finally, some Esa Lindell respect by somebody not in Dallas! he’s such a good shut down defenseman and a truly excellent penalty killer on one of the best penalty kills in the league so far this season
They *DO* know that it's based on their play *THIS SEASON* right? Cause the way Hyman's played so far I completely agree! He doesn't deserve a spot at all
He scored 55 goals last year, he’s had a slow 10 games so what? He’s been heating up lately as well, you can’t just discount the last two years off of ten games.
Absolutely. He would be great 2 way presence on the team. I have seen a bunch of these rosters and I just hate that almost every single time Canadian defence is made with almost pure OFD's. It´s just stupid to have for instance Makar, Bouchard, Dobson, Hamilton and Theodore on the same team. That´s 5 OFD's and only 2 can be on the PP. There should be guys that excels on PK and defensive side of game also
@@EetuTurusta Canadas defence has a big weakness. Those four guys, super strong offensively, pretty damn weak in their own zone. Bouchard in particular has looked awful so far. Beer league awful.
Weegar is a truly full defenceman. He hits, he blocks, he’s great defensively, and he both assists and scores goals himself. Excellent all around player, I fully agree.
Lundell and Louostarainen are on the same line as the Panthers and in the playoffs were damn good shitting down teams top lines. Finland will for sure have them together.
@@Scheif ...Is that why his whole line is operating at around 30-40% Corsi? Regularly getting outplayed....and it isn't close, by other top lines? His best defensive season has happened already, it isn't this one
I remember something like he said he didn't want to do the all star so idk if he'd want to do this but this feels way better than an all star game so I feel he'd have to accept going to it
Larkin is a virtual lock to make Team USA, imo. He's captain of the Red Wings, plays a gritty two-way style, has an excellent faceoff win percentage (57.3%), and only has one less goal than Caufield with 9. As much as I like Caufield, I don't think he makes the team. He's just too small. Has a nasty one-timer but contributes little else. Caufield's goal production has already started to cool off. Larkin in...Caufield out, I think. We'll see.
@@JM-gj7de Agreed. With the Wings being in a rebuild he's also played quite a bit for the USMNT over the years, not including him now would be a bit of a slap in the face.
Talbot has to be on the radar for team Canada if he keep this play up. Might not be the sexiest name but the numbers, the eye test and track record makes him the hottest Canadian goalie at the moment and in such a short tournament I think You just has to go with the hot hand. He's been a pretty solid goalie throught his career (Outside of Ottawa that is, but he was an All-Star the season before in Min and the season after in L.A, and basically every goalie get their numbers tanked in Ottawa). I remember those 90-00:s international best on best where the only question in net for Canada basically was who should be left of the roster between Roy, Joseph, Belfour and Brodeur. Weird how it is now the total opposite.
Tanev on Team Canada wouldn't upset me. They could use him on PK (you've got Bennett and Marchand, you'll need the PK) and in tight late-game situations. He's got the big game experience. MAF has to be there. He's just one of those guys who brings levity and a massive wealth of experience, it'll help guys like Binnington, and he can steal a big game at any time. Morrissey has to be there too, and probably Scheifele over Bedard. Let's not kid ourselves, Bedard hasn't earned this spot yet. He doesn't bring much to this level of competition that isn't already well-represented across the Canadian forwards.
No Dylan Larkin is insane. He should 100% be over Thompson as the fourth line center if not higher. He has way better overall utility, skating, everything.
Idk these are just some Finnish lines that I came up with and I haven't seen anyone else have. Lundell-Barkov-Luostarinen Teräväinen-Aho-Rantanen Lehkonen-Hintz-Granlund Maccelli-Haula-Tolvanen Potential extras would be Kakko, Armia, Pulju, Kotkaniemi, Kupari, Kiviranta. Laine is a question mark.
Best of the rest would win it.. Draisaitl, Pastrnak, Kucherov, Panarin, Kaprizov, Ovechkin, Mitchkov, Kopitar, Josi, Sergachev, Seider, Shesterkin, Bobrovsky, Vasilevskiy. It's a shame those stars don't get a chance to participate while we argue over Zach Hyman and Sam Bennett.. Should be North America vs World like back in the days.
