Who Should Be Canada's Olympic Defenders?
by Chemmy on Dec 8, 2009 2:29 PM EST
in Question of the Day
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PrintThe question is simple; who are your seven guys to play defense for Team Canada at the Olympics? The defenders invited to the Canada camp are:
Francois Beauchemin, Jay Bouwmeester, Dan Boyle, Brent Burns, Drew Doughty, Mike Green, Dan Hamhuis, Duncan Keith, Scott Niedermayer, Dion Phaneuf, Chris Pronger, Robyn Regehr, Stephane Robidas, Brent Seabrook, Marc Staal, and Shea Weber. Click a player's name for stats.
I discussed my picks with Godd Till of Zambonic Youth and PPP, check out our picks after the jump.
Pronger can score points, shut down talent even at age 35 and has a documented mean streak. Pronger's the grit and the jam that dominant teams need to make playing against them no fun at all.
Nashville's Shea Weber is an excellent defender in his own end who can also put up points. He hits as hard as your January credit card bill and isn't afraid to drop the gloves.
Fresh off of inking a lifetime deal that was well earned Duncan Keith is having a fantastic season. Another guy who can put up points and plays well in his own end Duncan Keith is an obvious lock for this team along with...
... his defensive partner Brent Seabrook. In addition to being an excellent player on his own, having Keith's defensive partner will give Canada an elite d-pairing that are familiar with each other. This is a huge advantage in a tournament where players are hastily thrown together.
The definition of defensive defenseman, Regehr hits good hockey players hard and often. He's on this team to hit Ovechkin, Kessel and Parise.
Dan Boyle's our pick for puck mover / PP specialist on the back end. If you'd prefer Bouwmeester or Mike Green go ahead, I'm not too concerned with any of the three.
Is Drew Doughty the seventh best Canadian defender in the league? Honestly he might be, but what's important here is the future. Doughty will be the seventh guy and only see action if guys get hurt. Obviously you could do a lot worse than Doughty as an injury fill in which speaks to Canada's enormous depth at defense.
I picked Doughty looking forward to 2014. Doughty will be 25 and about to hit his prime. He got an invite to Olympic camp this year based on his ability as a player and I think bringing him along to Vancouver would be a big step for a young kid in the NHL. Let him have a taste of the team he's going to need to be a big part of in four years.
Those are our picks, let us know yours in the comments.
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I’d switch up J-Bo for Boyle, but other wise i like that a lot
I have a strong feeling neids will get the nod to play along side Pronger
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Nieds is old and busted.
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agreed
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
I am sorely tempted to sub Green for Boyle – an upgrade on offence, IMHO – but surely a downgrade defensively too. Good thing we’ll have Marty, Bobby Lu and one of MAF or Cam Ward to bail him out when he fucks up.
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
And if Mike Green pulls his playoff disappearing act on a larger stage? Green looked lost in the playoffs last year.
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I know he did, you’re right about that. But Dude can play some – have you ever seen him in person?
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
I’ve seen him shred it in the regular season sure. I also watched every Caps playoff game and in addition to not scoring he was routinely victimized.
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I don’t disagree; I’m envisioning him as kind of a power play specialist. You’re right about him as a defensive liability, no question about that. At the end of the day, I’m glad Stevie Y is making the call.
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
A power play run by Pronger-Boyle and then Keith-Weber is enormous. You don’t need Mike Green for that, I’m not even sure it’d be an upgrade offensively.
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even if it is, it is one step forward 4 steps back when you throw in actual defense
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
Okay, you’ve talked me in to it. You know what, I have to admit some of my aversion to Boyle is based on the fact that I had him in a fantasy pool a couple years ago – you know, the year he severed his fucking hand off tying his skates and played about eight minutes of hockey all year? Yeah, that was the year I had him.
Irrational. You’re right, he’s not that much of an offensive upgrade, I withdraw my quibble.
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
oh im not supporting Boyle
im pro-j-bo
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 2:52 PM EST up reply actions
I’d much rather have Boyle as a PP specialist than Green.
...rely a bit to heavily on alcohol and irony...
by My Poor Friend Me on Dec 8, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
Feel like Boyle is more reliable at both ends. Green is still, well, “green.” No one knows how he’ll perform in a gold-medal game.
by red army line on Dec 8, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
Boyle is very underrated defensively. While not a big hitter, his positioning & puck control are excellent.
...rely a bit to heavily on alcohol and irony...
by My Poor Friend Me on Dec 8, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions
So false. He was one of the best Caps players against PHI when he was healthy. Why aren’t you ripping on Mike Richards and Jeff Carter for sucking ass in the playoffs? Because they had bum shoulders? Just like Mike Green. He didn’t choke, he was using one arm.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
cause we are talking defense, not forwards
we’ll tear apart that next time
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
I’ll tell you right now Jeff Carter isn’t on my Olympic roster. Richards is on my shortlist, but Carter isn’t.
Resident Capologist
WE’LL DO FORWARDS LATER!!!
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Is it “later” now?
Because I think you’ve got several locks:
Crosby
Nash
Iginla
Heatly
Marleau
After that it gets a little murky. Need a faceoff guy, and need some forecheck guys…
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
No, another post. We’ll probably break the posts into: centers, wings, and goalies.
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we should be careful here as well, no one is saying mike green sucks because he obviously doesnt, all that is being said is greens offence is already present on the roster and there are others who are better defensivley, he just doesnt seem to fit
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
Yeah, you Caps guys are nice and I’m glad you stopped by because I like to talk hockey but I think your love for a really good player on your team is clouding your vision here.
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To be fair, I started the argument of Green > Doughty.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
I’d rather have Doughty on my team.
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And I disagree, and it’s not due to homerism.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 4:24 PM EST up reply actions
I’m on the fence. Both are excellent players. But I’m not sold on Green’s defensive play and I think Doughty’s a little too green (not a pun) to be in the Olympics.
Why do we do this to ourselves?
In a choice between Doughty and Green (and it wouldn’t be a question, if I was picking the team), it comes down to the offense. The rest of Team Canada’s D are going to be solid enough. Doughty doesn’t gain anything by getting thrown into this tournament where he won’t play the PP like Green would and probably wouldn’t PK, either. Green would see more playing time than Doughty.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I popped in and saw several references to Mike Green as a “defensive liability”, which I think is inaccurate.
As far as not fitting on the team, I can see that argument. If I were picking the team, I’d put him on it, on the theory that scoring more than you give up is the most important thing at the end of the day.
But that’s not my decision.
Go, Canada.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
It's all relative
Even if Mike Green is the 10th best defenceman overall it just means that he doesn’t crack Canada’s top 7.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly
I could see him on the team easily especially since Canada fucked up the forwards four years ago and found themselves offensively deficient. I just don’t want him there.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
See below. I don’t think he’s on the team, and I’m not letting my love of him cloud it. He’s just not nearly as bad at D as is popularly perceived. Mirtle and Ryder pretty well dispelled that myth last season. He hasn’t been as good this year but he’s still definitely an above average defender; even if Team Canada has better.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
We’re doing the forwards tomorrow.
Also, a defenceman’s mistake is just more visible.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
A guy like Brent Burns who’s had a few awesome years doesn’t get the nod based on this off year because that’s how deep Canada is.
Canada has guys that can put the puck in the net without being defensive liabilities which is what Mike Green is.
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Saw him in Ottawa
Against the Sens a few weeks ago. I swear he did his best McCabe impression, singlehandedly losing the game for Washington after a 3-1 lead going into the 3rd.
no mike green
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 2:41 PM EST up reply actions
…also, it might not hurt to have somebody with some experience playing D vs. Ovechkin (in practice, obviously).
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
Mike Green plays defense like Tomas Kaberle. You don’t want him defending Ovechkin.
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Oh, I know that – not saying he gets matched up against Ovie. But having him around to give a little intel…could it hurt?
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
I think that’s cutting him a little short, but definitely he’s making the team, if at all, for offensive skills, not defensive prowess.
by red army line on Dec 8, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
Solid picks
I don’t think Green is a good choice, simply because I’ve seen him make too many boneheaded defensive plays that give up goal scoring chances. I don’t think his increase in offence is worth the risk.
It’ll be hard for Canada to keep both J-Bouw and Nieds off the team, though.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
I went with big hard hitters because the Russian guys coming from the KHL are going to pack their gear up and run home like little babies after playing against Pronger, Weber, and Regehr on an NHL ice surface.
Those three are going to run wild on the European teams like Russia, Sweden and Finland.
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I think you've got it
Looking it over Boyle is a superb choice over Green because of Green’s lack of solid defense and tendency to overextend himself in the attacking zone. A team with Crosby, Iginla, Nash, Heatley, etc.., already has enough guys to score goals. And because he lacks the cannon shot of Pronger, he wouldn’t even play on the PP.
Also, Neidermeyer played himself off of the team this year with a subpar effort so far in Anaheim. Also, with Iginla as the probably team captain the leadership role on the team is already picked.
I thought maybe Phaneuf might get the nod over Doughty, but you make a good case with 2014 because Pronger and Boyle probably won’t be there. And I think Phaneuf is kind of a dick when you need to make a good impression upon the rest of the world.
They call me Splodeybones.
I dislike Pronger intensely.
"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into Iraq"
- Major Mike Shearer
Maybe so, but unlike them, I’d quite like to bandwagon Team Canada.
"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into Iraq"
- Major Mike Shearer
I cheer for the US but when they crap out I’ll cheer for Canada. I’m from the northern part of the US I may as well be half canadian anyhow.
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That’s why he got the first spot.
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he is a dick, a world beating first pairing amazing all around defenseman of a dick
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 2:53 PM EST up reply actions
There is a joke in there somewhere about the circumstances under which Mr. Pronger departed from Edmonton, But I’m going to refrain from making it, ‘cause I’ve got stuff to do and thinking is hard.
