When you've got THAT much talent, there's going to be some great guys missing the boat....
Plus with injuries some of these guys will get a shot.

Look people, I KNOW we're Canadians, but can we not discuss hockey in friggin' July?

40below: Look people, I KNOW we're Canadians, but can we not discuss hockey in friggin' July?

A member of the special StatsCan CRTC CHL RCMP brute squad will be around shortly to collect your passport and begin your reeducation, comrade. Try not to fight back, it only makes it worse.

40below: Look people, I KNOW we're Canadians, but can we not discuss hockey in friggin' July?

Wow, 40below. You're a great Canadian. This nation owes you a huge debt.

NOW STFU AND LET ME TALK ABOUT HOCKEY!


:)

That's a pretty good list. I'm happy to see some of the younger guys like Getzlaf and Toews on there.

Hockey Canada unveils it is Olympic Team camp invites?

Hockey is 24/7

What? You mean Osgood didn't make it with the likes of Brodeur, Luongo, Fleury, Mason, and Ward?

Colour me surprised.

I wouldn't mind if Heatley got snubbed, but I guess the people in charge aren't jerks like me.

Savard was hosed...

Ofcoarse Osgood wouldnt get an invite. He could have won the cup and STILL not get an invite. Canadians hate the Wings because they're now the enemy of Crosburgh.


And seriously, Cam Ward? He stood on his head through a couple rounds whoopdy farkin do. Osgood has been doing it for how long now?

40below: Look people, I KNOW we're Canadians, but can we not discuss hockey in friggin' July?

We're not actually sure you're Canadian after that...

bobbette: That's a pretty good list. I'm happy to see some of the younger guys like Getzlaf and Toews on there.

Me too. Just about everybody is going to second guess the list and can thing of at least one player that just should be there in place of another.

Tr0mBoNe: Book it. Done.

For whom? It's no sure thing that Canada will win. My money is on Sweden, then either Russia or Canada.

/unless farking Belarus topples Sweden again

Isn't Savard known as a bit of a dick? But really, invite him over Andy McDonald, neither would make the team but at least Savard seems to belong there.

I_Love_Cheesecake: My money is on Sweden, then either Russia or Canada.

Not so sure about Sweden this time around. Some of the serious staples of the Swedish team are going to be missing or moving past their prime. Now Russia, on the other hand, is likely going to be icing a highly talented and young team, much like Canada, but hopefully home ice gives Canada that extra little edge.

Having said all that, it's a one game "playoff" and anything at all can happen in just one game hence the reason that Sweden's womens team managed to knock out the United States for a silver. Mind you, that was about the second best thing that could have happened for women's hockey on the International stage, it was becoming a bit of a farce.

/I'll leave you to guess the best thing that could have happened for women's hockey.

zippolight2002: Ofcoarse Osgood wouldnt get an invite. He could have won the cup and STILL not get an invite. Canadians hate the Wings because they're now the enemy of Crosburgh.

this is obviously why the head coach of Team Canada is Mike Babcock and the Executive Director of Team Canada is Steve Yzerman, and they did all the choosing.

"Executive director Steve Yzerman said that he, in conjunction with Babcock's staff, whittled down their preliminary player list to what they deemed a workable number - 46 - so the coaches could run a proper and manageable orientation camp, which will be held in Calgary during the final week of August."

http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=12460.html#hockey+canada+invites+ olympic+camp (new window)

I_Love_Cheesecake: Tr0mBoNe: Book it. Done.

For whom? It's no sure thing that Canada will win. My money is on Sweden, then either Russia or Canada.

/unless farking Belarus topples Sweden again

Bita din tunga!

/Sverige!

I think Spezza was left off of the list because he's too one dimensional.

Stamkos not being on the list is a little surprising, seeing how well he played for Team Canada at the Worlds this past spring...but then again, the same thing happened to Crosby in 2006.

Savard not being on the list is an epic failure on Team canada's part. He's been a point+ per game player since 03-04 on GARBAGE teams (excluding last year's Bruins squad). Other than the fact that he's a notorious jerk, I can't see why he's not on the tryout camp list. Especially with Heatley on the list...

