Sportsnet: How Team Canada Might Have Looked

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Are you being serious? That is an All Star calibre NHL defense you have listed, but it still absolutely pales in comparison to what Canada can roll out.

I would suggest you get out more and divert your energy to learning about other players rather than berating other posters if you think this D:

Zach Werenski — Seth Jones
Ryan Suter — John Carlson
Jaccob Slavin — Charlie McAvoy

Pales in comparison to this D:

Duncan Keith–Drew Doughty
Vlasic –Alex Pietrangelo
Mark Giordano–Dougie Hamilton

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

To be fair, the only reason he's there is because Jonathan Toews is in the lineup, when he probably shouldn't even be on the team at this point. Of course, it's totally true that he would be on the team, because that's how Hockey Canada does things. Same for PK Subban being an extra.

In the last eight international best-on-best tournaments over the past twenty years, Canada has won three Olympic gold medals including the last two and the last two of three World Cups of Hockey. No other nation even remotely approaches that level of success. I would say that whatever Hockey Canada is doing, it seems to be the right thing.

[Stud_McCool]

Out with Morgan Rielly and Dougie and put in Shea Weber and Brent Burns.

[Hackey]

Brent Burns isn't having the best season but I imagine he would also get some consideration.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

I would suggest you get out more and divert your energy to learning about other players rather than berating other posters if you think this D:

Zach Werenski — Seth Jones
Ryan Suter — John Carlson
Jaccob Slavin — Charlie McAvoy

Pales in comparison to this D:

Duncan Keith–Drew Doughty
Vlasic –Alex Pietrangelo
Mark Giordano–Dougie Hamilton

I am pretty comfortable with my own opinion, thanks.

If you feel "berated" by my question, then perhaps you would do well to take some of your own advice and "get out more."

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Stud_McCool

Out with Morgan Rielly and Dougie and put in Shea Weber and Brent Burns.

Shea Weber is broken. I don't know that he would make my top-ten.

[bubbsy]

I'd imagine the Americans would be hard pressed to leave Boesser and Keller off their team.

Man, it would have been a heck of a tournament again.

I'm annoyed that i have a crappy allstar break and a crappy week with my team being on a bye, where i would have been perfectly fine with having 2 weeks off and seeing a twice in a decade event showcasing the world's best hockey rosters in a true best on best tournament.

[Hackey]

The All Star game is a waste of time in my opinion. Olympics are extremely entertaining.

[Huntingwhale]

The 1st line of USA would be able to go head to head with the best Canada has. But that's about it. Maybe their goaltending too.

But in 1 game elimination tournaments, anything can happen. A Canada/USA Gold Medal game with the best of both countries would have been awesome, and a really good opportunity to showcase the best NHL players in the world to a region that doesn't get to see it much.

[Table 5]

The only time I've seen the US come close to matching Canada was in the 1996 World Cup (when they did indeed win). That was a pretty great team with plenty of hall of fame and all-star talent. Guys like Hull, Modano, Leetch, Lafontaine, Chelios, Leclaire, Weight, Suter, Richter etc.

This current roster has some solid names, but for me a it's still a pretty obvious step back from what Canada would send.

[CroFlames]

Can't wait for the world cup.

Don't have to deal with the pesky IOC, IIHF or lame ass international rules like wider ice.

Thank God the NHL season isn't being interrupted for an international tournament.

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Feel a bit bad for the Americans. If there ever was a year for Team USA to win gold this could have been it. They almost match Canada's depth.

Johnny Gaudreau — Auston Matthews — Patrick Kane
Max Pacioretty — Jack Eichel — Blake Wheeler
Jason Zucker — Tyler Johnson — Phil Kessel
Brandon Saad — Vincent Trocheck — Tkachuk

Boeser, JT Miller, Kyle Connor, Anders Lee

Zach Werenski — Seth Jones
Ryan Suter — John Carlson
Jaccob Slavin — Charlie McAvoy
Dustin Byfuglien, Cam Fowler

Quick, Gibson, Scneider

I'd put money that Joe Pavelski would be on that team.

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

I'd put money that Joe Pavelski would be on that team.

Yes, that's probably true. In place of Tyler Johnson likely. I admit recency bias as I have Johnson on my fantasy team and he's been totally lights out for me the last month.

