Team Canada 2022
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Here is my attempt as how I will set up Team Canada right now.
OFFENSE
Ideas, per line :
- one puck driver
- 2 centers (if possible one Letfy and one Righty)
- combination of 1 offensive F more of a playmaker, 1 offensive F more of a scorer and 1 defensive/physical forward
- 4 all-around lines who can play equal time
McDavid - Point - Stone
McDavid as the puck driver who can maximise is speed on the wing with 2 righties to set up. Point as a two-way player with the speed to play with MacDavid and the scorer instinct. Stone to be the physical presence and make space for the 2 others.
O'Reilly - Crosby - MacKinnon
Crosby as a two-way playmaker and MacKinnon as a scorer : Nova Scotia connection. O'Reilly as a defensive/physical forward who used to play with MacK too back in his Avalanche days. Two lefties to feed up MacK.
Marchand - Bergeron - Barzal
Boston connection with Bergeron as a strong two-way/defensive player with Marchand more of a offensive/scorer dynamo. Barzal as the puck driver and playmaker.
Stamkos - Couturier - Marner
Stamkos too good as a righty scorer with Marner as the puck driver and playmaker. Couturier as a two-way/defensive/physical forward.
13th F : Horvat (but ideally Toews if he came back as if last year form), all-around forward who could play anywhere or replace Stamkos on the 4th line for more defensive/physical presence)
Extra : Huberdeau, an extra offensive forward if needed to replace Stamkos or Barzal if necessary
DEFENSE
Ideas :
- Two-ways defensemen with skating abilty and mobility but with enough weight too
- a Lefty and a Righy per line
- one defender more focus on Offense and one more focus on Defense
Theodore - Pietrangelo
Vegas connection here. Both two-way, Theodore more focus on the offensive side, Pietrangelo to play more defensive.
Nurse - Makar
Nurse with big body with mobility to play more defense, Makar to be offensive
Chabot - Ekblad
Chabot more offensive, Ekblad big body focus to play defense
7th D : Parayko, big body, experience, strong resume with Team Canada (WC), will play on PK and if more defense is need in the situation game
Extra : Girard, small but can do it all if needed
GOALTENDING
The most hazardous position... Will depend of the respective form of the goaltender next year. As for now, I will go with :
Price
Fleury
Blackwood
Price is maybe losing it a little bit but still a strong goalie with, well respected among others players. I want to see him with a strong defense.
Fleury if he plays like this year.
No clear n°1 between this two, will depend of the opponent.
Blackwood for a young presence as a 3rd goalie (could be Hart if he bounces back)
SPECIALS SITUATIONS
Just some ideas
PK 1
O'Reilly -Stone
Pietrangelo - Parayko
PK 2
Couturier - Bergeron
Nurse - Ekblad
Extras PK forwards : Marchand - Crosby, Point - Marner, Horvat
PP1 (1-3-1)
Crosby
MacKinnon - Point -McDavid
Makar
PP2 (1-3-1)
Bergeron
Stamkos - Marchand - Barzal
Theodore
Extras PP D : Chabot (Pietrangelo)
Extra PP F : Stone, O'Reilly, Couturier (for more net front presence)
What do you think ?
OFFENSE
Ideas, per line :
- one puck driver
- 2 centers (if possible one Letfy and one Righty)
- combination of 1 offensive F more of a playmaker, 1 offensive F more of a scorer and 1 defensive/physical forward
- 4 all-around lines who can play equal time
McDavid - Point - Stone
McDavid as the puck driver who can maximise is speed on the wing with 2 righties to set up. Point as a two-way player with the speed to play with MacDavid and the scorer instinct. Stone to be the physical presence and make space for the 2 others.
O'Reilly - Crosby - MacKinnon
Crosby as a two-way playmaker and MacKinnon as a scorer : Nova Scotia connection. O'Reilly as a defensive/physical forward who used to play with MacK too back in his Avalanche days. Two lefties to feed up MacK.
Marchand - Bergeron - Barzal
Boston connection with Bergeron as a strong two-way/defensive player with Marchand more of a offensive/scorer dynamo. Barzal as the puck driver and playmaker.
Stamkos - Couturier - Marner
Stamkos too good as a righty scorer with Marner as the puck driver and playmaker. Couturier as a two-way/defensive/physical forward.