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
Pronger/JBo
Nieds/Weber
Keith/Boyle
Seabrook
I’m pretty sure Green is nowhere near making this team. IMO, I’d take Regher or Doughty before I’d consider Green. As for Niedermayer, I simply can’t see him being left off the team. His leadership and experience in these type of tournaments will be invaluable and his skating is still above average. He’s getting exposed and playing too much in Anaheim on a bad team.
I’m actually more worried about Pronger. He was gawd awful in Torino and he started the season strong in Philly but he has tailed off badly with the rest of the team. I’m hoping playing on North American ice will cover up for his decreased mobility.
Niedermayer is gonna be on this team
Neidermayer/pronger
Weber/Keith
Bouwmeester/Regehr
Boyle
In any order you like, that is my 7. Neidermayer is gonna wear the C
Fairweather fans can go to hell
I think Niedermayer will end up being on the team but I don’t think it’s the best thing for the team in these Olympics or going forward.
There are tonnes of players on that team with lots of international experience and leadership experience.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
He has won at every level, LOAD of international experience, a leader AND in his home province. He won’t be left off the team
Fairweather fans can go to hell
Yeah
But this isn’t who is going to be on the team it’s who should be on the team.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
How do past accomplishments somehow trump physical ability and skill today?
Niedermayer is a first ballot Hall of Famer. He’s old.
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Yzerman was a shell of himself in 2002, he was still on the team.
I dunno, I think Niedermayer will be there but hopefully not as one of our top defensemen.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:13 PM EST up reply actions
So you’d get rid of one of the guys I listed to put the shell of Niedermayer on the team?
This isn’t the lifetime achievement awards.
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I honestly don’t believe Boyle deserves to be on the team.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
Most teams would want to carry a puck moving specialist. Call him Boyle, Bouwmeester or Green but you need someone that does that job.
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Keith is excellent at that.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
The guy still has skill and ability. Also, there are intangibles like experience and leadership that he brings.
Fairweather fans can go to hell
So you’d get rid of who exactly to bring in Niedermayer?
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Seabrook is a better player than Niedermayer is because it’s 2010 not 2007.
Doughty’s probably Niedermayer’s equal today.
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I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary to keep Doughty “for the future” when 3 of the top 4 (Weber, Seabrook and Keith) are under the age of 25.
If you consider Doughty among the top 7, then keep him. But if you think someone is better, Doughty goes.
Resident Capologist
Well, I don’t. Who’s better than Doughty that I/we left off? Not Niedermayer that’s for sure.
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I think you’ve been hitting the sauce.
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i think you have if you think the NHL’s highest scoring Defenseman currently and all of last year’s 68 games is a worse addition to the team than a decent 2nd year player. Doughty’s good, don’t get me wrong, but he’s not in the same class as Green, yet.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions
what “class” is Green, exactly?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions
An experienced, proven, Norris-nominated player? Just like Nieds, Pronger, etc.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
Norris nominated? Come on.
Watch this: Francois Beauchemin should be on the team he played more time than Pronger or Niedermayer during Anaheim’s cup run.
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proven? He’s had 1 impressive season, and has won nothing.
Nieds and Pronger have both actually won the Norris.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions
No, he’s had 2 and is currently working on 3 in a row. 2 years ago, he had the most goals by a defenseman, and last year he had most goals and points for all defenseman, and he’s currently on the same points pace this year. Who else in Canada can say the same?
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
No one
There’s lot of offence from the backline already. Their more important job is keeping the puck out.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
Why do you give up a 4th weapon when given the choice?
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
do you carry an extra weapon or do you wear more armour?
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
Do you really expect to have leads going into the last 5 mins against Russia and Sweden?
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions
Do you really expect to have leads going into the last 5 mins against Russia and Sweden?
Canada? As the heavy favorite the answer is a resounding “yes”.
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The home favorite. Russia’s better built and Sweden’s always, always dangerous.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
Actually, no, not better built, but there are better players in similar positions on Russia than Canada.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
Russia has no defense. They have Kovalchuk, Ovechkin, Semin and uh
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Right, Malkin and Datsyuk are filthy.
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also “throw ins” like radulov
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
i wonder if afinogenov gets a look, do you think kovalev will be there? id put Kulemin on my 4th line, the guy checks like a madman
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
Some names being mentioned for Team Russia
Federov, Yashin, Zherdev, Filatov, Frolov, Tyutin, Zubov.
Past their first two lines and top d pairing, Team Russia is a joke.
They call me Splodeybones.
Kulemin!
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
Goaltending
is where it gets interesting… Nabokov, Bryzgalov or Varlamov?
It’ll be an -ov, that’s for sure.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
I’d send Bryzy and Varlamov.
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Essentially that same team beat Canada in 2008. Just saying.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
Yup
But it wasn’t essentially the same Canadian team.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:26 PM EST up reply actions
i wouldnt say no defense, just nowhere near canadas
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
Fun fact: there isn’t a single Russian defenseman in the NHL with a positive +/-. Their best player is Andrei Markov who got hurt in game 1 and is at 0.
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Russia’s better built? They’ll be bringing guys from the KHL like Alexei Morozov.
The games will be played on an NHL rink.
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Excluding Gonchar and Volchenkov name me ONE defencemad from Russia worthy of being on the Olympics?
Fairweather fans can go to hell
Markov
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
Fedor Tyutin wouldn’t be the 40th best Canadian d-man.
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for the record
I did an NHL.com search of Russian d-men and SIX came up
Tyutin, Gonchar, Kulikov, Volchenkov, Grebeshkov and Markov
Fairweather fans can go to hell
kulikov out of florida is russian isnt he?
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:24 PM EST up reply actions
haha, damnit, never has a reply fail worked so well
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:26 PM EST up reply actions
Yes
He is.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
yeah, wow
How is that possible? Oh right, Russia only cares about soft handed forwards.
They call me Splodeybones.
I’m sorry. I thought you asked for one D from Russia that is worthy of being in the Olympics. Didn’t realize the question was “what Russian can play on the so-ridiculously-deep-that-we-are-insanely-spoiled-D-corps-that-is-the-Canadians?”
Most D in the Olympics wouldn’t crack the Canadian team, that doesn’t mean they all suck. Don’t ask a question then belittle the answer.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
That’s a weak argument. He will be in the Olympics, which seems to indicate that he does deserve to be in the Olympics. Just because he wouldn’t make your team doesn’t make him terrible. Guarantee he won’t be even close to the worst D in the Olympics. Not even among the contenders and definitely not his own team.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
Canada matches both those sides in top-level skill up front, and has better depth.
Canada’s defence destroys Russia’s and Sweden’s is old.
Sweden has goaltending to match Canada’s, Russia’s is a question mark.
I’m more scared of USA than I am of Russia
Resident Capologist
Parise – Kane – Kessel is a sick top line for the USA
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
Unfortunately there is not 4 lines worth of that kind of talent on the US roster. Canada should just worry about the Swedes and the Russians. Unless Miller stands on his head I’d don’t see Americans getting a sniff of a medal.
A man gotta have a code
i dont think the sweds will be as good as some are saying
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:10 PM EST up reply actions
I disagree
Canada wins 3 of 4 spots over any country:
Goaltending
Coaching
Defence
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
Whoops
Right.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:24 PM EST up reply actions
if green is getting time i dont
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
If you’re down one with a minute to go, your 4th weapon is your 4th best forward because Brodeur’s on the bench.
Resident Capologist
ding ding ding
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah
Watching him in the playoffs the last two years was painful and he didn’t face a single team better than the Russians.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions
you do realize he was fighting through mono, a separated should and in far from ideal condition int he playoffs, right? Had he got hit by a truck on 7th street, he would have been in better shape.
hey remember when Yzerman won gold and then a cup with no cartridge in his knees?
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
cartridge?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
gah, picked the wrong word in spell check
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah
These ‘injuries’ come out after teams get eliminated. It was the same deal with the senators when they got pantsed in the Final in 2007.
Don’t seem to remember Boudreau’s comments shielding Green from criticism the way you’d expect if he knew Green was falling apart.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t know. Then a lot of fans were giving him unwarranted raspberries online and his coach wasn’t having his back from what I remember but it was a while ago.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions
Bruce Boudreau always has Green’s back. Always. Bruce would throw himself in front of a bus for Green.
What fans post online isn’t always accurate, warranted, or even remotely correct.
Ok
Well, I just don’t have a clear recollection of Boudreau saying “Cool it on Green” in the face of a lot of criticism. But if there are quotations then pass them along.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:59 PM EST up reply actions
I think Bruce was a little more concerned about the playoffs than telling fans to stop bitching about Green online.
Fans, media, it’s not exactly strange for a coach to deflect criticism during the playoffs and I don’t recall Bruce doing it at all.
Think of Burke’s and Hitchcock’s outbursts.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
He most definitely said “cool it on Green” on numerous occasions.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
Like I said, I don’t remember it but pass along any quotes because if I’m wrong, I’m wrong.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
It’ll take a while to dig up but if I find it I’ll bring it. I’d also wager that I paid much closer attention than you did so you not remembering isn’t exactly persuasive. On several occasions BB talked about how many minutes Green was given against top lines and yet was still being criticized for not scoring as much.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
You can’t put Mike Green out against the Russians or the Swedes in the Gold Medal Game to protect a one-goal lead with a minute left.
You can for any of the nine other prime candidates for the team (The 7 Chemmy picked, plus J-Bo and Niedermayer)
Case dismissed.
Resident Capologist
Duh. In a one goal game with 60 seconds remaining, you run out Pronger and maybe Keith.
