Olympics: Team Canada 2022, Part III

[iginlafan77]

Anybody know how Josh Ho-Sang can be on this team while being under contract in the AHL?

He's on an AHL contract, not an NHL 2 way

 

[jj cale]

I like the team... I see it like this now:

Tier 1 - Russia and Finland
Tier 2 - everyone else but
Tier 3 - China (and those games will be closer)

Before it was

Tier 1 - Canada
Tier 2 - Finland, US, Sweden Russia
Tier 3 - Czechs, Swiss, Germans
Tier 4 - Slovaks, Danes, Latvia
Teir 5 - China with no hope

I'd say Canada has a 50% chance of a medal and 25% of Gold. It's as good a team as any and will come down to good coaching and chemistry. Finn's have Sisu but Canada has some insane intangibles too.

Good luck!

I think you have it right here. Definitely would have Finland and Russia as a slight cut ahead and your tier 2 teams could fall anywhere.

My gold dream final is Canada-Finland as I would love to test them with them having the favourite label, not sure they will handle that very well TBH, unfamiliar terrain and a lot of pressure of the sort they aren't used to and despite all the overdone sisu talk with them they have been known to crack plenty of times, I actually felt they wilted this past WHC where Canada started to take over more and more of the play when they played them physically and Finland just didn't want to go there, it got too much for them. Beating them in an underdog role would be really, really sweet and it would hurt them a lot, what's not to like?

 

[Gold Standard]

meh. not enough to peek my interest.

The only Olympic hockey I'm making room for in my busy schedule is the woman's Gold Medal Game. as long as it is a Canada v USA GMG

 

[jj cale]

meh. not enough to peek my interest.

The only Olympic hockey I'm making room for in my busy schedule is the woman's Gold Medal Game. as long as it is a Canada v USA GMG

Not me,it's still hockey and there is a team with a Maple Leaf on it's chest representing Canadian Hockey and all of us, I have no choice but to watch and root for them, and enjoy.

I expect them to play balls out and compete for Gold, nothing less, it's a responsibility.

 

[Gold Standard]

Not me,it's still hockey and there is a team with a Maple Leaf on it's chest representing Canadian Hockey and all of us, I have no choice but to watch and root for them, and enjoy.

I expect them to play balls out and compete for Gold, nothing less, it's a responsibility.

Let me know how it goes.

 

[jj cale]

Let me know how it goes.

When we win gold I'll be here to say "too bad you missed out, it was a wild ride!!"

 

[CamPopplestone]

I enjoyed watching the last Olympic hockey tournament without NHL players, I'll enjoy this one. Kinda still cool to see a lot of these guys who otherwise would never get a chance get to pull on that jersey and represent us

 

[Yackiberg8]

meh. not enough to peek my interest.

The only Olympic hockey I'm making room for in my busy schedule is the woman's Gold Medal Game. as long as it is a Canada v USA GMG

Noooo, please be interested in the men’s hockey too!! Pleaseeee.

 

[Your Boy Troy]

Here are some worthy names that weren’t invited that come to mind for me (some of these players might be dual-citizens, but I don’t believe that any are):

• Taylor Beck
• Tyler Graovac
• Kevin Poulin
• Jason Akeson
• Taylor Leier
• Blaine Byron
• Jordan Szwarz
• Chris DeSousa
• Jordan Murray
• Derrick Pouliot
• Josh Currie
• Philippe Maillet

 

[WillTheThrill]

Disappointed to not see Bedard on the team.

 

[nhlfan9191]

Not me,it's still hockey and there is a team with a Maple Leaf on it's chest representing Canadian Hockey and all of us, I have no choice but to watch and root for them, and enjoy.

I expect them to play balls out and compete for Gold, nothing less, it's a responsibility.

Its a disgrace that players of that caliber are playing for Olympic Gold in what should be best on best hockey. It takes away the power that winning a gold medal should give you. Nobody will care about this tournament after it happens.

 

[Flukeshot]

What we don't know is the number of other guys who were asked, but said no.

It would have been pretty cool to see more recent retirees for name brand sake.

 

[jj cale]

Its a disgrace that players of that caliber are playing for Olympic Gold in what should be best on best hockey. It takes away the power that winning a gold medal should give you. Nobody will care about this tournament after it happens.

Of course it doesn't carry the significance it would have but it still matters, if Canada wins watch how the players will celebrate, it will indeed mean something.

I watched the olympics before NHL players and it was always a big deal in Canada, no reason for me not to do so again.

 

[Czechboy]

I think you have it right here. Definitely would have Finland and Russia as a slight cut ahead and your tier 2 teams could fall anywhere.

My gold dream final is Canada-Finland as I would love to test them with them having the favourite label, not sure they will handle that very well TBH, unfamiliar terrain and a lot of pressure of the sort they aren't used to and despite all the overdone sisu talk with them they have been known to crack plenty of times, I actually felt they wilted this past WHC where Canada started to take over more and more of the play when they played them physically and Finland just didn't want to go there, it got too much for them. Beating them in an underdog role would be really, really sweet and it would hurt them a lot, what's not to like?

Canada beating Russia's KHL players or Finland 'Sisu with Jalonen' beauty teams for Gold would keep HF on fire for days.lol

It would be a great story to be honest. Lose out on their dream team, lose out on their domestic league (AHL players on NHL contracts) and still win it. I think Canada could too. They play China and NCUSA which should be nice and even warmup games (on small ice). Like Spengler, expect them to get stronger as it progresses and be a real PITA in the Quarters.

