GDT: Four Nations Thread

[Rudy Russo]

Please no. Bro is gonna sabotage his ppg season haha. He took 3 shots all tournament and one was on an EN haha

Now I'm looking forward till the trade deadline for the penguins, and both Wheeling and WBS season.
Congrats to Sid, Team Canada but this loss tonight is going to sting for awhile.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Congrats Canada still the kings of best on best

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Sullivan's team to start the tournament: 2-0
Sullivan's team to finish the tournament: 0-2

In other words, eat shit, Sullivan, you overrated piece of crap.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Congrats Canada still the kings of best on best

 

[Malkinstheman]

That OT goal was just classic Pens. 3 guys in the corner while the most dangerous guy on the ice is left open in the slot.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Crosby's contribution was winning them that Sweden game. It's a win they had to have, or they'd never even reach the Final. All 3 assists were legit.
Plus he got that ENG off a solid defensive play when Finland had all the momentum and were a goal away from tying it.

I think that's fine, at 37 y/o and playing hurt. Let the younger stars carry. This is their time.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

That OT goal was just classic Pens. 3 guys in the corner while the most dangerous guy on the ice is left open in the slot.

Reporter: "What went wrong on the game winning goal?"

Sullivan: "Nothing. That's exactly how we drew it up."

 

[Kristopher Letang]

 

[IcedCapp]

i wonder when we find out how hurt Sid is and how much of the regular season he misses now, and if maybe letting him go (which they obviously had to do) was a covert part of an ethical tanking plan

 

[Jacob]

i wonder when we find out how hurt Sid is and how much of the regular season he misses now, and if maybe letting him go (which they obviously had to do) was a covert part of an ethical tanking plan

Like Mario in the Olympics.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

lol sully puts in kreider for connor because of course he did

I still say they missed a guy like Tage Thompson. He's better than Brock Nelson or Kreider

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Been hearing the same stuff for the last 30 years. I’ll believe it when I see it.

For now though, Canada still reigns supreme like the gold god himself, Dennis Reynolds.

Yup Canada is still the big brother. US hasn't won't shit since 1996. Partly bc the US regime still hangs on the 1980 team thinking they can replicate plugs beating talent.

My thoughts:

- Canada was the better team through 3 periods
-US dominated OT
-Binnington shut up his critics in a big way. He was money in OT
- Not having McAvoy was a huge blow. Same with Tkachuk
- Slavin was a stud last night
- Did Hughes even play this tournament? Total ghost

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Can someone explain this quote? Were there players who opted out of this?

Larkin, who has represented the U.S. at five men's worlds, said USA Hockey has "had a tough time" getting players to participate at the tournament. He said his hope is that Team USA's 4 Nations run will make more Americans want to play.


"I think guys are at home watching this and I hope they are wanting a piece of this," Larkin said. "They got to go to the world championships and prove themselves and play for their country. We got to start winning that tournament. I think that's where Canada, those guys go and they play. That's where it starts. Pride for your country. Pride for your flag. Putting that crest on and going out for games is an unbelievable feeling."

Sullivan smiled upon being told what Larkin said about the men's worlds and how the 4 Nations could serve as a recruiting tool to get more Americans involved with the Team USA setup.

The way Sullivan sees it, there's no reason for any American player not to get involved with their national team.

"If you love hockey," he said, "it would be hard not to get excited."

 

[Icarium]

That was some game, more than lived up to the hype. I feel bad for Slavin and Guentzel but then I remember who coached the USA and grin. Clearly Sully needs a Tkachuk to do well and the Pens aren't getting one, so send him to Ottawa, please.

McDavid had a frustrating game until then end but that's beauty of sudden death OT - one error/one good play is all it takes.

The game was played at such insane speed that the slower players looked really bad. I know Marchand and Stone are the kind of guys you love on your team in general but not when almost everyone on the other team is blowing past them like they aren't even there. The USA also had their fair share of "Why is this guy here?" players but for once Sully decided not to overplay (relative) scrubs.

P. S. 1 to 0 high danger chances in OT as per Natural Stat Trick?!? Sure felt a lot more than that.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Can someone explain this quote? Were there players who opted out of this?

