World Cup: Four Nations Tournament-Team Canada

[HockeyWooot]

I would have the following lineup.

Point McDavid Marner
Bennett Mackinnon Reinhart
Marchand Crosby Stone
Hagel Cirelli Konecny
Jarvis


Toews Makar
Morrisey Parayko
Theodore Pietrangelo
Sanheim

Binnington
Hill
Montembault

Pairs approach for forwards in McDavid-Point, Mackinnon-Reinhart and Crosby Marchand.

 

[Nucks2001]

Bennett-McDavid-Reinhart
Konecny-MacKinnon-Point
Marchand-Crosby-Marner
Hagel-Cirelli-Stone

Toews-Makar
Morrissey-Pietrangelo
Theodore-Parayko

 

[Sky04]

You make good points. I agree with hyman. It's too bad he had a slow start.

Having a mobile D who can QB the pp is important. I think Scott Niedermayer is the best ever at it on the pp. Bouchard has his bomb like pronger and roam around the blueline, a deadly combo. Forwards can work it down low but you need one of makar or Bouchard on the point. The rocket from the point is what Bouchard has over all the Ds in the league, accurate too.

Good thing they have Makar then.

 

[wickedwitch]

I get why they didn't take Dylan Strome.

But also, Strome is basically the perfect player for a team like this. His standout quality is that he elevates the play of the very best players in the world (e.g. Kane, Ovechkin). And he's versatile, so you could put him on the wing with any center. But he's also good enough that he can create offense on his own and even substitute in if you have a scoring line center go down.

So I get why he wasn't chosen, but if they weren't even seriously considering him -- and the leaks/rumors have given no indication that he was being seriously considered -- that's a mistake.

 

[Nucks2001]

I get why they didn't take Dylan Strome.

But also, Strome is basically the perfect player for a team like this. His standout quality is that he elevates the play of the very best players in the world (e.g. Kane, Ovechkin). And he's versatile, so you could put him on the wing with any center. But he's also good enough that he can create offense on his own and even substitute in if you have a scoring line center go down.

So I get why he wasn't chosen, but if they weren't even seriously considering him -- and the leaks/rumors have given no indication that he was being seriously considered -- that's a mistake.

I don’t even think Strome was ever contacted by Hockey Canada for 4 Nations.

 

[JackSlater]

I get why they didn't take Dylan Strome.

But also, Strome is basically the perfect player for a team like this. His standout quality is that he elevates the play of the very best players in the world (e.g. Kane, Ovechkin). And he's versatile, so you could put him on the wing with any center. But he's also good enough that he can create offense on his own and even substitute in if you have a scoring line center go down.

So I get why he wasn't chosen, but if they weren't even seriously considering him -- and the leaks/rumors have given no indication that he was being seriously considered -- that's a mistake.

I respect that you made a case for him, but I'm glad that Hockey Canada (seemingly) didn't consider him. He's scored a lot in the first ~30 games so far this year, and good for him, maybe he's gone to a new level. Nothing to this point in his career has indicated that he's a player good enough for Canada at this level though, and his international career has been generally disappointing. I also don't see him as particularly versatile - I struggle to see him contributing on the wing, he doesn't bring much outside of offence, and he is not good enough to play centre for Canada. I'd also be very concerned about his pace at this level.

That said if he can finish this season in the top ten in scoring and has a good playoffs, I'd have to imagine they will give him some consideration for the 2026 Olympics. I don't expect his scoring to keep up at this pace but who knows?

 

[jfhabs]

If it's just me, I would have picked Wilson for my 4th line. Both bring some grit and have been playing this year. I think he can be a lot more impactful then Brad Marchand or Seth Jarvis in a tournament like that.

 

[jj cale]

If it's just me, I would have picked Wilson for my 4th line. Both bring some grit and have been playing this year. I think he can be a lot more impactful then Brad Marchand or Seth Jarvis in a tournament like that.

Oh he can be impactful all right.........................frequently in a bad way.

 

[jfhabs]

Oh he can be impactful all right.........................frequently in a bad way.

You mean bad 2 mins?
Pretty sure it will be NHL referees for the 4 nations?

Clearly Marchand is there out of reputation and not his recent play. There are atleast 5 players I would've picked ahead of him, not even counting Wilson.

 

[jj cale]

You mean bad 2 mins?
Pretty sure it will be NHL referees for the 4 nations?

