Correct. He played better against the States and today but somehow I think that Staal and/or Giroux and/or Richards would have buried at least half the gimmes Kunitz got from Crosby and others. Any one of those three and probably a **** load of others would have been a better pick than Kunitz. But maybe Kunitz was required to fluff Crosby's pillow every night- who knows?
2014 — Canada Roster Discussion (Part XXII)
- Thread starter illpucks
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Correct. He played better against the States and today but somehow I think that Staal and/or Giroux and/or Richards would have buried at least half the gimmes Kunitz got from Crosby and others. Any one of those three and probably a **** load of others would have been a better pick than Kunitz. But maybe Kunitz was required to fluff Crosby's pillow every night- who knows?
I really liked the way the team played. Basically no ''passengers'' at all. Don't mind PK sitting out with the way the D played. My evaluation:
FORWARDS:
1- Crosby, a bit underwhelming but still great
2- Toews, really liked his game
3- Getzlaf, came through in the elimination games, just dominant
4- Benn, proved he belongs with the bigs, great all-around
5- Bergeron, just awesome all-around, so smart
6- Tavares, great in limited time
7- Perry, played awesome, was everywhere
8- Carter, worked hard, big presence, couple of big goals
9- Marleau, underrated defensive play
10- Nash, couldn't produce but liked his hustle
11- Duchene, played well in limited play
12- St.Louis, was decent when called upon
13- Sharp, was decent, was used too much in the early games
14- Kunitz, was meh although played better as the tournament went on
DEFENCE:
1- Weber, was just a rock all-around, great poise
2- Doughty, was just incredible, brought a lot offensively
3- Keith, was a bit underwhelming but complimented Weber well
4- Pietrangelo, did have some gaffes, but played well all-around
5- Vlasic, really was good defensively, a rock back there
6- Bouwmeester, was okay I guess, great pass for the goal vs USA
7- Subban/Hamhuis, not enough playing time
Price was GREAT althouh he didn't have to make many big save, came through in the most important games. Was a rock in both the semis and finals, so confident and gave up no rebounds at all.
FORWARDS:
1- Crosby, a bit underwhelming but still great
2- Toews, really liked his game
3- Getzlaf, came through in the elimination games, just dominant
4- Benn, proved he belongs with the bigs, great all-around
5- Bergeron, just awesome all-around, so smart
6- Tavares, great in limited time
7- Perry, played awesome, was everywhere
8- Carter, worked hard, big presence, couple of big goals
9- Marleau, underrated defensive play
10- Nash, couldn't produce but liked his hustle
11- Duchene, played well in limited play
12- St.Louis, was decent when called upon
13- Sharp, was decent, was used too much in the early games
14- Kunitz, was meh although played better as the tournament went on
DEFENCE:
1- Weber, was just a rock all-around, great poise
2- Doughty, was just incredible, brought a lot offensively
3- Keith, was a bit underwhelming but complimented Weber well
4- Pietrangelo, did have some gaffes, but played well all-around
5- Vlasic, really was good defensively, a rock back there
6- Bouwmeester, was okay I guess, great pass for the goal vs USA
7- Subban/Hamhuis, not enough playing time
Price was GREAT althouh he didn't have to make many big save, came through in the most important games. Was a rock in both the semis and finals, so confident and gave up no rebounds at all.
SB164
Registered User
Frank the Tank
The Godfather
Was it Bob Nicholson that made the comment during the 2005 World Juniors that the foundation of players for Team Canada over the next decade was playing and demolishing opponents on the ice in North Dakota? If so, that was a very prescient comment.
SB164
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Novak Djokovic
#24 and counting... #GOAT
- Dec 10, 2006
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Well, after 22 threads of discussion, can we just agree that the management picked the right team? Not the best... not the most creative... but the right team.
DisgruntledGoat*
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- Dec 26, 2010
- 4,301
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I mentioned this in the GDT but...
I feel like Toews has become this generation's Mark Messier.
Just like with Messier where Lemieux and Gretzky were clearly better players, Toews is clearly not the player that, say, Crosby, Ovie, Stamkos are. . . BUT, in a close game, in a big game, he just might be as good as anyone. He's got that ability to always find a way to contribute; either physically, defensively, with a big goal, a big clear... Its getting to a point where I see Toews on the ice and just automatically think, 'he's going to get it done'.
