Team Canada 2022

[ORRFForever]

Hey, when it rains it pours for the Leafs sometimes in the playoffs in the luck factor and its a pretty amusing stat. Only average slightly above a single penalty a playoff series while drawing a ton of them is pretty sweet too though. Guess we know what he's working on this summer.



You know hes making the team though right?

NO he is not!!!!

 

[86Habs]

I think realistically Stamkos gets picked, even if it's as the 14th forward and PP specialist, due to Cooper being the head coach. They probably want to avoid another 2014 Martin St. Louis situation where St. Louis threw a fit because his then-GM Yzerman didn't select him, which resulted in his eventual trade due to the rift.

Armstrong has final say on the roster, which could provide Cooper some cloud cover if he doesn’t truly want Stamkos on the team. After all, Cooper was the one playing Stamkos what were essentially 3rd line minutes throughout the playoffs, so it’s not far fetched to assume he may not pull any strings for him. I’m not too interested in Stamkos tbh, his point production is fine but he’s only able to impact the game meaningfully on the PP and in the faceoff circle. He’s just kind of…there, otherwise.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but didn't McDavid play with Stone at a World Championship a few years back?

Did they play well together?

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Armstrong has final say on the roster, which could provide Cooper some cloud cover if he doesn’t truly want Stamkos on the team. After all, Cooper was the one playing Stamkos what were essentially 3rd line minutes throughout the playoffs, so it’s not far fetched to assume he may not pull any strings for him. I’m not too interested in Stamkos tbh, his point production is fine but he’s only able to impact the game meaningfully on the PP and in the faceoff circle. He’s just kind of…there, otherwise.

The guys who are on the bubble along with Stamkos aren't exactly players who don't have their own limitations. It's not like 2006, where a kid like Crosby was kept at home in favor of bringing vets. If Stamkos makes it, it'll be at the expense of a guy like Tavares or Hall. I don't think either bring a whole lot more than Stamkos does to the point where it'll hurt Canada's chances if they pick Stamkos over them.

 

[centipede2233]

Armstrong has final say on the roster, which could provide Cooper some cloud cover if he doesn’t truly want Stamkos on the team. After all, Cooper was the one playing Stamkos what were essentially 3rd line minutes throughout the playoffs, so it’s not far fetched to assume he may not pull any strings for him. I’m not too interested in Stamkos tbh, his point production is fine but he’s only able to impact the game meaningfully on the PP and in the faceoff circle. He’s just kind of…there, otherwise.

I agree. I think there are so many options that I’d prefer a barzal, stone, or sheifele.

 

[JackSlater]

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but didn't McDavid play with Stone at a World Championship a few years back?

Did they play well together?

The year they were on the same team, 2016, McDavid played with Marchand and Duchene while Stone was with Scheifele and O'Reilly. I don't remember who McDavid played with in 2018.

 

[86Habs]

The guys who are on the bubble along with Stamkos aren't exactly players who don't have their own limitations. It's not like 2006, where a kid like Crosby was kept at home in favor of bringing vets. If Stamkos makes it, it'll be at the expense of a guy like Tavares or Hall. I don't think either bring a whole lot more than Stamkos does to the point where it'll hurt Canada's chances if they pick Stamkos over them.

Honestly, Hall is nowhere near making this team. Hockey Canada never showed any interest in selecting him in 2014 or even in 2016, when they needed to replace several injured forwards. I'd agree with Tavares being on the bubble, however (though I have him pretty far down my personal list of who I'd want to see on the team, probably even behind Stamkos). Regardless, I'm not sure if there is much utility in bringing Stamkos as a PP specialist, playing him limited minutes as a 4th liner/spare forward, and asking him to contribute on the PP. Tough to get into a rhythm that way and not really setting him up for any sort of success in that role. I also don't see him as a top-6 player on this team, he's simply not good enough to hang with the McDavids or MacKinnons any more, and there are better options to play alongside those guys. I mean, Cooper gave Gourde, Cirelli, Goodrow and Coleman more ice time in the playoffs than Stamkos; that's a pretty striking indictment against Stamkos, isn't it?

Realistically there are probably only 2 or 3 open forward spots at this point, in Armstrong's mind, and maybe he's leaning towards 1 or 2 guys for those roles. I'd wager on the final spots going to younger forwards, maybe a surprise (or two), guys like Suzuki or Horvat (just to name a few players off the top of my head) if they get off to good starts this season. This assumes guys like Couturier, Stone, O'Reilly, and Marner are there. Part of it is bringing in some fresh talent, and building for the next tournament; there is more upside to bringing, say, Suzuki along for the ride and experience as the 14th forward, than the noise that would come with bringing a vet like Stamkos or Tavares and having them sit in the press box the entire tournament.

 

[86Habs]

The Conn Smythe is incredibly irrelevant for an international competition. Regardless I hope that you yourself remember this when Marner most likely reels off a few high scoring runs once the season starts. I say that having Marner barely on the team myself.