But for the other 59 minutes, Mike Green makes it more likely you score more than you let in.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
The problem is that these aren’t regular season games.
Canada is going to face 3 (hopefully) do or die games in order to win a Gold Medal and one Mike Green Special at any moment in the game could be enough to ruin it.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
easy to say, anyone could fuck up in any game right?
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
Definitely
But if you look at that list which guy gives you the “Could get absolutely embarrassed at any moment” vibe?
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
Ya
Wouldn’t it be nice to have that vet defenceman who has a lot of experience in those situations. A player who knows what it takes to win at ever level and every tourney. OH WAIT Niedermayer doesn’t deserve to be on this team.
Fairweather fans can go to hell
HAHAHA
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
Well, it’s your team, you can pick it based on any criteria you want. I’m just pointing out that Mike Green is better at getting you more goals than you give up than a sizeable portion of the list you provided.
Lemme ask you this: go back to the early ’70’s: would you want Bobby Orr on or off the team?
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Green isn’t fit to tie Bobby Orr’s laces.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
Time will tell on that one.
He’s as talented as Bobby was, though.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Um, well, no. Couldn’t resist the siren call of hyperbole, in seriousness, no.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
heh
That answer made me lol.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
ok man, there is homerism and there is this
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
OK…just wait ’til the finals, and you think, “man, we could have Bobby Orr, er, Mike Green out there…”
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
we have kabby, who would make team canada ahead of green were he Canadian
=P
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
now your getting it!
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
Mike Green is nowhere near in the same stratosphere as Bobby Orr.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
It’s a nice one.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
Against Russia or Sweden, it’s not likely that Canada is going to be protecting anything. In the situation where they desperately need a tying goal, Green’s the one D among 5 other forwards I’d have out there.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
Right, and in that case, I’d take Green over Doughty, J-Bo, and Boyle 8 days a week.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
In that situation, it’s just as likely that Green was one the ice for one of the goals that we are trailing by. Preventing goals is just as important as scoring them.
Why do we do this to ourselves?
id take J-bo in that situation ANY day over green, especially against russia who could suddenly come back on you and score to make it so canada needs two goals to tie
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
If Canada’s down 2 goals, J-Bo is nowhere near the front of the coach’s mind.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
you missed the point, canada is down by one against the russians, they throw out ovie, kovy and malkin.
would you rather have green or j-bo out there?
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
no, because his argument was that Canada NEEDS a goal
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
Green can score well on a loaded team but the memory of him being dominated defensively in last year’s playoffs is still fresh in my mind. I just don’t trust him enough on the back end, and his offensive skill set is already adequately covered by other players who have much more defensive responsibility.
leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.
Green was horrendous in the playoffs last year. Truly horrendous. One of the worst choke jobs I’ve ever seen and I put a Sharks player on this list.
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to be fair i did hear that he was hurt really bad
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
That’ll get you mono for sure.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:59 PM EST up reply actions
And a lot of baby fat.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
I think that’s more body type than all the beer and women he has.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
That, too. And that’s the best argument, to my mind, against taking him.
But in terms of his actual, documentable play, he’s a frikking stud.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Game 1-82 I’d take him on the team any day.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
alrighty then, you do that. In the NHL, he is elite. But in a tournament where you lose one and you’re done, I wouldn’t want him.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
You know what I compare it to: Picking Bertuzzi.
Now, hear me out. Not in the quality of play factor but in the “He’ll Make The Critical Mistake” way. When Bert got picked I told my friend that he would take a dumb penalty to kill Canada’s chances. What happens? With Canada trailing Switzerland he ends up in the box with under 2 minutes to play.
I just feel like Green will do fine in all of the games that don’t matter and then get shredded in the third/OT of the semi or (knock on wood) gold medal game.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
Mike Green isn’t Todd Bertuzzi. He’s just not a top seven Canadian defender in my eyes.
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Yeah
I’m not saying skill-wise. Just in that “he will be the deciding factor against Canada” way.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:55 PM EST up reply actions
yah, thats why we arnt touting beauchemin
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
Please.
I didn’t get involved in this argument to tell you who has to be on Canada’s Olympic team. Although I hold dual citizenship, I root for the country of my birth.
I did want to get some facts on the record regarding Green’s overall defensive performance this year.
Good luck in the tourney, btw. After the US is out, I’ll be rooting for Canada.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
this is a very good comparison. Bertuzzi in his prime could really dominate a game and score almost at will. But he’s always taken that stupid penalty that hurts the team.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions
Wait, we’re comparing Green to Bertuzzi? Green, who doesn’t take game-changing penalties or make game-changing mistakes? Sure, there are mistakes, but it’s pretty rare that one literally costs a game. And if his teammates aren’t able to make up for that mistake, then it’s the team’s fault. Green is in no way selfish the way that Bertuzzi was/is.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
Green doesn’t make game-changing mistakes?
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
I would really question this as well.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:04 PM EST up reply actions
Green is, to me, the same “class” of player as Campbell. Meaning when the game is on the line and you need to trust every single player out there to do exactly what they’re supposed to do, and not take any unnessecery risks…. you can’t put them out there (just ask Scotty Bowman)
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:39 PM EST up reply actions
#1, it depends on which line: are they down a goal or up a goal?
#2, Green is as good as he is because he takes risks. A lot of that is the Washington system, but he is able to finish.
Again, in a situation where Canada has to score, I’d take nobody over Green.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
last year in the playoffs, against detroit, the Hawks were down a goal. So they had Campbell in – just like it seems, you would.
He pinched down, the puck was cleared, detroit scred an empty netter, Scotty Bowman went ballistic.
Green is that same type of player. If we need to score, you put Nash, Crosby, Iginla out there, and any 2 defense.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
dammit. Thanks.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
Of those players, Iginla is the only one with a bomb. Green and Weber have bombs. On a game-breaking PP, Green and Weber are my guys. The choice isn’t as arbitrary as you make it sound. Especially against teams with Datsyuk and Ovechkin.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 4:04 PM EST up reply actions
Seabrook also has a bomb.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
potential players on canada with “bombs”
Pronger, Iggy, Weber, Richards, Green, Bowmiester…
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
And I don’t put Green in the “bomb from the point” PP guy. He’s a different kind of PP threat. He reads the play well and makes plays all over the offensive zone and is deadly and finding the backdoor openings.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
which is what Niedermayer has excelled at for so long…. so if he’s over the hill and you want that, maybe, but Boyle also does that, with more experience.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:28 PM EST up reply actions
Lidstrom is also that sort of point man. Buuuut.. he’s… yeah… I know. Just sayin’!
Why do we do this to ourselves?
actually, they’re not really point men… they’re rovers.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
Let’s face it – if we need to rely on Mike Green to score us a goal with all of the forwards and other offensive D-men we have, we are in trouble.
I am not saying Green can’t be clutch and score goals, but I am pretty sure we will have at least 14 other guys on our team that have scored 30 goals or more in a season
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 8, 2009 4:45 PM EST up reply actions
The thing is, Doughty is lights out in his own end as well as scoring a lot. He doesn’t score as much as Green but he doesn’t give up as many goals as Green.
I’m doing something at work, let me dig up some advanced stats on Doughty.
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Did you enjoy Bryan McCabe’s work in Torino? If so, you want Mike Green on your Team Canada
Resident Capologist
Probably selling Green short. He’s really fast to the puck (which would be more valuable on an Olympic-sized rink)
by red army line on Dec 8, 2009 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
This is on an NHL rink.
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Hey Chemmy, are you a beleiver in ‘intangibles’? Doesnt Scotty Neidermayer bring alot to the table in that room and on the ice that those young D could use to their advantage? Experience counts for something…… or do you just feel that Scottys game has dipped too much to bring him?
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
I’m a believer in intangibles somewhat.
I’ll take skill over intangibles every day, especially since I think plenty of the guys we picked are good leaders; Keith, Pronger.
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Seriously? DIdn’t we go through this last Olympics in Turin? Where Gretzky brought in guys on their past accomplishments even though noted youngsters like Staal and Crosby were left off the team?
I thought we learned this lesson already.
Life as a Toronto Sports Fan?... *sigh*... It is what it is...
by JohnnyG on Dec 8, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I thought we learned this lesson already.
Me too but apparently Scott Niedermayer won lots in the past.
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eh, I just honestly think we’ll see him there. YOu can’t say he’s miles behind players like Boyle and Bouwmeester, and while you can say they have more possible upside at this tourney, I have a feeling Niedermayer’s “intangibles” might be highly valued, given that we don’t have players like Yzerman, Sakic, Lemieux up front to provide it.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
wow, i must be missing something here. has niedermayer really been that awful?
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
Its not that he has been awful, but this is an Olympic team with 7 roster spots.
Im just in the camp that some of the younger players can play at a higher caliber then he still can.
That is not saying he can’t play anymore because he obviously can, but he isn’t at the top of the Canadian Depth chart anymore.
Life as a Toronto Sports Fan?... *sigh*... It is what it is...
If you are going to take Nieds, he has to be the 7th guy.
I am comfortable with that – I would probably take him over Green as the 7th.
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 8, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t see how you bring Nieds to be a 7th. Kind of a slap in the face.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
Better than staying home.
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2010 Scott Niedermayer isn’t 2002 or 2006 Scott Niedermayer, and that’s the biggest problem.
I won’t be upset if Niedermayer’s there, I just don’t think today he’s among the top 7 Canada has to choose from.
Resident Capologist
Intangibles
Niedermayer has them. Also, he still an excellent defenceman, regardless of age
Fairweather fans can go to hell
Niedermayer is not among the top seven or eight Canadian defenseman at this time.
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This is the Canadian olympic team, there’s no room for “fine” players.
