On the level of Helly?


Helly hasn't won anything - ever. He is a playoff choker, Binnington has a cup and now this win.

I'm glad the leafs never went aftwer Helly like some here wanted so badly. Same for Saros who got exposed and lit up in this tourney.
- Cush29

I agree. Binnington solidified that he is a gamer, and big time game goalie.

You take away Matthews' questionable decision to try and take away the passing lane instead of just taking the man which led to the loss and look at his game overall - I've never really looked at his game from the perspective of the opposition before and he is a very scary player. He had the game on his stick a number of times yesterday and I think if he were healthier, he cashes in on a couple of those chances. Like when he was on the ice, shots were 14-4 in favour of the US and HD chances were 5-0. He was phenomenal and terrifying.
- Monkeypunk

I had the same thoughts with Matthews. Other than the ot goal he was so good defensively too. The amount of plays he breaks up is insane.

I had the same thoughts with Matthews. Other than the ot goal he was so good defensively too. The amount of plays he breaks up is insane.
- bryant

Yes he was very good last night. Terrifying in OT in particular.

The move to IIHF hockey and the bigger ice surfaces will benefit the Canadian game (or at least the one we saw in this tourney and I would think will be similar come Olympics) than the US.

Bigger ice makes it much harder to play the wild crash and bang and cause chaos (and take free cheap shots) style the loser Tkachuck brothers and team USA play.

I mean how much better will the skill and speed game of Team Canada look on International sized Ice with more penalties? Imagine players like Mc David, Makar, McKinnon, Marner etc. with all that extra ice

The move to IIHF hockey and the bigger ice surfaces will benefit the Canadian game (or at least the one we saw in this tourney and I would think will be similar come Olympics) than the US.

Bigger ice makes it much harder to play the wild crash and bang and cause chaos (and take free cheap shots) style the loser Tkachuck brothers and team USA play.

I mean how much better will the skill and speed game of Team Canada look on International sized Ice with more penalties? Imagine players like Mc David, Makar, McKinnon, Marner etc. with all that extra ice
- Cush29

Agree with this. Cellebrini and Bedard will most likely be there too.

Ok, but unfortunately, Bill Guerin and USA hockey DID classlessly bring politics into it, and Matthews is the team captain.

They should be pressed on it.
- fifty__missions

I never thought that I'd be in a position of hoping for public figures to at least mention that repeated rhetoric against sovereignty of other countries is not cool. But this is where we are.

I wouldn't mind the Honourary Captain of Canada to share some thoughts on that area either. Wayne's received many honours in his time but after Trump is gone his dishonour will remain.

The speed and intensity on display were on a higher level that I've never seen before. It was right up there with a Cup final game for both Canada and South Quebec games. It absolutely grabbed my attention and roped me in.

And, it was mostly clean with little dirty stuff. Lots of little poop that didn't get called, but no Whorey Fairy poop and even Marchand behaved.

And holy (frank) balls, how do you leave The Alpha and Omega wide open in the slot in OT?

Yes he was very good last night. Terrifying in OT in particular.
- fifty__missions

He was but his missed assignment cost his team the tournament and to me that outweighs a great game. I hope he can learn from it and keep those types of mistakes to when he plays for 'merica.

:-)


Did anyone else think Matthews seemed more engaged when there was a scrum etc. than we see him with the Leafs? I watched him grab Marchand who was going to get into the scrum in a way I don't think I've ever seen him grab a guy as a Leaf.

I actually found myself saying out loud "Why don't you do that when you play for the Leafs". I'm hoping that's a new thing he will bring to his Leaf games now because he's a big boy and I think most agree he needs to engage a bit more in that type of stuff vs just smiling and taking it.

I really feared Matthews winning it. He's due for a goal and he's the best goal scorer on the ice. Hope he saved his signature big goals for his club team.

On the level of Helly?


Helly hasn't won anything - ever. He is a playoff choker, Binnington has a cup and now this win.

I'm glad the leafs never went aftwer Helly like some here wanted so badly. Same for Saros who got exposed and lit up in this tourney.
- Cush29

Ya i get he hasnt won anything and folded last year in the playoffs, my point was that i feel like helly is one tier up from what we had. Maybe logan and or bennie get there by the Olympics.
Bennie was great in both OT's but it was our weakest spot.
Anywho, we won, still have a year until the Olympics....which will be a bit of different game as well. That will play a factor into it.

