Been to Montreal and it's gorgeous and from what I have heard it's as close to Europe as you can get without being in Europe, but being from the states.....it was not a warm reception...and I was there in the summer or fall and never attended a Habs game.

Have NEVER gotten that reception having been to a lot of Ontario. Want to get out to BC, Alberta, and Winnipeg.
- SteveRain

Not much in Winnipeg, or as we call it, Winterpeg. Cold as hell in winter and mosquitoes bigger than Zedano Chara in the summer. BC is drop dead gorgeous with incredible restaurants and lots to see and do. Alberta is really nice especially Banff and Lake Louise. Calgary is a really nice city, Edmonton is ok. It’s on the other side of the Rockies so it’s also got some interesting and beautiful scenery. Another place that’s basically an undeveloped Alaska is the Yukon but if you’re into hiking invest in a couple containers of bear spray.

100% agreed....and Marner flashed and disappeared from time to time in the series like Matthews and Hughes. MacKinnon and McDavid you knew were on the ice just like the Tkachuks.

I think the key for Davidson is finding that guy who can push Bedard's ceiling and not go hide when this team starts to become an annual contender for the cup. I don't know who that is exactly, but this tourney, while a VERY short sample size, really shed some light on guys who sack up and guys who look to pass.

Too many passengers on team USA and the Hawks desperately need more drivers because Bedard can't do it alone.

I like Nazar a lot but why does he remind me of a Versteeg type player?
- SteveRain

Too many players on USA that play the same style. Hughes was supposed to be a dynamic play maker and he wasn't. Matthews played a good 2 way game but he wasn't dynamic in the ozone much except in OT. Not sure how much Kane has in the tank still but his playmaking abilities were missed.

Kinda reminded me of the Ducks v. Hawks when Kessler said Hawks couldn't withstand the hits/physicality. USA squad tried to grind Canada down. Canada found a way to withstand it and win.

Is Mark Stone hurt or is he just past his prime? He looked slow and pretty meh to me most of the time.

It was great for the sport of hockey, the NHL, and the Tkachuk bros taking the tourney over. THe outcome is always the same......we beat Canada when it doesn't matter, social media/players act like we won the tourney, face them again for skins and $hit the bed. That HAS to change IF Hockey wants to take the next step otherwise we get these fun flashes like 2010 or Oshie in 2014 or the 4 nations.

IF I am USA hockey I am seriously considering NOT bringing Jack Hughes to Italy. That kid.....well if he's hurt maybe he has an excuse, but refused to engage, floated, and put up 1 assist in 4 games while being counted on to help this team. It wasn't a story because of how damn well the Tkachuk bros and Guentzel did but when Sean McDonough is calling you OUT during a game.....yikes.

Eichel, Matthews, Hughes, Miller.....0 goals between them. If those boys were Canadian, they'd be launched into the sun.

Eichel was very good for large portions of the tourney. He's really morphed into a well rounded 2 way player. His skate deflection on the PK was amazing.....insane hockey IQ.

Matthews had a very solid game until OT....couldn't finish 3 different times, lost a key faceoff, and floated away from McDavid and it cost them.

Congrats to Canada. By far not their best effort from a lot of their guys, and likely left a lot of better players home...so that gap talent wise/results wise isn't going to get any better for the USA next February. I love Miracle, but like the 85 Bears....lets curb that.....it was fun for this, but it's ran it's course.

Now to watch and hope for some savvy KD trades and a top 4 pick in the draft and a LEGIT top 3 player for Bedard to skate with in 2025-26.....
- SteveRain

I agree with just about all of this post. The US junior team loves skilled players like Hughes but they IMO don't pay enough attention the road grader types. I think they need to scout for high IQ big road grader types and develop them as well. The high IQ being the key. Need those guys for proper depth and balance on a team.

Kudos to the people of Boston, they booed the Canadian players and not the anthem. I was very disappointed the people in Montreal booed the American anthem.
- paulr

I understood why it happened. Canadians (and Canadiens) are justifiably proud people; I would've been a bit surprised if it hadn't happened. Cheers!

Some Quebecers are trash most aren’t. Montreal and Quebec City are two of the nicest cities in Canada and if you haven’t been you should, you’ll love it.
- paulr

We loved Montreal and Quebec City when we visited. And QC has a very strong farm to table game, added bonus. But the French I learned in HS, what I remembered of it, that didn't get me very far. Besides, just the way I said bonjour always elicited an immediate English response.

