Sochi Games: Team Canada

[KennyBanyeah]

No Spezza invited?

I know he had injury issues this year but the last time the NHL played a full schedule he was the fourth leading scorer in the league and won more faceoffs than anyone not named Toews (IIRC).

Him and Tavares seem to have outstanding chemistry too.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Interesting to see Marc Methot invited.

Obviously I'm a homer but I'd personally put him on the team.

Of all the pure, stay-at-home, massive defensemen at Canada's disposal he's the most mobile.

His defensive, physical game would translate well to the big rink, IMO. I'd have him there as a #6-8 D for his penalty killing alone.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Interesting to see Marc Methot invited.

Obviously I'm a homer but I'd personally put him on the team.

Of all the pure, stay-at-home, massive defensemen at Canada's disposal he's the most mobile.

His defensive, physical game would translate well to the big rink, IMO. I'd have him there as a #6-8 D for his penalty killing alone.

Seriously? If Methot makes the team it would be as shocking as Hamonic making Canada's roster.

 

[forty_three]

Seriously? If Methot makes the team it would be as shocking as Hamonic making Canada's roster.

You know how I know you haven't seen him play a lot?

 

[dash]

I think Methot is in tough to make Team Canada, but hey we can't all have offensive defenseman on the team. It shows what they think of his play that he earned an invite.

That said, I think I would take a guy like Dan Hamhuis over Marc Methot.

 

[thedddd]

Wait on MAF!?!? biggest mistake ever. No that is a good team and should be in the gold medal game again.

 

[DevilishWon]

I like Fleury not getting an invite lol

I'm a little disappointed personally.....

 

[RangersReds03]

I was hoping Girardi would get an invite but I don't know who you leave off from that list.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

I was hoping Girardi would get an invite but I don't know who you leave off from that list.

Girardi would have been good to include.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Seriously? If Methot makes the team it would be as shocking as Hamonic making Canada's roster.

Yes, I am serious.

I don't think for a second that he'll make the team but if I was picking he would. You can't have all 1st pairing guys. Methot would kill penalties and play 8 minutes a night if he was asked without complaint. He doesn't need huge minutes like a lot of these guys.

On a roster as big as an Olympic team I would have no issue including a defensive specialist. Methot would be at, or near, the top of my list because of his combination of size, mobility and positioning.

 

[juliansteed]

I'm really surprised by the exclusion of Jarome Iginla. I know he's a bit past his prime and for that reason wouldn't be a guarantee to make the team but I at least thought he'd get an invitation. That's a pretty big snub as far as I'm concerned. I actually thought that if he were to make the team that he should be captain.

 

[dash]

I'm really surprised by the exclusion of Jarome Iginla. I know he's a bit past his prime and for that reason wouldn't be a guarantee to make the team but I at least thought he'd get an invitation. That's a pretty big snub as far as I'm concerned. I actually thought that if he were to make the team that he should be captain.

I'm not that surprised and as most people know, I'm a big Iggy fan. To use an Indiana Jones quote, "It's not the years, it's the mileage". He has definitely lost a step and I think the emergence of the young guys has pushed Iggy to the sidelines. It certainly doesn't help matters when certain media pundits continue to take shots at Jarome (yet other Penguins forwards seem to escape criticism).

/It should be noted that there are 25 spots on the roster (up from 23 in 2010), and injuries could open up a chance for guys who are not invited to the summer camp.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

anyone think Iggy could possibly have gone all soccer player and told Yzerman he will pass on national team duties and let some young blood have a shot?

 

[dash]

anyone think Iggy could possibly have gone all soccer player and told Yzerman he will pass on national team duties and let some young blood have a shot?

I suppose it's possible, but I really think that Yzerman and company want a fast, skilled team in Sochi on the large ice. He was that young fast stud back in 2002 and still had some sweet hands in 2010 in Vancouver, but Father Time catches up with everyone.

 

[CantTouchThis]

Team Canada better either plan to score 5+ goals a game or only select the best defensive defensmen if they wanna have a shot to repeat. If something happens to Crawford, they are screwed. The other 4 goalies they picked have no shot to lead the team to gold.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Yes, I am serious.

I don't think for a second that he'll make the team but if I was picking he would. You can't have all 1st pairing guys. Methot would kill penalties and play 8 minutes a night if he was asked without complaint. He doesn't need huge minutes like a lot of these guys.

On a roster as big as an Olympic team I would have no issue including a defensive specialist. Methot would be at, or near, the top of my list because of his combination of size, mobility and positioning.

I don't want to hear he'll be a nice guy & be willing to play 8 minutes per night. Tavares will gladly take a 4th line Center role to make this roster as would any player on the invited list. They all want to play for their Country in a BAD WAY.

 

[puckhead]

No Spezza invited?

Constructing a Team Canada roster from orientation camp snubs | Backhand Shelf | Blogs | theScore.com

not a bad B team.
and add to that the dozen or so from the camp list that won't be on the team
I'd say it would have a decent shot to medal.

 

[dash]

Ice size is overrated

 

[Darkstone42]

There is no question Canada will score goals. That is a ton of offensive talent, forwards and defensemen. Preventing goals could be a problem, though, especially with that many aggressively offensive-minded defensemen and no true shut down goalie.

 

[dash]

There is no question Canada will score goals. That is a ton of offensive talent, forwards and defensemen. Preventing goals could be a problem, though, especially with that many aggressively offensive-minded defensemen and no true shut down goalie.

Yeah, I think (hope) that Yzerman and company go with linemates and defense pairs in order to have that familiarity factor. I mean, Toews is pretty much a lock, so it makes sense to have Patrick Sharp on the team. Likewise, Duncan Keith is pretty much a shoo-in, so Seabrook as a defensive partner would be a nice fit.

/My three goalies at this time would be Luongo, Price, and Crawford and you ride the hot goalie after the prelim games are complete.