Team Canada 2022

[jcs0218]

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

You're right god damn it.

Yanni Gourde is getting ready to be this generation's Rob Zamuner in Canadian Olympic history.

 

[jcs0218]

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.

 

[JackSlater]

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.

All joking aside, I'm going to be angry if they break up the Hyman-Gourde-Toffoli line just to put Hyman on McDavid's wing and get him going.

 

[dahrougem2]

I don't get why people have Nathan MacKinnon playing RW on McDavid's line. Why are you going to minimize arguably Canada's second best player like that? His effectiveness is playing up and down the middle of the ice with speed, you're neutralizing that because you're asking him to play on the wall in order to get the puck to McDavid with speed. I'd go:

Huberdeau - McDavid - Stone
Marchand - MacKinnon - Point
O'Reilly - Crosby - Bergeron
Couterier - Barzal - Scheifele
Marner/Stamkos

Theodore - Pietrangelo
Pelech - Makar
Chabot - Doughty
Toews/Pulock

Price
Fleury
Kuemper

 

[JackSlater]

I don't get why people have Nathan MacKinnon playing RW on McDavid's line. Why are you going to minimize arguably Canada's second best player like that? His effectiveness is playing up and down the middle of the ice with speed, you're neutralizing that because you're asking him to play on the wall in order to get the puck to McDavid with speed. I'd go:

Huberdeau - McDavid - Stone
Marchand - MacKinnon - Point
O'Reilly - Crosby - Bergeron
Couterier - Barzal - Scheifele
Marner/Stamkos

Theodore - Pietrangelo
Pelech - Makar
Chabot - Doughty
Toews/Pulock

Price
Fleury
Kuemper

I like this team. Very defensively responsible. I'd possibly want one more puck mover available on the defence but that's a minor point.

 

[majormajor]

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

Everyone wants to see Barzal with McDavid but it's a terrible idea. McDavid needs to play with guys who can make a great one touch pass. Someone who needs thirty seconds to skate the puck around the zone is just taking away McDavid's chances.

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

For extras you bring Barzal and Couturier. Whoever else.

If there's one guy that doesn't belong here it's Stamkos. I think Cooper would know that. Stamkos hasn't been very good in any recent playoffs and has never really been a big gamer. He wouldn't be one of the guys expected to score the most and offers by far the least when it comes to the other aspects of the game. Injuries have done a number on him.

Theodore - Pietrangelo
Pelech - Makar
Chabot - Doughty
Toews/Pulock

Hard for me to take Doughty over Ekblad at RD.

That and as much as Theodore and Pietrangelo makes sense as teammates they have rarely played on the same pairing together. They're both good players though so why not.

And I would also take Chychrun over Chabot, at least based on last year's play.

Nurse - Makar
Theodore - Pietrangelo
Pelech - Ekblad
Chychrun

I'm not that enamored with Nurse but he seems like he'd be the perfect complement to Makar. Strong enough to do the crease clearing and also a good offensive presence for the heavy offensive minutes they'll get. Pelech should get more D-zone starts.

 

[dahrougem2]

Hard for me to take Doughty over Ekblad at RD.

That and as much as Theodore and Pietrangelo makes sense as teammates they have rarely played on the same pairing together. They're both good players though so why not.

And I would also take Chychrun over Chabot, at least based on last year's play.

Nurse - Makar
Theodore - Pietrangelo
Pelech - Ekblad
Chychrun

I'm not that enamored with Nurse but he seems like he'd be the perfect complement to Makar. Strong enough to do the crease clearing and also a good offensive presence for the heavy offensive minutes they'll get. Pelech should get more D-zone starts.

Doughty is going to make the team based on reputation alone. Team Canada always has those "reputation" selections, and Doughty will be one of them especially given his 20-21 season.

Chychrun is probably definitely on Canada's radar, but let's not forget that Team Canada takes international play into account when making these teams, rightly or wrongly. And as of now, Chychrun has only played U18 for Team Canada while Chabot has played U18, two World Juniors and two World Championships. He's "known" to Team Canada.

Lastly, I don't think Darnell Nurse will make the team. I think players like Theodore, Pelech, Chabot, and Reilly are all ahead of him on the left side. I also don't believe he'd be a good partner for Makar at all. Nurse is a rover to the extreme degree, the last thing Canada should want is arguably the best offensive defensemen in the league being paired with a guy that wants to do all of the offensive heavy lifting in Nurse.

 

[majormajor]

Doughty is going to make the team based on reputation alone. Team Canada always has those "reputation" selections, and Doughty will be one of them especially given his 20-21 season.

