GDT: Four Nations

[bustamente]

I also had little interest in this event, I looked at it as a glorified allstar game. I did watch last night and glad I did, not only was it a great game, the right team won. The game did more for the NHL and hockey than any allstar game could ever accomplish.

 

[kanadalainen]

Nope. Fell to my knees in a Walmart though.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

I also had little interest in this event, I looked at it as a glorified allstar game. I did watch last night and glad I did, not only was it a great game, the right team won. The game did more for the NHL and hockey than any allstar game could ever accomplish.

Same. I haven’t watched an all star game since I was 10. I’d watch this every year.

 

[Jet]

Great game. But no doubt about it - Binnington > Helle. The big game stink continues.

What are you talking about?

Helle didn't let in any bad goals, and if it weren't for Binnington and some wasted chances by the USA he would have won that one.

There's a difference between playing well enough to win in a big game and what Hellebuyck has done in the past 2 playoffs (not all on him)

If he plays in the playoffs like he did in this tournament, you'll hear nary a peep from me about his performance, win or lose.

 

[bustamente]

I doubt it, but I'll say that Brady has always stood up for Ottawa and Canada, so I can respect that. Hopefully that doesn't change

Yup she has spent the majority of her life in the States and is fully Americanized, still though her kids have Canadian blood so they can't be all bad.

 

[kanadalainen]

Just think, if Keith Tkachuk has spent more of his career in Winnipeg his sons would have still become pro hockey players but they would also have received a good grade-school education.

Do you mean to imply that Lordlings Brady and Matthew are less than well eduamacache?

 

[bustamente]

Same. I haven’t watched an all star game since I was 10. I’d watch this every year.

Yup there were no players going thru the motions and the game and apparently the other games seem to mean something to all the players playing

 

[Jet]

Man, the US was probably one elite scorer away from winning this one.

OHHHHH IF ONLY THEY HAD A GUY WHO LIKE YOU KNOW WAS TOP OF THE NHL IN SCORING... WHOOOOO COULD THAT BEEEEEEEEEE?

I would anticipate a cheeky post on KFC's socials but the guy is way too classy for that.

 

[Jets 31]

What are you talking about?

Helle didn't let in any bad goals, and if it weren't for Binnington and some wasted chances by the USA he would have won that one.

There's a difference between playing well enough to win in a big game and what Hellebuyck has done in the past 2 playoffs (not all on him)

If he plays in the playoffs like he did in this tournament, you'll hear nary a peep from me about his performance, win or lose.

Couldn't agree more, if people think the USA lost this game because of Helly i don't know what to say really.

 

[bustamente]

It was sad that KFC had to watch from the PB and Joshua had to watch with his head over a toilet.

 

[Jets 31]

Binnington played very good but so did Helly, now lets light Binnington up on Saturday night.

 

[gojetsgo]

 

[Whileee]

Glad the 4N is over an the Jets have no injuries.

Poor decision to sit Connor, but he has a particular possession-oriented style that didn't fit the USA team. He's really in tune with Scheifele but hard to adapt to in a short stint.

Hellebuyck played well. You couldn't really fault him on any of the goals. Binnington was a scrambling all over the place, and despite Bieksa's praise, I think he was very fortunate to win that game.

 

[bustamente]

Binnington played very good but so did Helly, now lets light Binnington up on Saturday night.

I'm wondering if both he and Helle get the night off.

 

[Mooche]

 

[ps241]

Processing it the morning after.

Either team could have won this, it came down to one play. If you take away the empty net USA and Canada played 7 periods and ended up pretty much tied.

If I look at Canada I think their top 3 D men were Makar (Cleary the best), Morrissey (was so solid) took the #1 spot when Makar was out, and Toews because of his insane chemistry with Makar. Last night Toews and Makar did the really heavy lifting with almost 28:00 minutes each. After the top cluster I would probably slot Harley at the top of the next group moving forward towards the Olympics. I do think a guy like Pietrangelo might be in the mix next year with Doughty (veteran presence) but we did learn this tournament that young guys can step up (Faber Harley)

Forwards wise for Canada I have to think about it more. There is an allot to process and I might come back later to post my thoughts on that.

For team USA Slavin, Faber, and McAvoy were their big 3. Last night Slavin and Faber played almost 29:00 minutes and were the clear top pair. Nice to see a guy like Slavin get spotlighted for being so fricken amazing at what he does well. Interesting that Brock Faber is 6’1” 200 pounds and he was their trusted high minutes shut down defender vs our best. Minnesota got him in a trade with LA (but I digress).

I think it should be mentioned that Canada dodged a bullet with Matthew Tkachuk being injured. He tried last night but was only able to play 6:00 minutes. In this style of game the Tkachuk brothers are probably the most dangerous two forwards on team USA.

