Bill Daly confided that the NHL has big plans… Much to Connor McDavid’s delight → https://t.co/DDYVtlZUWU
– DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) August 23, 2023
And at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the NHL could participate… for the first time in 12 years. The last time was in 2014, in Sochi.
It was a different story at the last two Winter Olympics, but Canada didn’t have its best squad.
But if the NHL’s plans materialize, Canada will have a complete, extremely powerful team for 2025 and 2026. Sportsnet took the opportunity to put together a potential line-up for the team.
With talk of another World Cup of Hockey-style tournament heating up, it’s hard not to start dreaming of the ultimate Team Canada roster. @EmmySadler gazes into crystal ball to come up with an All-Star lineup. https://t.co/UNCPVKJM0l
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 30, 2023
It’s worth noting that Nick Suzuki is the only Habs player who will be representing our nation. But according to Sportsnet, he won’t be in the starting line-up. In fact, he’ll be an extra, along with two Panthers players: Brandon Montour and Carter Verhaeghe.
Of course, the Connor McDavids, Sidney Crosbys and Brad Marchands of this world deserve their place in the club, but the Canadiens’ captain has a case for taking the place of certain players. I’m not saying that the CH captain is necessarily better than Zach Hyman and Dylan Cozens, but…
And again, without being biased, I think Samuel Montembeault would do a better job than Stuart Skinner, who is projected as the team’s number-one goalie. Darcy Kuemper and Devon Levi, who are goalkeepers two and three, aren’t that much better than Monty…
Obviously, we shouldn’t take this projection for cash, but it gives us a pretty good idea of the potential Canadian line-up. Don’t forget that by 2025 and 2026, guys like Crosby, Marchand and Stamkos will have aged and may not be as dominant as they are right now.
As for other CH players who could represent their countries, there’s Cole Caufield (USA), Juraj Slafkovsky (Slovakia) and Joel Armia (Finland). We could even add Jesse Ylonen’s name (as a replacement). We know the Finnish GM likes him.
In gusto
– Donald Audette encourages Anthony Mantha. [TSLH]
– One to watch.
Hearing that Gina Kingsbury, who has headed Canada’s national team since 2018 may be taking one of the PWHL GM jobs.
Another name I’m hearing is Danielle Marmer, who has been working in scouting and player development with the Boston Bruins.
Neither confirmed, both likely.
– Ian Kennedy (@IanKennedyCK) August 30, 2023
– He was not claimed in the balloting.
Good news for the former BC Lions! https://t.co/h7fuxgQA3C
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) August 31, 2023
– Tampa’s first relatively long summer in a long time.
A first summer of healthy rest for the Lightning in three years:
“One player said to me, ‘Finally I feel strong'”
-Mark Lambert, Director of High Performance and Fitness for the Tampa Bay LightningLes Amateurs de sports with @LangloisMario
98.5 FM pic.twitter.com/0GmLHMJxR4– 98.5 Sports (@985Sports) August 31, 2023
– Big win.
Victory feels good. https://t.co/u2yADjshs0
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) August 31, 2023