Olympic Rosters

[Robin Hood]

I didn't even bring up age.

I just said he is losing it a bit and isn't the same player he was. Works for me though, I think canada should be able to take advantage of his lack of foot speed.

'
This is the other thing. Not trying to pick at everything you're saying btw lol. You just said two things in a row I disagree with that's all.

I think Bruyns pointed this out earlier..the ice isn't THAT much bigger. People are amplifying the "slower" players.

At some point in time, the americans will have to play defence in their own end that isn't "off the rush" -> which is where "getting beat" due to foot speed usually happens. I feel like people imagine an open ended game when they are forecasting players on this big ice. I'd actually go the opposite. Majority of goals will be generated 1) off the cycle 2) on the PP. In both those instances, a player like Orpik has infinite value. Off the rush, not as much but he can easily be paired with a more offensive guy and be the guy that falls back on the pairing to cover for his speed/open ice.

The american team scares me the most out of any team. No team has as much talent as team Canada. So all they can do is either ice whoever they have (e.g. Czech's who will just complete their roster) or bring a toolbox team like the americans/swedes will for sure. Each player of theirs will have an exact role of what to do, an exact line/slot they play on and an exact assignment in every scenario. We on the other hand will be juggling lines for 90% of the tournament trying to "find" the optimal unit.

These are all world class players. When CHI plays STL, I don't think OMFG, one team has Toews Sharp Kane, the other has Backes Oshie Steen...Backes can be the best player on the ice in any given game. As can Patrick Kane, Kessel etc. But a toolbox team like the americans will not have the downside of constantly juggling lines.

This rationale is also why I hope Canada picks more "pure wingers". If MSL is left off the team, I will blow a gasket. If we take like 10 Cs and 2 Ws to compete in a tournament and then try to find Crosby's linemate for 4 games, that is not good. Put him with MSL and Stammer, put an end to it. Or bring Kunitz and put Stammer and MSl on another line. Keep Perry and Getzlaf together. Bring Duchene since he can play LW. Bring Sharp. Fuck Eric Staal. Fuck any elite player having a bad year. No time for that. We will get eaten alive by Sweden/US if we pick the "18 best skaters" team which has 10 Cs.

Quoting to the top of the new page because I'd like to hear what people have to say about the pure wingers vs Cs debate.

[Nick]

You over value chemistry compared to skill, IMO. I doubt Sweden builds a team like USA just did, they'll have their 23 best players there, thats how they won previously, and it's the only way they'll contend with the lineups that Russia and we are bringing

Better players, are better more often. Yes knowing how Kunitz will turn is a major help, but it won't take Stamkos long to know where Sid is going. The idea of the two of them together is awesome.


I believe handedness is very important to keep square, especially on D, but at some point even there skill surpass ideal.

[Robin Hood]

You over value chemistry compared to skill, IMO. I doubt Sweden builds a team like USA just did, they'll have their 23 best players there, thats how they won previously, and it's the only way they'll contend with the lineups that Russia and we are bringing

Better players, are better more often. Yes knowing how Kunitz will turn is a major help, but it won't take Stamkos long to know where Sid is going. The idea of the two of them together is awesome.


I believe handedness is very important to keep square, especially on D, but at some point even there skill surpass ideal.

Don't just focus on the Kunitz part of my argument as we've gone round and round over that...

What about St. Louis? Sharp? Pure wingers vs Cs like Eric Staal?

[Shep]

I would take St. Louis and Sharp 10x over before I'd take Staal at this point.

There are way too many elite players having elite seasons in the hunt to make Team Canada to take an elite player having a good year. Especially at a position that we're already likely going to be taking way too many.

[Shep]

btw when is Team Canada's team being announced? January 7th?

[Bruyns]

I do see some value in bringing less Cs and more Ws, but I also believe most elite Cs would have no problem transitioning to the W since it means less defensive responsibility and these are top players with good hockey sense who won't be running around out of position IMO.

I think it's similar to how so many top prospects play C at the junior level since they are the best players on their teams and Cs have the puck more often. Once they make the jump to pro many don't have the defensive game and strength to compete down low with NHL Cs and are shifted to the W. This is an easier position to play and helps young players transition to the pro game in an easier role. There are exceptions to this and some players obviously play C in junior and stick as Cs in the NHL, but you don't see Ws in junior turned into Cs in the NHL like you do with Cs to W.

For example I'd take Crosby - Stamkos - Toews over MSL - Thornton - Perry
I don't think Crosby and Toews would struggle playing on the wing, they are elite players who are good wherever they are on the ice and don't think MSL and Perry would play better just because they are accustomed to lining up on the wing. I wouldn't actually want Crosby and Toews on the wing I'm only illustrating that I think when it comes to forwards pure talent and skill trumps where they lineup for faceoffs IMO.

