OT: Team Canada Announced

[hsb]

Canada Roster Announced

Forwards
Bergeron, Patrice
Crosby, Sidney - A
Getzlaf, Ryan
Heatley, Dany
Iginla, Jarome - A
Marleau, Patrick
Morrow, Brenden
Nash, Rick
Perry, Corey
Richards, Mike
Staal, Eric
Thornton, Joe
Toews, Jonathan

Defensemen
Boyle, Dan
Doughty, Drew
Keith, Duncan
Niedermayer, Scott - C
Pronger, Chris - A
Seabrook, Brent
Weber, Shea

Goaltenders
Brodeur, Martin
Fleury, Marc-André
Luongo, Roberto

Thoughts?

[Meursault]

I'm satisfied with the list. There are always going to be players that should have been picked for Team Canada, but almost all of the ones selected deserve to be there. I like the idea of selecting several players who are familiar playing with one another on a regular basis. The only player who I think probably should be questioned about being included is Patrice Bergeron; not because he's terrible, but because a guy like Vincent Lecavalier might be a bit of a better selection. And I'm quite confident that Sidney Crosby can play with anyone.

In my opinion, the top contenders for gold based on the rosters so far:

1A. Canada
1B. Russia
3. Sweden
4. Finland
5. Czech Republic
6. United States.

Russia probably has the biggest chance of beating Canada, though their defence looks a bit inexperienced. I think they should have gone with Sergei Zubov as a selection. Up front, they would have benefited from KHL star Sergei Mozyakin. The guy can flat out play although he didn't do much in the last two world championship rosters. If the goaltending holds up--and there's no reason why it shouldn't--they have probably as good of a chance as Canada to win gold.

Sweden is going to be solid as well. I worry about Finland's goaltending and their lack of star forwards, but they always play in a very solid system and contend for a metal. The Czech Republic's biggest weakness is in goal and they will go only as far as Vokoun takes them. The US are a young team, but have arguably the best goalie in the game right now.

The other teams, I don't expect to really contend. Slovakia has a good squad, but their goaltending situation is really bad. Not to mention, Palffy and Satan have about two months to get into top game shape.

[Test of Wills]

Bergeron is on that team because of the outstanding chemistry with Crosby.

I think the Doan snubbing was a surprise to me. A line of Doan - Richards - Morrow would've provided a ton grit, leadership and toughness. I guess they went with a youth movement this time around after the '06 team leaving off Staal and Crosby.

Russia is going to be a serious threat, their Top 6 of Malkin, Ovechkin, Kovalev, Semin, Kovalchuk and Datsyuk is ridiculous. Hands down the most talented Top 6 in the Olympics IMO.

[Relentless88]

Bergeron is on that team because of the outstanding chemistry with Crosby.

I think the Doan snubbing was a surprise to me. A line of Doan - Richards - Morrow would've provided a ton grit, leadership and toughness. I guess they went with a youth movement this time around after the '06 team leaving off Staal and Crosby.

Russia is going to be a serious threat, their Top 6 of Malkin, Ovechkin, Kovalev, Semin, Kovalchuk and Datsyuk is ridiculous. Hands down the most talented Top 6 in the Olympics IMO.

+1

Reading the names itself scares me.

[ansoncarter]

russia always falls apart though. Start playing selfish, forwards don't back-check, etc.

happens every time

going to be another Canada/USA finals imo

[Meursault]

russia always falls apart though. Start playing selfish, forwards don't back-check, etc.

happens every time

any other generalizations that you want to work with? how about a Canadian squad that is loaded with all-star players that can't put the puck in the net when it counts? I'm a Canadian and cheering for Canada, but I don't think this country needs any more cockiness when it comes to our country's chances in winning gold this year. In case you weren't keeping track, Canada has once Olympic gold ONCE in the past quarter century and lost the last two world championships to Russia.

[ansoncarter]

not cockiness to point out something acknowledged almost universally. Even by russians

their teams are famous for individual play

quick, name a russian player known for two-way play and passing and racking up assists

[jim todd]

quick, name a russian player known for two-way play and passing and racking up assists

i'm guessing you were looking for datsyuk?

[ansoncarter]

ok, one famous dude, who I admit I forgot all about, amidst a seas of puck hogs

yay team

In case you weren't keeping track, Canada has once Olympic gold ONCE in the past quarter century and lost the last two world championships to Russia.

just felt like mentioning it since I came back to the thread, wasn't until 1998 that the nhl let all their players ditch the regular season for the olympics

so...yeah. One gold in three tries sounds better than "OMG once in the past quarter century"

and probably would have been 2 if gretzky had of taken that penalty shot instead of whoever they replaced him with

[juucer]

ok, one famous dude, who I admit I forgot all about, amidst a seas of puck hogs

yay team

Actually, Ovechkin is very well known for his two-way play. Washington uses him frequently on the PK as well as those last minute one-goal up empty net situations. Sergei Fedorov is also considered one of the better defensive forwards in the history of the NHL, winning the Selke trophy on multiple occasions.

Sure, guys like Kovalev, Bure, etc give Russians a bad name due to their one-dimensional play but I strongly think your generalization is flat out wrong.

[northernpuppy]

I'm satisfied with the list. There are always going to be players that should have been picked for Team Canada, but almost all of the ones selected deserve to be there. I like the idea of selecting several players who are familiar playing with one another on a regular basis. The only player who I think probably should be questioned about being included is Patrice Bergeron; not because he's terrible, but because a guy like Vincent Lecavalier might be a bit of a better selection. And I'm quite confident that Sidney Crosby can play with anyone.

In my opinion, the top contenders for gold based on the rosters so far:

1A. Canada
1B. Russia
3. Sweden
4. Finland
5. Czech Republic
6. United States.

Russia probably has the biggest chance of beating Canada, though their defence looks a bit inexperienced. I think they should have gone with Sergei Zubov as a selection. Up front, they would have benefited from KHL star Sergei Mozyakin. The guy can flat out play although he didn't do much in the last two world championship rosters. If the goaltending holds up--and there's no reason why it shouldn't--they have probably as good of a chance as Canada to win gold.

Sweden is going to be solid as well. I worry about Finland's goaltending and their lack of star forwards, but they always play in a very solid system and contend for a metal. The Czech Republic's biggest weakness is in goal and they will go only as far as Vokoun takes them. The US are a young team, but have arguably the best goalie in the game right now.

The other teams, I don't expect to really contend. Slovakia has a good squad, but their goaltending situation is really bad. Not to mention, Palffy and Satan have about two months to get into top game shape.

Disagree. It looks like this:

1A: Russia
1B: Canada
3: Sweden
4. United States
5. Czechs
6. Slovaks
7. Fins

Don't count the U.S. out. They have the hottest tender in the league right now and a solid offence. D may be sketchy but I wouldn't be shocked if they take the bronze.
Russia has this if Nabakov plays up to his best and the Russians show good chemistry. Kovalchuk, Ove, and Gino can all put up G's with one quick shot and on the small ice, that's all that matters.