It's written weird, but it's referring to the World Championships.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

I still say they missed a guy like Tage Thompson. He's better than Brock Nelson or Kreider

That's probably fair. Kyle Connor as well.
But remember that some of these guys are put in a tough position to get in a rhythm and succeed, with low minutes. Kreider played 6:25 in this one.

A notable absence for the US was Quinn Hughes too.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Yeah the Fwds are w/e. Q Hughes and McAvoy are obviously the 2 biggest loses.

Scratching a skill guy in Connor (even if he was quiet) only to play a grinder 6 minutes in a game that had OT is peak Sully though.

 

[eXile3]

Big loss by the 11th province.

I think they ultimately lost because they don’t have McDavid. That said the US could have helped itself by making obvious decisions instead of trying to get too cute.

Just play the best players. Should have Tage Thompson on the team, should have played Kyle Connor. This isn’t 1996. Talent wins games and if you could put out 4 first lines then that’s what you should do.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

It’s only a year. Only difference in Canada’s roster will be goalies + Pietrangelo/Theodore in and probably one of Bedard or Cellibrini.

Yeah for sure. hoping for health (couple guys barely skated past the mid point of the 2nd, think it was a shame Hughes couldn’t play. Probably USAs best skater/player atm) and learning from the loss some.

Maybe the loss makes them rethink Connor out for Kreider and hopefully that whole bottom line is replaced by a skill line that you can shelter. Run Larkin out with Miller to check instead of 3 old farts who can’t keep up and ultimately play 8 mins or whatever.

Well see tho, Sullivan is stubborn. I’m very optimistic about this group, I think Canadas stars took over at times as they will but USA’s roster is a lot stronger past the best 4 players on Canada (and in the world). Although Point is so good.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Yeah the Fwds are w/e. Q Hughes and McAvoy are obviously the 2 biggest loses.

Scratching a skill guy in Connor (even if he was quiet) only to play a grinder 6 minutes in a game that had OT is peak Sully though.

Kreider is legit washed. Trocheck close too

Pray that NYR pick pushes to 2026

 

[Sideline]

Yeah the Fwds are w/e. Q Hughes and McAvoy are obviously the 2 biggest loses.

Scratching a skill guy in Connor (even if he was quiet) only to play a grinder 6 minutes in a game that had OT is peak Sully though.

Connor being a scratch while multiple washed grinders got dressed is unforgivable. He's the top American goal scorer this year. Absolutely ridiculous to bench him.

 

[Gurglesons]

Big loss by the 11th province.

I think they ultimately lost because they don’t have McDavid. That said the US could have helped itself by making obvious decisions instead of trying to get too cute.

Just play the best players. Should have Tage Thompson on the team, should have played Kyle Connor. This isn’t 1996. Talent wins games and if you could put out 4 first lines then that’s what you should do.

Sam Bennett was criticized as a roster selection and had a big goal for Canada.

 

[spcastlemagic]

Crosby's contribution was winning them that Sweden game. It's a win they had to have, or they'd never even reach the Final. All 3 assists were legit.
Plus he got that ENG off a solid defensive play when Finland had all the momentum and were a goal away from tying it.

I think that's fine, at 37 y/o and playing hurt. Let the younger stars carry. This is their time.

He contributed immensely, his successor scored the tournament winner, his protege won tournament MVP. Crosby is inevitable.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Sam Bennett was criticized as a roster selection and had a big goal for Canada.

Tbh I think last night shows that you absolutely need Bennett or the type of player they were going for in Tro/Kreider/Nelson in that game. There’s zero ice. The problem was those 3 simply aren’t good enough to be effective.

Maybe a guy like Tuch would be a better choice?

Tkachuk-Eichel-Tkachuk
Matthews-Hughes-Guentzel
Miller-Larkin-Tuch munches tougher min like the Kesler line in the day


And then a 12 min/game offensively minded 4th line?

 

[Andy99]

I don't know if Billy G is in charge in selecting the 2026 Olympic team but Trocheck, Fox, Nelson and Kreider should NOT even if consideration for anything but being over paid in the NHL. Thompson and Caulfield should be on the 2026 roster.

Don’t underestimate that Sullivan had a large hand in selecting players…not just Billy G lol…you can tell