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

[um]

What are the projected lines for Team Canada?

my guess:

kunitz-crosby-stamkos
tavares-getzlaf-perry
sharp-toews-nash
marleau-bergeron-benn
duchene,carter

keith-doughty
bouwmeester-pietrangelo
hamhuis-weber
vlasic, subban

loungo
price
smith

 

[1Gold Standard]

Sorry Stammer, but this is **** or get off the pot time. 3 games left and you're out of time. I think it is high time HC stop dicking around and name a replacement.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Here is TSN's projection for how the team will look as far as combinations:

Kunitz Crosby Stamkos
Marleau Tavares Carter
Sharp Toews Nash
Benn Getzlaf Perry
Duchene Bergeron

Keith Weber
Bouwmeester Pietrangelo
Vlasic Doughty
Hamhuis Subban

They did not talk about who they expect to actually start as goaltender, or who the 8th defenceman and 14th forward are. Really hate that fourth line. It would be a liability on international ice. Marleau needs to play with Getzlaf and Perry.

Are you really that surprised? Hockey Canada is as stubborn as they are dumb.

 

[Newusername]

Kunitz Crosby carter
Sharp Tavares Stamkos
Duchene* Toews Nash
Benn* Getzlaf Perry
Marleau* Bergeron

Bouwmeester Pietrangelo
Vlasic* Weber
Keith Doughty
Hamhuis Subban*

*interchangable

 

[xxxx]

I think you have to take Stamkos, even if he isn't 100% right now.

The Gold Medal Game would be in 3 weeks. You want to have Stamkos available if you manage to get that far.

Being able to carry 14 forwards gives you the luxury of bringing a not-quite-ready Stamkos over to Sochi.

You will have to sit 1 forward in the press-box for the preliminary games. You might as well put Stamkos there for those games, and then unleash him on opponents when he is more ready and when the games start to matter.

Well, I would go as far as it is possible, but also smart at the same time. Stamkos should play at least two RR games IMO.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

I think you have to take Stamkos, even if he isn't 100% right now.

The Gold Medal Game would be in 3 weeks. You want to have Stamkos available if you manage to get that far.

Being able to carry 14 forwards gives you the luxury of bringing a not-quite-ready Stamkos over to Sochi.

You will have to sit 1 forward in the press-box for the preliminary games. You might as well put Stamkos there for those games, and then unleash him on opponents when he is more ready and when the games start to matter.

This is how I feel too.

We have a piss easy group, and even a loss to Finland (who are weaker than in previous years) will probably see us earn a buy straight to the quarters. If we win the group, we will also have an easy-ish quarterfinals opponent (think Latvia/Norway, possibly Switzerland).

Come the gold medal game (still 3 weeks away), Stammer will be at 100%, or very close to it. We can't afford to leave our second best player at home, for the biggest game of the year.

Bring Stamkos I say, even if he is not quite fully ready by week's end. Sit him for the first couple games if we have to, then let him play either against FIN or in the quarterfinals.


However, if Stamkos has a setback in rehab, I want to see MSL get the call. He's impressed me with Stamkos being out. Would not mind Giroux or even Eric Staal either though, all three are solid options.

 

[y2kcanucks]

I can't forget his bobbling of the puck in the 3rd period against the Americans in 2010. It should never have gone into OT.

You mean when Weber and Niedermayer left two Americans all alone in front of the goalie? How is that Luongo's fault?

 

[JackSlater]

I think you have to take Stamkos, even if he isn't 100% right now.

The Gold Medal Game would be in 3 weeks. You want to have Stamkos available if you manage to get that far.

Being able to carry 14 forwards gives you the luxury of bringing a not-quite-ready Stamkos over to Sochi.

You will have to sit 1 forward in the press-box for the preliminary games. You might as well put Stamkos there for those games, and then unleash him on opponents when he is more ready and when the games start to matter.

Stamkos is Canada's second best forward, but he isn't Mario Lemieux circa 1987. Unless he plays some NHL games this week and looks decent, he shouldn't go. Canada isn't any other hockey country. There are players not selected who are better than even an 85% Stamkos.

 

[Reds4Life]

St. Louis should replace Stamkos.

Stamkos isn't good enough to come back from injury and play well on the big ice right away.

 

[Binary Code]

St. Louis should replace Stamkos.

Stamkos isn't good enough to come back from injury and play well on the big ice right away.

I would rather take the risk. A healthy Stamkos is better than St-Louis plus too many playmaker and nobody to finish is useless.

(I know St-Louis can score goals too, but still.)

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

Ideally, it would have been best if he caught and held onto that one, but to point to that as the definitive reason it went to OT is silly. Enough transpired from the time Luongo bobbled the puck to Parise scoring for Canada's best to get the puck out. There is enough blame to go around. Why limit yourself to only see what the goalie is doing?

