Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
You can always debate this player over that player, but what concerns me is the age of the team. There are only 2 players under the age of 26, Hanley (24) and Celebrini. Two concerns:
1) teams that lack youth often have trouble generating energy
2) there will be other Olympics after this one, and part of the process is getting some young guys there, in order to gain experience so they are ready to lead next time.
IMO, there is room on the roster for Bedard and Schaufer - and maybe even Geekie
|
I don’t know if 1 is accurate for the olympics. Old guys giddy up just as much as young guys on the biggest stages (same with the nhl playoffs). The teams that won over the last 20 year, when NHL players played, seem to be mostly mid 20-mid 30 year old vets with a couple younger guys mixed in.
You’re right on 2 but there are plenty of international tournaments for young guys to knit in before the next Olympics. (Bedard could have done it this summer if he wanted to).
I like Schaefer a lot, and he might have a huge tournament, but he could just as easily be dominated. He’s also taken a step back in December from his screaming hot start. You don’t put a kid on a roster like this who’s gone from hot to just okay. He’ll be a lock for the next one at only 23. And Bedard is injured with an uncertain timeline for return. A team like Canada shouldn’t name an injured 20 year player, who at best comes in cold and at worst isn’t even healthy, to the Olympic team