Kismet 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2005 Well, Ovechkin was just about as advertised. Goal and an assist, and he laid out two different Wings with good clean checks. One was a defensemen that had 20 lbs on him. Quite impressive. Wings still won, and even in the win the slight softness of Detroit was in effect. Holland has been good with trades in getting what the coach wanted for the most part. The in-between period interviews with the assistant coaches,toughness, grit and checking has been a reoccurring theme desired all year so far. Still a lot of time to find the grit needed, and there a far worse problems they could have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brush with Greatness 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2005 Gagne-Sakic-Iginla was money in 2002...why mess with success? Although the suggestion of Heatley and Spezza with Iggy gave me wood. I'd like to see: Richards-Lecavalier-St. Louis Gagne-Sakic-Iginla Tanguay-Spezza-Crosby Thornton-Madden-Smyth The checking centre role leaves off Marleau, unfortunately, who I've always liked. Smyth represents everything good about Canadian hockey, IMO. THough he's kinda cooled off, Staal should be the 13th forward. I'm a bit worried that Crosby won't be as good in Turin without Lemieux. Assming this team gets in, only 3 of the forwards have Olympic experience, which is a bit iffy, although everyone has some kind of international experience, be it Juniors, Olympic or World Cup. There's a few interesting questions of who has played their way on/off the team. As my dad said when we had this talk last week "Well, shit, this is a great 'problem' to have". No offense, and maybe you just forgot about him, but Dany Heatley will be on Team Canada. No question about it. And he should be playing there with Jason Spezza (because Daniel Briere won't be there). That whole Heatley-Thornton expirement didn't exactly work out great at the World Cup. St. Louis played well the other night but I still think he's borderline. Sure, Gagne, Sakic, Iginla were gold 4 years ago, but not nearly as dominant in the World Cup. I won't have any major issues keeping them together, but then you need to find a sniper to fill the spot with Heatley and Spezza. Tanguay or Nash (or even Bertuzzi less as a sniper but just playing the power forward could fill that role). I don't like Thornton there though. Actually, I don't really like Thornton anywhere but centre, as he has a tendency to play much better there than on the wing. A guy like Richards or Lecalvier makes the transisition much smoother. I also think you're wasting Thornton in a checking role with Madden and Smyth. He needs to be on one of the three lines bringing it offensively. With all that said, where do you play Thornton then? Even if you cast off St. Louis, I don't like him with Lecalvier-Richards too much either (although admittedly, it would be an option, moving Lecalvier to the left side and Richards on the right with Thornton in the middle). Lecalvier-Thornton-Nash wouldn't be bad though, if Nash is healthy (knocking Bertuzzi off of the team). Then you have the the Gagne-Sakic-Richards line (imagine the skating ability), and the Heatley-Spezza-Iginla line. That leaves Marleau (who's responsible enough defensively to take a left wing checking role, although I think in reality Smyth will get this role)-Madden-Doan. And yeah, for the 13th forward, Staal would be a good choice, because he wouldn't be a bad fit on any line. In regards to Ryan Smyth, he's not one of the best 13 forwards in Canada. He's a big fish in a small pond in Edmonton which has helped elevate his status in this country. Furthermore, there is the "well, he's been loyal" argument that everyone throws around. I'm sorry, but so have guys such as Lindros and Kariya (who have both been to more Olympics than Smyth) and I don't hear anyone throwing around the loyalty argument for them. With all that said though, with Lowe in Gretzky's ear, Smyth will most likely be on the team. With all of that said, with your lines, where do you find a spot for Heatley and Thornton on the top 3 lines? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2005 I'd have Smyth on my team, but him on a line with Draper and Doan and there's your checking line and all of them will get down and gritty in and around the net. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brush with Greatness 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2005 Thinking about it a little bit, I say fuck the checking line. Why do we really need these designated checkers with the dominance our forward lines can bring and the strength of our D (assuming they don't take McCabe). Lecalvier-Richards-St. Louis Gagne-Sakic-Tanguay Heatley-Spezza-Iginla Nash-Thornton-Bertuzzi Staal or Lecalvier-Richards-St. Louis Gagne-Sakic-Iginla (if you must) Heatley-Spezza-Nash Tanguay-Thornton-Bertuzzi Staal Both those combinations look way more powerful when you scrap guys like Doan, Smyth, Madden, etc. Look where having the fucking ghost roster got us in 1998. Let's have four lines that can bring it offensively, because all of these guys will be responsible enough defensively. I mean, with only the three offensive lines, if 1, perhaps 2 don't click, that only leaves you with one, maybe two lines to do the scoring. Let's elinimate that possiblity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2005 Fantastic game in Vancouver last night. The Canucks figured out how to beat the Sens -- make them commit about 15 penalties and have them spend half the night in the box, so they can't get any good scoring opportunities. Even then, they only won 3-2 in a shootout. