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

[Zybalto]

Why did you choose Hyman?

Like someone was saying earlier, he's got a long leash after last season and may be dealing with something right now. He's barely on there after last nights debacle with the Habs.

 

[Zybalto]

Jared McCann this season: 9 goals, 21 points in 19 games with a 64.52 ES goal differential


Goals/60 ranking for left wingers since the start of 2022/23 season:
1. Kaprizov
2. Forsberg
3. Ovi
4. McCann
5. Hyman
6. Kreider
7. Panarin
8. B. Tkachuk
9. Robertson
10. Kuzmenko

Talk about a guy being under the radar in the hockey world. Is he too much a defensive liability to have him on board like I do? I havnt seen a whole lot of him.

 

[ORRFForever]

Like someone was saying earlier, he's got a long leash after last season and may be dealing with something right now. He's barely on there after last nights debacle with the Habs.

Yup.

I'd rather have Duchene. Duchene is on fire and there is only 6 months difference in their age - vs Hyman. Of course, if McDavid wants Hyman, he will get him.

 

[Zybalto]

Yup.

I'd rather have Duchene. Duchene is on fire and there is only 6 months difference in their age - vs Hyman. Of course, if McDavid wants Hyman, he will get him.

Im sure we'll see the odd surprise or two once the rosters have been named. Duchene, Thomas, Bennett, Scheifele, etc.. not on my roster and making things tough. Hell, we could even get a surprise vet some considered off the team get picked.

 

[ORRFForever]

Im sure we'll see the odd surprise or two once the rosters have been named. Duchene, Thomas, Bennett, Scheifele, etc.. not on my roster and making things tough. Hell, we could even get a surprise vet some considered off the team get picked.

Brad Marchand is OLD and should NOT be on the team. We need to move on to the next generation. Unfortunately, unless he gets hurt, he'll be there.

Sid : Yes. Marchand : No!

 

[ORRFForever]

ORRFF Stats Watch (November 19, 2024)

Positives :

* Sam Reinhart with his 14 Goal.
* Mark Scheifele with his 10th, 11th and 12th Goal - HAT TRICK !!!
* Connor McDavid with his 8th and 9th Goal and 15th Assist.
* Brayden Point, back from injury, with his 9th and 10th Goal.
* Brandon Hagel with his 9th Goal.
* Jake Neighbours with his 6th Goal.
* Will Cuylle with his 6th Goal and 8th Assist.
* Evan Bouchard with his 5th Goal and 7th and 8th Assist.
* Josh Morrissey with his 16th and 17th Assist.
* Sid with his 13th Assist.
* Jordan Kyrou with his 12th Assist.
* Connor Bedard with his 11th and 12th Assist.
* Sam Bennett with his 9th Assist.
* Carter Verhaeghe with his 9th Assist.
* Robert Thomas with his 6th Assist.

* Morgan Barron with 2 Empty Net Short Handed Goals.


Goalies :

* Stuart Skinner (Edm) gave up 2 Goals / 29 shots in win over Ottawa.
* Tristen Jarry (Pitts) gave up 3 Goals / 35 shots in the loss to Tampa Bay.
* Jordan Binnington (St L) gave up 3 Goals on 27 shots in the loss to Minnesota.

Negatives :

 

[ORRFForever]

As @Pavel Buchnevich has said, Will Cuylle is having one heck of a season...

At 22 years of age, he is 0.82 PPG (17 GP 6 G, 8 A), while averaging less than 14 minutes a game - and NONE of his points are on the power play. He is also +14.

A player to watch.

**

@Pavel Buchnevich is easily one of the most objective posters at HF. He somehow gets as much pleasure from non American players excelling as he does when one of his countrymen excels. Only @Czechboy is comparable.

I wish I was more like them.

 

[ORRFForever]

I'm listening to the Christmas music on my TV. The song Most Wonderful Time Of The Year came on and it made me think of the World Juniors and the baby with the ear muffs who makes the funny "O" face - 0:59.



I wonder what that baby looks like now?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

As @Pavel Buchnevich has said, Will Cuylle is having one heck of a season...

At 22 years of age, he is 0.82 PPG (17 GP 6 G, 8 A), while averaging less than 14 minutes a game - and NONE of his points are on the power play. He is also +14.

A player to watch.

**

@Pavel Buchnevich is easily one of the most objective posters at HF. He somehow gets as much pleasure from non American players excelling as he does when one of his countrymen excels. Only @Czechboy is comparable.

I wish I was more like them.

Thanks for the kind words!

