Team Canada 2022

[JackSlater]

There's nothing left to see from this season, so I'll throw out my thoughts with only a few months of regular season play prior to the theoretical 2022 tournament that features NHL players:

O’Reilly McDavid Point
Huberdeau MacKinnon Scheifele
Marchand Crosby Bergeron
Barzal Couturier Stone
Marner, Stamkos*

Theodore Pietrangelo
Pelech Makar
Chabot Doughty
Ekblad, Chychrun

Price
Kuemper
Someone

Most of it has already been said. I don't love MacKinnon playing without O'Reilly or Stone, but I do like him with Huberdeau as a sort of Rantanen type. I am still skeptical about Barzal on the wing but I also want Couturier there for defence, so I sort of imagine Barzal as the centre offensively while Couturier assumes the centres defensive responsibilities. I'd love for anyone to step up at the start of next year and take that last spot from Stamkos. Stamkos fits the needs of the team in that he can play either wing and shoot, but I have no confidence in him contributing.

Defence has a lot of questions. I like how Pelech plays and I feel that the team could use a defensive rock on the left side, but I admit that he isn't an ideal option. I'm curious to see how Nurse plays early next year, as well as how Chychrun and Parayko look. If LA and Ottawa are decent next year it will help a lot in looking at Doughty and Chabot. I'm also optimistic that Ekblad can return and look fairly similar to how he looked early this year.

I don't know who the third goaltender should be, just pick whoever is playing well. I'd like Trotz to be the coach but at least Cooper has had some good reps by this point.

 

[86Habs]

There's nothing left to see from this season, so I'll throw out my thoughts with only a few months of regular season play prior to the theoretical 2022 tournament that features NHL players:

O’Reilly McDavid Point
Huberdeau MacKinnon Scheifele
Marchand Crosby Bergeron
Barzal Couturier Stone
Marner, Stamkos*

Theodore Pietrangelo
Pelech Makar
Chabot Doughty
Ekblad, Chychrun

Price
Kuemper
Someone

Most of it has already been said. I don't love MacKinnon playing without O'Reilly or Stone, but I do like him with Huberdeau as a sort of Rantanen type. I am still skeptical about Barzal on the wing but I also want Couturier there for defence, so I sort of imagine Barzal as the centre offensively while Couturier assumes the centres defensive responsibilities. I'd love for anyone to step up at the start of next year and take that last spot from Stamkos. Stamkos fits the needs of the team in that he can play either wing and shoot, but I have no confidence in him contributing.

Defence has a lot of questions. I like how Pelech plays and I feel that the team could use a defensive rock on the left side, but I admit that he isn't an ideal option. I'm curious to see how Nurse plays early next year, as well as how Chychrun and Parayko look. If LA and Ottawa are decent next year it will help a lot in looking at Doughty and Chabot. I'm also optimistic that Ekblad can return and look fairly similar to how he looked early this year.

I don't know who the third goaltender should be, just pick whoever is playing well. I'd like Trotz to be the coach but at least Cooper has had some good reps by this point.

I really have a hard time seeing Stamkos crack the roster at this point. Tampa just won the Cup with him as essentially the 6th/7th most important contributor on the team. Maybe he makes it as purely a power play specialist? I don't know, it could be hard for him to stay mentally sharp playing very limited minutes then jumping over the boards cold for a critical power play. I do believe there are several players that can give us more than Stamkos at even strength though. He wouldn't be a terrible selection by any means, but my preference would be that we go in a different direction...and I think Armstrong will. I've also become quite indifferent to Scheifele making the team. Maybe its the lack of discipline that resulted in putting his team down their top center (not a significant concern for us internationally), or his frankly idiotic twitter comments after his suspension, but he's no longer a guy I see as critical to being on the team. Again, indifference.

