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

[ORRFForever]

Canadian posters have to look at it this way...

After <bleeping> the bed for 4 drafts while the U.S. had amazing drafts during those same 4 years, Canada has still managed to produce a team that even the betting market feels is better.

We should be thrilled because, a few years ago, things looked BAD - when the average NHL career is 5 years, having 4 horrible drafts is NOT good.

If we lose, there will be plenty of time for handwringing. I don't need to see it BEFORE the tournament has even started.

Anyways, JJ, I hope it never gets to the point where I push that "Block" button because you're a good guy....

 

[Zybalto]

Only worried about goaltending really and even then, Canada somehow feels underrated with the sheer offensive firepower they can unleash.

I mean, it's pretty accepted that Canada has the 3 best players in the touney on its team including a top5 player of all time in his prime. The lineup is also loaded with cup winners and 2 way puck hounds that will not give opponents a moments rest.

Looking forward to see how it plays out and even of things don't go our way, we can fine tune things for the Olympics, the real prize.

 

[ORRFForever]

Only worried about goaltending really and even then, Canada somehow feels underrated with the sheer offensive firepower they can unleash.

I mean, it's pretty accepted that Canada has the 3 best players in the touney on its team including a top5 player of all time in his prime. The lineup is also loaded with cup winners and 2 way puck hounds that will not give opponents a moments rest.

Looking forward to see how it plays out and even of things don't go our way, we can fine tune things for the Olympics, the real prize.

Well said !!!!

 

[1Gold Standard]

Canadian posters have to look at it this way...

After <bleeping> the bed for 4 drafts while the U.S. had amazing drafts during those same 4 years, Canada has still managed to produce a team that even the betting market feels is better.

We should be thrilled because, a few years ago, things looked BAD - when the average NHL career is 5 years, having 4 horrible drafts is NOT good.

If we lose, there will be plenty of time for handwringing. I don't need to see it BEFORE the tournament has even started.

Anyways, JJ, I hope it never gets to the point where I push that "Block" button because you're a good guy....

I wouldn't loose a second of sleep or spend one nanosecond wringing my hands if Canada gets bounced early from whatever PO format they got concocted up for this event.

 

[jj cale]

Anyways, JJ, I hope it never gets to the point where I push that "Block" button because you're a good guy....

Blocking me? you'll rue the day you did that my friend!!

 

[ORRFForever]

Blocking me? you'll rue the day you did that my friend!!

I would miss you.

I wouldn't loose a second of sleep or spend one nanosecond wringing my hands if Canada gets bounced early from whatever PO format they got concocted up for this event.

I agree, 100%. In fact, losing might light a fire under Team Canada for the Olympics.

 

[jj cale]

I would miss you.

Hey, it's a team.

There is the Canadian fans who do the x's and o's and pick the team, that's their job.....you know who they are.

There are the eternal optimists and go team go guys such as yourself,

And then there are the call it like it is and take the occasional pot shot at the other countries when they deserve it, posters like me who act as the lightening rod for their hatred.

Don't mess with the system, it's a well oiled machine

 

[ORRFForever]

Too little, too late :

Zach Hyman has 3 goals in 2 games.

It's probably for the best that he is not on the 2025 team.

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As I have said MANY times... Edmonton will rue the day they let Dylan Holloway get away.

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Skinner is making a statement - "You should have taken me!" - Binnington is being outplayed by the Edmonton goalie.

 

[ORRFForever]

Shane Wright with 9 points in his last 8 games - 6 of which are goals.

Nice to see.

 

[ORRFForever]

Thomas Harley needed a little more love when picking the 4 Nations Team. While his stats aren't great, they are solid...

27G, 4G, 10A, +15

Not bad for a 23 year old.

 

[ORRFForever]

MacKinnon with a 5 point night. How does anyone stop MacKinnon and McDavid on the same team? They are other worldly.

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Kent Johnson (22) is on fire. As I have said before, how the heck are we going to pick 13 forwards in 2030?

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Mark Scheifele should be playing for Canada in February. Shame he was passed over.

 

[Crosby2010]

There are times when MacKinnon is the best player in the NHL. Certainly plenty of pockets of the season where I see this. Right now might be one of them. His tear at the end of the year last year (to be fair Kucherov was tearing it up at the end too) comes to mind as well. Which is why he won the Hart. There are times he looks like the most dominant player in the NHL when he is on the ice. He is frightening whenever he picks up the puck. Don't get me wrong, I'm still picking McDavid if I have to, but man oh man, that gap isn't broad or anything. MacKinnon is right there. Hard to believe he was 27 the first 100 point season he had. I count 4 years where he is on pace to crack 100 if he plays a full year. Once he played 82 and hit 99 points.

I honestly don't know how a team will stop McDavid and then MacKinnon literally the next shift. And then that power play will be downright scary. And even though Crosby's explosiveness is no longer there, he is the classic 3rd line centre this team needs. His line will be tough to handle too. Then you get beat up with that Bennett/Cirelli/Stone line and then it is back to McDavid. This team will just come at you in droves.