Clearly Marchand is there out of reputation and not his recent play. There are atleast 5 players I would've picked ahead of him, not even counting Wilson.

I like wilson, but he's the type of player that can leave me sitting on one cheek on the couch when watching a game where he is on team i passionately care about.

 

[jfhabs]

I like wilson, but he's the type of player that can leave me sitting on one cheek on the couch when watching a game where he is on team i passionately care about.

I'm not a fan boy of his, but he brings a rare skillset. It's a tool I wouldn't mind having in my toolbox as a coach. Whereas I see many players of Marchand and Jarvis skillset already on the team (Point and Konecny)

 

[Nucks2001]

I'm not a fan boy of his, but he brings a rare skillset. It's a tool I wouldn't mind having in my toolbox as a coach. Whereas I see many players of Marchand and Jarvis skillset already on the team (Point and Konecny)

I think Sam Bennett provides a lot of what Wilson provides, but is younger and has the versatility to play both C/W. Another plus is familiarity with Reinhart.

 

[waitin425]

Don't care about this 4 nations thingy.....But, when the best come back together in 2026, I hope to see Celebrini and Bedard there to take the torch from our current Big 3.

Crosby - McDavid - Bedard
Celebrini - MacKinnon - Marner
Reinhart - Point - Konecny
Barzal - Suzuki - Stone
Lafreniere

 

[JackSlater]

Don't care about this 4 nations thingy.....But, when the best come back together in 2026, I hope to see Celebrini and Bedard there to take the torch from our current Big 3.

Crosby - McDavid - Bedard
Celebrini - MacKinnon - Marner
Reinhart - Point - Konecny
Barzal - Suzuki - Stone
Lafreniere

I think at least one should be at this thing, quite possibly (probably) both. Bedard didn't force their hand though and Celebrini didn't have the time to do so, and it's a generally conservative group of GMs.

 

[Nucks2001]

Don't care about this 4 nations thingy.....But, when the best come back together in 2026, I hope to see Celebrini and Bedard there to take the torch from our current Big 3.

Crosby - McDavid - Bedard
Celebrini - MacKinnon - Marner
Reinhart - Point - Konecny
Barzal - Suzuki - Stone
Lafreniere

You’re missing the “wrong youth.” There’s a reason why Jarvis was picked by this management group and depending on his success this tournament, he’ll likely make 2026. Suzuki may have soured management. I’d also expect one of Hagel and Cirelli on there if Canada wins 4 Nationa as Cooper is coaching the Olympics as well. If Canada loses, you might not see both of them.

Crosby, McDavid, MacKinnon, Marner, Reinhart and Point are really the only locks to make 2026.

I think a Konency has a strong case, but who knows what other young dog might replace him. Stone’s in similar position to Konency. Strong player to make 2026, but is expendable to a degree.

I don’t see Sam Bennett making it a 2nd time. Byfield, Laf or some other dog may replace him. Also don’t be surprised if Zach Hyman makes 2026. I could see management doing that considering he was on most of management’ mock rosters before playing himself off the team.

Bedard and Celebrini are probably near-locks in management’s eyes for 2026 when they were going through the selection process. Sweeney stated that they have already compiled player profiles for the Olympics and there were a lot of strong candidates rhat just weren’t ready for 2025, but are assumed to be 2026. He mentioned Bedard as one of those guys.

 

[Crosby2010]

Bedard will be 20, Celebrini will be 19. It isn't impossible, but two players that young on the Olympics? I am all for it if they can show they play at that level. But neither is going to be in the playoffs by the time the Olympics show up. Both would have to do well at the 2025 Worlds when they get asked. There is usually a conservative group in Canada making these decisions and they do value experience. That said, I could see both of them thriving on the wing if asked to play there. Canada could roll 4 lines of pure offense and thrive, but just like with 2025 they always have a line of grinders to wear the other team down.

 

[jfc64]

A team with the best swedes and finns would command a cap hit of 177 million! 6 million more than Team Canada. Canada has 35 million inhabitants and Sweden plus Finland 15 million.

