International TournamentsDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
I agree with this. And it is a shame. Spezza is legit one of my favourite players (you won't here that out of a leaf fan too often ) I think with the right linemate, he could have a reall good tournament. Like a big body guy in Staal and a sniper in Stamkos, would be a very effective offensive line. but to have Spezza, a guy like Giroux or Richards would be left off, guys with grit, whereas Spezza has none. On an Olympic squad, he would have the type of linemates that the WHC could never provide for him. Not to say he's had noone, but not the level of elite Canadian talent of the Olympics, or his NHL teammate of a few years ago. Hope he atleast gets a camp invite.
Personally, I don't think there is a need to left Giroux or Richards off, if Spezza is on the team. I agree with you that I can imagine Spezza with Stamkos, Staal and even with Giroux. And I don't think he has a zero chance. You just cannot left an 85-points player out of consideration, especially with a talent that Spezza has, IMHO.
But it's true it will be hard to find a good spot for him. I won't be suprised if Spezza doesn't make the team. But I won't be suprised if he does either.
If you want a left-side defensive defenceman, Dan Hamhuis is also a good choice. IMO best Canucks defenceman right now.
If that's what they're looking for, I agree completely. I don't think he's a top 7 defenseman for Canada, though I would say probably top 12. Frankly he's just so consistent and steady. He won't blow you out of the water with skill like a Doughty, but for my dollar he's a little more dependable. In my opinion his absence cost the Canucks the cup.
Pretty surprised how many people have Skinner penned into the lineup while snubbing Hall. I think Hall has a better chance to make the team and his play style would be more effective on international ice.
Pretty surprised how many people have Skinner penned into the lineup while snubbing Hall. I think Hall has a better chance to make the team and his play style would be more effective on international ice.
agree 100%, Skinner is a great skater, but Hall has a better burst and just blows by people. On the bigger ice it be a treat to watch him play and create breakaways on his own
agree 100%, Skinner is a great skater, but Hall has a better burst and just blows by people. On the bigger ice it be a treat to watch him play and create breakaways on his own
I don't think that either one of them make it.
Traditionally, Nicholson and team Canada have taken more of an older squad. Think about Stamkos getting the snub even though he was lighting it up. Wasn't old enough in their minds. Its usually just one guy that makes the cut. Crosby and Doughty were the youngsters on the last team.....
I feel like they will take one young player and the rest of the players will be in the prime of their careers or veterans. I think that one player is John Tavares.
Pretty surprised how many people have Skinner penned into the lineup while snubbing Hall. I think Hall has a better chance to make the team and his play style would be more effective on international ice.
Agreed, Skinner is really talented but he doesn't offer something the team lacks at that point in time. Hall and Seguin are better choices to make the team, and I think both could very well make it.
Pretty surprised how many people have Skinner penned into the lineup while snubbing Hall. I think Hall has a better chance to make the team and his play style would be more effective on international ice.
I was really impressed with Skinner on the big ice in Finland so...I'd have him on my team. In the end, it will likely be whoever that is having a better season at the time of selection.
Luongo's not starting over Price, and shouldn't even be on the team.
Actually he is. Sorry to break it to you. He won the Gold in Vancouver and absolutely deserves to start. It isn't like Price or anyone has really outplayed him since either.
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I told ya so. I was right all along!
Actually he is. Sorry to break it to you. He won the Gold in Vancouver and absolutely deserves to start. It isn't like Price or anyone has really outplayed him since either.
Actually it is: Price absolutely has outplayed Luongo.
He didn't "win the gold", he simply didn't lose it for them (but very nearly did).
James Neal is a big body cycling left winger that could mesh really well with Toews and Perry on that third line. I imagine Jordan Staal would be a great fit for that fourth line. He is great defensively and would be one of our top penalty killers.
Doughty - Weber
Pietrangelo - Keith
Seabrook - Staal
Letang
Price
Luongo
Ward
Tough choices for me were:
Benn and eberle instead of any of the young up and comers such as RNH, hall, skinner, ect. IMO Benn and eberle are the best of the bunch and will improve the most in the next year and a half leading up to the olympics
Another was putting Getzlaf, Nash, and Iginla on the roster. IMO Canada is going to take more experience/size/leadership over youth when it comes down to some tough decisions. Not to say they wont take youth, but they wont take to much of it (Benn, Eberle). Not to mention Nash plays by far his best hockey with the Canada sweater on.
On D the tough choice was leaving Phaneuf off the roster. I know he gets a ton of hate on HF and in alot of cases deserves it but I think he is still one of Canadas top 7 Dman. However the problem came when there wasnt really a fit for him. The top 4 is set already and the bottom pairing i went with a more shutdown style pairing and Phaneuf isnt really a fit for their. The other spot is the 7th D which is typically held down by a offensive specialist which without question would be Letang for Canada
As a Luongo fan i had a hard time giving him the backup job, but i am almost positive that in the next year or two Price will be without question Canadas best goalie and perhaps the best goalie in the world.
Actually he didn't nearly lose gold for Canada, but it's funny the double standard you have in your post.
Luongo has absolutely been better than Price. Two years ago he was a Vezina finalist, and last year he had better numbers than Price.
Yes: I'm sure that having a team that's better in both offence and defence than Price's has no impact on his numbers.
He played like crap: "All of Canada held it's breath when Luongo was forced to make a save." The guy just had to play well enough not to lose, and he was one Pavelski knuckler away from doing just that.
Price almost lost the Gold for Canada? When was this? And if he hasn't (which he hasn't) how is it a double standard?
You are the one with the double standard: Not taking into account Luongo's all-around better team than Price's.
Actually he didn't nearly lose gold for Canada, but it's funny the double standard you have in your post.
