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Sidney Crosby leads the way as Team Canada kicks off 4 Nations
Canadian pride is on the line as the 4 Nations Face-Off gets underway Wednesday in Montreal when Canada takes on Sweden.
Led by superstars like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and, of course, Captain Canada Sidney Crosby, the team has a very good chance of winning it all.
Sportsnet 650 Host Jamie Dodd says when it comes to international play, Canada is always one of the favourites.
“But this time a little bit different. You’d probably say they’re co-favourites with the United States. A big part of that is the situation in the crease. Canada doesn’t really have a clear-cut number-one starter. None of their goalies are really top-echelon guys in the NHL,” Dodd explained.
“The U.S. on the other hand, Connor Hellybuyck, a leading Vezina contender this year, maybe even a Hart candidate, so big edge in net. And the rest of the roster, even without Quinn Hughes, is pretty formidable as well.”
After dealing with a recent injury, there were fears Crosby may not play, but he has said he’s good to go.
“It’s huge for Canada and I think it’s huge for this tournament as well. To see a player with the gravity, and the weight, and the prestige of Sidney Crosby. You know, he could have taken the easy road out … but you see what it means for Crosby to get a chance to represent his country again,” he said.
“I think it also sends a signal to everyone watching. These players are taking this tournament really seriously.”
Despite the fact this tournament doesn’t have the likes of Russia, the Czech Republic, and some other hockey powers, Dodd thinks fans will be very invested.
“I think anytime you have the best of the best for their countries, and facing off against each other, that’s going to bring out the competitive juices of these guys. It’s very hard for me to imagine Team Canada versus Team USA on Saturday night in Montreal, the crowd is going to be into it and the players are going to be into it,” Dodd said.
“Don’t forget, for a lot of these guys, they’ve never had the chance to be at a tournament like this. Is it ideal? No. With only four nations, it’s not the Olympics, it’s not a World Cup even, but I still think the intensity is going to be there.”
The tournament comes at an interesting time in the hockey calendar. For many teams on the cusp of making the playoffs, the rest of the regular season is a big load to shoulder and the risk of getting hurt in a tournament like this is very possible.
“This type of thing has been a priority for the players. They understand the risks and are going to be fully committed to their teams and trying to win the Stanley Cup for a lot of them when they get back, but they also want to do their best for their country. You can’t go and not give your all,” Dodd added.
For some players, like Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson, this may be the reset needed to help get his play back on track.
“Pettersson probably played his best game of the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Canucks’ final game before this tournament and the message from head coach Rick Tocchet was pretty simple, ‘Go have fun. Enjoy yourself. Enjoy the opportunity to represent your country, to play with some of your friends, to play with your countrymen, go enjoy the experience.’
“And I think it’s that relaxed attitude that Tocchet is really hoping Pettersson can maybe find a little bit of at this tournament and bring back. Play loose. Wipe the slate clean.”
Meanwhile, Tocchet will also feature heavily in the competition as he’s an assistant coach for Team Canada.
“For Tocchet this is a huge vote of confidence for him to be on the staff of Jon Cooper. You look at some of the other assistant coaches, they’re guys who have won Stanley Cups, or at least taken their team to the Stanley Cup, and for him to be there, I think it says a lot about the esteem and respect that other NHL coaches have for him.”
The other Canuck involved in the tournament is Team Finland netminder Kevin Lankinen, but Dodd doesn’t expect him to play.
With a two-week break from the NHL, Dodd also doesn’t believe teams will be making any huge trades, adding the NHL doesn’t want any attention taken away from this tournament. However, this does give the Canucks an interesting opportunity.
“Take maybe one last run at trying to sign pending UFA Brock Boeser. Boeser is not on Team USA. All reports out there are he’s looking at $8 million a year. When you look at his goal-scoring track record, where he’ll be in the hierarchy of UFA’s on the open market in the summer, and certainly with the salary cap going up, I don’t think he would have any problem getting an $8 million deal if he goes to Jul. 1, it’s just a question of if the Canucks want to meet that and the other big question is term. How long does he want to go and how long are the Canucks willing to go on a contract?”
The other game that may get the attention of Canucks fans is Monday when Sweden plays the U.S. and Pettersson will face former Canucks forward J.T. Miller for the first time since the latter was traded on Jan. 31.
Miller was asked about the match-up during a news conference on Tuesday.
“It’s definitely something [the media] builds up. I’m sure it’s more exciting for you guys, but it’s just another game for us,” he said.
The puck drops Wednesday in Montreal at 5 p.m. when Team Canada opens the tournament against Sweden. Canada then plays the U.S. on Saturday and Monday against Finland. The championship round gets underway next Thursday.
You can listen to Jamie Dodd and Thomas Drance on Canucks Talk on Sportsnet 650 Monday to Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
