Team Canada 2022

[TheDoldrums]

 

[Stewie Griffin]

That's a fantastic coaching team.

 

[JackSlater]

Not a bad staff. Canada has plenty of solid coaching options but that group of four is up there. I don't believe that Cassidy has any international coaching experience. DeBoer was an assistant with the 2005 WJC team and 2015 WC team. Canada's greatest WJC team, Canada's greatest WC team, and now Canada's greatest Olympic team?

 

[Mehar]

I might be in the tiny minority, but I rather they not picked Cooper. He coached American teams in the Ivan Hlinka tournament, and the Under 17 teams. He lobbied for it, and said he was disappointed that he did not get to coach USA in the World Hockey Championship 5-6 years ago. He once said he considered himself more "American" than Canadian, while working for USA Hockey in their development camps. He is a very good coach, but I would have rather Canada picked someone else.

 

[waitin425]

Hubs - McDavid - MacK ----- Elite
Marchand- Crosby - Bergeron ----- Proven
Stamkos - Point - Marner -------Stamkos is a finisher with these two
Ror - Schiefele - Stone-----elite shutdown line
Barzal

Won't do Pairings for D but.....

Doughty
Pietro
Theodore
Hamilton
Makar
Chychrun
Ekblad

Price
Flower
Kuemper

 

[JackSlater]

I might be in the tiny minority, but I rather they not picked Cooper. He coached American teams in the Ivan Hlinka tournament, and the Under 17 teams. He lobbied for it, and said he was disappointed that he did not get to coach USA in the World Hockey Championship 5-6 years ago. He once said he considered himself more "American" than Canadian, while working for USA Hockey in their development camps. He is a very good coach, but I would have rather Canada picked someone else.

I get where you're coming from with this, but I can't really agree in the end. I remember some of the talk around Cooper when he became the coach of Canada's WC team in 2017 and I agree that it isn't ideal. Still, there are a few significant factors (in my eyes) to consider. Cooper is a Canadian coach - he was born and raised in Canada. He's lived his adult life in the United States, but so have countless Canadians plus most of the players who will comprise the Canadian Olympic team. He's coached under the USA Hockey umbrella, and that isn't ideal, but I imagine that if he wanted to remain with USA Hockey he would still be there. There was nothing stopping Cooper from working with USA rather than Canada in 2017 and realistically, if he told USA he wanted to coach the 2022 Olympic team I imagine he'd be the coach. In my eyes he took a mercenary approach to further his career early on but has chosen Canada, the country he actually comes from. Finally, given that USA has benefitted tremendously from Canadian talent/brain drain in hockey for a century or so, I'm not averse to keeping a quality Canadian coach in the fold rather than having him working for USA.

I'd rather have Trotz as the head coach, but that's only because I think he's the best coach in hockey at the moment. Cooper has proven that he knows how to coach a team that is more talented than its opposition, and that's a relevant skill here.

 

[Pandaman11]

Who's Plan B? (i.e. NHLers not going)

 

[Gold Standard]

I get where you're coming from with this, but I can't really agree in the end. I remember some of the talk around Cooper when he became the coach of Canada's WC team in 2017 and I agree that it isn't ideal. Still, there are a few significant factors (in my eyes) to consider. Cooper is a Canadian coach - he was born and raised in Canada. He's lived his adult life in the United States, but so have countless Canadians plus most of the players who will comprise the Canadian Olympic team. He's coached under the USA Hockey umbrella, and that isn't ideal, but I imagine that if he wanted to remain with USA Hockey he would still be there. There was nothing stopping Cooper from working with USA rather than Canada in 2017 and realistically, if he told USA he wanted to coach the 2022 Olympic team I imagine he'd be the coach. In my eyes he took a mercenary approach to further his career early on but has chosen Canada, the country he actually comes from. Finally, given that USA has benefitted tremendously from Canadian talent/brain drain in hockey for a century or so, I'm not averse to keeping a quality Canadian coach in the fold rather than having him working for USA.

I'd rather have Trotz as the head coach, but that's only because I think he's the best coach in hockey at the moment. Cooper has proven that he knows how to coach a team that is more talented than its opposition, and that's a relevant skill here.

This. highlighted part.

But Coop is still probably a better HC than any of our opponents. and at least Trotz is on the staff. running the dfense or special teams. that's a good thing.

 

[JackSlater]

This. highlighted part.

But Coop is still probably a better HC than any of our opponents. and at least Trotz is on the staff. running the dfense or special teams. that's a good thing.

Yeah I'd take Cooper over any American coach and I don't find the European coaches to be anything special when best on best tournaments roll around. Trotz running the defence is great. Overall looks like a strong staff. All of their NHL teams play good hockey.

 

[Gold Standard]

Yeah I'd take Cooper over any American coach and I don't find the European coaches to be anything special when best on best tournaments roll around. Trotz running the defence is great. Overall looks like a strong staff. All of their NHL teams play good hockey.

