General Hockey Talk/Vids

[Nick]

Already said it, but I think he should be on the team as well, not that I am sure he makes it. As history dictates, when team Canada makes a roster error, it's always to the side of the vet, not the youth.

If the choice is Ladd or Hall, tough to say Andrew is more capable than Taylor. Defensively committed, offensively gifted, and has insane wheels. Does Stevie Y think he's ready?

[shooker]

I would without question take Ladd over Hall. Canada was successful in Vancouver because they realized they need balance and not just 4 scoring lines. Ladd has proven during the WJC, WC and Stanley Cup playoffs that he is capable of playing any role asked of him and that he is willing to do anything to win. I do not think Ladd makes the team either but if it is those two? well I choose ladd.

The only way I would consider Hall is for a top two line position if injuries played a factor with other players. I don't think he is capable of playing a shut down role, he needs to be top 6 or not there at all imo. He could put himself on that team with a really strong start, but that would be as a top 6 imo.

I am all for picking players for defined roles in these tourny's. It worked so well in Vancouver and is something we need to continue doing. There aren't enough minutes to play 4 scoring lines and why would you want to. Let's face it, Jason Spezza is an elite talent but I'd chose Couture or Bergeron to be that 4th line C over him any day of the week because they would be better at the role they were asked to play. For me the Hall argument is the same thing. I think picking strictly on skill level vs role actually does our team an injustice.

Just my opinion anyways. I am sure this will be argued for the next 4 months until that team is named lol. Then the big argument starts, the who they did and didn't pick hah.

[Nick]

in Nagano we picked a team of defined roles, that is very different from a player that is going to fit the way the team plays (which is what we did in Van). In Japan we had two injuries and no one to move up, finished out of the medals -> despite a roster that should have ran suckshaw over the tournament, coaching, expectations and use had us fall short.

Hall isn't Skinner, Kadri or Eberle with a 5v5 game based soley on scoring, he has the tools to play any role we need, his stick lifts and big blocks are signs of a hugely capable player IMO. I comfortably bring him on the 3rd line - which is how we used the Heaters-Thornton-Marleau line last time, and they saved us in the first two games while the others were finding their groove (and admittedly the shark line fell flat in bigger games).


Sharp, Hall, MSL, Nash -> all wingers I'd put against top lines... Not the shutdown group we'll use, but we won't be in trouble if they are on the ice for a big draw or against the scoring line for Russia or Sweden. We'll bring patty B & Johnny T and use them heavy in those big moments.

[shooker]

I'm comfortable with Sharp, MSL and Nash. I probably only watched about 35-40 Oilers games last year but find him only serviceable at the nhl level defensively. When EDM matched power vs power Hall was eaten alive last season on a regular basis and as this tourney is power vs power so I would expect the same result. Hall will round out his game and be a more complete player in 2-3 years which is why I think he will be a lock for the next Olympics, I just don't think he is at the same level as other players available to us. It isn't a knock on him, he is 21, he will get there but isn't there yet.

[shooker]

in Nagano we picked a team of defined roles, that is very different from a player that is going to fit the way the team plays (which is what we did in Van). In Japan we had two injuries and no one to move up, finished out of the medals -> despite a roster that should have ran suckshaw over the tournament, coaching, expectations and use had us fall short.

Nagano was pick by player position and defined roles. So when we had injuries we didn't have proper replacements for those positions. We had Rob Zamner forced to play C for an offensive line for example There were multiple mistakes while picking that team lol.

[Nick]

I know we won last time, hard to criticise, however they opted out of Stamkos in favour of the likes of Morrow or Heaters... neither of whom were even kinda good at the tournament.

Morrow is the comparable to Ladd IMO, proven winner at the NHL level, great at the gritty details of the game, but doesn't have the talent, speed or game-breaking ability of those we're worried who can 'handle' his role.


I'm not saying let's take Hall, tell him to fly at it in a pure scoring role and be shocked that he has lapses. It goes without saying that there would be in-depth talks with him if he's not on one of the two scoring lines, and instead is in the 'hard to define' 3rd line... Hall - Toews- Sharp or however it comes out. (I would like to see Nash-Crosby - E.Staal, MSL-Giroux-Stamkos as the two scoring lines) Tavares and Bergeron W/ richards or whoever makes it in that spot as cycle through guys looking for cheimstry + pair with Toews for 'tough' siutatuions.

Now, can Tavares play a more defensive role if required? Bigger question than Hall IMO.


Crazy we can easily come up with teams that leave out Perry, Getz, Carter, Duchene, etc...

[shooker]

I agree that Tavares is a bigger question then Hall defensively but I don't think hall is close to the level of impact as a Tavares. JT is one of the most dynamic players in the game. I want him on that team but would rather see him with toews or on the top two lines and leave that 4th line strictly for shutting guys down. Tavares is almost a have to have on that team, guy is working himself into the elite tier of forwards in the NHL. I would personally like to see Tavares and Stamkos reunited, they were pretty special together at the WJC. They had chemistry that you can't teach. Would love to see that again.

[Nick]

Last WJC wasn't it Giroux & Stamkos who hinted at chemistry?

Tavares - Giroux - Stamkos would be the most offensively capable line in the tournament if assembled. No clue if there would be enough puck for the 3 of them... or who would fit where.

TBH I think Stamkos is easy to play with, ditto on Giroux (who it would not shock me to see in a mostly special teamrs role: pp & pk), He wouldn't be doing the silly breakout philly tired for a while this season, and should make for some rather large gaps that guys like Stamkos can take advanatge of. Regardless, insane level of skill we have to chose from, a problem of riches.

[shooker]

yup. I put Tavares at C though and Stamer has always moved to LW in the past which works as Giroux prefers RW. I think it has deadly possibilities. Stamer wouldn't need the puck all the time, those other two would find him open, he would just have to use that shot of his.

I am just excited for hockey period. this debate is just starting.

[shooker]

Oh and Tavares and Stamer definitely played together at the 08 WJC. Not sure who the third was but it seemed to me that Giroux played with Marchand. Don't remember for sure who he played with though, just the JT/Stam combo.

[Nick]

Schedule is entered into CBS.

[Nick]

Oh and Tavares and Stamer definitely played together at the 08 WJC. Not sure who the third was but it seemed to me that Giroux played with Marchand. Don't remember for sure who he played with though, just the JT/Stam combo.

My memory says Stammer never played WJC ? I could be way out to lunch, long day...


I remember the Summit Super Series, that was an epic group we had.

[KapG]

I'm


So


Fucking



Pumped



For this season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tony]

I'm just happy its starting on time

[Nick]

amen Tony.

[KapG]

Double amen

[Shep]

[MSP4LYFE]

Oh and Tavares and Stamer definitely played together at the 08 WJC. Not sure who the third was but it seemed to me that Giroux played with Marchand. Don't remember for sure who he played with though, just the JT/Stam combo.

My memory says Stammer never played WJC ? I could be way out to lunch, long day...


I remember the Summit Super Series, that was an epic group we had.

Stamkos definitely played in the WJC, but I don't remember him playing regularly with JT who was the 13th forward in that tournament (and relegated primarily to pp time), much less forming some special tandem.

[hong57]

brutal game for hamuis today.. totally sad as a luongo owner

[CAM]

Hit of the year....AHL


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtDdBYLVvuc[/youtube]