Team Canada Four Nations roster predictions?

[Zybalto]

When do they announce the rosters?

December 4th. I think Sportsnet has a reveal show on at 6:30est

 

[Zybalto]

Players will of course say nice things about this tournament publicly, but I'm sure there will be players on the bubble who will be thrilled when they don't get picked. International hockey ain't what is used to be, that's for damn sure.

Bettman sure screwed the pooch on the international game. Too busy getting himself voted into the hall for "growing the game"I guess.

I think youre wrong on the players though. I cant speak for other countries but I'm positve every single Canadian player wants to put on the jersey for a best on best. I think theres more a problem with fans crapping on the tournaments than player interest.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Bettman sure screwed the pooch on the international game. Too busy getting himself voted into the hall for "growing the game"I guess.

I think youre wrong on the players though. I cant speak for other countries but I'm positve every single Canadian player wants to put on the jersey for a best on best. I think theres more a problem with fans crapping on the tournaments than player interest.

I very much doubt that the players desire to win would be anywhere near what it was back in the 70s and 80s for a number of reasons.

Edit - I wouldn't say that's on Bettman, part of it is that the cold war added to the tension, there was also a lot of unknown and mystery in that Canadian players were playing against Europeans that they knew next to nothing about. Now they all play together on the same teams, there is zero mystique about these tournaments any more, not much Bettman could have done about that. At the Olympics, at least there's a medal to play for, but this tourney is just a meaningless gimmick and not many people are going to remember (or care) who wins this thing for very long.

I'm also pretty sure there are players on the bubble who are hoping they don't get selected. Of course they would never say that publicly so this is all speculation and we'll never know for sure unless some writes a book at some point in the future and tells us how they really feel.

 

[Lightsol]

And because we're super woke, let's exclude an entire country despite having some of the best players on the planet because of a completely unrelated war over which the players have no control. That'll show Putin!

Although I think this whole competition is stupid, let's not act like there's no history of countries acting like assholes on the world stage being banned from international events...

 

[Leafs98]

Which they'd bring back the 2002 jerseys

 

[keonsbitterness]

They somehow found something even dumber than the all-star game. Well done. And because we're super woke, let's exclude an entire country despite having some of the best players on the planet because of a completely unrelated war over which the players have no control. That'll show Putin!

Russia's exclusion is likely due to international sanctions.

 

[Evilhomer]

Russia's exclusion is likely due to international sanctions.

I get that the NHL was in a bind when it came to Russia, but it was one more reason to not have this silly tournament that means absolutely nothing. I would have liked to have seen the Cup champion against an all-star team, with the winning team getting $5 million to split amongst the players. Cup champion against the rest of the world for bragging rights.

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

Why?

There should be a set international tournament every 2 to 4 years like soccer. Randomly creating a tournament that leaves out some pretty strong hockey nations just doesn't make much sense to me and just seems like a cash grab. I also detest international tournaments taking place in the middle of the season.

 

[Lightsol]

There should be a set international tournament every 2 to 4 years like soccer. Randomly creating a tournament that leaves out some pretty strong hockey nations just doesn't make much sense to me and just seems like a cash grab. I also detest international tournaments taking place in the middle of the season.

They should really just bring back the World Cup of Hockey. It was stupid that they spent huge amounts of money hyping it up in 2002 or so, making a new trophy and massively advertising it as a four year "thing", and then just never doing it again.

I get that the NHL was in a bind when it came to Russia, but it was one more reason to not have this silly tournament that means absolutely nothing. I would have liked to have seen the Cup champion against an all-star team, with the winning team getting $5 million to split amongst the players. Cup champion against the rest of the world for bragging rights.

I mean, that's what they used to do before the 70's or so...

 

[Ianturnedbull]

There should be a set international tournament every 2 to 4 years like soccer. Randomly creating a tournament that leaves out some pretty strong hockey nations just doesn't make much sense to me and just seems like a cash grab. I also detest international tournaments taking place in the middle of the season.

Like the Olympics?

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

Like the Olympics?

