OT: Predict 2014 Olympic Team Canada

[BenningHurtsMySoul]

Stamkos with Crosby....hnnnnggggg.

 

[ARSix]

I'm not predicting, this is just what I want to see.

Rick Nash - Sidney Crosby - Claude Giroux
John Tavares - Steven Stamkos - Martin St. Louis
Eric Staal - Ryan Getzlaf - Corey Perry
Jamie Benn - Patrice Bergeron - Jonathan Toews
Taylor Hall - Mike Richards

Drew Doughty - Alex Pietrangelo
Duncan Keith - Kris Letang
Dan Hamhuis - Shea Weber
PK Subban - Brent Seabrook

Luongo
Smith
Price

 

[Wildcarder]

I've starred who I consider to be absolute locks for the team (*)

Forwards (14)
*1. Crosby
*2. Stamkos
*3. Toews
*4. Giroux
*5. Bergeron
6. Getzlaf
7. E. Staal
8. Tavares
9. Perry
10. Nash
11. M.Richards
12. Hall
13. Couture
14. Thornton or St Louis.

Bergeron - Crosby - Nash
Giroux - Stamkos - St Louis
E.Staal - Getzlaf - Perry
M.Richards - Toews - Tavares
extras: Hall, Couture


Defenseman (8)
*1. Weber
*2. Keith
*3. Doughty
4. Pietrangelo
5. Subban
6. Seabrook
7. Hamhuis
8. Letang

Weber - Keith
Pietrangelo - Doughty
Subban - Seabrook
extras: Hamhuis, Letang


Goalies (3)
*1. Luongo
2. Price
3. Crawford

 

[BannedFromCDC]

Stamkos-Crosby-St.Louis
Hall-Tavares-Giroux
E.Staal-Toews-Bergeron
Nash-Getzlaf-Perry
M.Richards, Ladd

Subban-Weber
Keith-Pietrangelo
Hamhuis-Doughty
Letang, Phaneuf

Crawford
Luongo
Price

 

[vancityluongo]

I know the exact top-6 I'd ideally be dressing and good to see many others agree.

Stamkos - Crosby - St. Louis
Hall - Tavares - Giroux

6 of the top-10 (offensive) forwards in the world. Yes please. Anyone not including Hall on their team is blind. Especially if that same team includes Jordan Eberle instead...

My bottom-6 has two locks; Toews at third line center, and Bergeron on the fourth line, preferably at center. I think Perry has to make it, but Getzlaf only if he shifts to the wing somewhere. Same goes for E. Staal. The other option is for Bergeron to play wing.

Staal - Toews - Perry
xxx - Getzlaf - Bergeron
xxx

That last starting spot basically goes to whoever is playing the best out of the young guys; Eberle, Benn, Couture, Marchand, Lucic, etc. M. Richards, Carter, etc. might also be in the mix if they're having big years, but I don't think so. Guys like Thornton, Marleau and in my opinion, Nash, just aren't in their Team Canada heyday anymore. Loyal players throughout their careers, but I really think Yzerman and co will be trying as hard as possible to not repeat 2006 to the point of leaving good veteran players back in order to include the youth. Guys in contention for the 13th forward spot could expand to players like Sharp, Ladd, etc. if they're also having big years. I'd personally go for a combo - if a young skilled guy like Benn is taking the 12th spot, give the 13th to the gritty vet Ladd. If Lucic is 12, Sharp should be 13, and so on.

On defense:

Keith - Doughty
Subban - Weber
Hamhuis - Letang
Pietrangelo

Hamhuis effectively plays the role Seabrook did last time where he makes the team due to positional benefits (playing the left side) but ends up having his starting spot taken by the better young guy, in this case Pietrangelo (last time it was Doughty).

Luongo
Price
Crawford

Agreed with whoever said that the job is literally there for Luongo to lose. He'll be starting game one, but the moment something goes wrong the reins will be given to Price to carry. The Brodeur-Luongo parallel as many have pointed out. Crawford is a better choice than Smith or Dubnyk (barf) as the third guy, and given his cup experience is a steady third choice in case both Lu and Price decide to mentally implode at the same time.

