Yzerman withdraws from Olympic consideration

www.tsn.ca

A patriot 'til the end.

It's one thing to step up and play for your country, and it's another to know when you may not be the most appropriate guy for the job, and have enough modesty to step aside. I hope whoever does get his spot (whether it be Stall, Spezza, Crosby or whoever) does their best to match the effort level that Stevie Y. would have given out there.

Actual Story:

http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story.asp?id=145926

No surprise from a class act. Now if Mario can bring himself to make the same decision.

Now if Mario can bring himself to make the same decision.

Is Mario making his withdrawal conditional?

Either overtly or in a *wink* *wink* *nudge* *nudge* kind of way?

The sad part is, even if Crosby were picked on his own merit, if Lemieux withdraws people will automatically put two and two together.

No surprise from a class act. Now if Mario can bring himself to make the same decision.

I think Canada needs at least one veteran/leader of Mario or Yzerman's caliber, and if Stevie's out, I think Mario needs to be in, regardless of how he's doing this season. (Which isn't that bad, all things condsidered. He can still produce.)

I think Canada needs at least one veteran/leader of Mario or Yzerman's caliber, and if Stevie's out, I think Mario needs to be in, regardless of how he's doing this season. (Which isn't that bad, all things condsidered. He can still produce.)


Sakic? Last time I checked he was a pretty good leader. :teach:

Is Mario making his withdrawal conditional?

Either overtly or in a *wink* *wink* *nudge* *nudge* kind of way?

The sad part is, even if Crosby were picked on his own merit, if Lemieux withdraws people will automatically put two and two together.

I don't know. Even if it crossed my mind, I wouldn't fault Gretzky and co. for picking a player they would want to build teams around in later years. I don't see a problem with Crosby making the team over a Spezza or Staal if that is their reasoning. They've picked more teams than we have.

Kudos to Yzerman for knowing what's best for the team. Or believing it at least. This is a really classy move on a guy who probably wouldn't produce on the scoresheet but would bring a ton of intangibles to a team with an influx of new, young talent. It would be very cool to see him step in as a coach in the future. He's the type of guy that could really make a team buckle down.

I think Canada needs at least one veteran/leader of Mario or Yzerman's caliber, and if Stevie's out, I think Mario needs to be in, regardless of how he's doing this season. (Which isn't that bad, all things condsidered. He can still produce.)

While Mario's ability to produce has been questionable, his defensive side has unfortunatly left no doubt.

First class move by Yzerman.

flip i love Steve Yzerman. what a great player! i hope whoever they pick will be just as good.

Very nice move by StevieY. I think Mario should go, as I've been of the opinion all along that one of the two should be there. A HOFer has a lot of influence in the dressing room.

Sakic? Last time I checked he was a pretty good leader. :teach:

As a general leader, yes. But it's the intagibles that make Mario a more preferable leader. It's a combination of his ability to deflect pressure, and inspire his teammates not only with a calm demeanor. His status as a hockey legend doesn't hurt either. :bow:

EDIT: ^^ And what he said.

I think Canada needs at least one veteran/leader of Mario or Yzerman's caliber, and if Stevie's out, I think Mario needs to be in, regardless of how he's doing this season. (Which isn't that bad, all things condsidered. He can still produce.)

Team Canada will not be hurting for leadership. If you really want Mario's leadership around, bring him on as an assistant coach. Unless he can do the job on the ice, he will only hurt the team.

Very nice move by StevieY. I think Mario should go, as I've been of the opinion all along that one of the two should be there. A HOFer has a lot of influence in the dressing room.

The team has plenty of experience: Sakic, Niedermayer, Blake, Foote, Brodeur and Pronger. Then you have guys like Iginla, Gagne, and the Tampa guys that all have won multiple championships (Cups, Olympics, Wolrd Cups, etc.)

Yzerman is class.

Now if Lemieux would learn..

Team Canada will not be hurting for leadership. If you really want Mario's leadership around, bring him on as an assistant coach. Unless he can do the job on the ice, he will only hurt the team.

Agreed, this will not be a team full of rookies. Sakic, Iginla, Foote, Jova, Niedemeyer, are all great leaders.