Chychrun is probably definitely on Canada's radar, but let's not forget that Team Canada takes international play into account when making these teams, rightly or wrongly. And as of now, Chychrun has only played U18 for Team Canada while Chabot has played U18, two World Juniors and two World Championships. He's "known" to Team Canada.

Lastly, I don't think Darnell Nurse will make the team. I think players like Theodore, Pelech, Chabot, and Reilly are all ahead of him on the left side. I also don't believe he'd be a good partner for Makar at all. Nurse is a rover to the extreme degree, the last thing Canada should want is arguably the best offensive defensemen in the league being paired with a guy that wants to do all of the offensive heavy lifting in Nurse.

Nurse is a smart player, I think he'll know his job on this team. I thought Nurse's timing was much improved last year. If you can cover for Barrie you can cover for anyone.

In any case, I see the argument. Not for Reilly over Nurse though, Rielly offers nothing to this roster and is worse defensively. I don't really see anyone in particular that fits the bill I'm looking for. You've got to have skill and be swift enough to get into attacking plays if you're playing top offensive minutes alongside Makar (so no Pelech, is Chychrun quick enough?) but you've also got to be extra strong to do all the netfront clearing that Makar isn't good at (so maybe not Theodore). That just sounds like a job Nurse would excel at.

Chabot is an awkward fit on this team. He has oodles of offensive skill but not more offense than 3 or 4 other guys on the team have. And he is frankly bad defensively at times. He struggled for a while last year. I don't see what he adds here. You can't use him unless you build an offensive minutes pairing around him and they don't have the need or space for that.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

Nurse is a smart player, I think he'll know his job on this team. I thought Nurse's timing was much improved last year. If you can cover for Barrie you can cover for anyone.

In any case, I see the argument. Not for Reilly over Nurse though, Rielly offers nothing to this roster and is worse defensively. I don't really see anyone in particular that fits the bill I'm looking for. You've got to have skill and be swift enough to get into attacking plays if you're playing top offensive minutes alongside Makar (so no Pelech, is Chychrun quick enough?) but you've also got to be extra strong to do all the netfront clearing that Makar isn't good at (so maybe not Theodore). That just sounds like a job Nurse would excel at.

Chabot is an awkward fit on this team. He has oodles of offensive skill but not more offense than 3 or 4 other guys on the team have. And he is frankly bad defensively at times. He struggled for a while last year. I don't see what he adds here. You can't use him unless you build an offensive minutes pairing around him and they don't have the need or space for that.

I think you’re neutering Makar if you put him with Nurse. You’ll end up seeing Makar hang back a lot, while Nurse ventures up ice. Just don’t really see that pair as a match.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Canada takes both Toews and Makar and plays them together.

 

[majormajor]

I think you’re neutering Makar if you put him with Nurse. You’ll end up seeing Makar hang back a lot, while Nurse ventures up ice. Just don’t really see that pair as a match.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Canada takes both Toews and Makar and plays them together.

I think we are treating Nurse like an idiot if we imagine he thinks he's the offensively potent guy on a pairing with Makar.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

I think we are treating Nurse like an idiot if we imagine he thinks he's the offensively potent guy on a pairing with Makar.

That’s just the way Nurse plays.

It’s not him being an idiot at all. He’s a roving defenceman. It doesn’t mean he’s not a good player, but that’s what he is.

 

[dahrougem2]

I think we are treating Nurse like an idiot if we imagine he thinks he's the offensively potent guy on a pairing with Makar.

He did a lot of just that with Tyson Barrie, though. That pairing was not good. Tyson Barrie historically has played his best hockey with big, stay-at-home defensemen and outside of his offensive contributions last season (which were mostly PP related) he was a disaster.

Nurse had a fantastic offensive season, but he's not good in his own zone. I can't see Team Canada taking him on. I also think the reputation of Morgan Reilly supersedes the actual player but his reputation as a "two way" defensemen will be used in his favour when Team Canada is making these selections, much like Drew Doughty's reputation will be.

If I was being honest and picking who I thought the best of the best were to win for Team Canada, it'd be:

Chabot - Pietrangelo
Toews - Makar
Pelech - Pulock

And if Pietrangelo was supremely confident in playing the left side, I'd run a top pairing with him and Makar and then put Aaron Ekblad with Devon Toews and leave Chabot as the 7th defensemen. But I'm 100% preparing myself to see players like Doughty and Reilly playing prominent roles based on reputation and Hockey Canada groupthink.

