No way RNH is making the roster. Way too many better fits. Hockey Canada is notorious for being loyal to their guys, but I think they’re going to start going younger. They’re also known for taking players that can adapt to bottom 6 roles - Tavares won’t be able to do that by then with his lack of foot speed.
PLD - McDavid - Bedard (#1 offence)
Stamkos - MacKinnon - Kyrou (#2 offence with some grit)
Marchand - Crosby - Marner (reclamation #1 defensive)
Fantilli - Cirelli - Point (pure defensive that will be a pain)
Toews - Makar (#1 all situations)
Power - Hamilton (Shutdown pair)
Weegar - Ekblad (bit physical, can eat minutes)
Goalies are a **** show right now - hopefully someone steps up by then
No way RNH is making the roster. Way too many better fits. Hockey Canada is notorious for being loyal to their guys, but I think they’re going to start going younger. They’re also known for taking players that can adapt to bottom 6 roles - Tavares won’t be able to do that by then with his lack of foot speed.
PLD - McDavid - Bedard (#1 offence)
Stamkos - MacKinnon - Kyrou (#2 offence with some grit)
Marchand - Crosby - Marner (reclamation #1 defensive)
Fantilli - Cirelli - Point (pure defensive that will be a pain)
Toews - Makar (#1 all situations)
Power - Hamilton (Shutdown pair)
Weegar - Ekblad (bit physical, can eat minutes)
Goalies are a **** show right now - hopefully someone steps up by then
I like your read. Might question your third pairing, but that’s nitpicking at this point, might go lighter and better skaters on the Olympic ice over seas
I like your read. Might question your third pairing, but that’s nitpicking at this point, might go lighter and better skaters on the Olympic ice over seas
Hockey Canada likes picking their defensive pairs based on prior playing together history and chemistry. Weegar and Ekblad played very well together in Florida and can play the role of bottom pair so it could interest them. Hence why it’s the 3rd pair over other skilled players.
No way RNH is making the roster. Way too many better fits. Hockey Canada is notorious for being loyal to their guys, but I think they’re going to start going younger. They’re also known for taking players that can adapt to bottom 6 roles - Tavares won’t be able to do that by then with his lack of foot speed.
PLD - McDavid - Bedard (#1 offence)
Stamkos - MacKinnon - Kyrou (#2 offence with some grit)
Marchand - Crosby - Marner (reclamation #1 defensive)
Fantilli - Cirelli - Point (pure defensive that will be a pain)
Toews - Makar (#1 all situations)
Power - Hamilton (Shutdown pair)
Weegar - Ekblad (bit physical, can eat minutes)
Goalies are a **** show right now - hopefully someone steps up by then
Hockey Canada likes picking their defensive pairs based on prior playing together history and chemistry. Weegar and Ekblad played very well together in Florida and can play the role of bottom pair so it could interest them. Hence why it’s the 3rd pair over other skilled players.
Ekblad probably been through a few too many wars by then, with the bigger ice and him breaking down is more the question, I like the pair, just think Father Time may catch up to ekblad, weegar probably have some playoffs off, so probably primed for the competition. That’s why I premised my comment with nitpicking also, so ya I could see your version also.
He showed some elite potential when he was dominate against Toronto in the bubble and he has a good relationship with Hockey Canada. It’s not as much about being high on him, but he’s one of the few players for Canada that can keep up with the speed of McDavid/Bedard and still be the guy to go into the corners to get the puck for them - that’s what your roster lacks (the workers that get the puck for the skill). The lineup that I suggested has at least one of them on each like (PLD, Kyrou, Marchand, the entire 4th line)