And i never wanted the leafs to trade for helly, saros or demko.

The move to IIHF hockey and the bigger ice surfaces will benefit the Canadian game (or at least the one we saw in this tourney and I would think will be similar come Olympics) than the US.

Bigger ice makes it much harder to play the wild crash and bang and cause chaos (and take free cheap shots) style the loser Tkachuck brothers and team USA play.

I mean how much better will the skill and speed game of Team Canada look on International sized Ice with more penalties? Imagine players like Mc David, Makar, McKinnon, Marner etc. with all that extra ice
- Cush29

2026 Olympics will be played on NHL-sized ice.

I never thought that I'd be in a position of hoping for public figures to at least mention that repeated rhetoric against sovereignty of other countries is not cool. But this is where we are.

I wouldn't mind the Honourary Captain of Canada to share some thoughts on that area either. Wayne's received many honours in his time but after Trump is gone his dishonour will remain.
- Zezel

Gretzky should not have been our honorary captain. There is too much Maga baggage now in this climate. I suspect he was there because he and Cooper are buddies. It's the only thing I can fault Cooper for. He made some very good tactical decisions.

On the level of Helly?


Helly hasn't won anything - ever. He is a playoff choker, Binnington has a cup and now this win.

I'm glad the leafs never went aftwer Helly like some here wanted so badly. Same for Saros who got exposed and lit up in this tourney.
- Cush29

You could say the exact same about Matthews.

I agree. Binnington solidified that he is a gamer, and big time game goalie.
- fifty__missions

I think he's the Olympic starter at this point but poop can change in a year for sure.

Gretzky should not have been our honorary captain. There is too much Maga baggage now in this climate. I suspect he was there because he and Cooper are buddies. It's the only thing I can fault Cooper for. He made some very good tactical decisions.
- fifty__missions

Agree.

So, it would appear Marner can be quite effective in the biggest moments and tightest do-or-die hockey at the highest level.

Thoughts?

Matthew has a broken sternum

2026 Olympics will be played on NHL-sized ice.
- Atomic Wedgie

With an IIHF rulebook.

Gretzky should not have been our honorary captain. There is too much Maga baggage now in this climate. I suspect he was there because he and Cooper are buddies. It's the only thing I can fault Cooper for. He made some very good tactical decisions.
- fifty__missions

It's almost as if some people can put politics aside and focus on what unites us vs what divides us. You should try it some time.

Agree with this. Cellebrini and Bedard will most likely be there too.
- fifty__missions

They both would be great adds for skill and speed.

Doughty probably shouldn't have been there, he hasn't played enough this year and it showed.

I think the roster construction for Canada was flawed, they failed to recognize the way the USA would play on small ice and failed to bring enough size / grit with guys like Scheiffle sitting at home but the squeaked out the win.

I thought Marchand was just there and didn't contribute much aside from being the class clown and interview specialist.

They have a year to figure out what they want from an Olympic roster perspective, Peterangelo will be on the Olympic roster I think, Tanev maybe?

Do you think your Sabres will be sellers at the deadline or maybe make a 1 for 1 hockey trade to change up the dynamic of the team a bit?
- Fakepartofme

I'm not sure. Lindy broke down the remainder of the schedule 5 games at a time and has a plan to get them to 90 points and hope it is enough to make the playoffs. It doesn't appear it matters what they do with players or coaches and their GM lets things go too long. I think he is done and they won't make any moves until a new GM comes in to decide what is going to happen with the roster.

You could say the exact same about Matthews.
- TurdFergeson

And you'd be correct. I don't think anyone is giving Matthews a pass on poor playoff performances.

Sorry, I have to...

Nice alliteration!

Matthew has a broken sternum


- dmnted

Jesus. I've had that. Was not comfortable.

It's almost as if some people can put politics aside and focus on what unites us vs what divides us. You should try it some time.
- Whipper

Eh. I didn't like it. Sports is inherently political.

So, it would appear Marner can be quite effective in the biggest moments and tightest do-or-die hockey at the highest level.

Thoughts?
- Zezel

Yeah, of all things leaf related, that's got to be the most positive development for sure. He's got to be feeling chuffed by what happened last night. You would think that he would be take a lot from that going forward.