JT/Sid/Stammer/Doughty might be too old to keep up by that point.

I was thinking about having team like in Vancouver 2010 where the best 35/36yr old veterans played like Niedermeyer for example.. their last big tournament. And they all would keep up in my opinion.

Maybe. Sid would be 38, though.

His last tournament, maybe he would continue after that or maybe he will retire but he should be there.

I think the 35+ year olds like Sid and Doughty all depend on where the Olympics are held. They should be a lock if it’s North American ice, if it’s the big ice then it could be different. With the way Sid trains tho, I just don’t see him slowing down anytime in the next decade or so.

There are two favourites for 2026 olympics and that is either Calgary or Stockholm in Sweden and both of those would want to see sid and co. on their last huge tournament. Sid is going to dominate until 40s,,

JT is already considered a slow skater. Eight years from now? I don't even want to think about that...

Your defense needs work. Dumba? Manson? Montour? Pulock? Theodore? Nurse?

You can do better.

Maybe Manson or Dumba, other than that nothing better than what I have there. Both Dobson and Makar are going to be better than them.

Hard to imagine that a 24-year-old Quinton Byfield gets cut from this team.

Wing and a prayer, buddy.

Dobson would be on Pietrangelos level possibly and Makar would be elite offensive defender.

No they should not be a lock to play in 2026 just because its in NA (if that were the case). This is the same tactic that resulted in the 2006 catastrophe in picking players based on what they had done in the past and not what they were presently providing. If they are still elite players come that time then yes. But if not, then they should be avoided.

I admire your optimism. Dobson isn't even the best d-man in his draft.

Pietrangelo was 3rd best. 2018 draft group was one of the best from 2003 and there were some elite stars in that draft. Even in 2nd round there were players who would go top15-20 in other drafts.

Well 2006 was a disaster because they took a big old physical team to a tournament on international ice. I’m sure Bertuzzi would have been at least a bit better on small ice.
I mean, I love guys like Draper, Doan and Ryan Smyth.. but the biggest mistake in making that team was to leave Crosby off of it. Hopefully we never make that mistake again, play that man until he’s dead! Lol
So basically I’m in complete agreement with your post, with the exception of Doughty and Crosby.. 35+ year old Crosby > 35+ year old Draper.