Vancouver Canucks

By BCapp on Dec 16, 2009

I love how guys like Hanhuis and Robidas probably won’t make this team. IN any other situation can you imagine NOT wanting them on your team? Oh depth, how awesome you are.

Do you know if either Hossa or Gaborik is any good at teh off wing? Because Svatos is a fine #2 RW and Hossa and Gaborik on the top line will be a mean scoring threat.

Cheers

By john bennett on Dec 16, 2009

Dec 16/09

Jason,

Good comment on Jon Toews, . . . , he’s an absolute MUST on the
Canadian roster, IMO. Can and will play anywhere up front, . . . ,
coming on strong now, always a slow starter. He’s great in so many categories, (1) best Canadian, by far, in face-off winning
pctg, at 60.7 %, [4'th overall], even well ahead of Sydney C’s
excellent, 57 %, [10'th overall]. Toews has a great plus 13 and is
already a very young Blackhawks’ Captain. He’s 3 out of 5 on SO’s,
he’s always in perpetual motion, a constant workhorse, and a ‘big game player.’ Has got to be on this team ! Find a place for him !!

Watched big Jordan Staal’s Penguins thrash Mike Richards and
the troubled Philly Flyers last evening. Staal completely outplayed
Richards with 2 goals, including a shorthanded marker. Richards
is likely a lock BUT it’s very hard to ignore JS and his great reach,
superior skating and his relentless, grinding style. At only age 21 years, he’s already got one Cup and one Cup final behind him. Canada , ( IMO), must find a roster spot for this big horse !
Yes, I believe that he’s Selke caliber, Jason.

Speaking of the name Staal, at the start of this season, Eric S is
the brother that the Canada’s ‘braintrust’ really had in mind for this
roster and I know they still likely have their fingers crossed. But,
just how long can Yzerman and company wait for this guy to get going ? With only 4 goals, 15 points and a minus 5, things do NOT look good for ES.

I still really like Drew Doughty on our “D” somewhere. No NHL defender has more than his 8 goals. [including 4 PP, 3 GWG's and
to top things off, he's one for one in the shootout]. Yes, he’s very
young, just turned 20 and playing in such a critical position, but
nothing seems to rattle this guy, whatsoever. He’s very steady, very dependable. I’d take Doughty over Mike Green in a heartbeat and
both of them are right hand shooters,. . . . , so that may be a battle
to the end.

For me, the roster battles at this point appear to be (a), LW on the
Getzlaf line, [top candidates for that spot appear to be Penner,
Camalleri, E Staal, Toews, B. Richards, all left hand shots].
(b) RW on the checking line, . . . , lots of candidates here. I really
like Mike Fisher for that spot, a natural center but he shoots right,
he’s tenacious and he’s having a career year, so far. Great personal stats but no invite to Calgary in August. (c) the extra
forward spot. Losers in (a) or (b) above might fill here, plus 8 to 10
other possibles.

I know Morrow and Mike Richards are the likely “locks” for LW and
Center on the checking line. Personally, I haven’t quite given them
the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval just yet. There are
still other strong candidares out there.

A final interesting question, . . . , I wonder if the Yzerman group will
dazzle us all with a major surprise ? Unlikely, but you just never know.

By BCapp on Dec 16, 2009

Hey John,

While I am also unconvinced on M Richards (honestly if he can’t pick up his game with his team struggling, what does that say?) I am completely convinced with Morrow. Putting Morrow and Getzlaf/Perry on different lines creates QUITE the bruisers.

Can you imagine THAT line though? Those three together, I would refuse the coach to put me on the line against them, lol. I think the 3rd guy on The Getzlaf/Perry line should have defensive responsibility, b/c Getzlaf Perry sometimes over commit with aggressiveness.

I say Toews goes on as the extra man, but I can’t see St. Louis not making this team.

In regards to J. Staal, I don’t watch THAT many Pittsburgh games, but b/c he is one dimensional, the only way I can see him making this team is if M. Richards doesn’t.

In a lot of ways I’d like to see DOughty play, but my biggest worry is that we have never seen him even play a playoff game. The pressure may be too much for a 20 year old. Will he try to over play? I don’t watch enough of his game and basically know him from hype/stats, so I don’t know the likelihood of that.

Back to M. Richards AND Toews, I actually think these guys as young captains (obviously Toews is much younger, and got the captaincy much younger) MAY (not will) be a drawback. While leadership is great, guys have to know there place on this team. This isn’t NHL 10 and everyone can’t try to be a leader. For some players that’ll be easy (Heatley, Fisher, J. Staal), for some guys they will be leaders, Crosby, Iginla, but some guys have to shift to a new role. Can they do it?

