World Cup: Four Nations Tournament-Team Canada

[bossram]

The roster selection is fine. Some minor quibbles (would have probably subbed Cirelli and Parayko for other players), but the roster is very strong.

They'll still have a tough time with the USA.

 

[therealdeal]

I am a little sad Tavares didn’t make it. He’s been awesome for Canada every single game he’s played for us, scored big goals, and played his heart out.

 

[McMoMoney29]

We tend to panic in Canada. This is a great team still. They have all corners taken care of. Just in case you think we don't have depth in Canada, here is a team of the guys not on the team. By the way, even the omissions team left off Tavares, Rielly, Stuart Skinner, etc. to name a few.
View attachment 940232

Our 9.25m d-man can’t even make team B for Canada

 

[Yall are crazy]

I don't believe that Marner was MacKinnon's linemate at that tournament. Konecny - Point - Marner was a line that year, though Marner was on the first PP unit with MacKinnon. I do agree that Marner doesn't fit with McDavid. On McDavid's line you want him to have the puck as much as possible, not to wait for Marner to set him up. MacKinnon is a better stylistic fit in that he is used to playing with Rantanen and is a better finisher than McDavid. In an ideal world McDavid is with a sniper on one wing and a hard working player who can battle on the boards and defend in his own zone (rich man's Hyman basically) but Canada's options aren't amazing.

Marner played with mackinnon multiple times. In that particular tournament, they weren't linemates but they were on the pp together and fit like a glove with their chemistry.

 

[JackSlater]

If that were the case then why on earth would Robert Thomas not be there? Unless Thomas said no it makes no sense.

Have we ever heard about Thomas being "cleared" for international hockey from Hockey Canada's self imposed suspensions like we did with Makar?

Marner played with mackinnon multiple times. In that particular tournament, they weren't linemates but they were on the pp together and fit like a glove with their chemistry.

So we agree that they were not linemates but played on the power play together.

 

[Yall are crazy]

There are two players I'd prefer to have in the forward group - namely, Johnston and Byfield - but overall this is fairly decent. The one change I'd propose making to the line combinations is to switch Marner and Point. MacKinnon and Marner have played together (successfully, I may add) at the WCs, and more importantly I feel as though the chemistry could be off with McDavid and Marner. McDavid doesn't need a pass-first playmaker like Marner on his wing; he needs a finisher, and someone that can contribute defensively (and take faceoffs on his strong side). To me, Point fits the bill perfectly there.

All things being equal, I've always felt Reinhart, Stamkos or Point would look best alongside McDavid.

Lol what? Marner played with mcdavid and crosby at camp. Marner is a 200ft player who can shoot and can defend. Why on earth wouldn't these 2 players who have been playing against and with each other with both amazing skillsets not have chemistry? Marner can play with ANYONE. That's his whole Schick. Also why are yall acting like mcdavid can't score goals?

 

[Yall are crazy]

as much as i dislike toronto there's no way marner wasn't making this team lol

Marner is the best playoffs producer on his team.... For the 7th year in a row. If this is him at his worst, wtf is everyone else doing at their good and best?

 

[JackSlater]

Based on what your saying, it almost sounds like Celebrini should be on McDavid’s left if your logic is true. I think if someone gets injured, that’s who I’m calling up, especially if it’s a top 6 forward injured

I think I would have taken him. Fourth line LW or thirteenth forward, why not. I wouldn't experiment at the Olympics or a Canada/World Cup but I would be ok with experimentation at this event.

 

[Yall are crazy]

Two different things here.

1. I wouldn't have Marner regardless. I don't believe in him as a big game player. He chokes at the worst moments and I wouldn't want to depend on him for anything. I say this independently of us taking Bedard or not.

2. Bedard I think warrants selection as he's an awesome talent who I think would thrive with better players.

Funny as marner is usually the best player on the roster in terms of results of the game and jobs. Usually top 3. That goes for playoffs, all star games, junior playoffs, and the international competition he's played in.

 

[Yall are crazy]

I'd put him on there without a doubt. He's on the worst team in the league and is the 2nd youngest player in the league. He'd score a billion goals with McDavid feeding him the puck. His shot is ridiculously good.

