Who should have been added to CANADA's ROSTER(and wasnt)???

[ZombieMatt]

I don't buy that Bouwmeester is a greater part of the Canadian future than Regehr. Foote has been one of the most important Canadian dmen for years now, and that's where Regehr will fit in in a few years. The only reason he isn't mentioned there already is because he plays in Calgary where no one has seen him until now and because he was never as hyped as Bouwmeester. And you're argument about him only coming to prominance because of his playoffs is wrong. He is not another Willie Mitchell. Regehr has been playing like this for 2 seasons now and isn't seen enough for anyone to notice. He definitely got his due this year. He is definitely one of the future cornerstones of the Canadian defence, just as much as Bouwmeester. So I guess Gretzky, Lowe and company don't know what they're talking about then since they named Regehr as one of the top 8 Canadian defenceman and not Bouwmeester. Hmm, interesting.

First of all, I agree with you saying that Yzerman should be there, 100%.

I think, Jay Bouwmeester is a better defenceman now, and forever, than Robyn Regehr. Regehr game is extremely physical, which will result in a lot of ridiculous penalties being called by the European officials. Bouwmeester is one of teh best skating defencemen in the NHL, and skating is hugely important in INTL hockey (nobody can deny that J-Bo can skate circles around Regehr, he is widely acknowledged as an amazing skater), plus he tends to rely on positioning and stick checking more than Regehr, though of course he can be physical. I think that with international refs and on international ice, Regehr is far more likely to be burnt on the outside wings and get called for more unnecessary penalties than Bouwmeester. Just my call.

Secondly, Regehr is exactly like Mitchell. Mitchell has always been a strong defender, not attracting much attention because of his style (I don't really buy the low attraction team theory, good players get noticed everywhere), and was acknowledged through a very good playoffs. Regehr is being named to this team really as a matter of timing it definitely seems to me.

Yes, you're right, Gretz and Co did name Regehr one of the top 8 defenceman...but they also identify Maltby, Draper, and Morrow as 3 of the top 15 forwards, and I don't think many people really agree with that.

Of course, like I said before, its all really a moot point because I don't think Regehr will see more than a few minutes of ice time the entire tournament. THen again, of course, nobody really knows what the coaches have in mind...but most importantly, none of it matters if Canada wins the tournament either.

*shrug*

It's still fun to theorize though.

 

[Canuck21t]

First of all, I agree with you saying that Yzerman should be there, 100%.

I think, Jay Bouwmeester is a better defenceman now, and forever, than Robyn Regehr. Regehr game is extremely physical, which will result in a lot of ridiculous penalties being called by the European officials. Bouwmeester is one of teh best skating defencemen in the NHL, and skating is hugely important in INTL hockey (nobody can deny that J-Bo can skate circles around Regehr, he is widely acknowledged as an amazing skater), plus he tends to rely on positioning and stick checking more than Regehr, though of course he can be physical. I think that with international refs and on international ice, Regehr is far more likely to be burnt on the outside wings and get called for more unnecessary penalties than Bouwmeester. Just my call.

I'm almost sure that the games played in North America will be refereed by NHL refs. The World Cup tournament is not related to the IIHF, but to the NHL and NHLPA, therefore the rules are different.

That being said, I agree that Bouwmeester should be there instead of Regehr who is way too physical for my taste.

 

[Wisent]

My big questionmark in this roster is Mario Lemieux. He didn't play the whole season, I don't even know if his health status allowed him to train. I think the risk is to high giving him a roster spot. On the other hand I can totally understand that it would be weird somehow to not nominate him. The risk for me would be to high though especially with Yzerman on this roster too.

 

[Maelmoor]

Primeau, Nash, Lecavalier, Aucoin and Bouwmeester should have been picked....

 

[pei_bruins]

I think, Jay Bouwmeester is a better defenceman now, and forever, than Robyn Regehr. Regehr game is extremely physical, which will result in a lot of ridiculous penalties being called by the European officials. Bouwmeester is one of teh best skating defencemen in the NHL, and skating is hugely important in INTL hockey (nobody can deny that J-Bo can skate circles around Regehr, he is widely acknowledged as an amazing skater), plus he tends to rely on positioning and stick checking more than Regehr, though of course he can be physical. I think that with international refs and on international ice, Regehr is far more likely to be burnt on the outside wings and get called for more unnecessary penalties than Bouwmeester. Just my call.

