If this olympics actually includes NHL players, do you think this will be the best team CAN has ever iced? For fwds I'd say yes, G and D yet to be seen.
I think by that time Barzal will make it over Stamkos (I would argue he's better now) and somehow couturier needs to be on there, he would be a great bottom 6 defensive forward, same with O'reilly, but I don't think he can beat out anyone on the roster.
If this olympics actually includes NHL players, do you think this will be the best team CAN has ever iced? For fwds I'd say yes, G and D yet to be seen.
FWDS 100%. Goalies I think were best in 2014 with Price in his prime. As for defencemen, I think years past may have been more top heavy but not as good depth wise. 2014 had Keith and Weber as 1 and 2 which is unreal.
FWDS 100%. Goalies I think were best in 2014 with Price in his prime. As for defencemen, I think years past may have been more top heavy but not as good depth wise. 2014 had Keith and Weber as 1 and 2 which is unreal.
I agree, hard pressed for Price to repeat 2014, and I don't think any other Canadian goalie will be capable of it in 2022. I guess on D all of these guys could challenge for a Norris, but none are locks for top 3 each year in voting like Keith and Weber around 2014, and before that Pronger and Niedermeyer in some Olympics before that. BUT, the bottom pair here could arguably each challenge for a Norris this season, whereas that was not always the case in the past. So I agree, the complete depth may be the best ever even on D. A lot of offensive D, which would be great on big ice.
Don't see Stamkos or Tavares making it. O'Reilly and Couturier can just do more in the roles that they'd be in.
Had the same feeling you did, but for some reason the GMs love taking "older" guys like thornton and marleau in past years. I don't see how they skip on stamkos after what happened to him last olympics... tavares maybe but he's playing lights out now
Had the same feeling you did, but for some reason the GMs love taking "older" guys like thornton and marleau in past years. I don't see how they skip on stamkos after what happened to him last olympics... tavares maybe but he's playing lights out now
There are definitely going to be some superstars left off. My thinking is just how much does a guy like Stamkos affect a game if he's not scoring? that said now that he plays the wing he could easily be in a scoring role. Seeing what O'Reilly did in the playoffs the last two yrs was quite remarkable. He has to be on this team in a bottom 6 role.
They may have liked older guys in the past but if the younger guys are Selke winners or finalists the concern is much less.