Possible 2010 Canada Team [Archive]

God Bless Canada

02-23-2006, 11:14 AM

If they can remain at their current level of play, I'd definitely bring back five players selected to this year's main team: Sakic, Smyth, Niedermayer, Brodeur and Luongo. Sakic is still one of the best centres in the game, and he'll be 41 when Vancouver rolls around, but if he can still contribute in some way, I'd pick him as at least the 13th forward or a Taxi Squad guy. This team lacked leaders, and we can't afford to lose any more good leaders. Smyth was one of the few things that went right with this team. I really feel bad for him, because you could see he really wanted to win. He'll be 34 in 2010, but should still be playing at a pretty high level. Niedermayer and Brodeur will be in their late 30s. Niedermayer is still one of the best in the business, and as long as he retains his speed and smarts, will be very valuable for Canada. Brodeur was far from the problem. He'll still be thriving. Luongo has shown he can handle clutch situations for Canada before.

We had a much younger roster than 2002. The problem is the guys we needed to step up, those drafted between 1995 and 2000, did not. Doan's the only one I was satisfied with, and he's far from a lock to come back. IMO, Iginla, Thornton, Gagne, Richards, Lecavalier and Heatley all need to show me something between now and 2010 to be brought back. Same thing with defence. Redden went from one of the best defencemen at last year's Worlds to a liability. He needs to do something to be brought back.

Barring a major regression in their development, Staal and Crosby will be on Canada in 2010. They'll both be top 5 or 10 players in the league. Nash will be at his peak by then and likely back, too. Spezza will have hopefully developed some kind of a work ethic and winning attitude. Some of our vaunted 1985-born players - Bergeron and M. Richards and maybe even Carter or Horton - could be on this team. Guys who will be 30-ish in 2010 who weren't on this team - Marleau, Morrow and Tanguay come to mind - might also be there. And the players on this year's team between the ages of 25 and 30 who did disappoint could find their way back onto the team, but they won't be guaranteed spaces. Esposito and Tavares would be wildcards. (Espo will be the same age in 2010 as Staal is now. Tavares missed being eligible for the 2008 draft by just a week).

On defence, as stated before, if Niedermayer's still at the top of his game, he deserves one more tournament. If Pronger is healthy (that foot injury really hampered him) and still among the top five in the game, he'll be back. Boyle will be 34 by then, so we'll see how he holds up. He hasn't played a ton of NHL hockey yet, so he doesn't have as much wear and tear as some other 30-year-olds. Phaneuf will be a lock. Bouwmeester will likely be a lock. Again, a couple of our 1985-born defencemen - Weber and Seabrooke - if they hit a big leap in their development, could be there. Hamhuis and Stuart, with continued improvements, will get a long look. Even a guy like Brewer, who has always been brilliant for Canada, if he regains his form, could be there. Don't rule out Redden or Regehr. Derek Morris would need to regain his 2002-03 form, and then build on that, to gain consideration.

Brodeur and Luongo have earned the chance to come back. That leaves a very large glut of goalies battling it out for the No. 3 spot, including some very impressive 1984-born netminders.

Rick Middleton

02-23-2006, 11:25 AM

Yes, I'm bored enough to participate in this ;)

Bergeron Crosby Heatley
Tanguay Spezza Iginla
Nash Staal Morrow
Marleau Lecavalier Horton

Bench: Doan, M. Richards/B. Richards (dependent on Mike's progression)

Phanuef Bouwmeester
Redden Regehr
B. Stuart Hamhuis

Bench: ? (too many possible candidates)

Luongo
Turco
MA Fleury

shawn_kemp*

02-23-2006, 11:26 AM

seriously guys, drop Lecavalier.

he sucks on the big ice. he sucked in Russia last year, and he sucked now. just forget him.

rigger

02-23-2006, 11:27 AM

What I would like to see is:

Gagne - Crosby - Staal
Nash - Spezza - Heatly
P. Bergeron - Thorton - Iginla
Smyth - Lecavlier - B. Richards

Taxi: Lupul, Horton

Pronger - Phaneuf
Neidermeyer - Brewer
Bouwmeester - Staal

Taxi: Redden, Jovanoski

Luongo
Turco
MAF

The reason I like this is because it combines youth and experience. On defense we have young guys paired with older guys, on forward we have gritty players that are play with HEART, also veteran leadership on each line. Snipers in each line and play makers. I may be missing a name or two because I just went off the top if my head but I think this team could win.

bert

02-23-2006, 11:28 AM

Lecavalier will have no place on my team. Spezza and Crosby will be better than him in 4 years and the Vincent hype machine can take a rest.

Here's my 2010 prediction:

Gagne- Crosby- Iginla
Heatley- Spezza- P. Bergeron
Staal- Thornton- Cheechoo
Nash- Fisher- B. Richards
P. Marleau

Phaneuf - Niedermayer
Jovonovski - Bouwmeester
Seabrook - Brewer
Regehr

Luongo
Fleury
C. Ward

But you have Thornton on the team. And you dont want Lecavalier I find that pretty odd. Vinny was much better and he is younger.