 

[majormajor]

He did a lot of just that with Tyson Barrie, though. That pairing was not good. Tyson Barrie historically has played his best hockey with big, stay-at-home defensemen and outside of his offensive contributions last season (which were mostly PP related) he was a disaster.

Nurse had a fantastic offensive season, but he's not good in his own zone. I can't see Team Canada taking him on. I also think the reputation of Morgan Reilly supersedes the actual player but his reputation as a "two way" defensemen will be used in his favour when Team Canada is making these selections, much like Drew Doughty's reputation will be.

If I was being honest and picking who I thought the best of the best were to win for Team Canada, it'd be:

Chabot - Pietrangelo
Toews - Makar
Pelech - Pulock

And if Pietrangelo was supremely confident in playing the left side, I'd run a top pairing with him and Makar and then put Aaron Ekblad with Devon Toews and leave Chabot as the 7th defensemen. But I'm 100% preparing myself to see players like Doughty and Reilly playing prominent roles based on reputation and Hockey Canada groupthink.

I also sort of like the idea of Toews-Makar, Toews is fine at both ends and they know how to play with each other. I think it is a bit underpowered physically though. That's the Avs D corps' problem in big games. Pelech and Pulock is a nice combo to handle the leftover defensive minutes. Chabot-Piets is kind of meh to my mind. Darnell Nurse is a much better defender than Chabot. I watch both of their teams frequently and there was a big gulf between them this year when it comes to defensive play.

Nurse-Barrie had great 5v5 results despite Barrie being certifiably terrible defensively. Nurse is fine in his own zone and he's especially good at clearing bodies, which is what Makar needs help with.

 

[Mathieukferland]

I know none of you probably watch Arizona but Chychrun needs to be here over Reilly and Nurse, is great at getting in lanes (good anticipation), physical in front of his net, and though not one to skate the puck up the ice, has a bomb from the point. I will not be surprised if he end up playing with makar if Hockey Canada does not feel comfortable bringing toews

 

[JackSlater]

The way Nurse played in the 2015 WJC would be a perfect fit alongside someone like Makar. He was a rock defensively and won the vast majority of physical matchups, not that physicality is as important in international hockey. He hasn't played that way in a while though and I'm not sure that the team needs him pushing in the offensive zone at the expense of some defence. I'm interested to see how he starts this upcoming season as he's clearly one of the guys in the mix for open spots.

 

[Peacefool]

Everyone wants to see Barzal with McDavid but it's a terrible idea. McDavid needs to play with guys who can make a great one touch pass. Someone who needs thirty seconds to skate the puck around the zone is just taking away McDavid's chances.

Give Kuch Canadian passport abd problem is solved

 

[francis246]

Id like to see a more fast pace team this go around. With some solid leadership, I think this is a pretty realistic roster!

Huberdeau - McDavid - Marner
Marchand - Crosby - MacKinnon
Tavares - O’Reilly - Schiefele
Couturier - Point - Barzal
Extra’s: Stone & Horvat

Nurse - Makar
Theodore - Pietrangelo
Rielly - Hamilton
Extra’s/ Chychrun/Pelech & Doughty

 

[jcs0218]

Now that Weber doesn't seem to be a candidate to make this team, I think Parayko makes it in his place.

I have written a few times in this thread that you need to take at least 1 defensive defenseman with size and the ability to clear the front of the net. This is a particular need for the penalty kill.

You get to pick 8 defensemen. There isn't any need to take 8 offensive defensemen who are all below-average size/strength.

Parayko's GM is also the GM for Canada, so that gives him an edge too.

 

[SI]

I don't get why people have Nathan MacKinnon playing RW on McDavid's line. Why are you going to minimize arguably Canada's second best player like that? His effectiveness is playing up and down the middle of the ice with speed, you're neutralizing that because you're asking him to play on the wall in order to get the puck to McDavid with speed. I'd go:

Huberdeau - McDavid - Stone
Marchand - MacKinnon - Point
O'Reilly - Crosby - Bergeron
Couterier - Barzal - Scheifele
Marner/Stamkos

Theodore - Pietrangelo
Pelech - Makar
Chabot - Doughty
Toews/Pulock

Price
Fleury
Kuemper

I love what you have done here, But I would 2 tweaks -
First add Chychrun over Toews/Pulock

Second
How about -
Barzal - McDavid - Stone
Hubie - Mack - Marner
Marchand - Crosby - Bergeron
ROR - Schef - Point
With Couterier and Horvat in the press box
Theodore - Pietrangelo
Pelech - Makar
Chabot - Doughty
Chychrun

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

He did a lot of just that with Tyson Barrie, though. That pairing was not good. Tyson Barrie historically has played his best hockey with big, stay-at-home defensemen and outside of his offensive contributions last season (which were mostly PP related) he was a disaster.

