Go Canada!!
First Team Starters:
Roberto Luongo
Martin Brodeur
Marty Turco
Rob Blake
Adam Foote
Scott Niedermayer
Chris Pronger
Wade Redden
Robyn Regehr
Ed Jovanovski
Joe Sakic (captain)
Shane Doan
Simon Gagne
Kris Draper
Dany Heatley
Jarome Iginla
Vincent Lecavalier
Rick Nash
Brad Richards
Ryan Smyth
Martin St.Louis
Joe Thornton
Todd Bertuzzi
Taxi Squad:
Bryan McCabe
Jason Spezza
Eric Staal
What do you guys think, did they get it right? Is this team a lock for gold?
Looks about right, I would've taken Joseph over Luongo but that doesn't really matter as I'm assuming Brodeur will start and Turco will play one of those gimme games (although Turco looked excellent against the Sens a week or so ago, maybe he could push for the starting job).
Also would've liked to see Spezza on there with Heatley, maybe a spot will open up. Is the taxi squad for players who get hurt while there or do they take spots if someone gets hurt before the games?
Never count out the Czechs...
i think this team was a total no brainer...yes staal and spezza deserve to be on the team but who do they replace and in a one game win or die situation you have to go with proven winners...also did anyone watch the pre-announcement on tsn, glenn healy is an idiot
I think taking Bertuzzi is iffy. He only has 11 goals this season, sure he has 5 pts in his last five games, but come on. Spezza, at the very least, should have been named to the main squad, with Crosby taking his spot on the taxi squad. And perhaps this is because of my extreme hate for the Maple Leafs, but I don't think McCabe should even be on the taxi squad. Flame on. The goaltenders are bang-on. I had Turco picked over Joseph as well. On defense, I wouldn't change a thing, maybe putting Phaneuf on the taxi squad ahead of McCabe. As for the forwards... I mentioned what I think of Bertuzzi... Crosby, I can understand why he wasn't there. He'll lead the team in 2010. I question the inclusion of Nash and Doan. Nash has been injured all year, and Doan isn't having a great one either. Their previous Team Canada contributions are without question, however, so I see why they were included. Eric Staal is the one player who unequivocally should have been on the main squad. with Spezza a close second.
In any event, I hope Bertuzzi proves me wrong.
GO CANADA!
Rory
Halifax
p.s. is it Turin, or Torino?
Can't say I'm happy about Bertuzzi making the team, but oh well. Overall the team looks incredibly solid, and I'm positive they can bring home gold.
GO CANADA GO!!!
Its a solid team, I have no worries. But I would of liked Staal to have been on the main squad, maybe Spezza too, the chemistry he and Heatley have would of been deadly. Doan and Bertuzzi are iffy for me, but I support the team no matter who makes it. I hope Bertuzzi and Doan can raise their games and rise to the occasion, especially Bert I hope this lights a fire in him. And lastly on Crosby, he had no business being on that team, his time will come.
GO GET US GOLD BOYS!!!
:thumb: :thumb:
And for Rory, Turin and Torino are the same, you can call it either.
hilarious... team canada was supposedly looking for "much-needed marketability"
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/winter06/h...id=2267924
i need to get home and get real coverage. i heard crosby was definitely going to be on the team. the reason? reebok and the nhl both needed him there. :roll:
My only beef is not taking Staal instead of either Draper or Bertuzzi...But, as a fan of Canadian hockey it's not a huge deal.
There's no such thing as a lock in tournaments where all you need is to catch a goalie on the wrong day and you're done (See Nagano 1998, Hasek). However, the Canucks are definitely the faves, ahead of the Czechs who I'd say are clearly second and could knock off Canada. I think there's a drop off from there.
And as far as our 'superior Canadian coverage' of this, I'm already sick of it.
Fucking talking heads.
I like the goalies, too. I think Brodeur will have the first chance at starting, but if he blows it, they wont hesitate putting in Turco. Luongo is really good too, he often faces 50 shots in a game playing for Florida.
I was kinda surprised by Bertuzzi, Nash, and Doan. Bertuzzi isn't having a great year, Nash scored his first goal of the year four days ago because of all of his injury troubles. Doan? I'm sure he will be a decent checking forward, but I would have picked Stall, Spezza, Shanahan or Tanguay instead of him.