Is Hockey Canada bringing players and coaches in this summer for a game of ball hockey, BBQ and a few beers? to go over a few things....

 

[Rabid Ranger]

You take the best coach regardless of nationality or background. Canada has an advantage as they have the most "depth" at the coaching position, but still. I wish the U.S. would get creative from time to time even though we have decent options.

 

[JackSlater]

Is Hockey Canada bringing players and coaches in this summer for a game of ball hockey, BBQ and a few beers? to go over a few things....

I can't remember off the top of my head, but there was talk maybe two months ago that Hockey Canada would take 45 players or so to some kind of camp. Not sure if it was expected to be in person.

After a quick search, Sportsnet says that Hockey Canada plans a September orientation camp:

Hockey Canada planning orientation camp ahead of Beijing Olympics

I don't remember where the story about the 45 players is from but it's somewhere in this thread months back. They didn't specify which 45 players or anything.

 

[JackSlater]

You take the best coach regardless of nationality or background. Canada has an advantage as they have the most "depth" at the coaching position, but still. I wish the U.S. would get creative from time to time even though we have decent options.

Let's say that Quenneville was open to coaching USA. My guess is that the majority of fans come Olympic time wouldn't care at all that he's Canadian. Does that sound accurate? I must admit that USA bringing Bylsma in 2014 pleased me.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Let's say that Quenneville was open to coaching USA. My guess is that the majority of fans come Olympic time wouldn't care at all that he's Canadian. Does that sound accurate? I must admit that USA bringing Bylsma in 2014 pleased me.

I wouldn't mind it. Shoot, I bet a good chunk of these coaches are duals anyway. Aside from that, who really focuses on the coaches place of birth? Look at Olympic sports. How many of those coaches aren't natives of the countries of the teams they are coaching? I bet there is a fair amount.

 

[JackSlater]

I wouldn't mind it. Shoot, I bet a good chunk of these coaches are duals anyway. Aside from that, who really focuses on the coaches place of birth? Look at Olympic sports. How many of those coaches aren't natives of the countries of the teams they are coaching? I bet there is a fair amount.

Yeah it is very common in seemingly most sports. Not so in hockey among the large countries for whatever reason. The hand wringing in Canada if a Canadian hockey best on best team used a non-Canadian coach would be massive however and is unlikely to happen anytime soon. I don't think that that's true in any other sport for Canada, but hockey would be a pride issue. I doubt that anyone cares that Nick Nurse is the American coach of the Canadian men's basketball team, for example. I'd guess that the people in USA Hockey would also view it as a pride issue.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

Don’t really care who’s coaching. As long as they’re not bringing negative impact, they should be able to do some damage with this roster.

Barzal - McDavid - Stone
Huberdeau - MacKinnon - Point
Marchand - Crosby- Scheifele
Bergeron - O’Reilly - Marner
Couturier

Pelech - Makar
Theadore - Pietrangelo
Nurse - Ekblad
Doughty

Price
Fleury
Hart

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Yeah it is very common in seemingly most sports. Not so in hockey among the large countries for whatever reason. The hand wringing in Canada if a Canadian hockey best on best team used a non-Canadian coach would be massive however and is unlikely to happen anytime soon. I don't think that that's true in any other sport for Canada, but hockey would be a pride issue. I doubt that anyone cares that Nick Nurse is the American coach of the Canadian men's basketball team, for example. I'd guess that the people in USA Hockey would also view it as a pride issue.

Yeah, USA Hockey is a very well-established good old boys network. Very Similar to Hockey Canada in that regard.

 

[JackSlater]

Taking a look at it, among these four coaches they've already coached most of the potential players who might make up team Canada through NHL coaching or coaching at various incarnations of team Canada, going all the way back to DeBoer in 2005. Some of them have coached these guys at multiple tournaments. The only real lock for the team whom they haven't coached before is Makar.

Cooper - Stamkos, Point, Couturier, Marner, MacKinnon, Scheifele, O’Reilly, McDavid, Parayko, Ekblad, Rielly

Trotz - Price, Barzal, Stamkos, O’Reilly, Bergeron, Crosby, Marchand, Tavares, Doughty, Pietrangelo, Pelech

Cassidy - Bergeron, Marchand

DeBoer - Fleury, Bergeron, Crosby, Stamkos, Marchand, Tavares, Stone, Huberdeau, MacKinnon, Scheifele, Couturier, O’Reilly, Crosby, McDavid, Pietrangelo, Theodore, Rielly, Ekblad, Parayko

 

[Steazy Doo]

I wonder if this increases Stamkos’ chances. I know the coach doesn’t make the roster but you gotta think if Cooper wants him he’s got him.

 

[izzy]

I wonder if this increases Stamkos’ chances. I know the coach doesn’t make the roster but you gotta think if Cooper wants him he’s got him.

I’d say it’s likely theyd take Stamkos, even as an extra forward, in any scenario (unless he falls off immensely before then)

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

I wonder if this increases Stamkos’ chances. I know the coach doesn’t make the roster but you gotta think if Cooper wants him he’s got him.

