For all the talk of Crosby and Tavares together in Sochi in 2014, I am not sure Tavares even makes Team Canada.
He is an excellent player. But unless you can find room for him on one of the top two lines, then he has no place on Team Canada. He is a pure scoring-line player, with not near the two-way game that is necessary for playing on line 3 or line 4.
The 3rd line centre spot will go to Toews. The 4th line centre spot will probably go to one of Bergeron/M.Richards/J.Staal.
Crosby, if healthy, has the 1st line centre spot.
So basically, it will be a dogfight between Tavares, Stamkos, and Giroux for the 2nd line centre spot.
Now, it is true that you could put both Stamkos and Giroux on the wing, and take all 3 of these players. But I am not sure you want to take so many centres and have so many players playing out of position. Especially when Team Canada has a fleet of excellent wingers to call on (Perry, Eberle, Nash, Neal, etc.)
Plus, let's face it about Tavares skating ability. He is really only average in this area. And playing on the bigger-sized Olympic ice surface makes this weak area even more of a concern.
I think it might make more sense to put either Stamkos or Giroux, guys with superior speed and quickness, on that 2nd line.
Tavares is an excellent player. But I wonder if he will become the next Spezza as it relates to Team Canada. Spezza is the one player who time after time has been on the outside-looking-in, because of either superior players or because his skill-set simply wasn't the best fit.
For all the talk of Crosby and Tavares together in Sochi in 2014, I am not sure Tavares even makes Team Canada.
He is an excellent player. But unless you can find room for him on one of the top two lines, then he has no place on Team Canada. He is a pure scoring-line player, with not near the two-way game that is necessary for playing on line 3 or line 4.
The 3rd line centre spot will go to Toews. The 4th line centre spot will probably go to one of Bergeron/M.Richards/J.Staal.
Crosby, if healthy, has the 1st line centre spot.
So basically, it will be a dogfight between Tavares, Stamkos, and Giroux for the 2nd line centre spot.
Now, it is true that you could put both Stamkos and Giroux on the wing, and take all 3 of these players. But I am not sure you want to take so many centres and have so many players playing out of position. Especially when Team Canada has a fleet of excellent wingers to call on (Perry, Eberle, Nash, Neal, etc.)
Plus, let's face it about Tavares skating ability. He is really only average in this area. And playing on the bigger-sized Olympic ice surface makes this weak area even more of a concern.
I think it might make more sense to put either Stamkos or Giroux, guys with superior speed and quickness, on that 2nd line.
Tavares is an excellent player. But I wonder if he will become the next Spezza as it relates to Team Canada. Spezza is the one player who time after time has been on the outside-looking-in, because of either superior players or because his skill-set simply wasn't the best fit.
Not true. Stamkos and Giroux will become top six wingers almost for certain. After Crosby, Toews and Stamkos, I'd argue that Tavares is the next forward lock for the team.
Stamkos - Crosby - Perry
Seguin - Tavares - Giroux
M. Richards - Toews - Nash
Benn - Bergeron - Couture
E. Staal
Not true. Stamkos and Giroux will become top six wingers almost for certain. After Crosby, Toews and Stamkos, I'd argue that Tavares is the next forward lock for the team.
Stamkos - Crosby - Perry
Seguin - Tavares - Giroux
M. Richards - Toews - Nash
Benn - Bergeron - Couture
E. Staal
I would argue that Perry, Giroux, Nash and Eberle will battle it out for the 3 RW spots in the top 6. The only way its not one of those 4 taking up those 3 spots is if someone is moved to left wing.
Not true. Stamkos and Giroux will become top six wingers almost for certain. After Crosby, Toews and Stamkos, I'd argue that Tavares is the next forward lock for the team.
Stamkos - Crosby - Perry
Seguin - Tavares - Giroux
M. Richards - Toews - Nash
Benn - Bergeron - Couture
E. Staal
I don't know if they want that many centres on the team. That is what I was saying.
As for your team? Not too bad. But no Eberle? I think Eberle makes it ahead of Seguin.
I would argue that Perry, Giroux, Nash and Eberle will battle it out for the 3 RW spots in the top 6. The only way its not one of those 4 taking up those 3 spots is if someone is moved to left wing.
Nash should be put on LW. He has a lot of experience there, and Canada is stacked on RW as it is.
It's always hard to know how two stars will play together. Often they don't do well on the same line. Crosby and Tavares together could POTENTIALLY be a top 5 duo in NHL history though.
I would argue that Perry, Giroux, Nash and Eberle will battle it out for the 3 RW spots in the top 6. The only way its not one of those 4 taking up those 3 spots is if someone is moved to left wing.
Eberle... knew I missed him. Swap him for Bergeron or Couture. But I'd think about putting Perry on the 4th line, his skating is a downfall, whereas Eberle is more versatile.
