Four Nations-cup

[tiger_80]

He just served a suspension and said he hates sitting around, but you’re going back years claiming he needs rest? Lmao

Yeah, he already missed like half a dozen games.

Have to disagree

Anything that gets rid of the embarrassing all-star game format is automatically one of the smarter things the league has done

Olden days All-Star games were semi-competitive and therefore entertaining. The current Mickey Mouse tourneys should be abolished.

 

[tiger_80]

Binnington at least has the ability to steal games more othen than Skinner does even though his bad game appears just as often. Though the only game they may need a steal is the US game.

Is Hill and Binnington the best Canada can do? What happened to Brodeur, Luongo, Turco, Price competing for a spot.

 

[LeonDraisaitl29]

Is Hill and Binnington the best Canada can do? What happened to Brodeur, Luongo, Turco, Price competing for a spot.

Canadas goaltending development has been bad for a while now for whatever reason. US seems to be much better at developing them properly.

 

[Vagabond]

Canadas goaltending development has been bad for a while now for whatever reason. US seems to be much better at developing them properly.

That and the fact the team was picked way too early. That's why Logan Thompson isn't on the roster. That's also why Bennet is on the roster.

 

[Dorian2]

Yeah, he already missed like half a dozen games.


Olden days All-Star games were semi-competitive and therefore entertaining. The current Mickey Mouse tourneys should be abolished.

Why are you shit talking the Devil's again Gretz?

 

[harpoon]

Unfortunately his problem is likely that he needs rest after playing more hockey the past couple years than almost anybody. Would be better off spending two weeks at home. Same goes for Ekholm.

He probably would be … except he wants to play.

“I’m excited,” McDavid said Tuesday, sporting a big smile. “Ultimately, we’ve been waiting for this for a long time. Lots of buildup, lots of hype for a while. Now it’s time to go play. That's what I do.”

“This is a special rink,” McDavid said. “This is a special rink around the world. It’s loud in here. Passionate fans. We certainly feel that when we visit here with Edmonton.

“It’ll be nice to have them cheering me for once, and I’m looking forward to feeding off that energy. I think it’s going to be electric.”

If that’s how he really feels, and who am I to doubt him, I won’t begrudge him this opportunity. I’ll watch, and hope he plays well.

 

[tardigrade81]

My prediction

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

The funny thing is this tournament hinges on Canada and the USA doing well. There’s a strong chance at least one won’t.

 

[ThePhoenixx]

My prediction

View attachment 976158

 

[frag2]

Canadas goaltending development has been bad for a while now for whatever reason. US seems to be much better at developing them properly.

I think most countries have been better. Canada for some reason seemingly just sat back. Maybe they thought Price would play forever lol

That and the fact the team was picked way too early. That's why Logan Thompson isn't on the roster. That's also why Bennet is on the roster.

This. Plus, I get the impression, based off pre-game interviews, that some of these players were already notified way before that they were gonna be on the team even though he barely played this season and coming off an injury [ie. Doughty].

But that's just how HC rolls. Legacy picks, recent performance be damned

 

[CanadasTeam99]

That and the fact the team was picked way too early. That's why Logan Thompson isn't on the roster. That's also why Bennet is on the roster.

It's mindboggling that Logan Thompson isn't on the roster.

 

[bone]

I think most countries have been better. Canada for some reason seemingly just sat back. Maybe they thought Price would play forever lol



This. Plus, I get the impression, based off pre-game interviews, that some of these players were already notified way before that they were gonna be on the team even though he barely played this season and coming off an injury [ie. Doughty].

But that's just how HC rolls. Legacy picks, recent performance be damned

I don't know about this. Maybe they got some picks wrong (I'd certainly agree with that), but I wouldn't call these legacy picks. The only guys to play in a best on best tournament for Team Canada in the past are Crosby, Marchand and Doughty and each of those are still good enough to not be ridiculous picks.

Even including the Team North America guys, it just adds McDavid, MacKinnon, Makar and Parayko, 3 of which are automatics and if they were concerned about bringing in those guys then Shiefele would also be there.

I think they've picked certain players for the wrong reasons worrying about balance vs. picking just the best players, but not because of them being legacy picks.

 

[frag2]

I don't know about this. Maybe they got some picks wrong (I'd certainly agree with that), but I wouldn't call these legacy picks. The only guys to play in a best on best tournament for Team Canada in the past are Crosby, Marchand and Doughty and each of those are still good enough to not be ridiculous picks.

Even including the Team North America guys, it just adds McDavid, MacKinnon, Makar and Parayko, 3 of which are automatics and if they were concerned about bringing in those guys then Shiefele would also be there.

I think they've picked certain players for the wrong reasons worrying about balance vs. picking just the best players, but not because of them being legacy picks.

I dunno. If Hockey Canada's WJHC team told us anything [or Nagano and Turin before], HC loves to play the 'smartest in the room' role. I guess we'll see.

 

[bone]

I dunno. If Hockey Canada's WJHC team told us anything [or Nagano and Turin before], HC loves to play the 'smartest in the room' role. I guess we'll see.

100% they are guilty of that. My only challenge was that it wasn't about legacy picks like what buried them in Turin in 2006.

I still think Nagano wasn't as much about player selection overall as much as it was coaching once they got into the tournament and running into a crazy hot goalie in Hasek who only allowed 2 goals in the entire 3 game final round and had a GAA of 0.97 and .961 save percentage through the 6 game tournament. The bronze medal game was moreso them just not caring enough to put in the required effort.

The concern is that their team building strategies may be dated, and as the talent pool elsewhere has gotten deeper, they may need to change their approach.

All that said, this isn't an overly important tournament like the Olympics will be next year, so if this team fails in embarassing fashion, it might be a bit of a wake up call to change strategies for the Olympic team selection. However, I still think this team is strong enough that playing for the gold medal should be automatic, just winning it may be difficult. Losing 2 games vs the US may be enough to make Hockey Canada think about it.