With Team Canada being named a little less than a week ago, I thought I would write about my thoughts about the team and how I did with my predictions. I have talked and listened to as many people as I could about their thoughts and I think that everyone has a pretty similar opinion. This is just my opinion, in no way am I stating that Steve Yzerman and the team Canada group made the wrong decision. They watched many games in the process and picked each player for a reason.
FORWARDS(13)
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins, C
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, C (A)
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks, C
Dany Heatley, San Jose Sharks, LW
Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, RW (A)
Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks, RW
Brenden Morrow, Dallas Stars, LW
Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets, LW
Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks, RW
Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers, C
Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes, C
Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks, C
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks, C
Overall this is a very talented group of forwards and I definitely dont have any issues with it. I dont understand the selecteion of Patrice Bergeron. Im not saying he is a bad player or anything like that, because he is a very good and talented player. Before the selection, the final couple of spots were considered to be between Bergeron, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. With Bergeron and Richards being very similar players who at the end of the day would probably play a similar role on the team, it seemed like there would only be one or the other picked. With both of them being selected i dont understand how team Canada has room for both of them but at the same time, Richards should be a lock on the team. Personally I would have liked to see Jeff Carter who could add some scoring touch or a guy like Shane Doan who has represented Canada in almost every competition possible. Other than Bergeron, I don't have any complaints. The Canadians, have a very talented top 6 with the likes of Sidney Crosby, Jarome Iginla, Dany Heatley, Joe Thornton, Rick Nash and Patrick Marleau. There is a good mix of youth and experience while having some chemistry with the Sharks trio and Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. I am ecstatic that Jonathan Toews cracked the roster, he is my pick to be the dark horse of the tournament. From my predicted picks, I correctly picked 10 of 13 picks, with Doan, Carter and Martin St. Louis being the blemishes.
DEFENSE(7)
Dan Boyle, San Jose Sharks
Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim Ducks (C)
Chris Pronger, Philadelphia Flyers (A)
Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks
Shea Weber, Nashville Predators
NO JAY BOUWMEESTER?!?!? This is the biggest surprise of them all and in my opinion Bouwmeester should be on this team. Bergeron could be on the team any day, if Bouwmeester is on it, in my mind this is unbelievable that Jay-Bo isn't on the team. Drew Doughty is a great player and if the NHL goes to the Olympics in 2014, unless something out of anyone's control happens, Doughty is a lock to go there. My issue is he is only 20 years old and I don't think a player his age will be able to handle the pressure this team is going to have on it when February comes along. In my mind, when Mike Babcock looks down his bench in a crucial point of the game, I cant see Doughty being on the ice, so why not have Bouwmeester there so then you have 7 guys who you could close your eyes and pick to go on the ice. If there is any injury from now to February, whether it is a defensemen or a forward, I would say Bouwmeester is the next guy to go. The other 6 guys are outstanding, from Scott Niedermayer to Brent Seabrook, the group has a good mix of youth and experience. From my picks, I correctly picked 4 of 7. I picked Mike Green over Boyle but have no issue seeing Seabrook over Robyn Regehr.
GOALIES(3)
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks
All I have to say Martin Brodeur is the starter and I surprisingly got 3 out of 3 picks correct here. I hope everyone else did as well.
My Projected Lines:
1- NASH-CROSBY-IGINLA
2- HEATLEY-THORNTON-MARLEAU
3- TOEWS-GETZLAF-PERRY
4- MORROW-RICHARDS-STAAL
E- BERGERON
1- NIEDERMAYER-BOYLE
2- PRONGER-WEBER
3- SEABROOK-KEITH
E- DOUGHTY
1- BRODEUR
2- LUONGO
3- FLEURY
Overall, this team is a favourite for the gold medal and fans in Canada will only be happy with the gold. Everyone has their own opinion but if Canada wins the gold, everyone will say I knew they would be ok and in love with Steve Yzerman. At the end of the day there will be injuries to 1 or 2 players by the tournaments start up so the team is not yet official. Now that the team has been assembled, I think the Canadians greatest strength and even as much as I wonder about Bergeron and Doughty, we have the best coach in the world with Babcock and I think he will be our greatest advantage in winning a gold medal. I am extremely excited for this team and cannot wait for the Olympics to start.
GO CANADA GO!!
