Better Team Canada, 1987 vs 1976.

[tony d]

Yeah it's close but I'll go with the 1987 team.

[MadLuke]

Why MacInnis was not playing for team 1987 ?

[Big Phil]

Originally Posted by MadLuke

Why MacInnis was not playing for team 1987 ?

Keenan sort of had his own way of picking teams. The 1991 team also left off a ton of talent that would have left us wringing our hands to this day had they lost. MacInnis, Stevens, Roy, Yzerman, Neely and others were cut in 1987. It worked though. Keenan knew the Russians were the key to victory and picked the guys who could play against them the best. MacInnis was a 2nd team all-star in 1987 though, so it was a gamble.

I think you're far better off to do what Yzerman did in 2010. There were players he picked that were just too good to leave off the roster even if they played other positions. That's why Staal, Richards, Getzlaf, Toews, etc. made the team despite being natural centers. Other than Stamkos and perhaps Mike Green there wasn't a fuss about omissions on that team.

I'd go Yzerman's route because the Keenan route is awfully ballsy

[RECsGuy*]

Originally Posted by Big Phil

People should really watch Perreault in those games, he was fantastic and probably is a good example of why we watch hockey.

Perreault's game was built for international competition. He had the space and time to show off his skill, which he had in spades. His NHL career may have been underwhelming by his standards, but when it came to playing for Canada, he was as impressive as any of the teammates/competition that surrounded him.

Damn, is he a treat to watch.

[FiveForDrawingBlood]

As I think about it more starting to think '76 should have bigger edge. Bobby Orr and Hull was outstanding in that series as was Gretzky and Lemieux. Probably slight edge to '87 team on those two, but the defense and Scotty Bowman should give '76 team sizable advantage.

[tazzy19]

The 1987 team had the "it" factor with Gretzky & Lemieux. It doesn't matter how good the 76 team was. 66 & 99 playing together was like the ying and the yang coming together -- the alpha & the omega -- it transcended everything. The rest of the puzzle became perfect because of them.

[JackSlater]

I honestly think the 87 team is overrated due to the novelty of Gretzky and Lemieux playing together. The top unit was absolutely great, but beyond that it was a weak Canadian roster. 1976 was probably the most talented national team roster ever assembled. 1976 clearly had superior coaching as well. Even watching them, the 1976 team just looks better (although they very likely faced weaker teams). I would go with 1976 by a decent margin, and I doubt that I would rank 1987 second all time in terms of Canadian teams behind them.

[MadLuke]

Do this mean that 1987 team canada is not that better than 1976 Czechoslovakia team ?

The 1976 did loose to them 1-0 and won the other game 5-4, were they upsetting result with Canada domination stopped by a good defence ?

I have to agree with you with the rest of 1987 roster, I prefer having Toews on my 4 lines with team 2010 than team 1987.

[pappyline]

76 for me. So much talent on one team. and too watch 2 of the top 3 players of all time up to that point (howe is the third). Last international hurrah for Orr and Hull and they were both incredible.

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Originally Posted by MadLuke

Why MacInnis was not playing for team 1987 ?

This is just a guess, but I doubt they wanted more than one defenseman on the team who was questionable in his own zone, and they already had Coffey.

MacInnis was a pretty weak defensie player his first few season by all accounts