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by Chemmy on Dec 8, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
As much as I don’t think he deserves to be on the team, I can’t see them keeping Niedermayer off. I can see Pronger-Neids, Keith-Seabrook, Bouwmeester-Weber.
I’m not a big Boyle fan, he’s a few notches behind Keith, and only a small step up from Green.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:04 PM EST reply actions
dammit
I want Regehr on there too… very badly. But I have no idea who I’d take out for him.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
You’d take out Niedermayer.
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Pronger – Weber
Seabrook – Keith
Bouwmeester – Regehr
Boyle
Regehr & Boyle swap out depending on the match-up. Boyle plays against trapping teams where strong puck movement and breaking down a strong defensive shell is important. Regehr plays against the Russias and Swedens of the tournament when we need to be able to commit 2 D pairings to a specific line all night.
Resident Capologist
I could get on board with this.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
If you want to swap Regehr/Boyle you could swap Regehr/Doughty. Doughty puts up points.
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MOAR ARGUING!
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
oh no
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
Have to bring that up, sorry. I’m not liking USA’s team, and I’m depressed looking at the options Canada has for D.
by Evening News Team on Dec 8, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions
I must say
I am incredibly impressed with Pronger’s stats on the Flyers, given how horribly they’ve been playing.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:36 PM EST reply actions
Mike Green Sucks at Defense? Really?
Check out Behind the Net. In terms of Advanced +/-, he’s +1.01. Of the people mentioned in this thread, only J-Bo (1.02) and Pronger (1.35) are better.
In terms of GA OnIce/60, only Keith, Pronger and J-Bo are better.
Due to the Caps style of play, when he screws the pooch, it’s flamboyant. But in term of keeping the puck out of his net, he’s better than several of the people listed as “locks” by you all. And in terms of getting the puck into the other net more than it goes into his own, he’s only surpassed by Pronger and J-Bo.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Sucks is probably too strong a word
he isnt amazing at it and his game is offense, unlike every other candidate for the spots
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:39 PM EST up reply actions
when the games mattered in the playoffs he sucked
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
this obsession with 14 playoff games is fascinating. Throw out all the other games he’s played, let’s just focus on the 14 games that make our case!
Yes
Because which games are more like the Olympic tournament? The 82 game grind or the 14 games in the playoffs?
I don’t think it’s about making our case so much as making a fair comparison.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
Nope
Hey, let’s bring in his pre-season stats too! No? Because it would be crazy?
Well, it’s not exactly crazy to focus on the regular season but if you are comparing like to like then playoff games are much more like the Olympic tournament then Monday nights against the Leafs and Islanders
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
The playoffs are also at the end of an 82-game grind. The Olympics aren’t comparable in terms of player readiness. Unless Green’s injured, he’s always been excellent mid-season.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
The level of competition is comparable.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
Sure, but the wear on the body at point of contention is totally different, and completely relevant.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions
Those are great regular season numbers.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
i want to have this discussion drunk, it would get messy
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
there’s a bottle of crown royal in my work fridge… should I go get it?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
Hard to argue with those choices generally. Personally I’d take Bouwmeester over Doughty, even though I like Doughty a lot. I think at this stage J-Bo is more developed and refined a player than Doughty, while long-term upside Doughty for me has the edge. But this is about now and not the future so I’d take J-Bo. Everyone else seems to me to be a great pick.
leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.
Why Regehr?
Pronger, Keith, Weber, Bouwmeester, Boyle, Neidermayer, Doughty
Regehr’s a fine defenceman, but I’m not sold that he’s elite quality. All the guys I’ve taken already play against top lines every night (except maybe Boyle) and there’s plenty of size. Why would I give Regehr 25 minutes of ice time against Ovechkin when I could give it to Keith or Pronger?
OTOH I haven’t watched much of Neidermayer this year (the whole team was horrid when they played the Leafs). If he can’t go, then I’d take either Regehr or Seabrook next. Possibly Green – he’s tough to leave off, but I don’t see room for high risk players in a short tournament.
I've been looking at the sky
regehr is exactly what you need out there against ovechkin, malkin, kane, kessel, and every other ridiculously speedy and talented player in the world, he might be the best shut down defenseman of this generation
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
see, schenn in 3 years
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
Yep
People who aren’t sold on Robyn Regehr probably live on the east coast and don’t get the chance to watch many Calgary games. They might also play fantasy hockey and understand that Regehr is a 3rd or 4th D-man on the best of weeks.
This guy is phenomenal at every single thing that doesn’t end up on the scoresheet. He’s a horse and I want him on my team.
Why do we do this to ourselves?
I always forget about him, and then I watch him and am blown away
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
Phaneuf’s a good hitter and goal scorer like Green he’s just not that steady hand. I dunno.
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Phaneuf reminds me of Exelby this past year.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
my opinion may be tainted by my hatred of him.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions
THANK GOD
I hate him.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
That's lame
None of us sees every team as often as they’d like. Regehr’s not exactly new to the league, we’ve got a pretty good idea what to expect from him by now.
By the minutes, Regehr’s the #3 defenceman on his own team. I like him better than Phaneuf regardless, but if he were the top shut-down guy in the league I think he’d at least have cracked Mirtle’s list somewhere.
I've been looking at the sky
by Back In Black on Dec 8, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
So is Pronger, so is Keith, so are Weber and Bouwmeester. If Regehr is slightly better, well, like Green, I’m not sure it makes up for his other deficiencies.
I've been looking at the sky
by Back In Black on Dec 8, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
as shut down guys, id say only Pronger is close to Regehrs level and he has lost a step
the others are much better 2-way
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
Regher makes no sense to me. Big deal he can throw his shoulder. Can he clear the puck consistently. He’s a decent D-man but Canada has much better to choose from. Hell if you want a defensive d-man you’d be better off with Bowmeester or Jeff Schultz.
A man gotta have a code
Jeff Schultz?
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
Yes. If you want only a defensive defensemen. I’d take Jay Bow over him of course, but name me another Canadian d-man with as good defensive stats. Now I’d take about 5 or 6 other d-men who are hybrids including Niedermeyer over Schultz. However, in my reply I just just responding to this focus on Regher.
A man gotta have a code
canada is down 2 men with a one goal lead, or hell even tied in the gold medal game
there is NO ONE better to have out there to stop that goal than regher
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions
these arguments
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t get it.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 3:59 PM EST up reply actions
its a cherry picker
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
Jeff Schultz’ quality of team is way above his quality of competition. He plays soft minutes.
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He plays soft minutes? He’s been paired with Mike Green the last two weeks and before that was paired with Tom Poti. I think you are confusing Jeff Schultz with John Erskine.
A man gotta have a code
Jeff Schultz’ quality of team is way above his quality of competition.
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http://www.fromtherink.com/2009/12/1/1181639/the-nhls-top-defensive-defencemen
Pronger plays against better competition with worse teammates and gives up WAY fewer power play goals against.
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So, no, Schultz and Pronger aren’t even close. Next.
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Schultz played on a PK that was a mess until a couple of weeks ago. I would certainly admit that he’s not who I’d prefer on PK consistently, but the issue was who would you want as a defensive d-man. I’m saying Schultz among others, including J-Bow (who would be who I’d pick) is a better option.
A man gotta have a code
Compared to Regehr 5-on-5 Schultz does better.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions
Why
Are we still talking about Jeff Schultz?
We might as well argue that Cory Cross should be on the team.
Why do we do this to ourselves?
Because it’s not actually as insane as it sounds when you first read it.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
Schultz is a shutdown D in the making, but needs a few years to grow into it.
Not this year, but in 4 years? You’ll be seriously thinking about Schultz.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Not this year, but in 4 years? You’ll be seriously thinking about Schultz.
So why are we still talking?
Fairweather fans can go to hell
yah, we’re talking 4 years about defensive Dmen, we’re talking schenn!
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
I wasn’t among those seriously suggesting Schultz. Just pointing out that the 2014 shutdown pairing of Schultz – Schenn is not out of the question.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Unless something dramatic happens I doubt we’ll be championing Schenn for the Olympics in 2014.
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cause he’s the new Regehr duh!
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
maybe it is
when you have Doughty, Pietrangelo rounding into form, Weber, Seabrook, Keith still there, etc. etc.
Canada’s defense is DEEP
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
Click the link
And look at their 5-on-5 numbers.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:24 PM EST up reply actions
That’s all I’m saying. I didn’t say you pick the guy. I said he’s a better option than Regher.
A man gotta have a code
Well...
To be fair, I have watched Regehr play more than Schultz. I can recall Regehr playing very solidly in regular season, playoff and international hockey while playing most of his minutes against the opposing team’s top pairing. I have no recollection of Schultz doing the same or even hearing/reading about it until this particular thread. He might be a ridiculously good defenceman with few equals in the NHL but it’s news to me.
I don’t pretend to be a hockey expert so I defer to the knowledge of people who have earned the label of expert. Like, oh, let’s say… Steve Yzerman.
His list of Olympic invitees included 16 defencemen, none of whom were named Jeff Schultz.
Combined with my own relatively limited knowledge of the two players that is plenty for me to sit firmly on Regehr’s side of the fence.
Why do we do this to ourselves?
Schultz never has. Regher certainly has more experience overall both in NHL and international play. I just think he is overrated if we are talking about Canada’s six best defensemen and the focus is on his defensive skills. I’m not saying he’s a piece of crap. He’s an above average, good solid d-man. I just think Jay Bow, Niedermeyer, or Green are better. I’d even take Vslaic or Schultz over him if the focus is purely on defense. Just my 2 cents.
A man gotta have a code
That’s fair. It becomes difficult to compare defensive D-men because the results are difficult to quantify and compare. I certainly respect your opinion, I just can’t envision a Team Canada with Schultz and without Regehr.
Why do we do this to ourselves?
