Canadian World Cup roster announced

[Maelmoor]

Where is Lecavalier

Even thou I hope Sweden will win I was hoping to see Marty-Lecavlier-Richards in a line...

Nash should also got a chance...

 

[Hossa]

1) Yzerman should be there....he's not the player he used to be, but he's the best leader in hockey right now if you ask me and will be a vital player for many reasons, leadership being the main one. On a roster this big, it doesn't hurt at all to bring him along. He can still score, is great defensively and won't take bad penalties or things like that.

2) The Eric Brewer facade continues....somehow Edmonton players say Steve Staios is better, (two years in a row the team's top d-man voted by the team)....yet Brewer makes the squad....he's brutal. Brewer isn't the best defenceman on the Oilers even...last year the players named Staios the best defenceman. Not sure who they voted was their team's best this year, but after his brutal campaign, it sure wasn't Brewer.

3) Gagne simply isn't a scorer at this point, he hasn't hit 50 points the last two years...we drop Kariya because he can't score but we keep Gagne...come on, and if it's because of his defence, then drop Maltby and play Tanguay. Gagne simply isn't a scorer in the NHL right now, so I don't want him to be a scorer on this all-star team. If he and Primeau tag team for a shut-down line, that's cool, but for a scoring line, Gagne over Tanguay is pretty silly.

4) Richards is there because he can play center and the wing...and he's consistent, Lecavalier is great when he's hot, but brutal when he's not, I'd take Tanguay over Lecavalier, but Richards over both isn't that bad of a call.

 

[HuskyFlames]

He had one bad game. Get over it.

Ya BUT the gold medal comes down to ONE game. You need a guys that won't take any nights off when the big dance comes. McCabe is good but makes some really bone headed plays at times.

 

[Verbal Kint*]

Maybe but Gretz stated he was looking for players who could step up in pressure situations, McCabe obviously does not qualify. Can you imagine a Gold medal game against the U.S. and he plays like that?

Yes I can. I'll see him playing like he did in the last game against Ottawa. Leading the Leafs in shots and scoring the goal that puts the nail in the coffin.

 

[PinkFloydLives]

I can't argue with the majority of the selections.

It must be a tough job to do

One pick I am happy with is no Bryan McCabe. Wade Redden is a better pick.

One pick I wish would have happened is LeCavalier in and Iginla out.

Seems Mr.Iginla can't take losing without elbowing opponents in the head after they score empty net goals..

And after the mediocre second round Belfour had against Philadelphia, I don't know why he was chosen.

Oh well, we stand behind who was chosen.

Go Canada Go!

 

[Verbal Kint*]

Ya BUT the gold medal comes down to ONE game. You need a guys that won't take any nights off when the big dance comes. McCabe is good but makes some really bone headed plays at times.

Yes and that one game could be any one of the other 90 or so he played this season.

 

[HuskyFlames]

As I think about it, the Regher selection is also a strange one. With the coaching staff team Canada has, I expect to see the defense involved in the play quite a bit. Regher (and the entire flames defense is HORRIBLE at this). It is why the flames PP sputters, they can't even set up a one time shot from the point reliably. Another strange selection, IMHO.

It is not Regher fault the rest of the forwards cannot setup the onetimer shot. Fact is, Regher has become a top physical defensemen that can play against top lines and is no liability on the ice. He can also play top minutes and play ANY situation.

 

[rulin]

Here are my thoughts...

Goalies: Martin Brodeur was the obvious #1. I thought it was definite that Luongo was going to be on the team (#2 or #3, I don't know). I definitely could see Belfour making the team, after his overall good playoff performance, but I thought they would’ve brought Théodore in, for the future.

Defence: I would've loved to see Bouwmeester, but I guess the management believes he's not ready yet. He is only 20, though, (which amazes me), so he has plenty of time. I question the Brewer decision, as well. IMO, Stuart would’ve been a better choice.

Forwards: Lots of picks that confuse me. I do realise the need for grinders and defensive forwards, but there are better guys than Maltby for the job, who are better overall players (Primeau, anyone?).

I’m not that surprised that Bertuzzi’s on the team. Nor am I outraged. I don’t know, I just wouldn’t feel that comfortable with on the team, but that’s my opinion based on my morals.

