Team Canada at Mid November
Given the Stamkos injury, Giroux's slumping and Duchene playing all-world hockey, I thought it'd be a decent time to re-evaluate the Sochi roster. Who's played their way on to the team, and who's played their way off?
Played their way on: For me, Couture as a two-way force is on the team on the 4th line with Benn and Bergeron. Also Duchene, but that's obvious.
Played their way off: Eric Staal. The guy has been invisible. I originally had him LW'ing the "size" line with Getzlaf and Perry but I've got Jumbo Joe there instead now.
On the hot seat: Giroux hasn't quite lost his spot yet, but he's no longer starting for me. Hall was hurt, but when playing still looks dangerous as long as he's not being asked to carry a line, so I'm keeping him on the "scoring only" line that I'd like to see deployed against the soft underbelly of the roster that exists on almost every other team in the tourney.
I'm still in favour of selecting defensemen to play their natural side - no RD's playing LD on the big ice. It's a recipe for disaster when one mistake can cost you the tournament. So my D pairings haven't changed at all.
In goal, the only change for me is that Price has clearly played his way back onto the squad, and might have played himself into presumptive starter position over Luongo.
Toews Crosby St Louis
Hall Tavares Duchene
Thornton Getzlaf Perry
Benn Bergeron Couture
Sharp Giroux
Keith Doughty
Bouwmeester Pietrangelo
Hamhuis Weber
Subban
Price Luongo Smith
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