GDT: Exhibition • Dec. 23 • Sweden vs. USA • 7:00 PM ET
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VictorLustig
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AngelDuck
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LOL
Love this kind of arrogance. Great bookmark material for later on in the tournament.
On paper, Canada ALWAYS has the best team. That's just how it is. If you were to look at our Olympic team on paper and compare it to any other nation, Canada would be the favourite every time. But Hockey is not played on paper, and its very random in single elimination game tournaments. Sure USA has a good team this year, but Canada on paper is just plain better (on paper).
VictorLustig
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Looks like any other game against USA. Our D can't handle the forecheck and are unable to get the puck back. The decision making is so incredibly slow, let's just hope it gets better after some games. We are also in trouble with Ward in net.
wickedwitch
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Look at the 2013 teams, remembering that Drouin and MacKinnon (and Jones) hadn't been drafted. The US has a much stronger goalie and defense corps, and the forwards are relatively even, although Canada would have the edge. I think that the US genuinely had the stronger team on paper that year.
But that would be the exception that proves the rule.
AngelDuck
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Always? Oh really?
So that year USA had Jones, Trouba, Gibson, Galchenyuk, Gaudreau, and Trochek (who are all already NHL regulars - some of them almost stars) doesn't count? Sure Canada had MacKinnon, RNH, Drouin, Hamilton, Jenner, but you'd have a hard time finding many people who actually believe Canada was better on paper that year
I think they had a better team 2 years ago, and it's pretty damn close this year. Could indeed come down to Eichel vs McDavid (whoever plays better). That would be TSN's dream
Juxtaposer
Outro: Divina Comedia
The U.S. most DEFINITELY did not have a better team on paper. Are you remembering Nugent-Hopkins? Huberdeau? Strome? Scheifele? Hamilton? Rattie? Mackinnon? Drouin? Jenner? The U.S. had Galchenyuk, Gibson, Jones, Trouba, and Gaudreau, and then a bunch of crap. Canada should have dominated that tournament.
AngelDuck
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USA's top 6 players were better than Canada's. That is a fact. They're better in the NHL right now too. Rattie hasn't done jack, Huberdeau has been a disappointment since his first year. I admit, Scheifele, Mackinnon, Drouin, and RNH is a good group of forwards. But USA was way better defensively that year.
They also had a clear edge at goalie.
USA has a great team no doubt. But to say Canada is better is not arrogant. Team Canada's fourth line consists of 3 big bodies. One is a first round pick and the best defensive forward in the CHL, one is a 6th overall pick who has blazing speed and can hit like a truck and score goals, the other is a future top 15 pick and an extremely versatile player that can do it all. That is their worst line lol.
The rest of the forward group includes a 2nd overall pick, the best prospect since Crosby and a generational talent, two guys who were playing well in the NHL this year at points, and one of the best offensive prospects in the league. Also a bunch of other top prospects.
A guy like Dal Colle who was cut by Canada would be a lock on the US team, you can't even deny that.
