Todd Bertuzzi making the team reaction thread

[MS]

I believe Trotz would be the one to whine. He's the guy who got the "Sutter Rule" for instigating in the last five minutes put in by lighting the match that started the brawl in Calgary a couple years ago, then went and cried about it to the league...

But, this argument really tells me that Bertuzzi has been unable to adapt to a changing situation. The fact that his powerplay numbers continue to remain pathetic suggests that he can't be an effective "force" without running that illegal interference. Bertuzzi needs to break the rules to succeed, and in a time when the NHL wants to cut down on breaking the rules, he's so far been unable to change his play to suit the "new NHL". The Canucks poweplay suffers greatly for it.

Bertuzzi has 9-9-18 in his last 18 games, and looks more and more like the player he was. He's had several games in the last month where he was the best player on the ice. He is adapting. His dumb penalties are down, he's playing better. You'd have to have watched what he went through in 03-04 to understand how the deck was stacked against him. I'm not one to normally complain about officials, but it was like there was a vendetta against him. His complaining didn't help matters, but it was incredibly unfair - you could do anything to him without it being called, and everything he did was called in turn.

There's more than just Bertuzzi to the Canucks' struggling PP. We've had the same lineup/gameplan out there for about 5 years, and it's ridiculously easy to scout. Naslund on the half-boards. Bertuzzi in front of the net. Morrison in the corner. Jovo on one point playing catch with Naslund. Salo/Sopel shooting from the point. It sorely needs another dimension, or a change-up.

 

[Danny__K]

but the real question everyone wants to know.

Are the fans in Turin going to boo Bertuzzi???

 

[Resolute]

I'll agree that Bertuzzi is getting better, and may be adapting. However, I still very strongly question his inclusion on this team. If Bertuzzi was throwing up PP points like he did in his great year and a half, I could see the inclusion. But, when the best argument in his favor is "he's been great his last 18 games", I'm sorry, that just doesnt cut it.

Especially when you consider some of the names left off the list.

 

[hockeyfan125]

Bertuzzi ate my homework.

 

[bure94]

I'll agree that Bertuzzi is getting better, and may be adapting. However, I still very strongly question his inclusion on this team. If Bertuzzi was throwing up PP points like he did in his great year and a half, I could see the inclusion. But, when the best argument in his favor is "he's been great his last 18 games", I'm sorry, that just doesnt cut it.

Especially when you consider some of the names left off the list.

If Bertuzzi was "throwing up PP points" then all we'd here is how he can't do anything even strength and needs the man advantage to score, just like we heard back in 01-02 when they were as hot as the sens' top line.

Bertuzzi and the Canucks can't win. I'm just going to wait and see the reaction from everybody when Todd scores the GWG in the final game on a breakaway.

 

[monster_bertuzzi]

Gretzky great passer, could put the puck in the net - thats about it, small, not physical, bad skater, no concept of defense.

bertuzzi - poor hockey sense, floater, cherry picker, not overly physical, no concept of defensive, not a good passer, but can score

I have a TV, i have been to many games....

LoL now you're insulting Wayne? You're such a tool - welcome to ignore.

 

[west in the east]

My god, some of you are acting like Bert is on the team instead of Iggy or Sakic. Then you would have reason to piss and moan as much as some are. I think that Gretz et al. have just a little more hockey knowledge that anyone here; just a smiggen. When asked about Bert it was said by them that Bert is the most dominant player on the planet or something to that effect. An overstatement? maybe. Would I take Bert over Iggy? no, deffinately not. I have seen a number of posts by some of the bashers here, and they are intelligent hockey fans, but it seems that theyre letting theyre hatred of Bert or Vancouver colour their vision. Some of the arguements put forth here by the haters are rediculous! It is fairly obvious that they went for experience over youth, hence why staal wasnt picked. Im sure there are better arguements for other players not to be there. The fact of the matter is Bert is an amazing player and deserves to be on the team, and I think that we can trust Gretz on that.

 

[Crosbyfan]

If Bertuzzi was "throwing up PP points" then all we'd here is how he can't do anything even strength and needs the man advantage to score, just like we heard back in 01-02 when they were as hot as the sens' top line.

Bertuzzi and the Canucks can't win. I'm just going to wait and see the reaction from everybody when Todd scores the GWG in the final game on a breakaway.

You got that part right!

 

[SirSamofHouseBennett]

now enlighten me canucks fans. Why when you compare what everyone of the other guys has done, why would bertuzzi belong on this team in his first major interntional event at 31.

why dont you ask the people who picked him, namely Gretzky and Lowe?

or are you suggesting they dont have the credentials to make this kind of decision?

 

[Crosbyfan]

My god, some of you are acting like Bert is on the team instead of Iggy or Sakic. Then you would have reason to piss and moan as much as some are. I think that Gretz et al. have just a little more hockey knowledge that anyone here; just a smiggen. When asked about Bert it was said by them that Bert is the most dominant player on the planet or something to that effect. An overstatement? maybe. Would I take Bert over Iggy? no, deffinately not. I have seen a number of posts by some of the bashers here, and they are intelligent hockey fans, but it seems that theyre letting theyre hatred of Bert or Vancouver colour their vision. Some of the arguements put forth here by the haters are rediculous! It is fairly obvious that they went for experience over youth, hence why staal wasnt picked. Im sure there are better arguements for other players not to be there. The fact of the matter is Bert is an amazing player and deserves to be on the team, and I think that we can trust Gretz on that.

