World Cup: Four Nations Tournament-Team Canada

[JackSlater]

I'm not trying to build an all-star team. Trying to build a team to win a short tournament on NA sized ice. Familiarity, defined roles for players and lines, etc. Trying to stay away from too much shifting guys to their off-wing or centers playing wing. It's unavoidable to a certain degree but I'd like to mitigate it. Canada has too many centers and too many high-end scoring right shot forwards. I can't take them all. Hench a guy like Lafreniere gets a nod due to the lack of high-end left-shot wingers. He can compliment a goal scoring C in Point with the play driving RW Marner. Brings a straight-line game and a bit of size and physicality to boot. Has already has success for Canada in international competition.

If you want to flip-flop Reinhart and MacKinnon fine, I'm good either way. McDavid is used to a right-shot on his LW so you get that with Reinhart or MacKinnon. I felt having the pure shooter in Reinhart on his off-wing would be better but that might be splitting hairs.

Crosby's line is your shutdown line, 4th line role is clearly defined. I took Duchene as he can play all 3 forward positions.

There might be better RD than Parayko but you can't have all skill back there on D. He's one of the best shut-down defenders in the league, should compliment Morrisey well. They can go up against any line. Weegar gets the nod as the spare D as he's a rare commodity in that he's a right-shot who can play both sides. Pairs of Toews-Makar and Theodore-Pietrangelo should be able to hit the ground running in Game 1 the chemistry/familiarity is already there. You don't have time in a tournament this short to figure everything out. You need the team ready right from the start. You go with just the 13 best forwards and 7 best D and by the time you get everyone in their correct place, your tournament might already be over.

I don't like any of the choices in net but I'll take two guys with cups and the other guy is comfortable playing at the Bell Centre which can be a tough place to play.

A lot of people just pick a bunch of players without consideration to how they would play or function as a team. Credit for actually thinking things through.

 

[JackSlater]

With around a week left before the team comes out I'm pretty set on most of the skaters. Obviously included the players already named to the team I am set on

Forwards: McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, Point, Marchand, Reinhart, Marner, Stone, Lafreniere, Konecny, Thomas, Bedard

Defencemen: Makar, Morrissey, Pietrangelo, Theodore, Toews

That leaves only one forward spot, someone to play LW, and two defencemen, one of whom at least would be a penalty killer.

 

[PanniniClaus]

I don't know what you can't grasp. It is pathetic that Canada does not have even one elite goaltender to select. It is a random quirk that Daccord, born and raised in the United States, happens to have Canadian citizenship through a parent and Canada should pick a goaltender that Canada actually produced rather than hoping to be selected by the likes of Joey Daccord. Canada's goaltending has been a problem for a long time and while the interest in Daccord indicates how significant it is, selecting him or not won't make it less obvious.

I think we can all grasp it... it's been staring us in the face for a long time. Still need to choose three and go play. I am not sure why you are so hung up on it... should we just recuse ourselves from the event? We have a goaltending problem so we feel it best if the Czechs take our place.

 

[Regal]

With around a week left before the team comes out I'm pretty set on most of the skaters. Obviously included the players already named to the team I am set on

Forwards: McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, Point, Marchand, Reinhart, Marner, Stone, Point, Konecny, Thomas, Bedard

Defencemen: Makar, Morrissey, Pietrangelo, Theodore, Toews

That leaves only one forward spot, someone to play LW, and two defencemen, one of whom at least would be a penalty killer.

I tend to agree with this, though you have Point twice so that’s 2 forward spots (unless you meant to add someone else).

