Good Afternoon Hockeyworld!
First some news...
The Coyotes have announced that President /CEO Ahron Cohen is no longer with the team. The new president/CEO will be the 8th person to hold that title for the Coyotes in the last 15 years. That is a startling amount of turnover for this position with a team. Generally, team president's stick around for a decade or so as the GMs and coaches below them swap out...
Cohen is one of the best guys in this sport, too. No one is more giving to the community or holds higher principles. I imagine he could be heading to another team sooner than later...Unless he decides on a different career path...He is class all the way.
Today and tomorrow I will be looking at the projected roster of the 2022 Team Canada and Team USA Olympic Teams. These rosters are flat out deadly. While Team Canada is always among the favorites at the Olympics, I feel in 2022 we will see the Americans rival them, and perhaps even pass them. Lets look at Team Canada Today...I spoke to several people involved in Canadian Hockey and USA Hockey when compiling these lists...
Ek's Team Canada Projections
Forwards.. 8 Definites: Sidney Crosby Connor McDavid Nathan MacKinnon Steven Stamkos Mark Schiefele Mitch Marner John Tavares Patrice Bergeron
3 Probables Taylor Hall Sean Couturier Mark Stone
Battling for the final spot... Brad Marchand Ryan O’Reilly Brayden Point Mathew Barzal Jonathan Toews
Defense: 4 Definites: Drew Doughty Alex Pietrangelo Thomas Chabot Cale Makar
Battling for the final 2 spots... Morgan Rielly Shea Weber Aaron Ekblad Dougie Hamilton
4 Goalies. 2 Spots. Carey Price Jordan Binnington Matt Murray Carter Hart
Team Canada's Strengths...
Forwards..
There is no other country in the world that will be able to touch the star power or the pure talent. I would argue that 2022's Team Canada's forwards may be the best group of 12 EVER Assembled on one team.
Team Canada's Weaknesses...
Defense...
Canada's defense won't be the best ever, or even the best in this tournament. Team USA's defense is far more talented (as we will see tomorrow) Canada has some older players and some very young players. It will be a very tough call for them as to who they bring...My guess is they go with experience.
To be determined...
Goaltending.
Price is the stalwart and if he is on his game its a game changer. Behind him should be Matt Murray, but Binnington could come on strong and Hart is a Team Canada Junior Legend...
What are your thoughts?
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— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) August 2, 2017