Your Version of Team Canada for Turin? [Archive] - Page 2

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Max Power

11-29-05, 5:32 PM

Here's to Eddie resting up while Hasek suffers a terrible injury in net for the Czechs.. heh.

Man I just dread that... I hope Hasek does not consider it but I get the feeling he will :no:

TimmyTabasco

11-29-05, 6:10 PM

Mcshilljo :no:

Why are you so against Cujo?

Is it because he didn't win the cup, for your wings?

Newfie John

11-29-05, 6:12 PM

Why are you so against Cujo?

Is it because he didn't win the cup, for your wings?

Or anyone. Yoata brings up a valid point. In crunch time, Cujo just can't hack it. We seen it most all of his playoffs, and we've seen it in his Olympic experience when Sweden lit him up for 5 goals. Since that game, Marty has had the job.

PDO

11-29-05, 6:14 PM

And the fact that Joepsh has only lost once in the first round, in a series where his team had 3 GF and 6 GA in 4 games (IIRC?) is worthless? Saying he's sucked in the playoffs is a huge exageration.

Madferret

11-29-05, 6:15 PM

Or anyone. Yoata brings up a valid point. In crunch time, Cujo just can't hack it. We seen it most all of his playoffs, and we've seen it in his Olympic experience when Sweden lit him up for 5 goals. Since that game, Marty has had the job.

I gotta come to Cujo's defense here...I've seen Cujo stand on his twice for the Leafs in the playoffs, both times against Ottawa. One series we didn't score a goal until Game 3 FFS! I'd say Cujo was the difference in the early B.O.O's..

Newfie John

11-29-05, 6:16 PM

And the fact that Joepsh has only lost once in the first round, in a series where his team had 3 GF and 6 GA in 4 games (IIRC?) is worthless? Saying he's sucked in the playoffs is a huge exageration.

I agree he doesn't "suck", but he's not a top notch olympic goaltender at crunch time.

Yoata

11-29-05, 8:16 PM

Why are you so against overratedjo?

Is it because he didn't win the cup, for your wings?

He is a choke artist, he's done it his whole career in the biggest games he folds like origami.

I knew this long before he was ever a Wing, knew it was a mistake for Holland to get him and wasn't the least bit surprised that he couldn't get them past the 1st round.

TimmyTabasco

11-29-05, 8:25 PM

He is a choke artist, he's done it his whole career in the biggest games he folds like origami.

I knew this long before he was ever a Wing, knew it was a mistake for Holland to get him and wasn't the least bit surprised that he couldn't get them past the 1st round.

During the 2003/2004 playoffs..didn't he take them into the 2nd round, against the Flames? He posted a GAA of 1.38 and a SP of .939. I don't think he was to blame for that playoff loss.

During the 2002/2003 playoffs..he was swept. However, he posted a GAA of 2.07 and a SP of .917 The reason for that playoff loss, was underestimating the opponent..and a hot goaltender in Giggy.

Those numbers are not so bad

PDO

11-29-05, 8:33 PM

Yoata

11-29-05, 8:55 PM

During the 2003/2004 playoffs..didn't he take them into the 2nd round, against the Flames? He posted a GAA of 1.38 and a SP of .939. I don't think he was to blame for that playoff loss.

During the 2002/2003 playoffs..he was swept. However, he posted a GAA of 2.07 and a SP of .917 The reason for that playoff loss, was underestimating the opponent..and a hot goaltender in Giggy.

Those numbers are not so bad

Got beat by a supposedly lesser goaltender behind a worse team, story of his life whenever he's been on a contender.

Yoata

11-29-05, 9:01 PM

Explain Game 7 of the 1st round '97 and game 7 of the 1st round '98 please.

Fixed.

So he won a series when there was no expectations, BFD, never even so much as made a final with all the teams he's been on when there were expectations.

That's the point, when there's no pressure, he plays good, when the pressure's on, he wilts.

charlio lemieux

11-30-05, 12:01 AM

He's Game 6 CuJo.
Ain't nothin' changed.
Same story from St. Louis, to Edm, to Tor, to Det, to Pho, he's one of the best goalie's of his generation, but he can't win the big game. Watch him, as he slowly deteriorates towards the end of the second round. As the pressure of each game increases his play becomes flawed, mental lapses increase, poor positioning begins to affect his ability to stop a puck, until finally it is over.

Should he ever win the Stanley Cup I would be one of his loudest fans, but until then, he's Game 6 CuJo.

charlio lemieux

11-30-05, 1:52 PM

do do doodle do da do do do do......

JASON SPEZZA C OTT 22 11 30 41 21
DANY HEATLEY L OTT 22 17 21 38 23
SIMON GAGNE L PHI 23 23 14 37 19
MARC SAVARD C ATL 25 11 26 37 3
ERIC STAAL C CAR 24 18 18 36 6
JOE THORNTON C BOS 23 9 24 33 0
BRAD RICHARDS C TBL 26 10 19 29 8
SIDNEY CROSBY C PIT 25 12 16 28 -5
ALEX TANGUAY L COL 25 8 19 27 2
JASON WILLIAMS C DET 26 8 19 27 2
VINCENT LECAVALIER C TBL 26 11 15 26 5
PIERRE TURGEON C COL 22 8 17 25 2
JAROME IGINLA R CGY 26 11 13 24 7
JOE SAKIC C COL 25 10 14 24 1
JASON ARNOTT C DAL 23 10 14 24 7
JASON ALLISON C TOR 25 5 19 24 -5
SHAWN HORCOFF C EDM 24 4 20 24 2
BRENDAN SHANAHAN L DET 26 15 8 23 -1
PATRICK MARLEAU C SJS 23 10 13 23 -6
TODD BERTUZZI R VAN 25 8 15 23 0
JEFF O'NEILL R TOR 23 11 11 22 -10
JARRET STOLL C EDM 26 8 14 22 -1
MARK RECCHI R PIT 25 7 15 22 -18
GLEN MURRAY R BOS 22 12 9 21 -4
MIKE KNUBLE R PHI 23 11 10 21 9
BRENDEN MORROW L DAL 23 7 14 21 4
DANIEL BRIERE C BUF 21 12 8 20 -5
RYAN SMYTH L EDM 20 11 9 20 4
ERIC LINDROS C TOR 25 10 10 20 1
PAUL KARIYA L NSH 22 8 12 20 -8
MARIO LEMIEUX C PIT 23 7 13 20 -16

Zoe, accordink to zee shtatishtics, vee vill picken an goot team no?

Heatley-----Spezza---Richards
Gagne------Savard----Crosby
Tanguay----Staal-----Williams
LeCavalier--Thornton--Iginla*

Spare: Turgeon, Sakic
*Iginla gets the nod over Turgeon, because of natural position.
The top four centers stayed at center. As did the top three Left wingers, because they where in the top 12. The remaining centers filled the positions, with the exception of Iginla, who was the top Right winger and in 13th position overall.

That's what the scoring stats say we should send up front. I think it could win. What a young team. Nothing wrong with Hockey Canada's development programs.

Yoata

11-30-05, 1:59 PM

do do doodle do da do do do do......

Zoe, accordink to zee shtatishtics, vee vill picken an goot team no?

Heatley-----Spezza---Richards
Gagne------Savard----Crosby
Tanguay----Staal-----Williams
LeCavalier--Thornton--Iginla*

Spare: Turgeon, Sakic
*Iginla gets the nod over Turgeon, because of natural position.
The top four centers stayed at center. As did the top three Left wingers, because they where in the top 12. The remaining centers filled the positions, with the exception of Iginla, who was the top Right winger and in 13th position overall.

That's what the scoring stats say we should send up front. I think it could win. What a young team. Nothing wrong with Hockey Canada's development programs.

Sort of what I was trying to say with my team, only I don't think there's enough experience/leadership there, so, besides also being still elite players, guys like Sakic and Shanahan become automatics over Williams and Lecavaflake for everything else they bring. I also tried to look at goals vs assists instead of just points as I like to put goalscorers with playmakers hence Murray (who plays great with Thornton btw) instead of Tanguay.

Iced Tea

12-01-05, 3:16 AM

I split off the Richards or Lecavalier discussion and sent it to the Trash Talk section. Go here (http://www.hockeystation.com/showthread.php?t=2075&page=2)

Please discuss that topic there as it has enough momentum to support its own thread while everything else about the team can be discussed here.

wildboy26

12-04-05, 3:15 PM

Nash-Thorton-Gagne
Heatley-Spezza-Iginla
Richards-LeCavalier-Sakic
Smyth-Lemieux-Draper

Spares: St. Louis, Bertuzzi, Tanguay, Marleau, Staal

Pronger-Niedermayer
Foote-Blake
Redden-Jovanovski

Spares: McCabe, Haanan, Rhegher

Luongo #1(wont be but should)
Brodeur #2(shaky so far this year)
Theodore #3(shouldnt be picked but might anyway)

Yoata

12-04-05, 3:30 PM

Iced Tea

12-04-05, 4:01 PM

Nash-Thorton-Gagne
Heatley-Spezza-Iginla
Richards-LeCavalier-Staal
Smyth-Lemieux-Draper

Spares: St. Louis, Bertuzzi, Tanguay, Marleau

Pronger-Niedermayer
Foote-Blake
Redden-Jovanovski

Spares: McCabe, Haanan, Rhegher

Luongo #1(wont be but should)
Brodeur #2(shaky so far this year)
Theodore #3(shouldnt be picked but might anyway)Rick Nash is hurt and has done nothing this season. Why would you choose him over any of your spares?

As for the rest of your forward choices, where are the veterans like Joe Sakic?

As for Jovanovski, as a Canucks fan, I don't think he is worth putting on the team this year unless he snaps out of his crappy play and returns to top form before the final team is announced.

wildboy26

12-04-05, 4:39 PM

Rick Nash is hurt and has done nothing this season. Why would you choose him over any of your spares?

As for the rest of your forward choices, where are the veterans like Joe Sakic?