Smart move by The Captain...I hope he can just make it through the season in Detroit. Wouldn't be a good idea to fly over to Italy and blow out his knees over there. A younger and more deserving guy will get to play...Canada definitely will benefit as will the Red Wings.

The team has plenty of experience: Sakic, Niedermayer, Blake, Foote, Brodeur and Pronger. Then you have guys like Iginla, Gagne, and the Tampa guys that all have won multiple championships (Cups, Olympics, Wolrd Cups, etc.)

How could you forget Ryan Smyth? :)

The team has plenty of experience:

Uh, thanks. :dunno:

I didn't say they were inexperienced.

Very nice move by StevieY. I think Mario should go, as I've been of the opinion all along that one of the two should be there. A HOFer has a lot of influence in the dressing room.

are you talking about current or definete? There's only 1 guy in the world who is a current player already in the hall of fame

I hope Mario plays. That way Finland has a chance against them.

I think Canada needs at least one veteran/leader of Mario or Yzerman's caliber, and if Stevie's out, I think Mario needs to be in, regardless of how he's doing this season. (Which isn't that bad, all things condsidered. He can still produce.)

I think they have more than enough leadership with Sakick, Iginla, and Ryan Smyth. Good on Yzerman for this decision, now Lemieux should do the same so Staal and Spezza could be on the team.

Yzerman is a class act.

are you talking about current or definete? There's only 1 guy in the world who is a current player already in the hall of fame

The HOFer comment was obviously in relation to Mario. I'm of the opinion that one of Mario or Stevie Y should go, but not both.

Now if Lemieux would learn..


Yeah, he totally jepordized canada's chances in the 2002 olympics and the 04 World Cup. :biglaugh:

Yeah, he totally jepordized canada's chances in the 2002 olympics and the 04 World Cup. :biglaugh:

Hate to break it to you, but it isnt 2002 or 2004 anymore.

It's one thing to step up and play for your country, and it's another to know when you may not be the most appropriate guy for the job, and have enough modesty to step aside. I hope whoever does get his spot (whether it be Stall, Spezza, Crosby or whoever) does their best to match the effort level that Stevie Y. would have given out there.


Very, very well said. Erm, I suppose there's nothing more to add :(

I hope this solidifies Ryan Smyth's spot on the team.

would've never been chosen in my opinion :)

would've never been chosen in my opinion :)

Actually, he was already choosen, Gretz said from the beginning that if he wants a spot he's got it.

damn, theres no way lemieux isnt chosen then unless he steps out eh

damn, theres no way lemieux isnt chosen then unless he steps out eh

He's already been named the captain, so yeah.

No question Yzerman is a class act. I guess he realizes that this isnt 1989 anymore. Or even 1996. He's obviously a first ticket Hall of Famer. I think the only role he would have been able to fill would have been a checker. His offense is just too silent nowadays. With Lemieux I'm torn as to whether we'd be better off with him or without him. His defense is absolutely rotten, but even in '04 that Sakic, Lemieux and Iginla line dominated. That said Mario looked as if the year off really took a toll on him.

I think Canada needs at least one veteran/leader of Mario or Yzerman's caliber, and if Stevie's out, I think Mario needs to be in, regardless of how he's doing this season. (Which isn't that bad, all things condsidered. He can still produce.)
i think both mario and stevie y should be there even if they're not playing - which is probably likely in mario's case -

Stall Sakic Iggy
Nash Thornton Heatley
Spezza Lecavalier St Louis
Richards Draper Smyth

Crosby can go inplace of Stall as well

Pronger McCabe
Blake Nieds
Redden J-Bo

Hannan can go inplace of J-Bo as well

Luongo
Brodeur
Theo

Yzerman is class.

Now if Lemieux would learn..

Nothing personal but...

The insinuation that Mario is not a class act is itself CLASSLESS.

Way to go Stevie. Not that there was any doubt. The guy is the epitome of class. You knew he'd do the right thing.

Stall Sakic Iggy
Nash Thornton Heatley
Spezza Lecavalier St Louis
Richards Draper Smyth

Crosby can go inplace of Stall as well

Pronger McCabe
Blake Nieds
Redden J-Bo

Hannan can go inplace of J-Bo as well

Luongo
Brodeur
Theo

Hmmm, just a few things.