13th F : Horvat (but ideally Toews if he came back as if last year form), all-around forward who could play anywhere or replace Stamkos on the 4th line for more defensive/physical presence)
Extra : Huberdeau, an extra offensive forward if needed to replace Stamkos or Barzal if necessary
DEFENSE
Ideas :
- Two-ways defensemen with skating abilty and mobility but with enough weight too
- a Lefty and a Righy per line
- one defender more focus on Offense and one more focus on Defense
Theodore - Pietrangelo
Vegas connection here. Both two-way, Theodore more focus on the offensive side, Pietrangelo to play more defensive.
Nurse - Makar
Nurse with big body with mobility to play more defense, Makar to be offensive
Chabot - Ekblad
Chabot more offensive, Ekblad big body focus to play defense
7th D : Parayko, big body, experience, strong resume with Team Canada (WC), will play on PK and if more defense is need in the situation game
Extra : Girard, small but can do it all if needed
GOALTENDING
The most hazardous position... Will depend of the respective form of the goaltender next year. As for now, I will go with :
Price
Fleury
Blackwood
Price is maybe losing it a little bit but still a strong goalie with, well respected among others players. I want to see him with a strong defense.
Fleury if he plays like this year.
No clear n°1 between this two, will depend of the opponent.
Blackwood for a young presence as a 3rd goalie (could be Hart if he bounces back)
SPECIALS SITUATIONS
Just some ideas
PK 1
O'Reilly -Stone
Pietrangelo - Parayko
PK 2
Couturier - Bergeron
Nurse - Ekblad
Extras PK forwards : Marchand - Crosby, Point - Marner, Horvat
PP1 (1-3-1)
Crosby
MacKinnon - Point -McDavid
Makar
PP2 (1-3-1)
Bergeron
Stamkos - Marchand - Barzal
Theodore
Extras PP D : Chabot (Pietrangelo)
Extra PP F : Stone, O'Reilly, Couturier (for more net front presence)
What do you think ?
DannyGallivan
Your world frightens and confuses me
Need to find room for Scheifele in the top three lines. He is fifth in scoring (third among centers), and leads the league in take-aways.
Mathieukferland
Registered User
Big Phil
Registered User
- Nov 2, 2003
- 31,703
- 4,172
It reminds me a lot of 2010. Actually, Canada always has forwards who would be locks on other countries' teams that don't make our team. For example, John Tavares and Claude Giroux make everyone else's team, but this one? Not sure. At least I don't have room for them.
But 2010 reminds of this because there are some centres that are just too good and useful to pass up on and they'll be there. This team will be able to score in droves.
Looks like he's really benefiting from powerplay time with the Kings.
Spurgeon hasn't had a good year this year. I might actually put Ekblad ahead of both. Either way, there are a TON of good options at RD.
habsrule4eva3089
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- Nov 22, 2008
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Everyone has Theodore on the left side, but I believe he plays on the right side.
Doesn't Pietrangelo also play on the left side? This left right combo isn't going to continue I imagine and it doesn't need to.
Doesn't Pietrangelo also play on the left side? This left right combo isn't going to continue I imagine and it doesn't need to.
Mathieukferland
Registered User
For what it’s worth Ekblad is right handed defender that also plays on the left side frequently
habsrule4eva3089
Registered User
- Nov 22, 2008
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- 1,084
Does Chabot really make this team.. Can he even play defense properly?
A reliable player like Josh Morrissey should be in the discussion also.
And what about the coaching staff.. Cooper, Trotz, Maurice, McLellan?
A reliable player like Josh Morrissey should be in the discussion also.
And what about the coaching staff.. Cooper, Trotz, Maurice, McLellan?
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Postanin CB Ting
Registered User
- Apr 6, 2012
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Marner - McDavid - MacKinnon
Marchand - Bergeron - Crosby
Huberdeau - O'Reilly - Stone
Scheifele - Point - Barzal
13 - Stamkos, Horvat
Pietrangelo - Makar
Rielly - Doughty
Theodore - Ekblad
Chabot - Burns
Is Bergeron a lock? I know they always show chemistry, but its been a minute since hes played with Crosby.
O'Reilly, Couturier, Horvat can somewhat play his role. Some strong defensive wingers too.