 

[ORRFForever]

There are times when MacKinnon is the best player in the NHL. Certainly plenty of pockets of the season where I see this. Right now might be one of them. His tear at the end of the year last year (to be fair Kucherov was tearing it up at the end too) comes to mind as well. Which is why he won the Hart. There are times he looks like the most dominant player in the NHL when he is on the ice. He is frightening whenever he picks up the puck. Don't get me wrong, I'm still picking McDavid if I have to, but man oh man, that gap isn't broad or anything. MacKinnon is right there. Hard to believe he was 27 the first 100 point season he had. I count 4 years where he is on pace to crack 100 if he plays a full year. Once he played 82 and hit 99 points.

I honestly don't know how a team will stop McDavid and then MacKinnon literally the next shift. And then that power play will be downright scary. And even though Crosby's explosiveness is no longer there, he is the classic 3rd line centre this team needs. His line will be tough to handle too. Then you get beat up with that Bennett/Cirelli/Stone line and then it is back to McDavid. This team will just come at you in droves.

Yes, it will come at the U.S., Finland and Sweden in waves - far more than any other team.

I watch a LOT (too much) hockey and I don't see players who dominate the ice like McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar.

I agree. Although some people have Crosby as MacKinnon's center on the 2nd line, I prefer Sid on his own (3rd) line. He and Marchand have chemistry. Give them a strong Right winger and let them do their thing.

 

[ORRFForever]

MacTavish is pointless but he certainly is playing well - versus the Leafs.

 

[Crosby2010]

Yes, it will come at the U.S., Finland and Sweden in waves - far more than any other team.

I watch a LOT (too much) hockey and I don't see players who dominate the ice like McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar.

I agree. Although some people have Crosby as MacKinnon's center on the 2nd line, I prefer Sid on his own (3rd) line. He and Marchand have chemistry. Give them a strong Right winger and let them do their thing.

Yeah you have to give McDavid and MacKinnon their own lines. Maybe have them on the power play, but that's it. Spread the wealth out.

Only if there is a panic and the need to really shake things up in the tournament if we aren't scoring properly do you ever put them on a line together. A la Gretzky and Mario in the 1987 Canada Cup. Keenan always knew he had that weapon if he had to use it, which he did.

I think you have to put Point on the right side with one of them. Maybe Reinhart on the other one's line. Sid will have Marchand on the left and Jarvis maybe on the right? The reason I say that is that the Bennett/Cirelli/Stone line is just born to be the 4th line together.

 

[ORRFForever]

Yeah you have to give McDavid and MacKinnon their own lines. Maybe have them on the power play, but that's it. Spread the wealth out.

Only if there is a panic and the need to really shake things up in the tournament if we aren't scoring properly do you ever put them on a line together. A la Gretzky and Mario in the 1987 Canada Cup. Keenan always knew he had that weapon if he had to use it, which he did.

I think you have to put Point on the right side with one of them. Maybe Reinhart on the other one's line. Sid will have Marchand on the left and Jarvis maybe on the right? The reason I say that is that the Bennett/Cirelli/Stone line is just born to be the 4th line together.

Works for me!

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Bedard with a BEAUTY!!!

 

[ORRFForever]

We don't have Chili's in Canada...

Home Page

Chili's Grill & Bar. View menu, order online, and view restaurant hours.

www.chilis.com

Someone brought me a small container of their baked beans. Wow! They were tasty !!!!

 

[ORRFForever]

Youth Watch...

Celebrini with TWO Goals and an Assist. WOW. That kid is something else.

**

Bedard with a Goal (a beauty) and 2 Assists.

**

Dylan Guenther with TWO Goals and an Assist.

**

Shane Wright playing well - with 2 assists.

**

Kent Johnson with an assist.

**

Jake Neighbours with his 10th Goal.

**

Where is Quinton Byfield???

 

[ORRFForever]

While you could make the case that Brad Marchand is Boston's best player, with all due respect to Pastrnak, Marchand does NOT belong on Team Canada in 2026. There are just too many players 15 years his junior who will be more of an asset for Team Canada - imagine 18/19 year old Celebrini on Sid's wing.

4 Nations will be Marchand's last kick at the (Best On Best) can - it is time to pass the torch.

 

[the valiant effort]

And of course the only reason Marchand is on the team is because some foolish marketers think you need to preselect a handful of players to justify putting Connor McDavid in a Team Canada jersey for promotion

 

[ORRFForever]

And of course the only reason Marchand is on the team is because some foolish marketers think you need to preselect a handful of players to justify putting Connor McDavid in a Team Canada jersey for promotion

He's a strong 200 foot player and a leader but he's beyond his best before date. There is almost no chance he makes 2026 - there are just too many better / younger options. Both Kent Johnson and Celebrini can fill Marchand's shoes and help Canada take a step towards a more youthful team.

 

[ORRFForever]

Shane Wright has a VERY distinctive skating style. He is ALL over the ice tonight - in a good way. Seattle must be very pleased.

 

[ORRFForever]

Quinton Byfield with a goal and an assist. Nice !

What is happening to the Rangers?

 

[NyQuil]