Olympics: 2014 — Canada Roster Discussion (Part XVII) (Released, Post 1)

[rypper]

Lou will prove all the doubters wrong, although I was one of the few saying crawford should have been the third over smith...

 

[FlyersFanz]

A month away????

He's practicing with the team TODAY.

I have my doubts he will be 100% so he might pull out but to say he's a month away is ******** when he's very close to being able to play.

Just going by what they said on NHL network this morning. He's practicing but not with contact and Stamkos has quite a bit of pain after his practice. Regardless if it's a month, 3 weeks or 2weeks the Olympics start next week and Stammer won't be 100% and no team will let their star player go and risk injury.

 

[JackSlater]

If it comes down to even 85% Stamkos or Giroux (now back to looking like a 90 point player) I would prefer Giroux. Hopefully Stamkos comes back and can play well, but if he is not near full capacity there are great players waiting in the wings. I hope that he and team Canada make an honest assessment of his progress and potential before going to Russia.

 

[tony d]

I agree. Crawford should have made the team but in the end it shouldn't matter as the goalie duties will be split between Price and Luongo.

 

[Plante]

If it comes down to even 85% Stamkos or Giroux (now back to looking like a 90 point player) I would prefer Giroux. Hopefully Stamkos comes back and can play well, but if he is not near full capacity there are great players waiting in the wings. I hope that he and team Canada make an honest assessment of his progress and potential before going to Russia.

We can use stammer on the PP if nothing else.

 

[KPower]

Weber left tonight's game with upper body injury,

Hopefully it's nothing serious.

Weber would be a massive loss.

 

[rypper]

Just think if Stamkos can't go, and the Team Canada braintrust go with someone other than Marty St. Louis..... that'll be possibly 3 times Yzerman will have crushed Marty's dreams.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Other than Rick Nash what Team Canada player is going right now? Not really liking what I'm seeing from a lot of our guys.

 

[Wings4Life]

Injury replacement at forward would have to be Giroux, or if they were planning on using Stammer at RW, it could be either Giroux or MSL, IMHO.

All that being said, I think Stamkos will play. By the time the elimination round kicks in, I think the kid will be very close to 100%.

 

[JackSlater]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=442424

I like what Dreger and Lebrun are saying regarding potential Stamkos replacements. Basically Giroux or Neal are in the best positions for that role, or possibly St. Louis. Also the chance for Carter to move into the top RW sniper spot, which is something I like quite a bit.

 

[Incetardis]

Is it just me or is it not a better idea to send St.Louis over Stamkos at this point? Watched him play against Toronto last night and he is in full beast mode right now. I was shocked he wasn't on the roster the first time around but his play in my mind has more than solidified his spot on this roster. Meanwhile, Stamkos has suffered a set back and is experiencing pain in that leg so does it not make more sense to send St.Louis who's absolutely flying right now? Not to mention that Stamkos is a natural center likely to be relegated to the wing and St.Louis can play either side and has the skill & speed for the international game + experience and leadership to boot. I see him slotted in on a line with Toews and Sharp which could be an incredible two way unit responsible for taking on the other teams top line freeing Sidney's line to match up against weaker opponents. I'm playing armchair GM but am I wrong?

 

[1Gold Standard]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=442424

I like what Dreger and Lebrun are saying regarding potential Stamkos replacements. Basically Giroux or Neal are in the best positions for that role, or possibly St. Louis. Also the chance for Carter to move into the top RW sniper spot, which is something I like quite a bit.

It has to be MSL.

 

[FlyersFanz]

It has to be MSL.

I agree on MSL because of he is playing right now but Yzerman said Giroux would be 1st on the list for replacements and G has been playing really well of late and his 2way game is far superior to MSL's.

 

[86Habs]

It has to be MSL.