Begeron out, Stamkos in could give a lot of different line ups.
Marchand - Bergeron - Crosby
Huberdeau - O'Reilly - Stone
Scheifele - Point - Barzal
13 - Stamkos, Horvat
Pietrangelo - Makar
Rielly - Doughty
Theodore - Ekblad
Chabot - Burns
Is Bergeron a lock? I know they always show chemistry, but its been a minute since hes played with Crosby.
O'Reilly, Couturier, Horvat can somewhat play his role. Some strong defensive wingers too.
Begeron out, Stamkos in could give a lot of different line ups.
Morrissey is a safe vanilla pick because he can play better defence, but imagine what Chabot can do with a capable defence partner and doesn’t have to be number 1 guy
Gold Standard
Registered User
- Sep 7, 2018
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Makar is still out. A little concerning. but he is progressing. hopefully back soon.
MAF is my starter for now.
McDavid gets a shooter on his LW and some ready to order chemistry w/ Point. Hopefully Stammer keeps it up. tough break for 4th. in league scoring Marner, but that's life with Team Canada.
Still anticipating a gold medal showdown with the Americans. most likely. or Sweden
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MAF is my starter for now.
McDavid gets a shooter on his LW and some ready to order chemistry w/ Point. Hopefully Stammer keeps it up. tough break for 4th. in league scoring Marner, but that's life with Team Canada.
Still anticipating a gold medal showdown with the Americans. most likely. or Sweden
| S STAMKOS | C MCDAVID | B POINT |
| J HUBERDEAU | N MACKINNON | M SCHEIFELE |
| B MARCHAND | S CROSBY | P BERGERON |
| R O’REILLY | S COUTURIER | M STONE |
| M MARNER M BARZAL |
| S THEODORE | D DOUGHTY |
| T CHABOT | A PIETRANGELO |
| D NURSE | A EKBLAD |
| S GIRARD | D HAMILTON |
| M.A. FLEURY |
| J BINNINGTON |
| D KUEMPER |
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Mathieukferland
Registered User
When he plays at the worlds with a half competent Defense partner and a decent team around him, he has usually been one of if not Canada’s best defenseman
For those who don't watch the Jets, Morrissey has terrible the past two season. His name shouldn't be near Team Canada. A lot of Jets fans want the Jets to expose him to Seattle.
This is hyperbole either. He's been one of our worst defenseman.
JackSlater
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- Apr 27, 2010
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O’Reilly McDavid MacKinnon
Stamkos Scheifele Stone
Marchand Crosby Bergeron
Huberdeau Couturier Point
Barzal, Marner
Theodore Doughty
Girard Pietrangelo
Chychrun Makar
Parayko, Chabot
Price
Hart
Binnington
Well, I haven't thought much about where things stand with regard to team Canada even with the tournament theoretically 11 months away. I took a stab at it though, and though it's only been a few month I've made more changes to the roster than I had in the previous two years or so. I do think that Canada is still the favourite, but not nearly to the degree that it was in 2010, 2014, and in a 2018 tournament had NHLers been available. Player development hasn't been as strong and some other nations have improved. The NHL scrapping the 2018 tournament also hurts the team somewhat as you'd like to have some players (McDavid, Scheifele, etc.) coming into the tournament with best on best experience having learned from Canada's successful previous generation.
I used to like having McDavid and MacKinnon on separate lines to spread around the team's most dynamic threats, but a few things have changed my mind. MacKinnon's relatively tepid start, and also what I deem to be the necessity of covering for Canada's relatively weak defence. McDavid and MacKinnon are now paired, giving Canada a tandem to terrorize any other team. As dangerous as this pair would be I do think that they need a babysitter against elite competition. O'Reilly provides elite defence, has experience on the LW, can cover for faceoffs, has extensive international and big game experience, and has played with MacKinnon. I, like many, liked the idea of reuniting the O'Reilly Scheifele Stone line but I do not think that the personnel available leave that as an option anymore.
Scheifele is a good all around centre and is helped by the smaller ice. Stone is great and pairing him with Scheifele ensures that this line will provide the defence with good support. I'm not a big Stamkos fan but Canada isn't loaded with natural goal scorers and his shot, even though it isn't what it once was, is needed. I'd expect Stamkos to play a straight forward game with Scheifele taking care of the playmaking.
