Pardon me for not making any more Olympic posts a few weeks ago. After predicting that Canada would beat the US in the round-robin, I felt anything that I would say would jinx the luck of our boys. And in the aftermath, I really didn’t feel like I had all that much to say. It was amazing. It really, really was.
When thinking about the Olympic Games, there are a few things that I need to say:
1) Yes, I watched the game, even if it started at 4am here. I wrote a post about the experience over at Lost Lao Wai. I hope you’ll enjoy it.
2) Yes, I organized a pool for the Olympics. And yes, I won on the tie-breaker. First time I’ve ever won a big pool!
3) Yes, I think that the NHL players will be in Russia in 2014. There’s no reason for them not to be. It’s THE biggest way for the game to grow, and they need all the great publicity that they can get.
4) Yes, I still think that Canada will win Gold. The US team will be very good, and the Russian team will be motivated, but our team will still be the favourite.
Speaking of the 2014 team, allow me to make my first of several cracks at guessing the roster…
THE SURE CUTS
These are the list of players, from the 2010 team who will most likely not be on the 2014 team.
Martin Brodeur: The guy is a legend, and quite possibly the best goalie of all time. However, we must point out that at 38 year old, he is the oldest member of the Canadian roster. I love the guy, but he will not be playing at 42.
It may be time for these two warriors to hang up the red sweater
Scott Niedermayer: He all but stated that he was played in the NHL this season to wear the Red and White in his hometown. He was one of the few members of this team to have already won a Gold Medal (and you know, everything else) but that kind of experience won’t be needed in 4 years.
Chris Pronger: Hard to believe that he’s already getting old, eh? Pronger joins Brodeur as the only Canadian to represent his team at all 4 NHL Olympics. There is no way that he’s going to make it 5.
Patrick Marleau: He’s having a great year, but that is mainly due to Joe Thornton, Danny Heatley, and an expiring contract. I don’t see him sticking around in San Jose after this year (assuming that they once again fail to win the Cup). So there go two of his main reasons to be on the team. Plus his hard checking style should wear him down a bit too much over the next four years.
Patrice Bergeron: If we didn’t win then people would be calling for his head. He was the most controversial selection, especially when Jeff Carter and Steven Stamkos were both left off the team. Unless he has some great years ahead of him, he won’t be able to get another spot.
Brendan Morrow: One of my favourite picks performed very well at these games, especially with the two Ducks. However, he is the same age as Marleau and plays a much rougher game. Add in the fact that he’s had several injury issues, and I don’t think that he’ll be getting an invitation to Socchi.
Dan Boyle: Had a bit of an inconsistent tournament, and more than likely won’t get invited back. Especially given the fact that he’s 33 right now, and I doubt that he’ll improve to much with age.
THE SURE THINGS
These are the guys who should definitely be invited back in 4 years.
Really, where you expecting someone else to top this list?
Sidney Crosby:
Not only will he be on the first line, but he’ll be the Captain.
Jonathan Toews: After Crosby he would be my next pick. He had an unreal tournament in a complimentary role, and should be poised to take more responsibility in 4 years.
Shea Weber: Definitely Canada’s best defenseman at the tournament. He saw a lot of ice time against Ovechkin and Parise, and should only be better in four years.
Marc-Andre Fleury: He never saw a minute of ice-time, but given the players that were in front of him, that’s not a big surprise. He has improved dramatically in the last three years, and should continue to grow as his career starts to peak. He’d be a strong contender for the starting job.
Mike Richards: Seemed like he was going to not see too much ice time after his mid-season slump, but damnit, he played great.
Ryan Getzlaf and Correy Perry: I write these two together, because I think that they are inexorably linked. They have identical contracts with the same team for a number of years and will probably spend most of their career as a dominant duo in the NHL. I think that if one of them slumps, then the other slumps. No reason to think that they both won’t make it.
Eric Staal: Was a monster on Crosby’s wing, and there’s no reason to think that he won’t be asked back to do it again.
Drew Doughty: Team Canada’s youngest player looked very mature out there. It’s scary to see just how good he is at his age. Imagine what another four years will do for him!
Rick Nash: Hands up if you saw that coming? LIARS!!! I really had no idea that Rick Nash could take on a checking role. I thought that he would definitely be Crosby’s running mate. I was amazed that he was able to take on a shut-down role, and I think that a lot of the credit for that goes to Ken Hitchcock.
Duncan Keith: He had a great tournament, and continues to impress. Also, he’ll be staying in Chicago for a long, long time and should be apart of Team Canada for a long, long time.
Danny Heatley: Something about him and international hockey that just works. He’ll be getting old in 4 years, but should get a legacy nod. Still though, he’ll be good enough to contribute.
THE BUBBLE BOYS
Here are the players from the 2010 Team that will probably be on the bubble in four years.
Joe Thornton: Jumbo Joe didn’t have the best of tournaments, and given the fact that he’s not getting any younger he may be cut. Especially if he can’t shake his “choker” label.