When I went through the exercise of drawing up a forward group after the season ended, my 14-man group ended up quite similar to Craig Button's (though I have to say, I don't particularly like his line construction). The toughest call for me is leaving Couturier out, but unless Armstrong gets comfortable with his versatility to play the wing, I do think he'll be in tough to make the team. I do like Couturier a lot more than Horvat, but presumably Horvat is seen as better able to play the wing position (which seems plausible). I like Suzuki and Barzal, and now think both players will make the team (though I think Barzal will play a more prominent role). I'll also be interesting in seeing Toews jump back into regular season play next fall. Personally I've always been a big fan of the way he plays the game, and I'm thrilled that he's now healthy and able to return; from a Team Canada perspective I think he'll be given every opportunity possible to make the team in some capacity, even if its in a more limited role than in previous Olympics.

 

[JackSlater]

I really have a hard time seeing Stamkos crack the roster at this point. Tampa just won the Cup with him as essentially the 6th/7th most important contributor on the team. Maybe he makes it as purely a power play specialist? I don't know, it could be hard for him to stay mentally sharp playing very limited minutes then jumping over the boards cold for a critical power play. I do believe there are several players that can give us more than Stamkos at even strength though. He wouldn't be a terrible selection by any means, but my preference would be that we go in a different direction...and I think Armstrong will. I've also become quite indifferent to Scheifele making the team. Maybe its the lack of discipline that resulted in putting his team down their top center (not a significant concern for us internationally), or his frankly idiotic twitter comments after his suspension, but he's no longer a guy I see as critical to being on the team. Again, indifference.

When I went through the exercise of drawing up a forward group after the season ended, my 14-man group ended up quite similar to Craig Button's (though I have to say, I don't particularly like his line construction). The toughest call for me is leaving Couturier out, but unless Armstrong gets comfortable with his versatility to play the wing, I do think he'll be in tough to make the team. I do like Couturier a lot more than Horvat, but presumably Horvat is seen as better able to play the wing position (which seems plausible). I like Suzuki and Barzal, and now think both players will make the team (though I think Barzal will play a more prominent role). I'll also be interesting in seeing Toews jump back into regular season play next fall. Personally I've always been a big fan of the way he plays the game, and I'm thrilled that he's now healthy and able to return; from a Team Canada perspective I think he'll be given every opportunity possible to make the team in some capacity, even if its in a more limited role than in previous Olympics.

View attachment 452202

I'm fully ready for pretty much anyone to go in place of Stamkos. If Suzuki continues to play next season as he did this season then it certainly could be him. Horvat is looking good? Sure. Lafreniere is breaking out? Great. Basically anyone who is playing well and I couldn't care less who it is. I think that Canada could use someone who can play on the left side more than the right and a shooter is the most useful thing, but any hot hand would be great. In an ideal situation you get someone breaking out like Iginla in 2002 or something.

I don't think that Scheifele is a discipline concern. I also don't think he's make or break for the team, but I like him to provide a bit of size up front and I think he could fit decently in a few different roles. Toews... I'm skeptical about what he's been up to and how he's going to be upon his return. If he's playing great hockey then that's good, but I don't expect it and Canada already has several good two-way utility players. I'm pretty confident that most of us already have a good idea of who the forwards will be - basically the best forwards plus one or two mild surprises. The defence is where there are question marks, in my eyes anyway.

 

[jcs0218]

Canada may need to take a player like Horvat to stand in front of the other's teams net on the PP and take abuse.

You don't want 5 players passing the puck around on the perimeter, or else the other team's goalie is going to stop every shot he sees.

 

[Gold Standard]

Not ready to drop Stamkos just yet. I still think he's good enough to be the trigger man on McDavid's LW and as long as there's some built in chemistry with Point on RW. But his spot on the roster is far from certain. He does get a 40 game approx tryout starting in October. No changes in my roster until sometime in November.