At the end of the day though, it won't matter. Canada's going to win gold this time around and there's nothing the world can do to stop us!

/MWHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

zippolight2002: Canadians hate the Wings because they're now the enemy of Crosburgh.

Are you at all aware that the guy making the decision is Steve Yzerman?

Here's the list:

Goaltenders

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey
Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver
Steve Mason, Columbus
Cam Ward, Carolina

Defensemen

Francois Beauchemin, UFA
Jay Bouwmeester, Calgary
Dan Boyle, San Jose
Brent Burns, Minnesota
Drew Doughty, Los Angeles
Mike Green, Washington
Dan Hamhuis, Nashville
Duncan Keith, Chicago
Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim
Dion Phaneuf, Calgary
Chris Pronger, Philadelphia
Robyn Regehr, Calgary
Stephane Robidas, Dallas
Brent Seabrook, Chicago
Marc Staal, New York Rangers
Shea Weber, Nashville

Forwards

Jeff Carter, Philadelphia
Dan Cleary, Detroit
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh
Shane Doan, Phoenix
Simon Gagne, Philadelphia
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim
Dany Heatley, Ottawa
Jarome Iginla, Calgary
Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay
Milan Lucic, Boston
Patrick Marleau, San Jose
Andy McDonald, St. Louis
Brenden Morrow, Dallas
Rick Nash, Columbus
Corey Perry, Anaheim
Mike Richards, Philadelphia
Derek Roy, Buffalo
Joe Sakic, Colorado
Patrick Sharp, Chicago
Ryan Smyth, Colorado
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay
Eric Staal, Carolina
Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh
Joe Thornton, San Jose
Jonathan Toews, Chicago

There are players better than Savard on that list, so to me that one is not surprising. Osgood... well honestly, when you have Luongo, Brodeur and Ward, you have to expect Osgood not to be invited. Spezza is very talented but is generally too selfish. You can't afford players like that when you play at home. Brad Richards is a good player and could have been invited but not everyone is invited, too bad for him. Same for Stamkos. He did very good in the world championships but you gotta stop inviting people at some point. With 46 invitees and room for 23, there's gonna be a lot more to talk about once they shed half the players.

/would love to have that roster for a full season

spiral8: I think Spezza was left off of the list because he's too one dimensional.

One dimensional? No.

Defensive liability? When he's off his game, then yes.

A well built hockey team needs players to fill a lot of roles: you need a scoring line, preferably two, you have to have goaltending, puckmoving D'men all of the obvious people.
But: to win a championship at the world level what you really need is the top player at each of the depth positions. You have to have the best playmaker ITW at center on your first line, but you also need the best faceoff man ITW on your penalty kill, and if he can also step in on the power play, that is a hell of a bonus. You have to have the best offensive D'man but you need the best stay at home man as well.
In the Worlds here in Halifax last year, the Canadian team had to use Jason Farking Spezza as a checking center!!!

Stevie Y's prliminary list looks to avoid these obvious pitfalls.
I think the Canadian team will do very well.

It is?

Whoops, extra apostrophe in there....

Actually, of the guys I put in the headline, the only one that surprises me is Savard, though Canada is so incredibly deep at centre I could see it happening (that and apparently nobody really likes him).

Some surprises on forward for me where Lucic, Roy, Cleary and Morrow.

I understand after the "debacle" at Turin that Yzerman would want some grit in the lineup, though.

No Ovechkin? I guess he really is overrated. Can't even make the Olympic team.

zippolight2002: Ofcoarse Osgood wouldnt get an invite. He could have won the cup and STILL not get an invite. Canadians hate the Wings because they're now the enemy of Crosburgh.

Yzerman is making the decisions. Plus, look at the guys who got invited. All better than Osgood. Osgood is great, but the five who were selected are better.

Well at least they can run out a line half-consisting of Staals.

zippolight2002: Ofcoarse Osgood wouldnt get an invite. He could have won the cup and STILL not get an invite. Canadians hate the Wings because they're now the enemy of Crosburgh.


