Who Would Make Canada's Roster If There Was Olympics This Year?

[McJedi]

I don’t think that Canada would be as amazing as what people think. And yes I am saying this as a Canadian.

Forwards would be amazing and there would be many who don’t make the team who deserve to be on there. But when it comes to defence and goalies their is no comparison to the 2010 Canada team;

Luongo
Brodeur
Fleury

Niedermayer
Prongers
Weber
Keith
Doughty
Boyle
Seabrook

Makar is better than everyone of those guys. But I hear you on depth.

 

[Nucks2001]

I've always been a big Bergeron fan but I think at this point he's lost a step and personally I wouldn't want to see him in a top-6 role in a best-on-best. That's just my personal opinion though. Depending on how Canada configures its lines there is perhaps a role for him as a 4th line specialist.

I think Canada could potentially get more out of Crosby and McDavid if we had them on same line, with Crosby assuming the responsibilities of the centre position from a defensive perspective which would allow McDavid to play higher in the d-zone and enable a quicker transition. With Crosby's puck retrieval skills in the o-zone, it would also eliminate the need to bring a lesser talent like Hyman to a best-on-best. I'd put Marchessault on the right-side as a proven, high-stakes finisher who has demonstrated the ability to play with elite talent.

I like your idea of Crosby being a puck retrieval guy for a Mcdavid-Crosby line. Crosby’s puck protection is otherworldly and the addition of Marchessault would compliment them perfectly, almost Marchand-like. I was debating breaking up the 2016 WCOH line, but of respect I kept them intact. I still think Bergeron would be on the roster though, but you could be correct in that a bottom 6 role would be a better fit. How do you feel about guys like Robert Thomas, PLD and Kyrou replacing guys like Tavares, O’Reilly and Stamkos?

 

[NordiquesForeva]

I like your idea of Crosby being a puck retrieval guy for a Mcdavid-Crosby line. Crosby’s puck protection is otherworldly and the addition of Marchessault would compliment them perfectly, almost Marchand-like. I was debating breaking up the 2016 WCOH line, but of respect I kept them intact. I still think Bergeron would be on the roster though, but you could be correct in that a bottom 6 role would be a better fit. How do you feel about guys like Robert Thomas, PLD and Kyrou replacing guys like Tavares, O’Reilly and Stamkos?

I'd definitely have Dubois on my team. Thomas and Kyrou...maybe? When looking at the bottom-6 and extra forwards on the roster, I have Suzuki, Cozens and Mercer ahead of them. Thomas would be on my short list and is more or less interchangeable with Suzuki and Cozens. Mercer adds a different element that I find the team could be missing and has proven he can adapt to the wing. With respect to Kyrou, I would need to see more of a defensive commitment from him next season to pencil him in to a bottom-6 roster spot. With his speed, if he can find an extra gear and push for a top-6 role, that would be great for Canada.

O'Reilly is clearly done as a best-on-best calibre player. A few short years ago I would have had him in a key role on Canada. Stamkos remains Canada's best PP triggerman and adds a solid defensive element and faceoff ability (plus chemistry with Point), so I'd lean towards keeping him. Tavares is still a very solid player in all areas of the game but I struggle with his foot speed and would prefer a younger option, mostly just to refresh the roster and give some youngsters a look. I wouldn't see any harm in including him on the roster if the GM wanted to go for an experienced, "safe" roster however.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Well, Bergeron retired. So he is out.

Marchand - Crosby - Marner
RNH - McDavid - Mackinnon
Dubois - Point - Stamkos
Horvat - Thomas - Stone

 

[SOLR]

Well, Bergeron retired. So he is out.

Marchand - Crosby - Marner
RNH - McDavid - Mackinnon
Dubois - Point - Stamkos
Horvat - Thomas - Stone

Thomas ahead of Suzuki, nah.
Scratch that, I see Suzuki picking up a lot of Bergeron's responsibility quickly.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

This is an interesting exercise. Would Canada be the overwhelming favorite *today* in a best on best event? They would be a favorite but there are chinks in the armor and other countries have comparable talent IMO. Here's my team:

Goaltenders (x3):

Tristan Jarry
Carter Hart
Stuart Skinner

Defensemen (x8):

Devon Toews/Cale Makar
Shea Theodore-Alex Peitrangelo
Josh Morrissey-Ryan Pulock
Dougie Hamilton-Jared Spurgeon

Forwards (x14):

Zach Hyman-Connor McDavid-Mitch Marner
Brad Marchand-Nathan MacKinnon-Tyler Toffoli
PLD-Sidney Crosby-Travis Konecny
Steven Stamkos-Brayden Point-Mark Stone
Mark Scheifele-RNH

 

[Gold Standard]

Thomas ahead of Suzuki, nah.
Scratch that, I see Suzuki picking up a lot of Bergeron's responsibility quickly.