 

[King of the ES*]

Did you watch Seabrook this year? He was just dreadful.

Seabrook had 8 goals, 20 points in 47 games, was a +12, and played 22:00 per night on the President's Trophy winning team, that broke a record to start the season.

He also played 23:00 per night in the playoffs, and I believe he scored two very key OT goals en route to them winning the Stanley Cup.

If that's "just dreadful", I'd be interested to hear about what sort of expectations you have for the guy. An Art Ross?

 

[stromboner]

I've seen a lot of people's line-ups using natural centres at the wing, but playing their off wing. It's fine to put natural centres at the wing, as Canada is very deep at this position, and it's easier for a centre to move to the wing (less defensive responsibility) than for a winger to move to centre. I did some internet research and this is where some of Canada's centres have played wing.

Giroux played RW early in his career
Bergeron played RW for team Canada last Olympics, and his last World Juniors w/ Crosby
Couture played LW early in his career
E. Staal played LW for team Canada last Olympics
Stamkos plays essentially LW on the Tampa PP for most of his career

Also, there is something to be said for chemistry/familiar pairings. Those pairing are the following:

Stamkos-St. Louis (frequently play on same line)
Crosby-Neal (don't play on the same line, maybe in practice)
Getzlaf-Perry (frequently play on same line)
Hall-Eberle (frequently play on same line)
Toews-Sharp (sometimes play on same line)
Bergeron-Marchand (sometimes play on the same line)
Couture-Thornton (played on the same line early in Couture's career)
Richards-Carter (frequently play on same line)

Keith-Seabrook (paired for many years in CHI + for 2010 Olympics, both play natural sides)
Bouwmeester-Pietrangelo (paired last year, both play natural sides)
Hamhuis-Weber (played a couple of years together, both play natural sides)
Alzner-Greene (same team, not sure if same pairing)
Boyle-Vlasic (same team, not sure if same pairing)

 

[Pip]

Seabrook had 8 goals, 20 points in 47 games, was a +12, and played 22:00 per night on the President's Trophy winning team, that broke a record to start the season.

He also played 23:00 per night in the playoffs, and I believe he scored two very key OT goals en route to them winning the Stanley Cup.

If that's "just dreadful", I'd be interested to hear about what sort of expectations you have for the guy. An Art Ross?

Did you watch Seabrook this year? Or any year for that matter? I know as an Oilers' fan, you may not catch many of their games, but simply stating offensive totals to suggest that he had a great season for Seabrook is ridiculously stupid. He would be brought to be a stay at home, tough defender. Even Hawks fans admit that Seabrook had an "off year". He may rebound next year before the Olympics and make the team, but as it stands right now I think he is far from a lock.

A lot will depend on how he starts the season.

 

[y2kcanucks]

Hall-Crosby-Giroux
Tavares-Stamkos-St.Louis
Nash-Toews-Bergeron
E.Staal-Getzlaf-Perry
Marchand-Couture

Keith-Weber
Doughty-Pietrangelo
Hamhuis-Letang
M.Staal-Subban

Luongo
Price
Crawford

 

[Addison Rae]

Seabrook had 8 goals, 20 points in 47 games, was a +12, and played 22:00 per night on the President's Trophy winning team, that broke a record to start the season.

He also played 23:00 per night in the playoffs, and I believe he scored two very key OT goals en route to them winning the Stanley Cup.

If that's "just dreadful", I'd be interested to hear about what sort of expectations you have for the guy. An Art Ross?

It's easy to just read statistics. I watched the Hawks play on numerous occasions last year and Seabrook had a down year, go read the Hawks board and they'll even tell you the same thing.

 

[How Ya Drouin]

It's funny that a lot of people have one of two Norris nominees this past year available for Canada being a 7th/8th Dman. Not that I disagree with it, it just shows how deep Canada really is.