And seriously, Cam Ward? He stood on his head through a couple rounds whoopdy farkin do. Osgood has been doing it for how long now?



HAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh wow. Just...wow.

You do know that Yzerman and Babcock made the list of invites...right?

/ofcoarse you do... lol

waiting4godot: No Ovechkin? I guess he really is overrated. Can't even make the Olympic team.

CANADIAN Olympic Team

Dude, seriously, put down the weed

zippolight2002: Ofcoarse Osgood wouldnt get an invite. He could have won the cup and STILL not get an invite. Canadians hate the Wings because they're now the enemy of Crosburgh.


And seriously, Cam Ward? He stood on his head through a couple rounds whoopdy farkin do. Osgood has been doing it for how long now?

Dude, chill. Yzerman and Babcock made this list. Osgood's not better than Brodeur or Luongo, and likely Mason or Fleury will be the third goalie to give them some international experience.

And no, Osgood's NOT that good compared to who was invited. Regular season performances do count.

Vote for Rory Fitpatrick!!

Errrr....Fitzpatrick.

zippolight2002: Ofcoarse Osgood wouldnt get an invite. He could have won the cup and STILL not get an invite. Canadians hate the Wings because they're now the enemy of Crosburgh.

So you're saying that Yzerman and Babcock hate Detroit and would compromise the national team only to appease Pittsburgh?

I've read a ton of stupid stuff on Fark, but this is probably the most stupid thing ever posted here, ever.

This has nothing to do with the Olympic team, but Rick Nash just signed an extension with Columbus tonight. Suck it, Toronto. Suck it for the next 8 years.

People still play and watch hockey?

No Oilers on the Canadian team, AGAIN!

/not really suprised

waiting4godot: No Ovechkin? I guess he really is overrated. Can't even make the Olympic team.

Yeah he's not Canadian....

whereisian Quote 2009-07-03 08:26:45 PM
spiral8: I think Spezza was left off of the list because he's too one dimensional.

One dimensional? No.

Defensive liability? When he's off his game, then yes.

What Spezza are you watching?

Also maybe his coke problem is keeping him off the team.

They picked Cam Ward over Osgood?

I mean, sure I hate ol' diving, cheap shot Osgood, but he is still more talented that people like Ward.

How many of them were born in January?

I bet a lot.

whereisian: spiral8: I think Spezza was left off of the list because he's too one dimensional.

One dimensional? No.

Defensive liability? When he's off his game, then yes.

Having watched Spezza for a number of years now, Spezza is a woefully 1-dimensional player. He is barely able to play defense at an NHL level. His physical play is dental - incidental, accidental. His face-off skills and skating are woefully inconsistent; when he's good, he a deceptively quick skater, and deadly on the face offs. His attitude and work ethic are always suspect; in the same shift, he is liable to make an astoundingly brilliant play in the offensive zone, doggedly go after the puck as the other team is trying to clear it, steal it, make another brilliant play, and then if the puck is cleared... lazily skate back and visibly ponder ending his shift while he should be backchecking.

If his name was Jacek Spezov, he'd be Don Cherry's poster boy for terrible European players. There's no way I'd want to see him representing Canada at the Olympics. Half the time, I don't even want to see him on the Sens. (luckily, half of the time I don't want to see him, I don't see him. Unfortunately, half of the time I do want to see him, I don't see him either.) And without Heatley on the wing, there is absolutely no way he's going to play himself onto that team.

Spezza is an offensive genius, but he's not nearly good enough to warrant much more than a cursory glance by Team Canada. That's it, that's all.

/Go Sens Go!

Up and Atom: This has nothing to do with the Olympic team, but Rick Nash just signed an extension with Columbus tonight. Suck it, Toronto. Suck it for the next 8 years.

