World Cup: Four Nations Tournament-Team Canada

[jj cale]

Wonder how long the training camp is for teams to get prepared for this because you sure have to hit the ground running for this 4 team compressed thing/tournament.

Canada leads off with Sweden on the 12th, Yanks on the 15th, and then the Finns on the 17th with the final being on the 20th.

 

[JackSlater]

Makar was one of the first 6 players named to the team.

He was the only defenseman named, in fact.

You're right.

 

[jj cale]

It's difficult not to look at the potential lineups of the teams and not think....." gee, the U.S team should win this" It's pretty much got no weakness across the board and filled with top end guys at all positions up and down the lineup and most importantly........pretty much every guy that will be there are in their primes. When you add it all up it's normally a recipe for success. Canada has a 1995 feel to it, caught in that space where some of it's key players are in their twilight years like Crosby/Marchand/Gretzky/Messier and with one section of the team massively wanting ( goaltending this year and defense in 95) Thankfully we won't be understaffed up front like in 95 with Kariya and Lemieux missing. Fingers crossed on Mcdavid though.........and every other key player, we simply can't afford any key injuries.

 

[Voight]

I would love to see Robert Thomas as well. Huge Rob Thom guy. Has not been a single mock roster of mine that's left him off and he's the obvious choice for 4th line center. With that being said, if he's injured, the next closest thing to his replacement would be Suzuki.

With Barzal and Thomas out, I wouldn't mind Scheifele as a winger for some added offence. I just don't want him as my 4th line center.

Couldn't agree more with Sam Bennett. He just doesn't belong there.

I have Johnston over Kyrou for the same reasons as Suzuki. I trust Johnston more with the puck and he fills the shooting role that Kyrou would provide. Additionally, we don't know what Johnston's ceiling is yet and I would like to see him groomed by Hockey Canada.

Given his GM is running Team Canada, I dont see how they leave Thomas off.

It seems Bennett is getting a cup winning boost from TA, ultimately I really dont think he makes the team.

 

[JackSlater]

Wonder how long the training camp is for teams to get prepared for this because you sure have to hit the ground running for this 4 team compressed thing/tournament.

Canada leads off with Sweden on the 12th, Yanks on the 15th, and then the Finns on the 17th with the final being on the 20th.

The NHL is running a few games on February 9, and almost everyone is playing on February 8.

 

[jigglysquishy]

The NHL is running a few games on February 9, and almost everyone is playing on February 8.

It's a big reason why I think the tournament will end up sloppy.

 

[JackSlater]

It's a big reason why I think the tournament will end up sloppy.

Yeah at least for the Olympics teams run a summer camp and historically the Canada/World Cup as well. This tournament occupies a weird space, in my opinion anyway. Sort of an upjumped all star game/tournament.... maybe more though. It's hard to know. The NHL could have just held another World Cup with national teams and had a better product but of course the NHL cannot do the simple and correct.

 

[Regal]

Several head scratchers:
I don’t think Barzal makes it with his injury and inconsistent play.

Scheifele’s had a great start to the season, but he’s not the type player I want in a 4th line role. Ideally, if Thomas is healthy, he’d be my 4th line option. If not, then Suzuki or ROR instead of Scheifele.

Bedard should definetly be in there instead of Stamkos.

Wyatt Johnston deserves a mention. He should be on here as the extra. He can fill the one-timer role on the 2nd PP instead of Stamkos and plays such a mature game for his age.

Johnston is an interesting one. He was one of the best 5v5 scorers in the second half of last year despite lower minutes, and was playing in all situations. He was 11th in 5v5 points from Jan 1st on (4th among Canadians) and 4th in primary 5v5 points (3rd among Canadians). Then he was the Stars best forward in the playoffs. But he’s been pretty mediocre to start the year just as he was last year. I’ve usually had him on my mock teams, but maybe he’s not quite consistent enough at a young age to make it. Though he might turn it around in the month before the team is named.