Olympics: 2014 - Canada Roster Discussion (Part IV)

[JackSlater]

What made Richards and Nash flanking Toews effective in 2010 was their dogged puck pursuit and ability to win puck battles on the back check. That line tore apart the vaunted Ovechkin-Malkin-Semin line. Those Russian stars tended to start moving laterally as they his the neutral zone and the Toews line pressured Ovy and Malkin specifically right as the Canadian defense stood them up near the blue line, creating turnover after turnover. Two key goals, Canada-Russia (3-0) and Canada-USA (1-0), were created solely by Toews and Richards ability to strip opponents of the puck.

Speed and puck pursuit on the back check will be just as critical in Sochi 2014. Toews and Nash remain world class players in that regard, and if Richards still has it a year from now (I don't watch him much these days) then put him on that line. If not, go with a player that can enable them to replicate their Olympic performance from 2010.

Very good points. Richards should still get loads of consideration.

 

[coursy17]

Maybe its just me but I'm over Patrice Bergeron, I don't think he is better than some of the eligible players. I get he's great in the dot but I don't think he's worth cutting someone else.

Neal Crosby Nash

Stamkos Toews Tavares

Perry Giroulx E.Staal

Benn Getzlaf Hall
Eberle

Weber Doughty
Pietro Letang
Keith Seabrook
M.Staal

Price
Fleury
Ward

 

[JackSlater]

Maybe its just me but I'm over Patrice Bergeron, I don't think he is better than some of the eligible players. I get he's great in the dot but I don't think he's worth cutting someone else.

Neal Crosby Nash

Stamkos Toews Tavares

Perry Giroulx E.Staal

Benn Getzlaf Hall
Eberle

Weber Doughty
Pietro Letang
Keith Seabrook
M.Staal

Price
Fleury
Ward

If you were looking for a number 1 centre, Getzlaf is a better player than Bergeron. As a fourth line centre, you aren't getting any PP time and you should be expected to play on the PK. In these circumstances, and given the international ice, it seems like Bergeron is the far more valuable player.

 

[EstoSens]

Here's my projected line-up.

Stamkos Crosby St. Louis
Tavares Giroux Perry
E. Staal Toews Nash
Benn Bergeron Iginla
Getzlaf

LD RD
Pietro Weber
Doughty Letang
Keith Seabrook
Boyle

G
Price
Luongo


PK: Toews - Giroux
Bergeron - Benn

 

[1Gold Standard]

Here's my projected line-up.

Stamkos Crosby St. Louis
Tavares Giroux Perry
E. Staal Toews Nash
Benn Bergeron Iginla
Getzlaf

LD RD
Pietro Weber
Doughty Letang
Keith Seabrook
Boyle

G
Price
Luongo


PK: Toews - Giroux
Bergeron - Benn

Have you read any of the above posts? We all know certain players have to adapt to different roles on the NT; but seriously? You really think Captain Ego Getzlaf can be an effective 13th skater, a limited ice-time player? When considering players that may have to play a somewhat different role than they normally do with their club teams, ask yourself can that player perform that role? To my mind, if Getzlaf is on the team, it is either as the number 1 or 2 center positions, and since Canada has about arguably 10-12 better options at center for large European ice, I say Getzlaf doesn't make it. Neither does his buddy Perry, nor does Iginla who's better days are behind him. Good grief...that's it...I'll never respond to another post that includes Getzlaf, Perry or Iginla on the roster. I'm a broken record on the topic of those 3.

 

[Ogrim]

Role playing and some diversity age wise.

Benn-Crosby-Giroux
Stamkos-Tavares-St Louis
Sharp-Toews-Nash
E.Staal-Bergeron-Seguin
13th: Marchand or Richards

 

[sickest flow bro]

Nash (A)-Crosby (A)-Stamkos
Eberle-Giroux-Tavares
Getzlaf-Toews (C)-Perry
Benn-E.Staal-Seguin
Neal

Weber (A)-Doughty
Letang-Pietrangelo
Keith-Seabrook
M.Staal

Price
Luongo
Ward

 

[chisholm20]

My latest stab at Team Canada 2014;

Line 1:Tavares Crosby Stamkos
Line 2:Hall Toews Perry
Line 3:Kane E. Staal Giroux
Line 4:Nash Bergeron Seguin
Benn

Keith Doughty
Staal Pietrangelo
Bouwmeester Weber
Letang

Price
Luongo
Fleury

 

[Cory Trevor]

With the D core almost locked up, is there any concern that there might be a bit of a weakness on the backend? Letang's not the most solid defensively and Doughty, though solid at times, isn't picture perfect either. I understand the concern for more mobile Dmen though and with the full top six all but locks to make the team in any other capacity with different personnel might be unwise.
Kieth, Letang, Pietro, Weber, Seabrook, Doughty are how I see it shaping up.