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

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

M BARZAL M MARNER

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

S THEODORE	C MAKAR
D NURSE	A PIETRANGELO
T CHABOT	D DOUGHTY
	S WEBER/ D HAMILTON

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

C PRICE

M.A. FLEURY

D KUEMPER

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[therealdeal]

There's nothing left to see from this season, so I'll throw out my thoughts with only a few months of regular season play prior to the theoretical 2022 tournament that features NHL players:

O’Reilly McDavid Point
Huberdeau MacKinnon Scheifele
Marchand Crosby Bergeron
Barzal Couturier Stone
Marner, Stamkos*

Theodore Pietrangelo
Pelech Makar
Chabot Doughty
Ekblad, Chychrun

Price
Kuemper
Someone

Most of it has already been said. I don't love MacKinnon playing without O'Reilly or Stone, but I do like him with Huberdeau as a sort of Rantanen type. I am still skeptical about Barzal on the wing but I also want Couturier there for defence, so I sort of imagine Barzal as the centre offensively while Couturier assumes the centres defensive responsibilities. I'd love for anyone to step up at the start of next year and take that last spot from Stamkos. Stamkos fits the needs of the team in that he can play either wing and shoot, but I have no confidence in him contributing.

Defence has a lot of questions. I like how Pelech plays and I feel that the team could use a defensive rock on the left side, but I admit that he isn't an ideal option. I'm curious to see how Nurse plays early next year, as well as how Chychrun and Parayko look. If LA and Ottawa are decent next year it will help a lot in looking at Doughty and Chabot. I'm also optimistic that Ekblad can return and look fairly similar to how he looked early this year.

I don't know who the third goaltender should be, just pick whoever is playing well. I'd like Trotz to be the coach but at least Cooper has had some good reps by this point.

Great team, would be super happy with this team. If you’re not comfortable with Pelech, I’d be super comfortable with Toews beside Makar. Was a great decision maker.

Also, call me sentimental, but I’d bring Flower in goal, no matter what. He’s still great, he can still steal a game, been in tones of big games, and great in the room.

The guy on that team that I’m least comfortable with is Couterier. I don’t see what everyone else sees in him, but, I don’t think he’ll cost you anything, and the replacements would be like Horvat, who I would feel about the same about.

Trotz and Cooper will be the best coaches in the tournament, so we shouldn’t get out coached. We will not be out skilled in any position, we won’t be out paced. Just need some good luck!

 

[JackSlater]

Great team, would be super happy with this team. If you’re not comfortable with Pelech, I’d be super comfortable with Toews beside Makar. Was a great decision maker.

Also, call me sentimental, but I’d bring Flower in goal, no matter what. He’s still great, he can still steal a game, been in tones of big games, and great in the room.

The guy on that team that I’m least comfortable with is Couterier. I don’t see what everyone else sees in him, but, I don’t think he’ll cost you anything, and the replacements would be like Horvat, who I would feel about the same about.

Trotz and Cooper will be the best coaches in the tournament, so we shouldn’t get out coached. We will not be out skilled in any position, we won’t be out paced. Just need some good luck!

Toews is exactly the kind of guy who would be in the same role as Pelech there. Ideally I'd rather someone better than either, but the team could probably use a steady defensive option. I'd also throw Hamilton in there as a right side option if Ekblad isn't looking good, though his defence is worrisome.

I'd be fine with Fleury as a third option I guess. Notably a good guy to have around. He's screwed up too many important situations though. If Canada was an underdog that needed a goaltender to steal a game or two I'd give Fleury a lot of thought. Canada is much more likely to be in a situation where the team just needs the goaltender to not give it away, and I really do not like Fleury there. If it was Price, Kuemper, then Fleury as the third that would be fine. Ideally one of the young guys gets off to a good start next year and takes a spot.

Couturier plays a smart game. Canada doesn't really need him with O'Reilly there, but I like having both. I don't fully trust the defence this time and Couturier is very reliable in that regard and has been solid if not spectacular internationally. I wouldn't be disappointed if someone stepped up and he was 13th forward.

A lot of this is just throwing darts at a dart board basically. As you said... some luck would be nice.

