TSN - Preliminary Team Canada Olympic Roster

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

I totally agree with you, but Crosby setting up two pure snipers would be exciting, I think putting staal to dig and get the puck out of the corners could work nicely.

I really like the Getz,Nash, perry line, imagine the cycle game those three would display. I could see full shifts where they just dominate down low. It reminds me of that dominant line in the world championships when nash, Getz heatley were the most dominant line of the tourney, and had a glorious scoring chance almost every shift.

I thought Iginla and Crosby were the most effective when they had Staal playing LW in 2010, Staal was great getting the puck down low, so I think he's a likely candidate to play with Crosby in 2014.

Stamkos with Crosby has to be tried, at least... The potential there is amazing.

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The US seems to have more depth every year.

And their goaltending depth is fantastic, no question about it.

However, you only need one goalie to get hot, you can't play 4 of them.

And the Canadian D is significantly better than the US IMO.

Also, you DO play 4 Cs. And the difference between Canada's Cs and the US is huge. And on big ice, that will really come into play.

I really hope Nash isn't on the team - I would like to see someone younger and blazing fast. Though Hall wouldn't be my choice, I would prefer him to Nash. I would love to see MacKinnon on the LW showing off his speed and compete level, adding some youthful energy to the team.

Remember how dominant rafalski was for the Americans in Vancouver? You never know who steps up, but yeah Canada's d is the biggest competitive advantage they have over every other country. Sweden has kronwall, elder karllson and that is probably the next best.

If Crosby doesn't make it as an 18 year old, neither will mackinnon. Not to mention, he didn't dominate the world juniors, what makes you think he can play with pros? He will be a strong possibility in 2018 though.

Hall I agree is on the cusp, however Nash is not the one that should be cut.

[d_phaneuf]

I would take Taylor Hall over Rick Nash in a heartbeat right now, Hall makes this team if the last month of last year wasn't an aberration

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

Remember how dominant rafalski was for the Americans in Vancouver? You never know who steps up, but yeah Canada's d is the biggest competitive advantage they have over every other country. Sweden has kronwall, elder karllson and that is probably the next best.

If Crosby doesn't make it as an 18 year old, neither will mackinnon. Not to mention, he didn't dominate the world juniors, what makes you think he can play with pros? He will be a strong possibility in 2018 though.

Hall I agree is on the cusp, however Nash is not the one that should be cut.

1) excluding Crosby was a mistake

2) MacKinnon wasn't utilized well in the WJCs. But the Memorial Cup was a coming out party - he was beyond exceptional.

3) As of right now, MacKinnon hasn't done enough to earn a spot. However, I will not be surprised if he explodes onto the scene. With a strong start, he might get a chance.

4) I believe a little bit of youth can be very beneficial, bringing excitement and energy to the bench.

[d_phaneuf]

even without MacKinnon they are going to have youth

guys like Tavares and Stamkos up front, Petro and Subban on defense

this is not like 06 when they basically brought the same team on names rather than performance

[PlayfulGenius]

Subban wouldn't start in the Top 6 if I were the coach...I'd go with Letang at first and see where it goes.

[PlayfulGenius]

I'm assuming there are 5 locks on D if healthy... Keith, Seabrook, Pietrangelo, Doughty and Weber.

[atb]

I think Tavares is going to have a huge season making him a first line candidate.

[trackercowe]

Crosby will make sure they bring Letang, don't see how he won't be there.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Letang isn't much of a defence-man though. More of an offense-man.

I think he's too one dimensional to take a regular shift. We have enough two-way guys that we don't need to be taking offensive defensemen who are suspect defensively.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I agree the Nash hate is bizarre. He was one of Canada's most consistent forwards last time, and the most dominant on the forecheck.

I'm not suggesting he makes the team, per se, but to say he's terrible and lazy is just admitting you don't watch the guy much.

I don't hate Nash. I just find him terribly overrated. He hit his peak essentially the same time Iginla did a decade ago and has been living on reputation ever since. His production the past decade has been eclipsed by players that aren't even getting consideration for the team such as Iginla, Heatley, Marleau, etc and he seems to get some sort of free pass because he's a 'big power forward'. He's also not a clutch guy. Never led the Jackets to anything and the excuse of him playing on a bad team rings hollow now he has a season under his belt with the Rangers. While he had a decent enough regular season in the playoffs where the games really counted he disappeared getting 1 measly goal and 5 points.