Playoff performance comes into play, certainly, but its tough to ignore Marner's regular season production. I don't think he's a lock by any stretch, but somewhat ironically, what may give him the edge in making this team is his ability contribute on the penalty kill, and the fact that he's a defensively responsible winger who wouldn't necessarily need to be given sheltered minutes. The more I think about the roster, the more I like him on MacKinnon's right side (fulfilling the "Rantanen role"), with O'Reilly on the left side. That would be a good middle six line for us, I think, and Marner can work himself into the PK rotation:

Bergeron / Marchand
Couturier / Stone
O'Reilly / Marner

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Honestly, Hall is nowhere near making this team. Hockey Canada never showed any interest in selecting him in 2014 or even in 2016, when they needed to replace several injured forwards. I'd agree with Tavares being on the bubble, however (though I have him pretty far down my personal list of who I'd want to see on the team, probably even behind Stamkos). Regardless, I'm not sure if there is much utility in bringing Stamkos as a PP specialist, playing him limited minutes as a 4th liner/spare forward, and asking him to contribute on the PP. Tough to get into a rhythm that way and not really setting him up for any sort of success in that role. I also don't see him as a top-6 player on this team, he's simply not good enough to hang with the McDavids or MacKinnons any more, and there are better options to play alongside those guys. I mean, Cooper gave Gourde, Cirelli, Goodrow and Coleman more ice time in the playoffs than Stamkos; that's a pretty striking indictment against Stamkos, isn't it?

Realistically there are probably only 2 or 3 open forward spots at this point, in Armstrong's mind, and maybe he's leaning towards 1 or 2 guys for those roles. I'd wager on the final spots going to younger forwards, maybe a surprise (or two), guys like Suzuki or Horvat (just to name a few players off the top of my head) if they get off to good starts this season. This assumes guys like Couturier, Stone, O'Reilly, and Marner are there. Part of it is bringing in some fresh talent, and building for the next tournament; there is more upside to bringing, say, Suzuki along for the ride and experience as the 14th forward, than the noise that would come with bringing a vet like Stamkos or Tavares and having them sit in the press box the entire tournament.

I guess we'll see when they pick the team. My main point about Stamkos is I just don't see any potential disaster with taking Stamkos over any one of Hall, Tavares, Horvat or Suzuki, if they (management/coaches) simply want to avoid any hard feelings between Stamkos and his NHL coach. Whether he's truly the *best* option or not, I just don't think the 14th forward is going to make enough of an impact on Team Canada's chances for them to opt for a harder decision to leave him off he roster.

 

[garbageteam]

These tournaments are rare and might not be a sure thing so I don't see the rationale for "building for the next generation". They will have their chance. I would rather see a very accomplished player - who is still good, like Stamkos - if it came down to a fairly tossup decision in a 14F role get a final shot with the team than a younger rookie like Suzuki or Horvat who may get more chances in the future.

 

[Johnny Tomala]

My forwards (not lines): Crosby, MacKinnon, McDavid, Bergeron, O'Reilly, Stone, Marner, Couturier, Barzal, Point, Scheifele, Stamkos, Huberdeau, Marchand. I think Barzal and Stamkos would be my 13th and 14th forwards. I hope Seguin will start season hot and make this team.

Goalies: Price, Fleury, Hart

Defenders are the toughest to choose, but I'll try: Hamilton, Doughty, Ekblad, Pietrangelo, Theodore, Makar, Chychrun, Letang. Chychrun and Letang my picks for last two spots. Weegar was close to make it.

 

[centipede2233]

My forwards (not lines): Crosby, MacKinnon, McDavid, Bergeron, O'Reilly, Stone, Marner, Couturier, Barzal, Point, Scheifele, Stamkos, Huberdeau, Marchand. I think Barzal and Stamkos would be my 13th and 14th forwards. I hope Seguin will start season hot and make this team.

Goalies: Price, Fleury, Hart

Defenders are the toughest to choose, but I'll try: Hamilton, Doughty, Ekblad, Pietrangelo, Theodore, Makar, Chychrun, Letang. Chychrun and Letang my picks for last two spots. Weegar was close to make it.

You can bet a hot lunch Pelech will be on this team. In fact I’d go as far as saying it’s a lock.

 

[SOLR]

It's scary to see how other countries are producing better prospects than Canada especially in the 2016, 2017, 2018 NHL drafts. We have very little talent from all 3 drafts. We look a bit better in 2020 and 2021 though.

And lets not talk about 2022, 2023, haha. Nice selection bias you got there.

 

[SOLR]

Stone's playoff production is flat out terrible for a player who gets talked about on here as though he walks on water. Especially when you focus on larger sample sizes, such as the seasons his teams went deep in the playoffs (ie. it removes any "hot" or "cold" individual series).

You can argue a lot of things in Stone's favor over Marner, but playoff production and coming up big in the post-season isn't one of them.

Would not have Stone on the team, he does not scale with speed . Bergeron and Marchand are also losing a step at this point, they would not be the optimal choice, however, I understand that we need a mix of experience and abilities.

