Glen Thoughts

Steve Yzerman gave me the best birthday present I could have ever asked for.  A chance to talk about hockey!!!  The team was named back on December 30th, and since then a great deal of debate has started, and as usual it has been focused on who is not playing as opposed to the great picks that were made. With a host of names ranging from Green, Doan, Fisher, Ward, and pretty much anyone good who plays for Tampa or Calgary.

Instead of giving a position by position break down like I was intending, I decided to start my Olympic analysis a little differently.  My hockey-hetero-life-mate Troy and I have decided to play scavenger and each take our own teams full of players that have been left over.  This is going to be a series of posts, starting with today, as we both make our initial 5 picks today.

Just out of interest, we are starting with the team that was named.  Any replacements made due to injury are going to be ignored, because, really, that would be a little too difficult.

In debating over this we argued about who should make the first pick and decided to have an MSN rock-paper-scissors war.  It lasted forever as we both insisted on taking rock every time.  Finally in the 127th round a victor was declared as Troy took…a bigger rock.

He used his first pick to take:

Troy Says: With the first pick of the 2010 Shadow draft I hereby select Steve Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning.  In my opinion he is one of the most talented players in the league not on an olympic roster.  Yes he is young, but after a small stumble in his rookie season he has shown that he excels under the spotlight and what bigger spotlight can there be than the Olympics in your own country.  Once surrounded by a little more experience and grit Stamkos will shine on my team Canada Part Deux.

Glen Says: Solid first overall pick.  A late dry spell pushed him just off the radar.  If he plays anything like he did at the World Championships your team is off to a good start.

Pick #2

Jeff Carter, Philadelphia Flyers

Glen Says: While nobody will come out and say it, it seems pretty obvious to me that cutting Carter was the last decision that Yzerman and company made.  As such it seems fitting that drafting him is the first decision that Team Glen (henceforth referred to as:  Glenitoba) makes.  Carter is one of the most versatile players in the league.  He can play all three forward positions, skate well, score with the best of them (as he did 45 times last year) and even fill a checking roll.

Troy Says: You can’t go wrong with Jeff Carter.  Solid pick.

Pick # 3
Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning

Troy Says: In such a short tournament there is definitely something to say for chemistry which helps make taking Vinny an easier choice.  He has certainly had a bit of an off year but his skill and toughness is still there and I think he would be a great help to my first pick, Steve Stamkos.  Vinny is a tough and proud player and I’m sure this year has been hard on him but I believe that if given the chance he would make the best of the opportunity and make my team, Trontario, a very difficult team to play against.

Glen Says: Another golden pick.  The guy can hit, score, and most importantly: win.   It’s kind of surreal to think that he’s available at this point.  He seemed like a lock until the start of the season.  Also, I was going to call your team Trontario for you, but I left it up to you.  Thanks for filling it in for me.

Looks Natural Doesn't It? Glen sure hopes so....

Pick #4
Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes

Glen Says: He’s easily the best option available in net for our nation.  A slow start to the season cost him the third spot on the roster.  I can’t say that I blame the powers that be for taking Fleury instead, but there is no way that I am going to pass one a goalie with one of the best clutch records in recent history.  Come on, the guy is 6-1 in playoff series all time.  I’m sure he could deliver for the red and white when it matters.

Troy Says: That is a fantastic pic.  All this kid does is win big
games.  He was definitely on my wish list.  Good pick up Glen, I’m
totally jealous.

Pick #5
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning

Celebrating a chance to win Gold for Trontario

Troy Says: Originally I wasn’t trying to get the trio from Tampa but having already picked Stamkos and Lecavalier how could I not go with St. Louis to round it out.  With my last pick I mentioned how important chemistry can be in such a short tournament like this so I think I will heed my own advice by taking St. Louis.  He is dynamic and quick and can really make things happen out on the ice and I know he would make Trontario proud.

Glen Says: I considered taking St. Louis just to screw with you, not going to lie.  Also, I sent Troy several MSN messages in between picks which all involved me implying that if he took St. Louis he would be less of a man.  Clearly he’s too clever for that game.  Also, funny that at the start of the season people were calling for the three Lightning forwards to make it instead of Marleau-Thornton-Heatley.

Pick #6
Jay Bouwmeester, Calgary Flames

Glen Says: I get most of the big name omissions.  Most of the players sitting it out were replaced by other players who can fill a similar role.  Why take LeCavalier when you have Staal?  Why take Carter when you have Bergeron?  Why take Stamkos when you have Toews?  But this one I just don’t get.  Big Jay is consistently in the top of the league in terms of ice time, and he sees plenty of power play and penalty killing time.  He skates well and has a hard shot and has Olympic experience, so why is he no on the roster?  The only strike against him is his lack of playoff experience, but Glenitoba will gladly look past that.

Troy Says: Not going to lie…..the Bouweester pick hurts.  He was probably my next pick.  I’ve been eyeing him for a while.  Good call Glenny.

Pick #7
Dustin Penner, Edmonton Oilers

Troy Says: Penner has been a man possessed.  After a terrible season in Edmonton last year and a trade that thankfully didn’t happen Penner has finally begun to realise the potential that Kevin Lowe saw in him.  He has been using his size to his advantage and he is hard to get off the puck which is exactly the type of player that Team Trontario is going for.

Glen Says: I really didn’t see that one coming!  I mean it’s a damn good pick, but I still have a hard time taking Penner seriously.  You’ve got the making of a damn good forward contingent my friend.

Pick #8
Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames

Glen Says: Troy made such a great argument about chemistry that I decided to take his advice.  While Phaneuf is having a disappointing year, the potential is certainly there for improvement.  Whenever I think of Dion wearing the Maple Leaf I remember hte 2005 World Juniors when he and Shea Weber owned Ovechkin in the finals.  He and Bouwmeester will be counted on to do that this time.

Troy Says: Another solid pick my friend.  Unfortunately Phaneuf has had a bit of an off year but just like you said whenever I think of Dion I think of 2005 World Juniors too where he just destroyed everything in his path and with the right motivation he can definitely do it again.

He was still available? Seriously???

Pick #9
Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes

Troy Says: My intention was to take a defencemen with this pick but when I saw that Doan was still available how could I pass on him?  For a while it seemed as though he was going to take the title of Captain Canada from Ryan Smyth.  Either way though Doan is a solid two-way forward and I think he was be a great addition to the rest of my more offensively minded forwards.

Glen Says: I agree with that pick fully.  Doan is a force, and I had him pegged as an absolute lock for a long time in all of my guesses to this roster.  It’s a shock that he’s not playing.

Pick #10
Mike Green, Washington Capitals

Glen Says: I was going to take a forward here, but really, what’s the difference?  Green is simply amazing to lead the rush and is easily the top offensive d-man in the league.  He would excel in the faster Olympic game.  Understandably he wasn’t selected due to his perception as a defensive liability, but I think that he is more responsible than he is given credit for.  Glenitoba welcome the risks and the rewards of his game.

Troy Says: Green will definitely be a force.  His offensive upside trumps his defensive downside for sure.

So to summarize, the teams so far look as follows…

Torontario – Forwards:  Stamkos, LeCavalier, St. Louis, Penner, Doan

Glenitoba – Forward:  Carter, Defensemen:  Bouwmeester, Phaneuf, Green, Goaltenders:  Ward

Tune in later as the teams start to flesh out a bit more!!!!

Until next time,

G