The best part about Cuylle isn’t even the offense either. 2025 will probably come too early for him, and 2026 will be difficult for a younger guy to make, but he’s like a perfect 4LW candidate for Canada with all he can do. He’s a better, less psychotic version of Tom Wilson right now, but I won’t go too far down that rabbit hole.

 

[Nucks2001]

I enjoy reading your posts and appreciate you basically single-handedly keeping these threads alive, but idk about this one....

Canada tried to get cute in '06, over thought it, and the picks aged like milk in a hot car.

Doan, Draper, Smyth, a slow and broken Bertuzzi instead of young and fresh Crosby, Staal, Spezza.

I feel like this roster would age in a similar way if Canada did poorly wondering why we took Bennett, Hagel, and an old Duchene over guys like Bedard, Johnston, Thomas etc.

Point is already named to the team and will be back in the lineup today so pointless to leave him off.

Also, when has Stone ever played C in his NHL career? Canada is stacked at C and we are needlessly converting a slow RW?

Bang on. Speed is even more important with today’s game. Sam Bennett and Duchene shouldn’t be taken. The same reason why Tom Wilson and Adam Lowry should be kept far away from this roster.

Hagel, is an ideal forechecker and agitator in today’s league though and plays with a ton of speed. In an ideal world, Hockey Canada should have left Marchand off and replaced him with Hagel. Hagel brings the intangibles that Marchand does, but at a younger age (what Marchand was at the 2016 WCOH). Travis Konency is another player that fits that role though I’m higher on Hagel because he plays LW, is bigger and has chemistry with Point.

Bedard and Laf should be on the roster. I don’t think all of Canada’s selections in 2006 were bad, but the only forward under-25 was Rick Nash. They surrounded their center core of Sakic and Thornton and LeCavalier with guys like Bertuzzi, Smyth, Draper and Doan. It helped that you had Nash, Iginla and St. Louis, but you had more grit than skill.

It helps that this team has a prime McDavid, MacKinnon, and Point, but this is another reason why I think Mitch Marner should be on the team. You need skill and Marner provides that.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Bang on. Speed is even more important with today’s game. Sam Bennett and Duchene shouldn’t be taken. The same reason why Tom Wilson and Adam Lowry should be kept far away from this roster.

Hagel, is an ideal forechecker and agitator in today’s league though and plays with a ton of speed. In an ideal world, Hockey Canada should have left Marchand off and replaced him with Hagel. Hagel brings the intangibles that Marchand does, but at a younger age (what Marchand was at the 2016 WCOH). Travis Konency is another player that fits that role though I’m higher on Hagel because he plays LW, is bigger and has chemistry with Point.

Bedard and Laf should be on the roster. I don’t think all of Canada’s selections in 2006 were bad, but the only forward under-25 was Rick Nash. They surrounded their center core of Sakic and Thornton and LeCavalier with guys like Bertuzzi, Smyth, Draper and Doan. It helped that you had Nash, Iginla and St. Louis, but you had more grit than skill.

It helps that this team has a prime McDavid, MacKinnon, and Point, but this is another reason why I think Mitch Marner should be on the team. You need skill and Marner provides that.

Konecny plays both wings, so he has that in his favour. He's not a big guy, but plays an aggressive style that would work well in this format I think. At this point I'd be surprised if he wasn't selected.

Bennett's speed is fine, especially on NHL-sized ice. Stone's skating is fine on NHL-sized ice too. The thing with Bennett is that he's raised his level of play significantly the last two playoffs and made himself fairly indispensable to the Panthers' back-to-back finals runs AND he's off to a great start this season AND he brings an element of grit/forechecking ability/agitation that would complement some of the smaller players that are already on/should be on the roster.

I'm not sold on Bedard for this cycle. I have Lafreniere on my team but there's some projection in that pick. I'm more than fine with Hagel and have him on my team. Highly unlikely that Duchene makes it at this point in his career, but the guy has appeared in 8 tournaments for Canada at the senior level, so I'd expect there to at least be a conversation about him for that reason and due to his fantastic start to the season.

The way I see it:

Already on the team (x5):
McDavid
MacKinnon
Marchand
Point
Crosby

Locks/near locks (x3):
Marner
Reinhart
Stone

That's only 8 players out of 13 or 14 (depending on how many we can name to our roster). Lots of moving parts still.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

As @Pavel Buchnevich has said, Will Cuylle is having one heck of a season...

At 22 years of age, he is 0.82 PPG (17 GP 6 G, 8 A), while averaging less than 14 minutes a game - and NONE of his points are on the power play. He is also +14.

A player to watch.

