World Cup: Four Nations Tournament-Team Canada

[Nucks2001]

As much as we think about our crap goaltending or the Americans finally catching up to us in the blueline department, this might be the best-skating team we’ve ever seen.

McDavid, MacKinnon, Makar, Point, an Barzal. I mean outside of the Hughes brothers and Larkin, who is stopping that? I know the Americans have really good shutdown defencemen, but how are they gonna defend that speed? Just sit back and let the Canadians win up with one-Ts?

Then you add in the edgework in Crosby, Marchand and Marner. I mean everyone on this team can skate really really well except for Zach Hyman, who has actually really picked up his hustle since playing alongside McDavid the past few seasons

 

[BHawk21]

Hyman-McDavid-Mckinnon
Marchand-Crosby-Marner
Stamkos-Point-Johnston
Barzal-Suzuki-Reinhart
Bedard/Thomas

Toews-Makar
Morrissey-Bouchard
Reilly-Dobson
Doughty

Hill
Binnington
Skinner

 

[Nucks2001]

Hyman-McDavid-Mckinnon
Marchand-Crosby-Marner
Stamkos-Point-Johnston
Barzal-Suzuki-Reinhart
Bedard/Thomas

Toews-Makar
Morrissey-Bouchard
Reilly-Dobson
Doughty

Hill
Binnington
Skinner

Solid forward selections. Good group of vets and youngsters. I don't think Reilly makes it on the backend and while I personally had Doughty pencilled in, I am more suspect with his injury timeline. Pietrangelo might be that veteran presence for Canada if has a strong start to the season.

 

[HFpapi]

Nate Mack was on Spittin' Chiclets today. End of the interview 4 Nations/Olympics came up and had some interesting things to say.

Was asked about the Nova Scotia line being a thing and he said not only would he enjoy playing with Marchand and Crosby because of the friendship/training buddies aspect but thinks it's a line that makes sense and whose play styles blend well.

Crucially, he said he's played a lot of RW in his day and feels very comfortable on RW. Marchand is a natural LW and Crosby of course a C.

Furthermore, Nate was asked about Marner (since he's been at a training camp with him) and said he's looked great and has been playing great as a pairing with McDavid. Hate Marner all you want but his play making, defence, and natural winger position makes him IMO a must have on this team.

A top 6 of:

Hyman - McDavid - Marner
Marchand - Crosby - Mackinnon

makes perfect sense to me and only guy out of position is Nate Dawg who already said he likes RW and has experience there.

McDavid & Hyman play 82 games a year together and fit like a glove on each others line. McDavid & Marner have apparently looked great together in a summer, player-led, training camp and Marchand/Crosby/Mack have trained together for years. You won't convince me that's not our perfect top 6.

With maybe some line combo changes, I really like the @BHawk21 bottom 6 + extras.

A combo of Johnston, Bedard, Reinhart, Point, Thomas, Suzuki, Barzal, Stamkos, seems perfect. Maybe Stamkos subbed out for a young gun like Laf or Byfield depending on how they play.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Nova Scotia feelings aside, I don't think Marchand is good enough at this stage of his career to be on a prominent line with a guy like Mackinnon. I can definitely see it happening though, I guess LW is pretty weak overall. I wish Reinhart was a LW as I think he's a guy that should be in the top 6 but will likely play lower in the lineup.

 

[Nucks2001]

Nova Scotia feelings aside, I don't think Marchand is good enough at this stage of his career to be on a prominent line with a guy like Mackinnon. I can definitely see it happening though, I guess LW is pretty weak overall. I wish Reinhart was a LW as I think he's a guy that should be in the top 6 but will likely play lower in the lineup.

You could always have your best players as your centers down the middle and Reinhart could fit in on RW w/ McDavid. Something like this might be a very real option:

Hyman-McDavid-Reinhart
(Insert)-MacKinnon-Marner
Marchand-Crosby-Bedard
(Insert)-Point-(Insert)

 

[jj cale]

I was beating Montys drum here before the WHC 2 years ago and he went out and MVP backstopped us to gold.

