Nick Suzuki’s spot with MacKinnon and Marchand in question as Friedman clarifies Team Canada l
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While the excitement was palpable about the possibility of seeing Nick Suzuki skate alongside Nathan MacKinnon, some clarifications are now stirring discussion.
Friedman reported that there was significant rotation among the lines during practice, involving all 14 forwards present.
At first, the insider noted that Nathan MacKinnon’s center line was completed by Brad Marchand on the left and Sam Reinhart on the right, effectively pushing Suzuki out of that initial combination.
“Canada early look: Crosby between Stone & Marner: McDavid between Celebrini & Wilson; MacKinnon between Marchand & Reinhart”
– Friedman
It was only afterward that Friedman clarified that Suzuki also “skated” with MacKinnon and Marchand, confirming that it was more of a mix-and-match situation rather than a fixed trio.
An internal competition for Nick Suzuki and Sam Reinhart, notably!
This situation indicates that head coach Jon Cooper is still evaluating his options to complete this offensive trio.
Sam Reinhart’s presence in the equation complicates matters, given that he is enjoying an exceptional season in terms of goal scoring.
It therefore seems premature to confirm Suzuki’s place in the top-9 for the first game of the tournament.
The use of 14 forwards in practice suggests that the battle for the final regular spots remains wide open and that the combinations could still change ahead of the matchup against Czechia.
This will definitely be a situation to monitor!
Let’s just say updates from today’s Team Canada practice would have been useful, but Jon Cooper opted to keep it closed to the media.
Plenty of action, that’s for sure!
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Nick Suzuki’s spot with MacKinnon and Marchand in question as Friedman clarifies Team Canada line rotation
Nick Suzuki or Sam Reinhart: who best complements the MacKinnon–Marchand duo?