World Cup: Four Nations Tournament-Team Canada

[Zybalto]

I’m sorry but no. What ‘ups’ has he had?

And he really has not been a net positive for them. He’s constantly on the ice when key goals are scored against. Last year his own teammates were berating him on the bench. He’s been flat out bad.

Would you leave a super talented guy off?

I guess it depends on who you’re leaving him off for.

He isn’t good defensive either. This is ancedotal. But I remember countless times of him making huge errors. In the Montreal series alone he gets a jock over glass penalty that leads to a loss. He’s caught going the wrong way on a rush that leads to another loss. Same thing in the most recent series in Boston.

He’s normally a solid player but he chokes.


McDavid produces in a losing cause. He puts up Gretz/Lemieux type playoff numbers. They are night and day different.

Marner taking any penalties is tough as he's one of the best PK forwards in the league and throwing in the Gally goal is perfect too as it perfectly paints my picture. I don't even think that weak floater was even a scoring chance. One of the softest playoff goals that year for sure. Marner even being there was just incidental to the fact Campbell followed the fine playoff tradition of Leafs goalies being useless in big games. Let's just say Price would have batted that one away with ease.

...and that was the only 5v5 goal the Habs managed to score with Marner on the ice.

If you put any weight on Marner there, it just shows the problem with the narrative. That gets saved 99.9% of the time.

If the Leafs can't score on an all world goalie on a heater...its on Marner....even if he leads series in setting up scoring chances for the snipers.

If the Leafs get scored on because Marner is in the box, it's on Marner, even if he isn't on the ice.

If the goalie gives up the worst goal of the series(and maybe playoffs) in a game 7, it's on Marner if he touched the puck last and obviously a reflection of poor defensive play.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Marner taking any penalties is tough as he's one of the best PK forwards in the league and throwing in the Gally goal is perfect too as it perfectly paints my picture. I don't even think that weak floater was even a scoring chance. One of the softest playoff goals that year for sure. Marner even being there was just incidental to the fact Campbell followed the fine playoff tradition of Leafs goalies being useless in big games. Let's just say Price would have batted that one away with ease.

...and that was the only 5v5 goal the Habs managed to score with Marner on the ice.

If you put any weight on Marner there, it just shows the problem with the narrative. That gets saved 99.9% of the time.

If the Leafs can't score on an all world goalie on a heater...its on Marner....even if he leads series in setting up scoring chances for the snipers.

If the Leafs get scored on because Marner is in the box, it's on Marner, even if he isn't on the ice.

If the goalie gives up the worst goal of the series(and maybe playoffs) in a game 7, it's on Marner if he touched the puck last and obviously a reflection of poor defensive play.

He was terrible in that series. Just like he was terrible in almost all the series he's played in. It's a pig. Put all the lipstick on it you wish.

It's a recurring pattern with him. Starts off with a few points, the series goes on and he goes away. It's happened almost every single time. I'd much rather Nylander in the playoffs. Matthews hasn't been great but he's better than Marner too.

Again, I have no problem with the fact that people want him on the team. His talent warrants it. He's obviously a great player. And there's no telling when he might actually break out. He may have a wonderful tournament and I hope he does. But I'm not going to listen to anyone try to gaslight me into saying that he's been good in the postseason. He's been terrible.

 

[Nucks2001]

I have no problems with Marner. There’s so many alphas on this team that have risen to the occasion such as McDavid, MacKinnon, Makar, Crosby, Point, Stone, Marchand, and Reinhart. You can afford to take him. He brings way too much IQ and offensive skill to the team to leave him off. If you want some more speed and finesse on your PK to pair with a Stone or Cirelli, he can provide that as well.

 

[BadgerBruce]

I’m not terribly surprised by most of the rumoured picks, and I would not be in favour of adding very young players (Bedard, Celebrini, etc.) to “get them some reps” prior to the 2026 Olympic tournament. Frankly, there’s no time in this little 4 Nations tournament to do that — 3 round-robin games and (potentially) a 1-game final. All in 8 days, with no team camps or pre-tournament games. Let the young guys who end up on non-playoffs teams go to the Worlds to “get some reps.” This is not a developmental opportunity for teenagers.

 

[Leaf Lander]

Hyman-McDavid-Verhaege
Jarvis-Crosby-MacKinnon
Cirella -Point-Marner
Hagel-Thomas-Reinhart
Barzal

Toews-Makar
Morrisey-Dobson
Theodore-Rielly
Pietrangelo

 Binnington
Skinner
Fleury

 

[Zybalto]

He was terrible in that series. Just like he was terrible in almost all the series he's played in. It's a pig. Put all the lipstick on it you wish.