 

[y2kcanucks]

It's funny that a lot of people have one of two Norris nominees this past year available for Canada being a 7th/8th Dman. Not that I disagree with it, it just shows how deep Canada really is.

It's a testament to how deep Canada is on the right side. Weber is clearly on the top pairing. I also think Pietrangelo needs to be the guy who's D partner is a converted RHS as I think he can cover defensively for any lapses. Letang is purely an offensive specialist who I feel is a better skater than Subban.

In the end they're all interchangeable and Babcock will need to determine who shows chemistry with who.

 

[PRNuck]

It's funny that a lot of people have one of two Norris nominees this past year available for Canada being a 7th/8th Dman. Not that I disagree with it, it just shows how deep Canada really is.

Could also be a testament to the need to revise how they vote on the Norris winner!

edit: Derp I said Vezina.

 

[King of the ES*]

Did you watch Seabrook this year? Or any year for that matter? I know as an Oilers' fan, you may not catch many of their games, but simply stating offensive totals to suggest that he had a great season for Seabrook is ridiculously stupid. He would be brought to be a stay at home, tough defender. Even Hawks fans admit that Seabrook had an "off year". He may rebound next year before the Olympics and make the team, but as it stands right now I think he is far from a lock.

Oilers fan?

I live in Chicago - Seabrook was fine. He's not a guy that you ever really need to worry about, or even think about, really. Mr. Consistency, Mr. Reliability. Not unlike Hamhuis, in that respect, really, but he's younger, bigger, stronger, and has more quality experience than Dan does. So, IMO, it should be pretty obvious who makes the team of the two.

 

[King of the ES*]

It's easy to just read statistics. I watched the Hawks play on numerous occasions last year and Seabrook had a down year, go read the Hawks board and they'll even tell you the same thing.

So now statistics don't the story, it's the eye test. Is that what you're saying?

It's really hard for anyone to convince me that a guy as important to the Blackhawks as Seabrook is had a "down year" - or, as Live Playoff Hockey put it, that he was "just dreadful". Chicago won the President's Trophy and the Stanley Cup. Seabrook played more minutes than anyone not named Duncan Keith. Do you see the problem?

 

[keslerburrows]

Stamkos-Crosby-Giroux (Wow...)
Hall-Tavares-Perry (Goals galore)
Nash-Toews-Getzlaf (Huge line. With insane skill, should create room for Toews)
Richards-Bergeron-Staal (Will anyone score against these guys?)
Couture/St Louis

Weber-Pietrangelo (Just dominate all aspects of the game)
Doughty-Subban (Electric pairing)
Combo of Hamhuis, Keith, JBo and Letang.

Luongo (Best goalie available)
Price (Good for him to make team, will be starter in 2018)

Tried to find a place for St. Louis but couldn't quite make it work.

 

[Pip]

So now statistics don't the story, it's the eye test. Is that what you're saying?

It's really hard for anyone to convince me that a guy as important to the Blackhawks as Seabrook is had a "down year" - or, as Live Playoff Hockey put it, that he was "just dreadful". Chicago won the President's Trophy and the Stanley Cup. Seabrook played more minutes than anyone not named Duncan Keith. Do you see the problem?

It was a poor year for him. That doesn't mean that he isn't still a very good defender, but possibly not Olympic caliber ATM. Being the second best defenseman on a cup winner doesn't mean you're automatically a lock for the Olympics.

There are more deserving candidates

 

[topheavyhookjaw]

My thoughts:

Stamkos-Crosby-Staal
Hall-Tavares-Giroux
Richards-Toews-Bergeron - tough minutes line
Nash-Getzlaf-Perry

Keith-Weber
Hamhuis-Doughty
Letang-Pietrangelo
Subban

Luongo
Price
Crawford

I think Hamhuis makes it for low event LHS-ness, with Letang, Doughty, Subban they need some mobile more stay at home guys. Keith & Weber eat up all the tough minutes.

