He's been a regular on the PK of a team that has been in the top 10 in PK for 3 straight years.
- PhillySportsGuy

He has been. But his PK ability is not going to change whether he makes team Canada or not.

If they were choosing an all star team, I'd agree with you. But they aren't. Killing penalties isn't going to get Giroux on the team. He not that good at it.
- MJL

perhaps i have a drastically different view of the methodology of constructing the team, but i have a hard time accepting carter. essentially every attribute that he might be picked for, you can find someone better at that didnt make the team. hell, neal is a better sniper. and i dont think id have put neal on the team.

kunitz will have a very positive impact on the teams overall play. we can debate how he got there all we want, but while there, his well rounded game will definitely be a big plus. likely one of the better players in the corners on the entire roster. i realize thats not exactly a typical ticket to an olympic roster, but his potential for contribution shouldnt be overlooked.
- stayinthefnnet

Kunitz is underrated by many.

Two-way play, big game experience
- PhillySportsGuy

And while the CBJ were sucking, he played in many World Championships on the large ice.

Canada hasn't done well in Olympics on large ice, so with Nash they're probably using that experience to help out.

you dont have to sell me on it. i understand the whole trying to make the best team over purely picking the best players. but i dont think they are necessarily exclusive in the case of giroux. correct me if im wrong, but didnt giroux have decent wing experience when younger? if he still has any of those instincts, the ability to play off-position would have been a huge plus for me. realistically, he wouldnt be getting much time at center if he went, but still. MSL is the perfect example of a winger being able to actually dictate the playmaking aspects from the side rather than the center position. and its not as if giroux is actually slow by any means. when he actually cares to backcheck, ive always thought he is a good penalty killer as well. he also has more playoff experience than someone like duchene. to me, he doesnt make it over crosby, toews, tavares, and bergeron as far as centers go. after that, you can make as good a case for him as any.
- stayinthefnnet

He played wing in Juniors and set scoring records. He's played wing in the NHL as well.

Yzerman went in with an agenda and wanted to take more physically impressive players. He wanted big guys who can skate. At least they'll look imposing when they get off the bus.

Nash has repped the Maple Leaf in many International tourneys. This Olympic invite for Nash is more of a lifetime achievement award from Hockey Canada than anything else.
- johndewar

Which is garbage imo

Nash has repped the Maple Leaf in many International tourneys. This Olympic invite for Nash is more of a lifetime achievement award from Hockey Canada than anything else.
- johndewar

nash actually was quite good last olympics. he was great at shielding the puck and controlling possession. id take nash over carter.

perhaps i have a drastically different view of the methodology of constructing the team, but i have a hard time accepting carter. essentially every attribute that he might be picked for, you can find someone better at that didnt make the team. hell, neal is a better sniper. and i dont think id have put neal on the team.
- stayinthefnnet

Neal might be a better sniper, but he's not a better all around player. Who's better in that role that Carter is going to be in, that didn't make the team?

He played wing in Juniors and set scoring records. He's played wing in the NHL as well.

Yzerman went in with an agenda and wanted to take more physically impressive players. He wanted big guys who can skate. At least they'll look imposing when they get off the bus.
- PhillySportsGuy

did milan lucic's invitation get lost in the mail? i mean if they want size...

Which is garbage imo
- Yosimar89

Let's not pretend the selection process is beyond politics.

And let's be more honest: If Bobby Ryan played college hockey in the US instead of playing in the CHL, he'd be on the US team right now.

Production (imo they went more by name than anything there)
- Yosimar89

I think they went with a player that has big time ability, and skill level, along with size, that will be playing with Crosby, Toews, or Getzlaff as his Center, with another big time Winger on the other side.

Nail Yakupov had a really nice GWG against the Rangers tonight. I look forward to youarewrong's trade proposal for him tomorrow morning.

Neal might be a better sniper, but he's not a better all around player. Who's better in that role that Carter is going to be in, that didn't make the team?
- MJL

what are we going to set the parameters of this role at? a two way winger with size and shooting ability? im trying to narrow it a little more than that.

nash actually was quite good last olympics. he was great at shielding the puck and controlling possession. id take nash over carter.
- stayinthefnnet

Nash lacks the resume of many players who did not make the team.

Including guys like Eric Staal.

did milan lucic's invitation get lost in the mail? i mean if they want size...
- stayinthefnnet

He went to pick it, but his nose kept hitting the floor before his hand could reach the envelope.

He played wing in Juniors and set scoring records. He's played wing in the NHL as well.

Yzerman went in with an agenda and wanted to take more physically impressive players. He wanted big guys who can skate. At least they'll look imposing when they get off the bus.
- PhillySportsGuy

Agree with the latter. Giroux wasn't going to make the team as a Winger. They view him as a playmaking Center and rightfully so.

did milan lucic's invitation get lost in the mail? i mean if they want size...
- stayinthefnnet

"DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM????"

what are we going to set the parameters of this role at? a two way winger with size and shooting ability? im trying to narrow it a little more than that.
- stayinthefnnet

Does Neal play much with Crosby or mainly just with Malkin?

Nash lacks the resume of many players who did not make the team.

Including guys like Eric Staal.
- johndewar

Nash is a Winger and Staal is a Center.

Nash lacks the resume of many players who did not make the team.

Including guys like Eric Staal.
- johndewar

he would have been a selection of mine over jeff carter.

i realize i may be a little biased in nash's favor. as far as size and scoring ability on the wing, there are few better to me. although ill be the first to admit this year really doesnt show it.

what are we going to set the parameters of this role at? a two way winger with size and shooting ability? im trying to narrow it a little more than that.
- stayinthefnnet

Okay, how do you want to narrow it?

nash actually was quite good last olympics. he was great at shielding the puck and controlling possession. id take nash over carter.
- stayinthefnnet

Which is just weird...

Size? about the same, Carter is faster and just as good a shot, is better defensively and actually kills penalties. Carter deserves to be on this team way more than Nash.

Regardless of Nash playing in more World's because he was part of a garbage team in Columbus.

Amazing offensive talent, no defense what so ever.

I feel bad for Bob and Varlamov (whoever gets the nod).
- Yosimar89

You're right, they probably have the best offensive talent in the tournament. Markov is going to have to log heavy minutes on the blueline. Somehow, I see Radulov returning to the NHL someday. I know it is hard to turn down $10 million/yr tax free, but I just think he returns because from what I have read he would be an UFA.

I know I'm biased, but I think Raffl will have a good tournament and come back with even more confidence.

Nash is a Winger and Staal is a Center.
- MJL

I'm sure Eric Staal is smart enough to figure it out.

Does Neal play much with Crosby or mainly just with Malkin?
- PhillySportsGuy

neal and malkin are attached at the hip. they work together perfectly. not that it was bad when he was with crosby, as just on talent they were able to string together some nice plays, but it is no where near as fluid.