[GDT] Team Canada Olympic Roster Announcment (8am MT)

[Coach]

Originally Posted by stemit14

I wonder how Crosby really feels about Kunitz being on the team... I'm sure they are good friends and they play well together but I watch a lot of Pittsburgh games and, obviously, plays tend to die on the sticks of Kunitz and dupuis more than they do on crosby's stick. Of course that's going to happen cause he's the best player in the world but he might prefer the opportunity to play with guys that have skills closer to his level.

Lots of us have played hockey with guys that are a lower skill level than we are and it can be frustrating at times. I know it can't really compare with NHLers playing with each other but Crosby may prefer the opportunity to have St. Louis and Stamkos on his wings for once instead of Kunitz and Dupuis.

This is an interesting point and I wonder if the HC brass would actually consult someone like Crosby about that. I know the players don't and shouldn't have any say in who makes a team, but if you're bringing guys based on chemistry it would make sense to ask if it was worth it.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by stemit14

I wonder how Crosby really feels about Kunitz being on the team... I'm sure they are good friends and they play well together but I watch a lot of Pittsburgh games and, obviously, plays tend to die on the sticks of Kunitz and dupuis more than they do on crosby's stick. Of course that's going to happen cause he's the best player in the world but he might prefer the opportunity to play with guys that have skills closer to his level.

Crosby loves playing with Kunitz. Neal is probably a better individual player than Kunitz, why don't they put Neal on that line instead? It's because Kunitz and Crosby make each other play better, and the Penguins coaching staff knows that.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Snipers generally aren't great in the shootout. Their prowess depends on catching goaltenders off-guard or out of position with quick hard shots. It's not really effective in the shootout, espeically with the size of most goalies.

I would go with skill guys Crosby, Tavares, Duchene, Toews, Perry

Nash is great in shootouts. Probably one of the factors in his selection.

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Even then, I don't think it could ever be regarded as a clear mistake. St Louis was not on the roster when Canada won in 2002 and 2010, but was a part of the 2006 team that did not medal. It's pretty hard to argue from past results that this omission could be construed as a mistake.

If Canada fails to win gold, it will likely not be because of one player. In 1998 and 2006 it was a result of several problems with the rosters, but more prominently also because of philosophical and systemic miscalculations by those who assembled the teams. Most likely, if Canada does not win gold in 2014, it will have to do with a bad game or even a single bad bounce, and these are things that are nearly impossible to plan for.

As you say, failure to win will likely not be because of one player. This also applies to 2006 when St. Louis played.

I just believe his hockey IQ is away above average, and as the defences of the other various teams improve with time, he could be the key to getting those all important goals through his ability to (1) be in the right place at the right time to score himself, or (2) set up someone else to score.

Plus, I believe his deserving presence, and his popularity among the players, could help improve team morale. It could also provide an incentive for all smaller players in our hockey system.

[dammage79]

The only thing that gets me about not adding St.Louis to this roster is the fact he is good enoough and is very likely his last chance at playing in the olympics (age, the fact the NHL may not return). Give an old man one last shot at glory. It's not like he'd be a liability out there.

[Hatter]

Darren Pang said on TSN 1260 this morning that Yzerman was St. Louis's only supporter. It came down to St. Louis vs. Duchene and the rest of the management group wanted Duchene.

Can't say I'm in agreement there. It just seems so natural to keep Stamkos and St. Louis together for a short tournament like this one.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by dammage79

The only thing that gets me about not adding St.Louis to this roster is the fact he is good enoough and is very likely his last chance at playing in the olympics (age, the fact the NHL may not return). Give an old man one last shot at glory. It's not like he'd be a liability out there.

Maybe St. Louis will retire in 3 years and play in the 2018 Olympics as a 42 year old when there is a good chance the NHLers won't be playing.

[trackercowe]

St. Louis was there in 2006 (didn't remember that), so it's not like he hasn't been there before. I just wonder if he is first on the list to be an injury replacement, or is he still behind a couple players.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Fire

Maybe St. Louis will retire in 3 years and play in the 2016 Olympics as a 42 year old when there is a good chance the NHLers won't be playing.

Probably a good bet the NHL won't make their players available for the summer games.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

St. Louis was there in 2006 (didn't remember that), so it's not like he hasn't been there before. I just wonder if he is first on the list to be an injury replacement, or is he still behind a couple players.

Someone said that they were hearing Giroux was likely first call up as a forward if needed

[doctajones428]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

Here's how it becomes a choice between Kunitz and Giroux: pick one of them and put him on Sidney Crosby's wing for the Olympics.

I pick both and put them on both of Crosby's wings

[Magnum PEI]

Originally Posted by Lchoy

Out of curiosity, what does everyone think the Shootout roster look like?
Crosby, Toews, Stamkos, Perry, Getzlaf all seem pretty sufficient

Career shootout%
Toews 47.7
Crosby 43.1
Kunitz 39.4
Nash 37.2
Getzlaf 35.6
Perry 34.8
Duchene 34.6
Benn 34.5
Bergeron 34.4
Marleau 29.7
Sharp 26.0
Tavares 25.8
Carter 25.0
Doughty 25.0 (only 8 shots)
Stamkos 21.4

[Magnum PEI]

Goalie shootout stats are a bit worrisome.


Price .699
Luongo .669
Smith .622

Lundqvist .757
Varlamov .750
Niemi .743
Halak .726
Lehtonen .724
Miller .713
Quick .705
Hiller .700
Rask .674
Bobrovsky .632
Pavelec .624

Who is Finland going to start?

[powderjunkie]

I really don't think it matters with this team, but who should wear letters?

To me, it's Luongo for captain all the way.







No wait, I mean Captain Crosby, with Toews, Weber and Bergeron as A.



On an unrelated note, are Bergeron, Luongo and Vlasic the only Quebecers on the team? Perhaps Quebec should secede just to send a second team...

[schteve_d]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

On an unrelated note, are Bergeron, Luongo and Vlasic the only Quebecers on the team? Perhaps Quebec should secede just to send a second team...

LUONGO'S FROM QUEBEC? I friiggin' shoulda known....

[Northendzone]

To me toews gets the C due to his his two Stanley cups.......

[Trailer Fire]

Do you think the Olympic committee would "Niedermayer" Iginla for 2018 if Iggy is still playing (probable) and producing at the point he is right now (Jagr anyone?) just to let him go out with honour and glory? Name him to the team, name him Captain, and hope he can help bring home another gold?

I was really hoping Iggy would be named to the team

[Flashpoint]

Crosby is the captain. Period.

Hard to be St Louis when your spot is given to a teammate with a broken leg, who you helped create. He's like Mark Recchi - what more can he do? Canada is just too deep.

Hope he's the first forward alternate. Gio obviously for D.

Thought Duhatschek had a interesting pre announcement comment Re: goalies. 3rd guy is there for a single circumstance. If in the gold medal game, your #1 was injured and your #2 was sick you need a guy who can come off the bench ice cold, with zero tourney experience and steal the game. I.e. the 3rd guy is picked based on competitive fire.

In 2002 it was Ed Belfour. Hard to argue.

This year Smith.

[doctajones428]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

Hard to be St Louis when your spot is given to a teammate with a broken leg, who you helped create.

I would say his spot was given to Nash/Carter/Sharp/Marleau, not Stamkos

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by doctajones428

I would say his spot was given to Nash/Carter/Sharp/Marleau, not Stamkos

Sharp was not on the bubble, he is playing as good as anyone on this team and probably the best 2 way player in the game right now. He was a LOCK