Olympics: Team Canada 2022 (Part 2)

[SOLR]

The difference between today and those 2014/2016 tournaments is Tavares is now older and less effective than he was at his peak, and there are more youngsters who are in their prime who simply weren't around back then.

Is it possible Tavares makes it? Sure, Canada does tend to show favoritism to players who played at previous international tournaments for them. But even if he makes it, it'll be in a much more limited role than his previous stints on Team Canada. He's simply no longer one of the top 12 forwards in Canada now. He was back in 2014/2016.

I disagree, still there. Not as a center, as a scoring winger. We don't have a lot of those.

 

[SOLR]

Kuemper I guess. Whoever is playing best early this year though. I'd rather not go with Fleury if there is any decent alternative.

Keep Fleury out of it by definition. Maybe a little window back in for Carter Hart.

 

[zeke]

Team canada using those grades:

McDavid - Crosby - MacKinnon
Marchand - Point - Marner
Barzal - Bergeron - Stone
Huberdeau - Couturier - O'Reilly
(Stamkos - Tavares - Scheifele)

Theodore - Makar
Chychrun - Hamilton
Pelech - Pietrangelo
(Toews - Spurgeon/Ekblad)

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Team canada using those grades:

McDavid - Crosby - MacKinnon
Marchand - Point - Marner
Huberdeau - Bergeron - Barzal
Couturier - O'Reilly - Scheifele/Tavares
(Stamkos - Tavares/Scheifele - Seguin/Giroux/Hall)

Theodore - Makar
Chychrun - Hamilton
Pelech - Pietrangelo
(Toews - Spurgeon/Ekblad)

I think this is very close to what the team will look like. That depth up the middle is unreal. Very jealous....

 

[Mathieukferland]

I think this is very close to what the team will look like. That depth up the middle is unreal. Very jealous....

In what world is Auston Matthews better than Nathan MacKinnon lol

 

[JackSlater]

Team canada using those grades:

McDavid - Crosby - MacKinnon
Marchand - Point - Marner
Huberdeau - Bergeron - Barzal
Couturier - O'Reilly - Scheifele/Tavares
(Stamkos - Tavares/Scheifele - Seguin/Giroux/Hall)

Theodore - Makar
Chychrun - Hamilton
Pelech - Pietrangelo
(Toews - Spurgeon/Ekblad)

That team is good and pretty similar to what a lot of us have been calling for. For the most part teams should just pick the best players with a few exceptions (while still selecting elite players) for role and fit.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

In what world is Auston Matthews better than Nathan MacKinnon lol

They are considered in the same tier by most. Some seem to favor Matthews' goal scoring. Not worth much of debate IMO.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Something interesting to note; during the espn broadcast last night they said that Cooper had mentioned to them that Cirelli was on the radar for team Canada; whilst I think he had a down year last year, I think in the bubble he was the best defensive player in the playoffs, and if he can return to that form he will certainly put himself into contention for a spot amongst the likes of Couturier etc

 

[Gold Standard]

Something interesting to note; during the espn broadcast last night they said that Cooper had mentioned to them that Cirelli was on the radar for team Canada; whilst I think he had a down year last year, I think in the bubble he was the best defensive player in the playoffs, and if he can return to that form he will certainly put himself into contention for a spot amongst the likes of Couturier etc

Just a club coach trying to motivate his own player using the National Team as the carrot. pretty obvious if you ask me. Cirelli is nowhere close close to being a A- Team player. would love to see him at the World Championships in May, however.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Just a club coach trying to motivate his own player using the National Team as the carrot. pretty obvious if you ask me. Cirelli is nowhere close close to being a A- Team player. would love to see him at the World Championships in May, however.

Possibly, but history shows us these biases creep in more often than not. I see a similar dynamic with the U.S. with Sullivan/Rust. A fine player who on a great day you can kind of, sort of see in that role but normally wouldn't be considered.