I dont know how you can have Brewer on the team over Redden, you might not be happy with how he played but he is better then Eric Brewer.

I am kindof upset with how Redden is getting ripped and Foote is getting off scott free. He hung Redden out to dry ALOT he has lost a step and it was brutally obvious. He was unable to make a defensive switch if his life had depended on it. While Redden had to chase everyone around the ice because he kept losing his man. Foote couldnt make a D to D pass or anything that looked like a breakout to his forwards instead he just waited and dumped it off more often then not to an oncoming forchecker on Redden. Then Redden looks like the bad guy when he is trying to actually make a pass with a guy right on him. Redden was one of the only defenseman that actually broke the team out watch the tapes all the other guys just chipped or flipped it.

Now Redden did not play like he can but atleast he tried to be some what creative on the breakout.

I think the real prolblem with the defensive zone coverage was that they were not instructed to pressure the puck and forcer turnovers. They played a collapsing box something that works very well on the nhl ice surface but not with the big ice. The leafs play a collapsing box btw. I wonder who instituted that idea.

Legolas

02-23-2006, 11:32 AM

Just off the top of my head, and because our depth is insane, a few people I would think may be in the mix by 2010 that haven't been discussed thus far, depending entirely on their development (or progression/regression) in the next four years:

Jeff Carter
Shawn Belle
Martin Biron
Marc Denis
Pascal Leclaire
Jose Theodore

I think goaltending is a potential question for 2010. We have lots of goaltenders, but with expiring contracts for Luongo, Turco, Theodore, Biron, Denis, etc. it will be interesting if switching teams affects any of their chances. In any event, I'm looking forward to the traditional Canadian hype/cynicism leading to 2010!

4th_Liner

02-23-2006, 11:47 AM

I dont know how you can have Brewer on the team over Redden, you might not be happy with how he played but he is better then Eric Brewer.
cause brewer played wayyyy better than redden at the olympics?..

I am kindof upset with how Redden is getting ripped and Foote is getting off scott free. He hung Redden out to dry ALOT he has lost a step and it was brutally obvious. He was unable to make a defensive switch if his life had depended on it. While Redden had to chase everyone around the ice because he kept losing his man. Foote couldnt make a D to D pass or anything that looked like a breakout to his forwards instead he just waited and dumped it off more often then not to an oncoming forchecker on Redden. Then Redden looks like the bad guy when he is trying to actually make a pass with a guy right on him. Redden was one of the only defenseman that actually broke the team out watch the tapes all the other guys just chipped or flipped it.
Now Redden did not play like he can but atleast he tried to be some what creative on the breakout.
redden sucked.. all those excuses about how foote's a career ahler is just what they are.. excuses.. the guy choked..

I think the real prolblem with the defensive zone coverage was that they were not instructed to pressure the puck and forcer turnovers. They played a collapsing box something that works very well on the nhl ice surface but not with the big ice. The leafs play a collapsing box btw. I wonder who instituted that idea.[/QUOTE]

Kinbote

02-23-2006, 11:51 AM

No Pronger, please.

donelikedinner

02-23-2006, 11:51 AM

richards, lecavalier & st. louis need to be dropped from the team. :clap:

bert

02-23-2006, 11:52 AM

Wow that was insightfull 4th liner I mean you even managed to correctly quote my entire post....... nope nope wait a second. You didnt.

Brewers 8 minutes of icetime compared to Reddens 22 good comparison. How about the way the rest of the team played in Salt Lake? Another great comparison.

When did I call foote a career AHLer?

I stated in my post that Redden didnt play well.

How about you come back with some kindof educated argument next time.

therealdeal

02-23-2006, 11:52 AM

bert

02-23-2006, 11:55 AM

Redden won't be back, he was awful at the World Championships and even worse at the Olympics, he lost his chance just like Marleau lost his chance when he sucked at the World Cup and at the World Championships.

He was the number one D man at the World Championships. He was a first team all star and led the defense in points on team canada.

therealdeal

02-23-2006, 12:00 PM

He was the number one D man at the World Championships. He was a first team all star and led the defense in points on team canada.

Maybe thats why that team was so crappy as well, but he definetly shouldn't get another chance.

iggysback05

02-23-2006, 12:11 PM

I included the ages of the players in 2010. The average age for a forward would be 29 years old...prime age for most players. These forward lines would have a great mix of youth, prime age players and veterans. The average defenseman would be 30 with again a great mix.

I know that you could bring a couple of the kids, Perry, Richards, Carter along but time will tell where they're at when the olympics roll around again. Corey Perry looks like he might be one helluva hockey player by 2010. Let's hope that the boys don't pick this team until we get there, looks like we picked this years team based on past performances and who should have been the best in the NHL. Not the guys that actually are the best in the NHL.

