The_Crosby_Show wrote:

rock_knutne wrote:

Strapping Young Lad wrote: As long as Malkin and Bettman are on Cindy's side he should be able to skate that cup again.....

..............along with Jordan Staal and Fleury.

Speaking of Jordan Staal, he should have been selected for the Canadian team, he's the best of the Staal brothers at the moment. I think Don Cherry on Hockey Night in Canada was 100% right in his assesment of Staal being left off the team, the kid can kill penalties (really good in 5 on 3) and is a constant threat short handed, plus his size, strength and reach is a big problem for other teams to defend.

Staal in my mind wasn't ready for the Olympics, Richards is just as good in the role that Staal plays. If the NHL players go to Sochi in 2014 Staal and Letang have a good shot at making that team.

No offense crosbyshow but how can you say Jordan Staal isn't ready for the Olympics? He was a KEY element in the Pens Stanley Cup victory last year, especially killing big penalties in the playoffs and he's doing the same thing this year. IMO, he's more versatile than atleast half the players on team Canada. I think he would have been just fine playing at that level.

Staal is as ready for the Olympics as half the players in the tournament. However, Canada has so much more talent to choose from, that can be said for dozens of players who have never played in the Olympics.

Then again, if the guys you bring in who are really there for their offense like Richards, Perry and others, you might as well go with someone like Staal who might be suited better to go against some of the opposing teams.

Still early though.

^^^^^Good point and you wouldn't give up any size either. IMO, Canada doesn't have a lot of role players on their team. A lot of these skilled guys aren't used to playing certain roles like Staal, who plays a few. Russia is the same and the majority of their players are probably not willing to step in to a role either.

If Canada turns it on offensively they will dominate the tournament. Their defense, in all facets is hands down the best in the tournament. They have arguably 5 of the top 10 D-men in the world right now and then someone like Doughty who is more than capable of playing at that level.

That's the problem though, if some of those skilled offensive players don't produce, it does hurt the team. Then again, it's been the same story for Team Canada in international competition for the last decade. They have the most talent and are able to build a supremely-talented team to play any style they want because they have so many players to choose from. We will see if this 2010 version can get it done under such pressure.

I don't believe they will, and you might be right about why. Not enough role players.

rock_knutne wrote:

The_Crosby_Show wrote:

rock_knutne wrote:

Strapping Young Lad wrote: As long as Malkin and Bettman are on Cindy's side he should be able to skate that cup again.....

..............along with Jordan Staal and Fleury.

Speaking of Jordan Staal, he should have been selected for the Canadian team, he's the best of the Staal brothers at the moment. I think Don Cherry on Hockey Night in Canada was 100% right in his assesment of Staal being left off the team, the kid can kill penalties (really good in 5 on 3) and is a constant threat short handed, plus his size, strength and reach is a big problem for other teams to defend.

Staal in my mind wasn't ready for the Olympics, Richards is just as good in the role that Staal plays. If the NHL players go to Sochi in 2014 Staal and Letang have a good shot at making that team.

No offense crosbyshow but how can you say Jordan Staal isn't ready for the Olympics? He was a KEY element in the Pens Stanley Cup victory last year, especially killing big penalties in the playoffs and he's doing the same thing this year. IMO, he's more versatile than atleast half the players on team Canada. I think he would have been just fine playing at that level.

I do agree with you that his Defense is fantastic, it's just that his offensive game hasn't caught up to it. I'm a big Staal supporter I just think he'd be better suited for the team in 2014.

rock_knutne wrote: ^^^^^Good point and you wouldn't give up any size either. IMO, Canada doesn't have a lot of role players on their team. A lot of these skilled guys aren't used to playing certain roles like Staal, who plays a few. Russia is the same and the majority of their players are probably not willing to step in to a role either.

Canada doesn't have role players???? Then tell me why Morrow, Bergeron, and Richards were put on this team.

^^^^^^What role would those three play? They're all goal scorers, granted, Bergeron and Morrow are coming off of major injuries and their numbers have been down but they're skilled guys. Heck, all of Canada's team is made up of skilled players, they don't have a "true" forechecking line on that entire team.

How do you not consider Morrow a role player? Thats probably the main reason he's on this team.

^^^^^Brenden Morrow is a goal scorer. He was hurt last year and scored over 30 goals two years ago. Strong left wingers are hard to come by, that's the main reason he's on the team. If you're talking leadership, yeah I agree with that role, however, there's several NHL team captains playing on this Candian squad that have leadership skills as well. I'll say it again, Canada does not have a fierce forechecking line, the Russians don't either.