 

[86Habs]

Something interesting to note; during the espn broadcast last night they said that Cooper had mentioned to them that Cirelli was on the radar for team Canada; whilst I think he had a down year last year, I think in the bubble he was the best defensive player in the playoffs, and if he can return to that form he will certainly put himself into contention for a spot amongst the likes of Couturier etc

Eh. I like him as a player, but he's got to be behind several others for a depth role, no? As much as we've talked about Gourde, I'd probably have him there over Cirelli - though unlike Gourde, Cirelli does have Team Canada experience (I thought he was one of our better forwards at the 2017 WJHCs). Cirelli's bigger problem is that there is a logjam of players that are just as good, if not better than him defensively, while providing better offense and are top-line players on their NHL clubs (Couturier, O'Reilly). Even if there is a youth movement away from the likes of Tavares and Stamkos, he'd still only be in the mix with guys like Suzuki, Horvat, Konecny, Dubois, etc. and would need a very strong start to push himself into serious consideration, imo.

 

[JackSlater]

I like Cirelli. Really good defensive centre who could probably put up more points if higher in the lineup. Canada has no need for him however as long as any one of Bergeron, O'Reilly, and Couturier are playing at where they've been for the last few years. It's no surprise that Cooper would talk up his own player though and I wouldn't put a ton of stock into it. I'd be more wary of a dubious selection coming from St. Louis, the GM's team, than from Tampa Bay.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Eh. I like him as a player, but he's got to be behind several others for a depth role, no? As much as we've talked about Gourde, I'd probably have him there over Cirelli - though unlike Gourde, Cirelli does have Team Canada experience (I thought he was one of our better forwards at the 2017 WJHCs). Cirelli's bigger problem is that there is a logjam of players that are just as good, if not better than him defensively, while providing better offense and are top-line players on their NHL clubs (Couturier, O'Reilly). Even if there is a youth movement away from the likes of Tavares and Stamkos, he'd still only be in the mix with guys like Suzuki, Horvat, Konecny, Dubois, etc. and would need a very strong start to push himself into serious consideration, imo.

Yeah I wouldn’t have him on my team either

 

[Mathieukferland]

I like Cirelli. Really good defensive centre who could probably put up more points if higher in the lineup. Canada has no need for him however as long as any one of Bergeron, O'Reilly, and Couturier are playing at where they've been for the last few years. It's no surprise that Cooper would talk up his own player though and I wouldn't put a ton of stock into it. I'd be more wary of a dubious selection coming from St. Louis, the GM's team, than from Tampa Bay.

Having a feeling Parayko could obtain an unwarranted selection

 

[JackSlater]

Having a feeling Parayko could obtain an unwarranted selection

I was thinking more along the lines of Perron but I do assume that Parayko will get a long look though. If Parayko is healthy however I'd be fine with him making it as things stand right now. He brings some steel to the defence group and when he's healthy he is one of the best defensive defencemen in hockey. I've liked his limited international showings as well.

Parayko is one of the... 12-15 or so guys I could see making the team justifiably on defence. In my eyes the forwards should be nearly set already.

 

[Gold Standard]

Eh. I like him as a player, but he's got to be behind several others for a depth role, no? As much as we've talked about Gourde, I'd probably have him there over Cirelli - though unlike Gourde, Cirelli does have Team Canada experience (I thought he was one of our better forwards at the 2017 WJHCs). Cirelli's bigger problem is that there is a logjam of players that are just as good, if not better than him defensively, while providing better offense and are top-line players on their NHL clubs (Couturier, O'Reilly). Even if there is a youth movement away from the likes of Tavares and Stamkos, he'd still only be in the mix with guys like Suzuki, Horvat, Konecny, Dubois, etc. and would need a very strong start to push himself into serious consideration, imo.

since you brought him up! thrilled that Nick signed his new deal and didn't hit RFA at seasons end. Now both him and Cirelli can suit up for Canada at the World Championships in May.

 

[86Habs]

I was thinking more along the lines of Perron but I do assume that Parayko will get a long look though. If Parayko is healthy however I'd be fine with him making it as things stand right now. He brings some steel to the defence group and when he's healthy he is one of the best defensive defencemen in hockey. I've liked his limited international showings as well.

