World Cup: Canada 4 Nations Tournament 2025 Roster Talk

[toddkaz]

I can see why many don't think Bedard should be on this team because he's not ready. But having Schiefele on McDavid's wing would look a thousand times better than Marner on there. Also Reinhart has been terrible so far and has been getting outplayed by Marchand one the left side but he remains stapled to McDavid lol. They have zero chemistry.

"He's not ready"

So let's have him gain experience in a meaningless tournament so he knows how to prepare for the Olympics.

That's the whole point.

 

[Divine]

"He's not ready"

So let's have him gain experience in a meaningless tournament so he knows how to prepare for the Olympics.

That's the whole point.

You make the team based on merit not potential. Bedard has less goals than fellow Canadian Bobby McMann. Plus Bedard plays basically 0 defence and no one in Chicago seems to expect him to.

When he lives up to the hype he can play on the team. I'd take Celebrini over him for Team Canada if I had to pick between the 2 today, though neither should be on this team.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Reinhart is one of the best wingers in the world, Hagel is a good third banana. Hagel has been fine but I do not see a potential difference maker on a team that is lacking those. On a team short of upside I think the team should give Reinhart the opportunity to figure it out unless he ends up being a liability. It's nice that Hagel held his own in allowing the Tkachuks to cosplay as the bash brothers, but it doesn't make him a lock for the roster. It also isn't a case like with Marner where stylistically Reinhart doesn't fit what Canada is doing. I'd sit Hagel or maybe Marchand, though if Canada gets to a championship game in Boston I'd probably rather Marchand play. Of course the team still needs to beat Finland, which is not a given.

I'll add that Canada needs to take the lesson from this event that the team needs more cannons on the back end. Every team has been successful in forcing the opposition to lob shots from the blue line too often. Makar is probably the best possible defenceman in that situation, but he's really the only good one that this team has for that situation. I am not a fan of Bouchard but offensively he would have been an asset last night (and likely a defensive liability as well). I am hopeful that Dobson can find his form next season leading up to the Olympics.

I’d argue that Reinhart has been a liability though. He made a bad play in (I think) the 2nd, turning the puck over along the side boards, and let Guentzel walk right past him for the American’s second goal (yes, other factors contributed to that play but Reinhart could have done….something).

Reinhart isn’t playing with any sense of urgency or pace at this point. What suggests that he’ll play better going forward? Should Cooper give him the Finland game to turn it around? I dunno, he’s been the most disappointing player so far. Doesn’t seem like he’s really engaged or wants to be there. He’s the only forward I can really say that about.

 

[HockeyWooot]

Coming into the tournament I though running McDavid, Mackinnon, Crosby on separate lines would be the way to go.

Not a fan of the overloading so far, hope to see something like the following on Monday. P


Point McDavid Konecny
Jarvis Mackinnon Reinhart
Marchand Crosby Stone
Hagel Bennett Marner

 

[MessierII]

I can see why many don't think Bedard should be on this team because he's not ready. But having Schiefele on McDavid's wing would look a thousand times better than Marner on there. Also Reinhart has been terrible so far and has been getting outplayed by Marchand one the left side but he remains stapled to McDavid lol. They have zero chemistry.

Hyman is the guy they should have. Team has no forecheck.

 

[Korpse]

Team has no forecheck.

I think credit goes to the USA d group, they were moving the puck quick and it’s hard to get a forecheck going when that’s the case.

On a separate note, I think Marner needs his own line. Not enough time for him to develop chemistry with the likes of McDavid or MacKinnon.

Hagel-McDavid-Reinhart
Crosby-McKinnon-Stone
Marchand-Point-Marner
Bennett-Cirelli-Jarvis

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Hyman is the guy they should have. Team has no forecheck.

No forecheck and lacking grit. Soft perimeter player like Marner heavily favoured over hard hitting Bennett and Konecny

 

[Isaac Nootin]

This place is peak insanity right now.

Celebrini on the top line? Bedard? Hyman, lol!

Canada wins Monday, beats the US on Thursday and all's right again.

Regardless of outcome, last night was great for hockey.

 

[Mobiandi]

Bennett is a big game player. 7 minutes is a joke.

 

[Iron Mike Sharpe]

I paid zero attention to how this whole thing was put together, I just jumped in to watch the games, so I'm curious as to why Binnington was selected for the team when there are about a dozen better Canadian goalies.

 

[boltsfan86]

I’d argue that Reinhart has been a liability though. He made a bad play in (I think) the 2nd, turning the puck over along the side boards, and let Guentzel walk right past him for the American’s second goal (yes, other factors contributed to that play but Reinhart could have done….something).

Reinhart isn’t playing with any sense of urgency or pace at this point. What suggests that he’ll play better going forward? Should Cooper give him the Finland game to turn it around? I dunno, he’s been the most disappointing player so far. Doesn’t seem like he’s really engaged or wants to be there. He’s the only forward I can really say that about.

Reinhart and Jarvis are great hockey players who haven’t show a lick of that so far. Jarvis was ok in the first game but totally forgot he and Reinhart were playing last night. Total passengers.