Nash(26) - Thornton(31) - Staal(26) (Big physical line)

Iginla(33) - Crosby(23) - Gagne(30) (league best playmaker and two snipers)

Heatley(29) - Spezza(27) - Bergeron(25) (creative offensive trio)

Richards (30) - Lecavalier (30) - Smyth/Doan (34/34) (shut-down line with offense)

13th Forward - Smyth/Doan (34/34)

Pronger(36) - Phaneuf(24)

Bouwmeester(27) - Regehr(30)

Hannan(31) - Brewer(31)

Jovanovski(34)

Goalies - Luongo(31), Fleury(26), Theodore(34)

Taxi Squad - Mike Richards, Corey Perry, Jeff Carter

MXD

02-23-2006, 12:21 PM

It's early to call, but a 22YO Luc Bourdon could very well make the team...

iggysback05

02-23-2006, 12:31 PM

It's early to call, but a 22YO Luc Bourdon could very well make the team...good point...or a 23 year old Marc Staal

God Bless Canada

02-23-2006, 12:34 PM

I think one thing we need to look at is going back to the formula of 2002. That team had the two strong scoring lines that were able to consistently produce offece. Then we had seven forwards - Lindros, Shanahan, Nolan, Peca, Smyth, Fleury and Nieuwendyk - who were interchangable, but all contributed in multiple facets and were strong on the forecheck.

Come 2010, that might be the recipe for success. Strong scoring lines anchored by Crosby and Spezza. (With Staal on the wing). A physical checking line. (Think Horton, Morrow and, if he regains his physical nature, Thornton). And then a strong checking line, anchored by Mike Richards. Leadership should also play more of a factor in choosing this team. There were so many strong locker room presences, and so many guys capable of carrying the team on their back. That wasn't there this year.

Oilerfan120582

02-23-2006, 12:41 PM

God Bless Canada

02-23-2006, 12:51 PM

Since the games are being held in Vancouver, will they still be using big ice??? I'd lean more towards size on small ice and speed for big ice.

One thing I've noticed, is that Canada seems to have a lot more young stars who player center as opposed to wing. Thornton, Crosby, Staal, Spezza, Bergeron, B. Richards, M. Richards, Lecavalier, and Marleau are all natural centers.
That's the way it's been for years. In fact, Tanguay and Gagne both played centre in junior, but were shifted to the wing once they reached the show. Jeff Carter and Mike Cammelleri are more recent examples of that. On a broader scale, Marian Hossa was a centre when he was drafted, too.

I'd guess nearly half of the forwards in today's NHL were drafted as centres. It's much easier to shift a player from centre to wing than vice versa. Vincent Damphousse is one of the few players that come to mind who made a successful, consistent and permanent shift from wing to centre.

Captain_Cunney

02-23-2006, 12:55 PM

seriously guys, drop Lecavalier.

he sucks on the big ice. he sucked in Russia last year, and he sucked now. just forget him.

Seriously dude...the 2010 games are in Vancouver and will be on the NHL size rink. Lecavilier will be a very valuable player on that ice, as he was in winning World Cup MVP.

joe sacco

02-23-2006, 01:15 PM

Potential Candidates:
Anaheim
Joffrey Lupul - RW
Scott Niedermayer - D
Ryan Getzlaf - C
Corey Perry - RW

Atlanta
Marc Savard - C
Braydon Coburn - D

Boston
Patrice Bergeron - C
Brad Boyes - C
Brad Stuart - D
Nick Boynton - D

Buffalo
Brian Campbell - D
Daniel Briere - C

Calgary
Jarome Iginla - RW
Dion Phaneuf - D
Robyn Regehr - D

Carolina
Eric Staal - C
Justin Williams - RW
Andrew Ladd - LW

Chicago
Kyle Calder - LW
Mark Bell - LW
Brent Seabrook - D
Cam Barker - D

Colorado
Alex Tanguay - LW
Joe Sakic - C
Rob Blake - D

Columbus
Rick Nash - LW
Adam Foote - D
Gilbert Brule - C
Marc Denis - G

Dallas
Brenden Morrow - LW
Marty Turco - G

Detroit
Jason Williams - C

Edmonton
Shawn Horcoff - C
Jarret Stoll - C
Chris Pronger - D
Ryan Smyth - LW
Marc-Andre Beregeron - D
Mike Peca - C

Florida
Nathan Horton - RW
Jay Bouwmeester - D
Mike Van Ryn - D
Roberto Luongo - G

Los Angeles
Mike Cammalleri - C

Minnesota
Pierre-Marc Bouchard - C

Montreal
Michael Ryder - RW
Jose Theodore - G

Nashville
Paul Kariya - LW
Steve Sullivan - RW
Scott Hartnell - LW
Dan Hamhuis - D
David Legwand - C