I kept the classic Marchand Crosby Bergeron line that many of us were clamouring for as far back as 2015. The line should still work in terms of chemistry and even as though they are getting old I suspect that they are more than capable of being part of Canada's rolling lines at forward. Basically they would all get the treatment that Bergeron gets now from Boston, and Marchand Bergeron gives a valuable PK unit. Another solid two way line.
Couturier gets his own line as I'm a big fan of his game, especially with this tournament played on small ice. I also want another centre who can support Canada's presumably young, relatively untested defence. Point is a great all around player who gives this line yet another LH/RH centre pair and really proved himself in the last playoffs. Huberdeau is a question mark for me but Canada is shallow at LW. I see Huberdeau as the offensive "brain" of the unit and his NHL play justifies that. He has very little big game experience at the senior level and unfortunately a perplexing lack of international experience. I don't love it but it is what it is.
Barzal gets the 13th spot as I like the game he's developing in New York and I'd like to have another centre in that spot. Marner gets the 14th spot, which many would likely think is too low. I've never been a Marner fan but I recognize, even though he plays in the North, that he's a top offensive talent in hockey. The bigger issue is that for Canada the playmaking is generally going to flow through the centre and also that the right side is stronger than the left. Both Barzal and Marner exist as options to jump start the team if things are stagnant.
Doughty remains a very valuable piece of Canada's defence, as people should have recognized in the last while. Canada's left side however is a bit of a problem. I went with Theodore here as he brings a bit of everything, has quality playoff experience and looked good at the last IIHF WC. Ideally though he'd be a third pairing option.
Pietrangelo is the other key defenceman as he bring an elite all around game and a lot of experience. I again don't love the LHD option but I went with Girard here. He's a tremendous skater, very smart, and having a very strong year for Colorado. I come away pretty impressed every time I watch him. My biggest concern is his lack of international experience, as he never even played WJC. I'd really like to see him at an IIHF WC.
Makar is there based on his offensive talent - probably the best that Canada has to offer on defence. Decent size as well and obviously elite skating, but still very young and inexperienced. It would be nice to see him play again internationally before another best on best tournament. Chychrun is probably the biggest surprise here for a few reasons. I really struggled to fill that last left side spot, but I definitely wanted another LHD and I wanted some size without losing mobility. I wouldn't have picked Chychrun except that I've watched a few Arizona games this year and come away very impressed. Is it ideal? Absolutely not. But he is reasonably skilled, a good skater, responsible, and very sturdy. There is also a bit of projection involved here and with nearly a year of development Chychrun should be better still. Morrissey and Rielly used to get this sort of spot, but they never had firm grips on them and their play lately disappoints me. Things might be different if we had a 2018 Olympic tournament to use as a basis.
Parayko is 7th but if the team wants a pair with two RHD, maybe with Pietrangelo moving to the left side, then he should be fine. I like his size, especially for the PK, and his previous international play. Chabot is 8th defenceman because I really like his potential regardless f the tire fire in Ottawa and I expect him to play for Canada many, many times going forward.
Who knows with the goaltenders. I basically expect that many goaltenders could look good if the team in front of them plays well. This might be dangerous as Canada's defence looks to be the weakest it's been in quite some time, but Canada also has a plethora of very strong defensive forwards that should help things a lot. Hope for the best basically. Again this team isn't the favourite that Canada basically always is at the best on best level but should still be very strong.
Stamkos Scheifele Stone
Marchand Crosby Bergeron
Huberdeau Couturier Point
Barzal, Marner
Theodore Doughty
Girard Pietrangelo
Chychrun Makar
Parayko, Chabot
Price
Hart
Binnington
Well, I haven't thought much about where things stand with regard to team Canada even with the tournament theoretically 11 months away. I took a stab at it though, and though it's only been a few month I've made more changes to the roster than I had in the previous two years or so. I do think that Canada is still the favourite, but not nearly to the degree that it was in 2010, 2014, and in a 2018 tournament had NHLers been available. Player development hasn't been as strong and some other nations have improved. The NHL scrapping the 2018 tournament also hurts the team somewhat as you'd like to have some players (McDavid, Scheifele, etc.) coming into the tournament with best on best experience having learned from Canada's successful previous generation.