I honestly love how close this is as hockey is not very competitive anymore with only 5 nations getting all the medals. Germany got silver last time and almost gold (OT loss to a very good Russia). 9 team tourney in my eyes and that hasn't happened in hockey in a very long time... if ever.

Not the tourney I wanted but I can't wait. I'll be following Canada, Czechs and Slovaks the closest.

You are right, being a favourite is very hard and may be a hard label to wear for the Finns. We will see. Only nation that is consistenly a fav and wins is Canada.

 

[Icarium]

Penguins legend Daniel Winnik! Canada is winning the gold for sure.

 

[expy]

Depressing to see what Olympic hockey has become.

 

[Lartsaman]

My gold dream final is Canada-Finland as I would love to test them with them having the favourite label, not sure they will handle that very well TBH, unfamiliar terrain and a lot of pressure of the sort they aren't used to and despite all the overdone sisu talk with them they have been known to crack plenty of times, I actually felt they wilted this past WHC where Canada started to take over more and more of the play when they played them physically and Finland just didn't want to go there, it got too much for them. Beating them in an underdog role would be really, really sweet and it would hurt them a lot, what's not to like?

Well as a finn I have to admit that I fear Canada the most. Even without nhl:ers. You almost always ruin our tournament at some point. And it hurts a lot, you can bet on it.

 

[chaosrevolver]

I have a feeling Didomenico finds a way into the lineup.

Pretty shocked he wasn't in the main group announced.

 

[jj cale]

Canada beating Russia's KHL players or Finland 'Sisu with Jalonen' beauty teams for Gold would keep HF on fire for days.lol

It would be a great story to be honest. Lose out on their dream team, lose out on their domestic league (AHL players on NHL contracts) and still win it. I think Canada could too. They play China and NCUSA which should be nice and even warmup games (on small ice). Like Spengler, expect them to get stronger as it progresses and be a real PITA in the Quarters.

I honestly love how close this is as hockey is not very competitive anymore with only 5 nations getting all the medals. Germany got silver last time and almost gold (OT loss to a very good Russia). 9 team tourney in my eyes and that hasn't happened in hockey in a very long time... if ever.

Not the tourney I wanted but I can't wait. I'll be following Canada, Czechs and Slovaks the closest.

You are right, being a favourite is very hard and may be a hard label to wear for the Finns. We will see. Only nation that is consistenly a fav and wins is Canada.

One comment, I would argue hockey is about the same or maybe even better then in the past in terms of competitiveness with teams such as the slovaks and czechs not being what they once were but with teams like the Swiss and Germany being far better and Finland and the U.S.A becoming outright powers and even the weak sisters are not as weak as they once were. I remember a time when there was really only a big 3 (Canada, Czechoslovakia, Soviet Union) and all the rest were also rans, mere fodder for those three in most cases. For awhile now it's been basically only 5 teams winning most of the medals just some teams winning them have switched.

 

[Northofyu]

Yeah, too bad this Olympics will be a bit of a hodge podge of players who qualify - honestly.

Not the best pro's, not all the best young players, it's too bad. Hey, I'm a big Owen Power fan but still ..

Nothing against Canada Hockey - I'm sure they picked mostly the best talent available- altho I'm sure
some can & will quibble with a choice here & there.

Kudos to those who will really enjoy the tournament - hopefully it's competitive & for our guys that go,
it will be a great experience. But ...

Just my opinion.

 

[Marioesque]

I remember a time when there was really only a big 3 (Canada, Czechoslovakia, Soviet Union) and all the rest were also rans, mere fodder for those three in most cases. For awhile now it's been basically only 5 teams winning most of the medals just some teams winning them have switched.

Yeah occasionally Sweden knocked on that door, until they started knocking harder and Finland started pushing in too. Czechs and Slovaks separating changed the map on that, they were suddenly both outside looking in and USA went past them too.

 

[Czechboy]

Yeah occasionally Sweden knocked on that door, until they started knocking harder and Finland started pushing in too. Czechs and Slovaks separating changed the map on that, they were suddenly both outside looking in and USA went past them too.

All true but it wasn't the seperation it was communism leaving. Obviously, neither country wants communism but the money was gone. Really curious if either of us become a regular contender again... really hoping they are asking Finland (admittedly a richer country) what they did to become so good because it's a model we should follow. Belarus is following the NDTP model (to my knowledge) and that seems to be showing up nicely in U18 results as well.

 

[jj cale]

Yeah occasionally Sweden knocked on that door, until they started knocking harder and Finland started pushing in too. Czechs and Slovaks separating changed the map on that, they were suddenly both outside looking in and USA went past them too.

Separating weakened the Czechs and Slovaks for sure, there were other factors that were bigger but losing the combined forces hurts to this very day.

Man, when I was growing up Czechoslovakia was something to be feared, great players and great system, just an all around tough friggin out.

 

[jj cale]

All true but it wasn't the seperation it was communism leaving. Obviously, neither country wants communism but the money was gone. Really curious if either of us become a regular contender again... really hoping they are asking Finland (admittedly a richer country) what they did to become so good because it's a model we should follow. Belarus is following the NDTP model (to my knowledge) and that seems to be showing up nicely in U18 results as well.

100% that was the bigger reason for sure.

 

[iginlafan77]

All true but it wasn't the seperation it was communism leaving. Obviously, neither country wants communism but the money was gone. Really curious if either of us become a regular contender again... really hoping they are asking Finland (admittedly a richer country) what they did to become so good because it's a model we should follow. Belarus is following the NDTP model (to my knowledge) and that seems to be showing up nicely in U18 results as well.

Slovakia also had a centralized junior team a few years ago right?