I agree with just about all of this post. The US junior team loves skilled players like Hughes but they IMO don't pay enough attention the road grader types. I think they need to scout for high IQ big road grader types and develop them as well. The high IQ being the key. Need those guys for proper depth and balance on a team.
- 6628

It didn't help that our top 2 power forwards, the Tkachuk bros were hurt. Then again when Crosby is your 3rd best center on the team.... damn

I agree with just about all of this post. The US junior team loves skilled players like Hughes but they IMO don't pay enough attention the road grader types. I think they need to scout for high IQ big road grader types and develop them as well. The high IQ being the key. Need those guys for proper depth and balance on a team.
- 6628

Idk.. wasn't the USA squad mostly the high IQ road grader types? Pretty heavy USA roster outside of Hughes.

Hughes was bad but I think the USA missed having elite playmakers. Canada's elite talent won out in the end.

I know Wiz has Hagens as the 2nd OA, but if it were me and i had a choice of the top 3 forwards in this draft, i would have a really hard time deciding between Misa and Martone.

It didn't help that our top 2 power forwards, the Tkachuk bros were hurt. Then again when Crosby is your 3rd best center on the team.... damn
- BetweenTheDots

True but plenty of injuries for Canada. Crosby couldn't even shoot the puck b/c of his elbow issues. Morrisey and Theodore out for Canada, plus Pietrangelo.

Scheifele apparently left off Canada b/c he was still recovering from injury. Brady Tkachuk didn't seem hurt. Maybe a bit under the weather.

It didn't help that our top 2 power forwards, the Tkachuk bros were hurt. Then again when Crosby is your 3rd best center on the team.... damn
- BetweenTheDots

Agree, plus Makar being back. Tight game, could have gone either way. I'm glad it was a snipe and not a softie that won the game.

Actually Trudeau stepping down was a smart way to hopefully get Carney in as leader. Trudeau had no chance at getting re-elected and Freeland was too associated with him to get elected. Carney saved our asses in the 2008 bank meltdown.
- paulr

Correct

Idk.. wasn't the USA squad mostly the high IQ road grader types? Pretty heavy USA roster outside of Hughes.

Hughes was bad but I think the USA missed having elite playmakers. Canada's elite talent won out in the end.
- bhawks2241

I don't think any of the USA forwards outside of Brady make anyone think twice.

Idk.. wasn't the USA squad mostly the high IQ road grader types? Pretty heavy USA roster outside of Hughes.

Hughes was bad but I think the USA missed having elite playmakers. Canada's elite talent won out in the end.
- bhawks2241

The USA's roster has a lot of elite playmakers. It was an outstanding tournament capped off by a phenomenal championship game. I might be in the minority, but I thought Matthews had a good tournament. He had some great chances late but Binnington stood on his head for Canada and kept them alive.

I also thought Marner was really good when he had to be. People will credit his performance to the talent surrounding him, but he played great and had huge moments when they mattered most. I hope the Hawks explore him this summer (of course at the right price).

Last night's game was a coin flip...it was going to be the team that made the first mistake in their zone, and unfortunately, it was the USA. Matthews will take the heat for it, but it was the only time in the game where 97 or anybody on Canada was left wide open in such a dangerous scoring area. Watching that level of talent play with such intensity was incredible. I hope the NHL continues to do something like this moving forward.

And despite the loss for the USA... this is going to make the storyline(s) heading into the Olympics even better for this rivalry between USA/Canada.

Question for this board...

Would Patrick Kane have helped this USA team? Thoughts?

Question for this board...

Would Patrick Kane have helped this USA team? Thoughts?
- frafra

He wouldn’t have hurt them and his vast experience could have made a difference.

Question for this board...

Would Patrick Kane have helped this USA team? Thoughts?
- frafra

Games were fast and that's something he's not. As he ages he figures to be less and less effective in a game like that. Power play is a different story but there weren't enough of them.

Too many players on USA that play the same style. Hughes was supposed to be a dynamic play maker and he wasn't. Matthews played a good 2 way game but he wasn't dynamic in the ozone much except in OT. Not sure how much Kane has in the tank still but his playmaking abilities were missed.

Kinda reminded me of the Ducks v. Hawks when Kessler said Hawks couldn't withstand the hits/physicality. USA squad tried to grind Canada down. Canada found a way to withstand it and win.