Thats why I really like St Louis.

On defense I heard a lot of pundits say the question is Green or Boyle. One not both is going to make it. I find that an interesting comment. I like how many natural lines Canada can ice.

having Keith/Seabrook and potentially Regehr/Bouwemeister (that mix of shut down and smooth skating is great), will be huge.

I say the other 3 easily goes to Pronger, Boyle and Weber.

And I personally have a soft spot for both Price and Turco. Turco has always been the unsong hero in this league for the last decade in my eyes (similar to MIller before this year), recognized as good but not great.

IN regards to Price, I am a TML fan and when I watched Montreal fans literally attack this kid for having a sophomore slump and act like he was pure garbage I was appalled and disgusted. Then I felt even worse, because I realize how bad we (TML fans) are on our players too. Price WILL be a star in this league.

But as you said it’ll probably go to MAF.

Anywho this is the team I still see (more or elss)

Nash-Crosby-Iggy*
San Jose
?-Getzlaf-Perry
Morrow- M Richards-?
?s and extra skater=Toews/St. Louis/Fisher (he has earned it)

*I remember back in camp that St. Louis found more chemistry with Crosby and Nash than Iginla. How is Ignila/Perry at the off wing? (can you imagine him on teh Getzlaf perry line)

D
Pronger-Boyle/Weber
Ketih-Seabrook
Regehr-Bouwemeister
7th=Boyle/Weber

Luongo/Brodeur fight it out for number 1 until the games start
3rd string=MAF

By BCapp on Dec 16, 2009

PS. Kimmo Timmonen is one of the most underappreciated players in teh league. Ilke the A

By john bennett on Dec 16, 2009

Dec 16/09

Hi BCapp,

Many good points you make, especially the huge advantage of
keeping natural groups together i.e., Getzlaf, Perry and the entire San Jose line as a unit. On “D” Keith a very nice fit with Seabrook.
You mentioned the Calgary combo on the D and that old pairing of
Niedermayer with Pronger, . . . , good arguments for all of these.

I still believe in Doughty, big time. Whether Steve Y and company
do remains to be seen. He performed very well in Zurich on the big ice sheet in last years World Championship, . . . , so he’s seen
big pressure before. Not a guy who gets rattled easily.

I believe the goalie threesome will be Brodeur, ( # 1 spot for him to lose) and Fleury, Luongo fighting for # 2, at least at the outset.

Last Sat, Dec 12, Jack Todd had an interesting recommendation
published in the National Post. He’s covered hockey in 4 Olympic
Tournaments in the past. His big plug was given to Montreal’s Mike Cammalleri and his 18 goals, . . . , says he’s better suited to
Vancouver than the much bigger Dustin Penner. Perhaps, one of
them or neither could go on the LW with Getzlaf and Perry. Todd
said the main reason Canada failed in Turin in 2006 was quite
simply, “. . . . , they were too big, too old and too slow.” Not this time around.

By BCapp on Dec 16, 2009

Just some food for thought in regards to that quote:

Turin was played on a European ice surface. Vancouver will be on an NHL ice surface, won’t it? So power forwards will have more of an advantage.

In regards to age, with teh offensive core being Crosby, Nash, Getzlaf, Perry, Iggy. Thorton, Marleau, Iggy, Heatley. They are basically 22-32. The ‘vets’ of those forwards are not Sakic/Modano/Neidermeyer. They are guys in their prime, Iggy, Thorton, and Marleau.

There will probably only be 3 guys on the team who are the ‘old vets’ and that will be Pronger, Brodeur and Boyle (maybe Neidermeyer).

to be fair Iggy has played in a bunch of olympics. But for the most part the team is built of guys in throughout their prime 24-32, with 2-3 players on either side.

No Lidstrom for Canada

By BCapp on Dec 16, 2009

Oh and in regards to the post article, it was probably quite good. My dad loves the post and I read it at home, but I am away at school so I missed it

By BCapp on Dec 17, 2009

K I don’t think this is likely, but it is interesting.

If you move Morrow up to play on the Getzlaf line, then bring Carter in to play with Richards. While Carter hasn’t had a great year, he isn’t slumping either. And obviously they have good chemistry. (They get some special teams work togehter)

Morrow-Getzlaf-Perry
Carter-Richards-?