First, from the way Gagne has played this year, he has played himself off of the team??? Sure he may not be the highly touted up and comer, but he's still playing extrememly well, and he always seems to elevate his play in international competitions.

Secondly, I for one think that if both Spezza and Heatley are on the team, then most likely you'll see those two play together

Classy move by a classy guy - I can't say that I did not see this one coming - it still would have been nice to see him make one more run.

Classy move by a classy guy - I can't say that I did not see this one coming

Took the words out of my finger tips

you guys need to get off lemieux's back. he has already said he will only go to the olympics if he feels he can contribute.

It's obvious that the end of the road is nearing for Yzerman, and he did the right thing by taking himself out of consideration for the Canadian Olympic team. It's time to pass on the torch so to speak to younger players and give them a chance to achieve the same success that Yzerman did in years past.

Stall Sakic Iggy
Nash Thornton Heatley
Spezza Lecavalier St Louis
Richards Draper Smyth

Crosby can go inplace of Stall as well

Pronger McCabe
Blake Nieds
Redden J-Bo

Hannan can go inplace of J-Bo as well

Luongo
Brodeur
Theo

Gagne is a lock, you may need to reconsider your lineup. I'll take Bob McKenzie's word over yours that Jovanovski and Regehr are going to be there on defense before Bouwbeester, Hannan or McCabe. As well, Shane Doan will be there before both Spezza and Staal. And that's still not including Bertuzzi.

Richards - Sakic - Iginla
Smyth - Spezza - Heatley
Nash - Thornton - Gagné
Lemieux - Lecavalier - Crosby
Staal

Redden - Blake
Pronger - McCabe
Niedermayer - Jovanovski
Bouwmeester

or we could go with this

Gagné - Lecavalier - St-Louis
Tanguay - Brière - Dumont
Lemieux - Turgeon - Laperrière
Robitaille - Ribeiro - Bergeron
Lapointe

M-A Bergeron - Boucher
Dandenault - Desjardins
Bouillon - Brisebois
Gauthier

Brodeur
Luongo
Théodore

:sarcasm:

No surprise from a class act. Now if Mario can bring himself to make the same decision.
My thoughts exactly!

Classy move.

Steve Yzerman. :bow:

My sentiments are echoed throughout the thread. Truly all class. I'd like to see Steve take on a roll with TC in the future, after he retires, if whatever job the Red Wings serve up to him doesnt keep him busy all the time, that is.

Steve Yzerman. :bow:

My sentiments are echoed throughout the thread. Truly all class. I'd like to see Steve take on a roll with TC in the future, after he retires, if whatever job the Red Wings serve up to him doesnt keep him busy all the time, that is.

Team Canada should offer him an assistant coaching job for the 2006 Olympic Team. He would be a great influence in the locker-room before games and during intermissions.

Yzerman will still rock and roll in the NHL playoffs next spring.

No doubt about that.

Yzerman is class.

Now if Lemieux would learn..

My thoughts exactly!

Get a clue...

http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/5106468

Get a clue...

http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/5106468
Woa! What a news flash. Like we didn't already know that. :shakehead

Of course Gretz will want Mario on the team, as veteran leadership. And he may contribute. That's not the real issue here. But is he really one of the best anymore? Does he think he'll contribute MORE than a couple of guys who'll be overlooked?

Mario is 75th in league scoring with a +/- of minus-17, a whopping 29 giveaways to 9 takeaways and 28 missed shots.

If Mario is used primarily on the powerplay as an extra forward then he might be a good choice. This is more a credit to the talent available than a slight to the fortysomething. BUT I do believe his leadership is a valuable factor that justifies Gretzky's faith in him.

I hope Mario plays. That way Finland has a chance against them.

Wasn't it a Scandinavian coach who said at the 2002 Olympics that Mario skated like an old tractor. Check out the colour of the medal Mario is wearing.

Woa! What a news flash. Like we didn't already know that.

Apparently not, the article mentions nothing of Wayne.

The topic is about Steve having class to withdraw himself.

The article was about Mario having class to withdraw himself.

Go find another topic to troll on.

