Acquired in a business with the Boston Bruins on March 7, a merchant at 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) and is more than 18 in 22 playoff games of the Stanley Cup entering the game 6 of the Stanley Cup final against the Edmonton Oilers in Amenting Bank Arena on Tuesday (8:00 p.m. PM and; Max, TNT, TNT, SN CBC). Panthers lead the Best Of-7 Series 3-2 and can repeat as champions with a victory.
During all this time, Canada officials looked closely at the performance of Marchand, a candidate to win the Conn Smythe trophy as MVP of the qualifiers.
“He took a young group with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen on his line, took them under his wing, and they had a massive effect – not only on this series, but all over the playoff series,” said Armstrong. “He was good in 4 nations in a different role, and now he plays very well.
“He does what we have asked all guys to do – when the lights are the brightest, whether it be the playoffs of the Stanley Cup, world championships, whatever it can be, we want to see how the guys happen. And he happens above the peer at the moment.”
For his part, Marchand was very humble when the Canada’s list discussion for the Olympic Games with NHL.com on Tuesday, encouraging words from Armstrong about him, to the inclusion of Reinhart in the first six.
“It shows a lot about the character (from Armstrong) he would call me,” said Marchand. “He didn’t have to do it. He just wanted to let me know that they were making a change at the top of the six original guys they called according to 4 nations and now the Olympic team. But I mean, (Reinhart) was always going to be part of this team; He is an incredible person and player.
“Listen, it is the highest realization that you can have as a player of Canadian origin, to be part of Team Canada. So yes, it is obviously a goal and something for which I am going to shoot.”
As such, Marchand said that the possible selection of players chosen to fill the list in January will be based on much more than any performance in the playoffs.
“It’s still far away, right?” He said. “So, no matter what is said at the moment or how things are going right now – that’s how you’re playing in the next regular season. This is what it comes down.
“Obviously, this is the task of next year and one of the objectives of the file. Obviously, there are a million players who could play in this team. Canada is so deep and has a huge amount of talent, so it’s going to be a difficult battle.”