Gagné and Morrow’s spots could be for better use, if you ask me. How can a guy like Alex Tanguay not be picked, but Gagné can? HOW?! The Morrow choice just completely surprises me. Brad Richards is also kind of questionable. Was he really the best guy for his respective role? It’s a shame Paul Kariya is not there, over these guys.

I wonder how useful Yzerman will be for the team. He’s a great leader, no doubt, but he’s not the player he used to be. I don’t know, maybe I am thinking too much about “the next generationâ€, but this spot, as well, could’ve been for better use. But, who knows, maybe he’ll make a big locker room impact?

I am also interested to see how Thornton, with his less than spectacular playoff stats, plays in this big tournament. Will he be a dominating force, or his invisible (except for his stupid penalties, of course) playoff self?

With all that said, I am incredibly happy for Martin St-Louis, Shane Doan, Patrick Marleau, and all the other new guys.

~~

Overall, it’s a good team, but IMO, it could’ve been better. There are a lot of players that have been left out, over some guys who maybe aren’t the best. Though, this isn’t the official roster, so there’s always room for change. But whoever says that this team sucks, definitely needs to get their head checked, because it sure as hell doesn’t.
GO CANADA!

 

[Killer 93]

Ya BUT the gold medal comes down to ONE game. You need a guys that won't take any nights off when the big dance comes. McCabe is good but makes some really bone headed plays at times.

Martin Brodeur did not exactly have a great post-season. Do you have a problem with him being on the roster?

 

[Mowzie]

Ease up guys, we have a great team, that has all the tools to win gold. We are playing in Canada, on a the small Ice surface, that is a HUGE advantage.

for those knocking the Maltby-Draper picks, its simple. They do their jobs, we have lines that can shoot the lights out. we need a shutdown unit, and these guys are the best in the world when it comes to shutting down the oppositions top lines.

Politics, Shmolitrics, Ive never seen so much Brewer bashing in my life. You guys are talking about him like hes a blind parapalegic that won a spot on the team on an ebay auction. He's a great defenseman, and there's obviously something to his game that the boys in suits like. He hasnt done anything to play his way off the team, and although his offensive stats dont take up to much room in the paper, hes a great defender, one of the best 1 on 1 dmen in the game today.

I kinda figured this would happen though, us Canadians wouldve been critisizing the picks either way, and calling for W. Gretzkys head. Now everyone will be crying about how dumb the choices where, and then we'll watch the team come together, and complain from our couches about how we're an embaressment to the country, and that the coaches are idiots. and then we will win gold and we will all pretend that we never said a word, and we will cheer and dance and party, and forget that we ever critisized team Canada.

Just Chill the Puck out guys, we've got a winner. trust me.

 

[HuskyFlames]

Yes and that one game could be any one of the other 90 or so he played this season.

McCabe has shown he can't give 100% EVERY NIGHT come important games. We need guys who don't let off ANY GAME.

 

[Egil]

It is not Regher fault the rest of the forwards cannot setup the onetimer shot. Fact is, Regher has become a top physical defensemen that can play against top lines and is no liability on the ice. He can also play top minutes and play ANY situation.

It is more than just that. I don't disagree that Regher is a good defensive defenseman. But take Foote, he used to be a similar player to Regher, yet now, he is a more than competent offensive player. Regher will probably get their, but he isn't their yet. And I think that skillset is in high demand from the team canada coaching staff. Quinn, Martin and Hitchock all have their defenseman involved in the offense, all the time. We shall see, but it is simply a potential problem I see....

 

[Bill McNeal]

Can't believe Kariya and Tanguay didn't make it...

Tanguay had an excellent year, arguably top 5 Canadian offensively.

Kariya had a crappy year, but he's always played his best for Canada. It's not gonna be the same without him.

I'm also a tad disappointed that Bertuzzi didn't make it, but it was expected.

 

[Riggins]

One pick I wish would have happened is Iginla out.

:lol

 

[Team_Spirit]

wow, maltby and draper. I'm not sure I agree.

where is Bertuzzi , LeCavalier ? That's a shame to team Canada .

