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

[ORRFForever]

ORRFF Stats Watch (November 21, 2024)

Positives :

* Sam Reinhart with his 15th Goal.
* Braydon Point with his 11th Goal.
* Brandon Hagel with his 9th Goal and 10th Assist.
* LAF with his 8th Goal.
* Will Cuylle with his 7th Goal.
* Brett Howden with his 8th Goal.
* Drake Batherson with his 8th Goal.
* Sean Monahan with his 7th Goal and 10th, 11th and 12th Assist.
* Jordan Kyrou with his 7th Goal.
* Anthony Cirelli with his 6th Goal and 13th Assist.
* Kent Johnson with his 3rd and 4th Goal.
* Connor Zary with his 4th Goal.
* Connor Geekie with his 3rd Goal and 3rd Assist.
* Cale Makar with his 20th Assist.
* Connor McDavid with his 16th Assist.
* Shea Theodore with his 13th Assist
* Brad Marchand with his 9th Assist.
* Cole Sillinger with his 8th and 9th Assist.
* Aaron Ekblad with his 8th Assist.
* Robert Thomas with his 7th Assist.
* Dawson Mercer with his 7th Assist.
* MacKenzie Weegar with his 6th, 7th and 8th Assist.
* Macklin Celebrini with his 2nd and 3rd Assist.

* Jake Neighbours with the shootout goal for the win in O.T..

Goalies :

* Logan Thompson (Wash) with 2 goals / 25 shots in loss to the Avs.
* Jordan Binnington (St L) gave up 2 Goals / 25 shots in the win over (SJ).
* Spencer Martin (Carolina) gave up 4 goals / 21 shots in loss to New Jersey.
* MAF (Minny) gave up 3 goals / 32 shots in win over Edmonton.
* Stuart Skinner (Edm) gave up 5 goals / 26 shots in loss to Minny.

Negatives :

* Adam Fantilli.

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

I still LOVE my team - it certainly can score...


Hagel - McDavid*- Konecny

Duchene* - MacKinnon - Scheifele*

Marchand - Crosby* - Stone

Bennett*- Reinhart - Marner

 

[ORRFForever]

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.

There is just too much offensive fire power available to Canada for us to choose someone (other than Sid) in their mid-late 30's. Marchand should do the right thing by Canada and "call in sick".

 

[Zybalto]

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.

I agree which is why he's not on my team either.

Canada has Marchand/Crosby as the vet leadership already locked in and we are probably looking at other vets on D/goaltending. Being easily the best team in the world down the middle, Canada should just use its glut of high scoring two way wingers. Every line on Canada is probably going to like both a 1st line on almost any team and a matchup line at the same time. With such a short tournament, I'm a big fan of keeping players in their positions as well.

I mean, a 4th line of Hagel/Point/Marner is just an example of what we could see which is a nightmare matchup for anyone.

 

[ORRFForever]

As per the Daily FaceOff's Matt Larkin...

MSN

Zach Hyman	Connor McDavid*	Nathan MacKinnon*
Brandon Hagel	Brayden Point*	Mitch Marner
Brad Marchand*	Sidney Crosby*	Sam Reinhart
Alexis Lafreniere	Nick Suzuki	Travis Konecny
Connor Bedard

MY COMMENT : I hate this line up. Hyman is ICE cold. Bedard has NOT earned a spot. I don't want Marner anywhere but on the 4th line.

Defensemen​

Devon Toews	Cale Makar
Noah Dobson	Evan Bouchard
Shea Theodore	Alex Pietrangelo
MacKenzie Weegar

Goaltenders​

Jordan Binnington

Adin Hill

Logan Thompson

IN: Travis Konecny, Brandon Hagel

OUT: Mark Stone, Steven Stamkos

Why: Is this a psychological experiment in which the amount of tinkering reveals something about each prognosticator’s personality? I had a fair amount of reactionary second-guessing here. With the Vegas Golden Knights’ Mark Stone already taking up his customary spot on injured reserve and needing to ensure he’s fresh for the Stanley Cup playoffs, competing for Canada is a risky proposition for team and player, so he’s out. Travis Konecny has been great for the Philadelphia Flyers so far this season and brings an element of jam to an exciting Canadian fourth line. It pained me removing Steven Stamkos’ power-play threat, but Brandon Hagel is just too versatile as an all-situations piece, so he slides in. Connor Bedard hangs on as my 13th forward; remember, this tourney is an audition for the Olympics, so Canada would be wise to give him some reps in a medium-stakes event ahead of Milan 2026, even if he’s had a tough sophomore year.