New Jersey
Martin Brodeur - G

Ottawa
Jason Spezza - C
Dany Heatley - LW
Wade Redden - D
Mike Fisher - C
Chris Phillips - D

Philadelphia
Simon Gagne - LW
Mike Richards - C
Jeff Carter - C

Phoenix
Shane Doan - RW

Pittsburgh
Sidney Crosby - C
Marc-Andre Fleury - G

San Jose
Joe Thornton - C
Patrick Marleau - C
Jonathan Cheecho - RW
Alyn McCauley - C
Scott Hannan - D

St. Louis
Eric Brewer - D
Barret Jackman - D

Tampa Bay
Brad Richards - C
Vincent Lecavalier - C
Martin St. Louis - RW
Dan Boyle - D

Toronto
Bryan McCabe - D

Vancouver
Todd Bertuzzi - RW
Ed Jovanovski - D
Brendan Morrison - C
Bryan Allen - D

Prospects
Marc Staal - D
Luc Bourdon - D
Shea Weber - D
Benoit Pouliot - LW
Eric Fehr - RW

Here's how I'd like it to go:

Forwards:
Eric Staal
Joe Sakic
Jason Spezza
Sidney Crosby
Joe Thornton
Brad Richards
Alex Tanguay
Rick Nash
Paul Kariya
Dany Heatley
Simon Gagne
Shane Doan
Jarome Iginla
extra: Jonathan Cheechoo, Patrice Bergeron, Vinny Lecavalier, Patrick Marleau,
Martin St. Louis

Defense:
Scott Niedermayer
Dion Phaneuf
Chris Pronger
Jay Bouwmeester
Wade Redden
Ed Jovanovski
Scott Hannan
extra: Nick Boynton, Brent Seabrook

Goalies:
Roberto Luongo
Martin Brodeur (backup)
Marc-Andre Fleury

shawn_kemp*

02-23-2006, 01:52 PM

Seriously dude...the 2010 games are in Vancouver and will be on the NHL size rink.

WHAT?

Chandler55

02-23-2006, 01:53 PM

no its not its on international ice, same as in salt lake.

they go by IIHF rules.

Alter Haudegen

02-23-2006, 01:56 PM

Seriously dude...the 2010 games are in Vancouver and will be on the NHL size rink. Lecavilier will be a very valuable player on that ice, as he was in winning World Cup MVP.

From the official Vancouver 2010 (http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/WinterGames/2010GamesVenues/Competition/GMP) website:

Venue Description
Ice Hockey will be staged in two venues - General Motors Place and the UBC Winter Sports Centre. General Motors Place is located on a rapid transit line in downtown Vancouver.

Construction Update
A structural engineering report of General Motors Place has been completed to address the issue of enlargement of the ice sheet to international-size ice. Additional engineering studies will determine building modifications that will be necessary to meet Olympic Games requirements. The construction process is scheduled to begin April 2007, with completion by August 2008. Construction activities at General Motors Place will be timed to minimize any disruption to regular activities in the building.

Lessy

02-23-2006, 03:38 PM

I'll give this a shot...

Gagne-Crosby-Iginla
Heatley-Spezza-Nash
Staal-Thornton-B. Richards
Smyth-Stoll/M. Richards-Doan

Extras: Lecavalier, Bergeron

I think the checking line centre will be one of Jarret Stoll or Mike Richards, both are good defensively, good leaders and are still young. I'd love to see one of them make the team in 2010 although I'm sure Stoll may not be a popular name to throw in there for some.

Niedermayer-Phaneuf
Redden-Pronger
Bouwmeester-Jovanovski

Extra: Hamhuis

The defence doesn't look as good as this year's although we will hopefully take more mobile guys if it's going to be on the big ice.

Luongo
Brodeur
Fleury

It should be only a matter of time until Luongo becomes Canada's #1, although Brodeur was fantastic in Turin. I'd be very surprised if Luongo wasn't the starter in Vancouver.

Habsruleen

02-23-2006, 03:43 PM

It's early to call, but a 22YO Luc Bourdon could very well make the team...

And if he doesn't, it'll be like omitting Phaneuf all over again for Mr. McGuire...be ready.

jd84

02-23-2006, 03:44 PM

Travis Zajac is also Canadian. He is predicted to be a two way player. If he turns out to be a good NHL player with the devils maybe the Canadians could use him on their Olympic team.

bert

02-23-2006, 04:51 PM

Maybe thats why that team was so crappy as well, but he definetly shouldn't get another chance.

So crappy that they lost in the finals. Keep em coming though buddy. Your on fire!

weaponomega

02-23-2006, 05:48 PM

In 2010, they should just put back together the WJC team from 2005 and get Brian Sutter to coach it.