Damn, and here we thought Nash was the one to turn everything around up there!

whereisian: Here's the list:

Goaltenders

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey
Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver
Steve Mason, Columbus
Cam Ward, Carolina

Defensemen

Francois Beauchemin, UFA
Jay Bouwmeester, Calgary
Dan Boyle, San Jose
Brent Burns, Minnesota
Drew Doughty, Los Angeles
Mike Green, Washington
Dan Hamhuis, Nashville
Duncan Keith, Chicago
Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim
Dion Phaneuf, Calgary
Chris Pronger, Philadelphia
Robyn Regehr, Calgary
Stephane Robidas, Dallas
Brent Seabrook, Chicago
Marc Staal, New York Rangers
Shea Weber, Nashville

Forwards

Jeff Carter, Philadelphia
Dan Cleary, Detroit
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh
Shane Doan, Phoenix
Simon Gagne, Philadelphia
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim
Dany Heatley, Ottawa
Jarome Iginla, Calgary
Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay
Milan Lucic, Boston
Patrick Marleau, San Jose
Andy McDonald, St. Louis
Brenden Morrow, Dallas
Rick Nash, Columbus
Corey Perry, Anaheim
Mike Richards, Philadelphia
Derek Roy, Buffalo
Joe Sakic, Colorado
Patrick Sharp, Chicago
Ryan Smyth, Colorado
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay
Eric Staal, Carolina
Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh
Joe Thornton, San Jose
Jonathan Toews, Chicago

Damn...Thats a scary team. Im still surprised that Stamkos wasnt invited

spqr_ca: zippolight2002: Canadians hate the Wings because they're now the enemy of Crosburgh.

Are you at all aware that the guy making the decision is Steve Yzerman?

lol i was about to say the same thing.

With that roster and home ice the rest of the world is competing for silver.

4NSpy: I wouldn't mind if Heatley got snubbed, but I guess the people in charge aren't jerks like me.

Heatley could still find himself as a spectator along with the rest of us. If he decides to pull a hissy fit and not show up to the Senators training camp, or worse, show up and then half-ass it for the rest of the season, it could jeopardize his spot on the Team Canada roster. So, it's either accept a trade that has received a Murray stamp of approval, play your ass off with the Ottawa Senators, or sit out and lose your spot on Team Canada. I have to say, at this point, I really don't have a problem with any of those scenarios.

And while I'm on it, I still don't know why people keep acting surprised that Heatley was named to the Team Canada roster. When was the last time you ever saw a talented player being kept from playing in another organization because of a public spat? Ray Emery has a job in the NHL. Pronger and Comrie are still playing. Lindros was captain of Team Canada back in 1998. Hell, if you want to go to an extreme, even Todd Bertuzzi is still playing, and he almost killed a man.

Yarr, BIG trade news - Avalanche have traded Ryan Smyth to the Kings

Quadraton: And while I'm on it, I still don't know why people keep acting surprised that Heatley was named to the Team Canada roster. When was the last time you ever saw a talented player being kept from playing in another organization because of a public spat? Ray Emery has a job in the NHL. Pronger and Comrie are still playing. Lindros was captain of Team Canada back in 1998. Hell, if you want to go to an extreme, even Todd Bertuzzi is still playing, and he almost killed a man.

I have no problem with Heatley playing after the car accident, but more of a beef with how he's handling himself this offseason.

jekostas: Yarr, BIG trade news - Avalanche have traded Ryan Smyth to the Kings

I bet he's crying again, but this time not because he's leaving his team, but because he's going to the Kings.

Meanwhile, the Wings lose yet another forward...

waiting4godot: No Ovechkin? I guess he really is overrated. Can't even make the Olympic team.

A couple of bites. Not bad considering the bait.

And Stamkos isn't getting an invite but who is?

Doughty! Doughty! Doughty!

LA Kings, your 2023 Stanley Cup Champions!

epyonyx: Meanwhile, the Wings lose yet another forward...

Now it's just who takes a shot at Hudler, eh?

jekostas: Whoops, extra apostrophe in there....

Actually, of the guys I put in the headline, the only one that surprises me is Savard, though Canada is so incredibly deep at centre I could see it happening (that and apparently nobody really likes him).

Some surprises on forward for me where Lucic, Roy, Cleary and Morrow.

I understand after the "debacle" at Turin that Yzerman would want some grit in the lineup, though.