Personally, I'd have him over Marner. I just hate how Marner plays in big games.

Wtf is big games? The all star games? He was one of the best players there. The ihf international tournament? He was one of the best players there. The junior playoffs? He was the best player there. The playoffs? Hes the best player with the most points and production and chances created for the 7th year in a row out of the entire team.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Funny as marner is usually the best player on the roster in terms of results of the game and jobs. Usually top 3. That goes for playoffsl

Absolutely not and this is demonstrably false.

Wtf is big games? The all star games? He was one of the best players there. The ihf international tournament? He was one of the best players there. The junior playoffs? He was the best player there. The playoffs? Hes the best player with the most points and production and chances created for the 7th year in a row out of the entire team.

Playoff career

Game 1: 4G 5A in 9 games
Game 2: 4G 7A in 9 games
Game 3: 0G 9A in 9 games
Game 4: 1G 9A in 8 games
Game 5: 0G 5A in 8 games
Game 6: 1G 1A in 7 games
Game 7: 0G 2A in 5 games

Does this mean it was wrong to take him? Not necessarily. Maybe he'll be great. But this is a big reason why I wouldn't have taken him. I have zero problem with anyone who disagrees. But I'm not going to listen to the narrative that he's been good in the playoffs - No he has not.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I'm puzzled at how you can be reading the situation like this but I sure hope you're right.

USA beats Canada handily. Unfortunately, they are passing us. It was just a matter of time being their country is 10 times our population.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

Absolutely not and this is demonstrably false.


Playoff career

Game 1: 4G 5A in 9 games
Game 2: 4G 7A in 9 games
Game 3: 0G 9A in 9 games
Game 4: 1G 9A in 8 games
Game 5: 0G 5A in 8 games
Game 6: 1G 1A in 7 games
Game 7: 0G 2A in 5 games

Does this mean it was wrong to take him? Not necessarily. Maybe he'll be great. But this is a big reason why I wouldn't have taken him. I have zero problem with anyone who disagrees. But I'm not going to listen to the narrative that he's been good in the playoffs - No he has not.

This is correct Marner has not put up superstar numbers in the playoffs. He has put up ppg numbers, and while that's good it's not quite good enough considering how he plays in the regular season. He has looked great under Berube though so this could all change this year.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

This is correct Marner has not put up superstar numbers in the playoffs. He has put up ppg numbers, and while that's good it's not quite good enough considering how he plays in the regular season. He has looked great under Berube though so this could all change this year.

It can always change. That's why he might be a great selection. Nobody can know until we see it.

Marner's goals get cut in half in the postseason and he disappears as the series goes on. One big reason is that he does everything he can to avoid a hit. We've seen it time and again. And you won't be successful in the playoffs if you aren't willing to get your nose dirty.

Maybe Berube has taught him this. Maybe this will be his year. He has the talent to do it. He's just never been willing to pay the price.

 

[ShameOnYouZidlicky]

My final team had 6 differences. I had Thomas and Verhaeghe over Jarvis and Bennett on F, Dobson and Tanev over Sanheim and Parayko on D and Talbot and Thompson over Hill and Montembault in net.

Overall I am happy with the team. I can understand going with a stronger defensive mindset on the back end. Goalies I have no idea with to think. I am assuming Binnington will be the starter, hopefully he can step up.

Jarvis I am fine with as I am a big fan of the way he plays, but I'd rather have a centre as the 13th forward. Bennett is really the only selection I'm not thrilled about. He's projecting as the teams 4LW but he has only had success in the NHL as a C. He was not goon in CGY as a winger. Down the middle it looks like it'll be McDavid, Crosby, MacKinnon/Point and Cirelli so I don't think Bennett would supplant any of those guys. Would much rather have Verhaeghe at 4LW for a little scoring pop at the bottom of the lineup.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Even without Makar, Bouchard would likely be a long shot for the team. His defensive deficiencies are too much for a tournament like this

If for some reason Makar can’t make the tournament I have very little doubt that it would be Bouchard who’s brought up.

You can shelter his defensive issues, and his offensive contributions are undeniable

 

[Three On Zero]

If for some reason Makar can’t make the tournament I have very little doubt that it would be Bouchard who’s brought up.