Like someone else said, they will be using North American referees. And more importantly, the games are going to played on North American sized ice surfaces. I think that's a big reason guys like Regher and Morrow were taken. I don't think they'd be on the team if the games were going to be played on international size ice.

 

[wint]

So there is no longer a youngster rule? A lot of predictions included Heatley, Nash, and Bouwmeester because I thought there was some rule about including under-22 guys. Was that just a rule of thumb that Canada had and decided to abandon?

 

[Bill McNeal]

So there is no longer a youngster rule? A lot of predictions included Heatley, Nash, and Bouwmeester because I thought there was some rule about including under-22 guys. Was that just a rule of thumb that Canada had and decided to abandon?

Nope, it was an official rule of the tourney. I believe some countries complained, and rightly so, because it's supposed to be best vs best to see who the hockey kings were. It's not supposed to be best vs best with an asterisk, so they canned the rule.

 

[disles1]

I think if Adrian Aucoin played anywhere of than Long Island, he would be on the team. Albeit from different countries, the other top 4 d-men from the Isles will no doubt be in the World Cup, and Aucoin plays more minutes, and scores more points than they do.

Well KJ just got left off the Swedish team---for Tarnstrom Aucoin should have made the team over Brewer and Regehr

 

[membleypeg]

The biggest travesty of the Canadian lineup is the exclusion of Bertuzzi. He would argueably have been the best player on the team. Bertuzzi would have been the perfect winger for Lemieux, digging out the loose pucks and creating havoc in front of the net. He has been punished enough by this suspension, it is time for the weasal Bettman to let him get back to playing hockey.

I don't believe that the compliment of forwards chosen by Canada will be in the top 3 in this tournament. How can you leave names like Bertuzzi, Nash, and Primeau out of this lineup. They are all big strong players capable of manhandling and wearing out a defensive core. These games are being played on the small ice surface and these choices were no brainers. Instead Wayne chose his buddies and his colleagues buddies to man this team. I don't see this team scoring many goals.

If I were Bert, Nash, and Primeau, I would be furious about this exclusion. There is no justification of placing players like Draper, Maltby, Gagne, Smythe, Doan, or a washed up Yzerman ahead of any of them. I hope that they remember this treatment, and tell Gretzky to piss up a rope the next time they are needed.

 

[Higgy4]

.

If I were Bert, Nash, and Primeau, I would be furious about this exclusion. There is no justification of placing players like Draper, Maltby, Gagne, Smythe, Doan, or a washed up Yzerman ahead of any of them. I hope that they remember this treatment, and tell Gretzky to piss up a rope the next time they are needed.

Call me a homer, if you will. But I think the addition of Draper AND Maltby is brilliant. Sure, there are MANY more talented players that were left off the team. But last time I checked, they still called penalties in the World Cup? Am I right? Well then...what a job by Gretzky naming the best penalty killing duo in the NHL to the team. Canadian fans should be really applauding this move. I think the Yzerman and Lemieux selections are both questionable. Obviously, if healthy, both can still be HUGE players for this team. Yzerman is no longer the same player he was before, but he really had a very good season for a guy coming off the type of injury he had. I just dont know if his eye will be ready by then, and I think Lemieux is done health-wise.

Other than that, I think the team looks fairly solid. Primeau is the one guy that I think the team could really use that wasnt named. But the rest looks pretty good. The World Cup is not an AllStar tournament. You dont just pick the top 20 most talented players. You pick guys that fit the roles that are needed to win. And I think Gretzky and Co. did a pretty good job. With all the talented Canadian players out there, its a tough tough job to widdle it down to one roster. I think they did a credible job.

 

[Golbez]

Even as a Canucks fan, I am glad that Bertuzzi didn't make the roster...I'd rather not have him on the team, as he could be a big detriment as he has been in the past.

But I don't want to rehash everything I posted on my weblog (shameless plug)

One player that I think should have been selected over Marleau would be Brendan Morrison...he can offer the same offense, but better defense.

