With the announcement of the roster invitees for Team Canada’s orientation camps being posted, there has been numerous debate as to who Canada should select to represent us in Sochi. GM Yzerman has already stated that an emphasis will be placed on mobility and skating for players, due to the bigger ice. Olympic surfaces are 100ft wide compared to NHL surfaces are 85ft wide allowing for 15ft extra for players to display there skill. With that in mind Yzerman is already attempting to create a roster that will out skate, out skill, and outscore there opponents, Yzerman also will have the luxury of adding two roster spots, as this year the IIHF has increased the roster spots from 23 to 25.
Canada has so much depth that we could easily have two teams compete at a high level, meaning there will be much shock and awe regarding the selections. The amount of talent at the centre position is disturbing which will force some players to the wing, and it doesn’t stop there the amount of top level defenceman is unmatched in this tournament. The biggest question mark will be in goal heading into Sochi, as a number of younger goalies have just burst onto the scene, and the veterans our heading out, lastly a number of top Canadian goalies are coming off down or injury plagued seasons. So without further ado, here are my choices for the team, I will try and explain my choices as I go along, starting with what I believe will be the easiest choices who plays on the blue line.
Invited to camp: Weber, Subban, Doughty, Keith, Letang, Green, Phaneuf, Karl Alzner, Jay Bouwmeester, Dan Boyle, Dan Hamhuis, Travis Hamonic, Marc Methot, Alex Pietrangelo, Brent Seabrook, Marc Staal, Marc-Edouard Vlasic
2014 Selections: Keith – Seabrook, Doughty – Pietrangelo, Weber – Letang, Extras:Hamhuis – Subban
With the extra roster position I think they Yzerman will take an additional defence pairing, I can’t see Yzerman not keeping Keith and Seabrook together, they once again proved they are a dominating pair leading the Blackhawks to this years Cup. Doughty, Pietrangelo, and Weber are the best two way defenceman this country has. Hamhuis is the only other left handed shot selected here, and is responsible in both ends. Lastly Subban and Letang are interchangeable, but the edge goes to Letang here, both put up points but Letang has a few more years consistency and experience.
Now on to the forwards which I know people will be outraged but as mentioned before there are just two many good players, and we can only select 14 of them.
Invited to camp: Crosby, Toews, Stamkos, Eric Staal, Tavares, Giroux, Bergeron, Richards, Jordan Staal, Lucic, Nash, Perry, Carter, St. Louis, Hall, Thornton, Duchene, Couture, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Getzlaf, Chris Kunitz, Andrew Ladd, Brad Marchand, James Neal, Patrick Sharp
2014 Selections: Stamkos – Crosby – St. Louis, Perry – Getzlaf – E.Stall, Tavares – Toews – Giroux, Nash – Bergeron – Lucic Extras: Couture, Hall
The top three lines I believe are the closest thing to a lock, the top line of Stamkos, Crosby and St. Louis has so much speed and skill that keeping the three of them contained is going to cause fits. St. Louis proved he can still play at a high level, and is one of the best setup men in the league. Pairing that with Crosby and his regular linemate Stamkos they should have no problem putting the puck in the net. Perry, Getzlaf, and E.Stall have the chemistry of playing together in many WC and the last Olympics, they are all strong two way players who get up and down the ice and cause some trouble in the offensive zone. Tavares, Toews, Giroux bring both a great amount of skill, size and speed, the creativity of both Tavares and Giroux should compliment each other well. Nash, Bergeron, Lucic this is the only line were I know Bergeron will be the center the best two way forward in the game he will be your shutdown guy. Nash and Lucic get the nod as they are also talented in there own end, and can keep the puck out of the net and get in the way. In the offensive end they will get pucks on net and cause some traffic. Hall and Couture get the extra spots here both are young, fast and talented and will be leading the next Olympics so the experience will be invaluable, and can replace anyone of the wingers if needed.
Now that we have discussed all that time to look at the goaltending, which I know every Canadian looks at wonders not only whose going to be selected, but who is going to start. There are question marks aplenty in the crease with many Canadian goalies coming off injuries, down years, slumps or are just coming into there own.
Invited to camp: Luongo, Crawford, Price, Holtby, Smith
2014 Selections: Luongo, Price, Crawford
Lets start by saying this Crawford, Smith and Holtby have a combined 1 game of international experience, so someone is going to get to join to learn about the experience. It becomes Crawford if he can continue his spectacular play from last season, and through the playoffs. Price comes based on his limited success in international play, and has been one of the better Canadian goalies, as long as he proves he is over his last season struggles and will back up Luongo. Thats right Luongo gets the start here, he is still one of the top Canadian goalies, has great numbers in international competition and was the starting goalie in the gold medal game. With the distraction of last season behind him, Luongo should go back to being his self and putting up respectable numbers.
So there it is my predictions for Team Canada 2014, barring any injury I will be intrigued and following who will get the selections. Let the debating for the next six months begin, and here is hoping everyone has a great season.
sportsfanrant 