God Bless Canada

02-23-2006, 06:40 PM

Travis Zajac is also Canadian. He is predicted to be a two way player. If he turns out to be a good NHL player with the devils maybe the Canadians could use him on their Olympic team.
Travis Zajac will never be a player for Canada in a best-on-best. He's a good, solid, two-way second line centre, but he's not the type who's going to be one of our best scorers or defensive players. A lot to like about him, though.

Luc Bourdon has a great future in front of him, the best defenceman to come out of Quebec in well over a decade. But to expect him to be on our team in 2010, he won't be ready. We've also produced some pretty good defencemen over the last few years who will be more ready for the Olympics. M. Staal will also be more ready for that level.

therealdeal

02-23-2006, 07:01 PM

So crappy that they lost in the finals. Keep em coming though buddy. Your on fire!

That team got **** *** lucky, that team was probably worse than the Olympic one but they just had a hot line, take away that one line and we're getting shut out most games just like in the Olympics.

Redden was a liability everytime he was on the ice.

deathbear

02-23-2006, 07:15 PM

richards, lecavalier and st. louis were probably our best forwards in the tournament. why are they getting ragged on???

this coming from a canucks fan, i don't really have a bias on the matter.

lecavalier and st. louis together with smyth were probably the most consistent line.

i'd be SHOCKED if lecavalier's not on the team...

Nova88

02-23-2006, 07:19 PM

I was wondering the same.. who has better younger (23 and under) player russia or canada.

Vic Rattlehead

02-23-2006, 07:20 PM

Defense:
Scott Niedermayer
Dion Phaneuf
Chris Pronger
Jay Bouwmeester
Wade Redden
Ed Jovanovski
Scott Hannan
extra: Nick Boynton, Brent Seabrook

One defenceman who doesn't get respect when naming possible players for Canada is Brad Stuart. He has been nothing short of amazing in Boston, and is already a better defenceman than Boynton. It wouldn't surprise me if Canada takes a long hard look at Stuart.

Nova88

02-23-2006, 07:20 PM

deathbear

02-23-2006, 07:22 PM

i know, but they were at least creating chances and forcing penalties.

Maria

02-23-2006, 07:43 PM

If you are going to drop Vinny and Marty, then drop Iginla and Thornton, at least the Tampa guys tried to do something!!!

The Mars Volchenkov

02-23-2006, 07:45 PM

That team got **** *** lucky, that team was probably worse than the Olympic one but they just had a hot line, take away that one line and we're getting shut out most games just like in the Olympics.

Redden was a liability everytime he was on the ice.
It has come out that Redden played the entire tournament with a groin injury. Doens't make up for how bad he played, but it certainly is a reason.

Cruiser008

02-23-2006, 07:53 PM

Gagne (A) Thornton Iginla
Nash Spezza Heatley
Tanguay Staal Crosby
Doan Lecavalier Richards (A)

ex. Horton

Phaneuf Redden
Jovanovski Bouwmeester
Regehr Neidermeyer (C)

ex. Pronger

Luongo
Turco
MAF

Vote for Rory

02-23-2006, 07:57 PM

Staal- Thornton- Cheechoo

wow nice, what a killer line. Thornton/Cheech alone would be money, add Staal into that mix and your set.

Stephen

02-23-2006, 08:09 PM

Team Canada should probably build a team like the Buffalo Sabres, emphasizing energy, speed and hard work. I think we should leave the powerforwards and the slow blueliners at home as they don't fit into international hockey at all. That said, we should probably leave guys like Thornton, Pronger, Doan and Smyth out. The latter two are good players, but I don't think they really give the team the kind of ingredients needed to play a proper international game.

Guys like Kariya, Mike Richards, Cheechoo, Justin Williams and Gilbert Brule would be good speedy guys we could look at filling some of the positions on the wing. Mike Fisher should be on the team or get some considerations, as well as Antoine Vermette. Crosby and Staal should definitely make it. Spezza might be okay too, though he might be slow and ineffective.

John Flyers Fan

02-23-2006, 08:12 PM

That's the way it's been for years. In fact, Tanguay and Gagne both played centre in junior, but were shifted to the wing once they reached the show. Jeff Carter and Mike Cammelleri are more recent examples of that. On a broader scale, Marian Hossa was a centre when he was drafted, too.