As for Jovanovski, as a Canucks fan, I don't think he is worth putting on the team this year unless he snaps out of his crappy play and returns to top form before the final team is announced.

Sorry I forgot Sakic, I just added him. I had Nash-Thorton-Gagne together since at the training camp earlier this year they were the best line out there from what I have heard.

I agree Jovanovski isnt playing that well, but everything I have read or heard is that he was pretty much a shoo-in from the start, along with Blake, Niedermayer, and Pronger, and probably Foote.

PDO

12-04-05, 4:41 PM

Sorry I forgot Sakic, I just added him. I had Nash-Thorton-Gagne together since at the training camp earlier this year they were the best line out there from what I have heard.

I agree Jovanovski isnt playing that well, but everything I have read or heard is that he was pretty much a shoo-in from the start, along with Blake, Niedermayer, and Pronger, and probably Foote.

So.. you're basically going with what other people have told you to think?

wildboy26

12-04-05, 5:14 PM

So.. you're basically going with what other people have told you to think?

That and his play with Thorton at the World Championships. Whenever those two play together they are incredable.

TimmyTabasco

12-04-05, 6:59 PM

As for Jovanovski, as a Canucks fan, I don't think he is worth putting on the team this year unless he snaps out of his crappy play and returns to top form before the final team is announced.

Yeah, they should sent Baumgartner instead :giggle:

wildboy26

12-04-05, 9:36 PM

I would just like to specify the team I picked was my guess of what they are going to pick, not neccessarily my own choices. I would actually put McCabe on the team probably.

Yoata

12-04-05, 10:45 PM

I would just like to specify the team I picked was my guess of what they are going to pick, not neccessarily my own choices. I would actually put McCabe on the team probably.

So what about your team then, that is the point of the thread.

wildboy26

12-05-05, 10:32 PM

Grezxty actually publicly stated recently Joseph right now deserves to make the team. I am surprised he would say that, should that be taken as an unoffical gaurantee Joseph will be on the team?

wildboy26

12-07-05, 10:36 AM

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp?content=20051206_213849_1020

Here is an interesting article on the Olympics. It is interesting that in it it says Grezxty has said the final two goaltending spots are between Joseph, Belfour, Turco, and Luongo, so that is basically saying Theodore has ZERO chance of being one of the 3 I guess. That is a surprise to me, did Theodore do something really wrong to tick of the Canadian brass?

Yoata

12-07-05, 11:24 AM

For some reason that link won't work for me, but if it's the same as this story, I see Theodore's name mentioned as well.

http://www.nhl.com/news/2005/12/246608.html

Also, this is the first meaningful thing I've heard Roenick say in a long time:

"I've always thought that Steve Yzerman was the ultimate true professional," the Kings centre said after the pre-game skate at the Air Canada Centre. "I think he's a guy that's very proud and he think he sees and realizes that the youth they have in Canada and the amazing amount of talent that has come about for the Canadian team. He's playing on a bum knee and he's playing on a long career.

"I think it says worlds about his persona and his mentality and his class to open up a spot like that for one of those young stars. I think that guy's the greatest guy in the world."

Iced Tea

12-08-05, 12:42 PM

wildboy26

12-08-05, 12:46 PM

For some reason that link won't work for me, but if it's the same as this story, I see Theodore's name mentioned as well.

http://www.nhl.com/news/2005/12/246608.html[/I]

Thanks. It is a bit confusing when one ignores his name when stating names Grezxty himself stated in full, then another includes his name. It just adds to the intrigue of trying to come to a conclusion what the current situation really is. I was just thinking since the article I linked to specificaly said, "Grezxty said these names for the final 2 spots" and there were 4 of them, and one of them was not Theodore, that he was now out of the running. However your does mention him, although not as directly a link to Grezxty actually saying exact names, the article I had linked to was not an exact quote either, just a statement he had said specific names.

charlio lemieux

12-08-05, 1:28 PM

Brodeur is having a bad month and Luongo is having a bad season. Both of which can be attributed in part to the teams in front of them. Do both of them still get chosen for Team Canada or is it someone else's turn to play between the pipes for Canada?

Legace,Turco and Joseph have all played well enough to earn a spot over Brodeur and Luongo. Sorry that should have read: Brodeur and Luongo have played poorly enough to be left off Team Canada in favour of Legace, Turco and Joseph.
Brodeur looked terrible last night. In Florida's last game Luongo got yanked, again! This is not good.

With the recent news invovling Mario it would appear that there are now 2 spots on Team Canada's roster.
Spezza has to be a shoe in for the first one. So between Savard, Staal and Crosby who goes for Lemieux?
It sounds like Gretzky will be scouting Crosby tonight.

Max Power

12-08-05, 1:35 PM

Legace,Turco and Joseph have all played well enough to earn a spot over Brodeur and Luongo. Sorry that should have read: Brodeur and Luongo have played poorly enough to be left off Team Canada in favour of Legace, Turco and Joseph.
Brodeur looked terrible last night. In Florida's last game Luongo got yanked, again! This is not good.

With the recent news invovling Mario it would appear that there are now 2 spots on Team Canada's roster.
Spezza has to be a shoe in for the first one. So between Savard, Staal and Crosby who goes for Lemieux?
It sounds like Gretzky will be scouting Crosby tonight.

As far as your first comment goes you'd think that would be the case. But if team Canada was realy picking by who's playing the best right now there would be no question whether guys like Staal or Spezza will be in or not

Yoata

12-08-05, 1:43 PM

Brodeur's going to have to basically take himself out of the running to be replaced. Regardless of recent play, I'd be most comfortable with him, Belfour and Luongo/Theodore/Turco. Legace would be a good alternative, but they left him off the list.

Max Power

12-08-05, 2:07 PM

Again to me I think it's crazy.. no... madness that Spezza isn't a shoe in. He already plays with Heatly on a line! That's most of the battle when playing such a short tournament.
I shouldn?t really care though? I?d rather Spezza was well rested before the tough schedule in March

Yoata

12-08-05, 2:43 PM

wildboy26

12-08-05, 9:06 PM

Actually Spezza would probably take the 4th centre spot, but a second youngster would likely not fill the second opening spot IMO. Staal and Crosby are both centres so I still would highly doubt one would be picked, since Grezxty has already said he wouldnt move a centre to wing, with the number of great wingers. Somebody like Todd Bertuzzi who is a favorite of Grezxty's is far more likely to replace Lemieux than Staal or Crosby, or a veteran presence like Paul Kariya perhaps.

wildboy26

12-08-05, 11:37 PM

Tough decisions ahead

By Alan Adams, Sportsnet.ca

TORONTO -- Call it understating the obvious.

"The decisions will be very difficult and no matter what we do, there will be a controversy," said Wayne Gretzky, the Executive Director of Canada's Olympic hockey team.

Gretzky was at the Air Canada Centre on Tuesday night for the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Los Angeles Kings. Joining him in a press-box booth was his chief lieutenants Kevin Low and Steve Tambellini along with Marc Habscheid, who is scouting for Team Canada.

Hockey Canada will name the Olympic roster on December 21 in Vancouver and Gretzky & Co., are on a tour of Eastern Conference teams that ends Saturday in Pittsburgh when they will watch Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby.

With Steve Yzerman removing himself from the mix, Gretzky was asked about the so-called kids, Crosby, Jason Spezza of the Ottawa Senators and Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes.

"All three of those guys have been outstanding all year. I saw Staal play the other night and he was tremendous," said Gretzky, taking a break from coaching the Phoenix Coyotes to do a job that's closest to the hearts of hockey fans in Canada -- assembling a team to defend the gold medal won by Canada at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

"Spezza is leading the league in scoring and what else can you say about an 18-year-old (ie - Crosby) who is kind of carrying the league on his shoulders and has lived up to all the expectations and who may be even better than people had anticipated.

"It will be an interesting two weeks here of final decisions of picking the right group. Every position is a controversy ... goaltending, forwards, defence. There is more depth I think on this team than there was on the '02 team. There are more players to choose from and a lot more talent and it remains to be seen if this team can be as good as the '02 team was because they won a gold medal."

Gretzky is reluctant to take a centre and convert him into a winger for the Olympic Games in Turin, Italy in February, which all but rules out two of the so-called kids from heading overseas.

Joe Sakic, Vince Lecavalier and Joe Thornton are the obvious choices down the middle. The wingers include Jarome Iginla, Mario Lemieux, Rick Nash, Todd Bertuzzi, Ryan Smyth, Marty St. Louis, Brad Richards, Shayne Doan and Dany Heatley. Depending on what Pat Quinn's coaching staff wants, Kris Draper, Mike Peca, and John Madden are in the mix as penalty killers/face-off specialists.

Lemieux has said he does not want to be named to the Olympic roster based on his name and Gretzky will meet with him on Saturday to gauge how Team Canada's captain in Salt Lake City is feeling. But Gretzky did say he would wait until the last possible minute for Lemieux's decision.

"We will wait right until the end and he deserves it. He is a special person to our game and he deserves that respect and I will give him that respect. I will wait until the last minute."

Scott Niedermayer, Rob Blake, Wade Redden, Ed Jovanovski, Adam Foote and Chris Pronger are locks on the blueline, leaving Dan Boyle of Tampa Bay and Bryan McCabe as the odds-on finalists for the seventh spot on defence.

Given that he was in Toronto, Gretzky was asked about McCabe and he replied that the Maple Leaf blueliner definitely deserves consideration.

"He is getting a lot of accolades and we are watching him closely."

Gretzky did say that Marty Brodeur is the No. 1 goalie - surprise, surprise - and Curtis Joseph, Ed Belfour, Marty Turco, and Roberto Luongo are vying for the final two spots.

"That (goaltending) is probably the hardest decision. We can only take three of them and only two will play. The third guy will not get an opportunity to play and that will be a hard decision."

The people behind assembling Canada's roster have held weekly conference calls to talk about players and the plan is for everyone to get together in New Jersey on Friday to start to put the final touches on the roster. The management and coaching staff will be there except for associate coach Jacques Martin and goalie consultant Andy Moog, who will be hooked up via the telephone.