Parayko is one of the... 12-15 or so guys I could see making the team justifiably on defence. In my eyes the forwards should be nearly set already.

Agreed, Parayko wouldn't be a poor selection; I wouldn't have him on my team (he'd be just outside), but certainly justifiable even if his own GM selected him for the reasons you mentioned.

Armstrong has mentioned previously that he would like the management team to "keep on eye on" Jordan Kyrou, which would be a huge concern obviously if that gets any traction. Kyrou is nowhere near good enough for our A team. Perron will likely get some consideration for a depth role, but I can't see how he surpasses the aging stars (Tavares, Stamkos) and all of the good young forwards that we have. If Perron ends up getting selected, I would definitely see that as nepotism on Armstrong's part. I don't think it will happen though.

 

[86Habs]

since you brought him up! thrilled that Nick signed his new deal and didn't hit RFA at seasons end. Now both him and Cirelli can suit up for Canada at the World Championships in May.

I've been a fan of Suzuki since I witnessed him rip apart my Ottawa 67s in the 2019 OHL championship, so I'm happy to see him stay in Montreal. And I've liked Cirelli since the 2017 World Juniors...but he's not an A team level player, imo. On my hypothetical B team, I have him centering Danault and Pageau.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Agreed, Parayko wouldn't be a poor selection; I wouldn't have him on my team (he'd be just outside), but certainly justifiable even if his own GM selected him for the reasons you mentioned.

Armstrong has mentioned previously that he would like the management team to "keep on eye on" Jordan Kyrou, which would be a huge concern obviously if that gets any traction. Kyrou is nowhere near good enough for our A team. Perron will likely get some consideration for a depth role, but I can't see how he surpasses the aging stars (Tavares, Stamkos) and all of the good young forwards that we have. If Perron ends up getting selected, I would definitely see that as nepotism on Armstrong's part. I don't think it will happen though.

Kyrou would be a huge reach. LOL.

 

[86Habs]

Kyrou would be a huge reach. LOL.

The other player mentioned in the article was Bowen Byram. So...yeah.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

The other player mentioned in the article was Bowen Byram. So...yeah.

As an American, I say bring on Kyrou and Byram! LOL.

 

[Mathieukferland]

The other player mentioned in the article was Bowen Byram. So...yeah.

Byram has much higher ceiling than Kyrou and theoretically could win the Calder this year playing top 4 mins in Colorado, but he’s from from ready to be on a team that already has basically 6 all-stars on the back end

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Something interesting to note; during the espn broadcast last night they said that Cooper had mentioned to them that Cirelli was on the radar for team Canada; whilst I think he had a down year last year, I think in the bubble he was the best defensive player in the playoffs, and if he can return to that form he will certainly put himself into contention for a spot amongst the likes of Couturier etc

No way Cirelli makes it. Not unless Canada has a whole slew of injuries to its better defensive forwards (ie. Bergeron, O'Reilly, Couturier, etc.).

It was just coach-speak where Cooper was propping up his own player.

 

[86Habs]

Byram has much higher ceiling than Kyrou and theoretically could win the Calder this year playing top 4 mins in Colorado, but he’s from from ready to be on a team that already has basically 6 all-stars on the back end

Agreed, its 4 years too early for Byram. I'd expect him to be there, in a significant role, in 2026.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Possibly, but history shows us these biases creep in more often than not. I see a similar dynamic with the U.S. with Sullivan/Rust. A fine player who on a great day you can kind of, sort of see in that role but normally wouldn't be considered.

I think the difference is Rust provides something that maybe the rest of the US squad might not. I haven't really done a deep-dive into the US roster recently, but if you're bringing along wingers like Kane, Gaudreau, etc. then having a two-way guy like Rust, who can PK/play a defensive role while also being a solid scoring option, makes a bit of sense. Contrast that with Cirelli, where what he brings to the table Canada already has in abundance with Bergeron, O'Reilly, Couturier, Stone, etc. and it's not quite the same situation.