**

@Pavel Buchnevich is easily one of the most objective posters at HF. He somehow gets as much pleasure from non American players excelling as he does when one of his countrymen excels. Only @Czechboy is comparable.

I wish I was more like them.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1859095854919151830

 

[ORRFForever]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1859095854919151830

The 2020 draft will be paying dividends for Canada for the next decade. For Canada, it's Gold Jerry, Gold !!!!

 

[ORRFForever]

Konecny plays both wings, so he has that in his favour. He's not a big guy, but plays an aggressive style that would work well in this format I think. At this point I'd be surprised if he wasn't selected.

Bennett's speed is fine, especially on NHL-sized ice. Stone's skating is fine on NHL-sized ice too. The thing with Bennett is that he's raised his level of play significantly the last two playoffs and made himself fairly indispensable to the Panthers' back-to-back finals runs AND he's off to a great start this season AND he brings an element of grit/forechecking ability/agitation that would complement some of the smaller players that are already on/should be on the roster.

I'm not sold on Bedard for this cycle. I have Lafreniere on my team but there's some projection in that pick. I'm more than fine with Hagel and have him on my team. Highly unlikely that Duchene makes it at this point in his career, but the guy has appeared in 8 tournaments for Canada at the senior level, so I'd expect there to at least be a conversation about him for that reason and due to his fantastic start to the season.

The way I see it:

Already on the team (x5):
McDavid
MacKinnon
Marchand
Point
Crosby

Locks/near locks (x3):
Marner
Reinhart
Stone

That's only 8 players out of 13 or 14 (depending on how many we can name to our roster). Lots of moving parts still.

^^ Good post. ^^ Not sure why everyone is so down on Duchene.

Re : "I have Lafreniere on my team but there's some projection in that pick"

??? Not sure what that means. ???

 

[Crosby2010]

Suzuki, Marchand and Byfield are not Top-13 forwards on Canada. Even Stamkos seem to be on the verge of decline. Many other guys to consider

Robert Thomas
Mark Scheifele
Travis Konecny
Brandon Hagel
Dylan Strome
Carter Verhaeghe
Matt Duchene
Jared McCann
Seth Jarvis
Bo Horvat
Drake Batherson
Jordan Kyrou

Thomas definitely should be on the team and Strome is trending. Rest is up for discussion but I think Scheifele and Konecny are favorites

That said, wouldn't be surprising if they opt for experience in Marchand and Stamkos

A few things have changed. Stamkos just isn't the same player anymore on Nashville. I get the feeling that since Tampa is doing just fine without him that Stamkos and his agent made a bad choice by not finding a way to stay in Tampa. Because starting over at 34 years old is rarely a good thing. Ask Messier. He was 36 and that didn't work out well for him in Vancouver. So I don't see Stamkos on there as the "old guy" even. Marchand maybe, and Crosby of course. Duchene is that guy that always can bring something to the table because of his speed, so you never know, but he'll be 35 when the Olympics roll around.

Why did you choose Hyman?

I can't speak for him, but I am glad others are seeing that Hyman would be a wasted spot. Is he really among the top 13 in Canada? Come on. I had him on there as a guy I thought would make it, not that I wanted there myself. His 54 goals last year are among the most dependent-heavy 50 goal seasons in NHL history. Now he's back to his 40 pointish seasons pace. That is more like him. There were SO many better options. Actually I liked Nuge sliding on that wing more than I did Hyman. But he's not there either.

 

[ORRFForever]

A few things have changed. Stamkos just isn't the same player anymore on Nashville. I get the feeling that since Tampa is doing just fine without him that Stamkos and his agent made a bad choice by not finding a way to stay in Tampa. Because starting over at 34 years old is rarely a good thing. Ask Messier. He was 36 and that didn't work out well for him in Vancouver. So I don't see Stamkos on there as the "old guy" even. Marchand maybe, and Crosby of course. Duchene is that guy that always can bring something to the table because of his speed, so you never know, but he'll be 35 when the Olympics roll around.



I can't speak for him, but I am glad others are seeing that Hyman would be a wasted spot. Is he really among the top 13 in Canada? Come on. I had him on there as a guy I thought would make it, not that I wanted there myself. His 54 goals last year are among the most dependent-heavy 50 goal seasons in NHL history. Now he's back to his 40 pointish seasons pace. That is more like him. There were SO many better options. Actually I liked Nuge sliding on that wing more than I did Hyman. But he's not there either.

No Hyman for me. As you said, there are just too many other options.

Duchene is on my 4 Nations team. He will be too old and other players will have developed to replace him by time the Olympics rolls around.

 

[Crosby2010]

No Hyman for me. As you said, there are just too many other options.

