It’s not easy to build a team when your hands are full. Some would say it’s a nice problem to have. You still have to make the right choices.
Don Sweeney, Jim Nill and Julien BriseBois have enough experience to understand that they are not building an all-star team.
In any case, with Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, Brad Marchand, Brayden Point and Cale Makar, whose positions have already been confirmed, the Canadian team will have nothing to envy of the Big Dipper.
Their mission is to put together the most balanced training possible. A group which will be able to generate attack, but which will also be able to limit the opponent’s momentum.
Photo Agence QMI, MARC DESROSIERS
Mitch Marner, Sam Reinhart and Mark Stone could handle the latter task. A faceoff specialist will also be needed for important defensive missions. John Tavares should be the go-to man. In addition, he will bring experience.
Just like Steven Stamkos, who remains a sniper, and Mark Scheifele. In addition to having a touch around the opposing net, the Jets forward does not fear the corners of the rink or heavy traffic. Brandon Hagel is another one who plays with intensity.
To this experience it will also be necessary to add a little youth. No choice but to think about Connor Bedard. At 19, he could start the competition in the role of 13e attacking before possibly moving up the ladder. A great experience in anticipation of the 2026 Olympic Games.
A question of stability
On the blue line, Canada has often chosen to trust defense duos already established in the NHL. With good reason. If there is a position where it is important that communication is optimal, this is it.
This is why the candidacy of Devon Toews could not be more appropriate. The 30-year-old athlete has been playing to Makar’s left for the Colorado Avalanche for a few years now. In addition to watching the Albertan’s back, Toews is a penalty kill specialist.
The same logic would apply within the pair of Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo, long-time associates with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Aged 34, Pietrangelo is no stranger to international competitions. He won gold at the World Junior Championship, the Sochi Olympics and the 2016 World Cup. In addition to winning two Stanley Cups. In Vegas, he is the player that Bruce Cassidy uses most often on the numerical penalty. As for Theodore, he is the quarterback of the first wave of massive attack.
Between these two duos, we should find Evan Bouchard and Josh Morrissey. The first is one of McDavid’s main accomplices in Edmonton. The second is the cornerstone of the Jets’ defensive brigade, the best team in the NHL.
Achilles heel
With its punch in attack and the depth of its defensive brigades, Canada’s success has never had to rest on the shoulders of the goalkeepers. This will be the case again during this competition and that’s good.
Without wanting to disrespect the three masked men who will defend the maple leaf cage, we are far from Roberto Luongo, Martin Brodeur and Carey Price. Moreover, we suspect that the decision-makers of the Canadian team will postpone their decisions in this position as long as possible.
And since it will be difficult for them to reach a consensus, we can expect that gatekeepers who have a connection with decision-makers will be favored. Jordan Binnington, with the Blues, won the Stanley Cup under Doug Armstrong. Adin Hill did the same with the Golden Knights. Cassidy and Misha Donskov, part of the Canadian team’s coaching staff, were behind the Knights bench.
Samuel Montembeault will certainly be in the race. It’s not for nothing that Kyle Dubas has been following the Habs’ activities for some time. But if the leaders of the Canadian team want to go on merit, it is Logan Thompson who will obtain the other available position. Still undefeated in regular time this season, the Capitals goaltender leads all Canadian goalkeepers in victories (8).
Steven Stamkos–*Connor McDavid–Mitch Marner
Brandon Hagel–*Nathan MacKinnon–*Brayden Point
*Brad Marchand–*Sidney Crosby–Mark Scheifele
John Tavares–Sam Reinhart–Mark Stone
Connor Bedard
Devon Toews–*Kale Makar
Josh Morrissey–Evan Bouchard
Shea Theodore–Alex Pietrangelo
MacKenzie Weegar
GOALKEEPERS
Jordan Binnington
Adin Hill
Logan Thompson
*The position of these players has already been confirmed.
They were also considered: Travis Konecny, Mathew Barzal, Ryan O’Reilly, Dylan Strome, Noah Dobson, Morgan Rielly, Colton Parayko, Brandon Montour, Samuel Montembeault, Stuart Skinner