 

[1Gold Standard]

With the D core almost locked up, is there any concern that there might be a bit of a weakness on the backend? Letang's not the most solid defensively and Doughty, though solid at times, isn't picture perfect either. I understand the concern for more mobile Dmen though and with the full top six all but locks to make the team in any other capacity with different personnel might be unwise.
Kieth, Letang, Pietro, Weber, Seabrook, Doughty are how I see it shaping up.

If Letang makes the roster I don't see him as being in the TOP 6, replace him with a left shooting Marc Staal to play with either Weber or AP, the 7th. d-man will be a mobile fast-skating puck moving d-man, but will be relegated to PP time or injury replacement. You're going overkill on the right-handed d-man that are all of a similar sort of skill set. But a bottom pairing of Staal and Letang wouldn't be such a bad experiment to try as well, as both played in the 07 World Juniors and if memory serves did get paired up a bit... I'm sure you remember the thrilling shoot-out in the semis orchestrated by Captain Serious Towes.

 

[JackSlater]

With the D core almost locked up, is there any concern that there might be a bit of a weakness on the backend? Letang's not the most solid defensively and Doughty, though solid at times, isn't picture perfect either. I understand the concern for more mobile Dmen though and with the full top six all but locks to make the team in any other capacity with different personnel might be unwise.
Kieth, Letang, Pietro, Weber, Seabrook, Doughty are how I see it shaping up.

Not really concerned. Doughty has always been extremely impressive in international hockey. Letang is average defensively, but so are tons of defencemen from every other national team, and the mobile ones tend to be quite successful internationally. I wouldn't want Letang paired with another offensive defenceman, but I think he would be great with M. Staal, Hamhuis or even Pietrangelo.

 

[86Habs]

With the D core almost locked up, is there any concern that there might be a bit of a weakness on the backend? Letang's not the most solid defensively and Doughty, though solid at times, isn't picture perfect either. I understand the concern for more mobile Dmen though and with the full top six all but locks to make the team in any other capacity with different personnel might be unwise.
Kieth, Letang, Pietro, Weber, Seabrook, Doughty are how I see it shaping up.

I was at the Canucks-Kings game last night, and Dan Hamhuis was excellent. Nice pinch on the first goal, but more importantly the guy is just very solid defensively. Great mobility, great gap control and positioning, takes the body effectively, and makes quick, smart outlet passes. A very smart, effective player. I've been a proponent of his for a while, but I'd certainly like to see him as a bottom-pairing guy for us.

As an aside, Richards was fairly invisible (I don't see many Kings games, but given his stats this doesn't seem to be unusual). The most effective Kings forward was Justin Williams, and Carter was pretty noticeable as well. Hockey Canada loves Carter, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him at the summer camp. Doughty was good, showed flashes of brilliance, but overall was only pretty good. He left me wanting more. Overall the Kings didn't look great, though.

 

[Mehar]

Any thoughts on Evander Kane or Matt Moulson making it? I would have said no about three weeks back, but having watched them both play a couple of times on the dish this past week or so, i am warming up to them as possibilities. On the big ice, Moulson or Kane next to a guy like Tavares would be a good look. Anyone else agree?

 

[1Gold Standard]

Any thoughts on Evander Kane or Matt Moulson making it? I would have said no about three weeks back, but having watched them both play a couple of times on the dish this past week or so, i am warming up to them as possibilities. On the big ice, Moulson or Kane next to a guy like Tavares would be a good look. Anyone else agree?

Evander is a power forward and despite he's great skating, I don't think he is well suited for a big ice European game where a lot of the play goes east west, Kane is a north-south kind of player. At least what I've seen of him on big ice, he's been rather disappointing. Looks as though he will get another shot at the World Championships this spring, so it's his last chance to impress the folks at hockey Canada if he hopes to make it. I'm betting he doesn't quite make the cut. re: Moulson given that he's been available to play at the WC for the past few years and is always ignored by HC I doubt HC gives him any serious consideration for the Olympics. But who knows this is a Stevie Y run venture and he is more open minded than some of the folks at HC.

 

[hitmen19]

Any thoughts on Evander Kane or Matt Moulson making it? I would have said no about three weeks back, but having watched them both play a couple of times on the dish this past week or so, i am warming up to them as possibilities. On the big ice, Moulson or Kane next to a guy like Tavares would be a good look. Anyone else agree?

i can see them both being invited to camp, but i don't think moulson has much of a chance. Kane, i think with his speed has a chance to make it. I think about 90% of people had Eberle on their rosters before the season started, now I barely see him on anybody's roster. Just shows that with Canada's talent pool available, the team and spots on the team will up grabs into next season.

