IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
I like it except for the Staal brothers at forward, I think there are better options, but overall a solid team.
Hmmm... Maybe you're right. Staal also hasn't proven to be particularly effective at wing and I was meaning to add Jamie Benn/Evander Kane and Tyler Seguin, both natural wingers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sleeping Dragon 81
Steven Stamkos - Sidney Crosby (C) - John Tavares
Corey Perry - Claude Giroux - Jordan Eberle
Rick Nash - Jonathan Toews (A) - Jamie Benn / Evander Kane
James Neal - Patrice Bergeron - Taylor Hall Tyler Seguin
Drew Doughty -Shea Weber (A)
Duncan Keith - Brent Seabrook
Kris Letang - Alex Pietrangelo
Marc Staal*
Roberto Luongo
Carey Price
Marc-Andre Fleury
*Dropped Girardi in favour of Staal after talking to some Rangers posters.
Last edited by Sleeping Dragon 81: 04-05-2012 at 05:40 AM.
The top line seems like a no-brainer to me. They are the three best Canadian players. Put em together. The second line matches two of the most prolific scorers with a playmaker that I think by 2014 will be world-class in his consistency and ability. On the third line a pair of enthusiastic and capable Oilers balanced by one of the very best two-way centres. The fourth line really seems like a crap shoot. There are soooo many options, and any number of combinations could be effective. I personally like the veteran presence of Bergeron. He's responsible, and has been to the top of every stage. Iginla is just the definition of class, and assuming his production doesn't trail off too much, the team could benefit from having at least one veteran of that calibre. I will take Kane in the same vein as Nugent.Hopkins, I'm gambling that he will be ready, but I think he will be.
Letang-Weber
Doughty-Pietrangelo
Keith-Seabrook
I've got a feeling that some names on Defense will arise over the next year or two that we may not be necessarily expecting. This seems like the safest six, but really, I think the D is the hardest to predict.
Price
MA Fleury
Luongo
The common names in net. I wouldn't be surprised if a number of goaltenders make their names heard though and push consideration.
Man, I'm from Calgary and was at every playoff during their run, but Iginla probably should not be on this team come 2014, maybe as the 13th forward, but that's it. Not that I don't think he's great, but its two full years away, and I honestly believe he's lost a bit of a step. Some games he's still the man, and its inspiring, I just don't see it as much.
But all in all, everyone is posting sick teams right now. It'll be interested to look back come December 2013 (assuming NHL players go) and see how close/far off we all are.
Hmmm... Maybe you're right. Staal also hasn't proven to be particularly effective at wing and I was meaning to add Jamie Benn/Evander Kane and Tyler Seguin, both natural wingers.
I honestly think that E. Staal will make the team, Team Canada brass tends to love him, but I just don't think he's always super effective. That being said, he certainly didn't play badly in Vancouver, and his second half of this season has been good.
I'm no expert, I just love talking about Team Canada stuff, I get bored of the NHL.
Man, I'm from Calgary and was at every playoff during their run, but Iginla probably should not be on this team come 2014, maybe as the 13th forward, but that's it. Not that I don't think he's great, but its two full years away, and I honestly believe he's lost a bit of a step. Some games he's still the man, and its inspiring, I just don't see it as much.
But all in all, everyone is posting sick teams right now. It'll be interested to look back come December 2013 (assuming NHL players go) and see how close/far off we all are.
Point taken. It's a romantic pick for sure. His experience will be invaluable, but it will all of course depend on what his production is like at the time the roster is put together. I can't help but think of 2010 and how despite all the young talent on that team... it was still Iggy with the puck being screamed at from Crosby to dish it. The man delivers when it counts. Still, there's no shortage of fantastic options otherwise. Tavares, Seguin, Nash, St.Louis, Sharp, etc. Depends what is needed, experience, youth, speed, hands, versatility. An embarrassment of riches.
Posted this in the other thread but I'll shoot it here as well:
Steven Stamkos - Sidney Crosby (C) - John Tavares
Corey Perry - Claude Giroux - Jordan Eberle
Rick Nash - Jonathan Toews (A) - Eric Staal
James Neal - Patrice Bergeron - Taylor Hall
Jordan Staal
Drew Doughty -Shea Weber (A)
Duncan Keith - Brent Seabrook
Kris Letang - Alex Pietrangelo
Marc Staal*
Roberto Luongo
Carey Price
Marc-Andre Fleury
*Dropped Girardi in favour of Staal after talking to some Rangers posters.
Breakdown -
1. First line is unbelievable
2. I would really like to find a spot for Iggy!
3. Getzlaf is on the bubble right now
4. Lucic is a long shot, but I would love to see him in that atmosphere and actually get to cheer for him (I'm a Habs fan)
5. I haven't seen much of Richards this year, but he can be one of the best defensive centres in the league when he is shadowing somebody
6. Subban as the 7th d-Man and Price as the starter are complete Homer picks!
Can Spezza play wing? I would prob. take him over E. Staal.
I know he is having a career year. I understand he is now a better player then he ever was in the past. However, I would never have Spezza on my team. Never!
I know he is having a career year. I understand he is now a better player then he ever was in the past. However, I would never have Spezza on my team. Never!
If you want to know why Seguin should be on the team in Sochi watch his goals tonight... no player I would rather have on the open side of a 2 on 1 than him, kid has breakaway speed
If you want to know why Seguin should be on the team in Sochi watch his goals tonight... no player I would rather have on the open side of a 2 on 1 than him, kid has breakaway speed
If you are Yzerman you are going to have to make the toughest decisions up front. I have no idea how you widdle it down to 13 forwards.