By john bennett on Dec 17, 2009

Dec 17, 2009

Another name has just re-entered the debate and I know he was buried by most some time ago , . . . , Eric Staal with 3 goals and 9 assists over his last 7 games. Likely, at this late date?
Probably not, . . . , but burried ? Not quite yet. He will have to “smoke” over the final 10-14 days. I know our ‘brain trust’ will be praying for ES to come alive. I just wonder, . . . ?? LW with Getzlaf and Perry ??

Another name I’ve been pushing for a while now, [without a lot of
agreement for climbing on the Olympic stage], is Eric’s younger
brother Jordan Staal. Where could he possibly fit in ? In Mike Richards spot; again unlikely but just think of the 4 Canadian
center ice men. Big 6′4″ Getzlaf, big 6′ 4″ Thornton and big 6′ 4″
Jordan S, [each of them are heavyweights], plus a little 200 pounder named Sydney C. What a nightmare for opponents to deal with !!
I know the counter argument that Mike R’s is a lock at the checking center spot and that’s the safe bet but Mike has gone cool of late,
whereas Jordan S is really heating up.

I’m still really high on Drew Doughty and the safe bet would omit him. I’ll continue to be reckless here, . . . , and I can afford to be since I’m not driving this bus. Doughty is a very tough cut for me.
I’d keep him.

By john bennett on Dec 17, 2009

Dec 17/09

Hi Jason,

I know you were watching the LA Kings drop a one goal game to Calgary tonight. I was tuned in there as well. Wow, the ice time Doughty gets and he just turned 20. He was all over the ice in every situation, . . . . , a very confident and skilled player !

By john bennett on Dec 18, 2009

Dec 18, 2009

Pierre McGuire gave his second last Team Canada Olympic roster predictions, last night between periods in the Montreal vs Wild NHL game. See below:

Forward:

NASH (L) CROSBY (L) IGINLA (R)

HEATLEY (L) GETZLAF (R) PERRY (R)

MARLEAU (L) THORNTON (L) FISHER (R)

MORROW (L) M. RICHARDS (L) BERGERON (R)

EXTRA FORWARD: TOEWS (L)

Defense:

NIEDERMAYER (L) WEBER (R)

PRONGER (L) BOYLE (R)

KEITH (L) SEABROOK (R)

BOUWMEESTER (L)

Goal:

BRODEUR LUONGO FLEURY

Ouch, no Doughty ! Nonetheless, a very well thought out and well
balanced line-up. Notice, up front, each LW and each RW shoots left and right, respectively. Same arrangement with the D.

The only surprise, Patrice Bergeron, as RW on the checking line
and, I suppose, the separation of Heatley from his other 2 Shark
linemates.

All in all, a very strong argument can be made for his Roster picks.
Good job !

By BCapp on Dec 18, 2009

Bergeron is not a surprise as McGuire (and all of the TSN staff) have had a hard on for him all year.

I don’t like the idea of adding both Fisher and Bergeron as I feel it is redundant and would rather add another scoring threat (St. Louis?)

Remember also Babcock is not afraid of changing lines and maybe moving people into different roles, so I wouldn’t want to add to many players who can’t get it done offensively (at star levels).

In regards to the D, I don’t like including Neidermeyer at all. This team has enough veterans and we do not need him. As well, if we do have him, play him with Pronger. I know they are both L shots, but they obviously have incredible chemistry. I would rather see Regehr, Doughty, Phaneuf, in that order!

By john bennett on Dec 18, 2009

Dec 18, 2009

BCapp

Martin St Louis is getting points, (35), but not goals, only 6. Also,
that minus 7 worries me although Rick Nash has a terrible minus
and nobody seems to mention it.

If you take a straight up comparison of MSL and Nathan Horton, (RW), the Panther looks pretty good, one less point, 11 goals and a decent + 8. He’s 24 years old, a 3′rd draft pick overall, 6′ 2″, 230 lbs and has excellent PPG’s and GWG’s. MSL is 178 lbs, he’s 34 years old and although he’s a goal scorer, he’s not producing many goals right NOW. Horton is never mentioned as a possible.
Go figure ! Speed ? Experience ?

I agree with your comment on a Scott Niedermayer, . . . , he’s really
getting on in years, he’s having a very so, so year compared to many of the younger candidates but he gets a spot because of his ‘Hall of Fame’ resume. Fluid skater but much more mistake prone than in the past. Everyone says it was one one of the very big reasons for the disaster in Turin in ‘06, i.e., absent due to injury.
Now it’s 4 years later and SN is 4 years older, pushing 40 years.
Still he’s a BC native and I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t on this Roster.

I do like Regehr as a shut down D man.

