Olympics: Team Canada 2022 (Part 2)

[Mathieukferland]

Call me crazy and maybe it’s sacrilege (I’ve been his fan since he was 16 so it pains me to say), but I wonder if Canada jumped the gun naming Crosby as one of the first 3. 34 years old, coming off yet another injury, poor playoffs last Spring, only one game played this season… February is still 3 months away but maybe should’ve taken a wait-and-see approach with him. He’s been penciled onto the team for so long I don’t think anyone has asked themselves if he’s really our 2nd line C.

Even if he’s there are a healthy scratch his leadership is worth it

 

[TheBeastCoast]

A majority of this roster has never played a best on best tournament in their careers. The notion that a healthy Crosby doesn't make this team is nuts. Where he slots on the team can be figured out as we go, but he was always going to be on the team and is likely the captain of the team.

 

[Johnny Tomala]

My team from 14th September:

'My forwards (not lines): Crosby, MacKinnon, McDavid, Bergeron, O'Reilly, Stone, Marner, Couturier, Barzal, Point, Scheifele, Stamkos, Huberdeau, Marchand. I think Barzal and Stamkos would be my 13th and 14th forwards. I hope Seguin will start season hot and make this team.

Goalies: Price, Fleury, Hart

Defenders are the toughest to choose, but I'll try: Hamilton, Doughty, Ekblad, Pietrangelo, Theodore, Makar, Chychrun, Letang. Chychrun and Letang my picks for last two spots. Weegar was close to make it. '

Nothing changed for me. Tavares, Giroux from forwards are in good form, I wouldn't pick them. Goalies stay the same.

Defenders - Hamilton, Doughty, Ekblad, Pietrangelo, Theodore and Makar are locks for me. The fight is for the other two spots.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Call me crazy and maybe it’s sacrilege (I’ve been his fan since he was 16 so it pains me to say), but I wonder if Canada jumped the gun naming Crosby as one of the first 3. 34 years old, coming off yet another injury, poor playoffs last Spring, only one game played this season… February is still 3 months away but maybe should’ve taken a wait-and-see approach with him. He’s been penciled onto the team for so long I don’t think anyone has asked themselves if he’s really our 2nd line C.

You're crazy.

Crosby's coming off a season in which he finished 3rd in Lindsay voting, finished top 10 in points, and showed no signs of serious deterioration in his game.

Where in the lineup he might ultimately be played is one thing to debate, but the idea that he shouldn't have a spot on the team because of an injury he was going to be back from well before the Olympics and because he didn't produce much last playoffs is silly.

 

[gotyournose]

Call me crazy and maybe it’s sacrilege (I’ve been his fan since he was 16 so it pains me to say), but I wonder if Canada jumped the gun naming Crosby as one of the first 3. 34 years old, coming off yet another injury, poor playoffs last Spring, only one game played this season… February is still 3 months away but maybe should’ve taken a wait-and-see approach with him. He’s been penciled onto the team for so long I don’t think anyone has asked themselves if he’s really our 2nd line C.

I have Crosby, Marchand and Bergeron as the third line.

 

[team canada fan]

I agree that Crosby, Marchand and Bergeron make an ideal 3rd line. Strong checking line, that will still contribute offensively. If Crosby isn't on the team, I'm not turning on my tv.....

 

[86Habs]

I think it's time we stop beating around the bush - after last night Marner is not only on the team, but he's also on the top line. So the only question is, who best complements Marner? McDavid wants the puck too much so he's gone. MacKinnon likes the big moments and Canada needs the puck on Marner's stick at the critical moments, so that's a big no. This is the puzzle that I'm sure is keeping the selection committee, as well as the coaching staff, up at night. The team is only going to go as far as Marner can carry it, so he may as well be put in the best position to succeed.

I think the only answer it to re-unite Marner on Hyman on our top line, with Tavares in the middle. Then run an O'Reilly-Perron-Schenn line. Then, obviously double-shift Hyman at wing with McDavid and Mangiapane. The Nova Scotia boys get the scrap ice time.

I think Marner is baby shit soft but he is way too talented to leave off the team.

Players just as talented, if not moreso, than Marner, and nowhere near as soft, have been left off Team Canada rosters in recent tournaments. You don't need to go back any further than 2014 to see St. Louis, who was the reigning Art Ross winner AND played for Team Canada's GM in Tampa AND had a good playoff resume, initially being left off the team. With Marner, it wouldn't surprise me either way if he's left off the team OR if he's selected and plays a key role. It really depends on how Armstrong sees him

Even if he’s there are a healthy scratch his leadership is worth it

Cooper (or any coach for that matter) would never healthy scratch Crosby. That would become a bigger story than the game itself, and a huge distraction for the team. I think the floor for Crosby, in terms of usage, for this particular team is a middle-6 type center that (with Marchand and Bergeron) takes critical defensive zone starts. I could see that line configuration get relied on heavily by Cooper in more of a shut-down capacity in 2022, as compared to being our primary offensive line in 2016.

 

[nbwingsfan]

I think it's time we stop beating around the bush - after last night Marner is not only on the team, but he's also on the top line. So the only question is, who best complements Marner? McDavid wants the puck too much so he's gone. MacKinnon likes the big moments and Canada needs the puck on Marner's stick at the critical moments, so that's a big no. This is the puzzle that I'm sure is keeping the selection committee, as well as the coaching staff, up at night. The team is only going to go as far as Marner can carry it, so he may as well be put in the best position to succeed.