That's closer to our prime lineup right now:
Mackinnon - Crosby - Scheifele
Tavares - McDavid - Marner
Huberdeau - Point - Suzuki
Couturier - Bergeron - ROR
Barzal, *Seguin, Horvat

*If Seguin is back in form, he would take Suzuki's spot.

Stone, Stamkos, Marchand are subprime material.

 

[Tutu to]

My team as of right now.

Goalies:
Price
Kuemper
Hart

Defense:

Theodore-Pietrangelo
Toews-Makar
Chabot-Ekblad
Hamilton
Chychrun

Forwards:

Marchand-Crosby-Bergeron
Scheifele-McDavid-Marner
Huberdeau-Mackinon-Point
Couturier-O’Reilly-Stone
Barzal
Stamkos

 

[ORRFForever]

And lets not talk about 2022, 2023, haha. Nice selection bias you got there.

Yup.

But he does have a point about those 3 drafts. From a Canadian perspective, they were awful.

Thankfully, that lull is over - Canada was due for a downturn. Some HIGH quality prospects are on their way to make things better... hopefully.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I don't know why you wouldn't include Marner. He's a natural winger, one of the best playmakers in the game, and a capable penalty killer. With the expanded roster he should be a shoo in.

 

[ORRFForever]

My team as of right now.

Goalies:
Price
Kuemper
Hart

Defense:

Theodore-Pietrangelo
Toews-Makar
Chabot-Ekblad
Hamilton
Chychrun

Forwards:

Marchand-Crosby-Bergeron
Scheifele-McDavid-Marner
Huberdeau-Mackinon-Point
Couturier-O’Reilly-Stone
Barzal
Stamkos

Swap Hamilton with Chychrun and Marner with Barzal and you've got it right.

 

[SOLR]

I don't know why you wouldn't include Marner. He's a natural winger, one of the best playmakers in the game, and a capable penalty killer. With the expanded roster he should be a shoo in.

There is still a lot of resistance for evolving what is seen as "Canadiana hockey" - sandpaper is losing a lot of ground in hockey in general vs. speed. It's happening to the US team as well. Marner is still a bit unstable in critical situations, this is why you are seeing fans and critics - but he's also a young guy we need to nurture to play that new game.

 

[Tutu to]

Swap Hamilton with Chychrun and Marner with Barzal and you've got it right.

I have both Hamilton and Chychrun as the spairs. The problem is their both right D and I have them behind Makar,Pietrangelo and Ekblad.

As for Marner, he is one of the few natural wingers on the team and despite his crappy playoff performances he’s still an elite player.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

There is still a lot of resistance for evolving what is seen as "Canadiana hockey" - sandpaper is losing a lot of ground in hockey in general vs. speed. It's happening to the US team as well. Marner is still a bit unstable in critical situations, this is why you are seeing fans and critics - but he's also a young guy we need to nurture to play that new game.

That could be. He's not the biggest or strongest guy around but he holds his own. I think the bigger issue is the Canadian brass might be in love with the idea of maximizing their overwhelming strength at center and just convert some of those centers into wingers. Not to say Canada doesn't have capable wingers but they are not as deep at either left or right wing as you would expect. You have Marner and Stone on the right side and then it drops off a bit and then on the left you have Marchand and Huberdeau after which it drops off a bit.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Would not have Stone on the team, he does not scale with speed . Bergeron and Marchand are also losing a step at this point, they would not be the optimal choice, however, I understand that we need a mix of experience and abilities.

That's closer to our prime lineup right now:
Mackinnon - Crosby - Scheifele
Tavares - McDavid - Marner
Huberdeau - Point - Suzuki
Couturier - Bergeron - ROR
Barzal, *Seguin, Horvat

*If Seguin is back in form, he would take Suzuki's spot.

Stone, Stamkos, Marchand are subprime material.

Sorry but leaving Marchand off the team has to be the worst prediction I’ve seen in this thread, 0% chance he isn’t there

 

[ORRFForever]

Sorry but leaving Marchand off the team has to be the worst prediction I’ve seen in this thread, 0% chance he isn’t there

I agree with that. Ask the Bruins how great Marchand is.

 

[J1mLahey]

My early prediction for the team, I find D is the toughest to determine but I’ll give it a shot.

Marchand - Crosby (C) - Bergeron (A)
Huberdeau - McDavid (A) - MacKinnon
Scheifele - Point - Marner
Couturier - ROR - Stone
Ex. Barzal Stamkos

Theodore - Pietrangelo
Pelech - Makar
Chycrun - Doughty (A)
Ex. Chabot Hamilton

Price
MAF
Kuemper

 

[SOLR]

Sorry but leaving Marchand off the team has to be the worst prediction I’ve seen in this thread, 0% chance he isn’t there

Not a prediction at all if you read carefully. I think he should be off the team. He's not a factor at that stage. I already know Marchand/Bergeron will play way too much, that's my prediction: that we'll learn the same lesson again of building teams from past performance instead of current performance.