Staal. Eric Staal. The name is Eric Staal.

 

[SopelFan*]

The fact is: Bertuzzi is on the team, and if you can't swallow it, too bad. Arguing about it does nothing. Gretzky wanted him on the team, so he is on the team. That's how it works.

 

[SopelFan*]

Staal. Eric Staal. The name is Eric Staal.

Staal is a center. That's what Kris Draper took from him. People have to get that by their biased eyes and try and understand.

 

[monster_bertuzzi]

Staal. Eric Staal. The name is Eric Staal.

Ok and what about Shane Doan, Kris Draper, Ryan Smyth etc. Bertuzzi is twice the player of those 3 I mentioned and yet its Bertuzzi who people are *****ing about being named over the precious Eric Staal.

 

[Frankie]

yes, gretzky and co. have great track records and they know more about hockey then anyone posting here. but does that mean we are not allowed to question them? are they infallible?

its a lame argument to say "they know more then you, so that's all there is to it".

bertuzzi has no business playing hockey at all, let alone representing our country. i hate the guy for what he did, and i have no sympathy for him. i'll have trouble cheering for the team with him on it. i don't want to see him succeed.

i'm guessing there are quite a few canadian hockey fans who feel like i do, and that's not a fair position to put us in.

there are plenty of outstanding citizens who could do the job as well or better then bertuzzi. people we could be proud of. i'm ashamed to have the likes of bertuzzi on team canada. and i'm disappointed in gretzky for naming him to the team. wayne should know better.

bertuzzi is a total loose cannon who cannot control his actions. he could easily cost canada a medal if he "snaps".

 

[insider]

120 posts in 2h30... wo...

 

[Vinceee]

But, when the best argument in his favor is "he's been great his last 18 games",

We could say the same thing about Iginla...

On NHL.com

Iginla : Games:33 Pts:28 Hits:38 +/-:10

Bertuzzi: Games:33 Pts:29 Hits 57 +/-:-1

Both deserve a spot on the team

You guys should whine about Doan, Draper, Smyth & Co

Instead!!!

I thought that Bertuzzi was a no brainer because of his all-around abilities... Exactly what Gretzky&Friends are looking for!

 

[monster_bertuzzi]

Todd Bertuzzi
had 2 good seasons 3 years ago

now enlighten me canucks fans. Why when you compare what everyone of the other guys has done, why would bertuzzi belong on this team in his first major interntional event at 31.

I think you forgot to mention:

-2003 NHL first all-star team, 2002 NHL 2nd all-star team.

-1998 World Championships (Silver)

-3 time NHL all-star

-tied with Joe Thornton (for second place) for most NHL points since 2001.

Yeah, I think he belongs with the likes of Shane Doan, Ryan Smyth, and some of the other names you mentioned...

 

[west in the east]

bertuzzi is a total loose cannon who cannot control his actions. he could easily cost canada a medal if he "snaps".

yah, cuz thats going to happen

 

[Danny__K]

why dont you ask the people who picked him, namely Gretzky and Lowe?

or are you suggesting they dont have the credentials to make this kind of decision?

now go back to post number 4 or whatever it was. Where i said basically Bertuzzi made the team because Gretzky wanted him to not because of the impressive numbers he put up or experience he has. how cyclical this has become.

 

[Daily Special]

lol

 

[Hasbro]

[

I thought that Bertuzzi was a no brainer because of his all-around abilities... Exactly what Gretzky&Friends are looking for!

I thought Bertuzzi was a nobrainer because he has no brains.

Not my country, but I was thouroughly unimpressed with Gretzky's handling of the 2002 Olympic team.

 

[monster_bertuzzi]

Not my country, but I was thouroughly unimpressed with Gretzky's handling of the 2002 Olympic team.

And what was the result? Gold.

 

[Daily Special]

Bertuzzi is Gretzkys charity case.

Does he have a longer history of being a premier player? No
Does his play this year suggest he should be on the team? Hell no

Why is he on the team? cause gretzky has a hard on for him.

With most of Canada's top guns out of the show, I only hope the Czech's, Swedes, and Russians follow suit and go with "leadership" over talent. Giving the US team gold by default is something I can live with.

 

[Fravashis]

Not my country, but I was thouroughly unimpressed with Gretzky's handling of the 2002 Olympic team.

... wow ... did your country win gold ... wait no no no, we did my mistake ... i'd rather be mismanaged then thank you

 

[Hasbro]

And what was the result? Gold.

Thanks to Belarus taking Sweden out, which Team Canada was vocaly afraid of.

Gretz only had by far the largest talent pool to draw from, yet he fell into his patern of Cronyism like his days as shadow GM of the Kings.