I feel pretty confident in Hagel above the rest forward options, though I’m not sure if he’s seen that way. But he checks all the boxes. He’s a natural LW, he has chemistry with one of the already named forwards, he’s having a good start, he’s shown he can both enhance a line playing with stars and produce as the best player on his line, he’s one of the better ES producers and he’s a strong PKer if that’s needed. I could see Laf getting in over him on name value but I don’t think he’s actually better.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Canada shouldn't opt for Daccord because he isn't from Canada

By your logic, should the two older Hughes brothers and Sanderson still be able to play for the USA? Because they all played the entirety of their minor hockey in Canada. I have no issue picking Daccord, but as I’ve said before hopefully Hockey Canada can start focussing less on Stakeholder Equity seminars and more on goaltending summits, because something is clearly wrong

 

[JackSlater]

I think we can all grasp it... it's been staring us in the face for a long time. Still need to choose three and go play. I am not sure why you are so hung up on it... should we just recuse ourselves from the event? We have a goaltending problem so we feel it best if the Czechs take our place.

Clearly we can't all grasp it since one guy keeps quoting me claiming that he doesn't get it. Which I guess would be why I am "hung up" on it. If I don't get quoted asking dumb questions I doubt I will bring it up again. I hope that this is not another very simple concept to grasp that ends up being missed.

I have no idea why you are talking about recusing the team, even sarcastically, as it is completely disconnected from anything that has been said.

I tend to agree with this, though you have Point twice so that’s 2 forward spots (unless you meant to add someone else).

I feel pretty confident in Hagel above the rest forward options, though I’m not sure if he’s seen that way. But he checks all the boxes. He’s a natural LW, he has chemistry with one of the already named forwards, he’s having a good start, he’s shown he can both enhance a line playing with stars and produce as the best player on his line, he’s one of the better ES producers and he’s a strong PKer if that’s needed. I could see Laf getting in over him on name value but I don’t think he’s actually better.

Yes the second Point should be Lafreniere, I'll edit it. I would go with Hagel or O'Reilly at this point for the other spot unless someone is escaping my mind. Hagel as a decent third wheel who knows how to contribute as the third wheel, O'Reilly as a LW option who can also play PK centre.

 

[JackSlater]

By your logic, should the two older Hughes brothers and Sanderson still be able to play for the USA? Because they all played the entirety of their minor hockey in Canada. I have no issue picking Daccord, but as I’ve before hopefully Hockey Canada can start focussing less on Stakeholder Equity seminars and more on goaltending summits, because something is clearly wrong

Sanderson would have played his early years in the United States and I believe Luke Hughes did spend some development time in the United States before going to their national team, but yes players should play for the country that developed them. I strongly suspect that if Sanderson hadn't been cut by the Brooks Bandits and then ended up in Ann Arbor he would have opted to play for Canada, but who knows. There are some instances where players don't have citizenship (I think that the Hughes brothers do, maybe not) but it's rare, think Harley playing for Canada, I believe in his case he doesn't even have American citizenship. Daccord never played in Canada until he was an adult playing in the AHL as far as I am aware, it would be like the Tkachuks playing for Canada because their mother is from Winnipeg. It becomes a farce at some point like you see in soccer and basketball from time to time.

I agree that Hockey Canada is wasting money on nonsense and needs to focus on goaltending. Other countries are doing well, there is really no excuse. I don't want players from other countries, but by all means bring in some exerts from other countries to help with how goaltenders are developed within Canada. Russia has done very well after bringing in Finnish goaltending experts, for one example. The infrastructure and money is there, even with the money that is being wasted lately.

 

[therealdeal]

It's humorous they're chasing Daccord.

We’re digging deep on this one boys!!

 

[Regal]

Yes the second Point should be Lafreniere, I'll edit it. I would go with Hagel or O'Reilly at this point for the other spot unless someone is escaping my mind. Hagel as a decent third wheel who knows how to contribute as the third wheel, O'Reilly as a LW option who can also play PK centre.

Yea PK center is a weird sore spot on the team despite having a multitude of PKing wingers: Reinhart, Konecny, Stone, Marchand, and Marner. It’s possible they use Reinhart at center on the PK since he’s played some at center over his career. His faceoffs have been bad this year but they weren’t terrible his first two years in Florida.