This line of thinking worries me. I understand the need for a balanced team, but if you look at the 2006 roster, lack of balance/grit was not what did it in. In fact they killed one roster space on a PK/faceoff/checking guy (Kris Draper), and another two on guys whose primary role was grit (Doan and Smyth.) When you take into the god-awful Bertuzzi selection, that's 4/12 forwards who are simply not effective offensive players at the international level. And of course, that team's actual problem was its horrendous offense.

Now, I'm terrified that Babcock and Yzerman are going to talk themselves into taking Cleary as a "grit" guy, or that the best PP d-man in the league (Green) will get snubbed in favor of a defense only, stay at home guy. Please don't. Stick to the guys who belong at that level.

Just for kicks:

Lecavalier-Crosby-Iginla
Nash-Getzlaf-Heatley
Gagne-Richards-Carter
Staal-Toews-Sharp
St. Louis

Niedermayer-Pronger
Bouwmeester-Weber
Keith-Green
Phaneuf

If you want St. Louis in the lineup, then switch Staal and Vinny.

Morrow? He didn't really even play last season. Me thinks he needs to brush up first, but eh...What do I know?

From TSN:

The Colorado Avalanche have traded Ryan Smyth to the Los Angeles Kings for defencemen Kyle Quincey, Tom Preissing and a fifth-round pick.

Huh.

Sounds like a bit of a salary dump. Are the Avalanche going after Tanguay again?

boxiebrown: that's 4/12 forwards who are simply not effective offensive players at the international level. And of course, that team's actual problem was its horrendous offense.



While I could see that concern, with the young offensive talent available for these upcoming Olympics I doubt very much offense will be a problem.

I mean, at centre alone they could have Crosby, Getzlaf and Richards make the team (wouldn't be surprising), all of whom are top end both scorers and setup men, and have all had considerable international experience.

However, with a smaller ice surface, size will definitely be to the Canadian team's advantage.

4NSpy: jekostas: Yarr, BIG trade news - Avalanche have traded Ryan Smyth to the Kings

I bet he's crying again, but this time not because he's leaving his team, but because he's going to the Kings.

hah!

+1

DalaiLamaDingDong: /not really suprised

You're not surprised that Sheldon Souray scored 32 goals from the point and didn't get an invite whiole guys like Dan Hamhuis, Stephane Robidas, and Marc Staal did?

Not much of an Oil fan, huh?

Deece: Sheldon Souray scored 32 goals from the point

Woops. Typo. That should be 23. But still 23 goals, 53 points (5th among Canadian D-men), +1 in a fairly shiatty defensive system...I'm not saying he should make the team, but it's just one more gotdamn slap in the face to the Oil and their fans.

Oilers and the city of Deadmonton suck. Theres another slap in the face

Deece: DalaiLamaDingDong: /not really suprised

You're not surprised that Sheldon Souray scored 32 goals from the point and didn't get an invite whiole guys like Dan Hamhuis, Stephane Robidas, and Marc Staal did?

Not much of an Oil fan, huh?

No. I'm a fan, just not surprised by the snub.

jekostas: And no, Osgood's NOT that good compared to who was invited. Regular season performances do count.

I'm not sure they do here. Osgood has consistently been better in the playoffs than the regular season...and I'd say that the tournament is a lot more comparable to the playoffs. If he needs to be big, Osgood almost always is. I would've considered slotting him in instead of Mason or Ward, although I don't think he would've made the cut anyway - I'd guess it'll be Brodeur, Luongo, and Fleury.

boxiebrown: I'm terrified that Babcock and Yzerman are going to talk themselves into taking Cleary as a "grit" guy

You know that Cleary is capable of scoring, right? 14 goals and 26 assists in the regular season, 9 and 15 in the post. That's not earth-shattering, but it's not bad, either.

Where is Tim Horton? Anyone who can pair a bowl of chili with a tasty doughnut on every exit of Canada's highway system deserves to be an Olympian. Ever had a doughnut fried up by Stamkos? Or a bowl of chili from Brad Richards? Yeah, didn't think so.

Souray is a pylon on defence, but people look at his offensive numbers instead and wonder why he didn't get an invite. Ovechkin could skate three circles around him, then flip it over his prone body for good measure then score.