I used to like having McDavid and MacKinnon on separate lines to spread around the team's most dynamic threats, but a few things have changed my mind. MacKinnon's relatively tepid start, and also what I deem to be the necessity of covering for Canada's relatively weak defence. McDavid and MacKinnon are now paired, giving Canada a tandem to terrorize any other team. As dangerous as this pair would be I do think that they need a babysitter against elite competition. O'Reilly provides elite defence, has experience on the LW, can cover for faceoffs, has extensive international and big game experience, and has played with MacKinnon. I, like many, liked the idea of reuniting the O'Reilly Scheifele Stone line but I do not think that the personnel available leave that as an option anymore.
Scheifele is a good all around centre and is helped by the smaller ice. Stone is great and pairing him with Scheifele ensures that this line will provide the defence with good support. I'm not a big Stamkos fan but Canada isn't loaded with natural goal scorers and his shot, even though it isn't what it once was, is needed. I'd expect Stamkos to play a straight forward game with Scheifele taking care of the playmaking.
I kept the classic Marchand Crosby Bergeron line that many of us were clamouring for as far back as 2015. The line should still work in terms of chemistry and even as though they are getting old I suspect that they are more than capable of being part of Canada's rolling lines at forward. Basically they would all get the treatment that Bergeron gets now from Boston, and Marchand Bergeron gives a valuable PK unit. Another solid two way line.
Couturier gets his own line as I'm a big fan of his game, especially with this tournament played on small ice. I also want another centre who can support Canada's presumably young, relatively untested defence. Point is a great all around player who gives this line yet another LH/RH centre pair and really proved himself in the last playoffs. Huberdeau is a question mark for me but Canada is shallow at LW. I see Huberdeau as the offensive "brain" of the unit and his NHL play justifies that. He has very little big game experience at the senior level and unfortunately a perplexing lack of international experience. I don't love it but it is what it is.
Barzal gets the 13th spot as I like the game he's developing in New York and I'd like to have another centre in that spot. Marner gets the 14th spot, which many would likely think is too low. I've never been a Marner fan but I recognize, even though he plays in the North, that he's a top offensive talent in hockey. The bigger issue is that for Canada the playmaking is generally going to flow through the centre and also that the right side is stronger than the left. Both Barzal and Marner exist as options to jump start the team if things are stagnant.
Doughty remains a very valuable piece of Canada's defence, as people should have recognized in the last while. Canada's left side however is a bit of a problem. I went with Theodore here as he brings a bit of everything, has quality playoff experience and looked good at the last IIHF WC. Ideally though he'd be a third pairing option.
Pietrangelo is the other key defenceman as he bring an elite all around game and a lot of experience. I again don't love the LHD option but I went with Girard here. He's a tremendous skater, very smart, and having a very strong year for Colorado. I come away pretty impressed every time I watch him. My biggest concern is his lack of international experience, as he never even played WJC. I'd really like to see him at an IIHF WC.
Makar is there based on his offensive talent - probably the best that Canada has to offer on defence. Decent size as well and obviously elite skating, but still very young and inexperienced. It would be nice to see him play again internationally before another best on best tournament. Chychrun is probably the biggest surprise here for a few reasons. I really struggled to fill that last left side spot, but I definitely wanted another LHD and I wanted some size without losing mobility. I wouldn't have picked Chychrun except that I've watched a few Arizona games this year and come away very impressed. Is it ideal? Absolutely not. But he is reasonably skilled, a good skater, responsible, and very sturdy. There is also a bit of projection involved here and with nearly a year of development Chychrun should be better still. Morrissey and Rielly used to get this sort of spot, but they never had firm grips on them and their play lately disappoints me. Things might be different if we had a 2018 Olympic tournament to use as a basis.
Parayko is 7th but if the team wants a pair with two RHD, maybe with Pietrangelo moving to the left side, then he should be fine. I like his size, especially for the PK, and his previous international play. Chabot is 8th defenceman because I really like his potential regardless f the tire fire in Ottawa and I expect him to play for Canada many, many times going forward.
