I think the line of E.Staal - Getzlaf - Perry and Nash - Toews - Richards will be the same as the last one. They were strongest lines for Canada.
- SPIDEROCKSTAR

they were strong but also playing against weaker competition...top defenders drew the Crosby line. that is Canada's strength, depth

People forget just how close it was to Canada not even making it to the gold medal game against my Slovaks. It was 3-0 Canada in the 3rd, and the Slovaks pushed to make it 3-2. A shot off the crossbar by Demitra and an awesome save by Luongo in the dying seconds had Canada hold on for the win.

There is nothing close to a lock in this tournament. The best of the best, thats why international competitions like this are great. Halak has shown ab ability to carry a team.

In memory of Demitra, the golden generation gets its one last real shot.

Hall on the 1st line isn't going to happen
- flashfire

He would compliment that line nicely.

But, yes if there is the same old boys club that has happened in the past, the rookies will be relegated to the fourth line no matter if they are playing well at the time or not.

He would compliment that line nicely.

But, yes if there is the same old boys club that has happened in the past, the rookies will be relegated to the fourth line no matter if they are playing well at the time or not.
- Oilhab

Not really cheering for Canada but to me putting an unproven guy like Hall on the first line is a complete homer move by Oiler fans, especially for a player who isn't too great in his own zone. Experience is huge in these extreme pressure competitions.

For canada I'd go:

Stamkos-Crosby-St. Louis
Nash-Toews-Tavares
Eric Staal-Bergeron-Giroux
Richards-Getzlaf-Lucic

Doughty-Weber
Keith-Seabrook
Boyle-Pietrangelo

Luongo
Price

Hall on the 1st line isn't going to happen
- flashfire

It's lines no rankings and hall is still the best LW

It's lines no rankings and hall is still the best LW
- Oilers42

Who would you take out to put Hall into the top 12?

Kid hasnt even played a game in the playoffs, and needs work on his defensive game.

Americans are damn good team. On paper them and the swedes are close.
But theres no doubt canada will ice the best roster.
How it plays out in the ice is another story

Not really cheering for Canada but to me putting an unproven guy like Hall on the first line is a complete homer move by Oiler fans, especially for a player who isn't too great in his own zone. Experience is huge in these extreme pressure competitions.

For canada I'd go:

Stamkos-Crosby-St. Louis
Nash-Toew-Tavares
Eric Staal-Bergeron-Giroux
Richards-Getzlaf-Lucic

Doughty-Weber
Keith-Seabrook
Boyle-Pietrangelo

Luongo
Price
- flyer_nutter

To slow not enough offense

Who would you take out to put Hall into the top 12?

Kid hasnt even played a game in the playoffs, and needs work on his defensive game.
- flyer_nutter

Hall has 2memorial cup mvp titles

To slow not enough offense
- Oilers42

How much offense do you need?

Just me, but I think having some grit in that lineup is a good thing.

Hall has 2memorial cup mvp titles
- Oilers42

No offense, and I will step away just for the sake of saving arguments, but thats blind homerism.

Hall is like a fart in a windstorm compared to many of the players that will be selected ahead of him. The Leafs used to overrate their players for years as well, that got them nowhere.

To slow not enough offense
- Oilers42

While they may be slow, I may need to step in about offense...

Career highs in each category for said players in goals, assists, and points;

Richards - 31, 50, 80
Getzlaf - 25, 66, 91
Lucic - 30, 35, 62

Yeah... not enough offense.

How much offense do you need?

Just me, but I think having some grit in that lineup is a good thing.
- flyer_nutter

I think it is good to have grit just not at the Olympic level when you try to take grit to an iihf event you just won't win

While they may be slow, I may need to step in about offense...

Career highs in each category for said players in goals, assists, and points;

Richards - 31, 50, 80
Getzlaf - 25, 66, 91
Lucic - 30, 35, 62

Yeah... not enough offense.
- Not_Stee

Getzlaf can't skate and there is better options for all 3of them

No offense, and I will step away just for the sake of saving arguments, but thats blind homerism.

Hall is like a fart in a windstorm compared to many of the players that will be selected ahead of him. The Leafs used to overrate their players for years as well, that got them nowhere.
- flyer_nutter

Why would they bother inviting him?


I doubt it's to be a shutdown player.

1.canada
2.russia
3.sweden
4.USA

Why would they bother inviting him?


I doubt it's to be a shutdown player.
- robin_steele264

You ever see that Sparkles girl lately?

You ever see that Sparkles girl lately?
- Not_Stee

Not since we went out

Why would they bother inviting him?


I doubt it's to be a shutdown player.
- robin_steele264

I could be wrong but did they also not invite Kunitz?

How presumptuous and a little narrow minded.

It could easily be Sweden vs Russia.

If you are talking Women's hockey.... sure, I would take that bet that Canada vs USA would probably be the Gold Medal game.... but in Mens? That's just putting the cart before the horse.
- Beatle_john

In Soviet Russia, cart pulls horse.

Sweden over Russia

Ok, Canada should win on paper. No denying that.

With that said, I do like Team USA goal tending better. I think that should be a given. Team Canada has the better offense, easy. Defense, I would give a slight edge to Team USA, but it is fairly even and I wouldn't hate on a guy who says Team Canada's D is slightly better.

I will say this, and I may get hate for it. But I think Team USA has more guys on it that play a two way game than Team Canada has. Not by a huge margin, but I think it's definitely there. So if Team USA can get a lights out game from Quick (who will start, because I love the guy), solid D and a great two way game from the forwards, we will win.

The question, of course, is it possible to even stop Team Canada from dominating with their superior forward talent? Not likely.

For canada I'd go:

Stamkos-Crosby-St. Louis
Bergeron-Tavares-Giroux
Hall-E. Staal-Benn
Ladd-Toews-J. Williams

Doughty-Weber
Garrison-Hamhuis
Subban-Pietrangelo

Luongo
Price

The US have 4 stronger options than Luongo and Crawford.

You could even argue that Gibson is a better goaltender.

Canada hasn't developped a great goaltender since Brodeur. Until they address that, they aren't likely to do anything in International tournaments.
- Pierre.McGuire

Hmm, you're right. It's a good thing they have an all-star team everywhere else on the ice. This isn't Jonathan Quick against the New Jersey Devils, he's going to be up against four lines that can score any time they're on the ice. I think you're going to be surprised.

For canada I'd go:

Stamkos-Crosby-St. Louis
Bergeron-Tavares-Giroux
Hall-E. Staal-Benn
Ladd-Toews-J. Williams

Doughty-Weber
Garrison-Hamhuis
Subban-Pietrangelo

Luongo
Price
- kaptaan

I knew that you were a Canucks fan immediately upon reading that.