Hockey Canada originally identified 81 players but it's believed the list has been narrowed to no more than three dozen.

"We're talking about elite players here. We are not talking about guys who if they do not make the team they are not good. They are all good," said Gretzky. "To get down to 23 will be tough. When we announce the team, we do not want to be doubting our team. There will be controversy surrounding us no matter what. We have to be positive about the 23 guys we have to pick.

"There are some interesting decisions that have to be made and that makes it difficult."

Again, he was understating the obvious.

Just for anybody who couldnt follow the link I posted.

Yoata

12-09-05, 12:05 AM

Again, WTF makes Leflake "an obvious choice" ahead of Spezza??? :conspire:

wildboy26

12-09-05, 12:10 AM

Again, WTF makes Leflake "an obvious choice" ahead of Spezza??? :conspire:

Because he is overrated and always has been. :laughing: The ironic thing is has come up through the system with Brad Richards, and Richards has ALWAYS outperformed him from what I have seen. Born only a month apart, LeCavalier gets the call to Rimouski a year before Richards, I remember them both playing with Rimouski the year they both did and Richards was as good or better, and also being more impressed by Richards the games they both played in Bathurst(granted only a few I saw, but for what it was worth almost everybody I talked to was more impressed by Richards in those few games), but LeCavalier got the call to the NHL first anyway, Richards outperforms him in the NHL but LeCavalier gets the bigger contract over both Richards and St. Louis. It just one of those things. BTW I am not a Brad Richards fan, just taking note how those two always seem to be together, and Richards always seem to be the quiet and overlooked, but more productive one.

charlio lemieux

12-09-05, 12:17 AM

International cup cartel
Team Canada is on an international trophy binge. They captured the 2004 World Cup with a 3-2 win over Finland Tuesday in Toronto thanks to the work of the DDT line. Team Canada forward Vincent Lecavalier earned MVP honors. Early mistakes cost Finland the match.
World Cup MVP trophy?

wildboy26

12-09-05, 12:41 AM

He was amazing at the World Cup. The one tournament he lived up to his inflated hype. :)

LiAmTrAnSdEmOn

12-09-05, 1:14 AM

How is Gagne not being considered for Team Canada in that article??? IMO, he should easily make it over Rick Nash. And I could argue over others but don't feel like it.

wildboy26

12-09-05, 9:45 AM

How is Gagne not being considered for Team Canada in that article??? IMO, he should easily make it over Rick Nash. And I could argue over others but don't feel like it.

It must have been a misprint of some sort. Gagne is one of the biggest locks of all locks for the team. He is probably the best two-way player in the World today, or atleast one of the best in Canada.

Actually that makes me wonder if the omission of Theo as a candidate in the article was also a misprint. Since I am 100% Gagne would not have been a name not mentioned, and yet it is not in the article.

Madferret

12-10-05, 12:10 PM

Mario Lemieux has decided not to play for Team Canada at the Olympics in Turin, Italy. Details to follow...
LINK (http://tsn.ca/)

Man.Utd

12-10-05, 12:17 PM

Spezza should be a lock now IMO. Unless he keeps playing like he did last night in what was by far his worst outing of the year.

Newfie John

12-10-05, 12:33 PM

Lemieux out. Spezza, Crosby or Staal will probably get the nod now. Though I think Spezza should be there, my gut tells me Crosby is going.

PDO

12-10-05, 7:51 PM

Is it just me, or is there something very wrong with the idea that Shane Doan is a lock on this team, but guys like Smyth, Bertuzzi and Kariya are on the bubble? Ditto for St. Louis, super ditto for Draper.

Yoata

12-10-05, 8:58 PM

No way Draper should even be considered the way he's played this year, the rest of the guys you mentioned should all be on the outside looking in as far as I'm concerned, the one guy I might put ahead of one those I listed last time is Marleau who might bump out a guy like Murray or Crosby in my mind.

TimmyTabasco

12-11-05, 5:10 AM

the one guy I might put ahead of one those I listed last time is Marleau who might bump out a guy like Murray or Crosby in my mind.

Agreed. Marleau has been playing very well this season.

PDO

12-11-05, 2:18 PM

Agreed. Marleau has been playing very well this season.

Marleaus numbers have also sky-rocketed since he became the 2nd line center for obvious reasons. Marleau is an intriguiging player because he can also play the wing though.

wildboy26

12-11-05, 3:59 PM

PDO

12-11-05, 4:04 PM

Newfie John

12-11-05, 5:10 PM

I like Draper a lot, and have always liked him on Team Canada. From the few games I've seen of Detroit this year though, he hasn't looked that great. Goin with Thornton as a checker doesn't seem like a bad idea to me, IMO.

TimmyTabasco

12-11-05, 5:15 PM

Marleaus numbers have also sky-rocketed since he became the 2nd line center for obvious reasons. Marleau is an intriguiging player because he can also play the wing though.

Another guy who has raised his game..is Morrow. This guy is on pace for a career year

wildboy26

12-11-05, 5:25 PM

Why do we need a checking center again? Joe Thornton has been a checking center for 3 years here. He may not get any credit for it, because he can actually score too, but the guy constantly played "power versus power" and outscored the other guys.

I agree it would be fine to turn Thorton into a checker for that event and leave Draper home. I just doubt they would actually do it.

Yoata

12-11-05, 5:39 PM

The reason Draper would be on the team is they need a checking forward. Who would be a better choice for the checking forward, concussion-layed off Primeau, Maltby who is playing even worse? I agree Marleau should start being strongly considered.

Crosby over Spezza would be totally bogus, in fact Crosby over Staal would be bogus. The thing I am starting to wonder is if Staal is perhaps a better choice than Spezza, he does not have the offensive linemates to quite the extent Spezza has. Staal is the best choice of those 3 on merit perhaps right now, with Spezza a close second. If it wasnt for his name, Crosby wouldnt even be discussed with those two right now.

Check Draper's +/- this season, he's been bad at both ends and a borderline at best Team Canada player playing bad at both ends doesn't even deserve a mention. Remember that's coming from a Wings fan and a Draper fan. No way he should supplant any of the others mentioned, many of whom are fully capable of playing a defensive role on Team Canada.

PDO

12-11-05, 5:56 PM

I agree it would be fine to turn Thorton into a checker for that event and leave Draper home. I just doubt they would actually do it.

Sadly, you're probably right.

Sakic, Lecavalier and Thornton are all capable of playing "power versus power" (I hate that saying.. but it makes people understand what I'm saying.. so whatever.) and producing results while they're doing it. Thornton's obviously the best at it, but Sakic's been doing it this year and done surprisingly well (being that role used to belong to Forsberg). I haven't paid too much attention to Lecavalier this season, but he did a better than average job of it last season. I don't think Spezza is, but if he's the fourth center you just hope that he's able to score at a high enough rate it cancels out his defense; something he should be able to do against most teams.

Apparently TC is down to 6 tenders and 34 skaters. Where's everyones personal team sitting at this moment?

Gagne - Sakic - Iginila
Smyth - Thornton - Shanahan
Richards - Lecavalier - Bertuzzi
Kariya - Spezza - Heatley
Crosby

Pronger - Niedermayer
Blake - Foote
Regehr - Redden
McCabe

Luongo
Brodeur
Turco

Leaving Legace off was a huge mistake. McCabe makes it as the 7th defenseman because you're allowed to dress all 23 skaters... so he gets 4 minutes of PP time a game.

My changes since this thread started..

Out: Nash, Doan, Lemieux, Bouwmeester, Brewer, Theodore
In: Shanahan, Richards, Crosby, Regehr, McCabe, Turco

wildboy26

12-11-05, 6:01 PM

Check Draper's +/- this season, he's been bad at both ends and a borderline at best Team Canada player playing bad at both ends doesn't even deserve a mention. Remember that's coming from a Wings fan and a Draper fan. No way he should supplant any of the others mentioned, many of whom are fully capable of playing a defensive role on Team Canada.

I would not have Draper on the team either. Bertuzzi, Thorton, and Doan can all play a checking role well, even though all are very capable scorers.

It just seems he is a lock for the team whether he should be or not. Every team that is predicted by a major Sports channel, or hockey expert, has had him on the team. Only 1 out of 4 have him as even "on the bubble", the others have him as a lock.

wildboy26

12-11-05, 6:08 PM

Gagne - Sakic - Iginila
Staal - Spezza - Heatley (Spezza and Heatley have to play together IMO)
Richards - Lecavalier - St. Louis(I find LeCavalier overrated but they play well together)
Bertuzzi - Thorton- Nash(ditto, putting guys I think would play well together)
Smyth

Spares: Doan, Shanahan, Marleau, Tanguay

Defence

Pronger - Niedermayer
Blake - Foote
McCabe- Redden
Hannan

Goaltenders:

Brodeur-duh!
Luongo
Turco or Joseph

These are a combination of what I think, combined with what I am guessing just based on hearing predictions from panels, etc....I want to be 90% right if possable after all. :)

Luongo
Brodeur
Turco

Madferret

12-11-05, 6:25 PM

I'm almost willing to bet that Crosby will be going to Italy, call it a hunch.

wildboy26

12-11-05, 6:28 PM

I'm almost willing to bet that Crosby will be going to Italy, call it a hunch.

Somebody on another hockey board I occasionaly have been on, claims that Grezxty gauranteed Crosby being on the team on another station. He also noted it was no coincidence Crosby went from being said by Grezxty to have "an outside shot" even during his hottest streak about a month ago, and now is said by Grezxty to be "gauranteed" to be on the team while going through a soft spell of only 2 points in 6 games. I wouldnt be surprised if a deal between Grezxty and Lemieux was struck to put Crosby on the team.

