Jamie Nye: Pondering a Jon Cooper-led Team Canada

With the news of the coaching staff being set for the men’s hockey team, it’s no longer too early to think about what a Team Canada would look like for the Beijing Olympics — if it goes, of course.

Of course, you start with Crosby and McDavid. From there:

Do you try to make sure you have some chemistry on lines with Stamkos and Point, Marchand and Bergeron, Tavares and Marner? Then throw in players like Schiefele, MacKinnon, Huberdeau and Barzal to complete the wingers.

I also have a dream line of size, skating and skill of Stone, Horvat and O’Reilly as the ultimate lockdown group. That’s 15 forwards, by the way. And many deserving players haven’t been mentioned.

A blue line looks pretty good with Cale Makar, Alex Pietrangelo, Shea Theodore as locks. And then debate the next four: Morgan Rielly, Drew Doughty, Mark Giordano, Dougie Hamilton, Darnell Nurse, Aaron Ekblad, Thomas Chabot would be some of the nominees.

In net there might be easier decisions if Carey Price is 100 per cent and willing. Price and Marc-Andre Fleury are there. Then if Carter Hart rebounds, add him to the list or it’ll be Darcy Kuemper as #3.

Now, we just need a deal done with the IIHF and Olympics to get players there so this debate can really heat up going into the fall and winter.