Is Mark Stone hurt or is he just past his prime? He looked slow and pretty meh to me most of the time.
- bhawks2241

again very small sample size, but when it's on the line our best didn't out perform their best and that's why the USA lost.

3 guys needed to be difference makers last night...

Matthews--outside of his last shift and not converting in OT....I had no issues with him.

Hughes---if it weren't for the injury to M Tkachuck and the questionable dressing of kreider, this could wouldnt have seen the ice from the 3rd period on.

Hellebuyck---he was so good in montreal, and I can't fault him for either the 1st or 3rd goal...but like the McDavid goal in Montreal, the Bennett goal he WAY too deep in his net. He comes out and challenges Bennett and Bennett doesn't have the angle to go top shelf.

USA Hockey will make some tweaks and with Sullivan coming back he'll have a lot of influence but guys like Nelson and kreider can't come back. Need to find the balance and most importantly need everyone in that room to buy in while they may be a top line player for their respective NHL team, they may be a checking line player for Team USA. That;s why Canada just steam rolls along....when guys like Toews and Nash have zero issue playing checking line roles, it creates massive matchup problems.

USA needs to find that buy in and LOVED larkin calling out these guys for blowing off the worlds. You want a shot at the varsity team, postpone your mexico trip and go play for your country and not have it be a one sided relationship.

What kind of BS are you spouting? Trudeau had to fall on his sword, and it had nothing to do with the US or Trump. If he didn't the Liberals would end up with Mondale type results next election.
- wizardofi

When Canada is ready to give up free health care and probably 50 other things I don't know about, perhaps long time off for having children IDK I'm just guessing being American you can say they no longer wish to be liberal.

Been to Montreal and it's gorgeous and from what I have heard it's as close to Europe as you can get without being in Europe, but being from the states.....it was not a warm reception...and I was there in the summer or fall and never attended a Habs game.

Have NEVER gotten that reception having been to a lot of Ontario. Want to get out to BC, Alberta, and Winnipeg.
- SteveRain

Been to Toronto, Montreal and Quebec. First thing I noticed no trash in the streets.

Games were fast and that's something he's not. As he ages he figures to be less and less effective in a game like that. Power play is a different story but there weren't enough of them.
- 6628

Agreed...he would be a specialist and been noticeably out of place 5 v 5. Hope some of these guys who were passed by force USA management next fall to reconsider. Show them why they shouldn't pass you by a 2nd time. DeBrincat has some snarl to his game. They need feisty guys willing to win 50/50 pucks. They lost a LOT of those battles last night outside of B Tkachuk and Trotchek. Also need to see Hellebuyck work on his game playing the puck. Huge benefit for Canada with Binnington being a 6th player stopping the forecheck.

The better team one last night like they almost always do. I didn't expect anything less.

Cheer up only 1427 days left until the next bozo takes office.
- BetweenTheDots

It sounds better when you say 47 months.

Man Seth Jones REALLY being vocal about pushing this trade thing. Which is great to see as I hope they can deal him and get some younger kids in there and get rid of these older guard toxic so called "leaders".

Just curious how with 5 years left that cap retaining money looks like....have to assume it's going to cost another team multiple picks with at least 1, 1st being coming this way...and a decent prospect (hopefully a F or G). Closer to NHL ready the better.

however, I think it was Paul but say the Hawks land at 2.....you then could have Toronto's and say Dallas's 1st plus 2, 2nd's this year and 3, 2nd's last year to swing back in to the top 5. Imagine getting Martone and Misa. Good lord.

Been to Toronto, Montreal and Quebec. First thing I noticed no trash in the streets.
- rpeters01

Toronto airport was a dump, but which airport isn't? LOL

I do agree...the streets were very clean. Been to the Niagra region a ton, and of course Windsor.....there urban areas are in far much better shape than ours.

I don't think any of the USA forwards outside of Brady make anyone think twice.
- 6628

Back to hockey. People here want to spend $15M/yr and go get Matthews. And we think the Jones contract is bad. I'll add a few $'s to the $15M and sign two Hagel's. Getting both Tkuchuk brothers would be better than the old Sedin twins.

Anybody notice this site blew up again yesterday for a few hours?

Toronto airport was a dump, but which airport isn't? LOL

I do agree...the streets were very clean. Been to the Niagra region a ton, and of course Windsor.....there urban areas are in far much better shape than ours.
- SteveRain

And Windsor is a suburb of Detroit. Did you go to casinos or ballet?