Madferret

12-11-05, 6:34 PM

Somebody on another hockey board I occasionaly have been on, claims that Grezxty gauranteed Crosby being on the team on another station. He also noted it was no coincidence Crosby went from being said by Grezxty to have "an outside shot" even during his hottest streak about a month ago, and now is said by Grezxty to be "gauranteed" to be on the team while going through a soft spell of only 2 points in 6 games. I wouldnt be surprised if a deal between Grezxty and Lemieux was struck to put Crosby on the team.

That's quiet the conspiracy theory you have there.
I just think that Crosby's played well enough and earned a spot, especially compared to some of the other 'locks'.

wildboy26

12-11-05, 6:35 PM

That's quiet the conspiracy theory you have there.
I just think that Crosby's played well enough and earned a spot, especially compared to some of the other 'locks'.

If Staal and Spezza have not earned a spot, than Crosby certainly has not. Those are the people he would bump off. There is no indication more than 1, or maybe 2 of those will make the team, and he is the weakest of those 3.

Iced Tea

12-11-05, 6:49 PM

Pronger - Niedermayer
Blake - Foote
Regehr - Redden
McCabeNHL.com Summary of defensemen
Name GP G A P +/- TOI
1. Bryan McCabe 30 10 26 36 -2 28:38
9. Rob Blake 30 6 15 21 -10 24:11
12. Wade Redden 19 4 17 21 19 24:53
16. Ed Jovanovski 29 5 15 20 -4 25:17
17. Scott Niedermayer 30 3 16 19 2 25:08
27. Brent Seabrook 27 4 12 16 7 18:04
28. Dion Phaneuf 31 6 9 15 2 21:22
32. Chris Pronger 29 2 13 15 7 28:10
102. Robyn Regher 17 2 5 7 5 21:58
109. Adam Foote 24 4 2 6 -10 23:21
If you find McCabe to be worthy of being on Team Canada because of his numbers, why are Pronger, Foote and Regher on the team? Two rookies, Seabrook and Phaneuf are better than Pronger, Foote and Regher so why are Pronger and Foote considered locks and why is Regher even mentioned.

Why should Blake get a spot and Jovo shouldn't? Same number of games, similar minutes, Blake has one more point and is a -10 to Jovo's -4. Seems stupid to pick Blake over Jovo. Seems stupid to pick Pronger, Foote or Regher over Jovanovski.

Maybe Pronger needs to step aside and let a more worthy defenseman be on Team Canada. I think your Oilers' googles have clouded your vision.

PDO

12-11-05, 7:05 PM

Tea.. there's this thing called defense. Notice I said McCabe would only play on the PP.

Pronger is the best defensive defenseman in the league. Easily. Defensively the only Canadian who even compares to Pronger is Regehr; possibly Foote as well, but it's hard to judge anyones capabilities defensively on that Columbus team. Special Ed is horribly defensively. Comparing defenseman based on nothing more than how many minutes they play and how many points they can get is just silly.

Yoata

12-11-05, 7:12 PM

I would not have Draper on the team either. Bertuzzi, Thorton, and Doan can all play a checking role well, even though all are very capable scorers.

It just seems he is a lock for the team whether he should be or not. Every team that is predicted by a major Sports channel, or hockey expert, has had him on the team. Only 1 out of 4 have him as even "on the bubble", the others have him as a lock.

I'd say you need to watch Bertuzzi play, he rarely comes back inside his own blueline, he's not even doing well enough offensively to be considered, shouldn't be there at all.

Thornton is Team Canada's best set-up man, no way he should be relegated to a checking role either with snipers that need the puck gotten to them.

Again, it would be interesting to see what YOUR team is, not just who you thihk will be going from media reports.

Yoata

12-11-05, 7:15 PM

No way would I put Jovanoopsi on Team Canada the way he's played this season and last, way too risky.

Iced Tea

12-11-05, 7:27 PM

PDO

12-11-05, 7:32 PM

So why is McCabe even mentioned then, he blows defensively.

Why are Blake and Niedermayer on the team, their defensive abilities suck this season, they're worse than Jovo right now?

Notice I said McCabe would only play on the PP? You're allowed to have all your players on the bench at the olympics. You send him out for some spot duty on the PP so your horses can get a break.

I was going to start arguing why Blake and Niedermayer should be on the team over Jovo.. really, I was. Then I realized what I was arguing :laughing:

Iced Tea

12-11-05, 7:43 PM

Notice I said McCabe would only play on the PP? You're allowed to have all your players on the bench at the olympics. You send him out for some spot duty on the PP so your horses can get a break.

I was going to start arguing why Blake and Niedermayer should be on the team over Jovo.. really, I was. Then I realized what I was arguing :laughing:Some of your choices have been having less than stellar season yet they automatically get chosen. Frankly I think that is wrong and it should be the best players so far this season. I'm not saying Jovo should be chosen but I don't see why he is on the outside yet Foote and Regher's poor seasons aren't keeping them off the team.

As for Blake and Niedermayer, what have they done this season to warrant their inclusion? Neither has been the dominant force of the past. Are we supposed to rely on their past to put them on the team now? Frankly, I'm glad Yzerman and Lemieux withdrew their names because if the selection was done properly, neither would be on the team.

wildboy26

12-11-05, 8:47 PM

I'd say you need to watch Bertuzzi play, he rarely comes back inside his own blueline, he's not even doing well enough offensively to be considered, shouldn't be there at all.

Thornton is Team Canada's best set-up man, no way he should be relegated to a checking role either with snipers that need the puck gotten to them.

Again, it would be interesting to see what YOUR team is, not just who you thihk will be going from media reports.

Fine my own team, disregarding all media reports would be this:

Simon Gagne-Joe Sakic-Jarome Iginla 1st line
Marty St.Louis-Jason Spezza-Dany Heatley 2nd line
Brendan-Shanahan-Joe Thorton-Shane Doan 3rd line
Paul Kariya-Eric Staal-Brad Richards 4th line
Ryan Smyth

Rich Nash-too much of a risk without seeing him play much, and barely playing this year.

Sidney Crosby-not more worthy than Staal or Spezza, and that is who he would have to better than to warrant being on the team IMO, considering the number of very worthy veterans.

Todd Bertuzzi-just not playing well enough since his return. He needs to pull a Heatley and change cities I am afraid.

Kris Draper-not playing well enough right now, even if he would fit a valuable role normaly on the team.

Vincent LeCavalier-like you I find him overrated, and he often does not seem an equal to Richards and St. Louis. He probably has been superior to St. Louis so far this year, but has never had a year anything like St. Louis had in the last NHL season.

Niedermayer-Pronger
Blake-Redden
Boyle-McCabe
Haanan

Broduer #1 goalie-I know he is struggling now but I just cant figure who else I would want to count on now. Luongo has regressed from earlier in the year. Theodore is playing well but not extremely well. Belfour has been only fair overall this year. Turco I would not consider a #1 goalie although a possable member of the team. Joseph is known to choke a bit in big games, even if he is playing the best for now.

Turco or Jospeh-backup-see who is playing better when they get to Turin

Yoata

12-11-05, 9:21 PM

Hannan is highly overrated and has one of the very worst +/- in the entire league and BY FAR the worst on his team with little/no redeeming offensive qualities. He'd be one of the last dmen I'd consdier for Team Canada.

wildboy26

12-11-05, 9:54 PM

Yoata

12-11-05, 10:41 PM

Hannan isnt having a very good year at all, so you are probably right. I havent seen San Jose play much this year though, and I was impressed with him in the playoffs last year and the World Championships when I did see him play. I try to base my opinions on a player on when I have seen them play, if I have seen them a certain amount of time, and if not then I look at their stats more.

What do you think of the rest of my team?

Well the only differences between it and mine are Kariya, Doan and St.Louis so can't say much aside from right now I would chose Savard, and Marleau over Kariya and Doan, but would probably give the nod to St.Louis. Will make my final team at the deadline.

wildboy26

12-11-05, 11:00 PM

Savard is really making a move up the points tally, I have only seen him play once this year vs Toronto. He seems like a good skater, with a hard shot, he had some good scoring chances that night. He plays physical too. On the long shots they were a bit too readable, but in close he was tough. A +2 is a pretty good rating for a team that is clearly below .500 as well, Kovalchuk for example is -7. With the points he gets on a moderate NHL team I am surprised he isnt considered more than he is now. There are a couple other great offensive players on his team though, he has 6 more points than Hossa right now which is impressive and surprising to me.

J.R.

12-14-05, 6:18 PM

Report: Yzerman's No. 19 untouchable
TSN.ca Staff
12/14/2005 1:12:04 PM

One week after announcing that he's withdrawing his name from Canadian Olympic team consideration, it appears that Steve Yzerman's No. 19 won't be going to the Turin Games either.

According to a story in the Detroit Free Press, Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky is considering not allowing any players on the team to wear Yzerman's number.

Told of this development during the first intermission of the Red Wings versus Thrashers game on Tuesday, Yzerman told the Free Press: ''It's the first I've heard of it, so I don't know what to say.''

Phoenix Coyotes broadcaster Darren Pang first brought up the news.

''I had a conversation with Wayne Gretzky about this, and no one on Team Canada is going to wear No. 19,'' Pang said Tuesday on XM Satellite Radio's Home Ice channel. ''That's how much Wayne Gretzky thinks of Steve.''

Later, a Coyotes spokesperson confirmed that the No.19 will not be worn, although it's not officially retired.

''Wayne says in all likelihood that jersey's going to be retired,'' said Pang. ''Wayne's really something, that way. He just thinks so highly of Mario (Lemieux) and guys like Steve.''

Four potential players wear No. 19 in the NHL: Colorado's Joe Sakic, San Jose's Joe Thornton, Phoenix's Shane Doan and Tampa Bay's Brad Richards.Via: TSN.ca (http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story.asp?id=146949).

Yoata

12-14-05, 7:04 PM

That's weird, I know Pang is a very close friend of Yzerman's but I can't believe they would say that Sakic couldn't wear his number?

And why would it be a Coyote's spokesperson?

Newfie John

12-14-05, 8:17 PM

So why is McCabe even mentioned then, he blows defensively.

