Olympics: Team Canada 2022, Part III

[jj cale]

There’s really a number of things that make me think the USA will prevail over Canada. One main one as you alluded is goaltending. The second thing is goal scoring. As of right now, 6 of the top 10 nhl goal scorers are American. I lived through Nagano and Turin olympics, I’ve seen it happen. And I don’t know how old you are, but for the people in there 20’s who only have 2010, 2014 and the World Cup in 2016 to experience, things go south to.
A 34 yr old Roy and a 34 yr old brodeur we’re on teams that didn’t medal, is 34 yr old carey mr. overrated price really going to achieve something Roy and brodeur couldn’t? This team Canada is ripe for the upset. It’s not that I want this to happen, but I foresee it happening. And I’ll eat my own words if team Canada prevails.

On the other hand if 34 year old Roy and Brodeur had the offensive muscle this team is going to have( at least on paper) , they most likely would have won. We are talking about very different teams when we are talking about this version of TC versus the 98 and 2006 versions.

 

[TheDoldrums]

The second thing is goal scoring. As of right now, 6 of the top 10 nhl goal scorers are American.

Canadas offense is well above the States, I don't think that's really debatable. Goals, especially this early in the year, certainly do not tell the whole story. I mean we're probably not even taking Mangiapane who's our leading goal scorer. Kreider, Guentzel, Terry and Debrincat being in the top 10 doesn't make them better offensive players than Mackinnon or Crosby. Some of those guys might not make the US lineup anyways.

 

[John Price]

 

[Dominance]

Good.

Also, doesn’t effect the hockey in any way.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Carey Price back in full equipment taking shots. One must remember that he also missed a large period of time prior to the 2016 WCOH and played brilliantly

 

[Zybalto]

Carey Price back in full equipment taking shots. One must remember that he also missed a large period of time prior to the 2016 WCOH and played brilliantly

He was also out for like a month prior to last playoffs.

He's got a well earned rep as a big game goalie and I'm good with him as the number 1.

 

[Zybalto]

I just find he melts under a hard forecheck in big stakes situations, don't like his reactions under pressure at all, never have.

And we are going to be seeing plenty of that in this tournament.

I'm sure the brass will be looking at the whole picture with all these guys.

With a dozen or so quality choices, it's a good problem to have.

I think Team Canada's most under talked about advantage is the defensive play of their forwards.

In the top 15 for Selke votes last year:

Bergeron
Stone
O'Reilly
Marchand
Marner
Crosby
Couturier

Thats almost half the top 15 being Canadian forwards likely to make the team. The level of pressure and support and takeaways from the forward group are going to be one of the big difference makers this year IMO and we need the best D that meshes with them.

 

[93gilmour93]

Shouldn't send any athletes either

 

[86Habs]

Shouldn't send any athletes either

Agreed, if there is a time for a full boycott of an Olympic games, this is it.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Of all positions, having to choose from the long list exclusively hurts goaltending the most. Performances are just very volatile and I'd rather take guys who are in form rather than those with past success. I'm fine with Price to start as the guy, but at this point I'd really like Jarry as an option and that doesn't seem possible.

 

[93gilmour93]

Agreed, if there is a time for a full boycott of an Olympic games, this is it.

100%

 

[costa rican kid]

I don't see why so many people consider Theodore a lock? He should be in the same conversation with every single other LD up for debate (Toews, Pelech, Rielly, Weegar,Nurse, etc). Heres what I think at the moment.


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

Theodore-Pieterangelo
Toews-Makar
Nurse-Ekblad
Rielly-Doughty

Price
Binnington
Fleury

I would consider Anthony Cirelli for the xtra forward or 4th line. He can play less minutes, play hard, get in on forcheck and make plays. as well a proven winner at all levels. I like Courtier as he has always represented Canada, but like the Flyers in general they aren't looking good.

 

[costa rican kid]

I just find he melts under a hard forecheck in big stakes situations, don't like his reactions under pressure at all, never have.

And we are going to be seeing plenty of that in this tournament.

agreed. Hamilton has Good offense, soft D. Canada already will have plenty of offense from there D men, they need some stability and grit on the back end.

 

[JackSlater]

I don't see the point in taking Hamilton at this juncture. He has the same issues that have been discussed so many times and the offensive right side offensive spots already look good. Ekblad coming back strong from his injury and Doughty playing well this year really kill his chances I imagine, and Makar has the top offensive spot locked up. There are steadier options available.

I would consider Anthony Cirelli for the xtra forward or 4th line. He can play less minutes, play hard, get in on forcheck and make plays. as well a proven winner at all levels. I like Courtier as he has always represented Canada, but like the Flyers in general they aren't looking good.

I like Cirelli and I remember reading that he was apparently on the long list. Seems like a B team forward but there should be better options for checking line centre or extra players on the main team. I really liked his WJC performance and would like to see him again internationally.

 

[costa rican kid]

I don't see the point in taking Hamilton at this juncture. He has the same issues that have been discussed so many times and the offensive right side offensive spots already look good. Ekblad coming back strong from his injury and Doughty playing well this year really kill his chances I imagine, and Makar has the top offensive spot locked up. There are steadier options available.



I like Cirelli and I remember reading that he was apparently on the long list. Seems like a B team forward but there should be better options for checking line centre or extra players on the main team. I really liked his WJC performance and would like to see him again internationally.

In a reduced role playing limited minutes I like what he brings. Somebody is going to only play 8-10 minutes a game and that player needs to be comfortable in the role. I watch the Lightning and he's involved in all areas of the game. I think he could play a similar role on Team Canada as he does for Lightning. There's a lot of great players who wont be on the team. All in all its a great group of forwards that have a lot of skill but good on defensive side of the puck which is going back to another comment on the amount of Selke nominees. .

