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