2010 Olympics Team Canada (updated)
So a while back I posted a list of players I thought would be selected to the 2010 edition of Team Canada for the Vancouver Olympics. We're still over a year away, but I though this would be a good time to re-visit and provide my suggestions for a gold medal winning team.
Overall - it looks pretty good to me. A talented team able to put the puck in the net, but filled with guys who don't give up on the puck either. I love a potential line of Crosby with Nash and Heatley. Explosive speed, touch and play making will probably make that line the most exciting to watch since Gretzky, Lemieux and Hawerchuck during the '87 Canada Cup. The second most exciting line at the Olympics could be the Thornton unit with Gagner and Iggy. Those two played along side Mario in 2002, and looking at their performances since, they aren't slowing down. That being said, I don't think anyone could make an argument that Joe Thornton isn't the best best passer in the NHL and his abilities to set up opportunities on Canada's second line will make this unit better than most countries top lines. A third line comprising of Brad Richards, Vinny and Ryan Getzlaf will have the chance to put up huge numbers as opposing teams will have to deal with Canada's #1&2 lines. The fourth line of pairs up Shane Doan with Eric and Jordan Staal. While any one of these three players can put the puck in the net, they'll be required to shut down the opponents big gun's (namely Alex and Evegni who I imagine the Russians would put on the same line along with Semin).
A solid defensive core who can move the puck up ice and make sure opposition players don't get their way either. Although the pairings can change with these core six players you can put any two of them together and not have to worry about a thing. Canadian goaltending (historically our strongest asset) is in good shape as well. Although I've left Martin Brodeur off the list we're going to be just fine. Luongo will certainly start all if not most games in the Olympic tournament, but I'm always a fan of having a couple youngsters around to gain experience. Carey Price and Marc-Andre Fleury will be able to learn and pick up tricks in order to lead the way in 2014 and perhaps even 2018.
Nash - Crosby (C) - Heatley
Gagner - Thornton (A) - Iginla
Lecalvalier - Richards - Getzlaf
Staal - Staal - Doan
Pronger (A) - Phaneuf
Green - Campbell
Weber - Stuart
Luongo
Price
Fleury
Gagner - Thornton (A) - Iginla
Lecalvalier - Richards - Getzlaf
Staal - Staal - Doan
Pronger (A) - Phaneuf
Green - Campbell
Weber - Stuart
Luongo
Price
Fleury
Overall - it looks pretty good to me. A talented team able to put the puck in the net, but filled with guys who don't give up on the puck either. I love a potential line of Crosby with Nash and Heatley. Explosive speed, touch and play making will probably make that line the most exciting to watch since Gretzky, Lemieux and Hawerchuck during the '87 Canada Cup. The second most exciting line at the Olympics could be the Thornton unit with Gagner and Iggy. Those two played along side Mario in 2002, and looking at their performances since, they aren't slowing down. That being said, I don't think anyone could make an argument that Joe Thornton isn't the best best passer in the NHL and his abilities to set up opportunities on Canada's second line will make this unit better than most countries top lines. A third line comprising of Brad Richards, Vinny and Ryan Getzlaf will have the chance to put up huge numbers as opposing teams will have to deal with Canada's #1&2 lines. The fourth line of pairs up Shane Doan with Eric and Jordan Staal. While any one of these three players can put the puck in the net, they'll be required to shut down the opponents big gun's (namely Alex and Evegni who I imagine the Russians would put on the same line along with Semin).
A solid defensive core who can move the puck up ice and make sure opposition players don't get their way either. Although the pairings can change with these core six players you can put any two of them together and not have to worry about a thing. Canadian goaltending (historically our strongest asset) is in good shape as well. Although I've left Martin Brodeur off the list we're going to be just fine. Luongo will certainly start all if not most games in the Olympic tournament, but I'm always a fan of having a couple youngsters around to gain experience. Carey Price and Marc-Andre Fleury will be able to learn and pick up tricks in order to lead the way in 2014 and perhaps even 2018.
posted by tim_cbl at
11:21 AM
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