Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
That's what it reminds me of too.
That team left guys like Giroux, Eric Staal, Hall, and Seguin at home, scratched Subban most games, but were dominant defensively and won the tournament.
But I'm still not sure taking guys like Kunitz or Marleau over Giroux or Staal was the right decision even though they won. In the end that team probably ended up relying on Price more than it needed to and was a bit lucky that they won 1-0 against USA with Price getting a 31 save shutout.
And personally I look back at the 2002 and 2010 teams a lot more favourably than I do the 2014 team because as a fan seeing the best players playing together and against each other is what makes these tournaments fun.
And for every 2014 team that wins that way, you have a 2006 team that loses in embarrassing fashion because you took Ryan Smith, Shane Doan and Kris Draper over Sydney Crosby, Eric Staal, and Jason Spezza.
As you said though there are different ways to win, and in the end if you win it doesn't matter and luck plays a big factor in it all in the end too, but I'd rather take the best players and end up winning or losing than take a team trying to win a certain way and end up winning or losing.
Historically for hockey Canada they've won and lost both ways but I'd argue there are a lot more question marks if you lose with the team that left some of their best players at home, and generally those teams are led by coaches that think they know better than others.
|
Couldn't agree more. Hockey Canada has been obsessed with recreating the 2014 olympics and playing "perfect hockey" since it happened. Even though that 2014 team was stacked and the players just played a great two way game, which is different than just having two way players, which is what TC seems to think will work. There wasn't a guy on the 2014 team who wouldn't be out first shift in OT on their team, you definitely can't say the same for this WJC squad. Play a two way game, sure. But who do you lean on when you need a goal to break through a stifling defense? I'm probably looking at the OHL leading scorer or some top 10 draft picks, not 3 guys with 50 points in the last 3 years.