GDT: Canada vs USA 7pm ESPN

[ChiHawks10]

Olympics were amateurs back then

Technically he would have been a pro, though, at that time. The Hawks drafted him in 84. But yeah, the NHLers didn't really start playing in The Olympics until the late 90's.

 

[ello]

Bedard has zero chance at Olympics. He already makes like 4 turnovers a game that would get him stapled to the bench in the first period of a best on best.

 

[TheFridge]

Bedard has zero chance at Olympics. He already makes like 4 turnovers a game that would get him stapled to the bench in the first period of a best on best.

I'd be shocked if Bedard wasn't on the Canadian Olympic team next year. He'll be on the wing, but I think he'll make the team. Bedard tries things on the Hawks because he's the only guy out there creating any offense. He's obviously not going to be "the guy" on a Canadian Olympic team that features McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, et all.

 

[BobbyJet]

Great game. Two evenly matched teams, but I think Canada's top end talent is just a bit better and that was the difference.

Random thoughts on the tournament:

• Slavin was the best player in the tournament for me. I cannot overemphasize how great he was defensively. The blackhawks should lock Vlasic in a closet with Slavin's play in this tournament playing on loop. Goes to show how big of an effect you can have on the game just with defence.
• Jack Eichel is a stud. Loved his game, and love the way he has developed as a 2-way C.
• Jack Hughes, as others have said, was invisible and overmatched. I get the pull to assume it would have been the same for Bedard, but I am not so sure. I think Bedard has more jam than he gets credit for, and I would love to see how he adapts to this environment. I am hoping he plays in the world championships this year and shows he belongs. I think that is his best bet at making the Olympic team next year.
• I thought McDavid had a horrible game outside of the game winner. As good as he is, I still don't trust him in the same way I trust the Crosby's/MacKinnon's of the world to come through when the going gets tough. Obviously the OT goal is a step in that direction, but I wasn't all that impressed with him this tournament outside of his two goals.
• On D for Canada, Colton Parayko really impressed me. He is such an asset with his size and skating. Didn't make many mistakes. Beating the wheels of Miller didn't hurt either.
• I was also really impressed with Morrissey. He is a great example of a guy who has just continued to get better and better.

Good post. I think McD is not the easiest guy to play with. He seemed to have problems finding chemistry with teammates, hence found himself solo much of the time. Binnington had a great final game. I was very nervous that he wasn't up to the task. On the American side, McAvoy was solid - better than I expected. Larkin, the same.

 

[Giovi]

 

[MarotteMarauder]

For those who don't know or don't remember, Edzo was in the Olympics at age 17. Played 6 games with 7 points.

Yes, he was THAT good

Olympics were amateurs back then

The youngest EVER, by quite a bit.

 

[x Tame Impala]

The NHL would be wise to do a tournament like this alternating every two years and the Olympics. Skip the ASG completely or just make it a skills competition.

 

[TheFridge]

The NHL would be wise to do a tournament like this alternating every two years and the Olympics. Skip the ASG completely or just make it a skills competition.

I think the appetite for this from the players will wane quickly. The Olympics is the Olympics, that's the pinnacle of best-on-best and they'll always be up for that. This particular Four Nations was lighting in a bottle bc all of these guys have been deprived of best-on-best hockey for a decade. I don't think the top guys are going to want to do this, mid-season, every other year. Takes a toll.

 

[Backyard Hockey]

The NHL would be wise to do a tournament like this alternating every two years and the Olympics. Skip the ASG completely or just make it a skills competition.

Injuries will change that.

 

[Drumman44]

I think the Faber vs Bedard debate is a lot closer now than a lot of us are willing to admit

 

[Wally1112pac]

I think the Faber vs Bedard debate is a lot closer now than a lot of us are willing to admit

It helps Faber that he is 3 years older...

2 years after he was drafted, Faber was still in school.

Bedard will be leading his NHL team in points for his 2nd straight year after being drafted.

Imagine where Bedard will be in 3 years...

 

[BHawk21]

The youngest Canadian guy is over 3 years older than Bedard right now.

People gotta stop being so hyperbolic when they say things like he has ZERO CHANCE at making it onto the Olympics. He's obviously on the outside looking in at the moment, but he's still likely on the list of guys that should be in the mix. He's 15th amongst all Canadians in scoring right now. Most of the guys 7-10 years older than him, which gives him a lot of hypothetical room to make the biggest leap between now and next season.

Once you factor in that someone could be injured and such, that could obviously give him a chance to leap up. Teams get to bring 14 forwards. Of course other guys are better suited for the bottom half forward spots and PK type duties, which is why you'd project him on the outside looking in, but that doesn't mean players like Hagel, Konecny, Cirelli, Jarvis, Marchand, Bennett are unseatable.

Best thing Bedard could do is go back to the World Championships and perform a lot better than he did last year and than hit the ground running with big NHL production and make it very hard for Canada to say no.

Yes, I agree. Hes worth discussing for this team. That was my whole point.

 

[Sinbad]

If Bedard is chosen I think it will be as the 13th or 14th forward. He may get a game or two against weaker competition and be an injury replacement.

Canada always tries to build a “team” and don’t necessarily take the best collection of offensive talent, so unless he is one of the top six offensive forwards he won’t be viewed as an integral part of the team. They will run with two offensive lines, a matchup line and an energy/physical line.

I see McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, Point, Marner, Reinhart, Scheifele, Hagel all ahead of him right now for the top two lines. Guys like Thomas, Suzuki, Stone, Cirelli, Hyman, Wilson, Jarvis, Bennett will all be considered for the 3rd and 4th lines before him.