Lecavalier on Canada's WC team?

Last week in the Sporting News' hockey section, Wayne Gretzky said that there would be a spot for Vincent Lecavalier on Canada's World Cup team because replacements for the likes of Nieuwendyk and Yzerman are needed. Is Vinny a lock for the team does anyone know?

My guess would be "no," but who am I to argue with Wayne?

Thornton has one spot and I've heard John Madden another. Peca may not be invited back for Madden, though, so that could leave a spot for Lecavalier.

My guess would be "no," but who am I to argue with Wayne?

Thornton has one spot and I've heard John Madden another. Peca may not be invited back for Madden, though, so that could leave a spot for Lecavalier.


If madden were to go then I would think that Peca would be out for sure, which would open a slot for Vinny. I couldn't see Canada carrying to checking centers, so it comes down to which one fits better.

I say Vinny is on the team for sure, the only thing would be that he might have to play out of position (wing), say on a line with Mario.

Vinny and Mario on the same line would be God-like. :bow: :bow: :bow:

-Pete Choquette

Brendan Morrison is a sleeper pick for the WC team.

I thought about Morrison, whom I really like, but he's not near the status of Thornton or Lecavalier. One could say SOME of his success is due to 44 and 19. A great complimentary center, though.

Richards and Tanguay are decent shots to be picked as well.

I am guessing Vinny and Martin St.Louis both have good shots to make the team. John Madden and Mike Peca should both be on the team.

Smyth - Peca - Madden would be a scary checking line.

Brendan Morrison is a sleeper pick for the WC team.

True, but not over a guy like Lecavalier.

Personally, I'd say that Lecavalier's pretty close to a lock for the team. He had a great year last year and he's got all the skill in the world, I don't see why anyone wouldn't want him on the team. Unless Sakic really starts turning it up, Vinny should have the 2nd line spot.

Also, I would probably bring Peca if I was GM and play him on the wing with Madden. Could you imagine that checking line? I mean, you could put something like Smyth-Madden-Peca....that would be so sweet.

True, but not over a guy like Lecavalier.

With all of Canada's games on NHL size rinks - you can almost guarantee that checking lines and great 2-way forwards will be considered. Expect all the following names to be considered for WC entry that weren't on the Olympic squad.

Madden, Bertuzzi, Thornton, LeCavalier, Richards, Heatley, Walz, Morrison, Tanguay.

Bertuzzi and Thorton are locks. Expect Madden, Walz, & Morrison all to get strong consideration because they're very strong in their own end.

No chance Morrison goes ahead of Lecavalier. Walz seems like a real longshot IMO. Richards may have sexy numbers, but I'm afraid anyone scouting him would clearly see his shortcomings and also deem him a longshot.

If Richie could just build up some upper-body strength and hone his shot, he'd be as much of a lock as Vinny. Richie has elite passing and playmaking skills. Too bad he's not quite ready for stardom.

I really wonder about St.Louis. With all of his heart and talent, he'd be absolutely dynamic on Team Canada. Just seems like he's the kind of guy to get overlooked. Hope not, though.

I think Vinny will make the team, I see the forwards like this:

#1: Sakic, Kariya, Iginla or Heatley
#2: Thornton, Bertuzzi, Tanguay
#3: Vinny, St. Louis, Iginla or Heatley
#4: Gagne, Madden, Smyth
13th Forward: One of Yzerman, Peca, Morrison, or a young player along the line of Nash.

Vinny is a lock to make it...I am not so sure about Peca when you can have a younger better version in Madden.

Vinny is a lock to make it...I am not so sure about Peca when you can have a younger better version in Madden.

Madden was born in 73 and Peca was born in 74.

I dont really understand why everyone thinks John Madden is so much better then Mike Peca. I havent really seen all that much of Madden besides last years playoffs.

I dont really understand why everyone thinks John Madden is so much better then Mike Peca.

Me neither. Peca is Madden's equal defensively, but Peca is WAY better offensively than Madden. Since he plays for a Stanley Cup champion and had a great playoff run, Madden is trendier right now so everyone's hopping on his bandwagon.

Me neither. Peca is Madden's equal defensively, but Peca is WAY better offensively than Madden. Since he plays for a Stanley Cup champion and had a great playoff run, Madden is trendier right now so everyone's hopping on his bandwagon.



Career wise Peca is way better offensively but not the past season and a half...they are equal both ways...I think team Canada couldn't go wrong with either.

Peca's offense has slumped, sure, but I still think he's the more creative offensive player of the two. Not that creativity counts for everything. Just ask the Lightning.

#1: Sakic, Kariya, Iginla or Heatley


I'd love to see Gagne--Sakic--Iginla together again.

Any thoughts from the Americans on Torts being the coach of the USA team?

Who else is there?

Who else is there?

Exactly. Torts gets the job by default.

-Pete Choquette

With Tort's "team first" attitude (meaning the Lightning) who's to say he would say yes?? He's already stated his focus will be on the Lightning. Now if it looks like the NHL won't be playing for awhile or there's a problem with his new contract, that changes the landscape.

Here's a recent ESPN article stating some possible candidates and looking at this list, Tort's might not be the top candidiate. Some of these names have already coached teams in international tournaments and have more extensive coaching experience than Torts, for example:

Scotty Bowman
Lou Vairo
Ron Wilson
Mike Keenan

The ESPN list is more extensive and includes some rookie coaches too:

ESPN.com (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?id=1673024)

Bowman or Keenan? I highly doubt it.

Their names would be tarnished in Canadian hockey lore - it's the ultimate Canadian treason. Same way Brett Hull gets booed in Ottawa for playing for the Americans after being cut from Canada before he was a good player.

Bowman or Keenan? I highly doubt it.

Their names would be tarnished in Canadian hockey lore - it's the ultimate Canadian treason. Same way Brett Hull gets booed in Ottawa for playing for the Americans after being cut from Canada before he was a good player.

OK, so throw them out, there's still a couple good coaches who have international experience left like Ron Wilson & Lou Vairo. I don't know that USA Hockey would be ready for Tort's kick-in-the ass coaching style. ;)

Vairo would be the logical second choice after Torts.

-Pete Choquette

What I think for lines:

Kariya - Thornton - Bertuzzi
Gagne - Sakic - Iginla
Madden - Peca - Doan
Nash - Tanguay - Nolan

Could be there: Lemieux, Lecavalier, Morisson, Recchi, Shanahan, St. Louis, Heatley, Smyth, Yzerman?

If healthy and willing Lemieux and Heatley are there for sure. Morisson only makes it if the team needs a defensive player (complementary players do well on a team this stacked though), still don't see it. Lecavalier is there if Heatley and Lemieux can't go. I don't see St. Louis being picked ahead of vets like Recchi and Shanny. Personally I would really like to see Hartnell make it but know that there is no way that that happens.

Jovo - Pronger
Redden - Niedermayer
Blake - Foote

Could be there: Morris, Bouwmeester, Aucoin

Personally, I think Aucoin should make the team but seems to be always overlooked. Bouwmeester is in the pressbox for experience.

Brodeur
Giguerre
Luongo

Could be there: Theodore, Fleury.

Luongo, Giguerre and Theodore are a toss up, Brodeur starts for sure. If Fleury goes it's just for experience, 2% chance.

Probably forgot someone but whatever.

The way Vinny is playing this year, I would be surprised if he made the team. He seems to have a good season and then a bad one.