 

[JackSlater]

Yea PK center is a weird sore spot on the team despite having a multitude of PKing wingers: Reinhart, Konecny, Stone, Marchand, and Marner. It’s possible they use Reinhart at center on the PK since he’s played some at center over his career. His faceoffs have been bad this year but they weren’t terrible his first two years in Florida.

It's an odd lack for Canada that probably hasn't existed in a while. Thomas can take one of those spots if he's selected, but there isn't really a classic Selke type centre available. Who knows what Hockey Canada will do though. I have the guys that I think should be locked in but I'm sure the actual selection committee sees it differently to whatever degree.

I'll also throw out a name that almost never comes up in Kyrou. I don't think that he will be picked, but Armstrong has to be the second biggest voice when it comes to picking this team and he was talking Kyrou up in the months before 2022 Olympic participation was cancelled. I don't think it makes sense for the team given how deep Canada is on the right side but I also don't think his chances are at 0.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

It's an odd lack for Canada that probably hasn't existed in a while. Thomas can take one of those spots if he's selected, but there isn't really a classic Selke type centre available. Who knows what Hockey Canada will do though. I have the guys that I think should be locked in but I'm sure the actual selection committee sees it differently to whatever degree.

I'll also throw out a name that almost never comes up in Kyrou. I don't think that he will be picked, but Armstrong has to be the second biggest voice when it comes to picking this team and he was talking Kyrou up in the months before 2022 Olympic participation was cancelled. I don't think it makes sense for the team given how deep Canada is on the right side but I also don't think his chances are at 0.

Despite being past his prime Ryan O’Reilly probably has a decent chance at being selected for this very reason.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Despite being past his prime Ryan O’Reilly probably has a decent chance at being selected for this very reason.

Cirelli would be my pick for that role, can penalty kill and win faceoffs. Having a good year and can skate, whereas even in his prime O’Reilly was not exactly fleet of foot, even less so now

 

[Nucks2001]

Crosby-McDavid-Reinhart
Verhaege-MacKinnon-Stone
Marchand-Point-Marner
Hagel-Thomas-Lafreniere
Suzuki

Toews-Makar
Morrissey-Pietrangelo
Theodore-Tanev
Bouchard

Binnington
Thompson
Talbot

 

[MarkT]

Okay since I like when other people explain their choices I will do the same as a way to maybe sway some people.

Hyman - McDavid - Reinhart
Hyman is there because he and McDavid have chemistry, and playing with McDavid is a skill in itself. His play style also works really well here, and even though he's off to a slow start, we know he can put the puck in the net. But even when he's not hot, he's still useful. Reinhart is here as someone else McDavid can set up to score both in the zone and on the rush. He can also help out with faceoffs as someone who has played center (he takes almost any many faceoffs of Point).

MacKinnon - Crosby - Marner
Each player here has a clear role. The line runs through MacKinnon, who has the puck on his stick the most. Crosby goes to the corners and front of the net like Nate prefers one of his line-mates to do. Marner is the guy MacKinnon can play off and use to cycle up high. He's also here to be the defensively responsible one, since MacKinnon can sometimes get caught in that sense.

Verhaeghe - Point - Stone
Another balanced line. Point brings the speed and all around play, Verhaeghe is there for his clutch scoring ability and his ability to score at even strength. Stone provides the two way game and down low ability. All three are also excellent two-way players, making this a potential shut-down line.

Marchand - Thomas - Konecny
Three guys who can all play a classic 4th line role, while still being an offensive threat. Marchand can be a pest and drive play, Konecny has that endless motor, and Thomas is a all-rounder who can win faceoffs, score in many different ways, and play a gritty game when necessary.

(Scheifele)
I like to have a center as my extra guy so it's easy to make new lines as necessary. You could put him as the center on any of these lines and it would be a nice fit.