Probably Matthews best game but he got stymied. Jack Hughes did not get going this tournament and neither did Connor, both play a finesse game and are offensive talents. I don’t think Connor will make the Olympic team but if it’s a IIHF event they will still need Hughes there.

I thought Hellebuyck was really good this tournament. The game winning goal was a defensive breakdown leaving the best player in the world alone in the slot and he made team USA pay.

Still really don’t like all the injuries but the hockey was sensational.

I’m sure I will have more thoughts today.

Great event even though cost benefit is debatable.

 

[kanadalainen]

I think the Jets will light Binnington up!!

 

[snowkiddin]

I also had little interest in this event, I looked at it as a glorified allstar game. I did watch last night and glad I did, not only was it a great game, the right team won. The game did more for the NHL and hockey than any allstar game could ever accomplish.

Hard to believe how long the NHL avoided doing something like this

 

[Jet]

Glad the 4N is over an the Jets have no injuries.

Poor decision to sit Connor, but he has a particular possession-oriented style that didn't fit the USA team. He's really in tune with Scheifele but hard to adapt to in a short stint.

Hellebuyck played well. You couldn't really fault him on any of the goals. Binnington was a scrambling all over the place, and despite Bieksa's praise, I think he was very fortunate to win that game.

Despite Connors style its beyond stupid to scratch a guy who's a one shot scorer that can also create his own chances.

As for Binnington, I think in a very small sample size a guy who can scramble like that can win big games (as he's shown). Problem is it's not really sustainable. I still think it was a poor roster decision for Canada.

 

[Mooche]

I think Josh Morrissey is fantastic. It's been fun to watch him on a nightly basis.

What I believe though might have come out of this game heading forward is HC looks at Toews-Makar and Harley-Doughty as two potential pairings for the Olympics. Where Morrissey, Theodore, Sanheim, Parayko, Pietrangelo and who knows who else may step up leaves a good battle. There's different ways that could go.

Slavin received a lot of attention, but I think there's going be a lot of talk about effective Harley was coming into this tournament tomorrow and beyond. And that's credit to the kid who stepped up. 2nd youngest player on team after our own Seth Jarvis, who had a helluva a game.

So let's not spoil a good thing. It was a team effort.

We'll just have to agree to disagree here.

A feel good story of a guy who played very well when called upon, and a guy who's clearly on the last few holes so to speak of his career (loved Doughty for Canada over the years), does nothing to dethrone JoMo as clearly the #2 Canadian overall defender.

Morrissey did nothing but raise his stock in this tournament. So many casual hockey fans were introduced to just how solid of a player he is, especially in the absence of Makar.

You build defensive cores around guys like that.

 

[Jet]

Hard to believe how long the NHL avoided doing something like this

I think you might see the NBA try something like this. Like the NHL theyve struggled to come up with an all star format that resonates with fans

 

[Royale With Cheese]

What are you talking about?

Helle didn't let in any bad goals, and if it weren't for Binnington and some wasted chances by the USA he would have won that one.

There's a difference between playing well enough to win in a big game and what Hellebuyck has done in the past 2 playoffs (not all on him)

If he plays in the playoffs like he did in this tournament, you'll hear nary a peep from me about his performance, win or lose.

IDK, he saw all three shots and they beat him clean. The MacKinnon goal looked pretty soft to me, Bennet and McDavid's were both good shots but I think he should have had at least 1 of those 3. Helle wasn't awful but the guy with the maple leaf on the sweater was the better goalie that game.

 

[Ludwig Fell Down]

Hard to believe how long the NHL avoided doing something like this

According to Gary, when he talks to the fans they don't like best-on-best tournaments.

 

[buggs]

I think you might see the NBA try something like this. Like the NHL theyve struggled to come up with an all star format that resonates with fans

The NBA should try playing basketball at some point, with actual rules. They turned the regular season into the all-star game by no longer calling, well, anything. No need for an all-star game if guys can take 4-5 steps before they dunk. Never mind the flopping has eclipsed anything seen in soccer (football).

The athletes are so much better than they were 20-30 years ago but the game is a joke.

 

[Jet]

IDK, he saw all three shots and they beat him clean. The MacKinnon goal looked pretty soft to me, Bennet and McDavid's were both good shots but I think he should have had at least 1 of those 3. Helle wasn't awful but the guy with the maple leaf on the sweater was the better goalie that game.

Wait, you think the first goal he saw and was clean?
Bennet's shot was fabulous and I think that Helle had to be ready for him to cut in front of the net.
McDavid's goal? Only the best player in the planet alone in the slot. NBD.

The NBA should try playing basketball at some point, with actual rules. They turned the regular season into the all-star game by no longer calling, well, anything. No need for an all-star game if guys can take 4-5 steps before they dunk. Never mind the flopping has eclipsed anything seen in soccer (football).

The athletes are so much better than they were 20-30 years ago but the game is a joke.

I mean I can't comment because I think basketball is a trash game ;P