You have no clue what you're talking about. :)

wildboy26

12-15-05, 10:22 PM

Just a couple of guesses on my part as we near the date:

1)One of Bertuzzi or Smyth will be left off the team, I am not sure which.
2)Either only 1 of the 3 kids will be picked for the team, not sure which, or 0 of the 3 kids possably.
3)Jospeh will be on the team, and maybe as higher than #3.
4)If Rick Nash plays before Thursday he will named to the team.
5)All three Tampa Bay boys will make it.
6)Draper will be picked for the team as well.
7)McCabe wont make the team.

Max Power

12-16-05, 9:52 AM

5)All three Tampa Bay boys will make it.

I kind of expect the same but I really hope not. Especially St Louis?

wildboy26

12-16-05, 11:32 AM

I kind of expect the same but I really hope not. Especially St Louis?

St. Louis is playing better lately. Still on my team he would be on the bubble, but I couldnt imagine him not making it, I would be shocked in fact.
The total locks are probably-Gagne, Iginla, Sakic, St, Louis, LeCavalier, Richards, Thorton, and Heatley; on defence Niedermayer, Pronger, Blake,
Jovanovski; in goal Brodeur(duh!).

Max Power

12-16-05, 11:43 AM

St. Louis is playing better lately. Still on my team he would be on the bubble, but I couldnt imagine him not making it, I would be shocked in fact.
The total locks are probably-Gagne, Iginla, Sakic, St, Louis, LeCavalier, Richards, Thorton, and Heatley; on defence Niedermayer, Pronger, Blake,
Jovanovski; in goal Brodeur(duh!).

I think Redden is a lock before Jovo
Was St Louis even a factor in past tournaments he was invited too? I don?t seem to remember him being so?

wildboy26

12-16-05, 12:01 PM

I think Redden is a lock before Jovo
Was St Louis even a factor in past tournaments he was invited too? I don?t seem to remember him being so?

He was not at the World Cup I thought, and that was the only international event I recall him being at for Canada.

Max Power

12-19-05, 1:36 PM

Well the McCabe goggles seem to have partially come off at Sportsnet and TSN. No longer are we seeing an expose on him every couple days. I think they?re finally coming to the conclusion that he STILL sucks defensively. This will still probably not hinder all of them to vote him for Norris but at least team Canada shouldn?t suffer from him on the blueline

Here?s an article on who a bunch of these media sports guys think Canada will call upon

The PicksThe Sun enlists the help of some hockey media in order to select our own 23-man Team Canada Olympic roster
By BRUCE GARRIOCH, OTTAWA SUN

GM WAYNE Gretzky will announce Team Canada on Wednesday in Vancouver.

Gretzky and his staff -- including Steve Tambellini, Kevin Lowe, Marc Habscheid, Pat Quinn, Jacques Martin, Ken Hitchcock and Wayne Fleming -- have been scouting Canada's best for the last four months and meeting on a regular basis.

We here at the Sun did some scouting of our own to come up with a 23-man roster. We enlisted the help of Sun hockey columnist Al Strachan, Sportsnet's Darren Dreger and Nick Kypreos, TSN's Bob McKenzie and Pierre McGuire and broadcaster Darren Pang to decide who will wear the Maple Leaf.

Here's our team:

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey: He helped Canada win a gold medal at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002 and deserves the chance again. Hasn't sparkled this season, but could be strong in a short tournament.

Roberto Luongo, Florida: Has struggled, but has done his share for the country. Playing behind Team Canada's defence would be a lot different than guarding the Panthers net.

Marty Turco, Dallas: This was a close one. Turco may not have any experience with Team Canada, but it's time to give him some. He could be a guy who will be counted on in 2010.

We passed on: Ed Belfour, Toronto; Curtis Joseph, Phoenix; and Jose Theodore, Montreal.

Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim:

Doesn't get the notoriety he had when he played in New Jersey, but he's still one of the NHL's best blueliners. Will anchor the defence.

Rob Blake, Colorado: Hasn't had the kind of year he hoped for, but that could have a lot of to do with the Avalanche. Will get another shot at gold.

Chris Pronger, Edmonton: A sentimental choice. Hasn't played that well this season, but could be helpful in a short tournament.

Adam Foote, Columbus: Another guy who hasn't had the kind of season or impact anybody expected with the Jackets. Will need to step up in Italy.

Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver: Can provide good physical play and won't give anybody a free pass to the net.

Wade Redden, Ottawa: He won't be denied a spot on Team Canada this time as injuries kept him out of the World Cup. Excellent at moving the puck.

Robyn Regehr, Calgary: Deserves a shot and has played well for the Flames. He could be a spectator, though.

We passed on: Dion Phaneuf, Calgary; Bryan McCabe, Toronto and Chris Phillips, Ottawa.

Joe Sakic, Colorado: Will carry a big load of the leadership.

Simon Gagne, Philadelaphia:

Unless he's injured, how can you not take him? He is having an outstanding season and has had success internationally.

Jarome Iginla, Calgary: One day this guy will be Mr. Canada. He is going to carry the torch for this country for a long time.

Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay: Was the MVP of the World Cup and is coming off a Stanley Cup win. Has shown he can take his game to another level.

Brad Richards, Tampa Bay: Hasn't gotten a whole lot of notice this season, but has played a big role in the past. Might be a guy who doesn't get enough credit.

Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay: Struggled to start the season, but if you're going to take Lecavalier and Richards, then you've probably got to have this guy.

Dany Heatley, Ottawa: There were questions at the start of the year, but he answered any doubts. An MVP at the world championships, he'll be a key.

Jason Spezza, Ottawa: Has chemistry with Heatley and the departure of Mario Lemieux means they need a player who has flare offensively. He can bring it.

Shane Doan, Phoenix: People may question this. But he has grit and a guy named Gretzky in his corner.

Joe Thornton, San Jose: He should thank his lucky stars he got a new lease on life with the Sharks. The move may have helped secure his spot.

Kris Draper, Detroit: You need to have a guy who is willing to play a fourth-line role and chip in with the odd goal. Was a valuable asset at World Cup.

Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver: For some reason, Gretzky wants this guy on the team. He hasn't played well, but another guy who could be take his game up a couple of notches at the Olympics.

Rick Nash, Columbus: You only take him if he's healthy, which he hasn't been all year. This is a huge risk, but he has shown an ability to put the puck in the net.

We passed on: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh; Eric Staal, Carolina and Patrick Marleau, San Jose.

slapshot™

12-19-05, 2:09 PM

We enlisted the help of Sun hockey columnist Al Strachan, Sportsnet's Darren Dreger and Nick Kypreos, TSN's Bob McKenzie and Pierre McGuire and broadcaster Darren Pang to decide who will wear the Maple Leaf.

Meh.

No Smytty or Staal and they want Bert and Nash? I don't like it.

Yoata

12-19-05, 2:20 PM

Meh.

No Shanny, Marleau or Staal and they want Draper, Floatuzzi and Nash? I don't like it.

Fixed.;)

Max Power

12-19-05, 2:20 PM

Meh.

No Smytty or Staal and they want Bert and Nash? I don't like it.

I agree on the Smyth thing... He should and will be on the team IMO. I'm not sold on Staal making it. No question that he's very good but he's still young and Canada has plenty of experienced talent that should get the call first

Yoata

12-19-05, 2:25 PM

Why does everyone overlook Shanahan?

I can think several good reasons to take him over Smyth.

Max Power

12-19-05, 2:55 PM

I can't remeber what wing everyone plays but as of now this is what I'd like to see come the 21st. One or two I'm up in the air on like Tanguay but I'd be happy with this

Rick Nash - Vincent Lecavalier - Jarome Iginla
Alex Tanguay - Joe Sakic - Brad Richards
Simon Gagne - Jason Spezza - Dany Heatley
Ryan Smyth - Joe Thornton – Brendan Shanahan

Scott Niedermayer - Chris Pronger
Wade Redden - Robyn Regehr
Rob Blake - Ed Jovanovski

charlio lemieux

12-19-05, 3:32 PM

Updated team:

Heatley----Spezza ----Marleau

Gagne-----Thornton-----Staal

Tanguay----Sakic ------Savard

Shanahan--Brind'amour---Iginla

Redden-Pronger

Blake---Neidermayer

Rathje --Phillips

Broduer

Turco

Joseph

Spares: Bertuzzi, McCabe
Taxi: Jovo, Richards, Lecavalier

Max Power

12-19-05, 3:48 PM

I really don't see Philips being picked Charlio. He hasn?t played that well this year so far. He's still good I guess but not team Canada good IMO

slapshot™

12-19-05, 3:58 PM

Here are Phil Coffey's Ice Age (http://www.nhl.com/features/iceage/canada.html) selections....

FORWARDS

Center

Joe Thornton -- His intensity has been questioned in light of the blockbuster trade that sent him from Boston to San Jose this season, but the fact remains Thornton piles up points and brings size, speed and skill. He also was a productive member of the World Cup squad. A no-brainer.
Joe Sakic -- Another easy selection. Smart and savvy, Sakic brings a wide array of skills to the table. Experienced and successful on the international level, Sakic is an unheralded leader, a player who commands respect and excels on the ice.
Brad Richards -- Another talented center who brings a winning pedigree to the team. Played well in 2004 and also was a vital part of Tampa Bay's Stanley Cup team in 2004.
Jason Spezza -- Ottawa's impressive youngster gets the nod over two other very promising kids, Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Carolina's Eric Staal, whose time is coming. Spezza has been excellent for the Sens this season and you just can't ignore his excellent play this season.

Left wing

Simon Gagne -- Has been on a torrid scoring streak until a recent injury shelved him for a time. Has emerged as a leader on the Flyers and figures to be one of the top scorers in Turin.
Vincent Lecavalier -- Technically a center, he can play the wing and seems destined to play on a line with Richards and right wing Martin St. Louis in Turin. Big, strong and wonderfully skilled, Lecavalier has it all.
Dany Heatley -- A spectacular season in Ottawa for Heatley makes him a no-brainer for Team Canada. He figures to have a larger role for Canada this time around than at the World Cup.
Paul Kariya -- Seemingly overlooked in the talk about building this team, Kariya has been a revelation with the Predators this season. His skills are second to none.

