HabLover
Registered User
I guess they don't have any spots left, but guys like Bergeron, Vanek, Ovechkin, etc. are there and are only 2 to 3 yrs older than him. It would be no different than at the World Juniors against those guys.
HabLover said:I guess they don't have any spots left, but guys like Bergeron, Vanek, Ovechkin, etc. are there and are only 2 to 3 yrs older than him. It would be no different than at the World Juniors against those guys.
Kritty said:You're missing one HUGE difference. The Worlds are against the top professional players while the WJC is against the top under 20 players. That is completely different. I think it would be a huge mistake playing Crosby against pro level talent at this point. Plus, how do you justify taking a 16 year old kid just finished his 1st season of junior to the Worlds over guys that are playing in the professional ranks. Sorry, but this one makes no sense to me and shouldn't even be considered, which is most likely exactly the case.
JasonMacIsaac said:The thing is I actually think Crosby could play at the Worlds and not look out of place. It isn't like many of these teams are that physical, I think his skill would hold up. Give him a speedster like Friesen and I think they may actually do something.
I agree. There's no danger of running into the Philadelphia Flyers or anything like that, so why not? He's playing in a league right now that has around 4 20 year olds (hmmm... 4 20, eh?) each, and he led every single one of them in scoring by a long shot. Give him more ice against less physical opponents, and I bet you he and Ovechkin give us the show of a lifetime. It would be a good ramp up for him also, as the hockey is very fast, and he'd get the experience of reading the faster play and using his skill while physical play is less of a threat. There are no doubt minimum age limits forbidding him, or something of the like, but there should be no doubt that he could play and not look out of place in this kind of tournament. Maybe he couldn't jump into an NHL playoff game, but he could jump into the WCs, IMO.JasonMacIsaac said:The thing is I actually think Crosby could play at the Worlds and not look out of place. It isn't like many of these teams are that physical, I think his skill would hold up. Give him a speedster like Friesen and I think they may actually do something.
No.Give him a couple of years.The kid made an impact in the Q.Not the pro ranks.Fredrik said:Saying that Crosby should be on the World Championship team is saying that Crosby is good enough to play in the NHL. Is he?
That is a ridiculous question. Of course he is good enough to play in the NHL.Fredrik said:Saying that Crosby should be on the World Championship team is saying that Crosby is good enough to play in the NHL. Is he?
pei fan said:That is a ridiculous question. Of course he is good enough to play in the NHL.
Try to imagine a gm being allowed to have Crosby on his team next year and
the gm saying no thanks.I don't think so.
Fredrik said:What about this season? He's not Gretzky and it's not realistic to believe Crosby could play in the NHL this season. All Canada's forwards play in the NHL.
Either way, it's a good point. I believe you're right, and even if it was the Olympics rather than WCs, isn't that still directly comparable (international ice, competition, etc)? If Canada had more than enough players to start the tourney, that'd be one thing. As more teams get eliminated, there will be even more NHL talent to choose from. I think it would've been great of Hockey Canada to bring him over at the beginning to maybe play against Austria or some other round robin opponent to see how he does, and keep him there for the experience. It's a small price to pay to develop the future leader of Team Canada IMO.Auld Cents 20 said:Didnt Spezza play in the World Championships after his jr season with Brampton was finished...or was he just playing with the Canadian Olympic team?
True, he wouldn't look that out of place, but will he give Canada a better shot at winning the championship than an NHLer?JasonMacIsaac said:The thing is I actually think Crosby could play at the Worlds and not look out of place. It isn't like many of these teams are that physical, I think his skill would hold up. Give him a speedster like Friesen and I think they may actually do something.
HabLover said:I guess they don't have any spots left, but guys like Bergeron, Vanek, Ovechkin, etc. are there and are only 2 to 3 yrs older than him. It would be no different than at the World Juniors against those guys.
The Big P said:True, he wouldn't look that out of place, but will he give Canada a better shot at winning the championship than an NHLer?
me2 said:How's he going to play when 210+lb defensemen start targetting him for extra hits to put him off his game. I'd be more worried about a Ruutu hit on him sending him to Disneyland than a lack of ability. The Ruutu's wouldn't back off hitting anyone, Crosby would be an extra tempting target. Are his team mates going to feel obliged to fight anyone that nails just because he a kid and they feel he needs protecting?
Really its not that important a tournament and there is little to gain taking him this year.
Kritty said:You're missing one HUGE difference. The Worlds are against the top professional players while the WJC is against the top under 20 players. That is completely different. I think it would be a huge mistake playing Crosby against pro level talent at this point. Plus, how do you justify taking a 16 year old kid just finished his 1st season of junior to the Worlds over guys that are playing in the professional ranks. Sorry, but this one makes no sense to me and shouldn't even be considered, which is most likely exactly the case.
Vincent_TheGreat said:blah, blah, blah, same crap as always!!!
Epsilon said:So it's "crap" to favour seasoned NHL talent over developing junior players for an international competition where the goal is to field your best possible team? You were sure singing a different tune in that Ovechkin vs. Bergeron thread. Also, there is the fact that Gretzky is using the WCs as an audition of sorts for the open slots on the World Cup team for Canada. Of course, I'm sure at least some posters here think Crosby should be on that team as well...
Crosbyfan said:Nope, 2006 Oympics would be fine with me!