You can shelter his defensive issues, and his offensive contributions are undeniable

Could see going more of a Weegar route. You still don’t want a player that needs sheltering in a short tournament

 

[jj cale]

USA beats Canada handily. Unfortunately, they are passing us. It was just a matter of time being their country is 10 times our population.

I don't know about handily over any of the teams but yes, they are the faves IMO.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I don't know about handily over any of the teams but yes, they are the faves IMO.

Canada does have the 3 best players in this. So we will see.

 

[Sky04]

I am a little sad Tavares didn’t make it. He’s been awesome for Canada every single game he’s played for us, scored big goals, and played his heart out.

Where would he play? He's slow as shit, sucks in the playoffs and has been declining for years. He played himself off the team.

 

[Sky04]

You do, yes. It is needed. Canada has always picked these types of players in every single team in history, and that includes the World Juniors. The only concern I have is did it take away some skill by picking too many of them? Or will they be part of an energy line and actually perform well? We'll see. Let's just face the facts that the people making this team thought long and hard about it. It wasn't done lightly.

They didn't, the majority of attacking ice time is going to go to their top-6, McDavid, Reinhart, Marner, Mackinnon, and Crosby who are among the most skilled players in the league, the rest of the team is just gritty, defensively responsible and possession heavy players who will eat ice time and wear down the other team until the top-6 get out. There's not enough ice time to go around for 12 pure offensive players.

 

[Regal]

They didn't, the majority of attacking ice time is going to go to their top-6, McDavid, Reinhart, Marner, Mackinnon, and Crosby who are among the most skilled players in the league, the rest of the team is just gritty, defensively responsible and possession heavy players who will eat ice time and wear down the other team until the top-6 get out. There's not enough ice time to go around for 12 pure offensive players.

They also took 9 of the top 11 Canadian forwards in terms of points per game since the start of last year (McDavid, MacKinnon, Marner, Reinhart, Point, Crosby, Stone are 1-7 then Hagel is 9th and Konecny is 11th). I don’t get the idea they went away from skill just because they didn’t take a couple better offensive guys for the bottom 6.

 

[Sky04]

They also took 9 of the top 11 Canadian forwards in terms of points per game since the start of last year (McDavid, MacKinnon, Marner, Reinhart, Point, Crosby, Stone are 1-7 then Hagel is 9th and Konecny is 11th). I don’t get the idea they went away from skill just because they didn’t take a couple better offensive guys for the bottom 6.

Right, sorry they use Hagel-Cirelli-Stone out there for a defensive draw instead of Bedard-Scheifele. Anyone questioning the Hagel selection hasn't been paying attention, he's outscoring guys like Tavares and Scheifele while not even on the top pp unit for the last 2 years

I don't get the Scheifele snub either he's not even a ppg player over the last 3 years.

 

[lawrence]

This is Canada's worst best on best roster ever

no its not. strong ass roster, but this is not Canadas best roster.

 

[Matty Sundin]

I could be wrong on these line combos and what the players actually were at the stage of their careers. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong….

2016 World Cup

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]

Brad Marchand - (Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Sidney Crosby - (late half of prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Patrice Bergeron - (late half of prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

John Tavares
- (Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Ryan Getzlaf
- (entering post prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Steven Stamkos
- (Prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Logan Couture
- (Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Jonathan Toews
- (Entering post prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Corey Perry
- (Post prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Joe Thornton
- Entering twilight​

[/TD]

[TD]

Ryan O’Reilly
- Entering prime​

[/TD]

[TD]

Matt Duchene
- Prime​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]

Left Defense​

[/TD]

[TD]

Right Defense​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Marc-Edouard Vlasic - Prime​

[/TD]

[TD]

Shea Weber - Entering post prime​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Jay Bouwmeester - Post prime​

[/TD]

[TD]

Drew Doughty
- Still in prime​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Alex Pietrangelo - Prime​

[/TD]

[TD]

Brent Burns - Prime​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]Goaltenders[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Carey Price - Prime[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Corey Crawford - Post prime[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