[Temporary_User]

Originally Posted by Table 5

The only time I've seen the US come close to matching Canada was in the 1996 World Cup (when they did indeed win). That was a pretty great team with plenty of hall of fame and all-star talent. Guys like Hull, Modano, Leetch, Lafontaine, Chelios, Leclaire, Weight, Suter, Richter etc.

This current roster has some solid names, but for me a it's still a pretty obvious step back from what Canada would send.

2010 was team USA's chance. Played the best in the round-robin, went 3-0 whereas Canada went 1-1-1.

Canada was able to take the US to OT in the gold medal game and put it way there.

Though I like watching NHL players, I think the tournament will be just as much fun as always. Cheer for the country instead of the athletes really. Other than the best, the majority of athletes are sadly forgotten about a couple weeks after

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Feel a bit bad for the Americans. If there ever was a year for Team USA to win gold this could have been it. They almost match Canada's depth.

Spoiler!

Johnny Gaudreau — Auston Matthews — Patrick Kane
Max Pacioretty — Jack Eichel — Blake Wheeler
Jason Zucker — Tyler Johnson — Phil Kessel
Brandon Saad — Vincent Trocheck — Tkachuk

Boeser, JT Miller, Kyle Connor, Anders Lee

Zach Werenski — Seth Jones
Ryan Suter — John Carlson
Jaccob Slavin — Charlie McAvoy
Dustin Byfuglien, Cam Fowler

Quick, Gibson, Scneider

You should really consider putting that #1 line in NSFW tags. It's pretty saucy!

[djsFlames]

That team is ridiculously stacked.

Would've been riveting to see them show down against Johnny and USA.

[Magnum PEI]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Feel a bit bad for the Americans. If there ever was a year for Team USA to win gold this could have been it. They almost match Canada's depth.

Johnny Gaudreau — Auston Matthews — Patrick Kane
Max Pacioretty — Jack Eichel — Blake Wheeler
Jason Zucker — Tyler Johnson — Phil Kessel
Brandon Saad — Vincent Trocheck — Tkachuk

Boeser, JT Miller, Kyle Connor, Anders Lee

Zach Werenski — Seth Jones
Ryan Suter — John Carlson
Jaccob Slavin — Charlie McAvoy
Dustin Byfuglien, Cam Fowler

Quick, Gibson, Scneider

Canada's B team is likely as good:

Schenn - Getzlaf - Perry
Couture - Monahan - Huberdeau
Simmonds - Johansen - Marchessault
Marner - ROR - Couturier
Turris Barzal RNH
Edit: Schwartz and Horvat will also be healthy by the Olympics.

Burns - Parayko
Brodie - Ekblad
Tanev - Manson
Weber - Morrissey

Smith
Murray
Allen

[Magnum PEI]

Originally Posted by Table 5

The only time I've seen the US come close to matching Canada was in the 1996 World Cup (when they did indeed win). That was a pretty great team with plenty of hall of fame and all-star talent. Guys like Hull, Modano, Leetch, Lafontaine, Chelios, Leclaire, Weight, Suter, Richter etc.

This current roster has some solid names, but for me a it's still a pretty obvious step back from what Canada would send.

The 98 team was almost the same (+ Roenick, -Housley) and had a lead on the Czechs in the medal round. But they blew it.

[corporatejay]

I haven't watched Taylor Hall this year outside of when Calgary has played NJ but has his defensive game improved enough to be on team canada? In Sochi that team played so responsibly I couldn't imagine hall being that disciplined.

Conversely, PK should be on that team as a starter, I'd also put in Smith over Crawford. Not sold on Hamilton and Reilly???? Give me a break

[FireGilbert]

This is the team Canada I picked in another thread back in December:

Schenn Tavares Stamkos
Schwartz McDavid Giroux
Marchand Crosby Bailey
Huberdeau Schiefele MacKinnon
Hall Seguin Barzal

Muzzin Doughty
Reilly Peitrangelo
Keith Subban
Giordano Burns

Holtby
Price
Crawford

The only change I would make now is adding Bergeron as he has gotten really hot. I'd put him on the 3rd line, move Bailey to the extras, and get rid of Barzal.

Canada would be the favourite no matter who they send however I do not like it when picks are made based on past performance or defensive skills. Toews is the biggest example of this. Yes he has contributed in the past and is great at two way play however he does not come close to being one of the top 15 Canadian forwards.

My strategy is to pick the best offensive players based on current performance. I am also a firm believer in players being on their correct side and have no issue moving centres to the wing as long as it is matches their handedness.