You’re right, if there’s one thing Marner is known for its producing in critival big moments in important games!

 

[JackSlater]

You’re right, if there’s one thing Marner is known for its producing in critival big moments in important games!

When the game is on the line and Canada needs someone to take the puck on his stick and cleanly, efficiently get it out of the zone, despite relentless pressure from the world's elite, well what can you say. There's Money Mitch, and then there's everybody else. When the pressure rises he rises to the top.

 

[RED ARMY EAST]

Even if he’s there are a healthy scratch his leadership is worth it

Are you serious? Crosby evened mentioned as a scratch, is a joke!

 

[Czechboy]

Just reading up here to see how Canada is looking... my 2 observations are that Nurse is not being named very much at all right now. Also, Marner takes a lot of flack. Czechs will gladly take both!

 

[Mathieukferland]

I would have laughed at myself for saying this 8 months ago but Tom Wilson has started really well; I doubt he makes it and I wouldn’t have him in my team but if they are going to make a galaxy-brain Rob Zaumner selection he could at least he could play at the best on best level

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I would have laughed at myself for saying this 8 months ago but Tom Wilson has started really well; I doubt he makes it and I wouldn’t have him in my team but if they are going to make a galaxy-brain Rob Zaumner selection he could at least he could play at the best on best level

That would be Hyman-no?

 

[centipede2233]

I don’t think Wilson makes team Canada. Hyman has a much better chance. Plays a similar game but scores a lot more and the mcdavid connection to boot.

 

[86Habs]

I don’t think Wilson makes team Canada. Hyman has a much better chance. Plays a similar game but scores a lot more and the mcdavid connection to boot.

Both guys would be historically bad (like, we'll be looking back in 30 years and asking what the christ Armstrong was thinking bad) selections.

 

[centipede2233]

Both guys would be historically bad (like, we'll be looking back in 30 years and asking what the christ Armstrong was thinking bad) selections.

Maybe, but ken Holland is an associate gm, I really hope we don’t see favouritism in the construction of this team. If we see nurse, parayko, hyman all on this team with RoR and binnington, That will be favouritism at its finest

 

[86Habs]

Maybe, but ken Holland is an associate gm, I really hope we don’t see favouritism in the construction of this team. If we see nurse, parayko, hyman all on this team with RoR and binnington, That will be favouritism at its finest

O'Reilly (especially) and Binnington would be fully deserving. Full stop.

A good case could certainly be made for Parayko. Nurse...maybe. Probably on the bubble, but on the outside looking in.

Hyman would be a huge reach. So would Perron and any other Blues forward (though I'd take Perron over Hyman).

 

[centipede2233]

O'Reilly (especially) and Binnington would be fully deserving. Full stop.

A good case could certainly be made for Parayko. Nurse...maybe. Probably on the bubble, but on the outside looking in.

Hyman would be a huge reach. So would Perron and any other Blues forward (though I'd take Perron over Hyman).

I agree. I can see one of nurse or parayko being 7th d man. My top 6 d are doughty, Piet, weegar, ekblad, pelech and makar.

 

[86Habs]

I agree. I can see one of nurse or parayko being 7th d man. My top 6 d are doughty, Piet, weegar, ekblad, pelech and makar.

I have to think Theodore is close to a lock.

 

[centipede2233]

I have to think Theodore is close to a lock.

Definitely could be.

 

[86Habs]

Definitely could be.

There will be at least 3 LHS defenceman on this team...Theodore, probably Pelech, and someone like Chabot or Nurse in a 7/8 d-man role. Pietrangelo can move to his off-side if necessary, and its quite possible they take the Ekblad/Weegar pairing.

 

[Mathieukferland]

O'Reilly (especially) and Binnington would be fully deserving. Full stop.

A good case could certainly be made for Parayko. Nurse...maybe. Probably on the bubble, but on the outside looking in.

Hyman would be a huge reach. So would Perron and any other Blues forward (though I'd take Perron over Hyman).

Still makes no sense to me why Brisebois and Sakic (especially) aren’t involved in any capacity seeing as they probably have the best record at drafting an developing Canadian players in the league, but I hope this management group can avoid homer picks

 

[86Habs]

Still makes no sense to me why Brisebois and Sakic (especially) aren’t involved in any capacity seeing as they probably have the best record at drafting an developing Canadian players in the league, but I hope this management group can avoid homer picks

Agreed, but quite possible Sakic and Brisebois want nothing to do with selecting TC given the issues Yzerman had with MSL in 2014. And I have absolutely no confidence in anyone involved in the Oilers organization, so I'm hoping for the best and expecting the worst tbh.

 

[centipede2233]

Still makes no sense to me why Brisebois and Sakic (especially) aren’t involved in any capacity seeing as they probably have the best record at drafting an developing Canadian players in the league, but I hope this management group can avoid homer picks

I’m concerned about the possible homerism as well…

 

[centipede2233]

I’m a Canadian, mid 40’s so I’ve seen my share of Olympic hockey. Lately I’ve gotten some 2006 vibes coming from this potential roster. One alarming comparison to that 2006 team Canada disaster is that bob nicholson, then Edmonton gm Kevin lowe and Steve tambelini were the management team along with Gretzky. Ken Holland is an associate gm in 2022 team…I hope this isn’t ground hog day….