Drew Doughty, IMO, is a young phenom. He can already control a game at age 20. McGuire likes Seabrook and the fit with Keith is a natural and obvious one. I still prefer Doughty.

Didn’t mind most of McGuires choices but I’m probably one of very few people in Canada who actually prefers Jordan Staal in Mike Richard’s spot, . . . , I realize I’ve got a snowball’s chance in Hell with that decision.

By BCapp on Dec 18, 2009

Good point in bringing up Horton. I think the reason he wasn’t mentioned is his history.

He had a couple phenomenal years a couple years ago, 2 30 goal years, showing he is the prototypical power forward. Than he slows down some, has had 2 meh years the last 2 and to top it off, starts the year off TERRIBLY. (He has actually had an incredible November/December to get up to where he is). I think he simply was too far off peoples radar. By the time he picked up his game.

Look at it this way, if somebody wasn’t already in the radar going into the season (most ppl), or started the season hot (Bergeron/Fisher) they are just not considered. He was too late a bloomer.

I like Doughty more and more, especially with the 7th spot. And if he can’t handle the pressure, every other guy on that roster can handle 25+ minutes. My only nervousness, is have any of those guys played under 15 minutes/night? Because it may come to that. Some players need to keep there blood pumping and what if 5/6 guys can’t do that with 17 or so minutes? Just a thought.

I also like Toews as the extra man. I honestly don’t think he deserves to take any of the spots on the team, as the scoring lines are all solid and while he is good defensively, he is not a checker or energy guy. But I like having him in the wings to force his way in.

I’ve got a q though. What does Toews bring that Stamkos doesn’t? He is only 2 years older, and his offensive numbers are actually worse…

Cheers.

By john bennett on Dec 18, 2009

Dec 18, 2009

While I’m a big Stamkos fan and was pushing hard for him a while
back, he’s gone stone cold of late, 1 point in his last 7 games,
ugh !!

Toews, IMO, is by far, the more complete player, . . . , and is very highly thought of among his peers, team Captain at only age 21.
He is, by his own admission, a slow starter and was blindsided a few weeks back by the Canucks Willie Mitchell. That further slowed his progress this season.

Now he’s really picking up his game, growing to 21 points in 26 games, (.81 PPGame). SS is higher at 31 pts in 34 games, (.91).

SS appears to be heading downhill on a woeful Lightning team,
JT is going upwards on a very good NHL team. Of any serious
roster possibilities, Toews is at the very top in face-off winning
percentage at 61.1 %, fourth in the entire league. Ahead of SS, in order, are #5, Bergeron, (59 %), # 10 Crosby, (57 %), # 15, Marleau
(54 %), #20, Thornton, (53.2 %), # 22, Fisher , (53 %), tied at # 36,
Richards and Carter at 51.7 % , . . . , on down to to SS, # 60 at 49%
You know how critical face-off wins are in a one game knock out
tournament.

Toews is at the very top of ALL Canadian skaters in +/- with a plus 15 and 4′th overall in the NHL. Stamkos ranks somewhere between 551 and 600′th, . . . , not at all good.

I think Toews IS a total energy guy and I’d feel totally confident in him playing ANY of the 12 forward positions, LW, Center, RW., wherever. He’s 3 out of 5 in SO’s, SS is 1 out of 5.

For me, Toews is a MUST have player.

PS Marty SL and SS seem to be having a good game tonight.

By john bennett on Dec 19, 2009

Dec 19, 2009

Jason

In between Periods of the excellent Canucks vs Capitals game last night, a 3 member panel of TV experts, (?), made their consensus predictions for Team Canada 2010. Panel members were D. Dreger ,J. Duffy and B. McKenzie. Any of the names below in Capital letters,the panel said were absolute 100 % locks for the big team. The order of the players matters not one bit since they can shift around often if need be. Bob McKenzie is usually quite accurate with his calls. Oh yes, small letters are almost certain locks, but not 100%.

GOAL All locks BRODEUR, LUONGO, FLEURY

DEFENSE Left/Right

NIEDERMAYER (L) WEBER (R)

PRONGER (L) BOYLE (R)

keith (l) seabrook (r) NOT 100 % but almost locks.

# 7 “D” ??

Panel says the 2 favourites for this spot are bouwmeester and doughty

Still in the mix are phaneuf and green

FORWARDS

NASH (L) CROSBY(L) IGINLA (R)

HEATLEY(L) GETZLAF(R) PERRY(R)

MARLEAU(L) THORNTON(L) ??

morrow (l) toews (l) ??

Extra forward: ??

