Just wondering, we haven't been use to this but with us not making the playoffs, I was thinking who are some of the guys you guys think that will/should go play after the season.
I think two guys that are MUST to go are Markov and Price.
I think Markov will play 5-10 games this season, and I think he should go play so we can get a longer look at him, he get mentally stronger for next year, and incase (knock on wood), he gets hurt, at least we have time to adjust and and plan for next year.
I have a feeling this might go terrible wrong for Markov, in the sense the media will be all over him, question his heart and passion for the Habs, which I don't think any of us would doubt.
Another must is Price, I think Price needs to go and play for Team Canada to show them what he can do on a international level to set himself up for a possible starting role for Team Canada in the Olympics.
Other notables are, Plek, he always love to play, so I think he is a lock to go play for the Czech.
Aslo Weber and Daiz I'm guessin for the Swiss.
Edit: Sorry if it seems like a pointless thread, but just wanted to talk about mainly the important of Markov getting games in, and also Price needing to play to be a lock for Team Canada in the Olympics.
Price, Subban, and DD would be great to see representing this country. Not sure what DD's chances would be, but I feel like he could have a good impact.
Also it would just be nice to see people who follow other teams having to cheer on Subban for a change.
Canada: Price, Subban, possibly Gorges if there are some declines and they need a shutdown vet.
Usa: Cole, Patches
Switzerland: Weber, Diaz
Slovakia: Budaj
Denmark: Eller
Russia: Emelin maybe (they tend to go with KHL guys unless they are a star), Markov's insurance will probably be more than they want to pay
Czech Republic: Plek, maaaaybe Kaberle if they are stretched
We have players from tons of countries so chances are we will see more guys than the all North American teams.
Edit: Maybe DD as well. Who is ahead of him at C? Staal, Getzlaf, Stamkos, Vinny, RNH and maybe one or two I forget. With guys declining or rehabbing injuries he may have a chance as well
Oh man, thanks for those names, I don't know why I didn't think of those guys, ex Cole, Patches, Emelin, Eller.
But what you guys think of the idea of Markov playing in the Worlds, and Price needing to play to secure his spot of the Olympic team?
Price is a lock for 2014, IMO, and doesn't need to tire himself out further this spring during the WC. He'll have played 70+ games for the Habs this year. Price loves his off-season detox.
Markov should go play in the WC. He needs as much rehab and game situation playing time as possible in order to be 100% for 2012-2013. This will not be a situation like the previous Olympics, as its not in the middle of the Habs season, and everyone with any sense knows that it is for rehab purposes only.
Canada: Price, Subban, possibly Gorges if there are some declines and they need a shutdown vet.
Usa: Cole, Patches
Switzerland: Weber, Diaz
Slovakia: Budaj
Denmark: Eller
Russia: Emelin maybe (they tend to go with KHL guys unless they are a star), Markov's insurance will probably be more than they want to pay
Czech Republic: Plek, maaaaybe Kaberle if they are stretched
We have players from tons of countries so chances are we will see more guys than the all North American teams.
Edit: Maybe DD as well. Who is ahead of him at C? Staal, Getzlaf, Stamkos, Vinny, RNH and maybe one or two I forget. With guys declining or rehabbing injuries he may have a chance as well
Gorges has a good shot. They defense last year was pretty mediocre. Scalzo, Methot, and Gragnani.
The centres last year were Vermette, Spezza, Zajac, and Tavares.
Kaberle is also pretty much a lock to get invited - but he turned down his last invitation in 2010 (although he did play in the Olympics that year).
Price is a lock for 2014, IMO, and doesn't need to tire himself out further this spring during the WC. He'll have played 70+ games for the Habs this year. Price loves his off-season detox.
Markov should go play in the WC. He needs as much rehab and game situation playing time as possible in order to be 100% for 2012-2013. This will not be a situation like the previous Olympics, as its not in the middle of the Habs season, and everyone with any sense knows that it is for rehab purposes only.
Price, a lock for 2014? He has to prove himself in international tournaments at the senior level to actually become anything remotely resembling a lock for the Olympic team. Seeing that Hockey Canada uses the WC to train players for the Olympics, he should do one of 2012 or 2013.
Canada: Price, Subban, Desharnais/Gorges being standby players
USA: Cole, Pacioretty
Russia: Emelin/Markov (both standby players)
Switzerland: Weber, Diaz (unless there were 5+ Swiss D-men ahead of them to accept)
Slovakia: Budaj (without Halak, Slovakia has to rely on Budaj as their #1 goalie)
Czech Republic: Plekanec, Kaberle as a standby player
Denmark: Eller
Markov going would be a mistake, the guy just needs to get healthy. How bad would it look if he went to the WC and got injured?
Price might not want to go since he's played so much this year. I would have to think he has a pretty good shot at 2014 if NHLers play. Who would be ahead of him right now, Luongo and Fleury? Maybe Ward, but there's not a lot of great Canadian goalies right now.
Ya I hope Markov plays, he needs the games to back to his elite level, if he can. If he's going to get hurt, I don't care where it is. It's more of getting his injury out of the way at this point.
I'm not sure if Price will go, he plays enough games in the regular season. We will see though.
Markov, meanwhile, is not thinking a day beyond his next practice. He’s given zero consideration, he said, to any call that might come from his native Russia for the IIHF World Championship in Helsinki and Stockholm in May.
Ya I hope Markov plays, he needs the games to back to his elite level, if he can. If he's going to get hurt, I don't care where it is. It's more of getting his injury out of the way at this point.
I'm not sure if Price will go, he plays enough games in the regular season. We will see though.
How many goalies playing 70+ games a season (I might include KHL goalies on Gagarin Cup finalists) a year actually accepted invitations to the Worlds?
Markov going would be a mistake, the guy just needs to get healthy. How bad would it look if he went to the WC and got injured?
Price might not want to go since he's played so much this year. I would have to think he has a pretty good shot at 2014 if NHLers play. Who would be ahead of him right now, Luongo and Fleury? Maybe Ward, but there's not a lot of great Canadian goalies right now.
Yep, we'll see Plekanec dominates like every year with proper linemates and shut (momentarely) all his idiotic bashers up.
I really wish he'd take the a year off, if anyone needs some time off it's him. Though his constant work ethic is probably one reason he rarely gets injured.
If anything the Plekanec haters will just respond by saying he's another European mercenary who is stealing money from the Habs and only cares about international play.
Also I really wouldn't mind if Markov plays, but I doubt he would make the team considering how much of an unknown he is at this point.
it was SO obvious that signing Jagr to play next to pleks this season would have been an easy positive addition to our roster...
too bad Gauthier is smarter than everyone else
I heard PG tried pretty hard to get Jagr but he went where he thought he had the best chance for a Cup.
Price has to go if Canada asks and I think he would, same for Subban. If you want in on the Olympics you have to go to these tourneys when Canada asks, they play politics that way. I doubt they would ask Desharnais although they should as he would be good on European ice.