Robertson had 6 goals, 10 assists for 16 points in 19 games. He had at least one point in 11 games. Johnston had 10 goals, 6 assists for 16 points in 19 games. Had had at least one point in 11 games. So.. pretty much the same 🤷
This might come back to bite me, but looking at how these players are playing now etc., I feel like Canada, USA and Sweden all have almost equally stacked forward lines. I'm also excited to see Finland in action
Biased Wings fan here… Larkin 100% deserves to be on the USA team. Especially over guys like Keller, Guentzel, Robertson and maybe even Kreider. It’s honestly shocking that he wasn’t even mentioned. He could be a dark horse for captain as well. Would be fun to see Kane make the team just for the vibes alone.
18:57 it's Bratt not pronounced Brought, its Bratt. The first guy said it correctly. Also, don't sleep on Zetterlund just because he's on San Jose he's much better than Arvidsson.
16:08 cost is a huge part of it. It's already so expensive to play, then add the money for pads, blocker and trapper. For a while you heard around rinks, or saw jokes about not wanting to be a goalie parent, and I think some of that discourse has permeated the hockey culture in Canada. There was that bit where there was a lot of import goalies in the CHL, which resulted in a rule change. Maybe we are seeing the repercussions there. I think the idea of what a goalie 'should' be is also changing. Look at Canada's great goalies over the years, a few bigger guys, a lot of 'undersized' guys. Jack Ivankovic would be talked about as the next Carey Price if he was 3 inches taller.
With the NCAA allowing CHL players to play in the NCAA starting in 2025, I'd love to see another Junior hockey quiz - whether it be going through all the CHL teams, or a "in general" Junior hockey quiz outside of the World Juniors
I know that binner is hated in the nhl cuz of his past antics but his stats don’t tell the story. As a lifelong blues fan, he is the best goalie I’ve ever seen in the blues uniform (especially since he just got the win record for Stl history). His stats don’t tell the entire story as his defense in front of him has been awful since about 2021-2022. I believe that he will be an excellent goalie for Canada with a proper defense in front of him. Sadly I will be rooting against him when team USA plays Canada.
I Just love the Canada goalie banter because since 2016, no american goalie has started a stanley cup final game while 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023 have seen canadians starting goalies win the cup
I would include Neal Pionk of Winnipeg on the US team defense. He can do everything for you offensively and defensively and has a real mean, nasty edge to him that every blueline group needs.
Another player from the US that the guys are overlooking and that could potentially be added to the team in case of injuries is Matthew Knies of the Leafs. He's having a very good season (7-4-11 in 18 GP) and is in line to get a huge raise at the end of the season. A good showing at the tournament if he gets chosen will add to his profile and his wallet.
Puljujärvi is definitely in and Kotkaniemi too, if I have anything to say about that: Lehkonen-Barkov-Rantanen Puljujärvi-Aho-Teräväinen Maccelli-Granlund-Hintz Kotkaniemi-Lundell-Luostarinen Jokiharju-Heiskanen Lindell-Mikkola Välimäki-Määttä Hakanpää Saros-Luukkonen-Lankinen
I’m hoping for 3 things outta team Canada’s roster 1) Fill out the team with top end role guys not skill. Barzal is a stud and probably the better player but Bennet is just a better 4th line option. 2) Gotta try and get a young defensemen in there, maybe take Clarke or power as your 7th. Don’t think they’re the best options but it’ll help the team come 2026 3) similar to #2 but even more important, gotta take a young goalie. Levi and Hofer haven’t been great but it’s purely an investment in 2026.
I know he’s hurt but barzal on a line with mcdavid and McKinnon would be scary. Three of the fastest and most skilled guys in the league on a line is scary
Tanev actually makes a lot of sense for Canada especially over guys like Dobson, Power, etc (Dont think Power or anyone else not mentioned has a shot at making the squad) we need more guys to play the PK and Morrissey should absolutely be on the team
I’m right up there with the biggest Ranger fans around. Miller doesn’t deserve to be on this team. Kreider on the other hand I could see being the outlier that wins USA the tournament with his short handed and PP netfront ability.
Surprised to see Laine on all of your teams. Guy hasn´t played played a competitive game for over a year. I also think you can´t be selected if u are on injured list when the teams are published?
Maybe Logan Thompson or recently well doing Mackenzie Blackwood for Team Canada goaltending? Blackwood is highly underrated playing for bad team but still having great numbers.
