GDT: Canada vs USA 7pm ESPN

[Wally1112pac]

He scored the winner which is all that matters, but he was legit terrible.

I’ll say for the first time it feels like we sort of gave the game away. Dominated 3rd and OT. It wasn’t like 2014 where it was inevitable. It’s a real contest now.

I'm sure the States will win a best on best in the near future. They are right there.

 

[GIADF]

Matthew Tkachuk should be getting crucified for taking up a roster spot. Dude making Kyle Connor sit just to play 6 minutes is beyond selfish.

I think this is what bugs me the most the morning after. Maddening, especially as a big Kyle Connor fan.

Tkachuk legit couldn't push off with one of his legs the few shifts he did play, and you could easily notice it from his very first shift of the game.

 

[HawksDub89]

He scored the winner which is all that matters, but he was legit terrible.

I’ll say for the first time it feels like we sort of gave the game away. Dominated 3rd and OT. It wasn’t like 2014 where it was inevitable. It’s a real contest now.

100% agree. The US has absolutely caught up. 2014 felt like they were just hanging on, last night I expected them to win and even felt like they should’ve.

I can’t wait for the Olympics. I think a healthy USA team beats Canada.

Congrats to our Canadian friends! Binnington was unreal when it mattered.

(And trumps an a$$hole)

We all knew there wouldn't be many penalties, but come on, not a single penalty on team Canada in 70 minutes.

Oh well, can't blame it on the refs. Binnington was really good and stopped a handful of could be game winners, gotta give him credit too as much as I hate the prick.

That was kind of my only gripe. Not a single f’ing penalty on Canada? Gtfo lol

Otherwise a great game played by both teams.

 

[Pez68]

Both can be true. Given all the talk leading up to today about how he has said numerous times he would never miss this game wouldnt be shocked if he told Sully and co he is good to play when he wasnt even feeling 50%.

Athletes lie or downplay their injuries a ton to play and avoid sitting. Not that long ago in the 23 playoffs Linus Ullmark was in Boston he lied about his injury status so he could play over Swayman the majority of that series.


Hughes was straight up bullied this game it was incredible watching him slide further and further down the lineup this tourney.

After hearing about the team USA doctors and how they handled McAvoy's shoulder, I'm going to side with the player on this one. I'd be willing to bet we find out Tkachuk shouldn't have even been dressed, let alone taking shifts. Just like McAvoy. Yes, athletes lie or downplay their injuries, but that's why you have coaches and management staff to take that decision out of their hands. You don't just trust a player when he says he's "good to go".

The problem here is a clear conflict of interest, with the medical staff for Team USA being the Minnesota Wild medical staff, because of Bill Guerin.

I think the bigger crime here was dressing Kreider over Tkachuk, anyway. lol

 

[OhCaptainMyCaptain]

That was super fun to watch last night. USA definitely belonged, and I thought looked like the better team overall, but damn that was fun and competitive. Overtime got the juices flowing!

 

[BHawk21]

What amazing hockey that was. Nice to get a big game feeling again.

McDavid was brutal the whole game. He would have been given a label if they didnt get that win after his game 7. Good for him.

Slavin played the best defensive game Iv ever seen I think.

Why the hell did Matthew Tkachuk play? Was it for the publicity aspect? He was the golden boy but theres no way he was going last the game.

Hughes looked too small to do anything it makes me a bit worried for CB. Im not sure how he could possibly fit into a lineup in a year for the olympics. He would have to be top 6 and there isnt room.

Mackinnon McDavid Crosby Marner Point Reinhart

 

[BobbyJet]

Great hockey and the refs let them play. It will be difficult to watch NHL RS games after that tourney.

 

[statswatcher]

Hughes looked too small to do anything it makes me a bit worried for CB. Im not sure how he could possibly fit into a lineup in a year for the olympics. He would have to be top 6 and there isnt room.

Mackinnon McDavid Crosby Marner Point Reinhart

he stands to look much better when the current cohort is on the way out, but i think people would be a whole lot happier if they stopped expecting bedard to be top six among all canadian forwards and started expecting a very good offensive weapon. he could still amount to the former, but he's shown so far that he's at the very least gonna be the latter, which is always nice to have.

 

[BHawk21]

Also I am all in on Marner I dont care what any of you guys say. 13x7

Prediction Leafs flame out again in the playoffs. They let Marner walk and sign Sam Bennett and someone else.

Knies-Matthews-Domi
Nylander-Bennett-Tavares

he stands to look much better when the current cohort is on the way out, but i think people would be a whole lot happier if they stopped expecting bedard to be top six among all canadian forwards and started expecting a very good offensive weapon. he could still amount to the former, but he's shown so far that he's at the very least gonna be the latter, which is always nice to have.

sure. not the discussion im having tho.

 

[statswatcher]

sure. not the discussion im having tho.

well good because my whole point is that it's not a discussion worth having. i wouldn't be "worried" about how bedard will do in some future best on best until he's proven he belongs in that conversation at the highest professional level. he hasn't even had a ppg season yet.

 

[BHawk21]

well good because my whole point is that it's not a discussion worth having. i wouldn't be "worried" about how bedard will do in some future best on best until he's proven he belongs in that conversation at the highest professional level. he hasn't even had a ppg season yet.

Its not worth discussing if the generational prospect can make the Olympic team in his 3rd year pro. hm. Ok.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25159454-way-too-early-team-canada-predictions-2026-winter-olympics

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/4-nations-face-off-what-we-learned-2025-1.7464794

Why is Connor Bedard not on Team Canada? Explaining the 4 Nations Face-Off roster snub | Sporting News

Here is why Connor Bedard is not on Team Canada for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

www.sportingnews.com

There are also plenty of players on Canada that are not PPG players.