 

[JackSlater]

Any thoughts on Evander Kane or Matt Moulson making it? I would have said no about three weeks back, but having watched them both play a couple of times on the dish this past week or so, i am warming up to them as possibilities. On the big ice, Moulson or Kane next to a guy like Tavares would be a good look. Anyone else agree?

Moulson is a quality hockey player, but I highly doubt he gets a look for the Olympics. Fairly or not, he is widely viewed as a product of Tavares. He will probably get an invite to the WC this year, and he would have to be excellent there to have any chance.

Kane is a player that I am really warming up to. Great speed and good size, and importantly he isn't a player who needs the puck on his stick at all times to be effective. In the Winnipeg games I've seen this year I have been quite impressed with him on the forecheck, and I could see him being used as the guy doing dirty work on a line for Canada.

I would be pretty interested in seeing something like Kane - Crosby - Tavares, with Kane's responsibilities mainly being forechecking, digging in the corners, creating space and finishing quality opportunities. It should be clear that Crosby needs to play with straight line players who are willing to get dirty, and I think Kane could fit the bill.

 

[WhiteLight*]

my team changes week to week.
I'm so confused, so many possibilities.



Tavares – Crosby – Eberle
Stamkos – Getzlaf – Perry
Staal – Toews – Nash
Benn – Bergeron – Giroux
Seguin

Pietrangelo – Weber
Keith – Doughty
Staal – Letang
Seabrook

Price
Luongo
Fleury

 

[simplysincere*]

The core of the 2010 team will likely be the core of the 2014 team. Management is always loyal to its players, especially players that have won big for the country in previous tournaments. Players such as Iginla, and Brodeur who have won two golds, will be on the team, unless they are injured or decline.

I've compiled a list of the players that will be asked to join the summer tryout camp.

Forwards

Getzlaf(Lock)
Perry(Lock)
Bergeron(Lock)
Seguin
Iginla(Lock)
E.Staal
J.Staal
Sharp
Toews(Lock)
Benn
Hall
Nugent-Hopkins
Eberle
Carter
M.Richards
Heatley
Tavares(Lock)
Nash
B.Richards
Spezza
Giroux
Crosby(Lock)
Neal
Thornton
Marleau
Stamkos(Lock)
St. Louis
Kane

Defenseman

Keith(Lock)
Seabrook(Lock)
Campbell
Doughty(Lock)
Weber(Lock)
M.Staal
Girardi
Letang
Boyle(Lock)
Pietrangelo
Bieksa
Green


Goalies

Ward
Price
Brodeur(Lock)
Fleury
Luongo


Also, consider that there may be some young players who may play exceptionally well, from now until the team is finalized, which will force the hand of management to chose him (much like Doughty in 2010).

The team will likely look like this...

Stamkos Crosby Toews
Tavares Bergeron Spezza
Iginla Getzlaf Perry
Marleau Thornton E.Staal
Nash

Keith Seabrook
Weber Doughty
Boyle Letang
Pietrangelo

Brodeur
Luongo
Ward

 

[Tutu to]

perry does not belong on this team.

the locks imo are:

doughty,webber,keith,letang and pietrangelo.

crosby, stamkos, tavares, giroux, toews and nash

 

[86Habs]

perry does not belong on this team.

the locks imo are:

doughty,webber,keith,letang and pietrangelo.

crosby, stamkos, tavares, giroux, toews and nash

Agreed re: Perry. I'd consider Eric Staal a lock at this point too; he's playing excellent hockey this year and his versatility and experience would add a lot to this team.

 

[hitmen19]

perry does not belong on this team.

the locks imo are:

doughty,webber,keith,letang and pietrangelo.

crosby, stamkos, tavares, giroux, toews and nash

agree with these being the locks with staal like mentioned above. no way is iginla a lock, and I would say is a long shot to make the team at this point. his speed is gone, and won't be suitable to the big rink in Sochi. And i would also add, no way is Boyle a lock like the poster indicated above. In net, price is also a lock

 

[Mehar]

Forwards

Getzlaf(Lock)
Perry(Lock)
Bergeron(Lock)
Seguin
Iginla(Lock)
E.Staal
J.Staal
Sharp
Toews(Lock)
Benn
Hall
Nugent-Hopkins
Eberle
Carter
M.Richards
Heatley
Tavares(Lock)
Nash
B.Richards
Spezza
Giroux
Crosby(Lock)
Neal
Thornton
Marleau
Stamkos(Lock)
St. Louis
Kane
[/QUOTE]

Iginla and Bergeron are not, and should not be locks for Sochi. Bergeron did not play good hockey in the 2010 Olympics and his minutes were drastically cut as the Games went on. He was also poor on the faceoffs, and terrible offensively and defensively. No disrespect to Iginla, but if would consider younger guys ahead of him for Sochi. I like that James Neal, Evander Kane, and Jamie Benn are included in your training camp. These guys should all be considered for Sochi.