I'm perfectly aware the WHC ( especially that year) is not this 4 nations cup but he had another solid year last year behind a shitty defense and he has just started this season out with a bang tonight behind what is again a shitty defense.


At this point he has just got to be in the mix.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

If Montembeault plays at this level there's no way he's not on this team.

Interesting talent for sure.

 

[jj cale]

If Montembeault plays at this level there's no way he's not on this team.

Interesting talent for sure.

Not the most athletic or quick guy but covers a lot of net, tracks pucks well and retains composure.

 

[hockey20000]

just don't put skinner in the net dear lord i cant watch that car wreck if hes the starter.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Marchand is old and coming off three surgeries, somewhat controversial to announce him as already part of the team. I could easily see him being a guy considered somewhat dead weight by the time the tournament occurs.

 

[jj cale]

Marchand is old and coming off three surgeries, somewhat controversial to announce him as already part of the team. I could easily see him being a guy considered somewhat dead weight by the time the tournament occurs.

It was our managements team first error to initially name him as much as I like the guy. He should have been a wait and see player at this point.

 

[Nucks2001]

It was our managements team first error to initially name him as much as I like the guy. He should have been a wait and see player at this point.

Agree that Marchand shouldn't have been named in the first 6.

Marchand was making the team though. He fills a rat role of a Konecny or Hagel, brings a ton of experience and leadership, can kill penalties and has chemistry with Sid and Mack. Canada's Left-side is weak and Marchand is the type of player that can move up and down the line-up without it looking out of place.

 

[jj cale]

Agree that Marchand shouldn't have been named in the first 6.

Marchand was making the team though. He fills a rat role of a Konecny or Hagel, brings a ton of experience and leadership, can kill penalties and has chemistry with Sid and Mack. Canada's Left-side is weak and Marchand is the type of player that can move up and down the line-up without it looking out of place.

Yep, he's still a useful and versatile player.

 

[therealdeal]

Nate Mack was on Spittin' Chiclets today. End of the interview 4 Nations/Olympics came up and had some interesting things to say.

Was asked about the Nova Scotia line being a thing and he said not only would he enjoy playing with Marchand and Crosby because of the friendship/training buddies aspect but thinks it's a line that makes sense and whose play styles blend well.

Crucially, he said he's played a lot of RW in his day and feels very comfortable on RW. Marchand is a natural LW and Crosby of course a C.

Furthermore, Nate was asked about Marner (since he's been at a training camp with him) and said he's looked great and has been playing great as a pairing with McDavid. Hate Marner all you want but his play making, defence, and natural winger position makes him IMO a must have on this team.

A top 6 of:

Hyman - McDavid - Marner
Marchand - Crosby - Mackinnon

makes perfect sense to me and only guy out of position is Nate Dawg who already said he likes RW and has experience there.

McDavid & Hyman play 82 games a year together and fit like a glove on each others line. McDavid & Marner have apparently looked great together in a summer, player-led, training camp and Marchand/Crosby/Mack have trained together for years. You won't convince me that's not our perfect top 6.

With maybe some line combo changes, I really like the @BHawk21 bottom 6 + extras.

A combo of Johnston, Bedard, Reinhart, Point, Thomas, Suzuki, Barzal, Stamkos, seems perfect. Maybe Stamkos subbed out for a young gun like Laf or Byfield depending on how they play.

Man you have to put a trigger warning on these posts, I read it before bed and got all jacked up and was too excited to sleep.

 

[JackSlater]

Nate Mack was on Spittin' Chiclets today. End of the interview 4 Nations/Olympics came up and had some interesting things to say.

Was asked about the Nova Scotia line being a thing and he said not only would he enjoy playing with Marchand and Crosby because of the friendship/training buddies aspect but thinks it's a line that makes sense and whose play styles blend well.

Crucially, he said he's played a lot of RW in his day and feels very comfortable on RW. Marchand is a natural LW and Crosby of course a C.