Luongo has absolutely been better than Price. Two years ago he was a Vezina finalist, and last year he had better numbers than Price.
Ah, I'm gonna have to disagree. Luongo never really played great in 2010. He didn't lose it for the team, but he certainly wasn't confidence inspiring.
Frankly Price is the best bet right now, which doesn't say much. None of our goalies look very good. Maybe a change of scenery will be good for Lu, a little less attention. But it's been quite some time since he was intimidating to the opposition. He's been blown out so many times in big games it's hard to believe in the guy, even if those weren't necessarily his fault.
Doughty - Weber
Pietrangelo - Keith
Seabrook - Staal
Letang
Price
Luongo
Ward
Tough choices for me were:
Benn and eberle instead of any of the young up and comers such as RNH, hall, skinner, ect. IMO Benn and eberle are the best of the bunch and will improve the most in the next year and a half leading up to the olympics
Another was putting Getzlaf, Nash, and Iginla on the roster. IMO Canada is going to take more experience/size/leadership over youth when it comes down to some tough decisions. Not to say they wont take youth, but they wont take to much of it (Benn, Eberle). Not to mention Nash plays by far his best hockey with the Canada sweater on.
On D the tough choice was leaving Phaneuf off the roster. I know he gets a ton of hate on HF and in alot of cases deserves it but I think he is still one of Canadas top 7 Dman. However the problem came when there wasnt really a fit for him. The top 4 is set already and the bottom pairing i went with a more shutdown style pairing and Phaneuf isnt really a fit for their. The other spot is the 7th D which is typically held down by a offensive specialist which without question would be Letang for Canada
As a Luongo fan i had a hard time giving him the backup job, but i am almost positive that in the next year or two Price will be without question Canadas best goalie and perhaps the best goalie in the world.
Defense looks great, goalies are meh (Ward has not shown anything that warrants a spot on an Olympic roster), but what goalies look good for Canada right now anyhow? So great job on defense, goalies are best to pick from.
Forwards: Iginla, sorry man, I don't see him making it. Iginla is just not there anymore. Especially for big ice.
Benn, I don't know. He's never been very clutch for Canada, though he hasn't had a lot of opportunities. He played this year on the World Championship team and looked LOST. Maybe someone could inform me if he's playing right now?
Those are my only problems with your roster, otherwise it looks amazing. And I'm glad you left Dion off, he's just not good enough man, especially on big ice. Watch him closely, he can't and never has been able to skate in a straight line. He loses a ton of puck races as a result.
Agreed, Skinner is really talented but he doesn't offer something the team lacks at that point in time. Hall and Seguin are better choices to make the team, and I think both could very well make it.
Yeah, as much as I love Skinner, he's not going to beat out somebody for a scoring role, and his defense leaves something to be desired on NHL ice. Unless he starts lighting it up once hockey starts again or Team Canada wants to reunite that Eberle-Tavares-Skinner line that was an absolute treat to watch at the WHC, he'll be left off, and rightfully so.
Yeah, as much as I love Skinner, he's not going to beat out somebody for a scoring role, and his defense leaves something to be desired on NHL ice. Unless he starts lighting it up once hockey starts again or Team Canada wants to reunite that Eberle-Tavares-Skinner line that was an absolute treat to watch at the WHC, he'll be left off, and rightfully so.
Looking at my lineup, I do not see how Skinner would fit-in or replace anyone that would share the same role as him... I love the kid, he's a special talent and he was on my radar when he got drafted; but at the end of the day I don't see him beating out any of the guys listed below.
There is an outside chance that he does make a case for himself next season (if there is one...)
Weber - Keith
Pietrangelo - Doughty
Letang - M. Staal
Seabrook
Price
Fleury
Luongo
That top line has a little bit of everything in it, and IMO would excel with the open space there will be. Second line has hockey IQ coming out of every pore. Third line is a truly gritty, shutdown line with some offensive chops. Fourth line can play any and all situations.
Sidedness on D might be wrong. Other than that, I really wanted to see DD/AP together, so I switched AP & DK. Seabrooks there incase Keith can't find chemistry with a partner.
Price will be Canada's best GK. Was tempted to put Ward in for Fleury but it's a toss up IMO.
I can agree with you when you say Price should get consideration as the starter over Luongo, but Luongo is in another world compared to Crawford. Crawford has been in the league for only basically 2 years, and he is one of the worst starting goalies. Theres a reason why there is always trade proposals of Luongo or Thomas to Chicago...because Crawford is terrible.
I'm not going to go on a crusade to say he should start, I think Canada's goaltending situation is not in a good place, but hopefully Price can solidify himself in the next year as the best option moving forward.
But Corey Crawford? I'll take Price, Fleury, Ward, Luongo, Smith and Elliot before Crawford. Hell, give me Holtby before Crawford.
I can agree with you when you say Price should get consideration as the starter over Luongo, but Luongo is in another world compared to Crawford. Crawford has been in the league for only basically 2 years, and he is one of the worst starting goalies. Theres a reason why there is always trade proposals of Luongo or Thomas to Chicago...because Crawford is terrible.
Who trades an "other-worldly" goalie so a terrible one can start? Maybe the Leafs and no one else?
) I think with the right linemate, he could have a reall good tournament. Like a big body guy in Staal and a sniper in Stamkos, would be a very effective offensive line. but to have Spezza, a guy like Giroux or Richards would be left off, guys with grit, whereas Spezza has none. On an Olympic squad, he would have the type of linemates that the WHC could never provide for him. Not to say he's had noone, but not the level of elite Canadian talent of the Olympics, or his NHL teammate of a few years ago. Hope he atleast gets a camp invite.
