Weekly Takes - Monday, December 27 Edition

Weekly Takes - Monday, December 27 Edition

1. I truly hope there is a World Cup of Hockey before the next Olympic games but if not, here is my way-too-early Team Canada lineup for the 2026 Olympics.

Forwards…

Connor McDavid (28) - Nathan MacKinnon (30) - Connor Bedard (20)

Brayden Point (29) - Shane Wright (21) - Mitch Marner (28)

Jonathan Huberdeau (32) - Matt Barzal (28) - Andrew Mangiapane (29)

Anthony Cirelli (28) - Sidney Crosby (38) - Drake Batherson (27)

Extras: Matthew Savoie (21) and Mark Stone (33)

Defence…

Shea Theodore (30) - Cale Makar (27)

Morgan Rielly (31) - Aaron Ekblad (29)

Owen Power (23) - Jamie Drysdale (23)

Extras: Thomas Chabot (29) and Bowen Byram (24)

Goalies…

Carter Hart (27)

Tristan Jarry (30)

Extra: Jordan Binnington (32)

2. My three stars from Canada’s 6-3 win over Czechia on Sunday…

1. Power

2. Mason McTavish

3. Jake Neighbours

An extremely sloppy first period of play in the neutral zone by Canada but they dominated in the last 40 minutes.

Nothing wrong with a little adversity.

3. The IIHF cancelling the Women’s U-18 World Championship despite going on with the World Juniors is an embarrassment for the federation but it also speaks to something larger that is unfolding.

No one is buying the “because of Covid” excuse anymore. In 2021 and soon-to-be 2022, you either want to do something or you don’t. You are either willing to adapt or you aren’t.

Covid has been the great excuse maker of this generation but those days are over.

4. I completely respect the NBA’s “we have to play through Covid” mindset but forcing the Raptors to play with the players they were without last night is an embarrassment to the league.

Simply pushing through these times is not admirable. Adapting is.

5. With the NFL front office and head coaching carousel perhaps starting a bit early this season, here is the list of general managers and head coaches that I would move off from if I were in charge.

General Managers…

• Mike Mayock (Las Vegas)

• Dave Gettleman (Giants)

• Ryan Pace (Chicago)

Head Coaches…

• Matt Nagy (Chicago)

• Vic Fangio (Denver)

• Joe Judge (Giants)

6. And here is a list of executives and coaches that I believe should be in line for promotions…

Executives…

• Ed Dodds (Colts AGM)

• Joe Hortiz (Baltimore Director of Player Personnel)

• Jeff Irleand (New Orleans AGM)

• Peyton Manning

Coaches…

• Leslie Fraizer (Buffalo’s DC)

• Brian Daboll (Buffalo’s OC)

• Greg Roman (Baltimore’s OC)

• Eric Bieniemy (Kansas City OC)

• Joe Lombardi (Chargers OC)

• Joe Barry (Green Bay DC)

• Dennis Allen (New Orleans DC)

• Byron Leftwich (Tampa Bay OC)

• Todd Bowels (Tampa Bay DC)

7. The demise of Ben Roethlisberger has been greatly discussed but the problems in Pittsburgh go well beyond his poor play.

Yes, the Steelers need a starting quarterback, but they also need a starting left tackle, centre, and right tackle, as well as two starting inside linebackers, a starting right cornerback, and a starting strong safety.

Never mind the fact that they need depth at the guard, quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and two linebacking positions.

This is not a “find a quarterback and you are back to being a Super Bowl contending team” type of situation. This is a two-year rebuild that is about to unfold.

8. My week 17 NFL predictions...

- Bucs (-13)

- Kansas City (-5.5)

- Colts (-7.5)

- Rams (-3.5)

- Bills (+14)

- Jaguars (+15.5)

- Giants (+6)

- Dolphins (+3.5)

- Texans (+15)

- Chargers (-5.5)

- Panthers (+6.5)

- Cowboys (-5.5)

- Lions (+7)

- Packers (-6)

- Steelers (+3)

I went 9-6 in week 16 and am now 116-111 on the season with Monday Night Football still pending.

9. My College Football Playoffs predictions…

• Cotton Bowl Classic: Alabama beats Cincinnati

• Orange Bowl: Georgia beats Michigan

• National Championship: Georgia beats Alabama

10. My 2021 year-end awards in the North American sports scene…

Best Moment: Phil Mickelson wins PGA Tour Championship

Best Game: Milwaukee Bucks beat Brooklyn Nets (R2, G7)

Best Team: Tampa Bay Lightning

Most Impressive Team: Atlanta Braves

Best Executive: Alex Anthopoulos

Best Coach: Bruce Arians

Best Player: Connor McDavid

Most Impressive Player: Shohei Ohtani

Breakout Player: Cooper Kupp

11. My 2021 year-end awards in the Toronto sports scene…

Best Moment: Raptors move up to fourth overall in the draft lottery

Worst Moment: Leafs lose game seven to Montreal

Best Game: Blue Jays comeback to beat Athletics (09/03)

Best Team: Argos

Worst Team: TFC

Most Impressive Team: Blue Jays

Least Impressive Team: TFC

Best Executive: Mark Shapiro

Worst Executive: Ali Curtis

Best Coach: Sheldon Keefe

Worst Coach: Chris Armas

Best Player: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Most Impressive Player: Guerrero Jr.

Breakout Player: Robbie Ray

Most Disappointing Player: Yeferson Soteldo