Team Canada Whenever The Next Canada Cup Is

I generally don't mind this team, obviously depending on timeline (i.e. if it's sooner, Bergeron and likely Kuemper are on the team rather than McTavish and one of the goalies).

I think the most glaring issue I would see with this team is Kane. I know he has been doing pretty well with McDavid in Edmonton and HC traditionally likes to keep "pairs" of players together. But, Kane seems so far from the type of player that Hockey Canada typically goes for and I would imagine given the mess they've put themselves in they probably distance themselves from ANYONE with even a hint of controversy or character issues.

Good team overall, I think I would probably swap Stamkos to 1LW, Mackinnon to 2RW, and Stone with Marchand and Crosby. Depth pieces and more speculative players (Bedard, McTavish) I think will depend on how the next few years go.

If Kane continues to play like he has with McDavid you take him and tell the media to pound sand. I’d much rather have our best player playing with his favourite line mate. I have no idea when we will see the next tournament, I’m guessing maybe 2024?

My guess is where Kane lands in his image rehabilitation. Don’t forget hockey Canada has a gigantic black eye already so might be extra cautious when taking anyone with any negative image attached

I want the best team. If he’s playing well he should be on the team. If he’s not then leave him off. Nothing else matters

I guess it also just depends on whether we think Kane is one of the 12/13 best forwards, especially a 33 year old Kane if we're going for a Fall 2024 tournament. He's produced pretty well with McDavid during their short time together, but I would also believe that there are a lot of Canadian players who would produce on the left side with McDavid and Marner.

A lot can change in two full NHL seasons, and if Kane puts up consecutive 40 goal seasons on McDavid's wing and stays out of trouble I think there's a chance. But banking on sustained excellent play from a player who has literally never had sustained excellent play and on the downside of their career when there are many other, equally good Canadian forwards might be a small reach.