Bruins + Crosby & Price carried team canada

[EK47]

Weber and Bouwmeester were slow with decision making, especially the latter. He was a disaster. Burns was playing like an idiot. Vlasic, Doughty and Pietrangelo (mostly) were awesome. We clearly missed Keith in this tournament.

Oh Burns the worst hockey IQ of an elite player in the league

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I agree with many posters that Canada's defence was hampered by a lack of speed. They ought to have learned from our past successes that it's essential to have at least one outstanding, reliable puck-mover who can control the speed of the game, carry the puck through the neutral zone and get back fast in the event of a bad pinch or stretch pass. It was Coffey, it was Niedermayer (the best in my opinion), now it's Doughty but he's not as good as Neidermayer was in this situation and the speed of the game today means that the load has to be shared among more quick D-men. Subban should be on future versions of this team as should a Ryan Ellis type and an Ekblad. For a younger stay at home type with mobility try a Karl Alzner, a standout former World Junior captain who made it possible for Carlson to rove around. Alzner has taken his game to a new level in the past year.

Alzner is older than half the defense (Doughty, Muzzin, Pietrangelo) that was at the tourney. He's not young, the guy is 28. You talk about speed, but leave out Kris Letang, lol.

 

[hammerwielder]

Honestly, if that Crosby line wasn't on fire, he wouldn't be undefeated. He's a boring coach, he was given an insane team and it still didn't perform to it's best capabilities, the other teams weren't at their best sure, but still...I hate when people pump Babcock just because he's their new coach.

The guy is archaic. You'll see after a few years.

Yeah, with two Olympic Golds and a World Cup, he's not worth a bag of pucks.

Coaching of Team Canada is by committee, with a lot of other people involved. One of the assistants at Sochi was Krueger. It's almost unfair that he got to coach Europe given all the intelligence he has about TC methods.

When I was at one of the games and in the player family meet and greet afterwards, the TC coaching staff walked by, looking determinedly taciturn. Quenneville and Julien were pretty much equal partners in this enterprise in terms of the coaching--(ever wonder why Bergeron and Marchand were on the top line and so effective?)--so between the three of those hacks, not much talent there, eh?

From seeing a lot of Canada's games in person, I can tell you that it doesn't matter how good a coach you are, it was just really hard for the players to get up for a Canada-Team Europe final the way they could for a Canada-Russia semi. Or a Canada-Sweden final. Canada-Europe was a buzzkill for these guys, they weren't who they were here to play, yes they had to get through them to win the Cup, but everyone knows Team Europe aren't a real country and the NHL suits are now going to make sure there's never a Team Europe again, so it was a job and you could see it on their faces, in their play and on the bench.

 

[Seras]

Honestly, if that Crosby line wasn't on fire, he wouldn't be undefeated. He's a boring coach, he was given an insane team and it still didn't perform to it's best capabilities, the other teams weren't at their best sure, but still...I hate when people pump Babcock just because he's their new coach.

The guy is archaic. You'll see after a few years.

He was the best coach in the league until he joined the leafs, now he is over-rated, boring and now after this swept championship he is considered lucky that some of his players played.

HF never disappoints.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Yeah, with two Olympic Golds and a World Cup, he's not worth a bag of pucks.

Coaching of Team Canada is by committee, with a lot of other people involved. One of the assistants at Sochi was Krueger. It's almost unfair that he got to coach Europe given all the intelligence he has about TC methods.

When I was at one of the games and in the player family meet and greet afterwards, the TC coaching staff walked by, looking determinedly taciturn. Quenneville and Julien were pretty much equal partners in this enterprise in terms of the coaching--(ever wonder why Bergeron and Marchand were on the top line and so effective?)--so between the three of those hacks, not much talent there, eh?

From seeing a lot of Canada's games in person, I can tell you that it doesn't matter how good a coach you are, it was just really hard for the players to get up for a Canada-Team Europe final the way they could for a Canada-Russia semi. Or a Canada-Sweden final. Canada-Europe was a buzzkill for these guys, they weren't who they were here to play, yes they had to get through them to win the Cup, but everyone knows Team Europe aren't a real country and the NHL suits are now going to make sure there's never a Team Europe again, so it was a job and you could see it on their faces, in their play and on the bench.

Not sure what point you are trying to make. What Sid & Bergy are good together? That was known the first year Crosby was in the league and they played together later that early summer.

I said Babcock is an overrated coach, he keeps getting picked because god knows why, he has friends there that seem to really trust him. I would think JQ would do just as good of a job.