Schultz becomes infinitely more valuable with a salary cap.
by red army line on Dec 9, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
That’s one slice though.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
Behind The Net
Schultz 10th best rating, 52nd toughest opposition
Mike Green 27th best rating , 113th toughest opposition
That’s among defence with 15+ minutes per game at even strength. So yeah, those two have been feasting on soft minutes. Too bad there aren’t any soft minutes against the Russians.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
Wait…you could take Alzner on the team, right? he’s Canadian…and awesome, of course.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Is he not sticking because of the cap or what?
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Alzner is certainly awesome. At least he was when he was drafted… haven’t heard much aboot him since.
Why do we do this to ourselves?
That sucks. Hate to see stuff like that happen to young guys. :\
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The silver lining is that he’s a defensive D and it’s hard to over-cook those guys in the minors. He can continue to get stronger and get experience and work on playing huge minutes. But if he hasn’t reached it yet he’s close to the point where the AHL has nothing left to teach him.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
Yeah, the Cap. Nylander. Morrisonn and Jurcina, also.
Once one of those three is gone, he’s going to be a regular in the rotation.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Sigh...
it would be nice if we could say “Once Blake, Finger and Toskala are off the books we can bring up….”
Why do we do this to ourselves?
Stajan’s on pace for 26G 35A 61Pts.
If Bozak can’t top that I’m not sure there’s a reason for him to be up.
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Cap and the fact that they don’t just want to waive guys. Asset management is a big part of it. I’m sure GMGM wants to move a couple guys but he won’t just waive them. Until then Alzner is boned in the AHL. Poor decision IMO. He needs NHL experience now so he can help us in the playoffs. Today he is one of the 4 best Caps D.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
As much as it gets discussed teams just don’t waive high priced players.
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he’s doing pretty well for LA
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by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:54 PM EST up reply actions
Make the case
What defensive stats are you focused on? I know Dmirty Chesnokov suggested it but only because he’s secret KGB
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
Go look at the stats Mirtle posted on defensive defensemen a week ago. He used numbers from behind the net. Schultz and Pronger have identical numbers at even strength in terms of goals per 60 minutes.
A man gotta have a code
In that link I posted Pronger plays the 14th toughest compeition while Schultz is the 52nd toughest.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions
My point was Schultz’s numbers are much better than he gets credit for. Of course, I’d take Pronger over him. I’d also take Jay-Bow over him. However, I won’t take Regher over him.
A man gotta have a code
Mmmmmm, I’d take Reghyr over him – whoever up top said it was right, we don’t see him much, so don’t appreciate him, but he’s a damn fine D.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
I watch a fair amount of Flames games here as its the same time zone and I’m an Iginla fan. Robyn is a good d-man. However, I don’t think he’s anywhere as good as Jay-Bow and not even as good as Schultz. I wonder if some of the people here saw Schultz play a bit more they’d realize he’s a bit more solid than they think.
A man gotta have a code
http://www.fromtherink.com/2009/12/1/1181639/the-nhls-top-defensive-defencemen
Schultz plays easier minutes and gives up more goals on the PK.
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Is Vlasic canadian?
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by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
gah
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:28 PM EST up reply actions
that argument ill buy
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
id still take regher over vlasic, but at least i can see a point where that might make sense
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I really liked birky’s team.
I've been looking at the sky
by Back In Black on Dec 8, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
Canada had to agree not to play those two for the sake of fairness
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
Damn we are a kickass hockey nation. We could field an extra 7 d-men after the ones that get picked and still have a phenomenal D-corps. Ridic.
I like that list of 7. I don’t see much of Seabrook or Keith but that whole Chemistry idea sure is cute.
I think I might like to see Green instead of Doughty but as a U of G alum I adore Double D. He can certainly be on my Olympic team.
Why do we do this to ourselves?
Length of the tournament
should play a factor in the decision making process. The hockey portion will only last 12 days.
I think it’s important to have as many players with experience together as possible. You guys only have 2 players with a history playing together on your team.
Offensive Defensmen in the Olympics?
Does a team that will have the top two lines of;
Marleau-Thornton-Heatley
Nash-Crosby-Iginla
really need some point production coming from the blue line? If so, then this team will be in for a world of hurt in Vancouver. I think this is the biggest argument against a guy like Mike Green or Jay Bouwmeester.
They call me Splodeybones.
Doesn’t J-BO largely play with Regehr against the other teams’ best line in Calgary?
Resident Capologist
Looking at Behindthenet Bouwmeester’s stats might be better than Regehr on defense. I might swap Regehr for J-Bo to be honest.
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i want both there
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
Rob Blake gave an interview recently and spoke about the team’s troubles in Torino.
In his opinion, the issue with the team was a lack of puck moving defensemen. Other teams were clogging the neutral zone in the trap. It’s great to have a bunch of elite forwards, but someone has to be able to either get them the puck with good tape-to-tape passes or be able to skate the puck up the ice and dish it off.
Yup
The only guy I can see having any trouble is Regehr. The rest move the puck pretty well.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
Like I said earlier, I see Pronger, Keith, Weber, Seabrook and Bouwmeester as locks.
Regeher and Boyle/Niedermayer/Green/Doughty will be the 6 and 7.
You play the puckmover when you need a strong skater and passer to break down a team’s trap (I’m thinking teams like Finland, Switzerland, Slovakia)
You play regehr when a team has multiple offesnive weapons and you need to dedicate 2 pairs of D to shut them all down (I’m thinking teams like russia, sweden, USA)
Resident Capologist
Canada will obliterate Finland, Switzerland and the Slovaks up front, Regehr doesn’t lose you those games.
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Canada nearly lost to Switzerland last time. Nothing can be taken for granted. Just because some other teams don’t boast a line-up of future HOFers doesn’t mean they can’t win in a short tourney. All of those teams will be full of guys who are professional hockey players at a high level.
correction, we DID lose to the swiss. Fucking gerber
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
No
Fucking selection committee
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions
Canada had 49 shots on goal in that game their problem wasn’t the trap or not moving the puck into Switzerland’s end.
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i still cant wrap my head around the thought of losing to switzerland
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
We’ll do goalies laterrrrrr
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that wasn’t my point. My point was that just because you are better on paper doesn’t mean you’re better on the ice.
And my point is that you won’t lose that game because you have a defensive d-man instead of a puck mover, which is what I was responding to.
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Boyle, J-Bo and Weber are good to great puck movers, Keith and Seabrook and even Pronger are decent to good. I think we’ll be just fine in that regard this time.
leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.
Bouwmeester and Weber are elite puck movers.
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Green’s best! (Hi, I see you left one off that list there.)
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions
But I’d rather have Weber or Bouwmeester in their own end. No one is doubting Green’s offensive production.
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You said Elite puck mover, and there, frankly, is none better. That’s all.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
id say he is an elite shooter, im still on the fence about the mover part
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
he is Very good at it, ill give him that, but elite….hes close
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions
It's moot!
We need complete players. Green might get an A+ in “puck moving 101” and “Advanced puck shooting” but he gets a B+ in other facets of the game and frankly, that is not good enough.
Why do we do this to ourselves?
You shouldn’t be. There’s a reason he’s called the “one man breakout.” When he was hurt the Caps had a ton of trouble clearing the zone. It’s like a couple years ago when Lidstrom went down and DET struggled and everyone said “oh damn, I guess Lidstrom really does make a huge difference even on that stacked roster.” Trust me, Green is amazing at clearing the zone and getting the puck to the other end of the ice.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
Exactly. He’s one of the best at moving the puck out. Good outlet passes and can skate it out better than almost anyone else in the league. I understand not rating him in the top six because there are so many good choices, but I wouldn’t understand not taking him for that reason.
A man gotta have a code
ian white is pretty good at that too
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
Hehe. There is Homerism and there is…what?
/couldn’t resist coming back
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
i counter your homerism with UNREALISTIC HOMERISM!
+23 damage!
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
i have no idea, i keep seeing that around the internet
sounds nerdy
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
enough said . wouldn’t you want this guy representing your country? he puts the “mean” in demeanor.
some good arguments for and against him. i’m enjoying this thread!
Is that the kid you want?
id love to have him there, but thats not the issue, Canada can only carry so many D and there are at least 7 better choices me thinks
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
i was half tongue-in-cheek. he’d be good for the team, but i’m unsure he’s among the top 7
Is that the kid you want?
Green’s a good player I’d love to have him on the Leafs.
Is he a top seven Canadian player? I don’t think so.
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He is is on the border – also he is still young and could develop into that top 7 role… next olympics, if NHLers are allowed to go
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by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 8, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions
I’m perectly fine with him not being picked this time. For the selfish reasons F&B mentioned as well as I can see the arguments for him not being top 6. I probably wouldn’t pick him if I was Stevie Y. However, I can’t imagine he doesn’t make the team in Sochi in NHL players go.
A man gotta have a code
I think he is a bubble player for this Olympics and would only get PP time and possibly on the fly changes when we are pressing for a goal in the offensive zone.
He is not bad defensively, but he can’t touch many of the others being considered for this team right now. Good job excellent defensive play can be taught and gained through experience.
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 8, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
Ran some numbers for discussion....
I dunno, man. I ran a few numbers off of BtN and the NHL website for each of the players under discussion – and just because someone brought it up, I added Jeff Schultz despite his not being invited. I got some very, very interesting results. Find it here.
Are you sure that some of your favorites land in the top seven, given this?
Unleash the Alex!
by gotsparkly on Dec 8, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
And notwithstanding all the arguments I’m making for Green in this thread I don’t want him on Team Canada. But that’s for selfish reasons; I want him healthy and playing with a chip on his shoulder after the Olympics. I also think Canada has enough offense as is and don’t need to take a risk with Green’s high-risk, high-reward style. But he’s not “terrible defensively” or a “defensive liability.”