Furthermore, Nate was asked about Marner (since he's been at a training camp with him) and said he's looked great and has been playing great as a pairing with McDavid. Hate Marner all you want but his play making, defence, and natural winger position makes him IMO a must have on this team.

A top 6 of:

Hyman - McDavid - Marner
Marchand - Crosby - Mackinnon

makes perfect sense to me and only guy out of position is Nate Dawg who already said he likes RW and has experience there.

McDavid & Hyman play 82 games a year together and fit like a glove on each others line. McDavid & Marner have apparently looked great together in a summer, player-led, training camp and Marchand/Crosby/Mack have trained together for years. You won't convince me that's not our perfect top 6.

With maybe some line combo changes, I really like the @BHawk21 bottom 6 + extras.

A combo of Johnston, Bedard, Reinhart, Point, Thomas, Suzuki, Barzal, Stamkos, seems perfect. Maybe Stamkos subbed out for a young gun like Laf or Byfield depending on how they play.

MacKinnon has been talking about this for years, before the 2022 Olympics even. He had a segment on Sportsnet talking about it too. He dos have RW experience internationally from the 2013 WJC (not very good) and the 2015 IIHF wc (was pretty good), and the line does make sense logically. Would have been a dominant line in 2018 or 2022 (though Bergeron probably would have been the RW in those years, not MacKinnon) but those are lost opportunities, no matter how unlikely. I don't know how serious this tournament is so I don't have an issue if the coaching staff wants to give two of the three biggest stars on the team what they want and throw out the Nova Scotia line. If it gets it out of their system before the 2026 Olympics then that's fine.

 

[Nucks2001]

MacKinnon has been talking about this for years, before the 2022 Olympics even. He had a segment on Sportsnet talking about it too. He dos have RW experience internationally from the 2013 WJC (not very good) and the 2015 IIHF wc (was pretty good), and the line does make sense logically. Would have been a dominant line in 2018 or 2022 (though Bergeron probably would have been the RW in those years, not MacKinnon) but those are lost opportunities, no matter how unlikely. I don't know how serious this tournament is so I don't have an issue if the coaching staff wants to give two of the three biggest stars on the team what they want and throw out the Nova Scotia line. If it gets it out of their system before the 2026 Olympics then that's fine.

It’s a real possibility that the tournament starts out with an All-Nova Scotia Line, but like most Canadian teams, the lines are never the same at the tournament end. I think a close game b/n the USA, win or lose will result in some line changes.

 

[Mathieukferland]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844207093752135893

If this has any shread of truth, I hate this Hockey Canada attitude of bringing (or considering) clearly overmatched role players to play niche roles instead of just taking advantage of the deepest talent pool available to overwhelm opponents. Boneheaded galaxy brain picks like potentially this, C. Dach, Bankier, Allard, and Minten on recent world junior teams (the former two of which are only forgotten about because Connor Bedard went supernova, and the latter two somehow getting more ice time than Celebrini in a QF which Canada lost) have cost Canada dearly with many better options available and I hope the senior management team does not fall victim to this Scott Salmond (or whoever it may be) philosophy of character role players on best on best age group tournaments

 

[Nucks2001]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844207093752135893

If this has any shread of truth, I hate this Hockey Canada attitude of bringing (or considering) clearly overmatched role players to play niche roles instead of just taking advantage of the deepest talent pool available to overwhelm opponents. Boneheaded galaxy brain picks like potentially this, C. Dach, Bankier, Allard, and Minten on recent world junior teams (the former two of which are only forgotten about because Connor Bedard went supernova, and the latter two somehow getting more ice time than Celebrini in a QF which Canada lost) have cost Canada dearly with many better options available and I hope the senior management team does not fall victim to this Scott Salmond (or whoever it may be) philosophy of character role players on best on best age group tournaments

Exactly my sentiment. You’re already bringing Hyman, who is a role player in himself. You can add one of Cirelli, Danault, Lowry or whoever you want. But then just take skill.