You just brought back nightmares of Yzerman not selecting MSL and then having to trade him. I personally wouldn't take Stamkos on Team Canada, which makes this even harder. Stamkos has had bad luck with injuries and international tournaments, I'm sure he's dying to go.

 

[86Habs]

Taking a look at it, among these four coaches they've already coached most of the potential players who might make up team Canada through NHL coaching or coaching at various incarnations of team Canada, going all the way back to DeBoer in 2005. Some of them have coached these guys at multiple tournaments. The only real lock for the team whom they haven't coached before is Makar.

Cooper - Stamkos, Point, Couturier, Marner, MacKinnon, Scheifele, O’Reilly, McDavid, Parayko, Ekblad, Rielly

Trotz - Price, Barzal, Stamkos, O’Reilly, Bergeron, Crosby, Marchand, Tavares, Doughty, Pietrangelo, Pelech

Cassidy - Bergeron, Marchand

DeBoer - Fleury, Bergeron, Crosby, Stamkos, Marchand, Tavares, Stone, Huberdeau, MacKinnon, Scheifele, Couturier, O’Reilly, Crosby, McDavid, Pietrangelo, Theodore, Rielly, Ekblad, Parayko

Obvious oversight in neglecting to mention that Cooper has coached Yanni Gourde as well.

I’d say it’s likely theyd take Stamkos, even as an extra forward, in any scenario (unless he falls off immensely before then)

Hard to say if Cooper would actually push for Stamkos on the team. Actually, I don't think he would. Stamkos was 9th in average ice time amongst Tampa's forwards in the playoffs, so he would presumably have played him a little more than guys like Cirelli, Coleman, Goodrow and Gourde if he liked his game more.

 

[JackSlater]

Obvious oversight in neglecting to mention that Cooper has coached Yanni Gourde as well.

You're right god damn it.

 

[duul]

I think you run

McDavid
Crosby
Scheifele
Bergeron

down the middle.

I don't think the infamous Marchand-Crosby-Bergeron line is going to be a great idea for these Olympics, unless you want Crosby in a reduced role. I personally do not.

It's obvious that McDavid's line is going to get as many minutes as they want. You have to put Mackinnon with him at RW. Marchand would actually be a beautiful fit at LW as well, two puck hungry lunatics from Nova Scotia doing the heavy lifting while McDavid makes magic happen. Having two of the top three players on earth on the same line is too good to pass up in my opinion.

Put Crosby in a normal offensive role with Stamkos and Point. Solid mix of everything a line needs. Don't think winger groups or sides matter much when a bunch of them are switching from centre anyway. It's about on-ice chemistry.

Scheifele and Bergeron lines are 200 foot.

Marchand-McDavid-Mackinnon
Stamkos-Crosby-Point
Huberdeau-Scheifele-Marner
O'Reilly-Bergeron-Stone

For extras you bring Barzal and Couturier. Whoever else.

 

[86Habs]

You're right god damn it.

And, to my knowledge, none of the named coaches have coached Zach Hyman. Whether this has the effect of impairing Hyman's chances of making the team in any way remains to be seen.

I think you run

McDavid
Crosby
Scheifele
Bergeron

down the middle.

I don't think the infamous Marchand-Crosby-Bergeron line is going to be a great idea for these Olympics, unless you want Crosby in a reduced role. I personally do not.

It's obvious that McDavid's line is going to get as many minutes as they want. You have to put Mackinnon with him at RW. Marchand would actually be a beautiful fit at LW as well, two puck hungry lunatics from Nova Scotia doing the heavy lifting while McDavid makes magic happen. Having two of the top three players on earth on the same line is too good to pass up in my opinion.

Put Crosby in a normal offensive role with Stamkos and Point. Solid mix of everything a line needs. Don't think winger groups or sides matter much when a bunch of them are switching from centre anyway. It's about on-ice chemistry.

Scheifele and Bergeron lines are 200 foot.

Marchand-McDavid-Mackinnon
Stamkos-Crosby-Point
Huberdeau-Scheifele-Marner
O'Reilly-Bergeron-Stone

For extras you bring Barzal and Couturier. Whoever else.

I don't really understand why you would see Crosby playing a reduced role if Bergeron and Marchand were on his wings, especially if (under your lineup scenario) you're running MacKinnon at RW. Realistically, if the recent past is any indication, the top 9 forwards will get somewhere around the same amounts of total ice time, and the 4th line will get noticeably less - particularly as the tournament goes on. I don't see why you wouldn't give the Crosby line another go. He gets Marchand - Canada's best LW - on one wing, and Bergeron - with whom he and Marchand have longstanding chemistry - on the other. The line matches up favourably against any other line in the tournament, and can play in any situation and in any zone (and remember the LHS/RHS faceoff capability). They'd be an incredibly strong #2 scoring line behind McDavid/MacKinnon, or an elite matchup/shutdown line. Unless Bergeron really starts showing his age next season, I'd be inclined to give them another look.