Again, no clue what point you are trying to make, you clearly aren't replying to my comments even though you quoted it.

 

[hammerwielder]

Alzner is older than half the defense (Doughty, Muzzin, Pietrangelo) that was at the tourney. He's not young, the guy is 28. You talk about speed, but leave out Kris Letang, lol.

Letang's a defensive liability. All I hear on this thread is "Letang, Letang" and mark my words TC brass will not have him and you will not see him in a TC uniform. In fact he's never been on a TC senior team, having last played only for the junior team 10 years ago. He wasn't even picked for Sochi in his prime. And 28 is young for a defenceman. Letang is 30 this season. You won't see Letang on the next team but you will see Alzner.

 

[Seras]

Not sure what point you are trying to make. What Sid & Bergy are good together? That was known the first year Crosby was in the league and they played together later that early summer.

I said Babcock is an overrated coach, he keeps getting picked because god knows why, he has friends there that seem to really trust him. I would think JQ would do just as good of a job.

Again, no clue what point you are trying to make, you clearly aren't replying to my comments even though you quoted it.

It's because he wins, no need to ask god

 

[Honour Over Glory]

He was the best coach in the league until he joined the leafs, now he is over-rated, boring and now after this swept championship he is considered lucky that some of his players played.

HF never disappoints.

According to whom? The HF faithful? Most wings fans hated the fact that he didn't play the youth, he leaves and oh look what happens, Wings suddenly play more kids. I was so freaking happy he never joined the Pens as a coach.

He was what, the best coach because he pulled a Manny Legace in Detroit for coaching? Ok.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Letang's a defensive liability. All I hear on this thread is "Letang, Letang" and mark my words TC brass will not have him and you will not see him in a TC uniform. In fact he's never been on a TC senior team, having last played only for the junior team 10 years ago. He wasn't even picked for Sochi in his prime. And 28 is young for a defenceman. Letang is 30 this season. You won't see Letang on the next team but you will see Alzner.

Haha...wow. Are you Alzner's agent or relative?

 

[hammerwielder]

He was the best coach in the league until he joined the leafs, now he is over-rated, boring and now after this swept championship he is considered lucky that some of his players played.

HF never disappoints.

 

[BeautBabeC]

I'd like to see a guy like TJ Brodie on D, really good skater and can be creative but a great decision maker on when to be. Really underrated guy

 

[hammerwielder]

Haha...wow. Are you Alzner's agent or relative?

No. Barry Trotz, who is only a TC coach, seems to think so, as does Hockey Canada.

http://thehockeywriters.com/karl-alzner-makes-big-strides-for-capitals/

But hey, knock yourself out with your own picks. I'm just telling you where Hockey Canada's at.

 

[SB164]

 

[chunkylover53]

2 Gold Medals, 1 World Cup.



What's the problem again? Their system works and they just went undefeated for crying out loud.

Winning doesn't mean they didn't made bad calls. Crosby lines being fire was the reason they won. Also you could've picked me on the 2014 team and they would've won...doesn't mean it would be a good pick. Jaybo/Muzzin were not good picks. That has lead to TC having this problem in jrs where they always leave off better players for "their guys"

 

[Old Gregg]

No. Barry Trotz, who is only a TC coach, seems to think so, as does Hockey Canada.

http://thehockeywriters.com/karl-alzner-makes-big-strides-for-capitals/

But hey, knock yourself out with your own picks. I'm just telling you where Hockey Canada's at.

Oh WOW!! Look everyone!!! An NHL coach said something nice about a player he coaches in the NHL!! I never would've guessed!

Yes TC won the tournament but they struggled with speed and the d struggled with the pressure by forecheckers. Letang would have surprised a lot of people if he was given the chance. He is great at carrying the puck up the ice and has great speed. I am also not sure how anyone can call him a defensive liability after he carried what many considered the worst defensive group in the playoffs to a Stanley Cup. He played half a game on average against the other teams top players. The guy is a work horse.

Burns was horrible I thought...especially on the PP. All he did was throw the damn puck at the net. Didn't look around for a play..just flung it on net.

And Toews was meh...Didn't really notice him out there most of the time. Had a few nice plays but wasn't even in the top 5 best players for TC this tourney.

 

[Riddum]

No Letang and Subban could have been there instead of Boumeester and Muzzin. I just do not understand the obsession over left and right shot balance

lol, have you seen the coaching staff? I think I will give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Juppy61]

Oh WOW!! Look everyone!!! An NHL coach said something nice about a player he coaches in the NHL!! I never would've guessed!