I feel like Toews has become this generation's Mark Messier.
Just like with Messier where Lemieux and Gretzky were clearly better players, Toews is clearly not the player that, say, Crosby, Ovie, Stamkos are. . . BUT, in a close game, in a big game, he just might be as good as anyone. He's got that ability to always find a way to contribute; either physically, defensively, with a big goal, a big clear... Its getting to a point where I see Toews on the ice and just automatically think, 'he's going to get it done'.
SB164
Registered User
BFFs
Cant wait for Subban and price's first game back to montreal....im sure they will get a great welcome....Subban will get his turn soon
You were right and I was wrong. Forgive me for joining the fan base once again.
TOML
Registered User
I think Joe Sakic is a better comparison. Messier played with much more of a mean streak.
dingbathero
No Jam? How about PB
Thought the same thing too.
I've always said he compares to Stevie Y himself..... or Bryan Trottier.
TOML
Registered User
Yup, Yzerman in his later career when he turned into a great 2 way player.
Yzerman was better offensively but not as good defensively but still similar players.
tape to tape
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- Nov 26, 2011
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I have to eat crow as well. I was on him the first three games, and wanted him in the stands. However, his last three games were very good, and he scored a critical third goal to suck the life out of Sweden.
I feel like he's more this generation's Steve Yzerman.
Messier had a level of nastiness that Toews doesn't really have or need.
Plus, maybe my memory sucks since I was like, 10 the last time Messier was a legit force in the NHL, but I don't really think of him as elite 2-way guy in the same way that Toews and Yzerman are.
Estimated_Prophet
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- Mar 28, 2003
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Messier is one of the greatest two way forwards to ever play the game.
As for this tournament .......Crosby and Toews were our top two forwards. The clueless stat junkies can argue this all they want but it is a fact. Getzlaf was also very impressive b ut his line was also the line that was hemmed in the d-zone a few times in the elimination games.
Nalens Oga
Registered User
Nope. In 2010 my only gripe was that they didn't put Stamkos on the team but this time, guys like Giroux should've been on there and a few others like Subban or Duchene should've gotten more ice time. They did a good job defensively but I thought that this year, the other teams were really weak....the US messed up their roster selection even more. The Swedes had injuries and have a forward group in transition while the Russian defence/coaching sucks.
It was impossible to pick a bad team with the amount of skill/depth but some of their decisions are still a bit concerning as well as how Babcock proceeded with lines and a game plan. Team was too strong and others weak for it to falter but it'll be tougher in the future.
FORWARDS:
Crosby: **** the scoresheet, Crosby was the most dangerous player on the ice every game Canada played. Great tournament for him. A+
Toews: Played like the warrior he is, shut down the other teams top lines while also producing great scoring chances and o-zone pressure. And of course, everybody they put on his line turned into superstars, as is usually the case. A+
Getzlaf: He put up points, but I thought he looked terrible for large stretches of this tournament. Bad passing, a gong-show in the defensive end, and really slow overall. Nice SHG tho. C-
Benn: Could become a dominant force in the NHL. Big, fast, smart, great playmaker and finisher. No weaknesses. By the end of the tournament, he was the straw that stirred the drink on that 'big boy' line, while Perry reaped the benefits in scoring chances. B+
Bergeron: Defensive juggernaut, PK master, and one of the smartest players I've ever seen. Perfect fit on that Crosby line, his skillset really complement's Crosby's. A
Tavares: Tough injury but he looked great in the time he played. Seemed to have chemistry with pretty much anybody they put with him. Also noticed he plays much bigger than his actual size. B
Perry: Third best forward in the tournament behind Crosby and Toews. He was everywhere, he was hard on the puck, he was agitating and creating, but just couldn't finish. I liked Corey Perry coming into this tournament, he came out as my favorite non-Hawks player. A+
Carter: Worked magic with Toews and Marleau. Big, fast, created tons of chances (and a few goals, to boot), and was a monster on the backcheck and the PK. Somehow over the last few years, Carter has become underrated. Hopefully his performance reminds people what a force he can be. A