 

[SwisshockeyAcademy]

The biggest travesty of the Canadian lineup is the exclusion of Bertuzzi. He would argueably have been the best player on the team. Bertuzzi would have been the perfect winger for Lemieux, digging out the loose pucks and creating havoc in front of the net. He has been punished enough by this suspension, it is time for the weasal Bettman to let him get back to playing hockey.

I don't believe that the compliment of forwards chosen by Canada will be in the top 3 in this tournament. How can you leave names like Bertuzzi, Nash, and Primeau out of this lineup. They are all big strong players capable of manhandling and wearing out a defensive core. These games are being played on the small ice surface and these choices were no brainers. Instead Wayne chose his buddies and his colleagues buddies to man this team. I don't see this team scoring many goals.

If I were Bert, Nash, and Primeau, I would be furious about this exclusion. There is no justification of placing players like Draper, Maltby, Gagne, Smythe, Doan, or a washed up Yzerman ahead of any of them. I hope that they remember this treatment, and tell Gretzky to piss up a rope the next time they are needed.

What a pile of rubbish. Nash will have plenty of time to play for Canada. Primeau should be in over stick and run Maltby. Your rant regarding Bertuzzi is just nonsensical. If he does not maim Moore he is on this team. Since he did do the deed he is being left off the team to avoid the circus that would ensue if he was included. He made his own bed here and will be included in the future if he wishes. If he doesn't the National team will go on nicely without him.

 

[futurcorerock]

nasher

 

[Porn*]

Nash, Lecavalier

 

[SwisshockeyAcademy]

I like Lecavalier and Nash too. Their time will come. Maybe Lemieux will not be healthy enough, maybe Stevie defers to the younger generation.

 

[Porn*]

I like Lecavalier and Nash too. Their time will come. Maybe Lemieux will not be healthy enough, maybe Stevie defers to the younger generation.

Stevie Y is injured at the moment... and who knows if he will be 100% at that time. Mario... is AMAZING but always hurt. they should have him as an assistant coach or something

 

[Tuggy]

If Bertuzzi is reinstated, I have no doubt in my mind he will be on the team. Stevie Y was just a cover up pick So to all the people crying foul, just hold off until the NHL makes its decision on big Bert. Gretz already explained why he didn't pick him now.

As for Primeau, is he really going to be the difference between winning and losing? NO!!!!!!!

There was room for ONE defensive center.. WHAT THE HELL is wrong with Draper? He IS a SELKE finalist!!!! Draper > Primeau.

 

[z0llie]

If Bertuzzi is reinstated, I have no doubt in my mind he will be on the team. Stevie Y was just a cover up pick So to all the people crying foul, just hold off until the NHL makes its decision on big Bert. Gretz already explained why he didn't pick him now.

As for Primeau, is he really going to be the difference between winning and losing? NO!!!!!!!

There was room for ONE defensive center.. WHAT THE HELL is wrong with Draper? He IS a SELKE finalist!!!! Draper > Primeau.

if you have watched primeau play ONE playoff game this year, you would see that he is argueably the best player in the entire nhl playoffs. i dont understand how he was left off the team... he is a force, and a great leader

 

[Burnaby_Joe*]

Primeau > Draper


I don't mind Draper on the team though.

 

[Hitman*]

If you ask me, putting only one of Draper and Maltby on the team would be pointless. Gretz made the right decision.

 

[Souffle]

That being said, I agree that Bouwmeester should be there instead of Regehr who is way too physical for my taste.

That has to be the strangest criticism I have ever read about a defenceman. In any case, it is not as if Regehr has come out of nowhere. He was a 1st round pick and the centrepiece of the Theo Fleury deal. He is not an offensive threat, but he has surprisingly good footspeed and can hold his own even against quick, shifty players. He has also shown good leadership qualities.

Bouwmeester may be better in the long run, but in the meantime he is young and developing. In terms of choosing a 7th or 8th defenceman, I think Regehr was the better choice.

I also don't see why people are disappointed about Nash. No doubt he can score, but he has a long way to go before he can be regarded as a complete player who could help Team Canada in a variety of situations. As it is, Canada has plenty of competent scorers. Every one of them brings something else just as valuable, whether leadership, experience, defensive awareness, grit, and so on.

One exception, arguably, is Heatley. But between the two, I would take Heatley without hesitation.

 

[Tuggy]

I think Bouwmeester should have been there ahead of Redden.