Team Canada Four Nations roster predictions?

[Hellcat]

Well they have Mathews but then again he can’t score without Marner so yeah I’m not concerned about the U S team

Beast Mode Mitch has been all world since Auston went down. Since Austin went on LTIR, Mitch is 3rd in scoring, 1 point behind Necas who's played 4 more games than Mitch over that time span and 3 points behind McDavid, who has played 1 more game than Mitch and about 3 1/2 minutes more on ES/PP time over that period than Mitch. WHAT A BEAST!!!!

I guess all that talk by "fans" here about Mitch's lack of physical engagement, can't score without Auston, he has a weak shot, slow foot speed, poor diet and poor off season conditioning routines are really just stupid stupid stupid foolish uneducated immaterial tripe....

Even gods can be classy ....

 

[notbias]

You could argue who has the best roster ATM, I think most would agree that whoever's better it's at least close. Going forward though, you don't think US should pull ahead eventually because of the bigger population? I see the US being clearly ahead of Canada if not 10 years from now, then 20 years from now for sure but if you don't think so, I'd be interested to hear your reasoning.

My answer is they might... But, if it happens, it will be because hockey in Canada is becoming less popular, not because the US has a bigger population.

Unless people stop picking baseball and football over hockey, I don't think the population is that important, I also think the US has also had better development programs recently, and that has helped more than the size of the country.

I also believe (can't back this up, it's more from my time playing/watching), that Canada has a more polished program at lower levels than the US and that helps to develop better players, and just the amount of competition (that has developed through these better programs) for players growing up will help development too, it's why hockey talent is generally concentrated to certain cities/provinces/states.

I do agree it is closer and might even get closer though, not saying there is a big gap.

 

[Gary Nylund]

My answer is they might... But, if it happens, it will be because hockey in Canada is becoming less popular, not because the US has a bigger population.

Unless people stop picking baseball and football over hockey, I don't think the population is that important, I also think the US has also had better development programs recently, and that has helped more than the size of the country.

I also believe (can't back this up, it's more from my time playing/watching), that Canada has a more polished program at lower levels than the US and that helps to develop better players, and just the amount of competition (that has developed through these better programs) for players growing up will help development too, it's why hockey talent is generally concentrated to certain cities/provinces/states.

I do agree it is closer and might even get closer though, not saying there is a big gap.

Interesting. I still think population is a big factor, there's so many people that there's enough left over after baseball, football (and basketball) for hockey as well but I'm just guessing really.

 

[1specter]

Man, Sweden has really fallen from what they used to be. Still a competitive roster obviously, but a far cry from the days of the '06 Olympic team where they had Sundin, Alfie, Sedin bros, Naslund, Lidstrom, Lundqvist etc.

 

[IPS]

Man, Sweden has really fallen from what they used to be. Still a competitive roster obviously, but a far cry from the days of the '06 Olympic team where they had Sundin, Alfie, Sedin bros, Naslund, Lidstrom, Lundqvist etc.

Zetterberg, Holmstrom, Kronwall, Samuelsson as well, cause Detroit literally had half of team Sweden.

 

[DarkKnight]

Man JT seemed bummed today in his interview about not making it.

 

[1specter]

Man JT seemed bummed today in his interview about not making it.

It is unfortunate, there is definitely a nepo aspect at play with Cooper and Sweeney running things. Marchand has taken a step back and is out of his prime now but pretty much got selected as a courtesy / legacy player because Sweeney is also the Bruins GM, and Marchand got totally screwed from the NHL not participating in the 2018 or 2022 Olympics when he was playing the best hockey of his career (in 2014 he wasn't quite a star yet). This might be the last time he represents Canada in a best-on-best, and is nearing the end of his career, so I have no doubt that factored in.

Then you have Cirelli and Hagel - they are both having very good seasons and Hagel has been legit for a few years now, but Cirelli prior to this year has been a two-way 40-50 pt guy. Cooper obviously is very familiar with him and loved him as a matchup C so I'm sure his bias went into that selection as well. You could also argue Bennett who was a major foe of the Lightning and instrumental in the finals appearances/Cup win of late boosting his stock (although he is also producing really well this season). If Stamkos wasn't so dogshit this year I bet he would've been picked too. Jarvis I genuinely don't understand, good player but to be on Canada in a best-on-best tourney? Nah.

JT has been having a great year and has been a steady PPG player outside of last season (mainly due to a shit PP) for his entire Leafs tenure, plus has represented Canada really well on numerous occasions, and has adapted his game to become a versatile matchup C. He should've been selected IMO.

 

[DarkKnight]

It is unfortunate, there is definitely a nepo aspect at play with Cooper and Sweeney running things. Marchand has taken a step back and is out of his prime now but pretty much got selected as a courtesy / legacy player because Sweeney is also the Bruins GM, and Marchand got totally screwed from the NHL not participating in the 2018 or 2022 Olympics when he was playing the best hockey of his career (in 2014 he wasn't quite a star yet). This might be the last time he represents Canada in a best-on-best, and is nearing the end of his career, so I have no doubt that factored in.

Then you have Cirelli and Hagel - they are both having very good seasons and Hagel has been legit for a few years now, but Cirelli prior to this year has been a two-way 40-50 pt guy. Cooper obviously is very familiar with him and loved him as a matchup C so I'm sure his bias went into that selection as well. You could also argue Bennett who was a major foe of the Lightning and instrumental in the finals appearances/Cup win of late boosting his stock (although he is also producing really well this season). If Stamkos wasn't so dogshit this year I bet he would've been picked too. Jarvis I genuinely don't understand, good player but to be on Canada in a best-on-best tourney? Nah.

JT has been having a great year and has been a steady PPG player outside of last season (mainly due to a shit PP) for his entire Leafs tenure, plus has represented Canada really well on numerous occasions, and has adapted his game to become a versatile matchup C. He should've been selected IMO.

I think he went to the Worlds last year to show some loyalty and hope for a return.

 

[francis246]

Man JT seemed bummed today in his interview about not making it.

I would think JT is among the list of replacement players if someone gets injured.

 

[DarkKnight]

I would think JT is among the list of replacement players if someone gets injured.

Reporter did ask him if he was told that. He said no, but that doesn't mean anything.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I would think JT is among the list of replacement players if someone gets injured.

Probably down the list somewhere. Honestly, it's ok to be honest about where he is right now in terms of his career. He is still a good player, but not as good as he was before.

 

[Brown Dog]

I'm happy Tavares gets a rest. That's way more important than this novelty tournament.

 

[Confucius]

Man JT seemed bummed today in his interview about not making it.

didn’t even make the Sportsnet snub list. No wonder everyone laughs at that crew.

 

[kevsh]

USA, Sweden, Finland can put anyone in net and it won't matter.

Canada can roll out McDavid, Mack, Sid on 3 different lines and there's not a goalie that's ever existed that's going to shut that trio down over 60 minutes. Certainly not anyone that those countries can dig up.

Canada beats Finland in the Final.
(USA loses their opening match to Finland as Bettman is seen weeping in the stands)

 

[1specter]

didn’t even make the Sportsnet snub list. No wonder everyone laughs at that crew.
View attachment 941097

Having Ekblad instead of Rielly and many of those guys up front (Laf, Celebrini/Bedard, Wilson etc) over JT is pure comedy.