48 Hours to Team Selection - Choose Team Canada Forwards

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Kunitz - Crosby - Stamkos
Benn - Getzlaf - Perry
St. Louis - Toews - Sharp
Duchesne - Tavares - Bergeron

E.Staal
Giroux


Tough leaving guys like Seguin off the list. Don't want Nash anywhere near the team.

[Knut]

I think Staal is out of the question at this point and I just can not see Kunitz there as Crosby makes everyone that plays with him better.

My lineup

St. Louis - Crosby - Stamkos
Duchene - Toews - Giroux
Tavares - Getlzlaf - Perry
Benn - Bergeron - Sharp

Extra's :
Seguin
Couture

[Flash Walken]

I can't believe the vitriol towards Nash.

Like he ran over a pack of dogs.

He was a ppg player as recently as last season.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I can't believe the vitriol towards Nash.

Like he ran over a pack of dogs.

He was a ppg player as recently as last season.

I was close to including Nash.. i just think that there are better two-way options right now than him. He can not really slide onto the 4th line and who do you take out of the top 9 Wingers in place of him ?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Hesla

I was close to including Nash.. i just think that there are better two-way options right now than him. He can not really slide onto the 4th line and who do you take out of the top 9 Wingers in place of him ?

Nash can play 4th line international Olympic minutes no problem.

Ken hitchcock loves him. Pretty significant endorsement of his 3 zone skills.

It's really shocking to me that people would prefer Kunitz to Nash.

[You Need a Thneed]

Bergeron is going to be on the team, and playing centre. His 62% FO winning percentage ensures that.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Nash can play 4th line international Olympic minutes no problem.

Ken hitchcock loves him. Pretty significant endorsement of his 3 zone skills.

It's really shocking to me that people would prefer Kunitz to Nash.

Fair enough... I personally do not think Kunitz makes it.

If Nash is on the team I am not upset, i just think he would be there more to play with someone defensively Responsible (like Toews), which would make him more effective. I just can not see him beating out guys like Duchene, Sharp, Benn at this point.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

It's really shocking to me that people would prefer Kunitz to Nash.

It's shocking to me that anyone would pick Nash over Kunitz.

Kunitz - 44GP, 47PTS, +22, 11PPG, 4GWG

Nash - 26 GP, 16PTS, -3, 1PPG, 2GWG

Yes, Kunitz plays with Crosby so his stats will be a bit inflated. But I've seen the Pens play plenty this season and Kunitz isn't just a passenger on that line, he's played great hockey and is a a reason both he and Crosby have so many points.

Nash, on the other hand, has not looked good when I've watched him this season. Certainly does not look like an elite player, he looks slow and 'off' his game.

It's a short tourney. You don't take a player like Nash just because he's been there before. You take him if he's been there before and he's playing well now, which he is not. Crosby does not have to get acclimatized to a new winger if Kunitz goes. Kunitz is playing great, and playing great with Crosby. Not sure why it would be shocking to see him picked.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Bergeron is going to be on the team, and playing centre. His 62% FO winning percentage ensures that.

plus the guy is absolutely clutch in a tough game.

If Nash isn't concussed and out for over a month this season, he's probably going to make it.

[burn_this_city]

I've never understood the love for Nash, he's big and has an amazing shot, that's about it. I've never thought of him as a superstar game breaker.

[red sky]

Special teams are crucial.

I am trying to think of which players would be useful on the PK:

PK1: Bergeron - Giroux
PK2: Toews - Couture

Mix in Getzlaf in there and you have some strong centers to win draws and control possession.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

He dominated the Russians in Vancouver, and the coaching staff for Canada loves what he brings in all 3 zones in a short tournament. Hitch loves him. That counts for a lot, as shown by that US selection article. Babcock obviously likes what he brings as well, he played the hell out of him in a couple games if memory serves.

Nash is a good player.

It wasn't hard for anyone to look good in that game against the Russians, they forgot to show up. Nash isn't good enough to crack the top 6 from a pure offense standpoint, and I don't believe his defensive game will be good enough to be a bottom 6 player, especially on the bigger ice. Any game I've seen him play since joining the Rangers he's looked like a passenger most of the time. He managed to put up good numbers last year but completely disappeared in the playoffs, and now this year he can't even get the easy points anymore

There are several better options for a roster spot than him, and I suspect that if he does make it it'll be because the brass are picking favorites (which worked so well in '06)

[Knut]

Getzlaf, Bergeron, Richards, Toews, Giroux, Couture, Carter, Staal are in order of most Time On Ice during PK's this season, for eligible Team Canada players

[GilmourforLeeman]

James Neal should be on the team..he'd be better alongside Crosby than Kunitz along with a better fit for the other lines if needed.

Not sure why he's not being mentioned in the same breath as Kunitz or Nash..Neal is having a great season so far..

[Coach]

Originally Posted by GilmourforLeeman

James Neal should be on the team..he'd be better alongside Crosby than Kunitz along with a better fit for the other lines if needed.

Not sure why he's not being mentioned in the same breath as Kunitz or Nash..Neal is having a great season so far..

Also good for giving an opposing player a knee to the face...if you're into that sort of thing...

[GilmourforLeeman]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Also good for giving an opposing player a knee to the face...if you're into that sort of thing...

Creative ways to be labelled as the enforcer on the team as well! 2 in 1!

:P

[moon]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I can't believe the vitriol towards Nash.

Like he ran over a pack of dogs.

He was a ppg player as recently as last season.

This season he isn't close to being a PPG player the last full season he played he wasn't close to being a PPG player and the season before that he wasn't close to a PPG player.

So he has one lock-out shortened season in his past 3.5 when he was a PPG player. Through in his injury this year and I find it tough to see how he is making it over guys who are healthy, with better stats and can actually play defense.

[Fire]

I can't believe the Flames fans who picked Eberle. Seriously? Shame on you all!

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I can't believe the vitriol towards Nash.

Like he ran over a pack of dogs.

He was a ppg player as recently as last season.

42 points in 44 games is as close to a PPG player he's ever been. He was also spectacularly awful in the playoffs last season (one goal in two rounds).

[Tinordi]

When I look at it though who is Nash really bumping? Benn and E. Staal for my votes. I just think that the difference there isn't big enough to knock Nash off. I certainly like Nash more than Staal to play the wing. And Nash's experience and international pedigree bump Benn who's having a great year no doubt but he's slower and unproven . I just don't see Benn having that much bigger of an upside over Nash to make up for Nash's impressive previous history playing in big international tournaments.

And some context is important. Nash got a concussion to start the season so he's still finding his groove. He'll have another month still to shake off the cobwebs and find his form. To me the decision is easy for Nash as the 13th forward at least.