Walker is Canada's 23rd man

[Steveorama]

Is Maltby better than him?

I can't believe anyone could even ask that.
McCarty is a ten dollar player with a multi-million dollar contract.

 

[SmokeyClause]

Walker's a good player,they passed up some nice players for him but he's a solid guy.

It's funny, Canadians are whining over adding Scott Walker to their team. Us Americans? Well, we are whinning over adding Brett Sauer, a player who's never been an NHL regular despite being in his mid-30's. I long for the day when I can lament the addition of a gritty, fast, two-way forward coming off almost a PPG season.

 

[mattihp]

It's funny, Canadians are whining over adding Scott Walker to their team. Us Americans? Well, we are whinning over adding Brett Sauer, a player who's never been an NHL regular despite being in his mid-30's. I long for the day when I can lament the addition of a gritty, fast, two-way forward coming off almost a PPG season.

It's Hauer

 

[Habsfan 32]

It's funny, Canadians are whining over adding Scott Walker to their team. Us Americans? Well, we are whinning over adding Brett Sauer, a player who's never been an NHL regular despite being in his mid-30's. I long for the day when I can lament the addition of a gritty, fast, two-way forward coming off almost a PPG season.

That shows the depth of Canada. There's also alot of good players that have been left off the team. Tanguay,Ryder,Aucoin,Primeau,Cheechoo,Horcoff and alot more.

 

[Spooky371*]

A Habs fan at heart.

Yes, i'm a Habs fan. But Ryder have a fantastic shoot and can score important goal for team canada, the only way Walker are best of Ryder it's he can play defensivly.

 

[mattihp]

Yes, i'm a Habs fan. But Ryder have a fantastic shoot and can score important goal for team canada, the only way Walker are best of Ryder it's he can play defensivly.

Isn't Walker a more proven scorer who plays with more of an edge?

Ryder is quick and a very good scorer, and will hopefully be a part of Canada's future, but at this moment a power forward who can grind it out is a better extra player.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

It's funny, Canadians are whining over adding Scott Walker to their team. Us Americans? Well, we are whinning over adding Brett Sauer, a player who's never been an NHL regular despite being in his mid-30's. I long for the day when I can lament the addition of a gritty, fast, two-way forward coming off almost a PPG season.

Brett Hauer being named to the team doesn't necessarilly have anything to do with the depth the U.S. has (or doesn't have) when it comes to hockey talent. There were several higher profile NHL regulars that were passed over in favor of Hauer being named to the team. I would think there is a good reason for that.

 

[SedinFan*]

That shows the depth of Canada. There's also alot of good players that have been left off the team. Tanguay,Ryder,Aucoin,Primeau,Cheechoo,Horcoff and alot more.

Cooke's another one. The list goes on and on as you say.

 

[SedinFan*]

Brett Hauer being named to the team doesn't necessarilly have anything to do with the depth the U.S. has (or doesn't have) when it comes to hockey talent. There were several higher profile NHL regulars that were passed over in favor of Hauer being named to the team. I would think there is a good reason for that.

Well what is that reason? Everyone's wondering, so if you have any insight why he was added to the team, let us know, or speculation why.

 

[HipCzech]

I think Walker is a solid pick. I'm curious what you guys would think if Cheechoo had been choosen? (he played in Sweden this year)

 

[SedinFan*]

I think Walker will compliment Draper and Maltby, how about that for a grind line.

Gagne-Thornton-Heatley
Doan-Morrison-Nash
Morrow-Marleau-Smyth
Maltby-Draper-Walker

Spare: Fisher

Jovanovski-Regehr
Redden-Phillips
Hannan-Souray

Spare: Boyle

Brodeur
Luongo

Spare: Turco

Those are the line combo's I'd like to see.

 

[mattihp]

I think Walker will compliment Draper and Maltby, how about that for a grind line.

Gagne-Thornton-Heatley
Doan-Morrison-Nash
Morrow-Marleau-Smyth
Maltby-Draper-Walker

Spare: Fisher

Jovanovski-Regehr
Redden-Phillips
Hannan-Souray

Spare: Boyle

Brodeur
Luongo

Spare: Turco

Those are the line combo's I'd like to see.

That second line is downright scary

Although I'd have Nash on the left side and Doan on the right side maybe swap em and put in Marleau when on the pp for some nice one-timers ^^

 

[Shareefruck]

Scored 67 points, very physical, great defensively, can agitate, and has tremendous heart. Walker's a very, VERY solid pick that I completely overlooked. I can't believe you guys are complaining. I'd argue that he's better than most of the players you mentioned- Cooke, Cheechoo, Ryder (??), Sullivan- and is a much safer bet with everything else he brings than- Kariya, Tanguay. Primeau probably just didn't get picked because we already have so much depth at center.

 

[Phanuthier*]

I like Scott Walker better then all the players (Kariya, Allison - wtf?, McCarty, Ryder - bigger wtf?) above.

It's not about picking the best players - It's about picking the best team. I think Scott Walker compliments this lineup well.

 

[Macman]

Scored 67 points, very physical, great defensively, can agitate, and has tremendous heart. Walker's a very, VERY solid pick that I completely overlooked. I can't believe you guys are complaining. I'd argue that he's better than most of the players you mentioned- Cooke, Cheechoo, Ryder (??), Sullivan- and is a much safer bet with everything else he brings than- Kariya, Tanguay. Primeau probably just didn't get picked because we already have so much depth at center.

I didn't realize he had that many points. OK, I'm sold. I know he played well at the 2001 worlds. He gets overlooked because he plays in Nashville.

 

[NFITO]

congrats to a hard working guy that's deserving of the recognition to play on the world stage!