Go find another topic to troll on.
For simply agreeing with another poster that Mario should follow Yzerman's lead?

A troll likes to stir up trouble for the sake of it. I assume neither of us want that. So let's just agree to disagree about Mario. You think it's enough that Mario thinks he can contribute. Some others of us don't.

Back to Yzerman: this is good for the Red Wings. Reminds me of what Stevie did in 2002, opting out of the Olympics and then playing incredible in the first couple of rounds of the NHL playoffs. Perhaps he will repeat!

I agree, Yzerman is one class act.

Personally I think his spot should be filled by Staal but I don't think anyone could find too much fault if it is Staal, Crosby or Spezza. Who amongst them that do not make it can take comfort in the fact that they are on pace to be no-brainers for 2010 in Vancouver.

It is hard to tell how good Spezza is because of the line he plays on but I don't often see him pull off the big plays that Staal and Crosby do.

...Back to Yzerman: this is good for the Red Wings. Reminds me of what Stevie did in 2002, opting out of the Olympics and then playing incredible in the first couple of rounds of the NHL playoffs. Perhaps he will repeat!

Ah, Yzerman played in the 2002 Olympics (he was Canada's 2nd leading scorer for the tournament, and should have been the tournament MVP IMHO). He then took the rest of the season off and came back in time for the 1st round vs the Canucks, were after falling behind 0-2, he practically willed the Wings back to win the series.

It will be good for him to get some rest though this time around.

Richards Gagné - Lecavalier - St-Louis
Tanguay - Brière - Dumont
Lemieux - Turgeon - Laperrière
Robitaille - Ribeiro - Bergeron
Lapointe

M-A Bergeron - Boucher
Dandenault - Desjardins
Bouillon - Brisebois
Gauthier

Brodeur
Luongo
Théodore

:sarcasm:

Maudite avatar!

We named our rec hockey team the "Maudites"!!

The lineup in my opinion. I know that Smyth and Draper will probably be on the team in the real world.

Gagne-Thornton-Iginla
Staal-Sakic-Nash
Richards-Lecavalier-St.Louis
Crosby-Spezza-Heatley

Pronger-Blake
McCabe-Redden
Neidermayer-Jovonoski

Brodeur
Luongo
Theodore

For simply agreeing with another poster that Mario should follow Yzerman's lead?

A troll likes to stir up trouble for the sake of it. I assume neither of us want that. So let's just agree to disagree about Mario. You think it's enough that Mario thinks he can contribute. Some others of us don't.

Dont mind Wingman. In his world, anyone who disagrees with him is a troll.

As far as Lemieux goes, everyone know's he's *said* he wont go if he doesnt believe he deserves to go. Question is, will he realize the reality that he is not good enough to go?

Yzerman just scored with a nice fake on a partial giveaway today vs New Jersey. He's still got something left!

Yzerman just scored with a nice fake on a partial giveaway today vs New Jersey. He's still got something left!

Wow, a goal...

what happenned to all the people who were bashing Yzerman as a pathetic old man who can't keep up so he whines about the new rules?

people with lineups that include staal and spezza need to get a reality check. thorton will play with nash, aslong as nash is healthy. Sakic is gonna be witj iginla cuz it worked. Bertuzzi will most liely be there cuz gretz wants him there comments have been made that even shocked us nucks fans.

gange-sakic-ignila
nash-thorton-heatly/bertuzzi
smyth-richards-doan
draper-lecavlier-st.louis
These lines are not actualy lines just people that are on them.
Then we have Marleau,Lemieux

Crosby, Staal, Spezza you can see them in 2010, At most you might see one.

I"m amazed that we'd put Nash into an Olympic situation against all-star players who have played all year.

I don't care who you are, if you haven't played, you need at least a good month to get into shape and be able to play at your highest level.

I think Nash's Olympic window is rapidly closing. At least, I hope so.

The lineup in my opinion. I know that Smyth and Draper will probably be on the team in the real world.