Right wing

Jarome Iginla -- The epitome of the power forward, no Canadian team would be complete without Iginla.
Martin St. Louis -- The picture of determination, St. Louis is fast and strong with the puck and has a scorer's instincts. The bigger Olympic rink will make him all the more dangerous.
Patrick Marleau -- Like Lecavalier, we're playing Marleau on the wing because his silky-smooth skills are just too good to resist.
Ryan Smyth -- When Canada calls, Smyth responds, so it's only fitting that Canada calls Edmonton's highly skilled forward this time around, even with a formidable array of competition for roster spots.

DEFENSE

Scott Niedermayer -- A move to the Western Conference changes nothing when it comes to one of the game's great skaters. One of the NHL's most talented players. Another no-brainer.
Chris Pronger -- A formidable force on the blue line. Big, strong and tough as nails, Pronger also plays a skill game that makes him a complete package.
Wade Redden -- Content to let his play do the talking, Redden has been a very effective player for the Senators over the years. Quietly excels at all aspects of the games.
Ed Jovanovski -- Like Pronger, Jovanovski is big and skilled and you can't have enough of either attribute on defense in a big-time tournament.
Rob Blake -- Still one of the top defensemen in the NHL. Blake also brings size, skill and is an experienced presence on the point during power plays.
Robyn Regehr -- A big bopper on the backline, Regehr anchors one of the NHL's top defenses with the Calgary Flames. Not a big point producer, the other aspects of his game more than make up for it.

GOALTENDING

Martin Brodeur -- The Devils' team-wide struggles have impacted Brodeur's usually miniscule goals-against average above three, but he remains the best around. It's hard to imagine Brodeur not excelling with this team around him.
Marty Turco -- A very underrated player on an underrated team. Turco's play has done the talking for him and it said "Welcome to Turin!"
Curtis Joseph -- Certainly an afterthought at the beginning of the selection process, "Cujo" has turned back the clock and has earned the nod with outstanding play for the Phoenix Coyotes.

DEPTH PLAYERS

Brenden Morrow -- Tough, tenacious and able to fill a number of roles, the Stars' Morrow will be a jack of all trades for Canada up front.
Dan Boyle -- A key member of the Lightning's championship team, he is too often underrated and overlooked.

His Team USA selections -> Ice Age (http://www.nhl.com/features/iceage/usa.html)

Yoata

12-19-05, 4:04 PM

As of right now mine hasn't changed a lot, Murray out, Marleau in, Crosby out, Tanguay in.

Forwards:

Spezza - Richards - Heatley
Marleau - Thornton - Gagne
Shanahan - Savard - Staal
Tanguay - Sakic - Iginla

Spares: St. Louis, Smyth, Crosby

Defense:

McCabe - Niedermayer
Blake - Redden
Pronger - Boyle

Spares: Foote, Devries, Jovo

Net:

Brodeur
Luongo

Spare: Legace (I know he's no longer eligible, it's a protest vote, slot in Belfour for real)

Newfie John

12-19-05, 4:33 PM

Mine is the same as Yoata's except put Foote in for Boyle, No Belfour(he's blowed this season), No Savard. Put Spezza at Center and move St. Louis into the lineup. Insert Smyth, take out Tangauy.

Max Power

12-19-05, 4:34 PM

Now I know your just joking with that D core Yota
McCabe, De vries and Foote
You're making baby Jesus cry

Newfie John

12-19-05, 4:37 PM

Now I know your just joking with that D core Yota
McCabe, De vries and Foote
You're making baby Jesus cry

I don't see why Mccabe doesn't deserve to be on the team. Same for Foote.

Yoata

12-19-05, 4:37 PM

Now I know your just joking with that D core Yota
McCabe, De vries and Foote
You're making baby Jesus cry

What's wrong with my D?

Regehr is not an elite dman, and Jovanoopsi is a huge defensive liability.

charlio lemieux

12-19-05, 4:49 PM

I really don't see Philips being picked Charlio. He hasn?t played that well this year so far. He's still good I guess but not team Canada good IMO

He's only there for defensive reasons. Much like Brind'amour's main reason for being picked is his amazing faceoff %. I could have went with Foote, or Hannan, or Aucoin or Stuart but I went with Phillips because he plays with Redden and would be able to pair up with him easily if injuries cause the need to jugle the defensive lineup. Also his +/- blows the other guy's away. The other usual suspects mentioned above are all having a hard time adjusting to the New NHL it would appear.

Max Power

12-19-05, 4:52 PM

What's wrong with my D?

Regehr is not an elite dman, and Jovanoopsi is a huge defensive liability.

Foote is a vet that's always come through so it's hard to knock him but he hasn?t looked good this year at all. McCabe is Johnny on the spot offensively but is severely lacking defensive instinct and Canada won't be lacking offence on the blue line with much more responsible offensive D men like Niedermayer, Blake, Redden and Jovo. Big ice surface and fast skilled teams like Sweden, Czechoslovakia and Slovakia spells disaster for McCabe and I think team Canada will leave him out for that single reason. Jovo is streaky but always gets picked and is better defensively then both Mccabe and De vries. I'd pick Boyle too
Regehr is a solid defensive D man that Canada needs and he's been nothing but great since his return from injury.

In all honesty like I said before I?d be happy to see McCabe on the team to put an end to this argument. If he does well his critics will be forced to shut up and if he flops there will be no more Norris nonsense

wildboy26

12-19-05, 5:03 PM

What's wrong with my D?

Regehr is not an elite dman, and Jovanoopsi is a huge defensive liability.

Regehr had an outstanding playoffs last year and I think that has created an inflated impression of his general day in-day out abilities. Boyle is very underrated, probably because the big three of Tampa Bay forwards hogs the attention there.

wildboy26

12-19-05, 5:04 PM

Yoata

12-19-05, 5:05 PM

Foote is a vet that's always come through so it's hard to knock him but he hasn?t looked good this year at all. McCabe is Johnny on the spot offensively but is severely lacking defensive instinct and Canada won't be lacking offence on the blue line with much more responsible offensive D men like Niedermayer, Blake, Redden and Jovo. Big ice surface and fast skilled teams like Sweden, Czechoslovakia and Slovakia spells disaster for McCabe and I think team Canada will leave him out for that single reason. Jovo is streaky but always gets picked and is better defensively then both Mccabe and De vries. I'd pick Boyle too
Regehr is a solid defensive D man that Canada needs and he's been nothing but great since his return from injury.

In all honesty like I said before I?d be happy to see McCabe on the team to put an end to this argument. If he does well his critics will be forced to shut up and if he flops there will be no more Norris nonsense

The fact that you say "better defensively"when describing Jovanoopsi leads me to believe that you don't watch him play, he is nothing short of consistently brutal defensively, much more of a liability than McCabe, and not as much O upside, Devries is miles ahead of Jovo defensively.

I've liked Foote in the past, and I know he suffers from a weak team, but I just don't think he's been at the top of his game the way that others have. Regher is too one-dimensional, there are better puck-moving dmen who are also solid defensively to have a strictly defensive guy on the team.

charlio lemieux

12-19-05, 5:06 PM

Sorry but Brind'amour?!? :eyebug: :eyebug:

If you have to question then you don't know. May I suggest you inquire into his performance this year.
Please note his Faceoff %.

Max Power

12-19-05, 5:14 PM

The fact that you say "better defensively"when describing Jovanoopsi leads me to believe that you don't watch him play, he is nothing short of consistently brutal defensively, much more of a liability than McCabe, and not as much O upside, Devries is miles ahead of Jovo defensively.

Granted I haven't seen Jovo as much as I've seen McCabe. My pick for Jovo has more to do with what I think team Canada will do then anything. Team Canada staff seems to have endeared him. In all honesty the few times I?ve seen him this year he has looked good while the 7 or 8 games I?ve watched McCabe he was nothing more then mediocre to bad defensively.

J.R.

12-21-05, 9:05 AM

Today's the day the real version is released. :thumb:

Newfie John

12-21-05, 11:54 AM

People keep saying that Jovo will be picked for this team. Mccabe blows him out of the water offensively, is just as physical if not more, and is just as good, if not better defensively. I guess senority goes a long way.

Yoata

12-21-05, 12:04 PM

I agree, McCabe way before Jovanoopsi, and I'm a Nucks fan.

Newfie John

12-21-05, 12:22 PM

Since it's roster picking day.. I will submit my final roster. Lets see how it compares to the roster being picked today.

Heatley - Sakic - Iginla
Richards - Lecavalier - St. Louis
Gagne - Thornton - Shanahan
Smyth - Spezza - Nash
Doan

Niedermayer - Pronger
Blake- Regehr
Redden - Foote
Mccabe

Luongo
Brodeur
Joseph

This team is a mix of who I think should be there who I think WILL be there. I don't think Joseph should be on it, but I think he will end up there. I think Mccabe should be on it, but I have my doubts there. I don't think Nash should be there but I think Gretzky will probably pick him. Same for Doan. I think Spezza should be there but I have my doubts. Crosby or Staal could be picked ahead of him. That said:

Taxi Squad-
Jovanovski(if Mccabe makes it, if not, Mccabe here.. I can't see Jovo being picked though)

Crosby/Staal/Spezza

slapshot™

12-21-05, 2:38 PM

Bubble Boys find out Wednesday whether they make the Olympic cut

(CP) - Some big names are on the Olympic bubble Wednesday.

Todd Bertuzzi, Sidney Crosby, Adam Foote, Paul Kariya, Rick Nash, Jason Spezza, Eric Staal, Martin St. Louis, Brendan Shanahan and Ryan Smyth are just some of the players waiting to hear whether they are going to Turin with Team Canada.

