International TournamentsDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
A few have mentioned, M. Richards-Toews-Nash should not be broken up, they're right. They were outstanding together both offensively and defensively. Suggesting breaking them up means you didn't watch the 2010 games.
Yup. I agree 100%
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironslave
I would not have Bergeron in the discussion, I thought he would be good with Crosby but he was Canada's worst forward and rode the pine as the tournament progressed.
I understand but he has improved so much in the last 2 years as he distanced himself from his concussions. Maybe you have a point.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironslave
Assuming he progresses, I think RNH would be a nice fit as a feeder to Stamkos.
Fair enough but I want to see Crosby and Stamkos on the same line once before I die Maybe the power play will be enough.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironslave
Tavares
Doesn't anyone else worry about Tavares' skating on the big ice?
Good but RNH is better than Hall now. I can only imagine in 2 years.
Taveres skating is his weak point so, on the big ice, I think he will be a liability. Bergeron will be better - and great at face offs.
As far as Eric Stall, once again, 14 Games / 5 Points / Minus 16 (OMG!!!). Why does everyone but me still like him?
NO Luongo!!!
1- RNH better than Hall is debatable. RNH is a very skilled player, but has only played 13 games. Hall's speed would be a perfect compliment to Crosby and Stamkos.
2- In 2014, nobody will care what Eric Staals plus/minus was 14 games into the 2011-2012 campaign. He is a great player with experience that hasn't had the best start to the year. He can only be better.
3- Tavares may not be the best skater but makes up for it in hockey sense and skill. He will improve the next 3 seasons and be a big part of that team. He is great infront of the net and will be a big time player on the PP.
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A little bit, but he has proven in the last few WC that it should not be that big of an issue.
Agreed. Plus I have him as a LW which I know he played and played well in the WJC. I would like to see a Stamkos-Crosby-Tavares first line PP.
I am somewhat unsure of Perry's skating as well on the big ice. Would be interesting if they give looks to a guy like Evander Kane who has great speed instead of guys like Tavares and Perry.
A few have mentioned, M. Richards-Toews-Nash should not be broken up, they're right. They were outstanding together both offensively and defensively. Suggesting breaking them up means you didn't watch the 2010 games.
I would not have Bergeron in the discussion, I thought he would be good with Crosby but he was Canada's worst forward and rode the pine as the tournament progressed.
Frankly I disagree entirely with both statements. Players change and chemistry comes and goes. Everyone said that the Heatley-Getz-Nash line should not be broken up at any cost after the 2008 WC, and that was only 2 years removed from 2010, and when they got put together initially it was like none of them had even seen the other guys play. If they all happen to be playing really well, put them on the team, if they happen to maintain that chemistry 4 years later on different ice, possibly with a different coach and game plan, keep them together, however I don't see all those things coming together.
Bergeron had a broken thumb and a pulled groin I believe after the Germany game, he's one of the best two way players in the world. You can put him in any situation and he has proven that he's a winner over and over again. If he's healthy and playing well around the time of the tournament, I can't see why you wouldn't take him.
Frankly I disagree entirely with both statements. Players change and chemistry comes and goes. Everyone said that the Heatley-Getz-Nash line should not be broken up at any cost after the 2008 WC, and that was only 2 years removed from 2010, and when they got put together initially it was like none of them had even seen the other guys play. If they all happen to be playing really well, put them on the team, if they happen to maintain that chemistry 4 years later on different ice, possibly with a different coach and game plan, keep them together, however I don't see all those things coming together.
Bergeron had a broken thumb and a pulled groin I believe after the Germany game, he's one of the best two way players in the world. You can put him in any situation and he has proven that he's a winner over and over again. If he's healthy and playing well around the time of the tournament, I can't see why you wouldn't take him.
You're right, things can change in 4 years time, some of the current best players could have a knee injury and never be the same player again, we don't know. But at the very least they deserve a chance together to see if the chemistry is still there.
Bergeron wasn't good from the get go in the Olympics. He started the very first shift in the tournament with Crosby and was moved off very quickly. I lobbied for him in 2010 to be there, but he was a better pick in theory than in reality. He only played 6:27 of ice per game, lowest on the team. There will be better options available.
Nice lineup but don't you think some of the younger guys like skinner and RNH will be roster level by 2014
I agree.
To me, NO(!!!) to:
1) B Richards (not good enough no matter how much the Rangers pay him),
2) St. Louis (too old but still great),
3) Sharp (not good enough),
4) Tavares (skating is too weak) and
5) Thornton (prefer younger and faster on the big ice)
You're right, things can change in 4 years time, some of the current best players could have a knee injury and never be the same player again, we don't know. But at the very least they deserve a chance together to see if the chemistry is still there.
Bergeron wasn't good from the get go in the Olympics. He started the very first shift in the tournament with Crosby and was moved off very quickly. I lobbied for him in 2010 to be there, but he was a better pick in theory than in reality. He only played 6:27 of ice per game, lowest on the team. There will be better options available.
Bergeron was hurt going in, so that seriously hindered his performance. If you were to use this as a judgment for next Olympics, than surely Nash, Thornton, Broduer, and Pronger had no place on the 2010 team, and yet they all played in Vancouver. Bergeron is a winner, he is one of the best at taking faceoffs in the world, can play the PP, PK, and even strength very well. If he is playing well going into Sochi, I see no reason why you wouldn't seriously consider him.
Bergeron was hurt going in, so that seriously hindered his performance. If you were to use this as a judgment for next Olympics, than surely Nash, Thornton, Broduer, and Pronger had no place on the 2010 team, and yet they all played in Vancouver. Bergeron is a winner, he is one of the best at taking faceoffs in the world, can play the PP, PK, and even strength very well. If he is playing well going into Sochi, I see no reason why you wouldn't seriously consider him.
I'd consider him, but I think there will be better players available. Nobody for Canada played well in 2006, so that's kinda a wash. He was just bad in Vancouver, and no, not because of a groin injury or thumb injury. http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=743466
Canada won't be hurting for good PK players either with the likes of Giroux, Richards, Toews, Nash, even Crosby or if Jamie Benn keeps it up and earns a spot, plus many others. But there is no doubt a lot can and will change in 2 and a half years time.
Is Tavares' skating still much of an issue? From what I've seen and heard I think he has (no pun intended) made great strides.
James Neal - Crosby - Seguin
E. Kane - Stamkos - Giroux
M. Richards - Toews - Nash
Benn - Getzlaf - Skinner
extra Duchene
- wanted Neal there because he would have played with Sid for 2-3 years. Seguin is a great finisher.
- No Perry, I don't think his game is made for big ice, not a great skater.
James Neal - Crosby - Seguin
E. Kane - Stamkos - Giroux
M. Richards - Toews - Nash
Benn - Getzlaf - Skinner
extra Duchene
- wanted Neal there because he would have played with Sid for 2-3 years. Seguin is a great finisher.
- No Perry, I don't think his game is made for big ice, not a great skater.
I don't mind any of your picks except for E. Kane. I don't think Kane is good enough to be on the Olympic team.
Maybe the power play will be enough. 
Why does everyone but me still like him?