Pretty good rosters overall. But just as a general comment going into the tournament: I find team USA to be overrated, and Finland underrated, as always. Games are played on ice, not on paper, and Finland just has lots of proven chemistry and the better record of performing in international tournaments. The often underperforming USA does have the home ice advantage this time though, and a short tournament, so anything can happen. But just don't act surprised if Finland finishes higher than USA again, as it wouldn't be that big of an "upset". This time I'd argue Finland is also underrated ON PAPER. Their forwards are very very good defensively, making up for the defense. And speaking of defense, Finland's defense is actually pretty good defensively, they are just lacking in offensive ability and puck moving compared to other countries. That's the biggest weakness. But defensively, I'd take the likes of Mikkola and Lindell over someone like Erik Karlsson. And Finland's goaltending relatively weak? Give me a break. Saros is a stud, Lankinen has started the season well and Luukkonen was just named one of the three stars of the week. Other than injuries, the only way this Team Finland is bad is if the new coach screws up, which is honestly possible considering his Ilves stint... My personal rankings of pre-tournament favourites would have Canada 1st, followed by Finland, Sweden and USA in that order.
Lafreniere has played primarily Right Wing since the beginning of last season, with Panarin on the left. No reason to move him back to the left at this point (despite Laviolette's weird meltdown right now)
Marchand-Crosby-MacKinnon Verhaeghe-McDavid-Reinhart [you could put Hymen on the line but he isn't producing this year] Barzal-Point-Marner Horvat-Scheifele-Stone [but it has to be a tough line to compete with the Americans...] Extra Forward: Brayden Schenn, Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Konecny, Tavares (maybe best faceoff guy in the league) Toews-Makar (Toews and Makar have chemistry, is Toews good enough to compete with the best?) Morrissey-Bouchard Theodore-Pietrangelo Morgan Rielly [Morgan Rielly might be the 4th best Left D] Since 2023: - Jarry (best win%, 3rd best SV%) - Thompson (second best W%, best SV%, best GAA) - Skinner (third best W%, fifth best GAA) Binnington is NOT better than Jarry, Thompson, Skinner, Adin Hill, Cam Talbot OR Marc Andre Fleury. I thought he was before I looked at his stats and Binnington fell off. He's not the same consistent goalie anymore.
48:21 Who did Jesse say Washington’s coach is? His name is Spencer Carberry but it sounds like he called him Hartwood or something which isn’t even close.
17:21 2021 carey price run for fleury would honestly not be a bad thing. It would be the best story. I say give him the net as his last chance to be the guy for Canada
0:44 So to get ahead of all the commenters Its ridiculous that the WC Czechia can't go to the four nations right? I know the NHL said it was because there's not enough NHL Czech players but I disagree. Between the NHL AHL and ECHL (all leagues control by the NHL) THERE'S GOT TO BE 30 Czech born players. Bring back Jagr and that's one right there.
finally, some Esa Lindell respect by somebody not in Dallas! he’s such a good shut down defenseman and a truly excellent penalty killer on one of the best penalty kills in the league so far this season
I'm sorry but Hyman does not deserve to be on Canada unless he massively upgrades his game this year
They *DO* know that it's based on their play *THIS SEASON* right?
Cause the way Hyman's played so far I completely agree! He doesn't deserve a spot at all
He scored 55 goals last year, he’s had a slow 10 games so what? He’s been heating up lately as well, you can’t just discount the last two years off of ten games.
@liambushey8525 You also can't reward someone for *ONE* amazing year
@@AscendedXSaiyan two very good years and elite playoff performance
Without mcdavid he’s a bottom 6 forward on ANY team it’s hilarious he’s being considered
Morrissey disrespect will not be tolerated
He should finish his concerts then
And scheifele too
@@matthewly7919Scheifele hasn't been too good defensively, I can understand why
I'm no fan of Team Canada, but I agree. Morrissey is a beast. Tough to leave him off the roster.
I dunno if its a hot take, but I feel like Weegar really deserves a spot for Canada
Absolutely. He would be great 2 way presence on the team. I have seen a bunch of these rosters and I just hate that almost every single time Canadian defence is made with almost pure OFD's. It´s just stupid to have for instance Makar, Bouchard, Dobson, Hamilton and Theodore on the same team. That´s 5 OFD's and only 2 can be on the PP. There should be guys that excels on PK and defensive side of game also
@@EetuTurusta Canadas defence has a big weakness. Those four guys, super strong offensively, pretty damn weak in their own zone. Bouchard in particular has looked awful so far. Beer league awful.
