Arn
Well-known member
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.
4 Nations Face-Off
- Thread starter Frank E
- Start date
bustaheims
Well-known member
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
Well-known member
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.
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.
Frank E
Active member
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
Well-known member
Probably just based off rep.
Peter D.
Moderator
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
Well-known member
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
Well-known member
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.
There's something a little funny about the TSN guys completely spoiling the NHL's big announcement today while someone like Friedman can't say anything about it because it's airing on Sportsnet.
Oh also Sam Bennett is getting PAAAIIIDDDDD this summer.
Those types of high-end defencemen don't really exist anymore. For any country not just Canada.
Hakanpaa gets a spot on Finland's blue line. Will he be healthy enough to play though?
herman
Well-known member
Does everyone just hate Ville Heinola?
Henri Jokiharju is probably the only one with an actual grievance here. There are just 7 Finnish defencemen to play more than 5 games in the NHL this season. Jokiharju was the only one in that group to not be selected for the team.
Saw some people wonder about OEL's odds of making the team considering the start he's had. Don't think that was ever realistic barring an injury or two. As good as he's been he wasn't beating out one of those 7.
They're pretty deep at C, and have Eriksson Ek+Lindholm for defensive roles. Arvidsson over Rakell though is pretty odd. They also passed on William Eklund, currently 6th among Swedish players in points.