 

[Melrose Munch]

Canada is not looking too hot after Crosby and Stamkos retire. McDavid, MacKinnon and Marner? Point I guess.

Canada should not be the favorite post 4 nations for the next tournament, whenever that is.

 

[Kaiden Ghoul]

Canada is not looking too hot after Crosby and Stamkos retire. McDavid, MacKinnon and Marner? Point I guess.

Canada should not be the favorite post 4 nations for the next tournament, whenever that is.

Compared to wich Country ? Im not seing one single nation capable of matching our offense...

 

[Mathieukferland]

Canada is not looking too hot after Crosby and Stamkos retire

The best players are all under 30 and Stamkos has a near zero chance to make the team. Goaltending is the biggest issue going forward, not outskaters

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I was telling this to @ORRFForever.

Cuylle is 6th in the NHL in 5 on 5 P/60, and his regular line is also the only line in the NHL to play 100 minutes and not be scored on.

 

[ORRFForever]

I was telling this to @ORRFForever.

Cuylle is 6th in the NHL in 5 on 5 P/60, and his regular line is also the only line in the NHL to play 100 minutes and not be scored on.

Sounds good to me but Canada is stacked up front so I can't imagine them including someone so young.

The 2020 Draft is the draft that keeps on giving to Canada.

 

[Melrose Munch]

Compared to wich Country ? Im not seing one single nation capable of matching our offense...

US for starters

 

[Kaiden Ghoul]

US for starters

Meh...

In 2026

Mcdavid Mackinnon Bedard Crosby Point Marner have their spot then we will have Thomas Reinhart Byfield Suzuki Lafreniere Mctavish Celebrini Barzal for the last 6 spots.

Mcdavid Mackinnon Bedard Crosby Point Marner > Matthews the choker Hughes Eichel Robertson Tkachuks bros.

For the bottom 6 we have more diversity, on the US squad, who will pk and grind etc ???

In 2030

Crosby will not be there... fine we will have Mcdavid Mackinnon Bedard Mckenna Celebrini etc lol

 

[Crosby2010]

There is just too much offensive fire power available to Canada for us to choose someone (other than Sid) in their mid-late 30's. Marchand should do the right thing by Canada and "call in sick".

See I am okay with Marchand there because he brings more than just his scoring. He has always been an excellent even strength player. Great in the clutch too, even when the Bruins lose he still has a good postseason. And he kills penalties and is a natural winger and has that chemistry with Crosby. He has that grit, that tenacity and along with Sid he'll be the greybeard on the team. But let's face it, this team is not going to have a lot of grey beards so why not have a couple? If he drops like a rock in the next year then okay maybe look elsewhere, but he brings plenty to the table. Canada is going to be young, so it's alright even if he's 37 by next year.

Canada is not looking too hot after Crosby and Stamkos retire. McDavid, MacKinnon and Marner? Point I guess.

Canada should not be the favorite post 4 nations for the next tournament, whenever that is.

Well for starters you are talking about what many consider the top two players in the NHL in McDavid and MacKinnon. Marner is a future HHOFer as well. So those three alone are elite players anyone would want on their team. That being said, Canada in 2026 is going to be young. And we are talking about a team that may not have room for Bedard or Celebrini yet. Looks like so far Bedard is having a sophomore slump. Well, no big deal. So did Bryan Trottier. So did Jarome Iginla. Bedard is going to be fine. Our defense is young and the three goaltenders likely to make it are all pretty young too. No matter what Canada always replaces themselves.

 

[Crosby2010]

Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun picked his 4 Nations team for Canada. It's, ummm, interesting in some cases.