2014 Olmypics

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]

Chris Kunitz(passenger prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Sidney Crosby(Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Jeff Carter (Prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Patrick Marleau (Post Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Ryan Getzlaf (Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Corey Perry
(Prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Rick Nash(Post Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Jonathan Toews (Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Martin St.Louis(Twillight)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Jamie Benn (Entering Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Patrice Bergeron(Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

John Tavares/Duchene(Prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]

Left Defense​

[/TD]

[TD]

Right Defense​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Duncan Keith(Prime/Peaking)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Brent Seabrook(Prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Jay Bouwmeester(Post Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Drew Doughty(Prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Alex Pietrangelo(Entering prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Shea Weber(Prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]Goaltenders[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Carey Price(Prime)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Roberto Loungo (Post Prime)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

2010

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]

Left Wing​

[/TD]

[TD]

Center​

[/TD]

[TD]

Right Wing​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Eric Staal(Post Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Sidney Crosby(Entering prime and about to peak)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Jarome Iginla(Post Prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Brenden Morrow(Post Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Ryan Getzlaf(Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Corey Perry(Entering prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Patrick Marleau(exiting prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Joe Thornton(Prime still but has peaked)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Dany Heatlet(Starting to exit prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Rick Nash(Exiting prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Joanthan Toews(Entering Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Mike Richards(Prime/Peaking)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]

Left Defense​

[/TD]

[TD]

Right Defense​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Scott Niedermayer(Twillight)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Chris Pronger(Twillight)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Duncan Keith(Entering Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Drew Doughty(Entering Prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Shea Weber(Prime and about to hit peak)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Dan Boyle(Post prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]Goaltenders[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Roberto Loungo(Prime)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Martin Broduer(Post prime/Twillight?)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


What we potentially might have for 2025…

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]

Left Wing​

[/TD]

[TD]

Center​

[/TD]

[TD]

Right Wing​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Sam Reinhart(Prime/Peaking)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Conor Connor Mcdavid(Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Nathan MacKinnon(Prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Brandon Hagel(Prime/Peaking)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Brayden Point(Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Mitch Marner (Prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Brad Marchand(entering Twillight)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Sidney Crosby(Post prime/Entering Twillight?)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Mark Stone(Post Prime?)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Sam Bennett(Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Anthony Cirelli(Prime/Peaking)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Travis Konecny(Prime) Seth Jarvis(Entering Prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]

Left Defense​

[/TD]

[TD]

Right Defense​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Devon Towws(later half prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Cale Makar(Prime and still peaking…)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Shea Theadore(Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Alex Pietrangelo(Post Prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Josh Morrissey(Prime)​

[/TD]

[TD]

Travis Sanheim(Prime?)
Colton Parayko(Post prime)​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]Goaltenders[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Aiden Hill(Prime? Past peak?)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jordan Binnington(Post prime and peak)
Sam Montembeault(Prime? Entering prime? Sorry but these goalies are just hard to accesss.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


TBH I prefer 2025 over 2010. 2010 was critiqued hard from the moment the team was named and forgotten about their faults the moment they won. That team was solid on paper but had performance, questionable selections, was one goal away from the most devastating loss in Canadian history but mostly forgotten because well they won with the golden goal…

2025 has nothing on the 2014 team but I don’t think most teams do. That was GOAT team with most players in their prime and a GOAT performance. I think 2016 is maybe similar to 2025 not including the goalies with 2016. Wing slightly better still.

The thing I notice with 2025 that the previous teams haven’t had is they they can boost they have the top 2/3 players in the game right now(Mcdavid/Mackinnon/Makar). A post prime Crosby or even entering his twilight Crosby is better then some players prime years. They also have an opportunity to showcase a dream line PP unit.

I do think if Canada is gonna win, they have to play like 2014-2016 playing a complete possibility boring game to mask their goalie insecurities. Judging by the picks and players left off, I do think they have the team to play like that. This whole tourney is really just a practice and experiment for the bigger show in 2026 Olmypics. If they lose, it’s redemption year for the Olmypics and hope to god a Canadian born goalie shows up a years time somehow…If they win then expect a lot of these guys back for 2026.