The panel thought those still in the mix were Marty St L , [BCapp will be very happy], Carter, Bergeron, Doan, Fisher and they expressed concerns over Mike Richards and the fact he could only play the Center position.

Stevie Y, (”the Man”), was at the Chicago vs Boston game last night
and apparently all of the Olympic hopefuls played very well.

Bergeron was a + 3, . . . , Toews had one goal, plus another in the Hawk SO win. He’s now 67 % or 4 for 6 in SO’s .

St Louis and Stamkos had a good night also, although SS was not mentioned much by the panel.

This is only their opinion and it’s fairly close to Pierre McGuire’s choices.

By john bennett on Dec 21, 2009

Dec 21, 2009 TEAM CANADA

Jason, . . , agreed, there is a basic core of players that will form the nucleus of the final 23 skaters for Canada. I keep tweaking the lineup a bit here and a little there. Two days from now, I’ll likely do it again. Still, it’s interesting to try to get into the heads of the so-called, “brain trust.”

A few ‘old favourites’ have re-surfaced on my personal radar. Marleau has been a disappointment so often in the past, (in ‘big games’), that somehow, this time, he might fly quietly in and make a real contribution. Anyway, here’s my latest prediction on ” The
Team.”

nash (L) crosby (L) St Louis (L) Fit with sid in the Calgary pre-
camp and putting up points again

heatley (L) getzlaf (R) perry (R)

marleau (L) thornton (L) iginla (R) Did not work well with Sid C

morrow (L) toews (L) (Love that high plus figure) fisher (R)

Extra forward: ??? One of m richards, e, staal, j staal, bergeron,
carter, lecavalier, b richards, penner, stamkos, cammalleri, sharp,
possibly an eighth ‘D-Man’ ? Did I omit anyone ? This choice will depend on the type of flexible role player Stevie Y wants. A big
bugger in front of the net, it’s penner, a great set-up man, it’s b richards, a gunner, stamkos or cammalleri, checker m richards or
j staal.

niedermayer (L) weber (R)

pronger (L) boyle (R)

keith (L) seabrook (R) [ A ready made combo. ]

bouwmeester (L) likely [ BUT I really want to see doughty on this
team, somewhere,. . . , anywhere ! ]]

brodeur, luongo, fleury [few arguments here]

Well, that’s it for most of my choices as of Dec 21. Tomorrow, who knows ?

By BCapp on Dec 21, 2009

JOhn, I really like your team.

Except I’d have Toews be the extra skater. He is not necessarily a strong checker and part of that high plus minus is just the over all team having a great plus minus. While he can fill that role, he can also fill a lot of other roles.

I’d rather have M. Richards/J. Staal in that role.

That way if anyone falters Toews can take his place.

I can’t see Penner, Cammi, or J Staal making it as the extra skater, at least I wouldn’t do it. They are too one dimensional. They either make the team in their ‘position’ or not at all. The extra skater should be able to fill almost any role.

On D, I still don’t like seeing Neidermeyer on this team. Would rather see Regehr/Bouwemeister/Doughty in no particular order.

Honestly the more I think about it, I say stick doughty on. We have 7 d-men if he falters.

By john bennett on Dec 21, 2009

Dec 21, 2009

BCapp,

Yes, we’ve both felt for a while now that Niiedermayer is getting on a bit in years, reaction time and quickness are down and I don’t like that high minus for such an important position. We both like those 2 Calgary D-men and Doughty is the next “great talent” on the NHL defence. I really believe he’s ready, right now. I’ve seen him play several times and win or lose, he’s very steady, he’s very poised, and he’s very low risk, (IMO).

Having said that, it’s not so much what we would prefer but it’s guessing how the brain trust will go. My suspicion is that they will
go Nieder. You know, the old cliches, . . . , several Cup rings, Hall of Fame career, won at every level and he is from the host province, etc. I would argue that Regehr and Bouwmeester are hardly short on experience and both are in their prime.

This guessing game will continue, . . . , only 9 days to go.

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By john bennett on Feb 8, 2010

Feb 8, 2010

Tonight NJ Devils lose to the Flyers 3-2 in
Philly. Devils were ahead 2-0 by 7 minutes
into the second. Then Devils give up 2 goals
at 18:24 and 19:36 of the 2′nd period and lose it 3-2 in the 3′rd. Although Martin
Brodeur played quite well overall, I watched all of it, the result was once again, the same, . . , a come from behind victory for the other guys. Hate to beat a dead horse but
this is becoming a habit. No room for off
nights after Feb 15.