Yeah, I don't think so! I'd take Thomas before Suzuki. But if he wants to be in that conversation he can get his ass to Prague in May. That goes for Thomas as well. Provided the 2018 WJ thingy gets all sorted out.

 

[jj cale]

This is an interesting exercise. Would Canada be the overwhelming favorite *today* in a best on best event? They would be a favorite but there are chinks in the armor and other countries have comparable talent IMO. Here's my team:

Goaltenders (x3):

Tristan Jarry
Carter Hart
Stuart Skinner

Defensemen (x8):

Devon Toews/Cale Makar
Shea Theodore-Alex Peitrangelo
Josh Morrissey-Ryan Pulock
Dougie Hamilton-Jared Spurgeon

Forwards (x14):

Zach Hyman-Connor McDavid-Mitch Marner
Brad Marchand-Nathan MacKinnon-Tyler Toffoli
PLD-Sidney Crosby-Travis Konecny
Steven Stamkos-Brayden Point-Mark Stone
Mark Scheifele-RNH

Everyone has chinks in the armor.

Toffoli? love the guy but I can't see him being best on best material. no Hamilton.....................he's subpar when the going gets dirty out there, and it's going to get dirty.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Everyone has chinks in the armor.

Toffoli? love the guy but I can't see him being best on best material. no Hamilton.....................he's subpar when the going gets dirty out there, and it's going to get dirty.

I agree Hamilton could be subbed for someone else. Maybe Chabot. I put Toffoli in there because he is a high performing winger. Something Canada isn't loaded with. He could be subbed for a center though.

 

[ORRFForever]

NO Hamilton.....................he's subpar when the going gets dirty out there, and it's going to get dirty.

Agree, 100%.

 

[jj cale]

I agree Hamilton could be subbed for someone else. Maybe Chabot. I put Toffoli in there because he is a high performing winger. Something Canada isn't loaded with. He could be subbed for a center though.

Chabot would be fine, I'd take Montour over Hamilton too.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

I agree Hamilton could be subbed for someone else. Maybe Chabot. I put Toffoli in there because he is a high performing winger. Something Canada isn't loaded with. He could be subbed for a center though.

Why not Marchessault, if you're looking for a high-performing winger? Proven ability to play with and complement elite centres, knack for scoring goals in big moments, and enough playoff experience under his belt to know that he won't wilt under high pressure moments.

If there was a tournament this fall, I'd still have Doughty on this team.

Toews - Makar
Theodore - Pietrangelo
Byram - Doughty

Extras: Hamilton (R), Power (L)

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Thomas ahead of Suzuki, nah.
Scratch that, I see Suzuki picking up a lot of Bergeron's responsibility quickly.

I can't tell if you are being serious here. Suzuki blows defensively. Canada has Point and Dubois as the heirs to the "Shut down line C" throne.

Why not Marchessault, if you're looking for a high-performing winger? Proven ability to play with and complement elite centres, knack for scoring goals in big moments, and enough playoff experience under his belt to know that he won't wilt under high pressure moments.

If there was a tournament this fall, I'd still have Doughty on this team.

Toews - Makar
Theodore - Pietrangelo
Byram - Doughty

Extras: Hamilton (R), Power (L)

I'd take Morgan Rielly for Byram, but I'd actually take Pelech over both of them considering the role required.

Toews - Makar
Theo - Pie
Pelech - Doughty

extras - Pulock, Rielly

Power and Byram are good but I am not sure I'd want Power out against Hughes/Matthews/EP/Kucherov/Drai etc. Too many good Canadian D to have a guy you might need to shelter.

 

[SOLR]

I can't tell if you are being serious here. Suzuki blows defensively. Canada has Point and Dubois as the heirs to the "Shut down line C" throne.



I'd take Morgan Rielly for Byram, but I'd actually take Pelech over both of them considering the role required.

Toews - Makar
Theo - Pie
Pelech - Doughty

extras - Pulock, Rielly

Power and Byram are good but I am not sure I'd want Power out against Hughes/Matthews/EP/Kucherov/Drai etc. Too many good Canadian D to have a guy you might need to shelter.

Suzuki blows defensively, what the hell? lol The habs were the worst defence and G combo in the league.