For me, I have a very slight preference that its Giroux, but obviously I'd have no issue if its St Louis. I prefer both to Neal and Staal. Realistically I can't see Stamkos be 100% even if he does go over, so the management team have to assess where he's at in his recovery and what he can truly bring to the team. I mean, they have to ask themselves whether the value that Stamkos can bring if, for instance, he's 75% to 85% and only able to play on the PP, outweighs what someone like Giroux or MSL can bring if they play a regular shift.

 

[1Gold Standard]

I agree on MSL because of he is playing right now but Yzerman said Giroux would be 1st on the list for replacements and G has been playing really well of late and his 2way game is far superior to MSL's.

I know what Yzerman said and the arguments for Giroux over MSL I don't happen to agree with. I don't agree that his 2-way game is FAR superior to MSL.

 

[JackSlater]

Other than Rick Nash what Team Canada player is going right now? Not really liking what I'm seeing from a lot of our guys.

Last week people were talking about how many Canadian players were on fire. These things change from week to week. Over the course of this season, many Canadian players are having great years. That is the main thing.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Last week people were talking about how many Canadian players were on fire. These things change from week to week. Over the course of this season, many Canadian players are having great years. That is the main thing.

Ya, but I'd prefer not to see it at this particular time....but go through the list, take a look, other than Nash and Bergeron... nobody is really playing all that great at the moment...

 

[PensBandwagonerNo272*]

Crawford should replace Stamkos on Sid's right wing agreed

 

[stator]

Yesterday, finalized rosters were due from all countries. What did Canada deliver? Anybody know?

Any of you guys up north see my post above? USA made a press release on the 27th for the finalized roster here:

http://www.teamusa.org/Road-to-Soch...tee-announces-230-member-2014-US-Olympic-Team

All changes from yesterday on out has to pass a vote by the appropriate olympic committee. The host country usually has an edge in the voting. I doubt Russia would want the committee to approve a Canadian request for mens hockey change. Russia is expecting gold and their likely adversary for that is Canada.

 

[Deevo]

Really pulling for MSL as the potential Stammer replacement. I just can't see MSL on Crosby's RW not being profitable for Team Canada.

 

[FlyersFanz]

I know what Yzerman said and the arguments for Giroux over MSL I don't happen to agree with. I don't agree that his 2-way game is FAR superior to MSL.

Everyone has their own opinion. Giroux has a bit more size and skill as a playmaker and age is definitely a factor as well, this team is younger than it was in Vancouver(not sure if this was deliberate but might make sense on big ice)Both Stammer and Giroux are RH shot not sure if this has any bearing on the decision. Both Giroux and MSL have the same pt performance this year even though Giroux started the season in a huge slump. Either way it's going to be a hard decision for Yzerman.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Everyone has their own opinion. Giroux has a bit more size and skill as a playmaker and age is definitely a factor as well, this team is younger than it was in Vancouver(not sure if this was deliberate but might make sense on big ice)Both Stammer and Giroux are RH shot not sure if this has any bearing on the decision. Both Giroux and MSL have the same pt performance this year even though Giroux started the season in a huge slump. Either way it's going to be a hard decision for Yzerman.

I won't be outraged if Giroux is named to the team. I just happen to think MSL is more deserving and is a winger as opposed to Giroux a center who will have to play the wing. That's my reasoning.

 

[NHLfreak1]

We all know the real crime here is that Jamie Benn and Chris Kunitz made the team before Giroux and MSL in the first place.

 

[Sloth Slothersons*]

I'd be kinda leaning towards Neal if Stamkos can't go. He's been very good at sniping this season and plays with Crosby once in a while. I'd just be worried he'd do something stupid, and the panel was saying Team Canada isn't too high on his play without the puck.

 

[Novak Djokovic]

Other than Rick Nash what Team Canada player is going right now? Not really liking what I'm seeing from a lot of our guys.

Ryan Miller went into the 2009-2010 Olympics with 3 wins in the 13 games right before the Olympics, and back then, Sabres were a decent team.

He was the MVP.

EDIT: Just as I typed this out, Sharp scored assisted by Toews and Keith on Luongo.