Brad Marchand-Sidney Crosby-Nathan MacKinnon
Sam Reinhart-Connor McDavid-Mitch Marner
Brayden Point-Mark Scheifele-Alexis Lafreniere
Anthony Cirelli-Sam Bennett-Mark Stone
Extra F: Travis Konecny

Devon Toews-Cale Makar
Shea Theodore-Alex Pietrangelo
Josh Morrissey-Noah Dobson
Extra D: Travis Sanheim

Adin Hill
Jordan Binnington
Cam Talbot

1st Power play unit: McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, Marner, Makar


I don't see it with Konecny. What has he exactly done to earn a spot? Lafreniere is LW and he should switch with Reinhart who can play RW. Not seeing it with Cirelli either. Bennett makes more sense just because he would be a thorn in the other team's side checking them. And he's been great the two times the Panthers made the final the last couple of years. Is that enough to get him on the team? Well, if you want a Sam Bennett type you may as well pick Sam Bennett. I can see that. But he is clearly a checking line player, out there for his physical play. Playing the role we assumed Tom Wilson might play. No mention of Bedard.

Defense the first 6 names check out. I have no issue with it. The 7th name I don't get it. If you want a wild card why not put Bouchard in there? Sure the power play begins with Makar on the back end, but that shot is just tantalizing. And what other country leaves off a defenseman who had 85 points last year and 32 playoff points?

The first two goalies no problem. Two Cup winners, they've been there, they are solid starters on their teams today. Why not Skinner as your third guy though? Two Cup winners and a guy who made it to Game 7 last year and was a game away. I mean come on. But instead you add Talbot? Thompson makes more sense to me. Either way, we are just fine with the three goalies we have. Lots of experience.

 

[ORRFForever]

Canada is not looking too hot after Crosby and Stamkos retire. McDavid, MacKinnon and Marner? Point I guess.

Canada should not be the favorite post 4 nations for the next tournament, whenever that is.

That is so UN-true, MM. There is a TON of young talent in the pipeline. The drafts from 2020 on look GREAT.

See I am okay with Marchand there because he brings more than just his scoring. He has always been an excellent even strength player. Great in the clutch too, even when the Bruins lose he still has a good postseason. And he kills penalties and is a natural winger and has that chemistry with Crosby. He has that grit, that tenacity and along with Sid he'll be the greybeard on the team. But let's face it, this team is not going to have a lot of grey beards so why not have a couple? If he drops like a rock in the next year then okay maybe look elsewhere, but he brings plenty to the table. Canada is going to be young, so it's alright even if he's 37 by next year.

You make a lot of good points. I can't imagine Marchand playing at the Olympics but we'll seen.

 

[ORRFForever]

Well for starters you are talking about what many consider the top two players in the NHL in McDavid and MacKinnon. Marner is a future HHOFer as well. So those three alone are elite players anyone would want on their team. That being said, Canada in 2026 is going to be young. And we are talking about a team that may not have room for Bedard or Celebrini yet. Looks like so far Bedard is having a sophomore slump. Well, no big deal. So did Bryan Trottier. So did Jarome Iginla. Bedard is going to be fine. Our defense is young and the three goaltenders likely to make it are all pretty young too. No matter what Canada always replaces themselves.

Canada has been producing amazing talent since 2020. Like you, I am not worried at all.

Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun picked his 4 Nations team for Canada. It's, ummm, interesting in some cases.

Brad Marchand-Sidney Crosby-Nathan MacKinnon
Sam Reinhart-Connor McDavid-Mitch Marner
Brayden Point-Mark Scheifele-Alexis Lafreniere
Anthony Cirelli-Sam Bennett-Mark Stone
Extra F: Travis Konecny

Devon Toews-Cale Makar
Shea Theodore-Alex Pietrangelo
Josh Morrissey-Noah Dobson
Extra D: Travis Sanheim

Adin Hill
Jordan Binnington
Cam Talbot

1st Power play unit: McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, Marner, Makar


I don't see it with Konecny. What has he exactly done to earn a spot? Lafreniere is LW and he should switch with Reinhart who can play RW. Not seeing it with Cirelli either. Bennett makes more sense just because he would be a thorn in the other team's side checking them. And he's been great the two times the Panthers made the final the last couple of years. Is that enough to get him on the team? Well, if you want a Sam Bennett type you may as well pick Sam Bennett. I can see that. But he is clearly a checking line player, out there for his physical play. Playing the role we assumed Tom Wilson might play. No mention of Bedard.