In the playoffs where the Habs reached the final, Suzuki was playing consistently as the 2nd C behind Danault (at 20) and was a force defensively so much that Caufield, a boat anchor defensively, was fine with him.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Suzuki blows defensively, what the hell?

He’s average defensively, you have to realize during that play off run he was sheltered by Danault who got the much harder matchups. If he’s not top 6 (which I don’t think he is) I don’t think there’s a spot for him. Would much rather bring someone like Cirelli or Gourde to play a defensive role instead of Suzuki

 

[NordiquesForeva]

I can't tell if you are being serious here. Suzuki blows defensively. Canada has Point and Dubois as the heirs to the "Shut down line C" throne.



I'd take Morgan Rielly for Byram, but I'd actually take Pelech over both of them considering the role required.

Toews - Makar
Theo - Pie
Pelech - Doughty

extras - Pulock, Rielly

Power and Byram are good but I am not sure I'd want Power out against Hughes/Matthews/EP/Kucherov/Drai etc. Too many good Canadian D to have a guy you might need to shelter.

I have absolutely no problem with having Pelech there in a defensive role, but I wouldn't have him there at the expense of Byram. In my view his significant injury problems so far in his career have resulted in him being overlooked, but there were times in the Stanley Cup final vs. Tampa when he (not Makar or Toews) was Colorado's best defenseman. If I were the GM of Team Canada I'd want his skating and puck-moving skills on the back end, provided he's healthy enough to go (no sure thing unfortunately).

You could make a case for any number of defenseman over Power right now - Pelech, Pulock, Rielly, Morrissey, Weegar - just to name some off the top of my head, but Power (together with Makar) will anchor Canada's defense group for the next decade and a half, so I'd like to get him reps on a best-on-best team now...even if its in a taxi squad type role. My view is Canada needs to get the best available talent on the team and let things work themselves out in terms of roles, lines/partners, and ice time. That's the approach Yzerman took with Doughty in 2010 and its the approach I'd propose we take with Power now.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

I have absolutely no problem with having Pelech there in a defensive role, but I wouldn't have him there at the expense of Byram. In my view his significant injury problems so far in his career have resulted in him being overlooked, but there were times in the Stanley Cup final vs. Tampa when he (not Makar or Toews) was Colorado's best defenseman. If I were the GM of Team Canada I'd want his skating and puck-moving skills on the back end, provided he's healthy enough to go (no sure thing unfortunately).

You could make a case for any number of defenseman over Power right now - Pelech, Pulock, Rielly, Morrissey, Weegar - just to name some off the top of my head, but Power (together with Makar) will anchor Canada's defense group for the next decade and a half, so I'd like to get him reps on a best-on-best team now...even if its in a taxi squad type role. My view is Canada needs to get the best available talent on the team and let things work themselves out in terms of roles, lines/partners, and ice time. That's the approach Yzerman took with Doughty in 2010 and its the approach I'd propose we take with Power now.

I guess we just think very differently about Power. I thought he showed a very strong offensive side, but I still haven't seen anything to make me think he's going to be that calibre (anchor for team Canada) on the defensive side. He has a long, long way to go to be mentioned along with Makar or the foot soldiers of previous Olympics.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

He’s average defensively, you have to realize during that play off run he was sheltered by Danault who got the much harder matchups. If he’s not top 6 (which I don’t think he is) I don’t think there’s a spot for him. Would much rather bring someone like Cirelli or Gourde to play a defensive role instead of Suzuki

A fun fact is that Bergeron never centered a shut-down line for Canada in best-on-best competition.

In 2010 he started the tournament on Crosby's right side, and ended up due to injury/poor performance as the 13th forward in a PK/faceoff specialist role.

In 2014 he started in a 4th line centre role (not in a shutdown role...that was Toews' responsibility), then quickly moved up to Crosby's right side and played there the rest of the tournament.

In 2016 he played the entire tournament on Crosby's right side.

To play a shutdown centre role for Team Canada at the best-on-best level, you not only need to be capable defensively, but you need to be capable of playing top-6 minutes against the best competition AND be capable enough offensively to earn those minutes, keep your opponents honest from a defensive perspective, and produce offensively. I thought the Toews lines in both 2010 and 2014 were our best lines in those tournaments for those reasons, as the were able to match up effectively against the opponent's top line, wore them down physically, and produced offensively (including scoring timely goals).