 

[moropanov]

Canada's team Will propably be from KHL and NLA mostly maybe some top prospects from 21 draft who dont make it to NHL yet next season. Maybe some Germany league guys aswell~

 

[jcs0218]

Well, with the news that Weber may be out the entire next season, then it looks like a big door has just opened for Parayko.

Canada is going to need to have at least 1 defenseman with a lot of size on the blueline, especially as it relates to playing on the PK and guarding the front of the net.

You don't want to send a 6'0" 195 lb. defenseman out there to handle the Tkachuk brothers in front of the net on a crucial PK.

 

[brendhan garrels]

Well, with the news that Weber may be out the entire next season, then it looks like a big door has just opened for Parayko.

Canada is going to need to have at least 1 defenseman with a lot of size on the blueline, especially as it relates to playing on the PK and guarding the front of the net.

You don't want to send a 6'0" 195 lb. defenseman out there to handle the Tkachuk brothers in front of the net on a crucial PK.

Only

Canada's team Will propably be from KHL and NLA mostly maybe some top prospects from 21 draft who dont make it to NHL yet next season. Maybe some Germany league guys aswell~

Only European countries are hoping for No NHLers so they have a chance .Especially Russia who has won one best on best tournament back in 1981

 

[moropanov]

Only

Only European countries are hoping for No NHLers so they have a chance .Especially Russia who has won one best on best tournament back in 1981

Yeah but NHL propably will not allow theyr players to join anyway

 

[mattihp]

If Crosby would regress and score, let's say at 0,5ppg next season. Would he still be there? I think he would.

 

[jcs0218]

If Crosby would regress and score, let's say at 0,5ppg next season. Would he still be there? I think he would.

I think there is a very good chance he would be. He brings much more to the table than just scoring, and that doesn't just include on-the-ice contributions.

If things start going sideways during the tournament and the media starts putting pressure on Team Canada they way they normally do if things start to go sideways, I would much rather have Crosby be the one to handle the media and keep the locker-room calm more than I would so many other players on the team.

But, I don't see Crosby ever reaching 0.5 PPG. Not next season, and not anytime during his career. That is 41 points over 82 games. I think he will still be able to do that as a 40-year-old in 6-7 years, let alone as a 34-year-old next season. This is assuming he plays until he is 40 years old.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

If Crosby would regress and score, let's say at 0,5ppg next season. Would he still be there? I think he would.

100%.

His leadership qualities/experience are a must on and off the ice. The guy is one of the most respected and accomplished people in all of hockey. When he speaks, the entire room will listen including the superstars (MacKinnon, McDavid, etc.).

I also think he would still make himself useful on the ice and reinvent his approach to the game.

 

[86Habs]

Well, with the news that Weber may be out the entire next season, then it looks like a big door has just opened for Parayko.

Canada is going to need to have at least 1 defenseman with a lot of size on the blueline, especially as it relates to playing on the PK and guarding the front of the net.

You don't want to send a 6'0" 195 lb. defenseman out there to handle the Tkachuk brothers in front of the net on a crucial PK.

Ah yes, these mythical generational talents known as the Tkachuk brothers, ye of the combined career high of 34 goals and 5 points in 15 career playoff games that we, the two-time defending goal medal champions, must specifically plan for when building out our roster.

 

[jcs0218]

Ah yes, these mythical generational talents known as the Tkachuk brothers, ye of the combined career high of 34 goals and 5 points in 15 career playoff games that we, the two-time defending goal medal champions, must specifically plan for when building out our roster.

You don't build your entire roster around stopping the Tkachuk brothers.

But you should take at least 1 defenseman capable of handling them in front of the net. Especially on the PP.

Would you like to see the USA win 3-2, with the game-winning goal coming on the PP as a result of one of the Tkachuk brothers either screening Price or outmuscling a defenseman for the rebound?

When you are allowed to take 8 defensemen, then there is no need to take a bunch of defensemen who all play similar roles and are similar sizes.