The 23-player roster will be announced at a 5 p.m. ET news conference in Vancouver.

"I'd have a tough time picking this one," said Edmonton's Smyth. "There are two, three teams easily you could pick from this crop of players."

With a new generation of stars, led by Crosby, Spezza and Staal, fighting for inclusion on Team Canada, and a veteran group, the likes of Foote, Kariya and Shanahan, hoping for yet another crack at it, the selection process is as daunting as ever.

"Obviously you want to be on the team but there's at least 100 Canadian players that could easily be on that team," Coyotes captain Shane Doan, another hopeful, said from Phoenix. "The group making the selections will have a tough decision on a lot of guys."

The role of Wayne Gretzky, executive director of the Olympic team, was unclear in the wake of his mother Phyllis Gretzky succumbing to cancer late Monday night.

Deliberations are expected to start Wednesday morning. Assistant executive director Kevin Lowe, director of player personnel Steve Tambellini, Hockey Canada coach Marc Habscheid, Hockey Canada director of player personnel Blair Mackasey, Olympic head coach Pat Quinn, and assistant coaches Ken Hitchcock, Jacques Martin and Wayne Fleming are the men responsible for making those final cuts.

Gretzky may still be involved, but understandably has other matters on his mind.

Only Lowe, Tambellini and Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson will be in Vancouver, the rest of the group all joining via conference call.

Full article -> NHL.com (http://www.nhl.com/news/2005/12/248736.html)

TimmyTabasco

12-21-05, 3:26 PM

I can't see Jovo being picked though

Disagree

Jovo hasn't had a good year, so far. However, Tambellini is part of the process..and thinks highly of him..as does Gretzky.

Plus, he has the international experience.

So, most likely Jovo will make the team.

Newfie John

12-21-05, 3:41 PM

Disagree

Jovo hasn't had a good year, so far. However, Tambellini is part of the process..and thinks highly of him..as does Gretzky.

Plus, he has the international experience.

So, most likely Jovo will make the team.

Others deserve to be on the team over him.

TimmyTabasco

12-21-05, 3:47 PM

Others deserve to be on the team over him.

Your totally right. But, the reality is he most likely will be chosen :D

charlio lemieux

12-21-05, 3:54 PM

:curse: :curse: F%#$ing Reality!:curse: :curse: :laughing:

Newfie John

12-21-05, 5:04 PM

Your totally right. But, the reality is he most likely will be chosen :D

Yes, which is stupid.

Iced Tea

12-21-05, 6:19 PM

Just freakin announce the lineup. Enough freaking blabbing. :curse: :mad:

Yoata

12-21-05, 6:28 PM

TSN cybercast:

Goaltenders:

Luongo
Broduer
Turco

swflyers25

12-21-05, 6:29 PM

-Luongo
-Brodeur
-Turco

-Blake
-Foote
-Niedermayer
-Pronger
-Redden
-Regher

-Doan
-Gagne
-Draper
-Heatley
-Iggy
-Vinny L.
-Nash
-Richards
-Smyth

PDO

12-21-05, 6:30 PM

... Draper = wasted spot.

Yoata

12-21-05, 6:32 PM

... Draper = wasted spot.

Agreed, and I'm a Wings fan.

PDO

12-21-05, 6:32 PM

Is it possible that with the Taxi Squad they're going to name 14 forwards and 6 D?

swflyers25

12-21-05, 6:34 PM

St. Louis
Thornton

Three alternates: McCabe, Spezza, Staal.

swflyers25

12-21-05, 6:36 PM

Jovo
Bertuzzi

swflyers25

12-21-05, 6:38 PM

Captain Canada, Joe Sakic

PDO

12-21-05, 6:39 PM

Well, there we go.. I guess Jovo and Bert are the 7th and 13th right now.

Let the speculation begin ;).

Gagne - Sakic - Iginla
Richards - Lecavalier - St. Louis
Smyth - Thornton - Heatley
Nash - Draper - Doan
Bertuzzi

Pronger - Niedermayer
Foote - Blake
Redden - Regehr
Jovo

Luongo
Brodeur
Turco

Taxi = McCabe, Spezza, Staal.

Here's hoping for untimely injuries to Draper, St. Louis, Nash and Jovo :o.

Yoata

12-21-05, 6:42 PM

Here's hoping for timely injuries to Draper, Bertuzzi, and Jovo :o.

Fixed.

How the @#$% do you put Doan, Smyth, Draper and Bertuzzi ahead of Shanahan???

Answer: Smyth and Bertuzzi play for Canadian teams, and Doan for McPhoenix. Draper is still a mystery, but I guess they figure they need at least 1 "role player".

charlio lemieux

12-21-05, 6:42 PM

Iced Tea

12-21-05, 6:47 PM

Well, there we go.. I guess Jovo and Bert are the 7th and 13th right now.They saved the Canucks players for last because the press conference was in Vancouver. It's called heightened drama. Jovo could be 7th defenseman but no way is Bertuzzi the 13th forward.

Yoata

12-21-05, 6:48 PM

Agreed on Jovo, Floatuzzi doesn't deserve to be the 20th forward.

slapshot™

12-21-05, 6:50 PM

Doan?
Draper?
Smyth?
Jovo?
Foote?
St louis?
Nash?

:curse: :curse: :curse: :curse: :curse: :curse:

Alot of deserving players got screwed because Hockey Canada wants to go with the status quo. :talkhand:

Go Slovakia!:burning:

Yeah...those guys you listed...what a bunch of bums. Who would want them for even a beer league tournament.

51 days to opening ceremony and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yoata

12-21-05, 6:52 PM

Yeah...those guys you listed...what a bunch of bums. Who would want them for even a beer league tournament.

51 days to opening ceremony and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They look like part of the B team to me, add Regehr as well.

Yoata

12-21-05, 6:53 PM

Any coincidence that many of the most suspect guys play on the executive committee members' teams?

I'd say no question there was undue influence by McWayne, Tambellini and Lowe.

PDO

12-21-05, 6:59 PM

They look like part of the B team to me, add Regehr as well.

Flames without Regehr: 5-7-2
Flames with Regehr: 14-3-2

Yeah.. what a bum.

Smyth is one of the only guys in the country who can play on the top line or the 4th line and still contribute to this team. The reason I'm so against Nash, Draper and St. Louis being on the team is that they have to play on a specific line, and if they don't.. they're useless.

slapshot™

12-21-05, 7:01 PM

Any coincidence that many of the most suspect guys play on the executive committee members' teams?

I'd say no question there was undue influence by McWayne, Tambellini and Lowe.

Goaltender Martin Brodeur, defencemen Rob Blake, Adam Foote, Ed Jovanovski, Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger, and forwards Simon Gagne, Jarome Iginla, Joe Sakic and Ryan Smyth are the 10 holdovers from Salt Lake City.

Lowe = Oilers = Smytty & Pronger.

Of course I see where you're going with this. Astute observation.

PDO

12-21-05, 7:01 PM

Just to make it even MORE obvious how bad of a pick Draper is..

Drapers stats:

34 games played
1 goal
6 assists
7 points
-6

Pecas stats:

30 games
3 goals
7 assists
-1

TERRIBLE selection.

Yoata

12-21-05, 7:03 PM

Flames without Regehr: 5-7-2
Flames with Regehr: 14-3-2

Yeah.. what a bum.

Smyth is one of the only guys in the country who can play on the top line or the 4th line and still contribute to this team. The reason I'm so against Nash, Draper and St. Louis being on the team is that they have to play on a specific line, and if they don't.. they're useless.

Where did I say he was a bum? :shrug:

blah blah blah about Smyth, Shanahan always has been, and still is, twice the player.

:laughing: Smyth is great, but the Hart, Ross, Pearson, and leader of the last SC champs who plays more minutes in all positions than Smyth does is "useless". No bias there I'm sure. :laughing:

Yoata

12-21-05, 7:04 PM

slapshot™

12-21-05, 7:05 PM

Oh man, now you're saying ANOTHER soiler should've been shilled in? :rolleyes:

I think he means the exact opposite.

Yoata

12-21-05, 7:05 PM

I think he means the exact opposite.

Looks to me like he's saying Peca should be there instead of Draper?

PDO

12-21-05, 7:09 PM

Looks to me like he's saying Peca should be there instead of Draper?

I'm saying Peca has no business being there.. but has still been better than Draper. That's just how bad of a pick it was to put Draper on this team.

Yoata

12-21-05, 7:18 PM

I'm saying Peca has no business being there.. but has still been better than Draper. That's just how bad of a pick it was to put Draper on this team.

He's been slightly better so far this season, but Draper's still a better choice, as bad as he's been. 3 Stanley Cups and Olympic Gold stand for something.

PDO

12-21-05, 7:23 PM

He's been slightly better so far this season, but Draper's still a better choice, as bad as he's been. 3 Stanley Cups and Olympic Gold stand for something.

And Olympic gold and and captaining a team game 7 of the stanley cup finals doesn't?

You also get higher upside with Peca than Draper. I'm not saying Peca should be on the team; but if you're determined to have a defensive forward.. take one who's been better atleast. Not to mention Peca can hit.. Draper can't.

charlio lemieux

12-21-05, 7:46 PM

................................Gp..G..A..Pt.+/-..atoi...FO%
ROD BRIND'AMOUR CAR 29 13 16 29. 3 23:55 62.2
B. SHANAHAN ...... DET 35 20 17 37. 3 16:25

................................Gp..G..A..Pt..+/-..atoi...FO%
SHANE DOAN....... PHX 34 6. 16 22 -7 18:43
KRIS DRAPER....... DET 34 1. 6. 7_ -6 17:27 55.1

Boo, to the Hockey Canada selection group.

Yoata

12-21-05, 7:48 PM

And Olympic gold and and captaining a team game 7 of the stanley cup finals doesn't?

You also get higher upside with Peca than Draper. I'm not saying Peca should be on the team; but if you're determined to have a defensive forward.. take one who's been better atleast. Not to mention Peca can hit.. Draper can't.