Nurse had a fantastic offensive season, but he's not good in his own zone. I can't see Team Canada taking him on. I also think the reputation of Morgan Reilly supersedes the actual player but his reputation as a "two way" defensemen will be used in his favour when Team Canada is making these selections, much like Drew Doughty's reputation will be.

If I was being honest and picking who I thought the best of the best were to win for Team Canada, it'd be:

Chabot - Pietrangelo
Toews - Makar
Pelech - Pulock

And if Pietrangelo was supremely confident in playing the left side, I'd run a top pairing with him and Makar and then put Aaron Ekblad with Devon Toews and leave Chabot as the 7th defensemen. But I'm 100% preparing myself to see players like Doughty and Reilly playing prominent roles based on reputation and Hockey Canada groupthink.

I’d prefer Theadore over him. Chabot’s puck management is real spotty.

If Chabot has a great start to next season perhaps he could elevate into that kind of role, but I’m not sure right now.

 

[dahrougem2]

I love what you have done here, But I would 2 tweaks -
First add Chychrun over Toews/Pulock

Second
How about -
Barzal - McDavid - Stone
Hubie - Mack - Marner
Marchand - Crosby - Bergeron
ROR - Schef - Point
With Couterier and Horvat in the press box
Theodore - Pietrangelo
Pelech - Makar
Chabot - Doughty
Chychrun

For me personally, I'm not a fan of Mitch Marner and I don't think Hockey Canada is going to overlook his disaster playoffs the last few seasons when putting a team together. I don't know if that's a guy you can count on for the big top-six minutes when there are a plethora of other options available. That's why I have Huberdeau, Stone, Marchand, and Point in the top six.

As of right now for me, Marner is the 12/13/14 forward on the team.

 

[therealdeal]

I don't get why people have Nathan MacKinnon playing RW on McDavid's line. Why are you going to minimize arguably Canada's second best player like that? His effectiveness is playing up and down the middle of the ice with speed, you're neutralizing that because you're asking him to play on the wall in order to get the puck to McDavid with speed. I'd go:

Huberdeau - McDavid - Stone
Marchand - MacKinnon - Point
O'Reilly - Crosby - Bergeron
Couterier - Barzal - Scheifele
Marner/Stamkos

Theodore - Pietrangelo
Pelech - Makar
Chabot - Doughty
Toews/Pulock

Price
Fleury
Kuemper

Another really great team.

 

[jcs0218]

I am not sure all 3 of Huberdeau, Barzal, and Marner get picked. Or whether all of them should get picked.

There are all playmaking pass-first players, who require possession of the puck.

But McDavid and MacKinnon already are there, and these two are also possession-dominant players who need the puck.

You aren't going to be putting the 3 players I named on checking units. They are scoring-line players. However, I wonder about the chemistry any of them would have with McDavid and MacKinnon.

I like players such as Scheifele and Point to play with McDavid and MacKinnon. Players who have better goal-scoring than the 3 players I mentioned, and don't always need to have the puck to be effective.

Maybe even a player like Horvat might blend together better with those 2 centres.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Just cause I'm bored at work, here's my take on lines:

Huberdeau-McDavid(A)-Stone
Marchand-Crosby(C)-Bergeron(A)
Tavares-Mackinnon-Marner
Couturier-Point-Scheifele
Extra: Stamkos, O'Reilly

Theodore-Pietrangelo
Chychrun-Makar
Chabot-Doughty
Extra: Pelech, Hamilton

Price
Fleury
Extra: Kuemper

The forward core is so insanely deep I couldn't even include players like Barzal.

 

[JackSlater]

I am not sure all 3 of Huberdeau, Barzal, and Marner get picked. Or whether all of them should get picked.

There are all playmaking pass-first players, who require possession of the puck.

But McDavid and MacKinnon already are there, and these two are also possession-dominant players who need the puck.

You aren't going to be putting the 3 players I named on checking units. They are scoring-line players. However, I wonder about the chemistry any of them would have with McDavid and MacKinnon.

I like players such as Scheifele and Point to play with McDavid and MacKinnon. Players who have better goal-scoring than the 3 players I mentioned, and don't always need to have the puck to be effective.

Maybe even a player like Horvat might blend together better with those 2 centres.

I agree for the most part. One plus is that MacKinnon is accustomed to playing with Rantanen, who is a puck carrier and playmaker in his own right. MacKinnon with a playmaking winger plus O'Reilly (for example) to do the dirty work seems decent in theory.