maybe not thread worthy, but did anyone else catch the panel taking about JORDAN staal during the 2nd intermission of the leafs/pens game? They were blatantly suggesting that he has a good chance of making team Canada for the 2010 Olympics. How can these so called experts make such an absurd claim? Don't get me wrong, Staal is a great 2nd line center (caliber, I know he plays 3rd), but there isn't an icecube's chance in hell of him making this team. And I was under the impression that every knowledgeable hockey fan knew this to be true. Agree?? Or am I missing something?
maybe not thread worthy, but did anyone else catch the panel taking about JORDAN staal during the 2nd intermission of the leafs/pens game? They were blatantly suggesting that he has a good chance of making team Canada for the 2010 Olympics. How can these so called experts make such an absurd claim? Don't get me wrong, Staal is a great 2nd line center (caliber, I know he plays 3rd), but there isn't an icecube's chance in hell of him making this team. And I was under the impression that every knowledgeable hockey fan knew this to be true. Agree?? Or am I missing something?
maybe not thread worthy, but did anyone else catch the panel taking about JORDAN staal during the 2nd intermission of the leafs/pens game? They were blatantly suggesting that he has a good chance of making team Canada for the 2010 Olympics. How can these so called experts make such an absurd claim? Don't get me wrong, Staal is a great 2nd line center (caliber, I know he plays 3rd), but there isn't an icecube's chance in hell of him making this team. And I was under the impression that every knowledgeable hockey fan knew this to be true. Agree?? Or am I missing something?
The love letters to him from Don Cherry and Pierre McGuire, perhaps?
I agree...We have so many better options at centre. Not a pens hater either, I accually just received my Crosby and Fluery jersey (Wouldnt call myself a fan neither though).
He is one of the best defensive centers Canada can offer up. He's got great size and speed. Its not all about offense. That being said, I still don't think he makes it.
He is one of the best defensive centers Canada can offer up. He's got great size and speed. Its not all about offense. That being said, I still don't think he makes it.
<< A reasoned view. What I find silly is the exaggerated OMGWTF!!! tone of the original post. Settle down, Beavis.
He is one of the best defensive centers Canada can offer up. He's got great size and speed. Its not all about offense. That being said, I still don't think he makes it.
Mike Richards. Just as good defensively and miles ahead in every other aspect of the game.
Emm...Kirk Maltby and Draper have made team canada in the past haven't they? What makes you think Jordan Staal can't? Who needs a good shutdown center these days....
Staal would be a great 4th line center for team canada. he is bigger then richards and from what i have seen he is the best penalty killing forward in the league. i don't think it's ridiculous to think he can make the team.
Staal would be a great 4th line center for team canada. he is bigger then richards and from what i have seen he is the best penalty killing forward in the league. i don't think it's ridiculous to think he can make the team.
And Johan Franzen is bigger than Crosby, but Crosby is still twice as good.
Yeah, I highly doubt he makes Team Canada. Just a little sensationalism or whatever by the panelists. I doubt they're going to be talking about him and say, "You know, this guy doesn't have a freaking chance to make Team Canada! Better luck next time, chump!" I think they know that he probably won't make it, but hey, they need something to say.
maybe not thread worthy, but did anyone else catch the panel taking about JORDAN staal during the 2nd intermission of the leafs/pens game? They were blatantly suggesting that he has a good chance of making team Canada for the 2010 Olympics. How can these so called experts make such an absurd claim? Don't get me wrong, Staal is a great 2nd line center (caliber, I know he plays 3rd), but there isn't an icecube's chance in hell of him making this team. And I was under the impression that every knowledgeable hockey fan knew this to be true. Agree?? Or am I missing something?
If you've been keeping up with any Team Canada talk for the 2010 Olympics, you'd know that they are looking to build a solid TEAM. Not just stack it with stars that can put up points. They want to put an efficient team with "grinders" and "checkers" on the ice (I put them in quotations because they're still going to be high caliber players).
Jordan Staal fits the bill pretty well. Although he had a sophomore slump he rebounded fairly well last year and would probably have 30 goals playing on another team (more TOI since he'd be at least a 2nd line center on most teams). He can kill penalties very well and that ability itself has gotten players on Team Canada before. Michael Peca for instance.
Don't rule out a guy like Milan Lucic to make the team either. He's got the kind of aggressive play that can turn the tide of a game. A very valuable asset.
Yeah that was my reaction as well. Staal is a great defensive centre and could very well centre the 4th line. However, we didn't have that in 2002 and we won and in 2006 we did and lost.
(Wouldnt call myself a fan neither though).