Duchene is on my 4 Nations team. He will be too old and other players will have developed to replace him by time the Olympics rolls around.

You mentioned Bouchard, he's on the Olympic team. Just too much tantalizing things offensively for him to be left off. The "Bouch Bomb" alone should get him on the team. And I don't think there is a nation that would leave him off of their team, nor will Canada. I don't like his defensive game, so I'll agree on that. But the offense on the power play is much desired. Outside of Makar who is more of a lock cinch on defense than Bouchard? I would reckon Theodore-Pietrangelo is the tandem that is on almost everyone's team, but I honestly don't see how Bouchard could be left off.

 

[ORRFForever]

You mentioned Bouchard, he's on the Olympic team. Just too much tantalizing things offensively for him to be left off. The "Bouch Bomb" alone should get him on the team. And I don't think there is a nation that would leave him off of their team, nor will Canada. I don't like his defensive game, so I'll agree on that. But the offense on the power play is much desired. Outside of Makar who is more of a lock cinch on defense than Bouchard? I would reckon Theodore-Pietrangelo is the tandem that is on almost everyone's team, but I honestly don't see how Bouchard could be left off.

That's fair. I just hope Bouchard tightens up defensively because I'm sure he doesn't want to be responsible for a Canadian loss because he did something stupid.

 

[Crosby2010]

That's fair. I just hope Bouchard tightens up defensively because I'm sure he doesn't want to be responsible for a Canadian loss because he did something stupid.

That would be my main worry with him. I say find a strong defensive left shooting d-man to pair him up with and he should be fine. You don't want to deny that dynamic that he can bring. He isn't Phil Housley type of bad defensively though. It isn't as if he's a black hole defensively. He did great in the playoffs last year. But who is the left shooting d-man? Toews likely pairs up with Makar. Theodore and Pietrangelo. Rielly is a left handed shot, Morrissey maybe? Noah Dobson is a right handed shot and a classic guy for a 7th d-man I think. Maybe Owen Power is ready by then.

Funny thing is, a couple of years ago with Canada there was some slight discomfort when it came to our defense. Not now though. That defense is probably the best in the tournament.

Toews-Makar
Theodore-Pietrangelo
Power-Bouchard
Dobson

Imagine not having Morrissey, Rielly, Hamilton on the team because there isn't room. Or even Doughty is still not out of the equation here either. He's injured, and older, but a healthy Doughty and he's definitely on the radar. Canada's just fine on defense I think.

 

[ORRFForever]

That would be my main worry with him. I say find a strong defensive left shooting d-man to pair him up with and he should be fine. You don't want to deny that dynamic that he can bring. He isn't Phil Housley type of bad defensively though. It isn't as if he's a black hole defensively. He did great in the playoffs last year. But who is the left shooting d-man? Toews likely pairs up with Makar. Theodore and Pietrangelo. Rielly is a left handed shot, Morrissey maybe? Noah Dobson is a right handed shot and a classic guy for a 7th d-man I think. Maybe Owen Power is ready by then.

Funny thing is, a couple of years ago with Canada there was some slight discomfort when it came to our defense. Not now though. That defense is probably the best in the tournament.

Toews-Makar
Theodore-Pietrangelo
Power-Bouchard
Dobson

Imagine not having Morrissey, Rielly, Hamilton on the team because there isn't room. Or even Doughty is still not out of the equation here either. He's injured, and older, but a healthy Doughty and he's definitely on the radar. Canada's just fine on defense I think.

Imagine what's coming in terms of D-Men.

**

I believe Morrissey is a BIG part of Winnipeg's success so I'd like him on the team. I also think Power needs a little more seasoning before he is on Canada's Best on Best.

I am not a fan of Rielly but that may because I am a Leaf fan and I take him for granted. I do NOT like Hamilton.

Your D looks good.

 

[ORRFForever]

ORRFF Stats Watch (November 20, 2024)

Positives :

* Jordan Martinook with his 7th Goal.
* Wyatt Johnston with his 3rd Goal and 6th Assist - after a slow start for the young star.
* Fraser Minten with his 1st NHL Goal.
* Mitch Marner with his 19th and 20th Assist.
* Logan Stankoven with his 11 Assist.
* John Tavares with his 9th and 10th Assist.
* Thomas Harley with his 8th Assist.

Goalies :

* MacKenzie Blackwood (SJ) gave up 3 goals / 29 shots in the loss to Dallas.
* Adin Hill (LV) gave up 2 goals / 25 shots in a loss to Toronto.
* Joey Daccord (Seattle) shut out Nashville and their 24 shots.

