Olympics: 2014 - Canada Roster Discussion (Part VI)

[UsernameWasTaken]

First off Perry, Getzlaf and Neal are all much better offensive players than Lucic. All of those players you listed bring speed and skill that exceeds what Lucic brings along with their size. Jordan Staal's biggest asset is his skating, not his size.

Lucic is a good player but his game is based on strength, physicality and intimidation. In a short tournament on big ice, those attributes get nulified a lot. So when you look at what other players who are also big and strong bring skill wise, Lucic is at a big disadvantage.

I agree with you re lucic. Don't think he's a good fit for the team

 

[BruinDust]

Carey Price being invited speaks volumes about how shallow Canada's goaltending depth is, he's the king of 1st round disasters, proven nothing at the NHL level.

 

[Cowboy Dan]

This is a good looking line-up.

Thank you. I've seen Lucic's name mentioned on here and I know he has been invited to the camp, but I can't see him pulling much consideration on big ice in a bottom-6 role. Getzlaf will only be used as a center, if need be, but he can play anywhere in the line-up if somebody falters. Same with Sharp on wing. Could see Carter and, although it pains me to say it, Marchand, getting a look here as well, due to their positional versatility and chemistry with guys who are locks IMO.

On defense, I can see Bouwmeester and Seabrook fighting with Hamhuis and Staal over the last two spots. Other than that, I think the top 6 are locks, although Subban and Letang will be used in offense-only situations.

Goaltending is tough. Some people see it as wide open, but I believe Hockey Canada will stick to what they know works, and Luongo and Price have both done the job at some level in the past. Crawford, being the hottest goalie as of now, is an easy pick for #3.

 

[bert]

My team, I think the D core should be based around mobile, big, smart players that don't make mistakes. Its a short tournament I think the two depth d men will be brought into shore up a specific type of roll is a player gets hurt.

Stamkos Crosby St Louis - Stammer has to play with Sid
Hall Tavares Giroux - electric line Giroux can play right
Duchene Getzlaf Perry - Love Duchene's speed on the big ice with the two ducks
E. Staal Toews Bergeron - Shut down with a relentless forcheck
Couture M.Richards - Versitile players I could see couture sliding in for Duchene.

Keith Seabrook - umm Duh
Doughty Weber - Shut down pair can doughty play left? worried about the left side
Pieterangelo Subban - hopefully one of these two can play left mobile skilled pair
Methot Letang - If any players have a hard time on the left Methot will come in and make no mistakes while he shuts down the opposition. Perfect partner for an offensive guy. 2nd biggest d man invited to camp extremely mobile. Letang can slide in for subban or pieterangelo if they struggle.

Luongo - unless he blows it in the first half you have to think its his team
Crawford - young guy won the cup solid backup.
Price - too much talent to ignore hopefully he gets his game back.

Not an easy team to pick that's for sure. I just cant see Nash making the team he was so complacent last year and has never won anything outside of the Olympic gold.

 

[Victoire HuGo]

This would be my ideal roster for Sochi:

Martin St. Louis – Sidney Crosby – Steven Stamkos
Eric Staal – Jonathan Toews – Claude Giroux
Taylor Hall – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry
Mike Richards – Patrice Bergeron – Jeff Carter

Dan Hamhuis – Drew Doughty
Duncan Keith – Brent Seabrook
Dion Phaneuf – PK Subban

Carey Price
Corey Crawford
Roberto Luongo

I know my choice for the defense will raise a few eyebrows but I believe in the philosophy (and the impact it can have) of pairing a lefty with a righty on defense. My defense does that perfectly and has a good mix of physicality, mobility and offense.

 

[rocketdan9]

First off Perry, Getzlaf and Neal are all much better offensive players than Lucic. All of those players you listed bring speed and skill that exceeds what Lucic brings along with their size. Jordan Staal's biggest asset is his skating, not his size.

Lucic is a good player but his game is based on strength, physicality and intimidation. In a short tournament on big ice, those attributes get nulified a lot. So when you look at what other players who are also big and strong bring skill wise, Lucic is at a big disadvantage.

Lucic has more skills than you give him credit for. Alot of those clutch goals in the playoffs were initiated by lucic also. In addition once moving he is freight train like fast. Can he skate from standstill or as shifty as marchand Marchand? no, but no way he is a bad or mediocre skater. Perry who made 2010 team is just as good as lucic in skating, but he made the team bc of other intangibles he brings to the table

Lucic strength, physicality, board play, leadership can be a big asset to team Canada. Imo he is ahead on the chart vs guys like Richards, Carter, Ladd, J. Staal etc. If skating and skill is everything than i would like to hear what has been happening to the junior team for so many years now. You can never have too many players who play with alot of heart, guts and turns it on during crunch time

 

[SmellOfVictory]

Let's give this a crank:

Hall - Crosby - Giroux
Stamkos - E. Staal - St. Louis
Duchene - Toews - Tavares
Richards - Bergeron - Carter

Keith - Weber
Bouwmeester - Pietrangelo
Doughty - Subban
Letang

Goalies are pretty obvious.

