IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
NO WAY does Boyle play in the 2014 Olympics. He's not the same Boyle as a couple years ago. He might be tough enough to play through some injuries but he will need the Olympic break to rest his body. There are some better players that should be on this team instead of Boyle. Sorry to break up your team.
I don't complete disagree with you, but I will add this: I had a hard time pick left-sided defensemen in general. Aside from Keith, I can not think of any other left-sided D-man with Team Canada hopes that have a noteworthy offensive dimension, except for Del Zotto. Everyone else seems to be on the right side.
PS, for those lists without even Eberle, dont forget he is the most clutch player in Canadian junior history. He also did very well for Canada at the world championships last year. It would be pretty wild to leave a PPG player like him out with his Hockey Canada history. If Canada is down a goal in the 3rd with less than 3 min to go. Everyone knows who will be at the side of the net.
Debatable. Crosby was pretty invisible in the 2010 Olympics except for the final goal. He was tied for 2 in points and goals with 2 or 3 others. Just because a player can play in the NHL at an Elite level, doesn't mean you can in International Hockey. Different Game.
Except he has produced internationally, and like you said, he was second in points. And he's kind of the best player on this planet, so you know, there's that.
Big Eberle fan, not so sure he'll be there. I don't understand how people have him above Perry on the depth chart, unless they're anticipating a huge decline for him. Eberle's been PPG for like half a season, let's calm down. Can't see Bergeron being left off the team either.
It's so hard to predict goalies, but I'd really be shocked if Luongo is starting in 2014. Price or Fleury, no question.
He definitely CAN be, and judging from last year there's a good chance he will be.
That being said, if we can find a defensive centre that can do similar things to Toews, then JT can be let loose to bring some offense down the middle.
Judging by how much his offensive game has exploded this year, we may need that type of game in 2014 and we may not want him burning energy checking the other teams top line every game.
I sure do. Why not? There's enough skill to fill out a traditional top 9 with loads of offense as it is while still having Toews matched up against the other team's top line/centre. I think he'd thrive at that role. He's a Selke candidate for a reason. When it comes down to it I just hope Canada doesn't sacrifice skill for grit on the big ice.
Canada hasn't been good enough in '98 or '06 partially due to that previous philosophy IMO. Skill wins over there. It's a different game. Even these past Olympics where Canada won gold, Nash-Richards-Toews became the pseudo "shutdown" line.
Except he has produced internationally, and like you said, he was second in points. And he's kind of the best player on this planet, so you know, there's that.
But I'm saying Crosby was equaled or bested by 3-4 other players on his team. And being one of the best in the NHL doesn't mean you'll be tops in International Hockey (See Jagr)
But I'm saying Crosby was equaled or bested by 3-4 other players on his team. And being one of the best in the NHL doesn't mean you'll be tops in International Hockey (See Jagr)
The guy who scored the greatest goal in Canadian history wasn't the best player. I can't believe you just said that.
Neal- Crosby - Stamkos
E Staal - Getzlaf - Perry Benn - Toews - Giroux Hall - Tavares - EberleHopkins
Keith - Weber Phaneuf - Pietrangelo
Staal - Doughty
Letang
Price
Fluery
Ward
There are better options than benn, spezza is a better option, for one and bergeron is another and the dark horse everyone is forgetting is Seguin honestly hes good but why are we completely ignoring better, more experienced players
the hall tavares eberle line almost makes me need to change my pants
and why the hell do people keep putting phaneuf on there, just because he plays for the leafs doesnt make him deserving of a spot letang would be on the roster above neon dion, what about tyler myers, what about subban
Goalies: Marc-Andre Fleury, Roberto Luongo, Carey Price- Fleury or Price gets the starting job, depending on who is considered the better goalie at this point. Price has experience with winning internationally for Canada. Luongo returns as a favor of sorts.
Unless he takes a significant drop in play, which he shouldn't, Luongo will be the default starter. It's how team Canada works, all these guys are more than capable, but they start the tournament with the guy who was #1 last time. From there it will be up to Price/Fleury/Ward to unseat Luongo for the starters job.
If a 37 year old Brodeur went into 2010 as the default starter, a 34 year old Luongo will certainly get the nod to start in 2014.
And as one other person pointed it, if there's a young guy getting seriously underrated here it's Logan Couture. Barring any unfortunate injuries I'd put down money that he'll have a spot on that team well before RNH.
Yeah Hopkins is having a great season as an 18 year old, he's still going to fall under the Jason Spezza effect and have to compete with Crosby/Stamkos/Getzlaf/Tavares/Toews/Giroux/etc. Hall or Eberle have a better chance being natural wingers.
Anyways, since everyone's doing it for forwards I'll go with something like:
Steven Stamkos - Sidney Crosby* - Claude Giroux
Jamie Benn - Jonathan Toews - Taylor Hall
Jordan Eberle - Ryan Getzlaf - Corey Perry
John Tavares- Patrice Bergeron - Jarome Iginla
Tyler Seguin
Brent Seabrook - Duncan Keith
Drew Doughty - Alex Pietrangelo
Kris Letang - Shea Weber
Brent Burns
I can't believe you just said Crosby was the best player during the Olympics.
Before he scored the golden goal, one of the biggest stories of the Olympics was how little Crosby was contributing in terms of points.
He contributed when it mattered most. Should be worth something. No one will ever think back to the Van Olympics and think about how Crosby under achieved.
There are better options than benn, spezza is a better option, for one and bergeron is another and the dark horse everyone is forgetting is Seguin honestly hes good but why are we completely ignoring better, more experienced players
the hall tavares eberle line almost makes me need to change my pants
and why the hell do people keep putting phaneuf on there, just because he plays for the leafs doesnt make him deserving of a spot letang would be on the roster above neon dion, what about tyler myers, what about subban
On your first point, Benn is a better winger and more physical. Spezza is high skilled player but isn't highly skilled enough to be in the top 2 lines. Benn, while being skilled, also brings a physical edge to his game.
On your last point, the whole lineup can't be right handed D men, just like it can't be all centres for forwards. Phaneuf is top 10 offensive Dman while also logging big minutes and playing aganst top lines. He won't look out of place on Team Canada, especially as he hits his prime.
NO WAY does Boyle play in the 2014 Olympics. He's not the same Boyle as a couple years ago. He might be tough enough to play through some injuries but he will need the Olympic break to rest his body. There are some better players that should be on this team instead of Boyle. Sorry to break up your team.