I don’t understand how some people are picking Sam Bennett or Adam Lowry over a guy like Mitch Marner. Barzal is a 90+ pt. scorer outside of the Islanders system. He should be a lock too. Robert Thomas is being left off so many rosters and he’s in the conversation for being one of the best playmakers on this team. Connor Bedard absolutely deserves a spot. Johnston, Byfield, Laf, Jarvis and McTavish all deserve a look before someone like a Tom Wilson

I just don’t understand how many role players you want. You have Marchand, Reinhart and Hyman as PKing Wingers. You can roll w/ Point, a role playing center (Danault, Cirelli, ROR) or a Robert Thomas. That is EASILY the best PK in the tourney. Hockey Canada, pleasee don’t overthink this one like ‘98 and ‘06

 

[JackSlater]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844207093752135893

If this has any shread of truth, I hate this Hockey Canada attitude of bringing (or considering) clearly overmatched role players to play niche roles instead of just taking advantage of the deepest talent pool available to overwhelm opponents. Boneheaded galaxy brain picks like potentially this, C. Dach, Bankier, Allard, and Minten on recent world junior teams (the former two of which are only forgotten about because Connor Bedard went supernova, and the latter two somehow getting more ice time than Celebrini in a QF which Canada lost) have cost Canada dearly with many better options available and I hope the senior management team does not fall victim to this Scott Salmond (or whoever it may be) philosophy of character role players on best on best age group tournaments

Dumb obviously. It is also dumb to just take the best12 scorers and call it a day, but other guys can play Lowry's role and do better than he would. He isn't a player for this level.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I think both Canada and the U.S. may have some head-scratching picks. Role players as it were.

 

[Nucks2001]

I think both Canada and the U.S. may have some head-scratching picks. Role players as it were.

The Americans have more skilled players that they could put on their PK than Canada. Matthews, Larkin, Eichel, Trocheck, Miller and Kreider are good examples of this. I would assume that as long as USA Hockey doesn't overthink this, they will have more than an elite PK.

Canada can certainly match them in skill w/ guys like Crosby, Point and Marner playing SH mins, but I think they'll rely on more sandpaper guys for their PK.

The Americans are more in a position in that they don't have to bring a Charlie Coyle or Alex Tuch. I think Canada has to bring guys like Reinhart or Hyman and 1 of Cirelli, Danault, etc.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Celebrini?

 

[TheDoldrums]

If they actually focus on skill I think Dylan Guenther should make it. Yes he's young but he's already one of the best Canadian goal scorers on a team that always has more playmakers. Don't understand why guys like Laf/Byfield/McTavish get so many mentions and Guenther gets so few, aside from draft position. And yes I would've had the same opinion before he opened up with 4 goals in 2 games but that doesn't hurt! When you watch him he just jumps off the screen as an elite scorer. Literally might already have the best shot of any Canadian, aside from maybe Stamkos?

 

[Nucks2001]

If they actually focus on skill I think Dylan Guenther should make it. Yes he's young but he's already one of the best Canadian goal scorers on a team that always has more playmakers. Don't understand why guys like Laf/Byfield/McTavish get so many mentions and Guenther gets so few, aside from draft position. And yes I would've had the same opinion before he opened up with 4 goals in 2 games but that doesn't hurt! When you watch him he just jumps off the screen as an elite scorer. Literally might already have the best shot of any Canadian, aside from maybe Stamkos?

The reason you hear more of Laf, Byfield and McTavish is their size and style of play. Canada is missing those power forwards on their wings. It’s the same reason you don’t hear as much as Jarvis because of his size. Great player and probably makes future Olympic teams, but doesn’t fit that role.

As of now, Canada has a bunch of players to fill those shooting roles. MacKinnon, Stamkos as you mentioned, Bedard, Verhaege, Marchesseault, and Crosby could even fill that role. Wyatt Johnston has also shown that he can fill that role and has proven that more at his age than Guenther has. Not saying that Guenther can’t make the team, but it would be far-fetched for 4 nations unless he goes on an absolute tear