Marleau: The man doesn't age. Insane speed, strength on the puck, and fantastic defensive play. Doesn't get enough respect as far as I'm concerned, he was fantastic this tournament. B+
Nash: Underwhelming offensively, but strong in the 4th line defensive role he ended up in. Would have liked to see him use his size and speed to the outside to dominate a little more. C
Duchene: Holy **** this guy can skate. And what's more, for a smaller guy (5'11), he's a pitbull on the puck. Filled in for Tavares beautifully when he got injured, and created some good chemistry with Sharp. Going to be a player to watch. B
St.Louis: He was fine. Not great, not bad. Didn't really notice him much when he was out there, which isn't all bad. It means he wasn't screwing up or making bad decisions. Some good chances in limited time. Great to see him get the medal he wanted so badly. C+
Sharp: Didn't perform that well. Found some chemistry on the 4th line with Duchene, but using him on the point on the PP was as stupid on Team Canada as it is in Chicago. Scored a nice goal, helped solidify that 4th line. Decent, but not particularly memorable performance. C
Kunitz: Didn't start great, but was very good as the games ramped up. Got a ton of chances and created a ton of chances for Crosby. Continued to get unfairly maligned, even as his play ascended to the point where he looked like belonged on the roster. I don't see him getting invited back again, but he filled his role nicely on this team. B-
DEFENCE:
Weber: With all due respect to Doughty, Weber is my pick for the best Dman on Team Canada. Played the most minutes and hardest minutes, was an absolute rock, and his shot provided some needed offense. A+
Doughty: Probably the most dynamic Dman on the ice, if not the best. Great puck-moving ability, vision of the ice, and just a stupid level of skill handling the puck. A
Keith: Didn't play up to his potential, and yet still a force on the blue-line. Great at skating the puck out of trouble, quick first passes out of the zone, great keeps in the offensive end, and lots of the little smart plays that make him the Norris front-runner he is. B+
Pietrangelo: These Olympics weren't quite the coming out party I predicted they would be for Pietrangelo, but he was solid. A few gaffes early, but he calmed down, and his chemistry with Bouwmester made for some great defensive plays. B
Vlasic: Most underrated guy on Team Canada, bar none. He was an absolute rock back there, and his conservative, stay-at-home, responsible defense is what allowed Doughty to be the offensive force he was. You can afford to take risks in the Ozone when you know you have a guy like Vlasic behind you to clean up any messes you may cause. A
Bouwmeester: Offensively he had one great play and pretty much nothing else. However, his skating ability was a huge boon in transition, and his chemistry with Pietrangelo was a big plus. He was never going to be the difference maker on D, but you can't really say he made any mistakes on the defensive side of the puck. And that's all anybody should need from him. B-
Subban/Hamhuis: Both played fine in the time they were given. C+
GOALIES:
Price: Jesus Price. That is all. A+
Luongo: Played great in the one game he was given, and was a great sport through the tournament (at least on twitter). A
Smith: N/A
Crosby: **** the scoresheet, Crosby was the most dangerous player on the ice every game Canada played. Great tournament for him. A+
Toews: Played like the warrior he is, shut down the other teams top lines while also producing great scoring chances and o-zone pressure. And of course, everybody they put on his line turned into superstars, as is usually the case. A+
Getzlaf: He put up points, but I thought he looked terrible for large stretches of this tournament. Bad passing, a gong-show in the defensive end, and really slow overall. Nice SHG tho. C-
Benn: Could become a dominant force in the NHL. Big, fast, smart, great playmaker and finisher. No weaknesses. By the end of the tournament, he was the straw that stirred the drink on that 'big boy' line, while Perry reaped the benefits in scoring chances. B+
Bergeron: Defensive juggernaut, PK master, and one of the smartest players I've ever seen. Perfect fit on that Crosby line, his skillset really complement's Crosby's. A
Tavares: Tough injury but he looked great in the time he played. Seemed to have chemistry with pretty much anybody they put with him. Also noticed he plays much bigger than his actual size. B
Perry: Third best forward in the tournament behind Crosby and Toews. He was everywhere, he was hard on the puck, he was agitating and creating, but just couldn't finish. I liked Corey Perry coming into this tournament, he came out as my favorite non-Hawks player. A+
Carter: Worked magic with Toews and Marleau. Big, fast, created tons of chances (and a few goals, to boot), and was a monster on the backcheck and the PK. Somehow over the last few years, Carter has become underrated. Hopefully his performance reminds people what a force he can be. A