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Urban Warfare 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2005 Lemieux will not play for Canada at Olympics PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Penguins owner-captain Mario Lemieux will not play for the Canadian Olympic hockey team, saying it's better to go with "young legs." The 40-year-old Hall of Famer informed Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky a couple days ago, the Penguins said on their Web site Saturday. "I told him that I would pass on the Olympics," Lemieux said. "With the way I have been playing so far and with the young guys we have coming up in Canada, I think the best thing to do is to go with the young guys, the young legs." Lemieux was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation after being admitted to the hospital Wednesday with a rapid heartbeat. The condition is commonly treated with medication and is not expected to end his career or alter his life. "The symptoms are fatigue and sluggishness all the time, which I was on the ice, and not being able to have any jump," he said. But he said he's feeling better since he started taking medication. He hopes to be skating soon, though he doesn't have a target date for his return to the lineup. He will undergo a stress test Monday. "Hopefully, by next week, I will be able to get back on the ice and start skating again," he said. "Hopefully, the sooner, the better." Lemieux mentioned teammate Sidney Crosby, Ottawa Senators forward Jason Spezza and Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal as potential Olympians. None was invited to the Olympic camp in August in preparation for the Turin Games, which begin Feb. 10. "I think it's time for these guys to step up and they deserve to be on the team," said Lemieux, who has seven goals and 14 assists in 25 games this season. Lemieux, playing despite a serious hip injury, was the captain of the 2002 Canadian team that beat the United States in the gold-medal game at Salt Lake City. It was Canada's first Olympic men's hockey title in 50 years. "I enjoyed playing in the 2002 Olympics, especially winning the gold," he said. "It was a great experience and I would've loved to be there this year, but considering my play so far, the way I've been feeling and some of the young guys we have for Team Canada, I think it's much better to go that route." Lemieux is the second Team Canada veteran in less than a week to withdraw his name. Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman, who's also 40, pulled out Tuesday. The 18-year-old Crosby has lived up to all the hype, recording 13 goals and 16 assists in his first 28 games. And he's got Lemieux on his side. "I think he should be on the team," Lemieux said. "He is going to be part of Team Canada for the next 15-20 years. Even if he goes there and doesn't play a whole lot, just to have the experience of playing with these guys and practicing with these guys for a week to 10 days." The 22-year-old Spezza was second in league scoring entering Saturday with 11 goals and 32 assists in 26 games. Staal, 21, was fourth in league scoring with 41 points (20-21) in 28 games. The final 23-man roster will announced after a Dec. 21 meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia. Yahoo Sports Wow. So who will be our Captain now? My pick is Sakic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2005 Easily Sakic. He'll have the most experience of anyone there, and is a huge presence in the locker room. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike546 0 Report post Posted December 11, 2005 (edited) The Rangers power play is absolutley horrific. edit: I swear the Rangers are going to win the cup with all the luck they get. After they blow a lead with 6 seconds left, Ruchinsky fires a shot from the blue line in overtime that misses the net, hit the boards, bounces back, hits Lalime in the back, and goes in. Edited December 11, 2005 by mike546 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted December 11, 2005 That Kings-Panthers game was pretty fun. I always love taunting Josef Stumpel whenever he skates by, calling him a queer and telling him he sucks. I don't even know if he can understand me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dogbert 0 Report post Posted December 11, 2005 The Flames won a physical one against Ottawa in overtime. Good effort from them, as it looked like the winner was going to be the one who could keep from running out of gas the longest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted December 11, 2005 Thinking about it a little bit, I say fuck the checking line. Why do we really need these designated checkers with the dominance our forward lines can bring and the strength of our D (assuming they don't take McCabe). Lecalvier-Richards-St. Louis Gagne-Sakic-Tanguay Heatley-Spezza-Iginla Nash-Thornton-Bertuzzi Staal or Lecalvier-Richards-St. Louis Gagne-Sakic-Iginla (if you must) Heatley-Spezza-Nash Tanguay-Thornton-Bertuzzi Staal Both those combinations look way more powerful when you scrap guys like Doan, Smyth, Madden, etc. Look where having the fucking ghost roster got us in 1998. Let's have four lines that can bring it offensively, because all of these guys will be responsible enough defensively. I mean, with only the three offensive lines, if 1, perhaps 2 don't click, that only leaves you with one, maybe two lines to do the scoring. Let's elinimate that possiblity. So who do we have for Penelty Kills and a good checking line? Because we need checking lines to stop the speed of the Russians, Czechs and Finns and the strength against the Americans. Sure we do have a great D (Boyle should be in instead of Blake) but if we get burned badly because of the oppositions speed then don't expect us to win a gold medal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dogbert 0 Report post Posted December 12, 2005 http://letsgopens.pookalooka.com/read.php?board=1&id=362508 Well, everyone's favourite tub of lard is NOT happy about the Penguins' problems. I read the stuff about him waging a battle and all that, and all I could think about was the time they made him job to Mean Gene Okerlund. I can't take that seriously. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianGuitarist 0 Report post Posted December 12, 2005 Wow. I don't know how I didn't add Heatley. He'd be, right now, my first pick. As for Briere: Captain in 2010. Mark these words. In hindsight, maybe we don't need a checking line, but we'll need at least one checking centre I would have to think. Even if not, we'll see plenty of grit and likely more than one power forward. Bertuzzi? I'm iffy on him, actually. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted December 12, 2005 That Kings-Panthers game was pretty fun. I always love taunting Josef Stumpel whenever he skates by, calling him a queer and telling him he sucks. I don't even know if he can understand me. Wait, you have a target as inviting as Stumpel to piss on, and the best you can come up with is "you're queer" and "you suck". Man, if you can't taunt any better than that, don't bother at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted December 13, 2005 I was on ESPN.com this morning and John Buccigross decided to pen the USA Olympic team and the Canadian Olympic team for the 2006 Olympics. USA: Forwards Mike Modano-Brian Gionta-Chris Drury Craig Conroy-Brian Rolston-Dustin Brown Doug Weight-Keith Tkachuk-Mike Knuble Scott Gomez-Erik Cole-Jason Blake Defensemen Brian Rafalski-Mathieu Schneider Bret Hedican-John-Michael Liles Jordan Leopold-Aaron Miller Goaltenders Rick DiPietro John Grahame Robert Esche Extra skaters Ryan Kesler Paul Mara Canada: Forwards Joe Thornton-Jarome Iginla-Simon Gagne Vincent Lecavalier-Brad Richards-Martin St. Louis Joe Sakic-Dany Heatley-Patrick Marleau Sidney Crosby-Paul Kariya-Ryan Smyth Defensemen Wade Redden-Scott Niedermayer Rob Blake-Ed Jovanovski Dion Phaneuf-Robyn Regehr Goaltenders Martin Brodeur Marty Turco Curtis Joseph Extra skaters Rick Nash Dan Boyle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted December 13, 2005 There is no way Patrick Marleau will be on the Olympic team. None. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianGuitarist 0 Report post Posted December 13, 2005 There is no way Patrick Marleau will be on the Olympic team. None. Gretzky loves him tho.... I'd like to see him there, too, but I don't envision it happening. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rrrsh Report post Posted December 13, 2005 Screw the LIghtning line, says I. Hell I dont even want Richards to make it, altho he will. HEre what SHOULD happen Sakic-Iginla-Gagne Thorton-Bertuzzi- Lecalv. Spezza-Heatly-St Loius Draper-Symth-Doan Crosby as the 13th guy. Screw Richards, or screw Doan. You don't need both. Jovo, Scotty Neid, Blake, Foote, Reddan, Regyer and Phanuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted December 13, 2005 Sell me on why Rob Blake should be on the Olympic team? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted December 13, 2005 I don't think anyone would argue for captaincy for Canada is going to be Sakic then the assistant Captains are Iginla and Neidermyer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted December 14, 2005 Dan Cloutier is out for the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted December 14, 2005 We need Canucks fans to weigh in on whether this is good or bad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike546 0 Report post Posted December 14, 2005 I'd again like to say Peter Prucha is unreal. Two more goals tonight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted December 14, 2005 We need Canucks fans to weigh in on whether this is good or bad. The problem with Cloutier being out is that it makes Luongo for Bertuzzi more unlikely to happen unless Florida wants Alex Auld. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LaParkaMarka 0 Report post Posted December 14, 2005 Cloutier was always a good for the regular season, so it kinda sucks that he's gone. If he's on Injured Reserve, does his entire salary count? If there's a reduction, it could help the Canucks to try and grab a solid second stringer, much like what the Flames did with Kiprusoff. I'd personally want them to trade for a guy like CuJo...he's playing great, commands a pretty small salary, and we can dump him soon if we need too. The Canucks have a lot of solid goaltending prospects, so an older vet with solid experience could work well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike546 0 Report post Posted December 14, 2005 Ragers lose the Canucks on a lazy play by Nylander, but I'm happy with the effort. The Canucks were the best team the Rangers have played this season, and beside some spots in the 1st, I thought they hung with the Canucks pretty damn well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted December 14, 2005 Cloutier being out- hmmmm. I never thought he was as horrible as people said, and I don't think Auld is that good either. Time will tell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted December 14, 2005 I'm more confident with Auld in net than Cloutier. LaParka: There's no way Phoenix will trade CuJo away since the roll they have been and in contention for the playoffs. Happy with the Montreal win last night, as the third and forth lines contribute in the scoring arsenal and Souray played an excellent game last night. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tawren 0 Report post Posted December 15, 2005 The Penguins fired head coach Olczyk (sp?) and the assistants and have brought up the Wilkes-Barre coach. Can't say I agree with it, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted December 15, 2005 I have a feeling that Sully may be next if the Bruins don't start winning some games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