 

[leafsfan2point0]

If Mangiapane and Hyman are being considered what about Drake Batherson. He has 20 points in 18 games and has been a physical force. Plus player on a really bad team. Easily been the best forward on the sens, a true play driver.

My team

Stamkos Mcdavid Point
Huberdeau Scheifele Mackinnon
Marchand Crosby Bergeron
M. Foligno O'Rielly Stone
Couturier Marner

Theodore Pietrangelo
Chabot Doughty
Pelech Makar
Nurse Ekblad

Price
Binnington
Fleury

Surprised you even bothered putting Marner on your roster lol

M Foligno is a good player but there’s no way he’s making Team Canada. Way too much talent

 

[bert]

Surprised you even bothered putting Marner on your roster lol

M Foligno is a good player but there’s no way he’s making Team Canada. Way too much talent

Not an all star game. You're trying to win a championship need players in specific roles. Zegras said Foligno was the heaviest and hardest player to play against in the league. Marner is a tweener right now, I dont see who he takes out of the top 9 at the moment with an injury he could be in there. Cooper is coaching, he will want proven winners and players he is familiar with.

 

[bert]

I didn’t say they didn’t have good responsible defensemen, I just said that had a high percentage of those who are iffy when it comes to defending; however if the management team gets it wrong and brings players like Nurse, Chabot, Rielly etc I would definitely say that negates the Canadian advantage

Tough take here. Nurse and Chabot are stars and rightfully should be on the team.

 

[bert]

Seeing as no LHD have even made the team, he's not replacing anyone. He's just an option and a very strong one.

I wouldnt object to seeing him on the 3rd pairing. Imagine him being paired with say, another guy not getting a huge amount of love, Hamilton. Crazy tough 2-way beast pairing and an absolute handful to contain for a 3rd pairing. The brass is going to have some tough decisions to make here for sure.

He should play with Doughty they compliment one another perfectly. He has turned it up a gear lately just all over the ice controlling the play.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Tough take here. Nurse and Chabot are stars and rightfully should be on the team.

With regards to Chabot: we don’t really know his full utility to be honest, if he wasn’t playing 27 mins a night on one of the worst teams in the league it would be a better judge of his ability. He’s played very well at the senior world championships before and that certainly won’t count against him. I wouldn’t have him there because there are already plenty of (better) offensive defensemen; the left side will need more boring players and Chabot, while an energizer bunny and talented, does not bring the stability say Toews or Pelech would. If he makes the team I have no issues as long as he is saved for power plays, I find he could offer some blue line walking ability in PP2

With regards to Nurse: go watch the highlight I posted earlier in this thread; he makes those types of plays way too often. It seems as if a player is big and can skate people are blinded to all their defaults. Nurse’s in D zone IQ and gap control on my viewings this season leave a lot to be desired

 

[Zybalto]

With regards to Chabot: we don’t really know his full utility to be honest, if he wasn’t playing 27 mins a night on one of the worst teams in the league it would be a better judge of his ability. He’s played very well at the senior world championships before and that certainly won’t count against him. I wouldn’t have him there because there are already plenty of (better) offensive defensemen; the left side will need more boring players and Chabot, while an energizer bunny and talented, does not bring the stability say Toews or Pelech would. If he makes the team I have no issues as long as he is saved for power plays, I find he could offer some blue line walking ability in PP2

With regards to Nurse: go watch the highlight I posted earlier in this thread; he makes those types of plays way too often. It seems as if a player is big and can skate people are blinded to all their defaults. Nurse’s in D zone IQ and gap control on my viewings this season leave a lot to be desired

I think his excellent showing at the worlds is certainly going to come into play but I think you are sleeping on just how impressive Chabot has been 5v5 this season.

Ottawa as a team 5v5:
Goals For: 43
Goals Against:58

Chabot 5v5:
TOI/GP: 21:38 (1st in the NHL for all players)
Goals For: 23
Goals Against: 17

With Nurse, you always have the worry that maybe he's being carried by having two of the best players on the planet to play with. As impressive as some of Ottawa's young players are, I wouldn't have the same reservations about Chabot.

 

[iginlafan77]

Not an all star game. You're trying to win a championship need players in specific roles. Zegras said Foligno was the heaviest and hardest player to play against in the league. Marner is a tweener right now, I dont see who he takes out of the top 9 at the moment with an injury he could be in there. Cooper is coaching, he will want proven winners and players he is familiar with.

If you want to take a player who plays hard, there's no way it's Foligno. It would be someone like PLD. I would be absolutely amazed if Foligno is on the long list

 

[J bo Jeans]

Shouldn't send any athletes either

If team Canada qualifies for the World cup should we send our team to Quatar. Why did we send a team to Russia in 2014?

 

[J bo Jeans]

Not an all star game. You're trying to win a championship need players in specific roles. Zegras said Foligno was the heaviest and hardest player to play against in the league. Marner is a tweener right now, I dont see who he takes out of the top 9 at the moment with an injury he could be in there. Cooper is coaching, he will want proven winners and players he is familiar with.

And Zegras has barely even played 25 games in the NHL what does he know lol?

 

[JackSlater]

Olympic boycotts are just sabre rattling exercises that only really impact the athletes. Not as much in the case of the hockey players, but for the other athletes who in many cases get one chance every four years to be showcased on a large scale it's a shitty price to pay to lose your opportunity because some of the politicians decided last minute to publicly and ineffectively frown at China. I've got no interest in the theatre of Olympic boycotts. If Western countries want to begin a process of disengaging from China ad actually having an impact then I will support that, but unlike Olympic boycotts there is actually a price to be paid there. It's also extremely unlikely to happen, so empty gestures it will be.

All that to say, I hope hat the Olympic hockey tournament goes off without issue and with NHL players present.