USA's top end is pretty meh. Tkachuk and Matthews aren't big game players and Canada have 2-3 centers who are better than Eichel, but they might have the best defense group.
Doesn't Hellebuyck suck this year? That's good, we'll take it.
USA missed the ball with not having enough skill to put the puck in the net is a legit problem. I could see some type of upset if they come up against a hot goaltender. Too many role players in a day and age where smart skill should win. Putting Matthews as a captain shouldn't factor into it much but is still a bit laughable.
I just don't want Crosby or MacKinnon to rub off too much on McDavid.
Don't worry, he's worked diligently over the last decade ignoring/vetoing coaches to have the sponge ability of a brick.
1-on-4 rushes and holding sticks for PPs is just his way of playing at this stage. He doesn't see a need to grow beyond that when he's validated as the best on a daily basis.
I'm a little bit worried about our D depth. No Raddysh, no Chychrun. Hopefully the guys we have can get it done again like they did at 4 Nations. But this is not the best blue line we could have iced, IMO.
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Don't worry, he's worked diligently over the last decade ignoring/vetoing coaches to have the sponge ability of a brick.
1-on-4 rushes and holding sticks for PPs is just his way of playing at this stage. He doesn't see a need to grow beyond that when he's validated as the best on a daily basis.
If you watch the final few minutes of the 4-Nations, you can see how McDavid is a one man show, even when surrounded by the best players in world. Then when he does score, he goes off to celebrate with himself instead of the guy that fed him a perfect pass. He is what he is.
The title says 'McDavid wins in for Canada', but if you watch the OT, Binnington won it by making about 4-5 saves that should have been goals.
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USA has a good roster obviously but they are over rated big time IMO
Their D group might be the best in the tourney. Same for their goaltending. Conversely, Canada's goaltending is a question mark.
Looking at the forwards, and the overall talent, I think there is a pretty significant gap between Canada and the USA. Celebrini is arguably better than any player on the US roster (and he follows behind McDavid, MacKinnon and Crosby - for now).
In a 7 games series, Canada takes it 9 times out of 10. But is a single game knockout, the goaltending scares me.
I think by the mid-point of the tournament, Bennett has a full-time important place on the roster. Over and over he proves himself valuable in these types of situations.
USA's top end is pretty meh. Tkachuk and Matthews aren't big game players and Canada have 2-3 centers who are better than Eichel, but they might have the best defense group.
Doesn't Hellebuyck suck this year? That's good, we'll take it.
Quinn Hughes is the only guy they have that's in the same ballpark as Crosby
McDavid Mackinnon (possibly Celibrini).
But they might have more depth.
I am not a huge fan of Wilson's antics, but he might be the guy I am most interested in watching. He could be a massive factor, positively or negatively.
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From HFBoard oiler fan, in analyzing MacT's management:
O.K. there has been a lot of talk on whether or not MacTavish has actually done a good job for us, most fans on this board are very basic in their analysis and I feel would change their opinion entirely if the team was successful.
Their D group might be the best in the tourney. Same for their goaltending. Conversely, Canada's goaltending is a question mark.
Looking at the forwards, and the overall talent, I think there is a pretty significant gap between Canada and the USA. Celebrini is arguably better than any player on the US roster (and he follows behind McDavid, MacKinnon and Crosby - for now).
In a 7 games series, Canada takes it 9 times out of 10. But is a single game knockout, the goaltending scares me.
US's goaltending is kind of a question mark right now. Normally not, but Helly is not on this year at all, and neither is Oettinger.
The US D is deeper than Canada's but Canada has the best Dman in the game.