 

[Steveorama]

This would be my ideal roster for Sochi:

Martin St. Louis – Sidney Crosby – Steven Stamkos
Eric Staal – Jonathan Toews – Claude Giroux
Taylor Hall – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry
Mike Richards – Patrice Bergeron – Jeff Carter

Dan Hamhuis – Drew Doughty
Duncan Keith – Brent Seabrook
Dion Phaneuf – PK Subban

Carey Price
Corey Crawford
Roberto Luongo

I know my choice for the defense will raise a few eyebrows but I believe in the philosophy (and the impact it can have) of pairing a lefty with a righty on defense. My defense does that perfectly and has a good mix of physicality, mobility and offense.

I guess you could call choosing Seabrook and Subban at RD over Weber "eyebrow-raising".

 

[Adam98]

Nash Crosby Giroux
Richards Stamkos Perry
Tavares Toews Eberle
J. Staal E. Staal Bergeron
Duchene

Weber Doughty
Keith Letang
Pietrangelo Subban
Boyle

Price
Luongo
Crawford

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

This would be my ideal roster for Sochi:

Martin St. Louis – Sidney Crosby – Steven Stamkos
Eric Staal – Jonathan Toews – Claude Giroux
Taylor Hall – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry
Mike Richards – Patrice Bergeron – Jeff Carter

Dan Hamhuis – Drew Doughty
Duncan Keith – Brent Seabrook
Dion Phaneuf – PK Subban

Carey Price
Corey Crawford
Roberto Luongo

I know my choice for the defense will raise a few eyebrows but I believe in the philosophy (and the impact it can have) of pairing a lefty with a righty on defense. My defense does that perfectly and has a good mix of physicality, mobility and offense.

It's not horrible, but :

1. I doubt they leave out Tavares
2. I doubt they leave out Pietrangelo
3. I doubt Hamhuis is a top pairing d-man
3. I started to laugh (not in a good way) when I saw you you put Price as the 1G.

Edited to add - I just noticed that you don't have Weber on the team. I changed my mind, in its totality your roster *is* pretty horrible.

 

[duul]

This would be my ideal roster for Sochi:

Martin St. Louis – Sidney Crosby – Steven Stamkos
Eric Staal – Jonathan Toews – Claude Giroux
Taylor Hall – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry
Mike Richards – Patrice Bergeron – Jeff Carter

Dan Hamhuis – Drew Doughty
Duncan Keith – Brent Seabrook
Dion Phaneuf – PK Subban

Carey Price
Corey Crawford
Roberto Luongo

I know my choice for the defense will raise a few eyebrows but I believe in the philosophy (and the impact it can have) of pairing a lefty with a righty on defense. My defense does that perfectly and has a good mix of physicality, mobility and offense.

There's that Tavares guy, and that Weber guy too who's pretty good.

 

[Victoire HuGo]

I guess you could call choosing Seabrook and Subban at RD over Weber "eyebrow-raising".

I know Subban is not the most popular man on this site but on international ice, his game will go up a notch IMO. Teams will have a hard time neutralizing Doughty and Subban in the neutral zone considering they're arguably 2 of the best D in the world when it comes to their skating ability plus their ability to gain the offensive zone with the puck. As for Seabrook, he has undeniable chemistry with Keith and won not only the cup twice with him but also won gold in 2010, so IMO what he brings is irreplacable.

 

[Victoire HuGo]

It's not horrible, but :

1. I doubt they leave out Tavares
2. I doubt they leave out Pietrangelo
3. I doubt Hamhuis is a top pairing d-man
3. I started to laugh (not in a good way) when I saw you you put Price as the 1G.

Edited to add - I just noticed that you don't have Weber on the team. I changed my mind, in its totality your roster *is* pretty horrible.

1. He's a natural center and I don't see him being a good fit on the wing.
2. Goes with my mentality of LH - RH pairing, Pietrangelo is in the same category as Subban and Doughty but Seabrook's pedigree and his chemistry with Keith gives him the nod over Pietrangelo.
3. He's been for the last 2 years in Vancouver and he's solid defensively.
4. The goalies are not in a particular order just like the lines and the defense.
As for Weber, I find it really interesting that he had an underwhelming season in Nashville while his former linemate was in contention for the Norris...