You can throw any winger on Crosby's line and he's going to get points but we need players that are going to raise their game and score the big goals like Iginla in 2002 when he had his coming out. I would rather give a guy like Benn or even Hall a chance to be a difference maker than a guy that has shown he's going to play at one level and never rise above that. I also think leaving Nash off the team would be a good wake up call for him in that he's going to have to decide if he wants to be a guy that's good or great because to me he's one of those unfulfilled potential guys.

[SHOGUN]

I would slot Brad Marchand in the 4th line. Like him or hate him, he's a perfect fit.

[jeffman]

St. Louis Crosby Stamkos
Stall Tavares. Giroux
Couture Toews. Perry
Nash. Bergeron. Marchand


Keith seabrook
Doughty pit tangelo
Subban. Weber
Letang

Crawford
Luongo
Price

[$ven27]

Originally Posted by jeffman

St. Louis Crosby Stamkos
Stall Tavares. Giroux
Couture Toews. Perry
Nash. Bergeron. Marchand


Keith seabrook
Doughty pit tangelo
Subban. Weber
Letang

Crawford
Luongo
Price

What?

[LIP MAN]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

Not a chance. My 8 month old daughter has as much of a chance as either of those two of getting named to this team. You don't drop two raw rookies into the highest stakes tournament in the world on a country with Canada's depth at forward.

Dark horse? I'll say David Clarkson, spurred on by the exposure of playing in a higher visibility market and the need for some sandpaper on the team. That said, it's a stretch.

Starting in goal - my guess is Luongo at this stage.

I don't think the odds are as stacked as you think, but it would definitely be a long shot. At this point the starter will be Lou, mostly due to the fact the Habs found lightning in a bottle. But IMHO Price is the better tender. That's going to be our "weakness"; perhaps someone will come out of left field. Canada's management has made some bold moves before.

[nickk382]

I'm really surprised how Tavares isn't looked at as a top 5 player from many of you. Tavares is truly an absolute amazing and dynamic player.

[saillias]

I wouldn't be surprised if Bouwmeester makes the team. Especially if he plays paired with Pietrangelo in St. Louis. On international ice, at a Russian-hosted tournament, you want a guy with his strengths and "Lady Byng" qualities... His steady presence is a lot more comforting than Letang/Subban.

I like the Burns suggestion as well.

I have a list of forwards that absolutely have to be on this team:
Crosby
Stamkos
Bergeron
Toews
Tavares
Giroux

Should probably be there:
Perry
Getzlaf
St. Louis
Nash
Staal

Maybe:
(Insert SJ Shark centre name here)
Benn
Marchand
Hall

Probably not/darkhorse picks:
Iginla
Ladd
E. Kane
Neal
(Insert COL Centre name here)


Keith-Seabrook
Pietrangelo-Bouwmeester
Doughty-Weber
Burns

Luongo
Price
Brodeur

boom.

[Flash Walken]

Rick Nash is still a top 12 forward for Canada. Instead of saying he is overrated, maybe we should be making arguments for not having on the team in favour of another particular player.

Who is Rick Nash keeping off the team that is otherwise better?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I don't hate Nash. I just find him terribly overrated. He hit his peak essentially the same time Iginla did a decade ago and has been living on reputation ever since. His production the past decade has been eclipsed by players that aren't even getting consideration for the team such as Iginla, Heatley, Marleau, etc and he seems to get some sort of free pass because he's a 'big power forward'. He's also not a clutch guy. Never led the Jackets to anything and the excuse of him playing on a bad team rings hollow now he has a season under his belt with the Rangers. While he had a decent enough regular season in the playoffs where the games really counted he disappeared getting 1 measly goal and 5 points.

You can throw any winger on Crosby's line and he's going to get points but we need players that are going to raise their game and score the big goals like Iginla in 2002 when he had his coming out. I would rather give a guy like Benn or even Hall a chance to be a difference maker than a guy that has shown he's going to play at one level and never rise above that. I also think leaving Nash off the team would be a good wake up call for him in that he's going to have to decide if he wants to be a guy that's good or great because to me he's one of those unfulfilled potential guys.

Rick Nash was huge for Canada during the Olympics.

He scored a huge goal against the Russians to put Canada up 4-2 by outskating BOTH russian defenders, then shooting top shelf. Amazing goal.

[PeteLFan]

Rick Nash was not amazing for Canada he sucked.

He's. it a difference maker never has been and never will be is overrated in every sense of the word. I would rather have Eric staal has the 1st line left wing over him. Of Nash is such a great all around player he can be a checker on the 4th line.