Anyway, Good Luck to Canada, both in the World Juniors and the Olympics!
And what about Paul Kariya? Having a good year... no mention of him...
Rory
Halifax
everything's been said that I was already thinking. Spezza and Stall should definately be there. I don't think Bert should be there. I do like Draper though, even though he only has 1 goal, he works harder than anyone and he really stepped up his game last time.
I've got a few question marks...the first is Nash...maybe I'm still pissed I took him 1st overall in the Hipbase Hockey Draft and he's been an absolute dud, but I can't see how you can include him...he's played 4 games this year and completed only 2!!! Guys like Doan and Draper, I don't know...I understand the "role player" position but there is also something to be said for taking the BEST players and letting the chips fall where they may.
And, am I not wrong in suggesting that Ryan Smyth has been a disappointment thus far in the season...honestly I"m not sure, I don't follow the Oilers as closely as I should...he has a great history with the National Program I just don't think he's among the best anymore.
All in all it's a GREAT team...but being the armchair GM I'd say that we're foolish for leaving off Spezza and to a slightly lesser extent Staal. McCabe seems like a no-brainer of Jovo for me as well.
Only time will tell.
RG
I may be repeating the thoughts of some of you, but I'd still like to put my $0.02 in.
Overall, the team looks absolutely rock solid! Even though Brodeur's numbers aren't great, his Devils team have suffered a dramatic drop-off in quality in the new NHL, so the numbers are somewhat misleading. His experience and winning past make him a no-brainer. I like the choice of Turco... he'll function well as a backup, and if he plays he handles the puck as well as Brodeur so it's no problem for the defencemen to adjust to his style. Luongo is another good choice with his history with the national team. Goaltending looks good.
Not too many surprises on defence. An older group but generally they all still have speed, skill and toughness. The only one I'm a little concerned about is Foote... I don't think he's been at his best, and he's had a nagging groin injury that could slow him down, not that he was too fast to begin with. I'd rather have seen McCabe or Dan Boyle make it instead. But overall I'd still rate defence a strength of Team Canada.
As for the forwards, here's where most of the fun of the debate can be had. Sakic is a great choice as captain, and Gagne, Heatley, Iginla, Lecavalier, Richards, St. Louis and Thornton are absolute no-brainer locks. Rick Nash would be a lock if he was healthy all year, and if he stays healthy and plays like he did in the past he will move back to lock status. Smyth from what I've seen has been pretty decent... and it's pretty hard to see a Team Canada without "Captain Canada" Smyth in the lineup, eh? Doan and Draper are good skaters who can check other teams' top lines and kill penalties, plus they do have offensive upside (their results so far this season notwithstanding), so I can understand their inclusion. Bertuzzi is an interesting choice... he hasn't been at his best, but if he plays up to his capability he can be completely dominant. As great as Staal and Spezza have been this year, it's hard to find space for them in that lineup. Personally I would have taken a chance on those kids instead of Bert and maybe Doan, because their skill is outstanding. But until Gretzky and the rest of the brass lose, then I'll trust their judgement.
So given all that I like Staal, Spezza and McCabe as the "taxi squad". Hopefully no one on the team gets hurt, but if it does happen I feel pretty good knowing we'll have a great player step in to take his place.
All in all, this lineup looks GOLDEN to me! GO TEAM CANADA GO... KICK SOME ASS AND TAKE SOME NAMES IN TURIN!!
wpghipfan Wrote:And what about Paul Kariya? Having a good year... no mention of him...
Rory
Halifax
I dunno Rory...10 goals in 31 games (before tonight) is a "good year" for a scorer? Heck, using your favorite team ( :wink: ) as a benchmark, Darcy Tucker (14), Jeff O'Neill (12) and Eric Lindros (11) have more goals than that so far...
As for the team itself, Draper and Doan were included solely on their performance in the World Cup...I wouldn't be surprised if they saddle these two with Bertuzzi on the "checking line"...
Otherwise, no beefs...chances are one or two of the top 23 will succumb to injury before February 15th, so Spezza/Staal and/or McCabe (who's also outscored Kariya to date, btw) will get to join the party...
Should be fun regardless... :thumb: