World Cup: Four Nations Tournament-Team Canada

[Habsforever14]

People always complain about the roster choices but forget that this isn't an all-star game. It's not about picking the players with the most points or highest offensive ceiling. Maturity, experience and minimizing mistakes play a huge roll short tournaments like this. Guys like Bedard and Bouchard shouldn't be on this team yet.

Tbf this does feel like an all-star game do you rlly expect the players to try?

I don’t have a problem with thinking Bedard should be on the team. It’s justifiable even if I don’t think he should be on it. He blended in at the worlds last year, if he dominated that tournament I would have more time for the put him on a better team and he will shine argument. Trying to say he should take Marners spot is unjustifiable. Should the States not take Matthews or Sweden Willy? No of course not. Marner is going to be on the team and play an important role.

You're acting like Bedard had good teammates at the words

 

[therealdeal]

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.

Bedard has done nothing to warrant a selection (unfortunately). He was bad with Canada in the spring, and there are tons of better players at the moment.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Parayko is always a guy I thought people were not giving enough consideration to considering the Armstrong connection. Plus you know these guys want size at the bottom of the roster. Played well at the WCs in the past too if that’s your thing.

I don’t see Bouchard making it when you have a Makar. Theodore should be on the team. Morrissey should be on the team. I assume they will want a vet in Pietrangelo. Which leaves one spot for Toews if they want the chalk selection. I’d go elsewhere personally.

What's the skinny on Sanheim? Seems like a weak selection and someone who wasn't on my radar but sounds like he's a lot better than I realized? In my head he's not much more than a solid 2nd pairing guy. Any Flyers fans hanging around this thread?

Nothing concerning however as even at our best in 2002 (Brewer) and 2014 (Hamhuis) we had guys no better than Sanheim on our roster.

Only exception is 2010 when our D were all straight killers.

2nd pair!? He leads the league in ES TOI and is historically one of the better ES point producers. Only reason he hasn’t been talked about more is because they haven’t used him on the PP much at all in his career so he doesn’t put up big point totals. 6’4 and an excellent skater that can play LD and RD well. Pretty easy selection even if just the extra guy.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Tbf this does feel like an all-star game do you rlly expect the players to try?


You're acting like Bedard had good teammates at the words

He did? And if he couldn’t stand out there how is he going to do in an actual best on best? Like I want him to be that player it would be fun but he might just not be ready for it yet. And that is fine.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Bedard has done nothing to warrant a selection (unfortunately). He was bad with Canada in the spring, and there are tons of better players at the moment.

You can't ignore the context. He's the 2nd youngest player in the league playing on the worst team. It's not surprising that he hasn't torn things up.

The guy has insane talent and potential. To me, that's good enough for a roster spot. Also, he's likely going to be a guy you're going to be depending on for Canada down the road. Give him some experience now. It will only help him - and us - down the road.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Just a reminder that Stamkos (and St. Louis) were both left off the 2010 Olympic team BY THEIR OWN GM, at a specific time iirc when Stamkos was leading the NHL in goals as a sophomore.

Anyone surprised by Bedard's omission, if that is indeed what happens, shouldn't be.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Just a reminder that Stamkos (and St. Louis) were both left off the 2010 Olympic team BY THEIR OWN GM, at a specific time iirc when Stamkos was leading the NHL in goals as a sophomore.

Anyone surprised by Bedard's omission, if that is indeed what happens, shouldn't be.

Surprised? No.

Disappointed? Yes.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

You're forgetting Travis Sanheim

I'm assuming he begins as the 7D.

 

[TheDoldrums]

The guy has insane talent and potential. To me, that's good enough for a roster spot.

Why stop at Bedard if that is your philosophy? Celebrini has been a better player this season and also has insane talent and potential.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Why stop at Bedard if that is your philosophy? Celebrini has been a better player this season and also has insane talent and potential.

Plot twist: Celebrini is on the team!

 

[Habsforever14]

He did? And if he couldn’t stand out there how is he going to do in an actual best on best? Like I want him to be that player it would be fun but he might just not be ready for it yet. And that is fine.

Bedard didn't have guys like McDavid and MacKinnon at the words lol

 

[minibrodeur]

Tbf this does feel like an all-star game do you rlly expect the players to try?

I do expect the players to try, there's a reason why defensive and physical minded players were chosen. I understand that this tourney doesn't have the pedigree of the Olympics but this is gonna be the first time players like Mcdavid get to suit up for Canada. He tried pretty hard during the skills competition, I bet he gives his all during this tourney.

 

[Habsforever14]

Why stop at Bedard if that is your philosophy? Celebrini has been a better player this season and also has insane talent and potential.

I mean I know you guys will think I'm insane but yes if it was up to me I would have Celebrini on the team. Tell me why he doesn't deserve it?

 

[minibrodeur]

I think you want a mix of players. The bulk of the roster is made up of grisly vets. Bedard offers a different dimension and energy.

I agree we want a mix of players but I don't see what Bedard brings in terms of dimension and energy that Mcdavid, MacKinnon, Reinhart etc. don't.