 

[statswatcher]

Its not worth discussing if the generational prospect can make the Olympic team in his 3rd year pro. hm. Ok.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25159454-way-too-early-team-canada-predictions-2026-winter-olympics

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/4-nations-face-off-what-we-learned-2025-1.7464794

Why is Connor Bedard not on Team Canada? Explaining the 4 Nations Face-Off roster snub | Sporting News

Here is why Connor Bedard is not on Team Canada for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

www.sportingnews.com

oh so now we're having this discussion, huh? well allow me to reiterate: if you are still buying the pre-draft "generational" hype and setting your expectations accordingly, then you should expect disappointment. such is what happens when your beliefs and expectations do not change in response to nearly two full years of new information.

 

[BHawk21]

oh so now we're having this discussion, huh? well allow me to reiterate: if you are still buying the pre-draft "generational" hype and setting your expectations accordingly, then you should expect disappointment. such is what happens when your beliefs and expectations do not change in response to nearly two full years of new information.

lol. he doesnt have to be McDavid or Crosby to make an Olympic team. Why wouldnt you have this conversation?

 

[Backyard Hockey]

It’s Auston Matthews on those opportunities, can’t expect him to come up clutch.

Matthews effectively cost the US the game. Missed on 3 grade A chances (hasn't scored a goal in 9 games) and completely abandonded the best player in the world in the high slot.

Not sure if it was Tkachuk or the coaching staff, but that was a massive miss by having him eat a spot and scratching Kyle Connor. He was definitely missed on the ice, but if he couldn't go, he couldn't go.

 

[statswatcher]

lol. he doesnt have to be McDavid or Crosby to make an Olympic team. Why wouldnt you have this conversation?

it is supremely funny to me that you've gone from "not the discussion i'm having" to "Why wouldn't you have this conversation?" within three posts. like maybe you should have asked yourself that question three posts ago?

it was you that said he needed to be top six, and i agree because i don't see him being an effective bottom six player. what i'm saying is that it's foolish to expect that from him given what he's actually shown on the ice two seasons into his nhl career. he has a lot to prove before how many points he puts up at the olympics becomes a legitimate concern in my mind.

 

[GIADF]

I don’t think there was a place for Bedard on the team this year, come Olympics I think he’ll easily earn a top 6 spot as a winger.

Even Jack Hughes looked out of place who is similar size but way more dynamic and elite of a skater.

 

[Backyard Hockey]

Cmon man. Let’s get real. Bedard would have looked completely out of place in this tourney. Just like Hughes did. Boldy noticeably struggled last night.

Will be interesting to see how GMs and coaches handle this. While the hype and vibe was off the charts, injuries happened. Injuries that can impact a Cup run. What really matters.

 

[Drumman44]

I don’t think there was a place for Bedard on the team this year, come Olympics I think he’ll easily earn a top 6 spot as a winger.

Even Jack Hughes looked out of place who is similar size but way more dynamic and elite of a skater.

The Olympics are in like 10 months. How does he go from being out of place to easily earn a top 6 spot in that timespan?

 

[BHawk21]

it is supremely funny to me that you've gone from "not the discussion i'm having" to "Why wouldn't you have this conversation?" within three posts. like maybe you should have asked yourself that question three posts ago?

it was you that said he needed to be top six, and i agree because i don't see him being an effective bottom six player. what i'm saying is that it's foolish to expect that from him given what he's actually shown on the ice two seasons into his nhl career. he has a lot to prove before how many points he puts up at the olympics becomes a legitimate concern in my mind.

I was discussing Bedard on the olympic team 2026.

You started talking about him being a good offensive weapon and fans being happier lowering expectations (Not was I was discussing)

Im not ready to lower expecations on him yet.

 

[Hawkaholic]

The Olympics are in like 10 months. How does he go from being out of place to easily earn a top 6 spot in that timespan?

He's not making it.

 

[Putt Pirate]

I don’t think there was a place for Bedard on the team this year, come Olympics I think he’ll easily earn a top 6 spot as a winger.

Even Jack Hughes looked out of place who is similar size but way more dynamic and elite of a skater.

Barely knew he was on the team he was so invisible.

 

[GIADF]

The Olympics are in like 10 months. How does he go from being out of place to easily earn a top 6 spot in that timespan?

I guess I thought they were further out than that.

But I could see him replacing Marchand.

Edit, let me rephrase that. I can see the logic and reason for Bedard replacing Marchand. However, I can see them giving Marchand the spot again as one last hurrah to represent his country.

 

[BLKHKhockey]

Bedard would be a huge liability

 

[bwanajamba]

The teams were selected right after Bedard began busting out of that horrific slump that ended the Richardson era. If he keeps playing like he has under Sorenson he will certainly get consideration

 

[Backyard Hockey]

He's not making it.

There's zero chance Bedard makes it. I know he's 19 but in so many games, he looks like a kid playing against men and that's what the Olympics will be. His issues in the D zone (he's terrible there) will prohibit him. Maybe the next go round but def not this one.

The teams were selected right after Bedard began busting out of that horrific slump that ended the Richardson era. If he keeps playing like he has under Sorenson he will certainly get consideration

Doubt it. He's a major defensive liability. You saw that with Boldy and you saw it with Hughes.

I guess I thought they were further out than that.

But I could see him replacing Marchand.

Edit, let me rephrase that. I can see the logic and reason for Bedard replacing Marchand. However, I can see them giving Marchand the spot again as one last hurrah to represent his country.

Honestly, I could see Celebrini making it over Bedard.