Carter has been briefly experimented on the wing, but Hitch wants to keep him at center. R.J. Umberger has been moved to the wing.

bruins8152

02-23-2006, 08:36 PM

Gagne-Thornton-Nash
Staal-Lecalvier-Crosby
Bell-Bergeron-Horton
Getzlaf-M.Richards-Carter

Taxi: B.Richards-Spezza

Redden-Phaneuf
Stuart-Bouwmeester
Hannan-Regher

Taxi: B.Stuart-Seabrook

Luango
Fluerry

YungGunner94

02-24-2006, 06:29 AM

12# Peter Bondra

02-24-2006, 06:36 AM

just wondering...what does patrick marleau need to do besides you know be on pace for 30+ goals and close to 60 some assists for you guys to look at him as one of canadas best players. o yea and he's the captain and face of his team.
I think that the depth at the C position of Team Canada is hurting him. Its tough to make a team when the top C's are Sakic, Richards, Lecavalier and Thornton.

wildone26*

02-24-2006, 11:58 AM

deandebean

02-24-2006, 12:08 PM

In 4 years from now, a hotshot bantam or even pee-wee player could become the next Crosby. We should wait before putting a team together.

ganz

02-24-2006, 12:09 PM

homer pick....put MAB in there as a puck moving defenseman

Nihilism

02-24-2006, 12:11 PM

Brodeur, Luongo, Fleury

Niedermayer, Phaneuf, Regehr, Hannan, Bouwmeester, Redden, Marc Staal

Crosby, Eric Staal, Heatley, Thornton, Iginla, Nash, Tanguay, Morrow, Carter, Gagne, Richards, LeCavalier, Spezza

Remax

02-24-2006, 12:28 PM

Ok, here we go:

If all are playing to their best abilities

Gagne--Crosby--Staal
Heatley--Spezza--Nash
Iginla--Thornton--Bertuzzi
Morrow--Richards--Horton

Redden--Niedermayer
Bouwmeester--Phaneuf
McCabe--Regehr

Luongo
MA Fleury
Turco

Taxi: Marleau, Tavares/Toews, Hannan/Staal/Seabrook

Hockeyfan02

02-24-2006, 01:40 PM

richards, lecavalier & st. louis need to be dropped from the team. :clap:

Good idea, just gives them more time to rest up and own the Flyers like they have the last 2 years. ;)

I don't think St. Louis will be back, but Lecavalier and Richards have to be considered. They played better in the tourney than some of the guys being listed as locks for 2010, Richards was probably the best forward as he was running the point on the PP, killing penalties, and on the ice for key situations. Lecavalier looked below average the first few games, but then when Smyth was put on a line with him and St. Louis he seemed to really pick his game up. Canada obviously has a lot of talent that's up and coming, but I would be surprised if Richards and Lecavalier aren't on the team/taxi squad in 2010.

Golden Slumbers

02-24-2006, 01:51 PM

Not sure why there's so much irrational Redden hate.

He wasn't the reason the team lost, but he didn't help them win either. You could say the same about all of the D, and most of the forwards too.

Gags1288

02-24-2006, 02:00 PM

The Mars Volchenkov

02-24-2006, 02:06 PM

I'm not going to chime in with a full lineup, but am I the only one that thinks a line with Mike Fisher and Mike Richards would be flat out nasty to play against? Throw in another solid two-way winger (maybe Bergeron) and they'd be a flat out awesome 3rd or 4th line.
I still don't know how Mike Fisher wasn't named to the 88 man list to start the season this year after playing in the World Championships last season. I know he was hurt early, but he would have looked good on the 4th line, not that it would have made much of a difference.

big_steve

02-24-2006, 02:58 PM

Simon Gagne(A)-Sidney Crosby-Jarome Iginla(C)
Alex Tanguay-Jason Spezza-Dany Heatley
Eric Staal-Joe Thornton-Rick Nash
Patrice Bergeron-Vincent Lecavalier-Shane Doan
13th Forward: Brad Richards

Dion Phaneuf-Scott Niedermayer(A)
Jay Bouwmeester-Ed Jovanovski
Chris Pronger(A)-Wade Redden
7th Defenseman- Eric Brewer

Starting Goalie- Roberto Luongo
Backup Goalie- Martin Brodeur
Third Goalie- Marc-Andre Fleury

habs9

02-24-2006, 03:06 PM

Bergeron, Bergeron, Bergeron....I predict he will be our heart and soul leading to Crosby's supreme talent. He could have done better than Thornton this year which he is doing in Boston. Maybe not Art Ross but a winner.

I second Bourdon and Justin Willimas and also think Seabrook may develop. Are Ballard and Gleason Canadian? Keep Doan and Smyth. Get rid of Thornton, St. Louis and Draper and Sakic, Blake, Foote will be too old.

Not mentioned and would have looked good this year if not injured although he wasn't selected anyway. Briere.

Marleau will still be useful. Agree with adding Cheechoo, and definetly think Brule will be a huge benefit over this years. Also Horton or Stewart may be ready.