Defense the first 6 names check out. I have no issue with it. The 7th name I don't get it. If you want a wild card why not put Bouchard in there? Sure the power play begins with Makar on the back end, but that shot is just tantalizing. And what other country leaves off a defenseman who had 85 points last year and 32 playoff points?

The first two goalies no problem. Two Cup winners, they've been there, they are solid starters on their teams today. Why not Skinner as your third guy though? Two Cup winners and a guy who made it to Game 7 last year and was a game away. I mean come on. But instead you add Talbot? Thompson makes more sense to me. Either way, we are just fine with the three goalies we have. Lots of experience.

What Steve Simmons lacks in hockey smarts, he makes up for with his "good looks" and bubbly personality.

TBH, I don't mind his team. Team Canada is so stacked up front, it's hard to mess it up. On the back end, the lines set themselves. Goaltending, of course, is a mine field but we only need one.

 

[ORRFForever]

I don't see it with Konecny.

I have Konecny on my team so...

The one I don't understand is SHORT memories with Marner....

Every year, the Leafs <bleep> the bed in the playoffs and people dump on Marner saying, "I do NOT want him on Team Canada". EVERY YEAR !!!! Some people like myself say, "I'm okay with Marner being on Team Canada as long as he is just on the 4th Line and PK". Then, 6 months later, Marner gets HOT in November and people forget how awful he was when the stakes were high. You can set your watch by it and I don't get it.

How can people forget what a screw up Marner can be in BIG games?

Mitch Marner should NOT be on anyone's 1st, 2nd or 3rd line.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

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.

Imo Morrissey is not going to be optional. He's one of the best defensemen in the league right now.

 

[ORRFForever]

What is going on with Dylan Cozens?

On the plus side, Owen Power has been terrific - 3 assists assuming they give him one in O.T..

 

[jj cale]

Morrisey

Imo Morrissey is not going to be optional. He's one of the best defensemen in the league right now.

Morrissey is on the team, it's not even a thought.

 

[ORRFForever]

Morrisey

Morrissey is on the team, it's not even a thought.

Our D looks great - and so many posters were worried about it. We Canadians worry too much.

 

[ORRFForever]

Matvei Michkov got the last laugh, today.

**

I cannot believe how BAD Chicago is. Looking at their stats...

Bedard has 15 points - and he leads the team by 4!!! LOL! Next is Ryan Donato with 11 points. Yes, the same Ryan Donato who has a career high 31 points in 2021-2022. Good Lord.

If I was Bedard, I'd be so mad What's the point? No wonder he wants out.

Is there no one in the system that can help the poor kid?

 

[ORRFForever]

Byfield with a GOAL. All be it, a power play goal. Oh well... beggars cannot be choosers.

 

[Crosby2010]

TBH, I don't mind his team. Team Canada is so stacked up front, it's hard to mess it up. On the back end, the lines set themselves. Goaltending, of course, is a mine field but we only need one.

We really need to get back to the days of having those elite goalies again. If you go back to 1972 and go even up until the late 2010s we always had those elite goalies on our team but also the good ones who were left at home. 1972 Dryden and Esposito make it and Eddie Johnston fresh of sharing a Cup victory with Cheevers was the third stringer. But there was also Cheevers, Vachon, Giacomin, even Parent at the time. Lots to choose from. 1976 Dryden and Parent are hurt so Vachon is in there with Cheevers and Resch as back ups. But Esposito was available, a younger Billy Smith, Bouchard, Gilbert, etc. Even into the 1980s you have Roy, Vernon, Lemelin, Moog, Peeters, Liut as goalies who didn't make the 1987 team. 1998 Belfour, Fuhr, Potvin, Burke, even Chris Osgood didn't make the cut. Roy backs out in 2002 and we still have Brodeur, Joseph and Belfour. Burke, Luongo, Theodore, Giguere, Osgood, Potvin, Turco, etc. are all goalies that would have made fine 3rd stringers. Even 2016 Price, Holtby and Crawford was a good trio. All three did something significant to make the team. Price wins the Hart/Vezina in 2015 and Olympic gold in 2014. Holtby wins the Vezina in 2016. Crawford won the Cup in 2013 and 2015. None were bad choices. 8 years later it is shakier.

