The Staff Canada roster for the 4 Nations Faceoff was launched on Wednesday night, and there was a well-known sample to it. As with earlier best-on-best tournaments, the Canadians will make the most of familiarity and continuity when setting up their roster on this brief match.
This sample goes again to the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, together with the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Gamers who performed collectively, both internationally or on the identical crew, had been placed on the roster.
There was a cause why Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith had been on the Canadian Olympic crew. Or why Shea Weber and Dan Hamhuis made it in 2014 regardless of being on reverse groups. Equally, within the ahead place, why did Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and Sidney Crosby play collectively?
TEAM CANADA
Forwards
Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), Brayden Level (Tampa Bay Lightning), Brandon Hagel (Tampa Bay Lightning), Brad Marchand (Boston Bruins), Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers), Mitch Marner (Toronto Maple Leafs), Anthony Cirelli (Tampa Bay Lightning), Mark Stone (Vegas Golden Knights), Sam Bennett (Florida Panthers), Travis Konecny (Philadelphia Flyers), Seth Jarvis (Carolina Hurricanes)
When you have a look at the ahead group of Staff Canada, Level, Hagel, and Cirelli all gained a Stanley Cup collectively. They perceive what it takes to win in a brief match, much like Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett. These two gamers simply gained a Stanley Cup with Florida final yr.
It has been vital to Canada to have these guys who know play within the soiled areas. Why do you assume Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf made Canada’s Olympic crew in 2010 and 2014? Identical for Chris Kunitz? Familiarity issues.
Crosby and Marchand are there due to their expertise and taking part in on the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Throw in MacKinnon, who trains with these guys, and the continuity is there.
Additionally, have a look at the blue line.
Protection
Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche), Devon Toews (Colorado Avalanche), Shea Theodore (Vegas Golden Knights), Alex Pietrangelo (Vegas Golden Knights), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets), Colton Parayko (St. Louis Blues)
Nevertheless, the sample stands out in Staff Canada’s protection. Devon Toews and Cale Makar are the defensive pair with the Colorado Avalanche, in order that they had been delivered to play collectively. Equally, Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo are the highest pair for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Trying again on what Steve Yzerman did because the GM of Staff Canada in the course of the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, when Canada gained Gold, having cohesive and acquainted defensive pairs issues. The chemistry is already there. You additionally need veteran guys there who can play in all conditions.
Goalies
Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues), Adin Hill (Vegas Golden Knights), Sam Montembeault (Montreal Canadiens)
The goalies know these gamers, too, and can be nicely protected. Nevertheless, they may also be requested to cease the puck. Hill has gained a Cup taking part in behind Pietrangelo and Theodore. Binnington gained a Cup taking part in behind Parayko. Montembeault guided Canada to a World Championship not so way back.
Staff Canada’s mixture of youth and expertise on the 4 Nations Faceoff is nice, however for probably the most half, administration adopted a sample set forth by Hockey Canada on the Olympics, World Juniors, and World Championships, bringing guys who can mesh immediately with one another and have continuity.
That’s what wins in these brief tournaments. The 4 Nations Faceoff can be a mini-tournament between the USA, Canada, Sweden, and Finland. It’s presently scheduled for February 12 by way of 20 on the Bell Centre in Montreal and TD Backyard in Boston.
The 2 groups with the perfect match report following Spherical Robin’s play will advance to a one-game Remaining.