 

[Mehar]

Moulson is a quality hockey player, but I highly doubt he gets a look for the Olympics. Fairly or not, he is widely viewed as a product of Tavares. He will probably get an invite to the WC this year, and he would have to be excellent there to have any chance.

Kane is a player that I am really warming up to. Great speed and good size, and importantly he isn't a player who needs the puck on his stick at all times to be effective. In the Winnipeg games I've seen this year I have been quite impressed with him on the forecheck, and I could see him being used as the guy doing dirty work on a line for Canada.

I would be pretty interested in seeing something like Kane - Crosby - Tavares, with Kane's responsibilities mainly being forechecking, digging in the corners, creating space and finishing quality opportunities. It should be clear that Crosby needs to play with straight line players who are willing to get dirty, and I think Kane could fit the bill.

I am warming up to Kane as well for the exact same reasons. Also warming up to James Neal and Jamie Benn as well. 3 weeks ago, i was against guys like Kane, Neal and Benn, but their play has earned them the right to be in the mix. What do you think of Neal and Benn as well? Neal alongside Crosby for Sochi might be a good look, because of their familiarity as teammates.

 

[Cory Trevor]

Not really concerned. Doughty has always been extremely impressive in international hockey. Letang is average defensively, but so are tons of defencemen from every other national team, and the mobile ones tend to be quite successful internationally. I wouldn't want Letang paired with another offensive defenceman, but I think he would be great with M. Staal, Hamhuis or even Pietrangelo.

If the rosters are expanded, do you think these are the two additional DMen they carry? Personally If I were Canadian I'd rather see Staal than Seabrook. I think he's severely underrated with such a stunning D core ahead of him. Hamhuis is a bit underrated to. I know this won't happen as of Seabs' success which is going to win him a spot but Letang paired with a shut down guy would make a great third pairing. Not to mention Letang can be an extremely mobile DMan on the PP.

 

[JackSlater]

I am warming up to Kane as well for the exact same reasons. Also warming up to James Neal and Jamie Benn as well. 3 weeks ago, i was against guys like Kane, Neal and Benn, but their play has earned them the right to be in the mix. What do you think of Neal and Benn as well? Neal alongside Crosby for Sochi might be a good look, because of their familiarity as teammates.

With Benn, I find myself flip flopping quite a bit. I like that he can play any forward position and kill penalties. I find him pretty inconsistent when I watch him though, and I'm not sure that Canada needs another playmaker offensively.

Neal is an interesting case. He's basically just a finisher. This is good since Canada is so loaded with players who love to carry the puck, so it's important to have guys who do not need to carry it on their stick. If you put Neal with Crosby though, you still need someone to do the dirty work and provide some defensive cover, since those aren't particularly strong areas for Neal. If you plug that hole with an appropriate player, you still have Tavares, Stamkos, Giroux and others for the lower lines and things start getting crowded. Depending on how Neal does the rest of the year, the ideal situation that I see is putting him as a thirteenth forward type PP specialist. Otherwise, I don't see a spot for him.

If the rosters are expanded, do you think these are the two additional DMen they carry? Personally If I were Canadian I'd rather see Staal than Seabrook. I think he's severely underrated with such a stunning D core ahead of him. Hamhuis is a bit underrated to. I know this won't happen as of Seabs' success which is going to win him a spot but Letang paired with a shut down guy would make a great third pairing. Not to mention Letang can be an extremely mobile DMan on the PP.

I would be quite happy with either Staal or Hamhuis on the team. Both have good size and skating ability, and both play very strong defensive games. Left handed shots are a plus too. I haven't heard anything bad about either player when it comes to ego, so that's a plus when you're looking at the eighth defenceman. As of right now I would probably pick both to make the team.

Seabrook is similar to Bergeron for me. He was bad at the last Olympics, but he has unquestionably improved since that time. He's defensive minded, which is nice given the guys who are already locks. Most importantly, if things are going wrong he can be paired with Keith to give Canada an instant elite pairing that we know will work.