 

[Mehar]

These are my forwards-

E.Staal Crosby Carter

Nash Getzlaf Perry

Stamkos Tavares St. Louis

Toews Bergeron Giroux

13th Forward- Sharp
14th Forward- Duchene

 

[Jayevs]

Stamkos-Crosby-St. Louis
Hall-Tavares-Giroux
Duchene-Getzlaf-Perry
Richards-Toews-Bergeron
E. Staal
Carter

Keith-Weber
Bouwmeester-Pietrangelo
Hamhuis-Doughty
Staal-Subban/Letang/Green

Luongo
Price
Holtby

 

[JackSlater]

I would like to see something like this:

Hall Crosby Tavares
E. Staal Stamkos St. Louis
Richards Toews Nash
Sharp Bergeron Giroux
Duchene Eberle

Keith Weber
Subban Doughty
Hamhuis Pietrangelo
Vlasic Letang

Price
Luongo
Crawford

Notes:
I'm really tempted to put Bergeron on Crosby's wing and slide Tavares down into a ridiculously dangerous fourth line.

The Vlasic spot is really a tossup between lots of LD like Alzner/Staal/Bouwmeester, and probably even RD Seabrook. I like Vlasic's simple, effective defensive game here unless Staal's health is a complete non-issue.

Goaltenders are sad.

I think Kane has the best chance to make this team out of the skaters not invited. Natural wing, great skater and good on the forecheck.

 

[MyNameIsNobody*]

1. He's a natural center and I don't see him being a good fit on the wing.
2. Goes with my mentality of LH - RH pairing, Pietrangelo is in the same category as Subban and Doughty but Seabrook's pedigree and his chemistry with Keith gives him the nod over Pietrangelo.
3. He's been for the last 2 years in Vancouver and he's solid defensively.
4. The goalies are not in a particular order just like the lines and the defense.
As for Weber, I find it really interesting that he had an underwhelming season in Nashville while his former linemate was in contention for the Norris...

Here are my picks...

Jay Bouwmeester (or Marc Staal ) Put him as SHUTDOWN - I prefer Jay
Shea Weber (I want him as shut down since we have many puck movers)
PK Subban
Duncan Keith
Drew Doughty
Marc Methot or Dion Phaneuf (depends who does better) SHUT DOWN
Alex Pietrangelo
Dan Hamhuis or Kristopher Letang (i prefer Dan)

We need at least 3 Shut down D: Marc Methot, Weber, Jay Bouwmeester

Forward:
Patrice Bergeron
Sidney Crosby
Matt Duchene or Martin St. Louis
Ryan Getzlaf
Claude Giroux
Andrew Ladd
Milan Lucic or James Neal
Rick Nash
Corey Perry
Eric Staal
Steven Stamkos
John Tavares
Jonathan Toews
Jeff Carter or Jordan Staal or Joe Thornton
Patrick Sharp

Gaolie:
We in trouble
Luongo
Smith
Price

...

The coaching staff already have a team concept ready and will need to fill those roles....they will NOT take 15 Crosbys...

They will take different types of role players...Lucic or Neal type scenarios

 

[buddahsmoka1]

Carey Price being invited speaks volumes about how shallow Canada's goaltending depth is, he's the king of 1st round disasters, proven nothing at the NHL level.

lol.

Thank you. I've seen Lucic's name mentioned on here and I know he has been invited to the camp, but I can't see him pulling much consideration on big ice in a bottom-6 role. Getzlaf will only be used as a center, if need be, but he can play anywhere in the line-up if somebody falters. Same with Sharp on wing. Could see Carter and, although it pains me to say it, Marchand, getting a look here as well, due to their positional versatility and chemistry with guys who are locks IMO.

I don't think Lucic will be on the team. There is enough grit in the bottom 6 with Perry, Richards, Toews. If I had to choose, rather have Marchand over Lucic.

Couture is a bit of a long shot for me, but could surprise. I don't think he'll see regular time if he does though.

On defense, I can see Bouwmeester and Seabrook fighting with Hamhuis and Staal over the last two spots. Other than that, I think the top 6 are locks, although Subban and Letang will be used in offense-only situations.

Defense is hard to predict on Canada always, so much depth. But I think you underestimate Subban. He's as good defensively as anyone when playing his game. He may start off in a limited role, but it will grow; similar to what happened for the junior team, he became the go-to defenseman as the tournament progressed.

Goaltending is tough. Some people see it as wide open, but I believe Hockey Canada will stick to what they know works, and Luongo and Price have both done the job at some level in the past. Crawford, being the hottest goalie as of now, is an easy pick for #3.

I think Crawford, Luongo, and Price are the consensus picks. Who knows who ends up starting down the stretch though. Luongo's spot to lose however.