I agree that Iginla, Gagne, Heatley, Lecavalier need to continue to show something to make up for this tournament. Maybe the lockout had an impact on them that will take time. Gagne and Heatley stats wise are benefiting from Forsberg and Spezza.

big_steve

02-24-2006, 03:11 PM

This team needs a checking line. I'd like to have Bergeron with Crosby but like I said, the team needs a checking line.

clefty

02-24-2006, 04:51 PM

Beukeboom Fan

02-24-2006, 04:54 PM

Some great names being thrown around. My general thoughts:

1) Since there is NO time to practice, maybe select guys that play on the same line? Example from this year: bring Tanguay to play with Sakic, Spezza to play with Heatley, etc. Could maybe have a Brule/Nash, Staal/Williams and a Carter/Gagne match-up.
2) Have more practice time during the summer camp on the larger ice surface.
3) Actually see who is playing well instead of having "legacy" selections. Example would be St. Louis.
4) Not sure if a pre-selection physical is required, but tell the players that it doesn't help for them to go to the Olympics and not be effective because of a bad groin, broken bone in foot, etc.

therealdeal

02-24-2006, 05:02 PM

just wondering...what does patrick marleau need to do besides you know be on pace for 30+ goals and close to 60 some assists for you guys to look at him as one of canadas best players. o yea and he's the captain and face of his team.

Well he crapped out in the World Cup and World Championships, so he probably lost his chance, not to mention the Center position is locked up so tight he doesn't have a hope in hell.

Bergeron
Crosby
Richards
Lecavelier
Thornton
Staal
Spezza

And that doesn't even make space for a checking center.

joe sacco

02-24-2006, 05:31 PM

No way will Nash be on the team. He was useless in Turino and people will realize by then that Rick Nash will never be part of a winning team. If Nash is on the team I gaurantee no gold for Canada, gauranteed, I know he is only one player but a team will never win with him on it.

this is one of the most ridiculous posts i have seen, and normally i don't call people out but this one definitely warrants it. a 21-year old who has already led the league in goals once, playing on a below average team will never win because he didn't have a good tournament. if you've ever seen him play you'd know he is a gamebreaker who is just scratching the surface. a 21-year old should not be the one relied upon to be the go-to guy in a tournament like this. good work coming up with valid reasons to support this theory..."people will realize by then that rick nash will never be part of a winning team. If Nash is on the team I gaurantee no gold for Canada, gauranteed, I know he is only one player but a team will never win with him on it." fantastic post. i hope to continue hearing your insightful observations for many years to come.

joe sacco

02-24-2006, 05:32 PM

if you were being sarcastic i apologize.

deathbear

02-24-2006, 06:22 PM

yeah, i thought he was serious too. absurd to say the least.

HellsBells

02-24-2006, 06:37 PM

If you are going to drop Vinny and Marty, then drop Iginla and Thornton, at least the Tampa guys tried to do something!!!

This is perhaps the dumbest thing I've ever read.

So although none of them did anything, the Tampa guys were trying but Iginla and Thornton were not.....okay. :help:

wildone26*

02-25-2006, 03:22 PM

this is one of the most ridiculous posts i have seen, and normally i don't call people out but this one definitely warrants it. a 21-year old who has already led the league in goals once, playing on a below average team will never win because he didn't have a good tournament. if you've ever seen him play you'd know he is a gamebreaker who is just scratching the surface. a 21-year old should not be the one relied upon to be the go-to guy in a tournament like this. good work coming up with valid reasons to support this theory..."people will realize by then that rick nash will never be part of a winning team. If Nash is on the team I gaurantee no gold for Canada, gauranteed, I know he is only one player but a team will never win with him on it." fantastic post. i hope to continue hearing your insightful observations for many years to come.

I have said for years Nash will never be part of a winning team and I have always been right so far. Never on a winning team as a junior, in an international tournament, on any team, unless you count the Spengler Cup a meaningful win.
When Nash proves me wrong I will eat my words, until he does, I dont give a care what excuses people come up with, I will repeat it over and over again, since nothing has happened to prove me wrong, and I predicted it a long time ago, and expected it a long time ago.

You are saying he shouldnt have been relied on for anything in Turin since he was only a 21 year old. That is the real ridiculous statement, of course he shouldnt be expected to dominate the tournament or anything, but contribute something, he was so bad he went from being on the 2nd line to being benched by Quinn 6 of the last 7 periods of the event. Of course he was supposed to contribute even though he was the youngest player, he wasnt put on the team just to be ride along
with the team and do nothing.

Oh yes I do gaurantee any team Nash is on will never win a signifacant event. Laugh in my face when I am proven wrong, until then I stand by my words. I wont be holding my breath to ever be proven wrong.

Tricolore#20

02-25-2006, 03:33 PM

gbl1p

02-25-2006, 04:02 PM

I have said for years Nash will never be part of a winning team and I have always been right so far. Never on a winning team as a junior, in an international tournament, on any team, unless you count the Spengler Cup a meaningful win.
When Nash proves me wrong I will eat my words, until he does, I dont give a care what excuses people come up with, I will repeat it over and over again, since nothing has happened to prove me wrong, and I predicted it a long time ago, and expected it a long time ago.

