Heat McManus
Registered User
According to HFBoards, he will be playing for Russia, wearing #71.
Hmmm, i see a sticky: All "____ is Christ" threads go here!
According to HFBoards, he will be playing for Russia, wearing #71.
I think it really does depend on how Canada or the USA fares at the tournament. I can't see Canada winning in 2010, and then the NHL saying "Okay, no more Olympic tournaments." It would really cheapen the win somewhat for Canada (or USA), since the NHL can arbitrarily decide when it wants to compete at the Olympics. It seems like much of the negativity about the Olympics this time around, from an NHL perspective, resulted from the poor showing of the North American teams. If Canada had won the gold in Turin, I'm not sure whether there would be such angst at competing at the Olympics.
It's remarkable how much the mood of the NHL towards the Olympics changed from 2002 to 2006. 2002 was heralded as a massive moment in Canadian hockey history and a success for hockey period (fans were clamouring for the NHL to change to Olympic rules), and four years later, there is suggestion they want out of the Olympics. I'm guessing, Vancouver will be a success for North American teams, and that the appetite for more Olympic hockey will return.
Nobody gives a rat's *ss about the World Cup outside Canada (and to a small extent, Finland). There is no point for an elite level championships if noone is watching, especially in the US when the NFL is starting in early September.There won't be a 2014 Olympics with NHL Players UNLESS the Europeans agree to a) quit excusing themselves for the World Championships and b) The World Cup of Hockey is brought back on a 4 year basis
Nobody gives a rat's *ss about the World Cup outside Canada (and to a small extent, Finland). There is no point for an elite level championships if noone is watching, especially in the US when the NFL is starting in early September.
If the NHL is keen on developing their brand (and that of hockey) in the US and worldwide, they will stay in the Olympics.
It is sure that there will be at least two players who have "Pori" as their birthplace in Finnish team...
Homer
About the D: I think there's something wrong with the way Finland is developing D-men these days. Considering that Laakso, not really a future star even (3rd round pick, future really open) has played 2 WJCs and will play his third and last this year. Really says something about the 85 and 86 agegroups D-men. And who's our top 84 D-man? Lepistö? After that? Are they all just developing really late or what?
Assuming the world hasn't ended by then, here's a rough groundwork for Finland:
Forwards
Tuomo Ruutu, 30/31
Mikko Koivu, 30
Olli Jokinen, 35
Perttu Lindgren, 26
Valtteri Filppula, 29
Jussi Jokinen, 30
Toni Rajala, 22
Mikael Granlund, 21/22
Lauri Tukonen, 27
Lauri Korpikoski, 27
Sean Bergenheim, 29/30
Petteri Nokelainen, 28
Defensemen
Joni Pitkänen, 30
Mr. A
Mr. B
Mr. C
Mr. X
Mr. Y
Mr. Z
Goaltenders
Kari Lehtonen, 30
Hannu Toivonen, 29
Tuukka Rask, 26
Long story short: A gazillion centers and equally many goalies, while wingers and defensemen are virtually extinct.
R. Luongo
M. Fleury
M. Staal M. Carle
J. Bouwmeester D. Phaneuf
S. Webber D. Syvret
B. Seabrook C. Barker
W. Wolski S. Crosby A. Esposito
Ja. Staal E. Staal J. Spezza
V. Lecavalier J. Thornton R. Nash
P. Bergeron Jo. Staal D. Heatley
R. Luongo
M. Fleury
M. Staal M. Carle
J. Bouwmeester D. Phaneuf
S. Webber D. Syvret
B. Seabrook C. Barker
W. Wolski S. Crosby A. Esposito
Ja. Staal E. Staal J. Spezza
V. Lecavalier J. Thornton R. Nash
P. Bergeron Jo. Staal D. Heatley
Where is Pierre Marc Bouchard? The only way he doesnt make it is if hes injured.
It's almost impossible to predict something 8 years ahead, but I'd have a hard time believing Komisarek, Ballard, or Gleason would make it ahead of Matt Carle.
Why?
So in contrast to the predict your team in 6 years, since who knows what player movement will happen, let's do something where we know the players won't get traded. If you had to guess the lines for the Olympics for your country (or any country, if you're so inclined) in 2014 who would you pick?
I'll start with USA:
Kessel-Gomez-Gionta
O'Sullivan-Schremp-Ryan
Higgins-Lewis-Okposo
Brown-Kesler-Umberger
ex: Parise, Bochenski
hm: Fritsche, Gaustad, Cole
Johnson-Johnson
Suter-Komisarek
Ballard-Gleason
ex: Chelios
hm: Welch, Carle
Miller
Dipietro
ex: Howard
hmL Schneider
Assuming the world hasn't ended by then, here's a rough groundwork for Finland:
Forwards
Tuomo Ruutu, 30/31
Mikko Koivu, 30
Olli Jokinen, 35
Perttu Lindgren, 26
Valtteri Filppula, 29
Jussi Jokinen, 30
Toni Rajala, 22
Mikael Granlund, 21/22
Lauri Tukonen, 27
Lauri Korpikoski, 27
Sean Bergenheim, 29/30
Petteri Nokelainen, 28
Defensemen
Joni Pitkänen, 30
Mr. A
Mr. B
Mr. C
Mr. X
Mr. Y
Mr. Z
Goaltenders
Kari Lehtonen, 30
Hannu Toivonen, 29
Tuukka Rask, 26
Long story short: A gazillion centers and equally many goalies, while wingers and defensemen are virtually extinct.
I love this guessing games. It's always fun to look back on them a few years later..with very mixed results...
Zetterberg - Bäckström - Pääjärvi
Backlund - Berglund - Möller
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Bergfors
Steen - A. Sundström - Sjöström
N. Kronwall - V. Hedman
Strålman - Grossman
D. Persson - Tallinder
Lundqvist
Enroth
Idoff (hmm no )
This could be an awesome team if prospects like Backlund, Möller and Pääjärvi develops good. And yet I had to cut some serious talent from the team:
Forwards: C. Söderberg, Loui Eriksson, Robert Nilsson, Påhlsson, Lander, Lagerström, Carning etc...
Defensemen: Öhlund, Bäckman, A. Mylläri, Edler, Rahimi etc.
Goalies: Ridderwall, Daniel Larsson, Gistedt, Modig etc.
Things might look very good for Sweden in 2014!
I'll try Canada
Lampman-Trentney-Jones
Fliggington-Spearton-McCaphrey
L'Afflete-Hoffinger-Belacouer
Howardson-Worthy-Mandel
Taxi squad - Trumpman, Goosington
Sleever-L'Abbe
Hortingsmith-Jollifue
Smithers-Burns
Taxi squad - Jockington
Brodeur
Huffrey
Bingaling
I know, I know....Hoffinger over Gorgensmith. I just think 'The Hoff' has better big game upside.
Wrote this seven years ago, but it seems that I might be correct. At least Joensuu should be in the team.It is sure that there will be at least two players who have "Pori" as their birthplace in Finnish team...