4 Nations Face-Off

[Arn]

Yeah. That's always going to be an issue for tournaments with national teams - at least, when it's restricted to NHL players. Russia is probably the only country there capable of icing a complete lineup (Germany and Slovakia might be close, though).

I get that they went with 4 teams mostly to keep it to a tight, shorter tournament. The upcoming World Cups the league/PA are planning will hopefully be better in dealing with a lot of the limitations around this event.

Yeah that’s a fair point. Obviously in general actual nations are preferable but I wonder if you could have gone something like Canada, USA, “Scandinavia” and Rest of the World or that kind of thing.

 

[bustaheims]

Yeah that’s a fair point. Obviously in general actual nations are preferable but I wonder if you could have gone something like Canada, USA, “Scandinavia” and Rest of the World or that kind of thing.

I think that does a disservice to countries that can field full teams. Sweden and Finland deserve their own squads (they were both among the top 6 hockey nations per the IIHF when the tournament was announced). If they were going to go with more than 4 teams, you could maybe include a "rest of Europe" team, but, that's about it.

 

[Arn]

Yeah that’s why I said actual nations are preferable but I do agree with you particularly in regards to Sweden and Finland.

I guess it depends if this is meant to be like an all star game or an actual serous tournament. I feel it’s shading more towards the former which is why I was a bit blasé about how the teams were formulated.

 

[Peter D.]

Would Marchand even make the team if they were picking today and didn't have to announce an initial six?

 

[Frank E]

Would Marchand even make the team if they were picking today and didn't have to announce an initial six?

I might say that Marchard has a history of being a giant pain in the ass to opponents over the past 15 years (including the Leafs), even if he's not scoring goals...but I'm interested in who'd we'd pick to take his spot?

 

[Guilt Trip]

Would Marchand even make the team if they were picking today and didn't have to announce an initial six?

Probably just based off rep.

 

[Peter D.]

I might say that Marchard has a history of being a giant pain in the ass to opponents over the past 15 years (including the Leafs), even if he's not scoring goals...but I'm interested in who'd we'd pick to take his spot?

If we were picking strictly on this season's play than reputation, I could see him being on the outside looking in.

Someone like Stamkos has been a Team Canada gem for years and he won't even get a sniff.

 

[Guilt Trip]

If we were picking strictly on this season's play than reputation, I could see him being on the outside looking in.

Someone like Stamkos has been a Team Canada gem for years and he won't even get a sniff.

Stamkos is pretty much a one dimensional player at this stage. That's why he's not getting a sniff. Marchand is a 200 ft asshole that can play in any situation.

 

[bustaheims]

Probably just based off rep.

Also role. This isn't meant to be an All Star team. Even with his offensive decline, Marchand is still a solid forechecker and defensive player, and has proven chemistry with Crosby. I hate the guy, but he's a solid choice for a tourney like this This might be his last shot for Team Canada, though.