Gagne-Thornton-Iginla
Staal-Sakic-Nash
Richards-Lecavalier-St.Louis
Crosby-Spezza-Heatley

Pronger-Blake
McCabe-Redden
Neidermayer-Jovonoski

Brodeur
Luongo
Theodore


I think both Smyth and Draper make the team and one of Nash, Spezza and Staal don't (Assuming Lemieux opts out.) I'd put Nash as the odd man out right now, because he hasn't played at all this season, while Spezza and Staal have been unbelievable.

I also think that Joseph may have played himself onto the team as the #3 ahead of Theodore.

Gagne-Sakic-Iginla
Richards-Lecavalier-St.Louis
Smyth-Spezza-Heatley
Draper-Thornton-Bertuzzi

Extras: Crosby-Doan

Pronger-Blake
Redden-Foote
Neidermayer-Regehr

Extra: McCabe

Brodeur
Luongo

Extra: Turco

Doan and Draper don't belong on that team........and if you're picking the best players than the young guys belong ahead of others.

someone has to play on the pk...and no one is better then Draper

someone has to play on the pk...and no one is better then Draper

I've heard John Madden is a potential candidate.

Very classy, giving some of the younger kids a chance to play.

Stevie Y? Because he's good...and a good guy too!


If I were picking the team...


Iginla/Sakic/Gagne
Crosby/Spezza/Heatley
Draper/Doan/Smyth
Thornton/Lecavlier/Richards
Spare - Nash

Blake/Foote
Niedermeyer/Reghier
Pronger/Redden
Spare - Bouwmeester

Brodeur
Theodore
Luongo


My explanation for some of the choices.

Crosby and Thornton over Stall and St. Louie.
If you base the team selection on performance to date, Stall clearly gets the call. However, Stall brings a lot of the same qualities that Thornton brings...and at this point, I'd take Thornton over Stall and Thornton also has more international experience than Stall.

On the big ice surface, Crosby's speed, agility and tenacity will be a key asset. I think that Crosby's explosiveness and enthusiasm will benefit the team sort of like Theo Fleury did in previous Olympics. While the rest of the team takes time to re-learn to play on the international ice and get going, Crosby's natural ability will kick in right away like Fleury's did and give our team a fighting chance in the early goings. I think that Crosby will be better in this regard and faster than St. Louis, who hasn't been as dynamic as during his MVP season.

Also, Crosby's shootout prowse will be more important than Stall's or St. Louis'.

Nash over Bertuzzi and Stall
Nash doesn't really belong there based on this season and I think that it will be a while before he gets going but I would prefer him over Big Bert since Nash's shown that he fits in very well with Thornton. Also, Bert has not shown that he can play at this level, on the Interanational ice, let alone shown that he can excell in the new NHL so far.

Nash is more of a goal scorer while Stall is more of a all around player. We need more snipers on this squad since most top players for Canada are centres or converted centres who are more set up oriented.

J-Bo over Jovocop and McCabe
Although he hasn't shown it this year, JBo has shown at the last World Cup that he could be better than most of the defensemen listed here and certainly better than Jovocop who was mistake prone at that tournament.

I'm not sure McCabe has enough natural talent to quickly learn to play on the international ice at this level of play. He's scored a lot of points in the new NHL but at least in my mind, verdict is still out on him and he's more one dimensional than all the others listed here.

JBO doesn't score alot yet, but he's a better defender than the two listed here and he's more all around. Also, this would be key for the next Olympics to have a young guy like JBO get some experience. You might argue Phaneuf but as good as Phaneuf is, he's still very green and has shown that he can compete at this level on the Olympic ice...and frankly, JBo is a better all around defenseman at this point.

Theodore and Luongo over Joseph

As good as Joseph has been this year, he's always struggled when put on the high pressure, must win situation. Sorry to say because he's a super guy but Joseph's just not a winner. He blew it at the '96 World cup, he blew it at Salt Lake City and he's blown it on lesser stages during his NHL career. There are also bitter feelings between Joseph and Quinn and the rest of the coaching staff no matter who denies it.

Theodore has won in internation tournaments before. I believe he was the last Canadian goalie to win the Gold at WJC before last year's all star squad.

Same for Luongo. Although he's only won a Silver on a favoured team at WJC, he's learned how to win and has won Gold at World Championships and proved that he can handle the pressure at last year's World Cup as well.

So there it is. My team if I were Wayne Gretzky.