Who knows with the goaltenders. I basically expect that many goaltenders could look good if the team in front of them plays well. This might be dangerous as Canada's defence looks to be the weakest it's been in quite some time, but Canada also has a plethora of very strong defensive forwards that should help things a lot. Hope for the best basically. Again this team isn't the favourite that Canada basically always is at the best on best level but should still be very strong.
I think Darnell Nurse would get strong consideration for a few reasons.
1.) Obviously his stats this season are off the charts this year, he's extremely high in all the "sexy" categories.
2.) Play style ... he's a big, mean type of D, who still skates like a thoroughbred and has great mobility. But on a team with some smaller D types like Reilly, Makar, Team Canada tends to value size/physical prowess and Nurse brings a bit more edge.
3.) The "franchise player" on Team Canada is Connor McDavid, so they will probably favor a D who already has built in chemistry with McDavid and knows his tendencies instead of having to learn them in a short tournament.
4.) He can produce offence but is content playing a defensive D-Man role too.
5.) Left shot D where Canada is thinner.
Theodore Doughty
Pietrangelo Makar
Nurse Ekblad
Chabot Hamilton
1.) Obviously his stats this season are off the charts this year, he's extremely high in all the "sexy" categories.
2.) Play style ... he's a big, mean type of D, who still skates like a thoroughbred and has great mobility. But on a team with some smaller D types like Reilly, Makar, Team Canada tends to value size/physical prowess and Nurse brings a bit more edge.
3.) The "franchise player" on Team Canada is Connor McDavid, so they will probably favor a D who already has built in chemistry with McDavid and knows his tendencies instead of having to learn them in a short tournament.
4.) He can produce offence but is content playing a defensive D-Man role too.
5.) Left shot D where Canada is thinner.
Theodore Doughty
Pietrangelo Makar
Nurse Ekblad
Chabot Hamilton
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Gold Standard
Registered User
- Sep 7, 2018
- 2,385
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Good to see you, Jack~ it's been a while.
nice lineup.
Yeah, MacKinnon is having a bit of an off year...which means a monster of bounce back Hart worthy season next year.
I don't see Canada's position any different than the past 5 NHL Olympics, I don't think we were the overwhelming favorites in any of them. In 2010 I wasn't convinced of a gold medal, but only that if we got the Russians in an elimination game we'd take them to the woodshed. That I was certain of.
So, heading into next year, I see another Canada -US gold medal showdown looming,
Mathieukferland
Registered User
86Habs
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- May 4, 2009
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Nice lineup, well thought out as usual.
You alluded to this, but I have to wonder whether the next coaching staff will abandon Babcock's obsession with the LHS/RHS split on defense. I think Babcock himself might have in 2016 by moving Pietrangelo to the left side (I don't have the time or inclination to go back and watch), and I wouldn't be surprised if they do so again given the lack of depth on our left side. Also, despite Huberdeau's offensive production, I wonder if we would get more utility out of someone like Couture or Tavares, both of whom are more proven in the playoffs or internationally and have more versatility moving between C and LW, or a more defensive-minded player like Horvat. Huberdeau has two strikes against him in my view - very limited playoff and international experience, and his skillset is more that of a playmaker than a finisher. As you know, Canada typically prefers its wingers to be finishers (so much so that they initially left the reigning Art Ross winner, St. Louis, off the 2014 roster), so I wouldn't be surprised if Huberdeau is ommitted.
Pietrengelo played with burns during the 16 World Cup. Looking back at Canada vs USA Sochi semifinal. I believe 3 or 4 shifts Weber paired with Doughty or Pietrengelo shortly. If Babcock was completely obsessed with LD - RD, Dan Hamhuis would have seen action that game to preserve LD - RD
JackSlater
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- Apr 27, 2010
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I won't go back further than 2010 as I look at that as sort of the start of the previous hockey generation, but in 2010, 2014, and 2018 (had NHLers been present) I would have taken Canada at 50% odds of winning the tournament or better. I'd have Canada well below 50% looking at 2022. Still the favourite but some countries have improved a lot and Canada has slipped somewhat. I'd have USA at the second best odds though any combination of the top five teams wouldn't surprise me.
Also, now that I look at the team that your recently posted... nothing to quibble with there. At forward in particular.