@@KalleLagerlof Absolutely, I wouldn't pick him on my team. My 6 would be Makar, Toews, Theodore, Pietrangelo, Morissey and Weegar
Weegar is a truly full defenceman. He hits, he blocks, he’s great defensively, and he both assists and scores goals himself. Excellent all around player, I fully agree.
Lundell and Louostarainen are on the same line as the Panthers and in the playoffs were damn good shitting down teams top lines. Finland will for sure have them together.
Not to be that guy but man did you butcher Luostarinen's name.
Jesse not picking Scheifele is really interesting. He’s so much better than Hyman.
Agreed
He doesn't play defense
@ so clearly you haven’t watched the Jets this year. He’s probably having his best defensive year right now lmao
@@NolanCody actually you’re totally wrong on that if you actually watch the games, this isn’t 2021
@@Scheif ...Is that why his whole line is operating at around 30-40% Corsi? Regularly getting outplayed....and it isn't close, by other top lines?
His best defensive season has happened already, it isn't this one
Huge Gimli mention to start the show
I'd be very surprised if Larkin isn't on team USA.
I remember something like he said he didn't want to do the all star so idk if he'd want to do this but this feels way better than an all star game so I feel he'd have to accept going to it
Larkin is a virtual lock to make Team USA, imo. He's captain of the Red Wings, plays a gritty two-way style, has an excellent faceoff win percentage (57.3%), and only has one less goal than Caufield with 9. As much as I like Caufield, I don't think he makes the team. He's just too small. Has a nasty one-timer but contributes little else. Caufield's goal production has already started to cool off. Larkin in...Caufield out, I think. We'll see.
@@JM-gj7de Agreed. With the Wings being in a rebuild he's also played quite a bit for the USMNT over the years, not including him now would be a bit of a slap in the face.
not even acknowledging Larkin is wilddd
facts. throwing raymond on the third line is also criminal
@@leeharrison5718There are definitely players better than Raymond, if this were 1 or 2 more years down the road I think he would be L1.
@@Duck-gk3rq i’m not saying there’s no one better than raymond, i’m saying there’s not 4 guys better than raymond
Larkin is making team USA. Kind of insane to not have him on any of your lists.
Just an absolute joke none of them did
The finnish u20 line from 2016 with Puljujärvi and Laine had Aho as the center. Rantanen didn't play on that line, though he was the team captain.
Talbot has to be on the radar for team Canada if he keep this play up.
Might not be the sexiest name but the numbers, the eye test and track record makes him the hottest Canadian goalie at the moment and in such a short tournament I think You just has to go with the hot hand. He's been a pretty solid goalie throught his career (Outside of Ottawa that is, but he was an All-Star the season before in Min and the season after in L.A, and basically every goalie get their numbers tanked in Ottawa).
I remember those 90-00:s international best on best where the only question in net for Canada basically was who should be left of the roster between Roy, Joseph, Belfour and Brodeur. Weird how it is now the total opposite.
I would have to throw Dylan Larkin as the 4th line center for team USA, he’s hot right now, he’s so consistent offensively and defensively.
Luostarinen absolutely will be paired with Lundell, they have immense chemistry together in Florida.
Also Mikkola has been incredibly good this year.
Sweden's defense is absolutely STACKED
Sure is, only doubt would be Erik Karlsson to be honest, guy is way too offensive in short tournaments putting whole team at risk
Tanev on Team Canada wouldn't upset me. They could use him on PK (you've got Bennett and Marchand, you'll need the PK) and in tight late-game situations. He's got the big game experience. MAF has to be there. He's just one of those guys who brings levity and a massive wealth of experience, it'll help guys like Binnington, and he can steal a big game at any time. Morrissey has to be there too, and probably Scheifele over Bedard. Let's not kid ourselves, Bedard hasn't earned this spot yet. He doesn't bring much to this level of competition that isn't already well-represented across the Canadian forwards.
No Dylan Larkin is insane. He should 100% be over Thompson as the fourth line center if not higher. He has way better overall utility, skating, everything.
He’s so much better than Thompson😂😂😂
No Morrissey is absolutely insane lmao
Idk these are just some Finnish lines that I came up with and I haven't seen anyone else have.