Game 7 vs 3 SC WINS. :conspire:

Draper is better at both ends. He can't hit??? :confused:

Amoroq

12-21-05, 8:01 PM

My version of Team Canada wouldn't have included Bertuzzi. I would have no problem what so ever if he was on the taxi squad and Staal on the team but whatever. GO CANADA!

PDO

12-21-05, 8:05 PM

Game 7 vs 3 SC WINS. :conspire:

Draper is better at both ends. He can't hit??? :confused:

Draper was playing behind Yzerman and Fedorov.. and I don't believe even had a letter on his chest. Peca was playing 20 + minutes a night, hitting everything that moved and was the captain. There's the difference.

Draper can hit.. occasionally.. but really, it's like saying Ryan Smyth hits. Yeah, he can grind, and yeah, he'll knock someone over occasionally.. but he can't hit like Peca can, and you saying anything else is huge bias.

Yoata

12-21-05, 8:11 PM

Draper was playing behind Yzerman and Fedorov.. and I don't believe even had a letter on his chest. Peca was playing 20 + minutes a night, hitting everything that moved and was the captain. There's the difference.

Draper can hit.. occasionally.. but really, it's like saying Ryan Smyth hits. Yeah, he can grind, and yeah, he'll knock someone over occasionally.. but he can't hit like Peca can, and you saying anything else is huge bias.

The fact that Draper was playing behind those two guys and still has been such a big part of Detroit's SUCCESS is even more proof of how underrated he is.

However, I've already said that Draper doesn't belong on Team Canada. The only bias here is yours for not being able to see that Peca is highly overrated, and so is Smyth, next you'll tell me he should be there ahead of Shanahan, etc.

btw, it was game 6, not 7, and the Sabres were there because of 1 player, and it wasn't Mike Peca.

PDO

12-21-05, 8:15 PM

I can't believe the same person could say Draper is underrated and Peca is overrated in the same breath. Stunning.

Yoata

12-21-05, 8:19 PM

I can't believe the same person could say Draper is underrated and Peca is overrated in the same breath. Stunning.

Draper, 3 time SC winner, $2.13M
Peca "game 6 finals" loser, $3.99M

Now THAT'S "stunning".

TimmyTabasco

12-21-05, 9:55 PM

My version of Team Canada wouldn't have included Bertuzzi. I would have no problem what so ever if he was on the taxi squad and Staal on the team but whatever. GO CANADA!

Why not? Please explain ;)

If Bertuzzi was on the taxi squad..more than likely he would have played anyway. Remember players do get injured

TimmyTabasco

12-21-05, 9:58 PM

Agreed on Jovo, Floatuzzi doesn't deserve to be the 20th forward.

And why not?

Give Bertuzzi some credit where its due

The past few weeks he has been playing very well, and close to dominating games

Obviously Tambellini has seen something in Bertuzzi's play, that you have not

Yoata

12-21-05, 10:14 PM

And why not?

Give Bertuzzi some credit where its due

The past few weeks he has been playing very well, and close to dominating games

Obviously Tambellini has seen something in Bertuzzi's play, that you have not

Why not? Obviously because there are many more deserving players.

Yeah I'm sure Tambellini did, the fact that he's a Canuck has everything to do wtih it.

Dominating??? Maybe half a shift per period, the rest of the time he's floating around like 260lb butterfly.

MadDevil

12-22-05, 2:36 AM

Just to make it even MORE obvious how bad of a pick Draper is..

Drapers stats:

34 games played
1 goal
6 assists
7 points
-6

Pecas stats:

30 games
3 goals
7 assists
-1

TERRIBLE selection.

For that matter:

Madden's stats:

33 games
5 goals
9 assists
14 points
Even

I think Madden's speed and aggressive play would be a benefit to Team Canada, but I guess they didn't think so. I also think Shanahan and Joseph should have made the team, but whatever. It looks like they're going to try to recreate the same chemistry that won Gold in 2002. Whether or not it works, we'll just have to see.

TimmyTabasco

12-22-05, 3:19 AM

I think Madden's speed and aggressive play would be a benefit to Team Canada, but I guess they didn't think so. I also think Shanahan and Joseph should have made the team, but whatever. It looks like they're going to try to recreate the same chemistry that won Gold in 2002. Whether or not it works, we'll just have to see.

Totally agree on Madden. He would be a solid choice, and I would have chosen him over Draper anyday of the week.

Amoroq

12-22-05, 6:09 AM

Why not? Please explain ;)

If Bertuzzi was on the taxi squad..more than likely he would have played anyway. Remember players do get injuredThe stats for Staal and Bertuzzi are self explanitory, I don't think further explanation is needed.

Newfie John

12-22-05, 8:30 AM

Bertuzzi over Staal? Come on..

Mccabe on the Taxi.. I still find it hard to believe Jovo made it over him but oh well. Hopefully he gets injured. Mccabe is arguably the best defencemen in the league this year. Somehow he's 8th among canadians? I don't know but a lot could happen between now and then, and if no injuries happen well hopefully Quinn comes to his senses and Jovo has a "mystery flu".

Max Power

12-22-05, 10:04 AM

I don't agree with

St. Louis
Draper
To a lesser degree
Doan
Foote

The remainders are all good.
I guess the taxi squad is no surprise either? I would have preferred Staal over St Louis among a few others but this team is still excellent. All three in the taxi squad have a month and change to prove they deserve to be on the team as at least one injury is inevitable. McCabe being on the taxi squad is fair IMO. I cringe at the thought of him on the ice in a 1 goal game with 10 min left and Sundin, Alfredson and Forsberg skating up against him but in all honesty I?d like to see him there. He might surprise his naysayer. At least Bill Watters on SN and Brain Fart on TSN will still have a reason to justify their Norris vote this year.

slapshot™

12-22-05, 11:35 AM

Anyone know when the other teams are releasing their rosters?

Yoata

12-22-05, 12:12 PM

It looks like they're going to try to recreate the same chemistry that won Gold in 2002. Whether or not it works, we'll just have to see.

Shanahan was there in '02.

Yoata

12-22-05, 12:14 PM

McCabe being on the taxi squad is fair IMO. I cringe at the thought of him on the ice in a 1 goal game with 10 min left and Sundin, Alfredson and Forsberg skating up against him

If it's Jovanoopsi, forget cringing, just hide under the couch and don't look.

wildboy26

12-22-05, 4:15 PM

Shanahan and Kariya should both have been on the team? In a way I believe Staal and Spezza should have been, but the problems with them is both are pure natural centres, who would not adapt as easily to the wing probably, and there wasnt much room at centre. Marleau probably did not considered near as much as he should have been. Boyle and McCabe probably should have been more strongly considered too.

Bertuzzi, Doan, Draper? All questionable IMHO. Jovanovski, Foote?
Both questionable right now as well.

Max Power

12-22-05, 4:18 PM

If it's Jovanoopsi, forget cringing, just hide under the couch and don't look.

Yeah I saw his brutal giveaway last night for the first goal? If that?s the everyday theme then I agree

wildboy26

12-22-05, 5:34 PM

Fixed.

How the @#$% do you put Doan, Smyth, Draper and Bertuzzi ahead of Shanahan???

Answer: Smyth and Bertuzzi play for Canadian teams, and Doan for McPhoenix. Draper is still a mystery, but I guess they figure they need at least 1 "role player".

If they are going to put Doan and Smyth on the team, they dont need Draper.
Doan and Smyth can play "grinding" roles anyway, in fact even Richards can as a 4th line centre. Doan would not be anywhere near the team if he was not playing for Grezxty. Grezxty probably told the brass about a month ago, "listen guys, I cant go into the locker room and tell my team I believe in them and then have somebody stand up and say 'you dont even believe our best player(Doan)was good enough to make the Olympic team, how can you say you believe in us!!!', so guys I have to put him on the team." :laughing:

Yoata

12-22-05, 6:38 PM

If they are going to put Doan and Smyth on the team, they dont need Draper.
Doan and Smyth can play "grinding" roles anyway, in fact even Richards can as a 4th line centre. Doan would not be anywhere near the team if he was not playing for Grezxty. Grezxty probably told the brass about a month ago, "listen guys, I cant go into the locker room and tell my team I believe in them and then have somebody stand up and say 'you dont even believe our best player(Doan)was good enough to make the Olympic team, how can you say you believe in us!!!', so guys I have to put him on the team." :laughing:

Same goes for Lowe with Smyth and Tambellini with Floatuzzi and Jovanoopsi.

wildboy26

12-22-05, 7:22 PM

Same goes for Lowe with Smyth and Tambellini with Floatuzzi and Jovanoopsi.

Well of course. :nod:

I really really do hope we win Gold in Turin, the only good thing I would take out of if we lost however(and if it was not due to an outrageously hot goalie like Hasek was in 98, which would negate the loss in their minds due to that) is perhaps it would make them realize they have to take only the best players, and not the players with closer ties to people in the brass, or that are best for political and personal preference(non-hockey related)reasons. Lets face it, we believe, and probably rightfully so, we are so good, we can put some people on the team that probably dont deserve to be there, and still win the gold.

wildboy26

1-12-06, 6:35 PM

Gagne - Sakic - Iginila
Staal - Spezza - Heatley (Spezza and Heatley have to play together IMO)
Richards - Lecavalier - St. Louis(I find LeCavalier overrated but they play well together)
Bertuzzi - Thorton- Nash(ditto, putting guys I think would play well together)
Smyth

Defence

Pronger - Niedermayer
Blake - Foote
McCabe- Redden
Hannan

Goaltenders:

Brodeur-duh!
Luongo
Turco or Joseph

This is the team I had predicted. I was wrong on both Spezza and Staal, but both atleast made the taxi squad. So at worst all 13 forwards I predicted to be chosen made the tzxi squad or better(11 made the main team). On defence I got McCabe and Hannan wrong, and missed Jovanovski
and Rhegher. McCabe atleast made the taxi squad. I got the goalies right.
Overall I would think I did quite well.