TLeafsFan
A True BeLeafer
Now I'm not talking out of the playoffs IIHF World Championships, I'm talking future best on best tournaments.
Pretty sure Rielly and Marner are future locks, but given the current dominant winning formula Team Canada employs, Babs like to use established chemistry with forward pairings whenever possible.
Like Toews and Kane, Matthews and Marner won't be an option for Team Canada.
Marner and Kadri will, though. If Kadri can up his game to 25+ G, 60+ P playing with the new influx of talent and establishes really good chemistry with Marner, I can see Kadri filling Marchand's role once he declines, as they are similar type players.
Kadri-McDavid-Marner for instance. Yes this is a pipe dream in its infancy, as Kadri is nowhere near that level yet, but the reasoning is sound.
Bergeron-Marchand
Getzlaf-Perry
Couture-Thornton
ROR-Duchene (developed together in Colorado)
Injured: Seguin-Benn
And Marner-Kadri will have already had years of playing time in Babcock's system, with him as coach.
Pretty sure Rielly and Marner are future locks, but given the current dominant winning formula Team Canada employs, Babs like to use established chemistry with forward pairings whenever possible.
Like Toews and Kane, Matthews and Marner won't be an option for Team Canada.
Marner and Kadri will, though. If Kadri can up his game to 25+ G, 60+ P playing with the new influx of talent and establishes really good chemistry with Marner, I can see Kadri filling Marchand's role once he declines, as they are similar type players.
Kadri-McDavid-Marner for instance. Yes this is a pipe dream in its infancy, as Kadri is nowhere near that level yet, but the reasoning is sound.
Bergeron-Marchand
Getzlaf-Perry
Couture-Thornton
ROR-Duchene (developed together in Colorado)
Injured: Seguin-Benn
And Marner-Kadri will have already had years of playing time in Babcock's system, with him as coach.