Let me be the first one to break the ice. As of right now, I still like my list of 13 forwards which I mentioned before:
Eric Staal Crosby Stamkos
Perry Getzlaf Skinner
Nash Tavares Giroux
Sharp Toews Mike Richards
T. Seguin
If Eberle, Kane and Taylor Hall all have great years next year, they would be on my radar as well. Many people want Perry not to be on the team, but this guy just last year lead the NHL in goals. Nash and Getzlaf played great hockey in 2010 Olympics, and one off year should not disqualify them. Put Nash on any other team besides Columbus, and his stats would be much better. Getzlaf's bad penalty cost Canada this year, but it also meant a ticket to the easiest pool of the three pools in Sochi, so Getzlaf's penalty was a blessing in disguise. I am comfortable with this group right now. Let us see how next year plays out.
Stamkos-Crosby-Giroux
Staal-Tavares-Eberle
Richards-Toews-Nash
Benn-Getzlaf-Perry
Doughty-Weber
Letang-Pietrangelo
Keith-Seabrook
Price
Luongo
In response to UsernameWasTaken, I do not see Ryan Murray making it in 2014. Richards played great hockey in 2010, and makes my team as of right now, because he serves a role on the team. Richards-Toews-Nash line was a great line for Canada, helping them to win Gold. We differ on Jamie Benn and Ryan Nugent Hopkins. I was not overly impressed with them at this year's WHC. RNH just finished his first year, is still 19, and there are others I would put ahead of him right now. I picked Skinner because he really impressed me playing on the big ice, and was at times Canada's best player at WHC. I also loved the way he played with Carolina the times I saw him. I am a big Patrick Sharp fan, and feel he is a very underrated player. He is a flexible player who can do it all, and has played good hockey on the big ice for Canada. He would be on my 4th line. I agree with Eberle. Actually, Eberle is my 14th forward, and i went back and forth, but put Sharp on my team ahead of him. Things could change by next year.
In the history of Canadian hockey, have our forwards EVER been this talented and deep? Ever???
My team is the Hawks, so it's not like I have a problem with Sharp - it's just I don't see him making the team.
Re: Eberle - I think he'll do better than 14th forward...I see him playing a solid role on the team. I think he's a legitimate offensive contributor and if he keeps it up next year I think he will be put in a productive role for the team.
Re: Richards...he might very well make it - and I wouldn't be upset he did. But I see him and Getzlaf as playing similar functions (Richards has more experience, Getzlaf has better size) .
As far as RNH, Skinner, etc. goes...we can debate about them now...but for 2014 we can add a year and a half to everyone's age and experience. The reality is, I doubt a decision will be made about any of the guys in that age/experience group until late fall 2013 (i.e. close to when the team is chosen)...I think 2012/13 year (and the 2013 part of 2013/14 will really dictate who goes).
Re: Murray - I'm also very doubtful he has any chance of making it (and again, it's silly to spitball the chances of someone who hasn't been drafted, let alone played a game in the NHL)...but b/c of Doughty in 2010 Murray's someone who shouldn't be completely written off.
On the back end we have Keith, Weber, Doughty, Pietrangelo, Bouwmeester, Letang. For the remaining dmen who do you guys think is a better option. A freewheeling dman who can bring offense to the attack ala Subban, Boyle. Or since there isn't an abundance of left handed shots a depth guy who would play against the bottom lines each game and perhaps a player who can tee up a one timer on the pp ala Phaneuf. There's still the development of Ryan Murray which could play into the equation, but there's a pool of about 5-7 guys who are in the running for those 2 or 3 spots. It also depends on whether the management decides to take 7 dmen or 8. We have a history of only taking 7, but the problem this time around will be most of those will right handed shots and a good team can expose that so might have to take an extra lefty, who knows.
Stamkos - Crosby - Nash
Perry - Getzlaf - Giroux
Skinner - Tavares - Spezza
E. Staal - Toews - Mike Richards
HM: Eberle
Weber - Doughty
Pietrangelo - Letang
Seabrook - Keith
HM: Staal
Price
Ward
Luongo (likely starter).
I hope to God you aren't serious.
That he'll probably start or that he's 3rd on the list? I believe Team Canada will start him because they usually reward their experienced goaltenders as opposed to first-timers (i.e Broduer 2010). Not what I think they should do, but what I think will happen.
Stamkos - Crosby - Nash
Perry - Getzlaf - Giroux
Skinner - Tavares - Spezza
E. Staal - Toews - Mike Richards
HM: Eberle
Weber - Doughty
Pietrangelo - Letang
Seabrook - Keith
HM: Staal
Price
Ward
Luongo (likely starter).
Does anyone have a specific origin re: why Hockey Canada apparently has a problem with Spezza? It seems that this is the case. Is this just paranoia...or is there something behind it?