Id prefer an official World Cup of Hockey. Once every two years, before the season starts. Olympics should be for amateur athletes only.

 

[Zybalto]

Not sure Bedard should make it on after watching him last night. Just has to keep working on his game to get ready for a shot at the Olympic roster.

 

[Zybalto]

Suzuki not making the team per media reports.

 

[ACC1224]

Not sure Bedard should make it on after watching him last night. Just has to keep working on his game to get ready for a shot at the Olympic roster.

Hard to see him making it unless someone in Marketing has a say.

 

[Zybalto]

Hard to see him making it unless someone in Marketing has a say.

It's a real tune up for the Olympics and everyone has the feeling the Russia/Ukraine thing is winding down and we are going to have a the first real BoB in 12 years in 2026 so we need to take this seriously. Not going to be beneficial for Bedard to be sitting in the box as the 13th forward every game.

The Americans have a scary lineup too and we need to send a message that they are still not close to matching us. I hope we crush them and Helle gets pulled.

Have a feeling their Achilles heel is going to be their smallish Dcore.

 

[ACC1224]

It's a real tune up for the Olympics and everyone has the feeling the Russia/Ukraine thing is winding down and we are going to have a the first real BoB in 12 years in 2026 so we need to take this seriously. Not going to be beneficial for Bedard to be sitting in the box as the 13th forward every game.

The Americans have a scary lineup too and we need to send a message that they are still not close to matching us. I hope we crush them and Helle gets pulled.

Have a feeling their Achilles heel is going to be their smallish Dcore.

Agree with all that.
I really don't get the sentiment some have that this is going to be a glorified All Star Game.
Canada/US is going to be a war, it's been way too long and the US, I believe, wants to come out of Canada's shadow and show they are a force.
Wouldn't surprise me at all if the US wins this thing.

 

[Malachi Crunch]

Suzuki not making the team per media reports.

 

[fahad203]

Suzuki not making the team per media reports.

You spelled Patrice Bergeron wrong....

I am shocked and appaled

 

[Zybalto]

You spelled Patrice Bergeron wrong....

I am shocked and appaled

Imagine if Tavares makes the team now?

Meltdown over in Habs land.

Be even funnier if Caulfield and Monty get passed over too. What other Habs have a shot? Laine?

 

[weems]

Speculation these players might have made the team.

 

[Dekes For Days]

I get that the NHL was in a bind when it came to Russia, but it was one more reason to not have this silly tournament that means absolutely nothing. I would have liked to have seen the Cup champion against an all-star team, with the winning team getting $5 million to split amongst the players. Cup champion against the rest of the world for bragging rights.

No team is going to agree to play their entire roster during the break, against a team of superstars. And not sure how that monstrosity would be less silly than an international tournament anyway.

 

[Evilhomer]

No team is going to agree to play their entire roster during the break, against a team of superstars. And not sure how that monstrosity would be less silly than an international tournament anyway.

I realize it would never happen. I simply said it was what I would prefer. I think it would be less silly.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

I very much doubt that the players desire to win would be anywhere near what it was back in the 70s and 80s for a number of reasons.

Edit - I wouldn't say that's on Bettman, part of it is that the cold war added to the tension, there was also a lot of unknown and mystery in that Canadian players were playing against Europeans that they knew next to nothing about. Now they all play together on the same teams, there is zero mystique about these tournaments any more, not much Bettman could have done about that. At the Olympics, at least there's a medal to play for, but this tourney is just a meaningless gimmick and not many people are going to remember (or care) who wins this thing for very long.

I'm also pretty sure there are players on the bubble who are hoping they don't get selected. Of course they would never say that publicly so this is all speculation and we'll never know for sure unless some writes a book at some point in the future and tells us how they really feel.

It used to be rival philosophies clashing, now its just a bunch of figure skaters that stand for nothing. I'll never forget when Esposito was interviewed after one of the games in the Summit Series and he said Canadian were cheering for the Soviet - Socialist way of life. No wonder Canada is a cultureless shithole now.

 

[1specter]

This dude seems to think Tavares will be on the team (and quite frankly he deserves to be).