Pretty excellent 'checking line' with 3 great faceoff men and two way guys. 4th line is mobile and huge.

I think Couture and Sharp are spares up front, versatile and can play any role in a pinch.

 

[Wildcarder]

I really think the key in all of this is skating. People have to remember the two recent Olympics we've won have both been on North American ice. We've been embarassed the other two times (Nagano and Turin).

This is the reason why players like St Louis, Bouwmeester, and Hamhuis have some additional value over for this specific tournament over players like Lucic and Ladd because of pure skating ability. Thankfully from some of Yzerman's comments he realizes this and it'll factor into his decision.

 

[Catamarca Livin]

Seabrook had 8 goals, 20 points in 47 games, was a +12, and played 22:00 per night on the President's Trophy winning team, that broke a record to start the season.

He also played 23:00 per night in the playoffs, and I believe he scored two very key OT goals en route to them winning the Stanley Cup.

If that's "just dreadful", I'd be interested to hear about what sort of expectations you have for the guy. An Art Ross?

Seabrook was fine last year the problem i would have with him is that he was bad at the last Olympics on the smaller ice surface. Is there any indication that his play would improve on the larger ice? I like him as a NHL player but his game does not seem to have another speed. I think Letang's extra skill would be better. Dion Pheauf is a brutal defender one on one in his own zone and should not be a consideration. Subban would likely be great as well. Bergeron was injured during the last Olympics and had a bad tourney but there is a good role for him to play. I would not take Staal to the tourney either he did not play a role in the last olympics. Should be an improved team without the S.J. forwards this time if the goaltending hold up.

 

[604]

Forwards
Stamkos - Crosby - St. Louis
Tavares - Toews - Giroux
Nash - Bergeron - Richards
E. Staal - Getzlaf - Perry

Couture - J. Staal - Marchand - Hall

Defense
Doughty - Weber
Keith - Letang
Hamhuis - Subban

Pietrangelo, Bouwmeester

Goalies
Luongo
Crawford
Price

I think Seabrook will miss because he was benched in 2010 despite the ice size being more suited towards his game (and I think he was put on the team to play with Keith which didn't end up working out)...I could also see Bouwmeester - Pietrangelo making it as a pair since they'll play together all season (bumping Hamhuis and Subban to spares)...I could also see Marchand next to Bergeron instead of Nash for the same reason.

Familiarity is huge in a tournament like this with little prep time.

 

[King of the ES*]

It was a poor year for him. That doesn't mean that he isn't still a very good defender, but possibly not Olympic caliber ATM. Being the second best defenseman on a cup winner doesn't mean you're automatically a lock for the Olympics.

There are more deserving candidates

My ideal D would look like this:

Keith/Seabrook
Weber/Letang
Doughty/Subban

With Bouwmeester as the first extra, and really whoever else as the second (could be Hamhuis, I'm OK with that, but it probably won't be).

 

[BrandonL]

I would love to see guys like Bergeron and Marchand make the team and play on the 4th line...

You could definitely see that line scoring a couple of clutch goals throughout the tournament, and they would be able to hold their own on the bigger ice surface against other countries elite players.

 

[BrandonL]

I'm also not sold on the fact that Letang deserves a spot in the starting lineup....

After his Alex Edler impression during the postseason, he needs to earn his spot on the team over the first half of the NHL season.

 

[King of the ES*]

Seabrook was fine last year the problem i would have with him is that he was bad at the last Olympics on the smaller ice surface. Is there any indication that his play would improve on the larger ice?

He was also 24 years old in 2010. He was a kid playing in his first Olympics in his hometown. Think of the pressure of that!

Since that experience, he's won two Stanley Cups, he's gotten more mature, and he's a 28 year-old man in his prime. Not the best skater, that is true, but he is virtually never out of position, so his mediocre speed really isn't a liability. In addition, you simply cannot put a value on the pre-existing chemistry that he has with Duncan Keith. It would foolish to not put him on the roster.