Brent Seabrook: He seemed like a logical fit, especially given the fact that his linemate was selected. However, he fell down the depth chart pretty fast and looked a little overwhelmed at times. If he plays like he did in the playoffs last year, then maybe he will be given another shot.
Roberto Luongo: FUN FACT: Luongo, Thornton, Marleau, and Morrow were all drafted in the first round of the 1997 draft. Meaning that they will all be 35 in 2014. It’s really, really hard to tell with goalies. Some can play at a high level for a long time, others…not so much. I think that Luo will still be an elite goalie in four years, but it’s far from a sure thing.
Jarome Iginla: The man who took the 2002 Olympic Team by storm, may not get a fourth games under his belt. It’s hard to say, especially as his production is fading after years of physical play start to take their tole on him. He will be 36 during the Sochi games, which may be too old. I think that he’ll be there for the locker room influence, but it’s hard to say.
THE UP-AND-COMERS
So obviously we will need somebody to replace the seven players that will definitely not be coming back and the four that are maybes. Here are their most likely replacements, some of whom are more likely than others:
Steve Mason: The Blue Jackets goalie was apparently on-call in case one of the three keepers got hurt. He’s struggling a bit this year, but sophmore slump and a bad team will do that to a man. Expect him to be back a big name in four years.
Steven Stamkos: What a difference a year makes! Stamkos is currently among the league leaders in goals, and should continue to develop into a more and more dominant player as the years go on. I would be shocked if he’s not featured prominently in Canada’s offense.
Tyler Myers: The Sabres defenseman is a favourite to win the Calder Trophy right now and should only get better with age. I’d put him as a lock at the moment.
Matt Duchene: The other half of the two-man Calder race. He is one of the most mature and poised 19 year olds you will ever find. He plays a solid two way game. He’ll most certainly have a similar role to Jonathan Towes at these games.
Mike Green: I’m still kind of shocked that he didn’t make this team, but I get why. He’s weak defensively, but is improving all the time. I think that he’ll be more responsible in four years time.
Jeff Carter: He was my first selection for the NOlympic Draft, and was the first injury reserve. I think that he should continue to get better with age.
Marc Staal: He handles big minutes in New York against some big names, including Sidney Crosby. He should join his brother Eric on the squad.
Michael Del Zolto: The other Rangers young defenseman. He started out as an offensive force, but has slid a bit. Four years is a lot of time to rebound for someone his age.
Jonathan Tavares: He has had some struggles on the Island, but really, can you blame him? He’s a bonafide superstar in the making and would be a great addition to our team. Hopefully he can develop his defensive game a bit more.
Carey Price: Sure he’s struggling now, but don’t worry. The kid’s got talent and will let it shine. He could be good enough to nab the third string spot if the other favourites fall.
Dion Phaneuf: Once considered a lock for the 2010 team, but had a bit of a nightmare in Calgary this season. The fresh start in Toronto could help him reach his potential, but then again, when does anyone ever reach their potential in Toronto?
Luke Schenn: …speaking of which.
Nathan Horton: Could be a contender for the Brendan Morrow, “tough guy who scores ugly goals” spot on the roster. He does need a chance to have a dominant playoffs like Morrow did in 2008. That may not happen in the Sunshine State anytime soon though.
Milan Lucic: Horton’s most likely contender for that spot. He is far more likely to see some playoff time than his rival though.
Jordan Staal: The third of four brothers, could be the third Olympian on the team. He hasn’t quite shown the same promise that he did in his rookie year, but still plays a good tow-way game.
Cam Ward: He went from being an afterthough, to a third sttringer, to a potential starter, to an after thought in the span of a year. He has proven that he deliver in pressure situation time and time again. There’s no question that he’s good, but the question is: is he better than his competitors?
Jordan Eberle, the biggest wildcard in this selection
Jordan Eberle: The Oilers rookie and star of the Canadian World Junior team. He has a lot of potential, and could potentially be representing his country again. If not then, then no doubt by 2018.
Cody Hodgson: The Canucks prospect was a pre-season favourite to win the Calder Trophy. However, a back injury prevented him from making the jump to pro this year. He could very well bounce back in the next few years and prove to be the force that he was expected to be.
IN CONCLUSION:
Off the bubble players, I think that Iginla will get the vetran nod, Thornton will be pushed out, Seabrook will be given another chance, and Luongo will still be at a high enough level to contribute, and possibly even start.
As for the up and comers, I think that Stamkos, Myers, Duchene, Green, and Tavares are pretty much locks to make the team. I’d take Jeff Carter, Marc Staal, and Steve Mason by a hair over their competitors leaving the final roster and line combinations as follows:
E. Staal – Crosby – Stamkos
Carter – Getzlaf – Perry
Heatley – Tavares – Iginla
Nash – Toews – Richards
Duchene
Weber – Dughty
Keither – Seabrook
M. Staal – Myers
Green
Luongo
Fleury
Mason
Not a bad team if I do say so myself…I guess I’ll jsut have to wait three and a half years to see if Yzerman can come up with a better one than that.
Until next time,
G
Tags: canada, Hockey, Laying it on the line, Olympics, predictions