It's a recurring pattern with him. Starts off with a few points, the series goes on and he goes away. It's happened almost every single time. I'd much rather Nylander in the playoffs. Matthews hasn't been great but he's better than Marner too.

Again, I have no problem with the fact that people want him on the team. His talent warrants it. He's obviously a great player. And there's no telling when he might actually break out. He may have a wonderful tournament and I hope he does. But I'm not going to listen to anyone try to gaslight me into saying that he's been good in the postseason. He's been terrible.

We obviously arnt going to agree on this I guess and I'm not a tribal guy when it comes to picking for team Canada (I was one of the few guys pushing for Monty to be one of the goalies).

I hope they all do well and I wouldnt be surprised if Montembeault starts for the team. I've been high on him all year. He's been playing so well despite being on that team with its "opposite of Marner in the playoffs" D.

:p

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

We obviously arnt going to agree on this I guess and I'm not a tribal guy when it comes to picking for team Canada (I was one of the few guys pushing for Monty to be one of the goalies).

I hope they all do well and I wouldnt be surprised if Montembeault starts for the team. I've been high on him all year. He's been playing so well despite being on that team with its "opposite of Marner in the playoffs" D.

:p

There's a big difference between past and future performance.

Marner hasn't been good in the playoffs in the past. I think that's pretty clear. For that reason, I wouldn't have taken him.

But... it doesn't matter at all going forward. He absolutely has the talent to be the best player on the ice on any given night. He has the opportunity to reset his reputation. As a Canadian I wish him nothing but success in this tournament.

 

[bobbythebrain]

Hyman-McDavid-Verhaege
Jarvis-Crosby-MacKinnon
Cirella -Point-Marner
Hagel-Thomas-Reinhart
Barzal

Toews-Makar
Morrisey-Dobson
Theodore-Rielly
Pietrangelo

 Binnington
Skinner
Fleury

Dobson over Bouchard is just silly

 

[Antropovsky]

Marner taking any penalties is tough as he's one of the best PK forwards in the league and throwing in the Gally goal is perfect too as it perfectly paints my picture. I don't even think that weak floater was even a scoring chance. One of the softest playoff goals that year for sure. Marner even being there was just incidental to the fact Campbell followed the fine playoff tradition of Leafs goalies being useless in big games. Let's just say Price would have batted that one away with ease.

...and that was the only 5v5 goal the Habs managed to score with Marner on the ice.

If you put any weight on Marner there, it just shows the problem with the narrative. That gets saved 99.9% of the time.

If the Leafs can't score on an all world goalie on a heater...its on Marner....even if he leads series in setting up scoring chances for the snipers.

If the Leafs get scored on because Marner is in the box, it's on Marner, even if he isn't on the ice.

If the goalie gives up the worst goal of the series(and maybe playoffs) in a game 7, it's on Marner if he touched the puck last and obviously a reflection of poor defensive play.

The giveaway that led to Gally scoring in game 7.. trying to deke at the opposing blueline in game 7, instead of a safe dump. Leading to the goal against.Every giveaway counts, especially in a game 7 game where it'd a game if inches.
Trotz alluded to the Leafs core guys making risk plays When asked about their frequent first round exits.

Just as his hail Mary pass to Matthews vs Tampa in game 6 OT was boneheaded and inexcusable. Leading to a goal against

The flip over the boards in game 6 vs Montreal was boneheaded too as he could've easily put it on the ice and out and had all kinds of time but instead chose to impress everyone with his ability to unecessarily scoop it high in the air. Leading to a 5-3 goal against.

The key is all these mistakes happened in elimination games and at critical times And ALL by Marner. These weren't blow outs, these were key giveaways factoring in the outcome of the games and the series. Meanwhile he was putting up points in games 1-3 of blowouts and none in the elimination games. Many of his points were once the game was out of reach.

There are many more... he has been typically on the ice for all the big goals against in elimination games.

He really is a giveaway machine once games get tight and games get physical.

 

[LeafLoyalist]

I said having BOTH. Of the 2, I like Cirelli more for the reasons you stated. Brayden Point was the match-up center for the majority of the Tampa years though, Cirelli has taken that role from him in more recent years and their last Stanley Cup Final.

Wrong, Point has never been used as a shutdown match up center....Cirelli was the guy up against the best....did you even watch the playoffs? Point was stapled to Kucherov.