 

[Verbal Kint*]

McCabe has shown he can't give 100% EVERY NIGHT come important games. We need guys who don't let off ANY GAME.

What? So are you saying because Brodeur let in some soft goals in his first round series that we should scrap him from the roster? Its one friggen game! Every player lays a goose egg now and again, it happens.

 

[The Hamburglar]

I like the make-up of this team. I kinda figured they would bring back the Maltby - Draper - Doan for a 4th line. Brewer, Richards, and Morrow are a bit confusing selections, but I don't think they'll see much ice. Here's what I expect to see:

Brodeur
Luongo
Belfour

Pronger - Neids
Jovo - Blake
Redden - Foote
Bench: Brewer, Regehr

Gagne - Sakic - Iginla
Marleau - Lemieux - Heatley
Smyth - Thornton - St. Louis
Maltby - Draper - Doan
Bench: Yzerman, Richards, Morrow

Yzerman would be the first guy in the lineup if a change is needed.

 

[big_steve]

At first when I heard Kirk Maltby was named to the team, I felt like throwing up. But when I started to think about it, this pick really starts to make sense. Him, Draper, and Doan will work wonderful together as a shut-down line and we all know that Doan and Draper can put up offensive numbers.

The changes I would make up front would be Kariya, Tanguay, & Nash over Gagne, Yzerman, & Morrow. I really like Yzerman but he's too old. Gagne's play has gone down since the 2002 Olympics but he has become a good 2-way player. As for Morrow, I'm happy to see him on the roster but I feel Kariya, Tanguay, & Nash are just too much better then him.

The only change back at the D would be Adrian Aucoin over Eric Brewer. Their are a few guys I would pick over Brewer: Aucoin of course, Scott Stevens if healthy, Bryan McCabe, Sheldon Souray, Scott Hannen, Brad Stuart, & Jay Bouwmeester plus cases could be made for guys like Dan Boyle, Derek Morris(remember I said "cases"), Jason Smith, Mike Rathje, Nick Boynton, Chris Phillips, & Eric Desjardins. I didn't think Robyn Regehr would make it but I'm happy he did.

Don't really have any problem in goal. I would've picked Jose Theodore over Ed Belfour but that don't really matter as neither of them would/will be used.

 

[Porn*]

No suprise that Fatty Quinn was abel to weasel one of his players onto the team.

Leaf fans are wetting themselves again, too bad they don't realize that BelFORE will be a third stringer and see no action. :lol

Maltby instead of Primeau?

what an idiot...

 

[Verbal Kint*]

what an idiot...

No kidding eh? Such a classy avatar too.

 

[wilka91*]

People no offense, but Draper and Maltby ... MUAHAHAHA

 

[Killer 93]

what an idiot...

I am starting to think he has a deal with the mods at this forum.

 

[big_steve]

I kinda figured this would happen though, us Canadians wouldve been critisizing the picks either way, and calling for W. Gretzkys head. Now everyone will be crying about how dumb the choices where, and then we'll watch the team come together, and complain from our couches about how we're an embaressment to the country, and that the coaches are idiots. and then we will win gold and we will all pretend that we never said a word, and we will cheer and dance and party, and forget that we ever critisized team Canada.

Just Chill the Puck out guys, we've got a winner. trust me.

Agreed. This team could definitely be better on paper but I think there will be lots of chemistry on this team and they'll do great.

 

[Verbal Kint*]

People no offense, but Draper and Maltby ... MUAHAHAHA

Draper was a good choice. One of the best defensive centres in the game and 24 goals this season to boot. Maltby however...

 

[HuskyFlames]

What? So are you saying because Brodeur let in some soft goals in his first round series that we should scrap him from the roster? Its one friggen game! Every player lays a goose egg now and again, it happens.

It hurt them in the series and most likely the starting spot on the team as well for Canada. When there are defensemen who played better then McCabe in the playoffs and was more consistant then he doesn't deserve to be on the team. The regular season is nothing compared to big games (IE playoff hockey). There were tons of players that played amazing regualr season (Souray, Datsyuk, etc) but when the big games came they didn't pick up their game. McCabe is good offensively but his defensive play is average. The first job of a defensemen is to keep the puck out of their net and guys like Regher do a better job at it.