Olympics: Team Canada 2026

[ORRFForever]

Marner should not be on the team either. Guy doesn't have the gear required to play against the US.

He is more than fine as a 3rd of 4th liner on the PK with limited minutes.

 

[ORRFForever]

A quick aside...

This with vanilla ice cream is amazing....

 

[jigglysquishy]

Marner has been pretty weak at even strength but has been a very strong PKer. I don't have a problem bringing him, just not in a top 6 role.

 

[MessierII]

A lot can change from this year to next. Celebrini and Bedard could be in the mix. The D could look different too there is a lot that can happen this coming playoffs and next season.

 

[TheSuperElite]

He is more than fine as a 3rd of 4th liner on the PK with limited minutes.

he can be there, but what's the point? he's a total non-factor

 

[ORRFForever]

he can be there, but what's the point? he's a total non-factor

I disagree. I think he would be awesome in that role - as he was today.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

he can be there, but what's the point? he's a total non-factor

He is an elite penalty killer and if he is played in the bottom 6 he does have the skill to provide some offense at this level...but in the bottom 6 you don't need to count on his production. Marner will 100% be on the team.

 

[TheSuperElite]

I disagree. I think he would be awesome in that role - as he was today.

he won't be against the States, unfortunately

 

[syz]

He is an elite penalty killer and if he is played in the bottom 6 he does have the skill to provide some offense at this level...but in the bottom 6 you don't need to count on his production. Marner will 100% be on the team.

Also don't think offense will be as much of a problem for Marner under IIHF rules. Absolutely a player you take for Olympic hockey imo.

 

[featherhawk]

I see it like this...

Point-McDavid-____________
Crosby-Mackinnon-Reinhart
Konecny-____________-___________
__________-__________-Hagel

Toews-Makar
Theodore-_______
Morrisey-________
Sanheim

Thompson
____________
Hill


I figure there are 5+1 Forward positions up for grabs:

Schieffle
Hyman
Barzal
Byfield
Cellebrini
Bedard
Suzuki
W. Johnston

I figure two D spors are available some candidates below include:

Dobson
Harley
Weegar
Bouchard
Chabot

I figure they have 1 G spot up for grabs

Blackwood
Montembault
Kuemper
Binnington (sure hope not by then...)


So here is my best guess at this point in time for 2026 remember some of the young guns need to be there to learn at this point in time, its a nice balance of youth and experience. Could be that Wyatt J. replaces Bedard or Cellebrini in the lineup and the lines may be slightly different but this is what I figure may happen.

Point-McDavid-Hyman
Crosby-Mackinnon-Reinhart
Konecny-Schieffle-Bedard
Cellebrini-Suzuki-Hagel
W. Johnston

Toews-Makar
Theodore-Harley
Morrisey-Weegar
Sanheim

Thompson
Blackwood
Hill

 

[syz]

If Bedard isn't in the top 6 he's not playing at the Olympics imo. Unless he suddenly turns into an elite penalty killer. Going to need legitimate defensive forwards/PKers with IIHF refs.

 

[ORRFForever]

If Bedard isn't in the top 6 he's not playing at the Olympics imo. Unless he suddenly turns into an elite penalty killer. Going to need legitimate defensive forwards/PKers with IIHF refs.

People who love Bedard, LOVE HIM A LOT !!!!

To them, he walks on water. I wish they could see his fault.

 

[featherhawk]

People who love Bedard, LOVE HIM A LOT !!!!

To them, he walks on water. I wish they could see his fault.

he does not walk on water, I do think he will be in the hunt for a roster spot, he may get one he may not. Thing is, open ice and IIHF favour fast young skilled guys and he will be a mainstay on Team Canada in short order and it may be the right time to inject him into the roster, or it may not be the correct time. Time will tell...

 

[ORRFForever]

he does not walk on water, I do think he will be in the hunt for a roster spot, he may get one he may not. Thing is, open ice and IIHF favour fast young skilled guys and he will be a mainstay on Team Canada in short order and it may be the right time to inject him into the roster, or it may not be the correct time. Time will tell...

FYI - my comment wasn't directed at you. Just in general.

 

[kevsh]

Point-McDavid-Hyman
Crosby-Mackinnon-Reinhart
Konecny-Schieffle-Bedard
Cellebrini-Suzuki-Hagel
W. Johnston

Marner is 5th in league scoring and there's no reason to think his production is going to drop off anytime soon. So he's going to be there, whether any one of us fans like it or not.

The rest seem like reasonable picks, assuming there's a sentiment that Montreal needs to get represented so throw Suzuki in there to keep them happy.

 

[Beau Knows]

Bedard needs to become more of a physical presence over the next year if he wants to play for Canada, he's only 19 and it shows. He's still too easy to push around.

Although it might be a decent idea to put him on the taxi squad for the experience, he's going to play a big part for Team Canada in the future. And if Canada has some kind of 2006 type of performance where the offence just isn't there, he'd be the kind of guy that they could throw into the lineup out of desperation and see what happens, like they should have with Crosby all those years ago.

 

[featherhawk]

FYI - my comment wasn't directed at you. Just in general.

Yes I know, just having conversations.

 

[ORRFForever]

I'm watching the U.S. / Sweden game with the sound off, while family is watching the awful "The Voice" in the other room.

"Oh what fresh Hell is this".

 

[RedHawkDown]

There is literally zero chance Marner is not on the team. He’s a top 10 scorer in the entire NHL, meaning he’s a top 10 scoring player in the world. It would be lunacy to leave him off because he didn’t play well against the US in one game.

 

[featherhawk]

Marner is 5th in league scoring and there's no reason to think his production is going to drop off anytime soon. So he's going to be there, whether any one of us fans like it or not.

The rest seem like reasonable picks, assuming there's a sentiment that Montreal needs to get represented so throw Suzuki in there to keep them happy.

Its okay to include Marner if he can create chemistry with folks, he is fairly one dimensional to be honest, he does not seem to play to his strength which is playmaking, perhaps it is not building chemistry quick enough...it is very possible that he makes the club over someone else.

 

[Schennanigans]

These games will be bitter sweet as it will be an end of an era with it being likely Sid’s last.

 

[Mr Positive]

We won't know who the goalies will be. Binnington will be on the team if Canada wins against USA with him on Thursday. Maybe not the starter. If he plays bad and Canada loses then he won't be picked

But I don't think Thompson is lock. Canada is plagued with flash in the pan performances from goalies. We'll pick the latest best goalies in the minute I'm sure

 

[ORRFForever]

Its okay to include Marner if he can create chemistry with folks, he is fairly one dimensional to be honest, he does not seem to play to his strength which is playmaking, perhaps it is not building chemistry quick enough...it is very possible that he makes the club over someone else.

I don't think he is one dimensional - he's a wonderful 200 foot player in the regular season. Marner is just NOT good when the going gets tough.

 

[NyQuil]

But I don't think Thompson is lock. Canada is plagued with flash in the pan performances from goalies. We'll pick the latest best goalies in the minute I'm sure

The fact that we have better goalie performances this year who aren't on the team doesn't change the fact that we have no real de facto Team Canada goalie and haven't for some time.

 

[MessierII]

The fact that we have better goalie performances this year who aren't on the team doesn't change the fact that we have no real de facto Team Canada goalie and haven't for some time.

Price wasn’t that long ago but yeah I agree we don’t have a guy. That being said the only two countries that do are the states and Russia and Russia can’t play so