Dknsvsbl: A well built hockey team needs players to fill a lot of roles: you need a scoring line, preferably two, you have to have goaltending, puckmoving D'men all of the obvious people.
But: to win a championship at the world level what you really need is the top player at each of the depth positions. You have to have the best playmaker ITW at center on your first line, but you also need the best faceoff man ITW on your penalty kill, and if he can also step in on the power play, that is a hell of a bonus. You have to have the best offensive D'man but you need the best stay at home man as well.
In the Worlds here in Halifax last year, the Canadian team had to use Jason Farking Spezza as a checking center!!!

Stevie Y's prliminary list looks to avoid these obvious pitfalls.
I think the Canadian team will do very well.

That's always been the problem with Team Canada, in recent years. They have so much talent, that the temptation is to build an All-Star team with four lines of snipers. That's awesome if you can do that, but that type of team doesn't win against other top teams. You need some muckers and grinders as well. A real checking line, not just your third best scoring line told to fill a checking role.

That's what gives me a little hope for Team USA. May not have as much pure talent as Canada or Russia, but Brian Burke gives the impression that he knows how to build a proper, balanced team that can compete.

IMDWalrus: jekostas: And no, Osgood's NOT that good compared to who was invited. Regular season performances do count.

I'm not sure they do here. Osgood has consistently been better in the playoffs than the regular season...and I'd say that the tournament is a lot more comparable to the playoffs. If he needs to be big, Osgood almost always is. I would've considered slotting him in instead of Mason or Ward, although I don't think he would've made the cut anyway - I'd guess it'll be Brodeur, Luongo, and Fleury.

boxiebrown: I'm terrified that Babcock and Yzerman are going to talk themselves into taking Cleary as a "grit" guy

You know that Cleary is capable of scoring, right? 14 goals and 26 assists in the regular season, 9 and 15 in the post. That's not earth-shattering, but it's not bad, either.

It's not bad, and I'd be happy to have Cleary on my favourite NHL team. But he just hasn't proven he can play at an Olympic level consistently. Bottom line is that if Cleary is on the team, it will be a mistake.

Doc Daneeka: That's always been the problem with Team Canada, in recent years. They have so much talent, that the temptation is to build an All-Star team with four lines of snipers.

See, I think that's something of a myth. See my above post about the 2006 team (the only team in recent memory that has really been a disappointment.) That team was obviously chosen with an eye towards balance and grit, and its real problem was a complete lack of 5v5 offense. Part of that was, after Niedermayer and Jovo went down, a kind of crummy defense. But part of it was also guys who are fine NHL players, but not really Olympic level scorers. (Guys like Draper, Smyth, Doan, Bertuzzi and Richards.)

I think the solution is to take players who are very well-rounded - guys who are elite in at least two areas of the game. I think if you choose a guy thinking "Okay, he's or PK specialist," you get into trouble, because it gives you a shorter bench when you really need a goal. That's why it's so awesome to have someone like Mike Richards on the team - elite on the PK, and at even strength.

Anyway, that's just my two cents, I think it would be hard to screw this team up too much. At the very least the D will be a lot faster and more talented than last time. And even if a guy like Cleary sneaks on, it doesn't mean we can't win Gold!!

At least we haven't heard anyone talk about how Canada could build three medal winning teams and take home the Gold, Silver and Bronze, right before all the top level talent decides to retire. Not yet, anyway.

Steve Mason, that kid is good. He's either going to end up like Roy or like Potvin.

The next few years should be good.

If Bouwmeester stays sober and Healy doesn't kill anybody they should do OK.

You can't fark with Savard. Big snub. Marleau? McDonald? Roy? Over Savard?


Oh, and at least I have more of a reason to go to a Kings game this year. Slowly but surely they're working on it.

Not a horrible trade by the Kings. Quincey was a free pick up off the waiver wires (Detroit let him go, and he's recovering from back surgery to end the year), Tom Preissing was going to spend the year buried in the minors (poor play and some health concerns), and a fifth?