All to say, I'd much prefer someone like Point in a shutdown centre role than, say, Gourde or Danault, as Point is a significantly better offensive player and you wouldn't lose anything with him playing top-6 minutes. Gourde and Danault aren't good enough offensively to give those minutes to, we'd be giving up too much valuable ice time.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

I guess we just think very differently about Power. I thought he showed a very strong offensive side, but I still haven't seen anything to make me think he's going to be that calibre (anchor for team Canada) on the defensive side. He has a long, long way to go to be mentioned along with Makar or the foot soldiers of previous Olympics.

I agree that Power is still very much a work in process, moreso on the defensive side. But in terms of our defensemen being of the same calibre as previous Olympics/World Cups, they just aren't unfortunately. A lot of the guys we're talking about in this thread wouldn't sniff the 2010 or 2014 rosters, Power included.

 

[SOLR]

He’s average defensively, you have to realize during that play off run he was sheltered by Danault who got the much harder matchups. If he’s not top 6 (which I don’t think he is) I don’t think there’s a spot for him. Would much rather bring someone like Cirelli or Gourde to play a defensive role instead of Suzuki

He wasn't sheltered by Danault much, to be used 2nd against the best teams - easier matchup sure but often not by a ton. Suzuki is at least good defensively, if not more. The notion that he's average is pretty weird. He could win more faceoffs, that's the core thing he needs to improve and this comes generally with age.

Cirelli/Gourde are not team Canada material, I'd prefer getting Danault himself if you wish to go back to the Rob Zamuner era of "role players".

 

[SOLR]

A fun fact is that Bergeron never centered a shut-down line for Canada in best-on-best competition.

In 2010 he started the tournament on Crosby's right side, and ended up due to injury/poor performance as the 13th forward in a PK/faceoff specialist role.

In 2014 he started in a 4th line centre role (not in a shutdown role...that was Toews' responsibility), then quickly moved up to Crosby's right side and played there the rest of the tournament.

In 2016 he played the entire tournament on Crosby's right side.

To play a shutdown centre role for Team Canada at the best-on-best level, you not only need to be capable defensively, but you need to be capable of playing top-6 minutes against the best competition AND be capable enough offensively to earn those minutes, keep your opponents honest from a defensive perspective, and produce offensively. I thought the Toews lines in both 2010 and 2014 were our best lines in those tournaments for those reasons, as the were able to match up effectively against the opponent's top line, wore them down physically, and produced offensively (including scoring timely goals).

All to say, I'd much prefer someone like Point in a shutdown centre role than, say, Gourde or Danault, as Point is a significantly better offensive player and you wouldn't lose anything with him playing top-6 minutes. Gourde and Danault aren't good enough offensively to give those minutes to, we'd be giving up too much valuable ice time.

Marchand - McKinnon - Crosby
PLD - McDavid - Suzuki
Bedard (rapidly) - Point - Marner
Barzal - Horvat - Stone

 

[Mathieukferland]

He wasn't sheltered by Danault much, to be used 2nd against the best teams - easier matchup sure but often not by a ton. Suzuki is at least good defensively, if not more. The notion that he's average is pretty weird. He could win more faceoffs, that's the core thing he needs to improve and this comes generally with age.

Cirelli/Gourde are not team Canada material, I'd prefer getting Danault himself if you wish to go back to the Rob Zamuner era of "role players".

Danault I would be fine with, he’s the closest thing to Bergeron now that he is retired. Cirelli and Gourde were both on the shortlist for 2022 though, so it shows how management views them

 

[Mathieukferland]

Marchand - McKinnon - Crosby
PLD - McDavid - Suzuki
Bedard (rapidly) - Point - Marner
Barzal - Horvat - Stone

For me

Bédard-McDavid-Hyman
Marchand-MacKinnon-Crosby
Point-Stamkos-Cirelli
Marner-Danault-Stone

Toews-Makar
Théodore-Pietrangelo
Morrisey-Hamilton


Some guy
Some other guy
Devon Levi

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Why not consider someone like Stephenson for a 4th line role? Great speed, good offensive ability, elite faceoff capability, chemistry with Stone, coming off a very good playoffs with Vegas. Not as exceptional defensively as someone like Danault, but I'd consider him to be to be at least good defensively and (especially if paired up with Stone), he certainly won't hurt us in that regard.

Major drawback to him getting consideration is he has never represented Canada internationally.

 

[ORRFForever]

For me

Bédard-McDavid-Hyman
Marchand-MacKinnon-Crosby
Point-Stamkos-Cirelli
Marner-Danault-Stone

Toews-Makar
Théodore-Pietrangelo
Morrisey-Hamilton


Some guy
Some other guy
Devon Levi

Good team, especially the goaltending. No Hyman. No Hamilton.