Winter Olympic Men's Hockey Thread

[Red Baron 0]

Oh there are grinders, its just no one is playing like a solid team out there. Too many I's on the team (Nash, Thorton, Heatley).

 

Let this be known that this would be McCabe first, and last olympic experience, unless he decides to play smart.

 

About Quinn.

 

Quinn could never coach. He doesn't use his lines properly, and his style is not modern. There are better coaches to lead Canada (with two of them on the bench). Bring back Bowman, or hell even Pat Burns.

[Guest Rrrsh]

Quinn needs a line shakeup, BAD.

 

Fuck, I am getting pissed of with those fuckers from Tampa Bay.

[Urban Warfare 0]

Couldn't agree more with McCabe -- he has done dick all in this tournament, and proved to be an even worse defenceman than I first thought. If you want to use him as a power play specialist, fine. But I would never put him out if we were trying to close out a game.

 

I think we are still in good shape as far as the medal round goes, even if we lose to the Czech Republic. I'd much rather play Slovakia in the first round than Sweden, Russia or even the States. The only thing that concerns me about Slovakia is they are an extremely fast skating team, which as we saw today, hurts Canada.

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

Excluding the Czech game( who are also reeling), there' sstill three days for Canada to work on some kind of chemistry.

 

Without getting to omen-y, you'll recall in 2002 a fairly similar team had little to no confidence before closing the rround robin against the Czechs.

 

There's no way Quinn keeps his job in Hogtown if Canada doesn't medal, and maaaaaybe even gold medal.

[Guest Princess Leena]

So, Canadia is playing the "these games don't matter" card.

 

And while it's true, since the Olympic format is stupid, that's weak.

[Urban Warfare 0]

They do matter, but we won our gold in '02, so this team should get a free pass, but anything less than gold in 2010 would be devastating.

[therealworldschampion 0]

After watching Nittymaki play in the Olympics, I would love to see him starting for the Flyers in the playoffs over Esche.

[Red Baron 0]

True, but like almost all Flyers goalies in history, that they choke in the playoffs. I mean they must have read the book called "Goalies that choke" written by Ron Hextall.

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

When did I say these games don't matter? Sure they do. I'd rather play a team that finished with a poor record in the quarters than a team like Slovakia. I merely looked for good things to focus on, not making excuses.

 

 

Baron, poor goaltending can't be blamed entirely for the Flyers playoff woes. The revolving coaching door and the GM are also to blame.

[Guest]

Canada's going to play Sweden or Russia in the quarters. I don't like their chances, especially against Russia. They've figured out their issues.

[Brush with Greatness 0]

True, but like almost all Flyers goalies in history, that they choke in the playoffs. I mean they must have read the book called "Goalies that choke" written by Ron Hextall.

 

I suppose you mean apart from that Conn Smythe trophy on his mantle, right?

[therealworldschampion 0]

True, but like almost all Flyers goalies in history, that they choke in the playoffs. I mean they must have read the book called "Goalies that choke" written by Ron Hextall.

 

It's really sad, we haven't had a real superstar goalie since Parent, or maybe Pelle before he was killed in the car accident. Clarke has to get the blame for not getting one I guess.

 

Here's a hypothetical question, if Bernie didn't have the injuries in 1975-76, do the Flyers beat Montreal in the Cup Finals and get the three-peat?

[Red Baron 0]

True, but like almost all Flyers goalies in history, that they choke in the playoffs. I mean they must have read the book called "Goalies that choke" written by Ron Hextall.

 

I suppose you mean apart from that Conn Smythe trophy on his mantle, right?

 

 

But does he have a Stanley Cup ring? I mean, Fuhr, Moog, Roy, Vernon all have them. Does Hextall?

[Brush with Greatness 0]

Top 12 Canadian Goal Scorers in the NHL this season

 

Simon Gagne - 37

Eric Staal - 36

Dany Heatley - 34

Jonathon Cheechoo - 34

Sidney Crosby - 28

Ryan Smyth - 27

Brendan Shanahan - 26

Steve Sullivan - 26

Patrick Marleau -25

Jarome Iginla - 25

Marc Savard - 24

Alex Tanguay - 24

 

It does put into perspective our difficulties with scoring goals. Do all of those guys deserve to be there? Of course not, but a few more (*cough Eric Staal) probably wouldn't have hurt the team.

 

But hey, we've got Kris Draper and Shane Doan and they're playing hard, so it's all good. Sure, Eric Staal only has 32 more goals than Draper this year, but Draper works hard!

 

Are guys like Draper and Doan directly hurting the team? No, but to go back to my December post when the team was selected, we need more guys that are capable of putting the puck in the net just in case some players go cold (I mean, was I the only one that saw these struggles coming back in December?). And they are taking spots of talented guys that could be helping the team (ie. Staal, Spezza, etc).

[Guest]

Staal, Crosby, Savard and Shanahan would do wonders for that team. I was amazed that Shanny was left off.

 

Cheechoo's a product of Thornton, so maybe he'd do well too.

[Urban Warfare 0]

That's exactly what is pissing me off about this team. All these players can seem to dominate in the NHL. But in the Olympics, we can't buy a bounce, let alone a goal.

 

As far as Doan goes, if Gretzky isn't involved with the team, he isn't on the team. Hell, just watch the documentary on the '02 win. He almost got Sean Burke on our Olympic team. SEAN BURKE.

[Guest Rrrsh]

I say, for the good of the team, Lecav and St Louis pull out with lame injuries so Staal and Speeza can come in.

[Red Baron 0]

Replace Lecav with Thorton and I'll agree with you.

[nl5xsk1 0]

Oh there are grinders, its just no one is playing like a solid team out there. Too many I's on the team (Nash, Thorton, Heatley).