I don't love Huberdeau there and Couture and Tavares were the other main considerations for that spot. His weaknesses are definitely the lack of playoff and international experience, as well as simply being a playmaking winger. The latter being the same issue that Marner has. Huberdeau was a good WJC player for Canada and does have significant experience playing big games at the Memorial Cup, but it isn't quite the same. I also like that he regularly plays with Barkov, who is somewhat similar to Couturier, and so he is accustomed to playing with a cerebral, defensively responsible centre. Couture is my next best choice but honestly I'm less confident in his year to year consistency and he has next to no international experience as well. His monster playoff run, when he should have won the Conn Smythe, was nice though. The fate of the announcers trying to call a Couture-Couturier combination must also be considered. Tavares is also a fine option though his international experience has unfortunately become not all that significant since he was in his early 20s. Offensively his style of play is probably a better fit though I don't love how he's played in Toronto. Ideally you'd get some sort of Iginla in 2002 type breakout to fill out a left side spot for Canada.
I would be surprised if Huberdeau actually does make the team given the indifference that Hockey Canada seems to have toward him, most noticeably when he apparently wasn't invited (according to him) for the 2019 IIHF WC. I consider Marchand and O'Reilly locks for left side spots and after considering it I think that Stamkos is extremely likely to end up on the left side as well. That fourth left spot is wife open and though Huberdeau is at worst Canada's second best LW right now he isn't a lock by any stretch.
Regarding the handedness, I think it's important to note that it wasn't just Babcock who wanted that split. Hitchcock also talked it up and at the WJC there is some talk every year about it. I wouldn't be surprised if Hockey Canada has taken it to heart (until it fails) though I wouldn't expect some kind of fanatical devotion. If Orr, Harvey, Potvin, and Bourque suddenly show up then the top six is going to have a handedness imbalance and we'll all be happy about it. I could see a guy like Ekblad, if he continues his recent play, for example pushing a right hander to the left side. I specifically remember the coaching staff talking about the versatility that Pietrangelo afforded them with his ability to play on the left side.
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86Habs
Registered User
- May 4, 2009
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Agreed on 2016, my recollection (which you confirmed) was that Pietrangelo moved almost exclusively to the left side. In 2014, the LHS/RHS balance was maintained (maybe except for a shift here and there) as the pairings were almost exclusively the following for the entire tournament:
Keith (L) / Weber (R)
Vlasic (L) / Doughty (R)
Bouwmeester (L) / Pietrangelo (R)
I can't recall Hamhuis (L), the 7th defenceman, getting any shifts in the playoff round in the tournament; he may have, and I just missed it. He certainly didn't play a noticeable amount. Subban only dressed for one game in the tournament. Regardless, my point was that our depth at RHS was quite a bit deeper then, as it is now, so a management group and coaching staff less focused on maintaining an even split perhaps wouldn't have chosen Hamhuis (although I thought he was a good pick at the time, and still do, for his international experience, experience on larger ice, and dependable/low-risk defensive play). It may also be that there was more focus/attention on it in 2014 as they were playing on the larger ice surface; I recall some talk about players playing on their wrong side potentially being at a slight disadvantage in terms of retrieving/clearing pucks or board play.
You're probably right about the handedness. I don't remember anyone ever talking about it (or about faceoff handedness), so I presumed it was a Babcock thing. Shows how attentive to detail these high-level coaches are. Our thoughts are aligned on Huberdeau, as they are with Stamkos lining up on the left side - I like the idea of him playing on his wrong side, with a better shooting angle at the net. The guy catches some criticism for not being quite the same player as he used to be, but he's still very good, very good at faceoffs (Schiefele is weak on the dot), and still Canada's best pure triggerman. Would you propose matching up the Crosby line against the opposition's top scoring line (like the Toews lines in Vancouver and Sochi)? That's how I would play it. McDavid/MacKinnon would draw the checkers, the Crosby line would be the matchup line, and this in theory would provide favourable matchups for Scheifele (likely) and Couturier (almost definitely) to take advantage of.
Sweetpotato
Registered User
it actually floors me how many people wrote him off, players don't just forget how to play hockey at his age.
Sergei Shirokov
Registered User
Is Blackwood now Canada's goalie of the future? Hart seems to have lost some luster.
(Price/MAF will prob be apart of the team next year, but after that who knows)
(Price/MAF will prob be apart of the team next year, but after that who knows)
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