You mean when Weber and Niedermayer left two Americans all alone in front of the goalie? How is that Luongo's fault?

Is there a chance I am viewing the world with Luongo hating (too strong a word) glasses?
Yes. And they look sharp on me!

 

[Beau Knows]

Is there a chance I am viewing the world with Luongo hating (too strong a word) glasses?
Yes. And they look sharp on me!

Maybe. I find there are a lot of fans who view Lou as kind of a loser. I don't see why, he was good in the 2012 playoffs and was good enough in the Olympics. The goal was maybe stoppable, but it's hard to complain about an OT gold medal game where he allowed only 2 goals.

 

[DyerMaker66*]

You mean when Weber and Niedermayer left two Americans all alone in front of the goalie? How is that Luongo's fault?

Because if Luongo doesn't boot the easy snapper from the top of the circle the possession is killed and Team Canada can make a change. Instead he boots the save, and the Americans regain possession and tie the game.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

Maybe. I find there are a lot of fans who view Lou as kind of a loser. I don't see why, he was good in the 2012 playoffs and was good enough in the Olympics. The goal was maybe stoppable, but it's hard to complain about an OT gold medal game where he allowed only 2 goals.

You're right. And, truth be told, I have nothing against him. I just think we deserve better. Do we have better? That's another question.

Note: "Loser" is too strong a word.

 

[Beau Knows]

You're right. And, truth be told, I have nothing against him. I just think we deserve better. Do we have better? That's another question.

Note: "Loser" is too strong a word.

I agree, I wish our goal-tending was on par with the rest of the team. But Lou is our best option imo, he is the most experienced goalie and no one else has really done much to take the starting job from him.

 

[skroonk2002*]

According to breaking-news from TSN, Stamkos intends to play on Saturday. He called today's practice his "best day yet".

 

[FlyersFanz]

Sorry Stammer, but this is **** or get off the pot time. 3 games left and you're out of time. I think it is high time HC stop dicking around and name a replacement.

I agree..its almost like HC are stalling..name a replacement because we all know Stammer isn't a 100%

 

[skroonk2002*]

I agree..its almost like HC are stalling..name a replacement because we all know Stammer isn't a 100%

It seems like Stamkos plans to play on Saturday and then go to Sochi.

 

[JackSlater]

I would be much more comfortable if Stamkos was still on track for the original plan of two-three games prior to the Olympics. Unless he performs abysmally, I can't see him pulling out of the Olympics regardless of whether or not he is ready. At least there are fourteen forward spots this time, though with Kunitz Canada already blew one forward spot.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

They are not leaving the best scorer in the NHL home.

 

[NHLfreak1]

I would rather take the risk. A healthy Stamkos is better than St-Louis plus too many playmaker and nobody to finish is useless.

(I know St-Louis can score goals too, but still.)

Uhh, what? The consensus is that he isn't 100%. Why on earth would you want to bring a guy back from not playing for 3 months into something arguably more competitive than the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

Also, too many playmakers and nobody to finish is the a RIDICULOUS conclusion. Players like Giroux, Tavares, and St. Louis may be playmakers, but they all have more than enough ability to shoot. All 3 of them are better than half of Team Canada's roster (all around players, not as shooters alone, obviously).

 

[xxxx]

It seems like he's gonna play at least one game before the olympics, maybe even two. We'll see after that, but I think if he feels comfortable and ok and also plays well, they're taking him for sure. You should be happy and celebrate, not blaming HC stuff again, for no reason... ...

 

[Sloth Slothersons*]

We gotta take Stamkos! What if he comes back like a bionicle with that steel plate or whatever in his leg. He might be twice the player he was before!

 

[Frank the Tank]

Sorry Stammer, but this is **** or get off the pot time. 3 games left and you're out of time. I think it is high time HC stop dicking around and name a replacement.

They waited until the 11th hour for Getzlaf in 2010. Carter even flew to Vancouver, IIRC, after his game on Saturday to wait in case Getzlaf was no ready to play his Sunday game.

I do not know why they wouldn't do the same for Stamkos. I am sure behind the scenes the reserve player(s) have been tipped off about being a possible replacement and have their visas, flights, etc... ready to go. It just hasn't leaked yet.

 

[GWNR]

They waited until the 11th hour for Getzlaf in 2010. Carter even flew to Vancouver, IIRC, after his game on Saturday to wait in case Getzlaf was no ready to play his Sunday game.

I do not know why they wouldn't do the same for Stamkos. I am sure behind the scenes the reserve player(s) have been tipped off about being a possible replacement and have their visas, flights, etc... ready to go. It just hasn't leaked yet.

Maybe Yzerman and St Louis have talked

In all seriousness though, I agree with this. It will be a literally hour-before decision on Stamkos. St Louis has to be the replacement IMO, but wouldn't be upset if Neal or Giroux were the replacement. Anything other than and I'll be pissed