[The BBKL Insider]

I would take St. Louis and Sharp 10x over before I'd take Staal at this point.

There are way too many elite players having elite seasons in the hunt to make Team Canada to take an elite player having a good year. Especially at a position that we're already likely going to be taking way too many.

I agree

Staal sucks now anyways imo, he lost a step a few years back.

[Shep]

I would take St. Louis and Sharp 10x over before I'd take Staal at this point.

There are way too many elite players having elite seasons in the hunt to make Team Canada to take an elite player having a good year. Especially at a position that we're already likely going to be taking way too many.

I agree

Staal sucks now anyways imo, he lost a step a few years back.

He was over a PPG last year and is on pace for 70pts this year. He's still top notch. He's turned his scoring into playmaking, now.

[The BBKL Insider]

meh, Staal is forgettable imo

[kimmer]

Great opinions guys, keep em comin, it matters a lot on how the team will form

[Bruyns]

Great opinions guys, keep em comin, it matters a lot on how the team will form

Our opinions don't matter when it comes to the Leafs either lol. Doesn't mean we can't talk hockey and pretend we know better than the people whose full time job is to make hockey related decisions. There are some people here that know their shit and it beats trying to talk hockey with the average person or friends of mine that are more casual hockey fans.

[kimmer]

lol dont wry bro I'm just being a totalitarian like tony said

[The BBKL Insider]

I also think Canada should go with players and chemistry. I've read above and it seems to be a pretty big debate.

As a hockey nation, we have the most skilled players in the world to pick/choose from. If we paired Crosby with Kunitz I think it would be far more productive than pairing Crosby with Staal, Iggy or someone who is knows as a 'superior player' to Kunitz.

Crosby is a rare player, and as we've all seen from other world championships (team Canada's) he's not an easy player to pair with others. I'd go with what works and put kunitz on the team. USA did it with Kessel and JVR, Canada should do it with Crosby and Kunitz

[Bruyns]

lol dont wry bro I'm just being a totalitarian like tony said

What are your predictions for how team Austria and Norway will look Paul? They are both in our division and I wonder if they will take more Cs than Ws or leave home any talented offensive D lol

[Mike]

i'd say his team's probably better than norway

[kimmer]

I think team korea will be a big surprise this olympics. Richard Park leading the way as the #1 C/captain and Jim Paek as the head coach can really turn things around for our nation and ice hockey in general

[Bruyns]

i'd say his team's probably better than norway

On paper it is, but does he have the right chemistry and mix of PK guys and 2 way players? The bigger ice might also give some of his players problems so I might give a slight edge to Norway.

[Robin Hood]

I also think Canada should go with players and chemistry. I've read above and it seems to be a pretty big debate.

As a hockey nation, we have the most skilled players in the world to pick/choose from. If we paired Crosby with Kunitz I think it would be far more productive than pairing Crosby with Staal, Iggy or someone who is knows as a 'superior player' to Kunitz.

Crosby is a rare player, and as we've all seen from other world championships (team Canada's) he's not an easy player to pair with others. I'd go with what works and put kunitz on the team. USA did it with Kessel and JVR, Canada should do it with Crosby and Kunitz

This is exactly how I feel. Crosby-Kunitz as a unit has been one of the top 3 lines in the NHl this year. Why the hell do we care if Kunitz isn't as good as an Eric Staal or someone else lol? Just put them together and let them produce. I HATE the thought of line juggling..I'd put Kunitz, Sharp, St. Louis all on the team and not even think about it. I'm curious to see what they do though.

[Shep]

What would your roster be? I'm curious to see all the snubs on your team if you have Kunitz. Thornton? Giroux? Bergeron?

I was all for him, then I started seeing who I'd be leaving off.

I'd take Seguin+Benn as chemistry over Kunitz in a heartbeat.

[Robin Hood]

What would your roster be? I'm curious to see all the snubs on your team if you have Kunitz. Thornton? Giroux? Bergeron?

I was all for him, then I started seeing who I'd be leaving off.

I'd take Seguin+Benn as chemistry over Kunitz in a heartbeat.

Something like what I have below. Obviously lines would be subject to change and I'm not sure who would make up the taxi squad

Kunitz - Crosby - Duchene
St. Louis - Toews - Stamkos
Tavares - Getzlaf - Perry
Benn - Bergeron - Giroux
Sharp - Thornton

Doughty - Weber
Keith - Seabrook
Pieterangelo - Bouwmeester
Vlasic - Subban

Price
Luongo
Smith

So my snubs would be Hall, Seguin, Letang