.

The team will be good.

You are a GREAT guy and a GOOD poster (smile) but I'm worried I will block you one day (because of the pessimism) and I do NOT want to do that.

 

[jj cale]

You are a GREAT guy and a GOOD poster (smile) but I'm worried I will block you one day (because of the pessimism) and I do NOT want to do that.

What pessimism? I am just making a considered evaluation of roster strength from the goalies on out.

I'm behind the team 100% as always, you know that

 

[ORRFForever]

What pessimism?

 

[jj cale]

You're confusing pessimism with honest evaluation.

We're going to be good and compete hard, we've got top end talent..............we'll be fine OF.

chin up