 

[Mooche]

Still so impressed with Harley. Played fantastic last night, especially when earlier in the week he thought he was heading to Cabo.

Hopefully Makar can go the rest of the way and they can just make the easy swap for Sanheim. Sanheim played pretty well last night, but we know Doughty will play over him.

Toews - Makar
Morrissey - Parayko
Harley - Doughty

 

[ReimanSum1908]

I paid zero attention to how this whole thing was put together, I just jumped in to watch the games, so I'm curious as to why Binnington was selected for the team when there are about a dozen better Canadian goalies.

Reputation as a winner for having captured a Stanley Cup even though he's been terrible this season.

Galaxy brained "experts" at Hockey Canada who have tripped their way into winning consistently despite themselves simply because of the depth and quality of talent the nation produces, but we're coming to the point that the long-festering rot is showing at both the Junior and Men's levels.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

...he is not ready, imo...now Sheifele, Wilson, Weegar, Thompson; they all need to be begged forgiveness...

I'd have taken Bedard for sure. Not just because his shot is badly needed but because he's a big part of Canada's future. I'd have included him. Sometimes these tournaments supercharge a player's career. His numbers are pretty freaking good for a 19 year old playing on the worst team in the league. Imagine his shot with the passing ability we have on this club.

 

[Il Stugotz]

Still so impressed with Harley. Played fantastic last night, especially when earlier in the week he thought he was heading to Cabo.

Hopefully Makar can go the rest of the way and they can just make the easy swap for Sanheim. Sanheim played pretty well last night, but we know Doughty will play over him.

Toews - Makar
Morrissey - Parayko
Harley - Doughty

Are they allowed to play Harley if Makar comes back?

 

[Mooche]

Are they allowed to play Harley if Makar comes back?

Oh, shit. Good question.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Bedard would have done anything to be on this team just for experience alone. He would be dynamite on McDavids or Crosby's wing. This team badly misses Stamkos shot, even as a PP merchant.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Oh, shit. Good question.

Per Duthie, yes

 

[featherhawk]

This is the best lineup I could come up with for the Finland game:

Bennett - McDavid - Konecny
Hagel - MacKinnon - Point
Marchand - Crosby - Stone
Reinhart - Cirelli - Marner

Bennett is the closest player we have to Hyman on this roster, and a LHS that can look to get into position for one of McDavid’s patented cross-seamers. Konecny is a great skater and good all-around hard-nosed player.

Point would provide more speed on MacKinnon’s wing, and Hagel would add puck retrieval capability.

Crosby’s line would give a more cerebral look. Stone has looked good so far playing off of Crosby so I’d keep them together. Crosby and Marchand have familiarity with each other too. Could work.

4th line is fairly strong defensively. Marner can drive offense on that line.

Ya, I don't mind those lines at all if Canada advances to the finals I think this is what should be tried.

Leaving Scheifele, Hyman and Thompson off this team was a brutal mistake
Hockey Canada is as arrogant as ever

agreed, it was also a mistake to leave Weeger and Kuemper off this roster. Harley was great last night IMO.

 

[DuklaNation]

Team is too old. People will hate this but Dylan Guenther is a better goal scorer than half this roster, right now. Wyatt Johnston in another situation is a 90 point forward, right now. Guys like Marchand are past their primes.

 

[Peasy]

Bedard would be a saviour? The guy who hasnt even scored 30 in an NHL season

 

[Trash Panda]

Are they allowed to play Harley if Makar comes back?

For Canada’s sake, I hope they can.

Harley-Doughty was the teams best D-pair, they were f***ing nails.

 

[toddkaz]

You make the team based on merit not potential. Bedard has less goals than fellow Canadian Bobby McMann. Plus Bedard plays basically 0 defence and no one in Chicago seems to expect him to.

When he lives up to the hype he can play on the team. I'd take Celebrini over him for Team Canada if I had to pick between the 2 today, though neither should be on this team.

Ok, so you disagree with many players making the Canadian roster like Eric Lindros even though he hadn't proven himself in the NHL. Eric Lindros was named to the World Cup roster after only playing ONE season. So Eric Lindros at the time had only 75 points in the NHL.

Or how about Paul Kariya who played on the World Cup team with NHL stars. Kariya played ZERO games in the NHL. He lead the team in scoring even though he hadn't played a game in the NHL. So much for merit. What merit are you talking about anyways? NHL only merit?

I can also go through many of the rosters and name players that directly contradict your point.

 

[ORRFForever]

I think it is obvious...

* We should have brought more size.
* We need our current players to step up - Sam Reinhart, where are you?
* We need to bury the hatchet when it comes to Logan Thompson.

If these mistakes helps us improve our team for 2026, Saturday's loss was a small price to pay.

As for 2025...

* As long as we win on Monday, last night does not matter
* If we can't beat Finland in regulation, we don't deserve another shot at the U.S..

Nothing has gone right for Canada in 2026 but if we win on Thursday, it's a huge step in the right direction.

 

[Linds]

Are they allowed to play Harley if Makar comes back?

Yes