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
i would like to temper the “terrible defensively” and “defensive liability” arguments to mean that he is when compared to better rounded players like bowmiester
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by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:11 PM EST up reply actions
Right, no one’s saying Mike Green sucks. He’s not a top seven Canadian guy though.
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I buy that. And Jared’s comment. I’m just tired of people talking like he’s Sandis Ozolinsh. It’s like the start of the year when everyone said “How are the Leafs going to score goals this year?” And you all are like “We were tenth in the league last year fucker!”
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Rob Parker on Dec 8, 2009 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
hahaha
Nice reply!
No, not Sandis Ozolinsh. He could be 8th best in Canada. But they’ll only carry 7 D
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:43 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah..
I’m uncomfortable with this argument because I heart Mike Green. Dude is an animal.
But Olympic rosters are sacred things that require months and months of painful deliberation and unwarranted derision.
Why do we do this to ourselves?
I had Mike Green in my Pool last year… much good
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by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 8, 2009 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
well its hard to say that a player who rushes the puck up ice and makes risky plays not a “liability” because the potential for a huge fuck up is there with him, its just that most of the time green either makes the play or can recover in time. we dont want the one time he skates all the way up ice and loses the puck to go back the other way and into our net during an important game
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
But he’s not "terrible defensively" or a "defensive liability."
Well, not in pillow soft minutes.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions
Wait, no matchups in Olympic Hockey?
It was just pointed out that the Commies have Kovy, AO, Semin, Datsyuk and a bunch of stiffs…you don’t want to exploit the stiffs?
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
There are matches but a. I don’t believe that the Russians are honestly going to put up half of the team for the KHL to feel good about itself and b. Even if he doesn’t face the top two, fantasy hockey forward lines there is still going to be a third that is much better than what he’s faced this year to tear him apart.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
You can’t play 27 minutes a night and have them all pillow soft. BB doesn’t even really match up. Green plays against all lines in all situations and is good in all of them.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
QualComp for him is 113th out of D playing more than 15 minutes at even strength.
With a min of 20 GP he comes in 91st.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:45 PM EST up reply actions
Right, but I said he plays against all lines in all situations. I’d bet a lot of the top guys are guys that are specifically matched up against top lines; and the bottom guys are guys that are specifically matched away from top lines. Green is neither. He plays against whoever is on the ice at the moment. BB refuses to let other teams dictate how he plays his studs. Further, with the amount of PP time Green gets that QualComp is going to drop because PKers are frequently rated as low QualComp guys despite their specialization.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
That’s the even strength qualcomp only.
Also, that 91st is in the bottom 20% just eyeballing it.
It’s independent of how he is played in all situations.
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by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 5:00 PM EST up reply actions
No Green.
I love these picks.
Boyle is an incredibly well-rounded player. Not sure what the knocks are against him, except for playing most of his career in the SE. Moving to the Pacific doesn’t help garner any attention.
I could see Boyle being swapped out for Bouwmeester, giving the team one more big body on the blue line, and I’d be okay with that. J-Bo hasn’t missed a game since turning pro, played all 82 games since the 05-06 season.
Bouwmeester also has 32 hits and 52 blocked shots so far this season to Boyle’s 18 hits and 57 blocked shots. The shot blcoking is close enough to call it a wash, but the hit totals (and I know those numbers are sketchy at best) seem to favor Bouwmeester. In an Olympic setting, I’d think you’d be looking for the most well rounded group of players you can get, and not “specialists.”
I may have just talked myself out of Boyle…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 4:20 PM EST reply actions
also j-bo and regher have chemistry together similar to keith and seabrook.. though i don’t know if they share ice-time on a regular basis, its still gotta be worth something
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by AkiSchennberg on Dec 8, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
yes
my worry is that on any Olympic team, especially Russia and Sweden, it won’t be a case of 2 scoring lines and then some grinders coming at you. Every line will be a scoring line. All 6 d should be used to playing the hard minutes against top competition.
not sure where i could find the data, but I’m curious as to how many minutes on the PK guys like Boyle and the oft mentioned Green play on the PK. I don’t know if Bouwmeester plays the PK in Calgary, but I know he did in FLA.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
j-bo does play pk time in calgary.. i don’t think green gets too much pk time, no idea about boyle but i’d guess not too much given who else san jose has… i’d rank j-bo head and shoulders above both of those guys based on his body play on d though.. and assuming the athleticism of all 3 are relatively equal and boyle/green have a slight offensive edge. given the intensity of the olympic tourny you have to go with boumeester
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by AkiSchennberg on Dec 8, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
Green is so far ahead of JBo in terms of offensive skill. JBo’s offensive games is one of the most consistently overrated things in the game of hockey. He skates and he looks like he should be great at offense, but he’s jut not even close to Green’s league.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
and that's nice
but putting Mike Green out as a defender against Russia’s second line of Datsyuk, Semin and who knows who else, over J-Bo?
You’ve said yourself he’s more offensive minded. In this kind of tournament, the team needs guys who can think and perform effectively under any situation. I wouldn’t want to look down my bench during a long PK and see that Green is the only guy with a full tank, because i’d know he doesn’t have a lot of experience in those types of situations, so i’m playing a man short.
It’s not about what Green can do in the oppositions zone, it’s about what he does in ours. Canada has offensive firepower coming out of it’s ears on the forward lines. If they need a shot from the point, there are just as many skilled forwards to play that position. Green would be superfluous.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 4:48 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed, and I think my purpose here has been pretty clear. I’m not saying he has to be on the team; I’m saying it’s not a joke for him to be in the discussion and that his defensive play isn’t so bad as to write him off per se. He plays on any team that isn’t Canada. It’s just that Canada is so deep that they don’t need to take him. And despite all this Yzerman is keeping a pretty close eye on Green. He’s been to a ton of Caps games and there aren’t any other Team Canada prospects on the Caps that I can recall (though there probably are on the other teams we’ve played when Yzerman was there).
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
yeah
the Green decision will be a tough one for Yzerman. He does have a special skill set. But it’s not one that I think we’re lacking in that we need to put him on the team.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
nope
If Green were so competent in his own end, I’d imagine the Caps would be giving him PK time over other players. to me, that’s what it all boils down to. I’d rather have 7 guys I know can play in any situation.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions
Meh. That’s a bit of a red herring. A lot of it comes down to replacement and use of his legs. He’s more valuable 5 on 5 and PP and you can’t give him 30-35 minutes every night. Gotta sit him sometimes and we have guys that are only useful in their own end and not many guys that can do anything in the offensive zone so Green’s minutes get skewed to reflect that. But there is some merit to it, and he’s playing more PK this year than he has in the last two years indicating he’s getting better at it.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
I wish I could find minutes by player for each type of situation. Be curious to see how it all shakes down…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions
Behind the net has them, you just have to dig.
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pfft.
I live in CA, i’m all about the surface. I don’t like to dig…
:) thanks, I’ll check it when i get home
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:11 PM EST up reply actions
I hate digging through BTN too.
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Boyle gets a good amount of PK time.
...rely a bit to heavily on alcohol and irony...
by My Poor Friend Me on Dec 8, 2009 5:55 PM EST up reply actions
Same
Bye
This is PPP's work account until further notice. Damn Internet.
by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
Very much so – that was fun, everyone.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 8, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions
For the record, I only said you were hitting the sauce because of your user name. Sorry if that didn’t shine through clearly.
Thanks for stopping by guys.
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Interesting stat
Chris Pronger had the lowest PIM totals of his career while playing with Niedermayer in Anaheim in 06-07. He had another of his lowest PIM totals of his career last season.
Without Niedermayer this year, he’s on pace for almost double.
Perhaps Niedermayer helps Pronger keep his cool? Just throwing it out there.
did they really play together though? I think they may have last year while Beauchemin was out, but I’m not sure they were actually defense partners.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
Doughty? Regehr? C'mon! Write these down...
Pronger, Niedermayer, Weber, Bouwmeester, Boyle, Keith, Green.
Green is a top pairing on any other team in the world, on talent alone.
Regehr is a pylon and I love Doughty but he is a boy among men.
Seabrook really deserves to be on the team.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
OK, once more from the top
Pronger – lock. Numbers and gut feeling coincide here.
Weber – lock
Keith – lock
Seabrook – lock
Then it gets a little more discussable.
I like Regehr. He’s in.
Doughty for future development purposes? OK.
Mike Green is better than Dan Boyle. Or you could make an argument for Niedermaier for leadership/intangibles. The Top 4 guys are going to play the big minutes. And they should be good
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
yeah
those 4 I don’t think anyone would debate. The last 3 are the toughies, I’m excited to see who gets picked.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:00 PM EST up reply actions
also Vlasic as the dark horse!
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions
no to everything you said (except the doughty stuff) because of all the reasons discussed above
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:54 PM EST up reply actions
Doughty has better numbers in his own end at the ripe age of 19.
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if Doughty wasn’t only 19, he’d probably be a lock.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
he does at that, as a 7th, he’d be ideal
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
Green is a rare talent – Doughty, well, his day will come. I love the kid.
Regehr over Green? Holy crap.
any day of the week
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
you’re not building an all-star team, though.
Well rounded players who can perform under multiple situations is what every team needs to succeed. Using both Boyle and Green, two primarily offensive minded players, means under short handed situations, the team has only 4 reliable defensemen to use.
This isn’t about points, it’s about experience. I can see the arguments for and against Niedermeyer. Personally I think the idea of handing the team over to Yzerman was to absolve Gretzky of feeling any obligations to former players. This is the dawn of a new era for Canadian International Hockey. There are deserving players, albeit older, who may get passed up for younger legs. That should be a good thing. giving a player a roster spot for a victory lap is counter-intuitive to building a winning team.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions
Well said. Add in left handed vs right handed shot, and you’ve got some serious challenges in selecting the “best”.
