Love watching the drama unfold on this site. This why I come to CP.
My thoughts:
The Kunitz pick partially makes sense to me. In a short tournament like this, chemistry is everything . Him and Crosby have probably the best chemisty in league. He has also played well with Getzlaf and Perry before. My only issue is if/when Babcock decides to break him away from those guys. I think we all know he is a product of Sid. I just dont' see him producing that well with someone else. IMO he is only valuable to this team if he is playing with Crosby, Getzlaf or Perry. High risk/high reward pick.
Rick Nash. Don't really get this pick as St. Louis far and away should have been ahead of him. Having said that though, Nash always elevates his game for international play, and I think that is what the selection committee sees in him. He's had a poor season this year. But I have no doubt he will rise to the occasion. Again, high risk/high reward.
St. Louis As Jiri said, I honestly think St. Louis is one of the most jerked around players in the history of sports. The reigning Art Ross winner who is not even close to slowing down yet. He would be perfect for the big ice surface. And if Stamkos plays, their chemistry could easily be the difference between Gold or Silver. What more did this guy have to do to earn himself a spot? For all the accolades Nash brings to international play, St. Louis would have been the better choice. I don't know why, but I can't help but feel this is Lowe's fault he isn't on the team.
Thornton/Marleau. Joe would have been to slow in the larger surface. Yes he is an awesome playmaker on NHL ice. I would love to see him score 4 goals in front of the whole world. But he only had 5 points in the last 13 Olympic games. Tavares > Joe. Marleau makes sense. Great skater. I think he will play the least amount of minutes of any Canadian forward who plays however. Just a gut feelings.
Bouwmeester/Pietrangello. Can't believe some people think Bouw has no place on this team. The ice and surrounding cast is EXACTLY what will make him shine. He isn't the type of player to carry a team. But surround him with talent and he will shine like he is this season. Plus their chemistry plays a huge role in a tournament like this. Our #1 pairing and hopefully in the entire tournament.
Goaltending. I think Luongo gets the start, but if he has 1 bad game Price is the man. And I think he will do great. If any player in the league can handle pressure, it's Price after playing in the fishbowl that is Montreal. I don't think our goaltending is as bad as it's made out to be. If we lose, it certainly won't be because of it.
I'm extremely excited to see Tavares make the team. Been a huge fan of his since his WJC days. Just a gut feeling that if we win Gold, Tavares will be our MVP.
All in all I'm happy with the team. Sure there are some controversial picks, but it just goes to show how spoiled we all are in Canada to have such elite players. I just hope the ''its our game'' mentality doesn't go to the players' heads. Russia IMO is the team to beat (due to home ice) and we've consistenly seen the Canadian teams fold when they play overseas. Can't wait for the games to start!
|