Lundell-Barkov-Luostarinen
Teräväinen-Aho-Rantanen
Lehkonen-Hintz-Granlund
Maccelli-Haula-Tolvanen
Potential extras would be Kakko, Armia, Pulju, Kotkaniemi, Kupari, Kiviranta. Laine is a question mark.
Let’s go!! So pumped to have the pod back!
Best of the rest would win it.. Draisaitl, Pastrnak, Kucherov, Panarin, Kaprizov, Ovechkin, Mitchkov, Kopitar, Josi, Sergachev, Seider, Shesterkin, Bobrovsky, Vasilevskiy. It's a shame those stars don't get a chance to participate while we argue over Zach Hyman and Sam Bennett.. Should be North America vs World like back in the days.
Think you underrestimate how much chemistry matters and how much harder players try when they represent their nation.
Im just glad Nick Suzuki made everyone’s team!
Why don’t you guys put podcasts on Spotify anymore
Robertson had 6 goals, 10 assists for 16 points in 19 games. He had at least one point in 11 games.
Johnston had 10 goals, 6 assists for 16 points in 19 games.
Had had at least one point in 11 games.
So.. pretty much the same 🤷
I’m shocked Scheifele has not been listened in here. He’s doing so well
@@Scheif Doesn't play defense
@jordanstreib3898 ...He still doesn't do it much
This might come back to bite me, but looking at how these players are playing now etc., I feel like Canada, USA and Sweden all have almost equally stacked forward lines. I'm also excited to see Finland in action
Robert Thomas disrespect
he's hurt anyways. so, I really dont want him to be in this tourney
He's injured
@@Paroseni.he’ll be back well before the tourney.
These clowns barely watch hockey.
Biased Wings fan here… Larkin 100% deserves to be on the USA team. Especially over guys like Keller, Guentzel, Robertson and maybe even Kreider. It’s honestly shocking that he wasn’t even mentioned. He could be a dark horse for captain as well.
Would be fun to see Kane make the team just for the vibes alone.
Bouchard and Dobson on the same pairing would be hilarious to watch in their own zone
Your picks to team Finland were actually very close compared to what people are speculating here in Finland. Good job guys! 👍
No larkin is wild
18:57 it's Bratt not pronounced Brought, its Bratt. The first guy said it correctly.
Also, don't sleep on Zetterlund just because he's on San Jose he's much better than Arvidsson.
Love the Will Eklund love. Dudes been a stud on a bad team in SJ.
16:08 cost is a huge part of it. It's already so expensive to play, then add the money for pads, blocker and trapper. For a while you heard around rinks, or saw jokes about not wanting to be a goalie parent, and I think some of that discourse has permeated the hockey culture in Canada.
There was that bit where there was a lot of import goalies in the CHL, which resulted in a rule change. Maybe we are seeing the repercussions there.
I think the idea of what a goalie 'should' be is also changing. Look at Canada's great goalies over the years, a few bigger guys, a lot of 'undersized' guys. Jack Ivankovic would be talked about as the next Carey Price if he was 3 inches taller.
Oof, no Larkin for team USA is kinda crazy
Tanev has been so consistent for so many years it would be a shame if he wasnt on team Canada, he would be such an asset on D.
Totally agree with DZ on Power.
I feel Like Weegar instead of Tanev like what world is Tanev gonna make team Canada
With the NCAA allowing CHL players to play in the NCAA starting in 2025, I'd love to see another Junior hockey quiz - whether it be going through all the CHL teams, or a "in general" Junior hockey quiz outside of the World Juniors
Morrisey is bomb. Can’t believe I’m agreeing with Jesse.
I get it cause of geopolitics right now but not having Russia is an absolute joke, they have the best goalies and arguably the second best forwards….
Finns and Swedes at least would probably just refuse to play against a Russian national team even if they weren't allowed to wear Russian colors
Those Crown Royal sweaters are sick. Would love to have one in my collection!
I know that binner is hated in the nhl cuz of his past antics but his stats don’t tell the story. As a lifelong blues fan, he is the best goalie I’ve ever seen in the blues uniform (especially since he just got the win record for Stl history). His stats don’t tell the entire story as his defense in front of him has been awful since about 2021-2022. I believe that he will be an excellent goalie for Canada with a proper defense in front of him. Sadly I will be rooting against him when team USA plays Canada.