Other teams are going to be drooling over the players we leave behind.
He cares enough to show up for world championships, which is more then can be said for a lot of other guys
I can't put my finger on it but I don't like the kid for this team. He has all the talent in the world but can never produce when it counts. He is like his buddy Heatley.
I also think Yzerman will keep Richards/Toews/Nash together - altho Richards is (by far) the weakest link.
Not sure about Seabrook.
I find it pretty amazing that Mike Richards has gone from being one of the most highly rated big game performance type players in the league, to this. I hope that he has a great playoffs and proves everyone wrong.
I find it pretty amazing that Mike Richards has gone from being one of the most highly rated big game performance type players in the league, to this. I hope that he has a great playoffs and proves everyone wrong.
I think that the trade damaged his image a lot. Certainly you can question his offensive ability, though it is clear that LA has an offensively stifling system. Also I think people question his leadership now. If he was so valuable to the mindset of the Flyers, why was he traded, and how has that mindset not changed? I've also heard his heart just hasn't been in it in LA.
But There is still over a year until the team is named, maybe he turns it around.
Anyone who ever questioned Mike Richards please stand up. As shown in game 1 vs. the Nuckers and as he'll continue to show throughout the playoffs, he is a BEAST!!!!!!!!! One game does not make a year but come time when the games matter he is one of the best players in the World. He's a DIFFERENCE maker on boths sides of the puck and it would be a shock if he's not there with Tazor and Nash on our shutdown line come February 2014. Go Richards!!!!!!!!!!!!
You need to watch him, arguably the 3rd best forward in the world right now. If he plays like this the next 2 seasons no way he wont be on the team. He has refined his game and brought it to a completely different level this season. The turnovers have gone down almost 90 percent his fitness and physical strength is way up his is always moving his feet and his shot is all world.
He is as talented as it gets and his skill set can beat you any way you want. My forwards if the tournament was next week.
Stamkos Crosby St. Louis
Staal Spezza Perry
Giroux Tavares Eberle
Richards Toews Bergeron
Seguin
You need to watch him, arguably the 3rd best forward in the world right now. If he plays like this the next 2 seasons no way he wont be on the team. He has refined his game and brought it to a completely different level this season. The turnovers have gone down almost 90 percent his fitness and physical strength is way up his is always moving his feet and his shot is all world.
He is as talented as it gets and his skill set can beat you any way you want. My forwards if the tournament was next week.
Stamkos Crosby St. Louis
Staal Spezza Perry
Giroux Tavares Eberle
Richards Toews Bergeron
Seguin
If you have Perry don't you think you have to include Getzlaf? . . .
He's 6'4 and with his reach, skating, puck protection, and finish around the net, and his past playoff performances he would be terrific on the international ice. He did end up playing on a line with Sid @ Vancouver and that line had their share of moments with Iggy. He's not the best defensively but does get PK time as well so with so much going for him i'd put him on my team as well. I mean so much depends on whether youngsters like Hall, Kane, Eberle can take over established players like Staalzy come February 2014. At this point I would still take him over the younger players at this point especially with the type of performance he offers after the new year each and every season.
Can Spezza play wing? I would prob. take him over E. Staal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by saskriders
why not?
Quote:
Originally Posted by KevyD
I know he is having a career year. I understand he is now a better player then he ever was in the past. However, I would never have Spezza on my team. Never!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KevyD
He has no heart. Whenever I have seen him play for Team Canada I have always said "Never again!".
Quote:
Originally Posted by bert
You need to watch him, arguably the 3rd best forward in the world right now. If he plays like this the next 2 seasons no way he wont be on the team. He has refined his game and brought it to a completely different level this season. The turnovers have gone down almost 90 percent his fitness and physical strength is way up his is always moving his feet and his shot is all world.
He is as talented as it gets and his skill set can beat you any way you want. My forwards if the tournament was next week.
Stamkos Crosby St. Louis
Staal Spezza Perry
Giroux Tavares Eberle
Richards Toews Bergeron
Seguin
Game one against the Rangers (and the rest of the upcoming series) is the reason why Spezza will NOT be on Team Canada in 2014.
It's only one game I've focused on him this much but he's done it all year by all accounts playing as a responsible two way checking centre for the Flyers as a rookie nonetheless...but what does everyone think about Sean Couturier as a potential bottom line/13th forward type player. He shutdown Malkin like i've never seen before all year. He nearyl sweeped all his draws against him also, it was really something. His development is only going to augment in the next year and I hope he can be ready come 2014, he seems to be a unique type of player. We'll see as this series and next season progresses I guess ...
It's only one game I've focused on him this much but he's done it all year by all accounts playing as a responsible two way checking centre for the Flyers as a rookie nonetheless...but what does everyone think about Sean Couturier as a potential bottom line/13th forward type player. He shutdown Malkin like i've never seen before all year. He nearyl sweeped all his draws against him also, it was really something. His development is only going to augment in the next year and I hope he can be ready come 2014, he seems to be a unique type of player. We'll see as this series and next season progresses I guess ...
I think he is too young, my friend.
Also, how did he perform at the WJR's. If I remember correctly, and I probably don't, wasn't he just... average?
Also, how did he perform at the WJR's. If I remember correctly, and I probably don't, wasn't he just... average?
He did pretty well in a limited role. I think people were used to seeing the likes of Tavares and Hall putting up points at that stage, but what they need to keep in mind is that those two guys were put into scoring roles, i.e. they had to lead their offensively. Couturier was behind two other centremen and was expected to play a defensive role, and from what I recall he played that role exactly as he needed to.