Yes TC won the tournament but they struggled with speed and the d struggled with the pressure by forecheckers. Letang would have surprised a lot of people if he was given the chance. He is great at carrying the puck up the ice and has great speed. I am also not sure how anyone can call him a defensive liability after he carried what many considered the worst defensive group in the playoffs to a Stanley Cup. He played half a game on average against the other teams top players. The guy is a work horse.

Burns was horrible I thought...especially on the PP. All he did was throw the damn puck at the net. Didn't look around for a play..just flung it on net.

And Toews was meh...Didn't really notice him out there most of the time. Had a few nice plays but wasn't even in the top 5 best players for TC this tourney.

We are never satisfied. Canada goes undefeated again in best on best and people still find ways to criticize. Look, Team Europe played the way they needed to play to have a chance. They played the trap perfectly and clogged up the neutral zone and nullified a lot of Canada's chances. They created turnovers and yes there were a few boneheaded plays by Canada but for the most part it was Team Europe's style that caused Canada problems getting their game going. At the end of the day Canada overcame and won. I would suggest to other countries to study the way Team Europe played Canada and think about mimicking this if they want to beat Canada. Team Europe played an almost perfect trap game and almost won.

 

[goldenbladz1]

No kidding, it was hilarious that he was left off, same for Subban.



No, HF fashion would be to over rate every single thing Toews does, while he was important, he really wasn't a huge factor in the tournament. It was carried by Crosby's line, Price coming up big when they needed him to and the Defense being solid at defense (crap at offense though).

Also, I notice it's mainly Hawks fans saying "What about Toews! What about Toews!"

Then you didn't watch the tournament then as he played great and that second line scored and played great shut down D including holding Ovechkin to ONE shot!!

 

[Godzilla]

Babs and TC seem to have "their guys" that they have on the ice no matter what, despite evidence to the contrary and guys who they'll limit or not even take eg. Subban, Giroux, Letang, Gio.

It's another old boys club in a way. In 2 years Weber might slow down yet I bet he'll still go.

seriously?

 

[goldenbladz1]

Oh WOW!! Look everyone!!! An NHL coach said something nice about a player he coaches in the NHL!! I never would've guessed!

Yes TC won the tournament but they struggled with speed and the d struggled with the pressure by forecheckers. Letang would have surprised a lot of people if he was given the chance. He is great at carrying the puck up the ice and has great speed. I am also not sure how anyone can call him a defensive liability after he carried what many considered the worst defensive group in the playoffs to a Stanley Cup. He played half a game on average against the other teams top players. The guy is a work horse.

Burns was horrible I thought...especially on the PP. All he did was throw the damn puck at the net. Didn't look around for a play..just flung it on net.

And Toews was meh...Didn't really notice him out there most of the time. Had a few nice plays but wasn't even in the top 5 best players for TC this tourney.

Ya let's pump the tires on your boy and complain that Letang should be there (of which I do like him as a player) and then trash on another player that was definitely one of the better forwards on the team. Fact is the second line with Toews was given the tougher D assignments to allow the Crosby line to go on the offense. That line was fantastic too.

 

[Old Gregg]

Ya let's pump the tires on your boy and complain that Letang should be there (of which I do like him as a player) and then trash on another player that was definitely one of the better forwards on the team. Fact is the second line with Toews was given the tougher D assignments to allow the Crosby line to go on the offense. That line was fantastic too.

Toews was maybe a top 5 forward for Team Canada in this tourney

 

[Call me betty*]

Ya let's pump the tires on your boy and complain that Letang should be there (of which I do like him as a player) and then trash on another player that was definitely one of the better forwards on the team. Fact is the second line with Toews was given the tougher D assignments to allow the Crosby line to go on the offense. That line was fantastic too.

Crosby/Bergeron/Marchand were against the top pairing of the opposing teams, so i don't know how they had it easy...

 

[Confucius]

Pretty sure Doughty had a big role. As did Burns, Weber and Pietrangelo. Defense is always overlooked.

Still was the best D in the world ainec

 

[Uncle Rotter]

Also, I notice it's mainly Hawks fans saying "What about Toews! What about Toews!"

Also people who watched the games.

 

[daver]

Also people who watched the games.

He played well in his role. But who else but Toews gets posters coming in and pumping his tires to the level of a player who doubled him in points or the player who scored four goals in the SF and Final.

The Crosby line was great, Toews has a case for 4th best forward. Congrats to him!