Hyman McDavid Reinhart, Marchand Crosby Mackinnon, Bennett Point Marner, Lafreniere Bedard Stone
I Just love the Canada goalie banter because since 2016, no american goalie has started a stanley cup final game while 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023 have seen canadians starting goalies win the cup
I would include Neal Pionk of Winnipeg on the US team defense. He can do everything for you offensively and defensively and has a real mean, nasty edge to him that every blueline group needs.
Another player from the US that the guys are overlooking and that could potentially be added to the team in case of injuries is Matthew Knies of the Leafs. He's having a very good season (7-4-11 in 18 GP) and is in line to get a huge raise at the end of the season. A good showing at the tournament if he gets chosen will add to his profile and his wallet.
Puljujärvi is definitely in and Kotkaniemi too, if I have anything to say about that:
Lehkonen-Barkov-Rantanen
Puljujärvi-Aho-Teräväinen
Maccelli-Granlund-Hintz
Kotkaniemi-Lundell-Luostarinen
Jokiharju-Heiskanen
Lindell-Mikkola
Välimäki-Määttä
Hakanpää
Saros-Luukkonen-Lankinen
17:49
Jesse: OW!
Z (Looking into the camera): help...
at 18:16, kempe is listed as 36 while he actually is 9. does he have different numbers in the nhl and for tre kronor?
unironically i want that crown royal jersey
I’m hoping for 3 things outta team Canada’s roster 1) Fill out the team with top end role guys not skill. Barzal is a stud and probably the better player but Bennet is just a better 4th line option. 2) Gotta try and get a young defensemen in there, maybe take Clarke or power as your 7th. Don’t think they’re the best options but it’ll help the team come 2026 3) similar to #2 but even more important, gotta take a young goalie. Levi and Hofer haven’t been great but it’s purely an investment in 2026.
I know he’s hurt but barzal on a line with mcdavid and McKinnon would be scary. Three of the fastest and most skilled guys in the league on a line is scary
Tanev actually makes a lot of sense for Canada especially over guys like Dobson, Power, etc (Dont think Power or anyone else not mentioned has a shot at making the squad) we need more guys to play the PK and Morrissey should absolutely be on the team
Slandering Binner, the 2nd most winningest Blues goalie ever, will not be tolerated.
"HE'S A TOURNAMENT GUY! GET HIM ON THE TEAM!!"
Agree with Luca: Bouchard should be last defenseman taken. He's got a great shot but he's a defensive liabilitt
Thanks to Luca for picking Fox and Miller. Love the Pod
I’m right up there with the biggest Ranger fans around. Miller doesn’t deserve to be on this team. Kreider on the other hand I could see being the outlier that wins USA the tournament with his short handed and PP netfront ability.
@@stevenbrodeur3023I think he can play a role. Not sure he is my pick but he is very good for us
Surprised to see Laine on all of your teams. Guy hasn´t played played a competitive game for over a year. I also think you can´t be selected if u are on injured list when the teams are published?
As a Swede imma say
Sweden 🥇
USA 🥈
Finland 🥉
Canada
10/10 in pronouncing the Finnish names! Finland has the best shut down team, and If they win, they will get alot of hate and skit for the 2-1 wins 😂
Maybe Logan Thompson or recently well doing Mackenzie Blackwood for Team Canada goaltending? Blackwood is highly underrated playing for bad team but still having great numbers.
Luca saying Heintz knowing it triggers dallas fans... well played bro xD
We need the PuLa-Aho -line!! Puljujärvi - Aho - Laine!
Pretty good rosters overall.
But just as a general comment going into the tournament: I find team USA to be overrated, and Finland underrated, as always.
Games are played on ice, not on paper, and Finland just has lots of proven chemistry and the better record of performing in international tournaments. The often underperforming USA does have the home ice advantage this time though, and a short tournament, so anything can happen. But just don't act surprised if Finland finishes higher than USA again, as it wouldn't be that big of an "upset".
This time I'd argue Finland is also underrated ON PAPER. Their forwards are very very good defensively, making up for the defense. And speaking of defense, Finland's defense is actually pretty good defensively, they are just lacking in offensive ability and puck moving compared to other countries. That's the biggest weakness. But defensively, I'd take the likes of Mikkola and Lindell over someone like Erik Karlsson.