You don't need 5-6 defensemen who all play the same way as Cale Makar or Shea Theodore. If you take 5-6 defensemen like that, then your defense isn't well-rounded and you leave yourself vulnerable to losing a game in the way that I suggested above.

8 defensemen gives you the flexibility to take 1-2 specialists to play specific roles in specific situations, even if they might not be one of the top 8 defensemen Canada has.

 

[Mathieukferland]

I don’t know why this thread obsesses about the Tkachuk Brothers and the USA, I think at the end of the day this team will need to find a way to beat Andrei Vasiliveskiy to win gold and hence, players who can stand in front of him are needed

 

[jcs0218]

I don’t know why this thread obsesses about the Tkachuk Brothers and the USA, I think at the end of the day this team will need to find a way to beat Andrei Vasiliveskiy to win gold and hence, players who can stand in front of him are needed

I agree with the idea of taking some players who can stand in front of the other team's net.

You drop 1-2 redundant forwards and you take 1-2 forwards who can be a net presence.

For example, does a team really need all three of Huberdeau, Marner, and Barzal? Those are three players who would play the wing for Canada, and they all have a lot of similarities in terms of style or strengths (all are pass-first players).

You may be better off taking only 1-2 of those players, and then using the freed-up roster spot on a forward who can stand in front of the net.

 

[JackSlater]

You don't build your entire roster around stopping the Tkachuk brothers.

But you should take at least 1 defenseman capable of handling them in front of the net. Especially on the PP.

Would you like to see the USA win 3-2, with the game-winning goal coming on the PP as a result of one of the Tkachuk brothers either screening Price or outmuscling a defenseman for the rebound?

When you are allowed to take 8 defensemen, then there is no need to take a bunch of defensemen who all play similar roles and are similar sizes.

You don't need 5-6 defensemen who all play the same way as Cale Makar or Shea Theodore. If you take 5-6 defensemen like that, then your defense isn't well-rounded and you leave yourself vulnerable to losing a game in the way that I suggested above.

8 defensemen gives you the flexibility to take 1-2 specialists to play specific roles in specific situations, even if they might not be one of the top 8 defensemen Canada has.

That's a very specific thing to be afraid of. It isn't like Canada needs Adam Foote to take on daddy Tkachuk at the 1996 World Cup. IIHF rules already negate a lot of crease play like what you're describing. While it's true that the team doesn't need 8 Makars, that is not how it would ever play out. Canada should not be taking players to combat any specific team. Mostly just take the best players while making sure that you have the personnel for the situations that will arise every game like key defensive situations and the power play.

 

[Gold Standard]

What's the latest juice? NHL Olympics looking more doubtful by the day, hour.

 

[JackSlater]

What's the latest juice? NHL Olympics looking more doubtful by the day, hour.

The NHL scheduling an Olympic break into the new season schedule released a few days ago is a positive sign, though it isn't binding or anything.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Any chance Taylor Hall makes team Canada?

 

[gotyournose]

Any chance Taylor Hall makes team Canada?

Very unlikely, he’s quite down the depth chart. Would be quite a shock if he made it

 

[Gold Standard]

Any chance Taylor Hall makes team Canada?

His shot, one and only chance, was in 2018. With his 2 excellent Team Canada WHC tournaments 2015 and '16 together with his MVP Hart season, there was a spot for him on the 2018 team, but not a guaranteed spot. That ship has sailed. Currently on my depth chart Taylor Hall is way down on Team Canada E. Almost off the charts completely.

 

[jcs0218]

He's shot, one and only chance, was in 2018. With his 2 excellent Team Canada WHC tournaments 2015 and '16 together with his MVP Hart season, there was a spot for him on the 2018 team, but not a guaranteed spot. That ship has sailed. Currently on my depth chart Taylor Hall is way down on Team Canada E. Almost off the charts completely.

No NHL participation cost multiple players from adding an Olympic Gold Medal to their resume.

Hall is one. His draft comparable Seguin is another.

I would have had both on a 2018 team, but neither are anywhere my 2022 roster candidates.