GDT: Four Nations Face-Off

I’m excited for it. It will be great to see world class hockey and I’m excited to see what all our “crappy players” look like with other elite talent.

A little embarrassing to see some in the Canadian media framing Team Canada as an underdog. You have the three best players in the world in McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar.
 
I’m excited for it. It will be great to see world class hockey and I’m excited to see what all our “crappy players” look like with other elite talent.

A little embarrassing to see some in the Canadian media framing Team Canada as an underdog. You have the three best players in the world in McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar.
I am too. Sweden would worry me if I’m Canada on opening night. They have a lot of world class talent and if they get some solid goaltending, they can win the tournament.
 
I am too. Sweden would worry me if I’m Canada on opening night. They have a lot of world class talent and if they get some solid goaltending, they can win the tournament.
I don’t get the jitters. Every team has world class talent but Canada has 3 players better than everyone else’s best player. There should be nothing but swagger coming from that group.

I rooted for Canada in all those old World Cups, watching Gretzky and Lemieux and Coffey together was hockey heroine. Heck, even years later watching Lemieux and Kariya together was amazing. I can’t wait to see what this team does.

I know Canada doesn’t love their goaltending but as we know too well, Binnington has a way of stepping up in big moments.

OT: It breaks my heart to hear Canadians boo the American National anthem. I don’t blame them, and I’m sure there will be nothing but hate for the American team, but it’s like watching your kids fight.
 
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Tage Thompson is American
Logan Thompson over Montembeault

i know 6 nations is very important in rugby but this tournament would have more juice if the czechs and russians were in it too
Agree and this is not an IIHF event, it is an NHL event, so if they let Russians play in the NHL, they should be allowed in this tournament.
 
I don’t get the jitters. Every team has world class talent but Canada has 3 players better than everyone else’s best player. There should be nothing but swagger coming from that group.

I rooted for Canada in all those old World Cups, watching Gretzky and Lemieux and Coffey together was hockey heroine. Heck, even years later watching Lemieux and Kariya together was amazing. I can’t wait to see what this team does.

I know Canada doesn’t love their goaltending but as we know too well, Binnington has a way of stepping up in big moments.

OT: It breaks my heart to hear Canadians boo the American National anthem. I don’t blame them, and I’m sure there will be nothing but hate for the American team, but it’s like watching your kids fight.
They do, but in a short quick tournament,chemistry and cohesiveness means so much on forming a team and ultimately reaching success.
 
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I’m excited for it. It will be great to see world class hockey and I’m excited to see what all our “crappy players” look like with other elite talent.

A little embarrassing to see some in the Canadian media framing Team Canada as an underdog. You have the three best players in the world in McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar.
I think the root of the underdog mentality goes back to them losing in both the WJC and WC last year. They may have the three best players in the world but can they actually play together is the question. I'm glad Crosby is the captain and not McDavid.
 
I think the root of the underdog mentality goes back to them losing in both the WJC and WC last year. They may have the three best players in the world but can they actually play together is the question. I'm glad Crosby is the captain and not McDavid.
"I'm not looking for the best players. I'm looking for the right ones."

Famous words from a famous coach of a famous team
 
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I’m excited for it. It will be great to see world class hockey and I’m excited to see what all our “crappy players” look like with other elite talent.

A little embarrassing to see some in the Canadian media framing Team Canada as an underdog. You have the three best players in the world in McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar.

I think trying to paint Canada as underdogs is going too far, but I do see the US as the clear favorites. No denying Canada have the best top-end star power, but I think America has better depth at both ends and is strongest in net. That to me gives them the edge.

Reality is though with such a short tournament and lead-in time, the best team is going to be whichever group can get their act together fastest. Which is less about sheer talent and more about building chemistry quickly. Also think goaltending will be a big factor - teams will make mistakes defensively due to lack of familiarity, and if a particular goalie can make some big stops that may well go a long way towards deciding results.

Really don't like the way the tournament has been set up, but can't deny interest as to how it all plays out.
 
I think the root of the underdog mentality goes back to them losing in both the WJC and WC last year. They may have the three best players in the world but can they actually play together is the question. I'm glad Crosby is the captain and not McDavid.
This right here.

For as much as a power we are in the hockey world, we've been weirdly shitty in the past few international tournaments. I don't think too much of the World Championship loss. Not because i'm one of those "fans" who dismiss it as lesser when Canada doesn't win, but moreso it's a dice roll on who actually gets access to their best players depending on playoff results, injuries, guys wanting to rest, etc. I know the US has a similar problem in that regard.

The past two WJCs on the other hand, have left a pretty significant scar on the consciousness on Canadian hockey fans. It's one thing to lose like they did to the Americans in 2010, but it's another when the defeat comes at the hands of your governing body being too stupid to adapt to modern times , which is a story that has come up far, far too often with the riches Hockey Canada has at their disposal.

It's arguably reared its head here too. Picking 2 of our 3 goalies because they were "winners" in the past while leaving the best option you had at home while also not being able to justify the third pick statistically. (Montembeault? really? even my diehard Habs fan buddy is like "why?") Picking guys based on prior experience like a Colton Parayko who hasn't been good in close to a half decade while leaving Sanheim as a scratch when he's been fantastic all season. Sam Bennett being picked at all because you're still deadset on the idea square pegs must fit in square holes.
 
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I think trying to paint Canada as underdogs is going too far, but I do see the US as the clear favorites. No denying Canada have the best top-end star power, but I think America has better depth at both ends and is strongest in net. That to me gives them the edge.
Fwiw, oddsmakers have Canada as the favorite. Rightfully so, IMO.
 
Does anyone know if the teams will be practicing at Warrior or the Garden when they come to town, and if they're open to the public? I would love to go watch.
 

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