Kings needed to find some sort of scoring at the left wing. Only real asset lost is Quincey (already replaced by the Scuderi signing) with a prospect likely to fight for a spot too. Can't really see anything wrong with it considering the abundant cap space the Kings have at the moment.

Richards really surprised me. They are too deep at center for him to make the team, but not to get an invite? Odd.

I'm a Sharks fan, but I'd take him over either Marleau or Thornton. He elevates his game when it matters. I mean, 7 of Tampa's 16 game winning goals in the playoffs in '04 were scored by that "nobody."
He ain't fast, but he can set up plays for those who are. And Gretzky said he was one of the only players that impressed him in the disaster that was the 2006 games. Besides, he can play a wing, too. Put him with Lecavalier and those two are so in tune to each other it'd be like the Sedins, only they didn't share a uterus.

I'm ok with all the snubs. Savard is a good playmaker, but Canada has plenty of that already. I like Toews better anyway (I'm a Winnipegger though). I think the biggest snub was Marleau. He's far too underrated.

I also think Mike Green is a defensive liability and shouldn't make the team. Weber and Bouwmeester can anchor the PP and play great D. Among my friends, I'm kind of alone on that thinking though.

Sweden and Russia are equals to Canada in my opinion. This is by no means a lock for us. I actually kind of hope that if Yzerman wins it all, they still give the GM spot to someone else next time (Lemieux?). Gretzky did great in 2002 then farked up royally in 2006. If we keep switching it the person in charge will continue to do the right thing the first time around.

homarjr: I'm ok with all the snubs. Savard is a good playmaker, but Canada has plenty of that already. I like Toews better anyway (I'm a Winnipegger though). I think the biggest snub was Marleau. He's far too underrated.


Marleau got an invite.

NotEric: Not a horrible trade by the Kings. Quincey was a free pick up off the waiver wires (Detroit let him go, and he's recovering from back surgery to end the year), Tom Preissing was going to spend the year buried in the minors (poor play and some health concerns), and a fifth?


It is a good trade for the Kings, they needed veteran scoring, they have cap space, and they really didn't give up anything worthwhile.

As I mentioned before, this is a salary dump by the Avalanche - they're going after someone, and my guess would be Tanguay.

S.A.S.Q.U.A.T.C.H.: You can't fark with Savard. Big snub. Marleau? McDonald? Roy? Over Savard?.

Even if Savard got an invite, he would probably fall down the depth chart behind Crosby (who WILL be on the team, make no mistake), Thornton, Lecavelier and Getzlaf in terms of playmaking centres.

As to the guys you mentioned, Marleau and Roy are natural wingers, and McDonald... well, okay, I admit I don't really understand that one, but I'm not Steve Yzerman either.

NotEric: waiting4godot: No Ovechkin? I guess he really is overrated. Can't even make the Olympic team.

A couple of bites. Not bad considering the bait.

I'm embarrassed for those that took it.

Decent list though, go Canada.

Canada will need a different style of play with skaters, not checkers.
the fasted, puck-passing team also wins the gold!

Deece: DalaiLamaDingDong: /not really suprised

You're not surprised that Sheldon Souray scored 32 goals from the point and didn't get an invite whiole guys like Dan Hamhuis, Stephane Robidas, and Marc Staal did?

Not much of an Oil fan, huh?

Well, international hockey is played on a bigger ice surface, and there are fewer penalties than in the NHL.

Taken together, that means there are many fewer goals scored by blasts from the blue line.

Since Souray has abilities beyond his shot, that's definitely his biggest ace in the hole. Discount that, and he falls way down in the list of Canadian defensemen.

I_Love_Cheesecake: Tr0mBoNe: Book it. Done.

For whom? It's no sure thing that Canada will win. My money is on Sweden, then either Russia or Canada.

/unless farking Belarus topples Sweden again

I don't even recall such a game.

Ironically enough, there's no Canadiens on the Canadians team

jekostas:


As I mentioned before, this is a salary dump by the Avalanche - they're going after someone, and my guess would be Tanguay.