Walker addresses a lot of team needs... The team doesn't have a lot of natural right wingers and right handed shots... Any team could use the character and experience that he brings to the lineup too. He can also fill a lot of different roles for the team - where he could be a solid 4th line type, play the PK, play the PP, play even on the 2nd unit if the team needs to mix chemistry and roles.

I'm happy for Walker... he deserves to get it... he's a player who's earned the recognition.

 

[Dave is a killer]

I didn't realize he had that many points. OK, I'm sold. I know he played well at the 2001 worlds. He gets overlooked because he plays in Nashville.

No ******* ****

 

[NFITO]

I think Walker will compliment Draper and Maltby, how about that for a grind line.

Gagne-Thornton-Heatley
Doan-Morrison-Nash
Morrow-Marleau-Smyth
Maltby-Draper-Walker

Spare: Fisher

Jovanovski-Regehr
Redden-Phillips
Hannan-Souray

Spare: Boyle

Brodeur
Luongo

Spare: Turco

Those are the line combo's I'd like to see.

I don't think you could go wrong with the lineup, considering the talent there, but I'd go with:

Nash - Thornton - Heatley
Smyth - Marleau - Doan
Gagne - Morrison - Walker
Morrow - Draper - Maltby

this way Maltby really is the only player not playing in their natural position. You've got 3 lines that can score, the 3rd unit are all proven to be good defensive players, and you can then also balance icetime easier, by having the guys on the 3rd and 4th unit with PK duty, with the 1-2 play PP.... Also each line has a balance of offense, defense and grit.

Would try and keep the defense on their natural sides as well (as much as possible), such as Jovo playing the right side.

Regehr - Hannan (shutdown pair)
Redden - Jovo (#2 pair, #1 offensive pairing)
Phillips - Souray

Regehr and Hannan would be the best 2 to play every shift against the opposition's top lines... all 6 dmen are solid enough defensively, but these two are the best in that role.

Redden and Jovo are both strong 2-way dmen. I think they would compliment each other well, with Redden being a solid reliable guy that doesn't get out of position too often. Jovo could play his strong free skating game.

Phillips and Souray are also 2 guys who IMO would compliment each other well. Have them both in their natural positions, solid pair defensively and offensively.

 

[SedinFan*]

No ******* ****

The language of stars.

 

[mattihp]

The language of stars.

awesome quote there

 

[SmokeyClause]

Brett Hauer being named to the team doesn't necessarilly have anything to do with the depth the U.S. has (or doesn't have) when it comes to hockey talent. There were several higher profile NHL regulars that were passed over in favor of Hauer being named to the team. I would think there is a good reason for that.

I think it certainly does have a lot to do with depth or lack thereof. This guy wouldn't even get consideration for an NHL squad, why would he be getting it for an international squad that is supposed to represent one of the more powerful hockey nations? He's on OK hockey player, but he is not an NHL caliber player. When you are in the situation Team USA is in, you should be able to select players that are talented enough to make it in the NHL. It'd be one thing if he didn't make it in the NHL because he wasn't good on smaller ice or couldn't handle the rigors of an 82 game season. I can't speak for his other NHL failures, but he couldn't cut it in Nashville because he was out of position and took stupid penalties. I'm sure he was OK in other international tournaments, but why go for mediocre unless no one else was available? And that's why Hauer is on Team USA. Because he's been there, done that, and was OK AND because we have nowhere else to turn. It certainly is a depth issue.

 

[mattihp]

I think it certainly does have a lot to do with depth or lack thereof. This guy wouldn't even get consideration for an NHL squad, why would he be getting it for an international squad that is supposed to represent one of the more powerful hockey nations? He's on OK hockey player, but he is not an NHL caliber player. When you are in the situation Team USA is in, you should be able to select players that are talented enough to make it in the NHL. It'd be one thing if he didn't make it in the NHL because he wasn't good on smaller ice or couldn't handle the rigors of an 82 game season. I can't speak for his other NHL failures, but he couldn't cut it in Nashville because he was out of position and took stupid penalties. I'm sure he was OK in other international tournaments, but why go for mediocre unless no one else was available? And that's why Hauer is on Team USA. Because he's been there, done that, and was OK AND because we have nowhere else to turn. It certainly is a depth issue.

What does NHL capability have to do with it?

It's international tournament, not NHL tournament. Hauer is definately better suited for the international rinks than most others in the defensive corps...

 

[Rabid Ranger]

What does NHL capability have to do with it?

It's international tournament, not NHL tournament. Hauer is definately better suited for the international rinks than most others in the defensive corps...

That's point I'm trying to make.

 

[mazmin]

Nash - Thornton - Heatley
Smyth - Marleau - Doan
Gagne - Morrison - Walker
Morrow - Draper - Maltby

Like the forward lines...and btw I'm pretty sure Maltby can play either side of center.

Here's my own slight modification:

Nash-Thornton-Heatley = big bodies and big skills.
Smyth-Morrison-Doan = hardworking, skilled two-way line.
Gagne-Marleau-Walker = TONS of speed... w/ some heart and skill.
Morrow-Draper-Maltby= the Grind Line looks great w/ Morrow on it.
xtra: Fisher = versatile, young, two way player. An ideal spare.

Overview: Not Canada's most offensive team but one of the best two-way teams I've seen in a while. Good balance of young and old... big and fast, gritty and slick. This team could sweep the tournament by adhering to a defensive but opportunistic system.

 

[umma gumma]

Why is everyone assuming Walker, who has only played 6 games this year, will get a spot ahead of Fisher who has spent the entire year playing in Europe? I'm ok with either one, just curious.