Negatives :

* Shane Wright!!!
* BYFIELD led the team in penalty minutes against Buffalo. Well done!

 

[Zybalto]

ORRFF Stats Watch (November 20, 2024)

Positives :

* Jordan Martinook with his 7th Goal.
* Wyatt Johnston with his 3rd Goal and 6th Assist - after a slow start for the young star.
* Fraser Minten with his 1st NHL Goal.
* Mitch Marner with his 19th and 20th Assist.
* Logan Stankoven with his 11 Assist.
* Thomas Harley with his 8th Assist.

Goalies :

* MacKenzie Blackwood (SJ) gave up 3 goals / 29 shots in the loss to Dallas.
* Adin Hill (LV) gave up 2 goals / 25 shots in a loss to Toronto.

Negatives :

* Shane Wright!!!
* BYFIELD!!!

As a fellow Leafs fan, I can feel you not wanting to mention Tavares lol.

9 goals and 19 points in 19 games with a 70.84% 5v5 goal differential and one of the best faceoff guys in hockey while having a history with the program?

No one is talking about him right now but I think he's probably in the conversation with the brass. I actually wouldnt have him on my team but hes been on a tear since late January too.

 

[ORRFForever]

As a fellow Leafs fan, I can feel you not wanting to mention Tavares lol.

9 goals and 19 points in 19 games with a 70.84% 5v5 goal differential and one of the best faceoff guys in hockey while having a history with the program?

No one is talking about him right now but I think he's probably in the conversation with the brass. I actually wouldnt have him on my team but hes been on a tear since late January too.

I'm not sure why I chose not to. As a fellow Leaf Fan, I will add him.

I worry JT is too old and slow to be on Team Canada but I could see why some people want him included.

He's been great this year without the "C" on his chest.

 

[Crosby2010]

Imagine what's coming in terms of D-Men.

**

I believe Morrissey is a BIG part of Winnipeg's success so I'd like him on the team. I also think Power needs a little more seasoning before he is on Canada's Best on Best.

I am not a fan of Rielly but that may because I am a Leaf fan and I take him for granted. I do NOT like Hamilton.

Your D looks good.

I am thinking Power with his size and combined with his offense will be pretty close to a lock cinch on this team in a year and a half. I am projecting it for then. Right now today, maybe not. Give it a year. Hamilton gets on that team only if there are key injuries. Even if we carry 8 defensemen I still don't have him on there, agree with you about Morrissey. Maybe this is just me, but I can never forget Hamilton's cowardice going into the corner in 2019 that led to an overtime playoff goal. Not to mention a game later Ovechkin racing in on him and sort of psyching him out and trying to scare him into being hit into the boards. Hamilton is 6'6" but he never plays like it. I just can't have him on there.

As a fellow Leafs fan, I can feel you not wanting to mention Tavares lol.

9 goals and 19 points in 19 games with a 70.84% 5v5 goal differential and one of the best faceoff guys in hockey while having a history with the program?

No one is talking about him right now but I think he's probably in the conversation with the brass. I actually wouldnt have him on my team but hes been on a tear since late January too.

He's too old and slow as was mentioned. If Stamkos who is much quicker and fits more of a need on the team is slowly becoming a non-issue with this team than Tavares is as well. I don't see him thriving going up against the best defenses in the world and going toe-to-toe with other great centres. He just isn't there anymore. In 2016 sure, but not now. Not even on the wing. We can do better.

 

[ORRFForever]

I am thinking Power with his size and combined with his offense will be pretty close to a lock cinch on this team in a year and a half. I am projecting it for then. Right now today, maybe not. Give it a year. Hamilton gets on that team only if there are key injuries. Even if we carry 8 defensemen I still don't have him on there, agree with you about Morrissey. Maybe this is just me, but I can never forget Hamilton's cowardice going into the corner in 2019 that led to an overtime playoff goal. Not to mention a game later Ovechkin racing in on him and sort of psyching him out and trying to scare him into being hit into the boards. Hamilton is 6'6" but he never plays like it. I just can't have him on there.



He's too old and slow as was mentioned. If Stamkos who is much quicker and fits more of a need on the team is slowly becoming a non-issue with this team than Tavares is as well. I don't see him thriving going up against the best defenses in the world and going toe-to-toe with other great centres. He just isn't there anymore. In 2016 sure, but not now. Not even on the wing. We can do better.

Re : "Maybe this is just me, but I can never forget Hamilton's cowardice going into the corner in 2019 that led to an overtime playoff goal. "

I can never forgive Hamilton's play at the World Juniors in 2013. I never want to see Hamilton play for Team Canada, again.