Marleau: The man doesn't age. Insane speed, strength on the puck, and fantastic defensive play. Doesn't get enough respect as far as I'm concerned, he was fantastic this tournament. B+
Nash: Underwhelming offensively, but strong in the 4th line defensive role he ended up in. Would have liked to see him use his size and speed to the outside to dominate a little more. C
Duchene: Holy **** this guy can skate. And what's more, for a smaller guy (5'11), he's a pitbull on the puck. Filled in for Tavares beautifully when he got injured, and created some good chemistry with Sharp. Going to be a player to watch. B
St.Louis: He was fine. Not great, not bad. Didn't really notice him much when he was out there, which isn't all bad. It means he wasn't screwing up or making bad decisions. Some good chances in limited time. Great to see him get the medal he wanted so badly. C+
Sharp: Didn't perform that well. Found some chemistry on the 4th line with Duchene, but using him on the point on the PP was as stupid on Team Canada as it is in Chicago. Scored a nice goal, helped solidify that 4th line. Decent, but not particularly memorable performance. C
Kunitz: Didn't start great, but was very good as the games ramped up. Got a ton of chances and created a ton of chances for Crosby. Continued to get unfairly maligned, even as his play ascended to the point where he looked like belonged on the roster. I don't see him getting invited back again, but he filled his role nicely on this team. B-
DEFENCE:
Weber: With all due respect to Doughty, Weber is my pick for the best Dman on Team Canada. Played the most minutes and hardest minutes, was an absolute rock, and his shot provided some needed offense. A+
Doughty: Probably the most dynamic Dman on the ice, if not the best. Great puck-moving ability, vision of the ice, and just a stupid level of skill handling the puck. A
Keith: Didn't play up to his potential, and yet still a force on the blue-line. Great at skating the puck out of trouble, quick first passes out of the zone, great keeps in the offensive end, and lots of the little smart plays that make him the Norris front-runner he is. B+
Pietrangelo: These Olympics weren't quite the coming out party I predicted they would be for Pietrangelo, but he was solid. A few gaffes early, but he calmed down, and his chemistry with Bouwmester made for some great defensive plays. B
Vlasic: Most underrated guy on Team Canada, bar none. He was an absolute rock back there, and his conservative, stay-at-home, responsible defense is what allowed Doughty to be the offensive force he was. You can afford to take risks in the Ozone when you know you have a guy like Vlasic behind you to clean up any messes you may cause. A
Bouwmeester: Offensively he had one great play and pretty much nothing else. However, his skating ability was a huge boon in transition, and his chemistry with Pietrangelo was a big plus. He was never going to be the difference maker on D, but you can't really say he made any mistakes on the defensive side of the puck. And that's all anybody should need from him. B-
Subban/Hamhuis: Both played fine in the time they were given. C+
GOALIES:
Price: Jesus Price. That is all. A+
Luongo: Played great in the one game he was given, and was a great sport through the tournament (at least on twitter). A
Smith: N/A
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Good job. I could not argue with any of what you wrote. I thought you summed up Keith quite nicely.
Edit : I just reread the Getzlaf comment. I disagree and thought he was terrific.
Frank the Tank
The Godfather
Yes, Getzlaf had a few weak defensive moments in his own zone, but 80% of his shifts in the medal round were his line cycling the opponent for 45-60 seconds. This killed any momentum the other team may have had and really tired out the opposing defenders. Moreover, Getzlaf was perhaps the best Canadian forward at using his size to gain the zone and push people around along the boards on the forecheck. I think many people underestimate the role Getzlaf and his line played in Canada's success.
SB164
Registered User
Stan Fischler @StanFischler Feb 10
No hockey Gold for Canada this year. Too much pressure; too weak in goal. Finns are the sleepers and don't underestimate USA
No hockey Gold for Canada this year. Too much pressure; too weak in goal. Finns are the sleepers and don't underestimate USA
JackSlater
Registered User
- Apr 27, 2010
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Getzlaf's line was a nice change-up throughout the tournament. Teams could not defend Canada one way because each line came at them differently. They could have been better, but no team that Canada played ever figured out how to consistently stop Getzlaf and company on the cycle.
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