It won't be Tanguay, Avs have been very clear about not signing him. Not entirely sure why, but it won't happen

echinuts: Ironically enough, there's no Canadiens on the Canadians team

Must be payback for the all start game

thegod082: Hockey Canada unveils it is Olympic Team camp invites?

Yeah, a few days after USA Hockey did the exact same thing.

Hiro's Protagonist: 2010 Olympic Hockey

Huh, I did not know that.

That's actually too bad. I like the bigger ice for international tourneys.

Also, despite what his naysayers say, I think there's still a good chance that he'll be on the team. There are quite a few old timers on that list that sat out most of last season from injuries.

I_Love_Cheesecake: Tr0mBoNe: Book it. Done.

For whom? It's no sure thing that Canada will win. My money is on Sweden, then either Russia or Canada.

/unless farking Belarus topples Sweden again
that happened 8 years ago... we got over it last olympics when we won the gold.... not really, we just dont talk about

sweden-gold repeat but w/ruskies = silver & finland/canada fighting for bronze ( my $ is on finland)

good year 4 us in the draft... the rest of the nhl finally caught on ;)


/canada thread jack

In what world is 30-year-old Brenden Morrow a "youngster?"

Svensk: I_Love_Cheesecake: Tr0mBoNe: Book it. Done.

For whom? It's no sure thing that Canada will win. My money is on Sweden, then either Russia or Canada.

/unless farking Belarus topples Sweden again
that happened 8 years ago... we got over it last olympics when we won the gold.... not really, we just dont talk about

sweden-gold repeat but w/ruskies = silver & finland/canada fighting for bronze ( my $ is on finland)

good year 4 us in the draft... the rest of the nhl finally caught on ;)


/canada thread jack

Yar, I'm thinking it will be between Sweden and Russia for the gold. There is so much damn hype here in Canada about our Olympic hockey team and everyone is thinking that it's a foregone conclusion that gold is ours. It pisses me off. There is a great deal of hockey talent on other national teams, y'know.

Not listed, but Chicago done f*cked up GOOD - Link (new window)

cransformer: thegod082: Hockey Canada unveils it is Olympic Team camp invites?

Yeah, a few days after USA Hockey did the exact same thing.

I think someone needs to explain this to you.

He was pointing out that it should have been its, not it's.

boxiebrown:
...I'd be happy to have Cleary on my favourite NHL team. But he just hasn't proven he can play at an Olympic level consistently. Bottom line is that if Cleary is on the team, it will be a mistake.

Yea, because Cleary's had SO MANY chances to play consistently at the Olympic level already.

pelzo63: zippolight2002: Ofcoarse Osgood wouldnt get an invite. He could have won the cup and STILL not get an invite. Canadians hate the Wings because they're now the enemy of Crosburgh.

this is obviously why the head coach of Team Canada is Mike Babcock and the Executive Director of Team Canada is Steve Yzerman, and they did all the choosing.

"Executive director Steve Yzerman said that he, in conjunction with Babcock's staff, whittled down their preliminary player list to what they deemed a workable number - 46 - so the coaches could run a proper and manageable orientation camp, which will be held in Calgary during the final week of August."

http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=12460.html#hockey+canada+invites+ olympic+camp (new window)

Ooh, I live in Calgary, and if form holds,National team often practices at Father David Bauer or Oval. So,who wants me to go and yell things at Dany Heatley for $5?

People are really picking Sweden over Canada/Russia? Wow. I know it's a one game tournament but... come on. The safest bet is easily a Canada/Russia high scoring final with hopefully Canada coming up on top(I'm a Canadian but a huge Capitals fan so if Russia wins I won't be completely dissapointed).

I can find faults with the team Sweden will probably field... same with Russia but I can't think of any for Canada(I have faith in Yzerman to make the right picks after what happened in '06).

Outside of Russians two monster forward lines they have no depth. Just pray that you take 0 penalties against Russia. Goddamn those PP lines will be monsters. Might as well just give them the goal. If you're going to beat Russia you better score 4+ goals.

Canada > Russia 5-4 in OT for the gold medal
Sweden > Finland(Czechs?) for the bronze