Overall, I don't want too many pure role players because the lines will likely get mixed up. The key thing is all these guys can easily play on any line and have the skill to score that clutch goal when we need it. Each line can have a play driver, a grinder, and a setup man, and on most lines you've got guys who can play at least two out of three of those roles. Every forward outside of Marchard is also statistically one our Canada's most productive forwards since the start of last season. Most other rosters I've seen have at least a few guys who are at a lower tier in terms of pure minute by minute point production. Only the Americans can boast this kind of scoring prowess on all four lines, so I think it makes sense that we play to our strength here.

Toews - Makar
Obvious chemistry. Toews is having an off year, but I still think he will be solid, especially playing with these forwards. He's also a very good penalty killer, which is important.

Sanheim - Bouchard
Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of Bouchard, but statistically, he's apparently one of the best defensemen available (behind only Makar is many categories). In any case, I like the idea of Sanheim here as a big, tough two-way guy who can kill penalties and play big shutdown minutes. He's playing really well this season too, so he's a hot hand and even if you can think of a better choice than Bouchard, I'm keeping Sanheim on the team no matter what.

Morrissey - Burns
Burns was another guy I didn't think would be on my team, but I've always loved his mix of size, offensive production, and ability to shut down top offensive players. As an Avs fan, I've seen him shut down MacKinnon many times before. Morrissey is another no brainer as Winnipeg's top defenseman and being one of the best in the league for some time now.

(Dobson/Doughty/Dunn)
If Doughty is going to be healthy, he might be my pick, especially since two out of the three RDs on the current roster are potentially iffy choices. Dunn would be a solid 7th D given how hot he was until he was injured. Dobson of course is the young guy on the rise. He could slot in if Toews stuggles, so I wouldn't mind having him around.

Talbot
Daccord
Thompson

For the goalies, I went pure statistics. I looked at save%, save% above expected, Expected goals againsts per 60, and high danger save percentage. When I combined all those stats over this year and last, Talbot came out as the clear #1. Daccord was next best (surprisingly) and since he's eligible I put him on the team. Thompson and Binnington are pretty much tied, but Thompson is better this season (Binnington was better last season) so I went with the hotter hand.

Overall I think this would be a really solid team that can put up a ton of points and not be a complete mess defensively. It won't be the best two-way team in the league, but nobody would be able to match this group in terms of offensive output.

 

[HairyKneel]

NM

 

[JackSlater]

Despite being past his prime Ryan O’Reilly probably has a decent chance at being selected for this very reason.

It's true.

Cirelli would be my pick for that role, can penalty kill and win faceoffs. Having a good year and can skate, whereas even in his prime O’Reilly was not exactly fleet of foot, even less so now

I won't be stunned or out of gear if Cirelli makes it. He's good. The advantage of O'Reilly is that he is proven at LW and at C and has a lot of international experience. Cirelli is a better player at this point but O'Reilly fills some needs for this team. Now watch as Canada goes off the grid for a depth LW or C.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Now watch as Canada goes off the grid for a depth LW or C.

lol yes there is absolutely zero reason for Lowry or Wilson to be anywhere near this team

 

[JackSlater]

lol yes there is absolutely zero reason for Lowry or Wilson to be anywhere near this team

I don't think that Lowry will actually make it but I do think that Wilson has a good chance, maybe as high as 50%. Maybe Bennett instead. I will be surprised if either Wilson or Bennett is not there though.

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

Lafreniere - McDavid - Marner

Reinhart - Mackinnon - Point

Marchand - Crosby - Bedard

Suzuki - Thomas - Barzal

Extra: Scheifele

Makar - Toews

Theodore - Pietrangelo

Morrissey - Weegar

Extra: Bouchard

Goalies -

Starter: Montembeault

Extras: Bennington, Kuemper

Would be my squad.

 

[HairyKneel]

By your logic, should the two older Hughes brothers and Sanderson still be able to play for the USA? Because they all played the entirety of their minor hockey in Canada. I have no issue picking Daccord, but as I’ve said before hopefully Hockey Canada can start focussing less on Stakeholder Equity seminars and more on goaltending summits, because something is clearly wrong

He seems pretty angry about it.