 

[Nucks2001]

Wrong, Point has never been used as a shutdown match up center....Cirelli was the guy up against the best....did you even watch the playoffs? Point was stapled to Kucherov.

Point matched up against Bergeron’s line. I never watched the Lightning and Leafs series to be fair because I knew the Lightning would most likely take it.

 

[Gilles Meloche]

Hyman-McDavid-Verhaege
Jarvis-Crosby-MacKinnon
Cirella -Point-Marner
Hagel-Thomas-Reinhart
Barzal

Toews-Makar
Morrisey-Dobson
Theodore-Rielly
Pietrangelo

 Binnington
Skinner
Fleury

I like Fleury in there. Third goalie will never ever play and would be a great locker room guy …

 

[Hodgy]

I like Fleury in there. Third goalie will never ever play and would be a great locker room guy …

I wouldn't be surprised if the third goalie does play given the quality of the first two.

 

[Soundwave]

On no planet was Team Canada not taking Marner, c'mon now. He doesn't have to carry the mail for the team either, which is a big difference from the Leafs playoffs where he's charged with being the 1st/2nd best forward.

McDavid/MacK/Crosby/Makar have the responsibility of being the 4 best players on the team.

 

[LeafLoyalist]

Point matched up against Bergeron’s line. I never watched the Lightning and Leafs series to be fair because I knew the Lightning would most likely take it.

In that case it was more about Bergeron matching up against Point, Bergeron being the shutdown C against Point/Kucherov. Obviously home/away plays a big factor, but i recall Cirelli being the matchup C.

 

[BTP]

Marner continues to be the league most underrated player lol

 

[Cypher]

If the leak is true, the only exception I take is Montembeault . He'll be the 3rd goalie, but still, should've been Logan Thompson or even MAF.

 

[Zalos]

Bedard and Suzuki should have been on there. Bennett and Cirelli, really?

 

[ViD]

Reinhart McDavid Marner
Sid MacKinnon Point
Konecny Cirelli Hagel
Marchand Bennett Wilson
Stone

Toews Makar
Theodore Pietrangelo
Morrisey Dobson
Doughty

Binnington
Hill
Talbot

Sanheim is currently the third best Canadian d man, how do you not include him ?

Hyman-McDavid-Verhaege
Jarvis-Crosby-MacKinnon
Cirella -Point-Marner
Hagel-Thomas-Reinhart
Barzal

I must be missing something. How do you pick Jarvis over Konecny?

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

On no planet was Team Canada not taking Marner, c'mon now. He doesn't have to carry the mail for the team either, which is a big difference from the Leafs playoffs where he's charged with being the 1st/2nd best forward.

McDavid/MacK/Crosby/Makar have the responsibility of being the 4 best players on the team.

I’d never suggest they wouldn’t.

I simply wouldn’t take him if I were building the team.

That and a 1.75 will get you a coffee at McDonalds.

 

[Soundwave]

I’d never suggest they wouldn’t.

I simply wouldn’t take him if I were building the team.

That and a 1.75 will get you a coffee at McDonalds.

I think they do need the "fancy pants" skill. Past McDavid and MacKinnon, there actually isn't a lot there on the Canadian roster in that respect. Bedard and Celebrini being too raw right now limits the skill roof for the Canadian team.

 

[aylib]

In that case it was more about Bergeron matching up against Point, Bergeron being the shutdown C against Point/Kucherov. Obviously home/away plays a big factor, but i recall Cirelli being the matchup C.

Yeah, Point has always been offense, Cirelli is the shutdown/PK threat.
Cirelli and Hagel together is a beautiful thing, epically on PK. They do not ever get out worked

 

[Eye of Ra]

Marner continues to be the league most underrated player lol

He is a juggernaut in playoffs.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I think they do need the "fancy pants" skill. Past McDavid and MacKinnon, there actually isn't a lot there on the Canadian roster in that respect. Bedard and Celebrini being too raw right now limits the skill roof for the Canadian team.

Like I said, I’d have gone with Bedard.

We’ll see how it goes. It may not matter at all.

 

[Sky04]

Marner on a team where he doesn't have to be "the guy" is absolutely dangerous, any idiot can recognize that.

Like I said, I’d have gone with Bedard.

We’ll see how it goes. It may not matter at all.

The guy who's putting up 62 point pace right now? Yeah no even the grinders on are outscoring him. Your whole playoffs argument against Marner goes out the window if you're bringing up Bedard who's struggling with the regular season on it's own.