And Finland's goaltending relatively weak? Give me a break. Saros is a stud, Lankinen has started the season well and Luukkonen was just named one of the three stars of the week.
Other than injuries, the only way this Team Finland is bad is if the new coach screws up, which is honestly possible considering his Ilves stint...
My personal rankings of pre-tournament favourites would have Canada 1st, followed by Finland, Sweden and USA in that order.
Russia and Czechia needs to be in this tournament. 4 nations is FUBAR
Lafreniere has played primarily Right Wing since the beginning of last season, with Panarin on the left. No reason to move him back to the left at this point (despite Laviolette's weird meltdown right now)
love a goood lord of the rings reference to start my day
no verhaeghe is lowkey insane
Logan Thompson should be on Canada's goalie list
Marchand-Crosby-MacKinnon
Verhaeghe-McDavid-Reinhart [you could put Hymen on the line but he isn't producing this year]
Barzal-Point-Marner
Horvat-Scheifele-Stone [but it has to be a tough line to compete with the Americans...]
Extra Forward: Brayden Schenn, Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Konecny, Tavares (maybe best faceoff guy in the league)
Toews-Makar (Toews and Makar have chemistry, is Toews good enough to compete with the best?)
Morrissey-Bouchard
Theodore-Pietrangelo
Morgan Rielly [Morgan Rielly might be the 4th best Left D]
Since 2023:
- Jarry (best win%, 3rd best SV%)
- Thompson (second best W%, best SV%, best GAA)
- Skinner (third best W%, fifth best GAA)
Binnington is NOT better than Jarry, Thompson, Skinner, Adin Hill, Cam Talbot OR Marc Andre Fleury.
I thought he was before I looked at his stats and Binnington fell off. He's not the same consistent goalie anymore.
I'm not sure if I'd want Erik Karlsson. Probably he still makes it, but I'd be excited to exploit him if I'm the opponent
The disrespect for Binnington is unbelievable.
Love the Italy jersey. I have the same.
48:21 Who did Jesse say Washington’s coach is? His name is Spencer Carberry but it sounds like he called him Hartwood or something which isn’t even close.
I think you have to consider Logan Thompson in net after his start in Washington.
I think you guys are sleeping on Claude Giroux, or even Drake batherson
i would slot in lundestrom on a defensive 4th line role for sweden.. this tournament is going to be super fast, you need skating.
These are four scary teams for sure.
If Hyman gives his head a shake
Hyman-McDavid-Bedard would be electric
17:21 2021 carey price run for fleury would honestly not be a bad thing. It would be the best story. I say give him the net as his last chance to be the guy for Canada
0:44 So to get ahead of all the commenters Its ridiculous that the WC Czechia can't go to the four nations right? I know the NHL said it was because there's not enough NHL Czech players but I disagree. Between the NHL AHL and ECHL (all leagues control by the NHL) THERE'S GOT TO BE 30 Czech born players. Bring back Jagr and that's one right there.
No Colton Parayko is a crime if your looking for defense
Sebastian Cossa will be the next great Canadian goalie
Wish JG could've been here for it
The Brodin disrespect is wild
Lol
Not having Brock Nelson for the US is criminal. Bro casually scores 30+ goals every year…he deserves a shot
Their team is too stacked for an aging 34 year old centre
OMG!! A NEW EPISODE!!
No scheif or morrissey is insane and hyman and bouchard are crazy overrated
Scheif is bad defensively I can at least somewhat understand that
Agreed on Bouchard FOR SURE. Maybe the most overrated player in the league.
Gimli mentioned 😮💨🫶🇮🇸
Trashing binny but you guys will love him when he’s your starter. Just wait…
As Jets fans, you KNOW we'll be cheering on Team USA! That said, if Scheifele and Morrissey make Team Canada, then we can cheer both nations equally!
no consideration for aaron ekblad on the backend for canada? I feel like hes got a good shot as well
Celebrini going be mvp
I’m from the US and i would put Sam Bennett on the team. You need that grit. McCann is a good choice
Verhaege needs to be on more lists
Joel Armia will be on the Finland team.
I think Dylan g deserves a spot on Canada roster and Larkin and Kane will be on USA roster
Owen Power has absolutely taken a step and has outplayed Dahlin most nights
I think there should be also a team Europe to get all the best players in there.
We're gonna win that tournament 🇫🇮