Look, I am okay with Binnington, Hill and Skinner in net. None of them will screw up where we lose. The team in front of them is epic. Stacked at forward and there should be some elite two-way defenseman there too. They don't have to steal a game. And two of them have won a Cup and the other almost did. That's loads of experience. The thing that bothers me is that other countries have at least one goalie who is better than either three and also the lack of depth we have with goalies. Those three I am comfortable with, but it isn't as if there are 6-7 other capable goalies that can take their spot. We have to do something about goaltending because if we are lacking anywhere it is there and I don't know of any that are going to take their spots.

Right now with young goalies you might have Sebastian Cossa, who is still in the minors and can't crack Detroit, and Devon Levi who may as well be in Siberia over Buffalo. Gabriel D'Aigle was once thought to be a promising goalie for the 2025 draft, but is he now?

If I was Bedard, I'd be so mad What's the point? No wonder he wants out.

Has he said as much? Haven't heard one way or another.

Morrissey is on the team, it's not even a thought.

Imo Morrissey is not going to be optional. He's one of the best defensemen in the league right now.

Yeah I am thinking that as well. Has the left shot, was playing well enough to make the team last year too. Could be a safe pick right now. I just figure the 4 teammates on the Avs and Knights are probably penciled in. I have a hard time seeing Bouchard left off the team. Dobson is among those types too. Power is pretty good himself and is definitely on the upward trend. That leaves Morrissey. Heck, why don't we just take 8 defensemen?

Our D looks great - and so many posters were worried about it. We Canadians worry too much.

I wasn't worried about it either so much. I never understood how our defense wasn't the best or arguably the best out of anyone. And young too. Pietrangelo will be the only greybeard at 35 by the Olympics. That's fine. Everyone else is 30 or under. Toews will be 31 actually. But that's it.

When did Canada in a best on best not have a good defense? 1976 was the best ever. 1996 was certainly sketchy and that was mostly because Bourque and MacInnis weren't there. That made the D thinner. Even then, it was Coffey, Stevens, Niedermayer, Blake, Desjardins, Foote. The mobility could have been better on the back end, but that's it. 2004 and 2006 might come to mind, but there were some injury issues. 2004 Blake and Pronger missed out, then Redden and Jovanovski got hurt. So basically we had Niedermayer, Bouwmeester, Regehr, Foote, Brewer, Hannan. That would be a defense that was at best solid. They did the job but thankfully the forwards and goaltending were elite. 2006 had some injuries too but that team as a whole did not play as a unit. Just ugly.

So I like the 2026 prospects. Not just who is on the team, but who we are likely to leave off. Rielly, Doughty, Hamilton, maybe even Power. So I like that depth because it shows we have plenty of back ups.

 

[Yepthatsme]

Canada is not looking too hot after Crosby and Stamkos retire. McDavid, MacKinnon and Marner? Point I guess.

Canada should not be the favorite post 4 nations for the next tournament, whenever that is.

There is a pretty great chance Crosby will retire right as Canada is on a 4 first overall over 5 year stretch of Bedard, Celebrini, McKenna, and DuPont. Crosby will be very missed by the hockey world, but Canada will be doing a heck of a job at pounding out talent that look like they could be top of the league players to help fill his void.

Canada will never be worried about having offensive talent.

 

[ORRFForever]

There is a pretty great chance Crosby will retire right as Canada is on a 4 first overall over 5 year stretch of Bedard, Celebrini, McKenna, and DuPont. Crosby will be very missed by the hockey world, but Canada will be doing a heck of a job at pounding out talent that look like they could be top of the league players to help fill his void.

Canada will never be worried about having offensive talent.

I agree with everything minus the last sentence. We were worried in the late 90's when all the best scorers came from other countries. It was pretty bad.