Cloned
Begging for Bega
- Aug 25, 2003
- 80,614
- 69,526
It's getting closer and closer. I'd assume the management group is looking closely over who to pick.
While I was extremely confident prior to this season, some developments recently have me legitimately concerned about Team Canada's ability to win gold again this time around.
1. The goalie situation. Price's availability is up in the air, and even if he is available, how will he perform? Then you've got guys like Binnington (inconsistent), Kuemper (also inconsistent), Blackwood (really young), etc. It's not a great thing when Mike Smith might legitimately have the best stats over the last 3 years.
2. The defense. What was the cornerstone of those gold medal winning teams is no more. Weber and Seabrook both retired. Pronger and Niedermeyer both long retired. Keith probably not an option anymore. Hamhuis and Bouwmeester, retired. Vlasic and Subban only shadows of their previous selves. Doughty injured and uncertain if his hot start this season was a true renaissance or just a mirage. The guy who was supposed to be the "safe" pick, the returning vet, Pietrangelo ... is no longer elite. The "new guys" - Makar, Nurse, Pelech, Toews, Theodore, Ekblad, etc. - all have their own inconsistencies and issues.
3. Forward balance. There was a time when you immediately knew who to pick on each line. Crosby and Marchand on line 1. Toews on line 3 or 4. Now there are a whole bunch of dynamic offensive talents, but we don't know how they will gel or if we need to pick a "grittier" forward for a certain role.
4. Coach. It used to just be Babcock. Obviously that won't happen this year. You do need someone who can actually devise solid game plans and set up the lines properly. Otherwise you could find yourself Marc Crawford'ing yourself at the Olympics.
5. Quality of the opposition. Canada was a step ahead of every team the last few tournaments. I'm not so sure this is the case anymore. USA, namely, looks really strong (all I really need to say is: Thatcher Demko).
Who would you pick?
While I was extremely confident prior to this season, some developments recently have me legitimately concerned about Team Canada's ability to win gold again this time around.
1. The goalie situation. Price's availability is up in the air, and even if he is available, how will he perform? Then you've got guys like Binnington (inconsistent), Kuemper (also inconsistent), Blackwood (really young), etc. It's not a great thing when Mike Smith might legitimately have the best stats over the last 3 years.
2. The defense. What was the cornerstone of those gold medal winning teams is no more. Weber and Seabrook both retired. Pronger and Niedermeyer both long retired. Keith probably not an option anymore. Hamhuis and Bouwmeester, retired. Vlasic and Subban only shadows of their previous selves. Doughty injured and uncertain if his hot start this season was a true renaissance or just a mirage. The guy who was supposed to be the "safe" pick, the returning vet, Pietrangelo ... is no longer elite. The "new guys" - Makar, Nurse, Pelech, Toews, Theodore, Ekblad, etc. - all have their own inconsistencies and issues.
3. Forward balance. There was a time when you immediately knew who to pick on each line. Crosby and Marchand on line 1. Toews on line 3 or 4. Now there are a whole bunch of dynamic offensive talents, but we don't know how they will gel or if we need to pick a "grittier" forward for a certain role.
4. Coach. It used to just be Babcock. Obviously that won't happen this year. You do need someone who can actually devise solid game plans and set up the lines properly. Otherwise you could find yourself Marc Crawford'ing yourself at the Olympics.
5. Quality of the opposition. Canada was a step ahead of every team the last few tournaments. I'm not so sure this is the case anymore. USA, namely, looks really strong (all I really need to say is: Thatcher Demko).
Who would you pick?
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