RH v. LH
That’s a good point too.
This is PPP's work account until further notice. Damn Internet.
by David Danforth on Dec 8, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions
WHAT DO YOU KNOW DAVID DANFORTH!?!?!
:P
Seabrook, Doughty and Green (for the sake of discussion) are RH. The rest are lefties. If you’re looking for a right handed shot from the point on the PP, you could just as easily take one of the forwards. Iginla? Carter? Stamkos?
Plenty of options…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:03 PM EST up reply actions
hell you want a cannon from the point on the PP, throw heatly back there
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions
ack
that’s asking for a breakaway against us
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:05 PM EST up reply actions
=P
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions
Yes
I was trying to think of righties though.
I can see wanting offense from not just your offensive lines, but your d-men as well. However, I’d prefer a guy who can chip in a few and play all situations with incredible effectiveness over a pure point machine.
My vote is definitely for Bouwmeester before Green or Boyle. Maybe even Doughty over Regher.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:08 PM EST up reply actions
Experience can be overrated at times. See Team USA 1998. Certainly you need some on the team, but Canada has a wealth of it. For the most part you need to pick the best players period. Only headcases and extremely green guys who have talent can I see being off a team.
A man gotta have a code
I think Yzerman may shock us all
and go for youth. I just have a hunch. With the best forwards in the world being so young, why not trend that way on D, to a degree?
because Yzerman himself was such a huge part of that 2002 team, as a vet who couldn’t play up to his elite level anymore.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:08 PM EST up reply actions
I think experience is more necessary on defense than it is for forwards in this situation.
anticipating the opponent is something that is more difficult to do than making an offensive play.
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 8, 2009 5:08 PM EST up reply actions
I’m hoping he does.
I’d like to see a team led by Crosby (I know lots of folks hate him, I’m not one of them anymore…) with Stamkos, Richards (Mike, not Brad) and Bouwmeester and Doughty. Maybe even Del Zotto…?
On home soil, seeing a changing of the guard could be iconic.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:10 PM EST up reply actions
has Del Zotto cooled way off or did the media just get tired of tongue bathing him?
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:11 PM EST up reply actions
well
he’s a minus 9, but on pace for 47 or 48 points I think.
maybe he’s a bad example. Probably should have looked him up first.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:13 PM EST up reply actions
figured
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:25 PM EST up reply actions
And god forbid if Weber or Pronger take a penalty and one of those two offensive D men need to PK.
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that
is my biggest concern.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:13 PM EST up reply actions
indeed, id rather have a defensive specialist forced to play in an offensive situation than an offensive specialist forced to play in a defensive one
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:15 PM EST up reply actions
Looking at that spreadsheet gotsparkly posted Shea Weber doesn’t look like he’s killing a ton of penalties in Nashville right now. Might want to look at that and re-evaluate some of your positions. She did some nice work.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
True story, but you figure at least with the special teams you assume they are all facing the most offensively/defensively skilled guys on the other team. A little more dicey ES but I don’t think it’s fatal. And no matter how you cut it Shea Weber getting fewer minutes on the PK and with worse results than Mike Green has to make you think a little, no? I also didn’t put it together so get off my back!
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
What if no one else on Nashville is good at killing penalties but Weber singlehandedly saves the day?
What if Nashville takes fewer penalties than the Caps which is why Weber plays less PK?
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Well I haven’t looked at the numbers but the Caps aren’t gangbusters on the PK. Especially their forwards. So Green isn’t benefiting from hiding behind a deep PK unit. (Ok, just looked it up, NSH is 1.2% worse on the PK, not a huge difference. The Caps take an average of one more penalty a game, not enough to account for the full difference.)
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
i think
to Chemmy’s point, Shea Weber is playing with world beaters like Steve Sullivan, Jason Arnott and JP Dumont as forwards.
Green has guys like Ovi, Backstrom and Semin.
three of those forwards will make their countries Olympic teams without a doubt, and I don’t think they play for the Preds…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:29 PM EST up reply actions
On the PK that stuff doesn’t matter. AO doesn’t kill, Backstrom rarely kills, Semin is good sometimes and terrible sometimes so he sporadically kills. The Caps primary PKers are Dave Steckel, Boyd Gordon (injured), Quinton Laing (injured and AHL talent), Brooks Laich. Not striking the fear of God into anyone.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
Brooks Laich is heads and shoulders above the Preds PKers, who are definitely not Sullivan or Dumont. The Caps are ten times deeper than the Preds…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:35 PM EST up reply actions
Caps are deeper than the Preds, but not on their PK guys. Top six NSH PKers by TOI/60: Smithson, Ward, Legwand, Guite, Goc, Scatchard. WSH: Steckel, Gordon (injured since Oct.), Laich, Laing (injured for about the last 3-4 weeks), Bradley, Fleischmann.
Yes, the Caps are deeper, but when we are talking PK guys we aren’t talking about the same kind of talent. The guys that make the Caps dangerous aren’t the guys that are on the PK.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
Legwand and Laich are possibly equals, but I’d give the push to guys like Steckel and Laing over Smithson and Ward.
Goc reminds me of Matt Stajan, so I think he sucks.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:41 PM EST up reply actions
Heh. Laing sucks. Don’t tell Caps fans I said that because they love him, and he earned it with the way he sacrifices his body. But he’s slow as dirt, has no puck skills, and really aside from being willing to block shots with this jaw doesn’t bring much. Smithson and Ward are both better than Laing; Laing is probably the worst of the 12. I’d say in the PK context Legwand is the best of the 12.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
If they are taking many penalties against elite level competition it probably isn’t going to matter much who is playing D. You give the Russians, Swedes, Fins, etc. enough PP time and they will score and score often.
A man gotta have a code
and if you run in the road enough times you’ll probably get hit by a car eventually, but id rather run across a road with less traffic
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think that analogy works quite the way you intended…..
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
yes it does
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:24 PM EST up reply actions
but cars = penalties……
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:24 PM EST up reply actions
cars = the chances the other teams will get
road = the defender
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:25 PM EST up reply actions
how does Heatley’s car and a tree come into play with all this?
/too soon?
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:26 PM EST up reply actions
gah, now your reading to much into it!
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:28 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah. I think that analogy actually goes to my point. However, I get what he’s trying to say.
A man gotta have a code
I’m confused.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:42 PM EST up reply actions
perhaps
but this is more of a case of two very similar levels of skill facing off against each other than one team being incredibly stacked.
the Russians will have Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk, Semin, Kovalchuk, Kovalev, Frolov, maybe Afinogenov? There could be some guys from the KHL as well. That sounds scary, except that Canada can counter with guys like Crosby, Nash, Iginla, Richards (an AMAZING penalty killer,) Stamkos, Thornton, Carter, Morrow, Doan etc etc etc.
Maybe it’s just me, but I wouldn’t be that worried about special teams favoring one team over another. I’d want a team that has that offensive gift, but can also grind out a team. Russia doesn’t have that. Ovie likes to hit, and maybe Malkin and Kovalchuk to an extent, but not to the degree Canada can.
In fact, I might make that the plan. Grind out wins. Be a miserably painful team to play against. Everyone at that level is going to be able to score, so you have to make the price to score prohibitive…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:23 PM EST up reply actions
Be a miserably painful team to play against.
That’d be my plan. The Russians, Swedes and Finns will have players who haven’t played physical hockey on small rinks.
Ovechkin’s fine, but Russia’s fourth line might be from the KHL and it’s going to be hysterical watching them get exploded to death by NHL players.
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Isn’t that what they went for with Draper and Doan on the team? I thought they were going for the most skilled team this year with the assumption that if the other team doesn’t have the puck they won’t score.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
I wouldn’t bring grinders. Guys like Richards, Getzlaf, and Iginla will bring the hurt and skill.
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which richards?
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:29 PM EST up reply actions
Dallas richards and Philly Richards
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions
Brad
or Mike?
I’m assuming it’s Mike. Has he torched the Caps one too many times?
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions
He hasn’t been a Cap killer, just hasn’t been playing well this year.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
was it the hat trick against the caps on 10/6 that makes him suck? Maybe it was his complete wrecking of Poti earlier this year?
(i kid i kid.)
Richards, Mike is one of those “hate him because he’s not on my team” type of players…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:34 PM EST up reply actions
I believe Mr. Pronger hates him plenty right now and they play on the same team. That being said Richards is a lock in my mind.
A man gotta have a code
he’s the perfect third line center behind Crosby and Stamkos (yes I’d take Stamkos over Thornton. Another argument for another time…)
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:39 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not sure how you’d tell Stamkos he’s not going. He’s probably the fifth center though.
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NO BROOKS LAICH!
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:43 PM EST up reply actions
the Centers are going to be a heck of a discussion
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:45 PM EST up reply actions
Canada has too many. Crosby is a natural for first line center, but after that…?
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:47 PM EST up reply actions
exactly!
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions
We’d better start a new post – this would get crazy huge if we ran with the forwards now
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 8, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions
No Stamkos, you kiddin’ me?
Gotta take Big Joe Thornton, no?