 

[David Suzuki]

Carey Price being invited speaks volumes about how shallow Canada's goaltending depth is, he's the king of 1st round disasters, proven nothing at the NHL level.

Okay I was mad then I realized you're just a Bruins fan. Hardly even human they are

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

1. He's a natural center and I don't see him being a good fit on the wing.
2. Goes with my mentality of LH - RH pairing, Pietrangelo is in the same category as Subban and Doughty but Seabrook's pedigree and his chemistry with Keith gives him the nod over Pietrangelo.
3. He's been for the last 2 years in Vancouver and he's solid defensively.
4. The goalies are not in a particular order just like the lines and the defense.
As for Weber, I find it really interesting that he had an underwhelming season in Nashville while his former linemate was in contention for the Norris...

1. He should be fine at wing. Otherwise they can put him as the 2c.
2. I would take Pietrangelo over either Subban or Seabrook
3. Vancouver's depth at d is not representative of the Olympics.
4. Okay.

Nashville was the 4th worst team in the league - many players had underwhelming seasons. Weber managed to play in Vancouver just fine without having Suter as a linemate.

 

[buddahsmoka1]

Tavares-Crosby-Staal
Nash-Stamkos-St. Louis
Richards-Toews-Perry
Sharp-Bergeron-Marchand
Giroux
Ladd

Keith-Weber
Doughty-Subban
Boyle-Seabrook
Hamhuis-Pietrangelo

Luongo
Price
Crawford

 

[BeardyCanuck03]

Lucic has more skills than you give him credit for. Alot of those clutch goals in the playoffs were initiated by lucic also. In addition once moving he is freight train like fast. Can he skate from standstill or as shifty as marchand Marchand? no, but no way he is a bad or mediocre skater. Perry who made 2010 team is just as good as lucic in skating, but he made the team bc of other intangibles he brings to the table

Lucic strength, physicality, board play, leadership can be a big asset to team Canada. Imo he is ahead on the chart vs guys like Richards, Carter, Ladd, J. Staal etc. If skating and skill is everything than i would like to hear what has been happening to the junior team for so many years now. You can never have too many players who play with alot of heart, guts and turns it on during crunch time

Lucic has a good skill set but it's not in the same league as Richards, Carter, Staal. On NHL sized ice, he'd get more of a look. He deserves to be at the camp but he's going to be in a battle to make the team.

The junior teams have lost to teams who have been fast skilled and have had better goaltending.

Yes, Lucic has a lot o heart, guts, etc but so does every player who has been invited to the orientation camp. If there is anything Canada has a glut of it's character players.

 

[rocketdan9]

Lucic has a good skill set but it's not in the same league as Richards, Carter, Staal. On NHL sized ice, he'd get more of a look. He deserves to be at the camp but he's going to be in a battle to make the team.

The junior teams have lost to teams who have been fast skilled and have had better goaltending.

Yes, Lucic has a lot o heart, guts, etc but so does every player who has been invited to the orientation camp. If there is anything Canada has a glut of it's character players.

Lucic will make the team , but again thats my opinion. In reality any of the guys invited could make the team. If Crosby plays the way he did vs the Bruins , he should not make the team. If Toews and Bergeron played the way they did against each other, team canada will be unstoppable.

 

[Oberyn]

1. He's a natural center and I don't see him being a good fit on the wing.
2. Goes with my mentality of LH - RH pairing, Pietrangelo is in the same category as Subban and Doughty but Seabrook's pedigree and his chemistry with Keith gives him the nod over Pietrangelo.
3. He's been for the last 2 years in Vancouver and he's solid defensively.
4. The goalies are not in a particular order just like the lines and the defense.
As for Weber, I find it really interesting that he had an underwhelming season in Nashville while his former linemate was in contention for the Norris...

1. I don't see why Tavares' game can't translate to the wing.
2. Pietrangelo has played the left side before, and is better than at least half the defensemen you listed.
3. Being on the top pairing of an NHL team is a whole lot different than being on the top pairing of an Olympic team.

Weber's top 6 forwards: Wilson, Fisher, Legwand, Hornqvist, Kostitsyn, Erat (traded)
Suter's top 6 forwards: Parise, Koivu, Setoguchi, Heatley, Coyle, Pominville

Minnesota has a better offense by far, and yet Suter only managed to score 4 more points than Weber. The Wild were also a playoff team and yet Suter was only a +2, while Weber played on the 2nd worst team in the conference and had a respectable -2. Plus, weren't Wild fans saying Brodin was the reason Suter started playing good? So, he got carried by a rookie then?

 

[CHfan1]

Really like the idea of a Hall-Tavares-Giroux combination as Canada's second line.