 

[Nucks2001]

I LOVE the Seth Jarvis pick. Wish Hockey Canada thought more like that and filled in checklng roles with younger and more skilled guys

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Someone wake Elliotte up. We need the roster pronto.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Why stop at Bedard if that is your philosophy? Celebrini has been a better player this season and also has insane talent and potential.

The Sharks are a significantly better team.

 

[Zybalto]

Interesting interview with Lebrun where he reveals who he thinks is on the team after calling around the league.

Using his "what hes heard" list:

Forwards so far:
McDavid
Crosby
MacKinnon
Point
Marchand
Marner
Konecny
Hagel
Cirelli
Reinhart
Bennet
Stone

On D so far:
Makar
Pietrangelo
Theodore
Sanheim
Morrisey


Goalies so far:
Hill
Binnington

He said he believes Marner will be the only Leaf to make the team.
He also said Doughty will not be on the list but team Canada reached out to him in the last 24 hours to say they will be keeping an eye on how he comes back from injury. Potential first call up in case of injury?

That leaves the 13th forward (not Tavares), 2 dmen (not Doughty) and the 3rd goalie.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I agree we want a mix of players but I don't see what Bedard brings in terms of dimension and energy that Mcdavid, MacKinnon, Reinhart etc. don't.

He brings more scoring. He's also a guy we're going to want developing well for the Olympics. Personally, I'd want him learning from all these guys and I think on a good team he could really shine. I think he'd be incredible with McDavid.

If they don't do it... oh well. There's always players who get left off. I remember Keenan snubbing freaking Yzerman in 91... So almost anyone can get left off these teams.

 

[Zybalto]

Maybe they do name Doughty but as the 7th D and then throw in the call up then if Drew is unable to go?

He brings more scoring. He's also a guy we're going to want developing well for the Olympics. Personally, I'd want him learning from all these guys and I think on a good team he could really shine. I think he'd be incredible with McDavid.

If they don't do it... oh well. There's always players who get left off. I remember Keenan snubbing freaking Yzerman in 91... So almost anyone can get left off these teams.

What did Keenan leave him off for? Not being a big game player and having no success in the playoffs. Keenan was an overrated dinosaur that couldnt grasp what a team game hockey is and how special a talent that Yzerman was. He would have traded Yzerman off the Wings if he was in charge.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

What did Keenan leave him off for? Not being a big game player and having no success in the playoffs. Keenan was an overrated dinosaur that couldnt grasp what a team game hockey is and how special a talent that Yzerman was. He would have traded Yzerman off the Wings if he was in charge.

Keenan was a douchebag. There was no reason to leave Yzerman off that roster. Snubbed him in 87 too.

 

[shakes the clown]

Tbf this does feel like an all-star game do you rlly expect the players to try?

Speaking as someone who has represented his country and worn the national sweater in an international hockey tournament, it is literally impossible to put your country's sweater on and not give it 100% every second you are out there. I doubt there is a player in this tournament who doesn't feel the same way.

 

[Habsforever14]

Speaking as someone who has represented his country and worn the national sweater in an international hockey tournament, it is literally impossible to put your country's sweater on and not give it 100% every second you are out there. I doubt there is a player in this tournament who doesn't feel the same way.

I certainly hope your right

 

[minibrodeur]

He brings more scoring. He's also a guy we're going to want developing well for the Olympics. Personally, I'd want him learning from all these guys and I think on a good team he could really shine. I think he'd be incredible with McDavid.

If they don't do it... oh well. There's always players who get left off. I remember Keenan snubbing freaking Yzerman in 91... So almost anyone can get left off these teams.

There are several players that have more goals than Bedard on Chicago alone. There will be players left off this roster that bring more scoring that he currently does. We need players who won't be defensive liabilities. While I agree he will be on the team in the future, and Olympic experience has some value, I just don't see him as a top 6 Canadian forward right now, guys like Reinhart, Point, Mack, Mcdavid, Konecny, Crosby can fill that scoring dimension. Anyone in the bottom 6 will be chosen for specific roles on this team and as you mentioned, a mix of players types for this roster is needed. At this moment he really doesn't bring anything we don't already have in abundance.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

There are several players that have more goals than Bedard on Chicago alone. There will be players left off this roster that bring more scoring that he currently does. We need players who won't be defensive liabilities. While I agree he will be on the team in the future, and Olympic experience has some value, I just don't see him as a top 6 Canadian forward right now, guys like Reinhart, Point, Mack, Mcdavid, Konecny, Crosby can fill that scoring dimension. Anyone in the bottom 6 will be chosen for specific roles on this team and as you mentioned, a mix of players types for this roster is needed. At this moment he really doesn't bring anything we don't already have in abundance.

A medicore season sure. But he's really in tough there. It's a shitty situation and he's all by himself. I'm not going to let 25 games determine if he makes the team or not.

If you put him with McDavid and some other superstar, he's going to produce. These kinds of tournaments have traditionally brought out the best in younger players and it's a great way to groom them for future tournaments. Does he have the best numbers? No. But who cares? Make a spot for him.