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
- Crosby
- Stamkos
- Thornton
- Richards, M
- Getzlaf
- Richards, B
- Toews
- Lecavalier
- Horton
and on and on and on…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:54 PM EST up reply actions
Horton? Didn’t see that coming. What has he done to get a spot? As long as none of the Staal brothers are on I’m cool with it however it shakes out.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
horton has been playing quite well this season
but he is damned far down the depth chart
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:58 PM EST up reply actions
honestly
i just pulled up NHL, filtered by Centers, and Canadians, and he was the 11th highest point getter for the position.
guys like Marleau, Zajazc and Laich are ahead of him, but Patty plays RW with Thornton this year, and I can’t see Zajac or Laich being picked ahead of Thornton, when you consider that On FLA, Horton is the engine, whil on the Caps and Devils, Laich and Zajac are the passengers for offense.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 6:00 PM EST up reply actions
err
I can’t see Zajac or Laich being picked ahead of Thornton,
thornton should be “Horton” there…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 6:01 PM EST up reply actions
I got it. And no, I can’t see Laich making it. But Horton isn’t proven enough for me yet. He’s been on the cusp of his breakout year for like 3 years it seems. I just think Canada has so much depth they don’t need to reach for a guy like Horton.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
he’s only 24. has been playing on the Panthers his entire career, and averages about 0.73 PPG.
On top of that, 6’2", 230 lbs ain’t nothing to sneeze at…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 6:07 PM EST up reply actions
True, I just think I can name 12 better Canadian forwards. Or 14 or whatever they carry.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
so could i
but i was just listing the centers i found in NHL.com…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 6:10 PM EST up reply actions
Gotcha. I thought it was your “locks” list at first. That was what caught my attention.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
nah
locks are probably Crosby and Iginla. After that, it’s anybody’s guess.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 6:12 PM EST up reply actions
I might like to see Clutterbuck, Lucic, and somebody else run around though…
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HEY!!
You all need to look at the spreadsheet that gotsparkly posted to Google Docs…leave Schultz out, we all know he’s not going and he’s not ready.
But some of the other guys don’t look that great. Niedermaier being one of them.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
yeah
that’s why the original post had Neidermayer not on the team
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:24 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, definitely made me rethink Niedermeyer. I knew his skills had dminished but watching him on occasion I thought it was minimal. Maybe not.
A man gotta have a code
No he’s torched. He’s had a great career hats off to him but the torch has been passed.
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This is pretty easy...
Burns/Phaneuf
Robidas/Staal
Green/Hamhuis
Funny thing is…
That’s still pretty good.
Really good looking in real life.
but who is the 7th?
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions
You are. Pack your shit.
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by Chemmy on Dec 8, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
sweet! I’ma get a medal!
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:38 PM EST up reply actions
Jared would annoy the heck out of every team we played against
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:44 PM EST up reply actions
that and id get a shot at Jarkko Ruutu
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:45 PM EST up reply actions
hahah
“Shouldn’t we be focusing on shutting down Crosby and Iginla instead of constantly starting fights with that loudmouth?”
“I know, I know. HE JUST MAKES ME SO DAMN MAD.”
Really good looking in real life.
i have that effect
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:47 PM EST up reply actions
says mr “i have been stabbed more times than Grabbo’s pineapple”
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 8, 2009 5:47 PM EST up reply actions
can you score like Cory Perry too?
I seem to have developed a mad crush on him lately.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions
no, i never even had OHL hands let alone olympic
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions
Pull a Bob Clarke and slash Ovechkin or whoever on the ankle….?
National hero, JaredFromLondon. They’d make the date of the infraction a holiday, and you’d get a lifetime supply of Baconators for free.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:47 PM EST up reply actions
But if AO did that to Sidney Crosby you’d all be calling for him to be banned forever. That Bob Clarke double standard pisses me off more than anything.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
Many Canadians were incredibly ashamed of Bob Clarke for doing that.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:49 PM EST up reply actions
i still am
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:49 PM EST up reply actions
slashing ankles is for cowards
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 6:00 PM EST up reply actions
Well, he coulda cross-checked him in the face, I grant you that.
But it’s not anything to get mortified over.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
You don’t beat a team by sending a thug out and destroying one of their stars in such a shameful manner. He didn’t catch the guy with his head down, he just flat broke his ankle. I’d be ashamed if one of the Caps did that to Sidney Crosby in a playoff series.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
Yeah, but it was the COMMUNISTS, dude. All’s fair in love, war, and beating the commies. Look what they did against the US Basketball team, yeah? They had it coming.
Or something like that.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
this
it must be a generational thing, because the Russians were evil. Like, Darth Vader meets Satan with a touch of Dracula evil.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 6:09 PM EST up reply actions
What Sport are you watching? =D
In 1953, Richard wrote a severe criticism of Campbell’s decision to ban teammate "Boom Boom" Geoffrion from games played in New York that season. Geoffrion had broken a Ranger player’s jaw with his stick after the Ranger had slashed him twice on the head.
With 10 minutes left in the third period, the Rocket was slashed on the forehead by Boston defenseman Hal Laycoe, opening a deep gash. Richard was enraged. Richard chased Laycoe around the ice and punched him, then picked up a stick and smashed the Bruin twice on the back. When linesman Cliff Thompson tried to hold Richard from behind, the Rocket turned around and decked him with a punch.
mortified?
no, im just ashamed that a dirty play like that was the turning point for possibly the greatest hockey series ever
if the leafs won the cup, but on the way there it was because colton orr slashed and broke Kovalchucks ankle, i would be ashamed, and it would to a degree taint the victory a might
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 6:05 PM EST up reply actions
i wasn't
because I wasn’t born yet.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:50 PM EST up reply actions
that’s how I know him…
history is history. plenty of moments to be ashamed of outside of a game…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:52 PM EST up reply actions
I am ashamed such a huge part of our cultural identity has been tainted by that
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:51 PM EST up reply actions
i can guarantee you
that Canadians are the only one’s bothered by it, and still obsessing over it.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:52 PM EST up reply actions
we do, and outside of Leafs fans, not so much.
It’s a uniquely Canadian trait I think, that we fret so much over things like that. Russia’s a huge country. A hockey game that was over 35 years ago, not big on their radar…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:58 PM EST up reply actions
I dunno. They have serious national pride and they love hockey too. I’d bet lots of them remember. But I really have no idea.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
Communism
has friends in politics.
Not so sure their sporting past is looked upon that favorably by the general public.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 6:10 PM EST up reply actions
Well of course outside of Leafs fans no one would, it’s not relevant to their group.
Everyone frets over events that make them feel as if they or their group were slighted =P People in various ethnic groups still fret over genocides that happened 100 years ago. Fretting about relevant past events is just something people like to do.
The summit series was a big event. I’m sure Russian hockey fans, especially the middle aged ones, remember it and are bitter =P
Ok
That makes me feel a lot better. I honestly thought Canadians were ready to make that a national holiday. One of the dirtiest acts ever and he is revered.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
oh
no. He’s not revered in Canada. Only Philly.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:53 PM EST up reply actions
first game against sweden, missile drop kicking alfredsson from the bench
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:49 PM EST up reply actions
I've gotta say
You’d definitely go down in history if you pulled that off.
And if you had the right announcer calling it.
Joey Styles comes to mind.
Really good looking in real life.
bigger news than the gold medal winning game!
ban for life from international competition!
infamy!
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:52 PM EST up reply actions
Only...
John Edwards is worthy of calling that.
“Jared from the top rope…”
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
more likely it will be jim hughson
GRRRRRRRRRRREAAAT DROPKICK JAAAAAAAARED
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:53 PM EST up reply actions
nope
it’s on TSN/Sportsnet, not CBC
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:53 PM EST up reply actions
thank god
HOLY MACKINAW!
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:54 PM EST up reply actions
Pierre McGuire
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:54 PM EST up reply actions
MONSTER
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:55 PM EST up reply actions
The reality is...
As Karina said, it will likely be TSN’s top crew on the mic.
Really good looking in real life.
i still have dreams you know, and you’re killing them
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:56 PM EST up reply actions
Never have i been so happy to have Hughson on CBC…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 6:01 PM EST up reply actions
I’m actually chuckling imagining different guys calling it. Rick Jeanerette would probably choke on his tongue he’d be so worked up.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
he’d be amazing calling the Olympics. Everything the home team does is the MOST MONUMENTAL MOMENT EVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD!
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Dec 8, 2009 5:55 PM EST up reply actions
Or Schenn
For the same reasons as Doughty.
Just to have him there, you know?
Really good looking in real life.
two words mustache and mustache
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Dec 8, 2009 5:42 PM EST up reply actions
Night guys, going home.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Woohoo!
Sean_Leahy Hockey Canada moves date up of men’s Olympic team announcement to December 30
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Dec 8, 2009 5:50 PM EST reply actions
Honestly I like the list. The team they should take should be the best team to play under the circumstances of the Olympics; small surrfface and a North American rink size. We should value guys that can score and also ruin any opposing forwards day at any time. While the likelihood is Niedermayer is on the team, likely sacrficing Seabrook or Doughty, I think the best course is to go with the young guys for the development. Doughty is easier to keep in the press box than Niedermayer or even Boyle, Bouwmeister or Green.
Brain: The irony of it all, Pinky. Years of trying to take over the world, and all I had to do was say "truculence".
Follow me I'm Boring!
by blindfolded tank driver on Dec 8, 2009 6:12 PM EST reply actions
Everything agreed except...
If Regehr is being sent to be a defensive shutdown player, and he is, I’m not sure he would be the best defensive defenseman Team Canada has to offer. If anything, Team Canada would double the ice time of Bouwmeester, Pronger, Keith, and Seabrook to shut players down. Regehr not only seems redundant, he’s being somewhat wasted. I rather see someone like Marc Staal or ME-Vlasic, who are comparable defensively to Regehr.
Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell
For me its:
Pronger
Niedermayer
Bouwmeester
Boyle
Weber
Keith
Regehr
Hard to believe Phaneuf could be left out…but that’s how things are at the moment.
If Mike Green isn’t on there’s no way Phaneuf is in the discussion.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
And I’m still not convinced Regehr is Canada’s best defensive defenseman.
Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell
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