Patrik Laine - Aleksander Barkov - William Nylander 8.7 - 10 - 11.5
Elias Pettersson - Sebastian Aho - Mikko Rantanen 11.6 - 9.75 - 9.25
Filip Forsberg - Mika Zibanejad - Jesper Bratt 8.5 - 8.5 - 7.875
Roope Hintz - Joel Eriksson Ek - Adrian Kempe 8.45 - 5.25 - 5.5

Gustav Forsling - Erik Karlsson 5.75 - 11.5
Hampus Lindholm - Rasmus Dahlin 6.5 - 11
Esa Lindell - Miro Heiskanen 5.8 - 8.45
Victor Hedman - 7.875

Jacob Markström 6
Juuse Saros 5
Linus Ullmark 5

 

[Mathieukferland]

A team with the best swedes and finns would command a cap hit of 185 million! 14 million more than Team Canada. Canada has 35 million inhabitants and Sweden plus Finland 15 million.

Patrik Laine - Aleksander Barkov - William Nylander 8.7 - 10 - 11.5
Elias Pettersson - Sebastian Aho - Mikko Rantanen 11.6 - 9.75 - 9.25
Filip Forsberg - Mika Zibanejad - Jesper Bratt 8.5 - 8.5 - 7.875
Roope Hintz - Joel Eriksson Ek - Adrian Kempe 8.45 - 5.25 - 5.5

Gustav Forsling - Erik Karlsson 5.75 - 11.5
Hampus Lindholm - Rasmus Dahlin 6.5 - 11
Esa Lindell - Miro Heiskanen 5.8 - 8.45
Victor Hedman -

Jacob Markström 6
Juuse Saros 5
Linus Ullmark 5

What on earth does this have to do with anything related to the thread topic

 

[Nucks2001]

Wow. Crosby continues to amaze me. Lines for 2025:

Bennett-McDavid-MacKinnon
Marchand-Crosby-Reinhart
Hagel-Point-Marner
Konecny-Cirelli-Stone
Jarvis

Toews-Makar
Morrissey-Parayko
Theodore-Pietrangelo
Sanhiem

 

[jfc64]

What on earth does this have to do with anything related to the thread topic?

Thanks for asking! I can think of a few reasons (places on earth or things) ...

One is that if Team Canada might be heavily dependent on a few players delivering otherwise it's even Steven. Which explains Team Sweden chosing good skating skilled players on the lower lines to accomodate MacKinnon and McDavid taking off. Another is that a few players are underrated and will surprise. And everything in between.

 

[waitin425]

Thanks for asking! I can think of a few reasons (places on earth or things) ...

One is that if Team Canada might be heavily dependent on a few players delivering otherwise it's even Steven. Which explains Team Sweden chosing good skating skilled players on the lower lines to accomodate MacKinnon and McDavid taking off. Another is that a few players are underrated and will surprise. And everything in between.

But you made a hybrid team of Sweden and Finland and then put it in the Team Canada thread. Weird.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

A team with the best swedes and finns would command a cap hit of 177 million! 6 million more than Team Canada. Canada has 35 million inhabitants and Sweden plus Finland 15 million.

Patrik Laine - Aleksander Barkov - William Nylander 8.7 - 10 - 11.5
Elias Pettersson - Sebastian Aho - Mikko Rantanen 11.6 - 9.75 - 9.25
Filip Forsberg - Mika Zibanejad - Jesper Bratt 8.5 - 8.5 - 7.875
Roope Hintz - Joel Eriksson Ek - Adrian Kempe 8.45 - 5.25 - 5.5

Gustav Forsling - Erik Karlsson 5.75 - 11.5
Hampus Lindholm - Rasmus Dahlin 6.5 - 11
Esa Lindell - Miro Heiskanen 5.8 - 8.45
Victor Hedman - 7.875

Jacob Markström 6
Juuse Saros 5
Linus Ullmark 5

I promise you Zibanejad is not part of the best team of Sweden-Finland.

 

[Nucks2001]

Who I think injury replacements are for Hockey Canada:
1. Mark Scheifele
2. Zach Hyman
3. Connor Bedard
4. Robert Thomas
5. Tom Wilson

1. Drew Doughty
2. MacKenzie Weegar
3. Evan Bouchard
4. Chris Tanev
5. Dougie Hamilton
6. Noah Dobson

1. Logan Thompson
2. Stuart Skinner
3. Cam Talbot

 

[jj cale]

Who I think injury replacements are for Hockey Canada:
1. Mark Scheifele
2. Zach Hyman
3. Connor Bedard
4. Robert Thomas
5. Tom Wilson

1. Drew Doughty
2. MacKenzie Weegar
3. Evan Bouchard
4. Chris Tanev
5. Dougie Hamilton
6. Noah Dobson

1. Logan Thompson
2. Stuart Skinner
3. Cam Talbot

Spot on.