While I will admit that Thornton's had a poor Olympics, it's laughable that a guy that leads the NHL in assists is getting labeled an "I" player. He must look to pass just to get the credit for the assist, rather than for getting a goal on the scoreboard for his team.

[Annabelle 0]

Staal, Crosby, Savard and Shanahan would do wonders for that team. I was amazed that Shanny was left off.

 

Cheechoo's a product of Thornton, so maybe he'd do well too.

 

you know nothing. shanahan is just another aging, slower canadian player who can still score. unfortunately, the international game is about speed. he doesn't have it. he'd struggle just as the others have. i agree with your other selections, though. and i hate crosby. they needed youth & speed. gretz dropped it. if canada ends up winning, they still didn't deserve it. they aren't the bets. not close.

[Red Baron 0]

I think we can all agree that Canada's powerplay is pathetic out there. It seems that we have six Tomas Kaberle out there. At least Phaneuf isn't afraid of shooting, but he's not in Turin though.

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

Has anyone else noticed the team with the best defence this far features Aki Berg?

[Red Baron 0]

Treble and Barron will have nightmares with that.

 

I've always thought he'd be a better d-man than what he normanlly is.

 

For niskie sake, throw Hal Gill in, he might improve the States as well.

[CanadianChris 0]

For everyone who was clamouring for McCabe to be on the team back around selection time, I would just like to say...

 

I TOLD YOU SO.

[Guest]

you know nothing. shanahan is just another aging, slower canadian player who can still score. unfortunately, the international game is about speed. he doesn't have it. he'd struggle just as the others have.

He'd be a lot better than Draper or Doan. He can actually score, play good defense and he's not as slow as he's made out to be. He's a good leader too, something the Canadians are really lacking.

[treble 0]

Yeah, it's McCabe's fault that the team's not playing well. I doubt that if Jovonoski or Niedermayer were still in there that they'd be dominant. Maybe they would have scored a goal in the last 2 games, though.

 

And, while I'm not exactly Aki Berg's #1 fan, the reason he gets shit on so much is because of where he plays. If he was in the same role on most other teams, no one would give a shit about him but because he's on the Leafs he's the worst player in the league.

[Red Baron 0]

Treble, Neidermyer and Jovonoski are miles ahead of McCabe. Better puck position awareness speed and leadership.

 

The team does not lack in leadership (Sakic, Iginla, Redden, Doan, Smyth).

 

The only players I do see out there playing consistantly is Nash, Doan, Smyth and Redden, and of course Luongo and Brodeur, but no one can question that.

[treble 0]

Yeah, I'm not disputing that Jovo and Niedermayer are better players than McCabe. I kind of worded my sentence badly, I meant to say that if they were still on the team that the team wouldn't nescessarily be dominant.

 

The team hasn't scored a goal in over 2 games and that's why they're not winning. That's not McCabe's fault and I doubt that having the 2 hurt guys in there instead of him (or Bouwmeester) would change much in the goal scoring department.

[Annabelle 0]

you know nothing. shanahan is just another aging, slower canadian player who can still score. unfortunately, the international game is about speed. he doesn't have it. he'd struggle just as the others have.

He'd be a lot better than Draper or Doan. He can actually score, play good defense and he's not as slow as he's made out to be. He's a good leader too, something the Canadians are really lacking.

 

Draper has been one of their best players. he's the speediest - which is what the team eneds right now. he is relegated to the penalty kill. doan plays even strength - and is horrible. i'd take enarly anyone over him. there's a healthy amount of youngsters who should be playing that aren't. we are going to lose, not make the medal standings, and hockey canada is going to have to take a long look at themselves in the mirror. i really don't care how canada does in the tournament, i just resent how the team has become gretzky & his boys club.

 

there is so much talent in canada that is not being utalized on a major level. instead we are forced to see the sakic's of the world (and wayne says he's been one of the best plaers?) over & over again. sakic over alex tanguay? nonsensical. mccabe oevr phaneuf? thats an ambarrassingly poor decision. and look at all of the international teams with young phenoms in their system. all of them are playing in this tournament, except the one who is the "next gretzky". crosby should be playing. scott sullivan should be playing. paul kariya should be playing. scott hannan should be playing. isn't it funny how eric brewer was completely forgotten about after he left the oilers? he did quite well in the 2002 olympics. don't put an endless amount of "superstars" together. make a TEAM. thats why switzerland, and to a elsser degree, finland beat them. finland has very few "superstars" but they are successful as a team. oh ya, and marty turco should be starting goaltender, too.

[Red Baron 0]

Your on crack not to pick Sakic.

 

One of the best faceoff men in the game and a threat everywhere on the ice.

 

I agree that Karyia should be playing, but not Crosby. It would be almost a joke to throw him out there for Canada. It'll be a disgrace to almost Canadian hockey, just because he's the next great one. Alexandre Daigle was labelled that too, why don't we add him.

 

As much as I love Steve Sullivan and Scott Hannan they shouldn't be on the team. I could say add Michael Ryder and Craig Rivet on the team but thats never going to fucking happen. Doan has been a physical force out there, and is doing well for his own. I don't understand why everyone is so harsh on him, maybe because he took a spot away from your favourite player. Boo fucking hoo.

 

Grinders = Scoreres. I'd take a bunch of Claude Lemeiuxs, Shane Doans, Kris Drappers, Darren McCarteys, Jarome Iginla, Michael Ryders over the playmakers like Spezza, Thorton (ow my back hurts, I'm a pansy) Crosbys etc.

 

BTW I think it was Shane Doan grinding away at the front of the net when Canada won the World Cup in 2004.