 

[Zippy316]

I know he’s probably on the outside looking in and only in a backup role, but Allen has been fantastic to start the year for the Devils.

I wonder if he’s on the radar at all for Canada.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Lafreniere - McDavid - Marner

Reinhart - Mackinnon - Point

Marchand - Crosby - Bedard

Suzuki - Thomas - Barzal

Extra: Scheifele

Makar - Toews

Theodore - Pietrangelo

Morrissey - Weegar

Extra: Bouchard

Goalies -

Starter: Montembeault

Extras: Bennington, Kuemper

Would be my squad.

This team lacks size and grit up front.

Can’t have all of Bedard, Suzuki, Marner and Barzal. At the most 2 of them.

This tournament is on NA ice. You need guys like Stone, Hyman, Hagel, Bennett, etc. Again, not all of them but some of them.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Cirelli would be my pick for that role, can penalty kill and win faceoffs. Having a good year and can skate, whereas even in his prime O’Reilly was not exactly fleet of foot, even less so now

I would be OK with Cirelli as well. I don't think either Cirelli or O'Reilly is really ideal for a few reasons for each player, but if the team truly needs a #4C/LW that can kill some penalties, take d-zone faceoffs on their strong side (LHS), help defend late leads, and add some jam to the forecheck and puck retrieval, then I guess they'd work. Now that I think of, unless they want to use Crosby in a more defensive role they might actually need one of those guys. Some of other LHS depth options, such as Bennett, aren't great on the faceoff dot.

I'm really interested to see what the makeup of the forward group will be when the team is announced next week (?). It sounds like there is only one or two forward spots left open. I think the forward group will be much smaller than we have seen in recent Olympics, but balanced-off with a more robust 4th line. Given players like Point and Marchand have already been named to the team, and Reinhart and Marner are near-locks (jmo), I wouldn't put any money in someone like Barzal being selected. Personally I wouldn't take Bedard, but wouldn't be surprised if he ends up selected.

 

[TheBigFour]

I’m surprised that some still have hyman making the team. I know he had an amazing season last year but this year he has been struggling and now is injured. I’m pretty sure Mcdavid could play with anyone and doesn’t need hyman to help him play at his highest level.

It’s short tournament, just take your best players

 

[Dominance]

It's an odd lack for Canada that probably hasn't existed in a while. Thomas can take one of those spots if he's selected, but there isn't really a classic Selke type centre available. Who knows what Hockey Canada will do though. I have the guys that I think should be locked in but I'm sure the actual selection committee sees it differently to whatever degree.

I'll also throw out a name that almost never comes up in Kyrou. I don't think that he will be picked, but Armstrong has to be the second biggest voice when it comes to picking this team and he was talking Kyrou up in the months before 2022 Olympic participation was cancelled. I don't think it makes sense for the team given how deep Canada is on the right side but I also don't think his chances are at 0.

Disagree here. Cirelli is playing really well this year and he fits that mould perfectly.

With around a week left before the team comes out I'm pretty set on most of the skaters. Obviously included the players already named to the team I am set on

Forwards: McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, Point, Marchand, Reinhart, Marner, Stone, Lafreniere, Konecny, Thomas, Bedard

Defencemen: Makar, Morrissey, Pietrangelo, Theodore, Toews

That leaves only one forward spot, someone to play LW, and two defencemen, one of whom at least would be a penalty killer.

With how well Hagel and Scheifele (and I’d add Johnson, although he hasn’t played enough games to force his way in yet) are playing this year, that extra LW spot is covered. It could even go to Duchene.

Point-McDavid-Reinhart
Lafreniere-MacKinnon-Marner
Marchand-Crosby-Konecny
Cirelli-Thomas-Stone
Hagel/Scheifele