You are saying he shouldnt have been relied on for anything in Turin since he was only a 21 year old. That is the real ridiculous statement, of course he shouldnt be expected to dominate the tournament or anything, but contribute something, he was so bad he went from being on the 2nd line to being benched by Quinn 6 of the last 7 periods of the event. Of course he was supposed to contribute even though he was the youngest player, he wasnt put on the team just to be ride along
with the team and do nothing.

Oh yes I do gaurantee any team Nash is on will never win a signifacant event. Laugh in my face when I am proven wrong, until then I stand by my words. I wont be holding my breath to ever be proven wrong.

No one cares about your guarantee. It is absolutely worthless. Why don't you starting backing up all this Nash smack talk with some actual reasons. I'm totally neutral fan-wise as far as Nash goes, but all you do is trash talk him with no basis. 21 yr old scoring sensation is doomed you insist... but why? Give reasons, give insight. Otherwise you're just a trash talker.

jcorb58

02-25-2006, 05:41 PM

I just really think we were not hungry enough to be successful. After this fiasco you can bet that we will play with much more passion then this years squad. I say go with whos hot at the time. What you did yesterday means squat. Gretzkys loyality cost us as he figured these floaters would automatically rejuvenate their games to the level it takes for success. Lets face it the competion is is getting better every year. I dont care what name is on the back of your jersey...i would take a team full of Ryan Smyths rather than a bunch of spoiled Super Stars. Give me Ethan Moreau and Brendan Morrow at least they may lose but it wouldnt be from not trying. This year was the worst team canada i have ever seen and i have seen everyone since 72. When was the last time you seen Canadian players without any heart. Full marks to the Finns and Swedes, i am sure we will see an emotional final game.

wildone26*

02-25-2006, 05:52 PM

It is still way to early to tell, as others have mentioned. If you were to predict the 2006 team back in 2002, guys like Nash (who was drafted later that year), Bouwmeester, Richards and St. Louis would not even have been on the radar.

In 2010, I would love to Angelo Esposito there. He won't be drafted until 2007, but if he can make the NHL in his first season, perhaps he will play his way onto the team (with two and a half seasons of experience). If some of the younger players are having excellent seasons in 2010, will they be passed over like this time around? I would like to think that Canada will have learned to not discount recent performance when selecting the 2010 team.

Esposito making the Oly team as a 20-year old? No way. If Crosby could not do it as an 18-year old Esposito, who while extremely talented, is nowhere near as developed as Crosby at the same age(I am from a QMJHL city and have seen both play both in Bathurst and Moncton), Esposito will never do it as a 20-year old.

wildone26*

02-25-2006, 05:53 PM

No one cares about your guarantee. It is absolutely worthless. Why don't you starting backing up all this Nash smack talk with some actual reasons. I'm totally neutral fan-wise as far as Nash goes, but all you do is trash talk him with no basis. 21 yr old scoring sensation is doomed you insist... but why? Give reasons, give insight. Otherwise you're just a trash talker.

Scoring sensation? ROTFL!!! He is averaging less than one point a game, there are quite a few players in the NHL this year, including many Canadians, and some players younger than he is(Crosby, Ovechkin, Staal)averaging more points per game than him this year. He only had 1 point the whole Oly tournament playing on a top line, and playing against such teams as Italy, Switzerland, and Germany.
Yes a real scoring sensation. :biglaugh:

gbl1p

02-25-2006, 06:15 PM

Scoring sensation? ROTFL!!! He is averaging less than one point a game, there are quite a few players in the NHL this year, including many Canadians, and some players younger than he is(Crosby, Ovechkin, Staal)averaging more points per game than him this year. He only had 1 point the whole Oly tournament playing on a top line, and playing against such teams as Italy, Switzerland, and Germany.
Yes a real scoring sensation. :biglaugh:

We all know about the super-rookies and super-sophomores blowing up this season. In fact, as far as Canada goes I advocated having some of the younger guys in as opposed to the lacklustre incumbents far before the tourney started. Thats not the point. Way to scrutinize an injury plagued season btw. He's played, what, 2 months?

Back to the point: Please state why you seem to be the only person on this forum that doesn't recognize Nash as one of the burgeoning young goal scorers in the league. Also, please state why you can guarantee 100% why Nash will never be a winner. Surely, your crystal ball can at least answer for you.

therealdeal

02-25-2006, 08:06 PM

Jason MacIsaac

02-27-2006, 11:26 PM

Travis Zajac will never be a player for Canada in a best-on-best. He's a good, solid, two-way second line centre, but he's not the type who's going to be one of our best scorers or defensive players. A lot to like about him, though.

Luc Bourdon has a great future in front of him, the best defenceman to come out of Quebec in well over a decade. But to expect him to be on our team in 2010, he won't be ready. We've also produced some pretty good defencemen over the last few years who will be more ready for the Olympics. M. Staal will also be more ready for that level.
I don't disagree that Zajac probably won't represent Canada at the Olympics but to coin him a 2nd line center already is a little premature. Zajac has a great skill set, one that is similar to Jeff Carter.