he is having a great year thats true . . . but he had great years before and he had a couple dreadful ones! one good year dont cut it in my eyes . . . how about Jim Carey that year he back stopped to Capitials he played great won the vezina and where was he 2 years later???? if Spezza comes out next year and puts up the same numbers then he should be on the team but untill then i well leave him home
- jonathonpeddle

This is a perfect example of why you haven't been watching him. You think it's about numbers. I don't care about numbers, I'm talking about watching a player play the game. The Spezza we see every night is levels above the one we saw two years ago, in every respect. He could always produce points but now he is a clear impact forward.

I don't know why JJ get's all the hype.

Refuses to play for Carolina. Goes to Hollywood and contends for the green jacket.
And now is really happy to pay for Columbus?!

This guy is f'ed
- Lee Denault

And that's not even including his average at best play. He has good offensive abilities, I'll give him that, but in his own zone? Absolutely horrendous. Can't have a player like that out on the ice against Canada, Russia, Sweeden, etc.

All I know is that Stastny is single handedly killing my fantasy team. Every other night he manages to become a -2.
- RAG$4LIFE

Rick Nash kills as well

And that's not even including his average at best play. He has good offensive abilities, I'll give him that, but in his own zone? Absolutely horrendous. Can't have a player like that out on the ice against Canada, Russia, Sweeden, etc.
- RAG$4LIFE

And the guys is huge...I don't get it. Defense first pal, you're a defenseman after all.

Eklund: In 2014, Will Team USA have a better D-Pairs than Team Canada?
- Eklund

No!

Vanek hasn't played for Austria since 2009. It says in there that the four year case can be back dated as well. he would be elgible to play for USA if he wanted.
- JVince117

Ummmm, really?

Not how I read it:

He has (to have) an international transfer card (ITC) that shows the transfer to the national competition of his new country and which was approved and dated at least four years before the start of the IIHF competition in which he wishes to participate.

Rick Nash kills as well
- hubie

Beginning of the season when Tavares looked terrible, I traded him for Mike Richards. I've been regretting it ever since..

Team USA will have a well-rested Ron Wilson.

'nuff said.
- Atomic Wedgie

how do you say "fire wilson" in russian??

looking forward to it.

And the guys is huge...I don't get it. Defense first pal, you're a defenseman after all.
- Lee Denault

6'2 230lbs. Never seen the man throw a hit. I hate players like that

And that definitely doesn't fit the mold of Team USA. USA is gonna play a lot like the Rangers are this year. They're not gonna be the most skilled group, but they're going to have to be willing to work their asses off if they wanna make noise. Basically, if your not a solid 2 way player your probably not gonna make the team.
- RAG$4LIFE

Kinda like the 2010 silver-winning team.

6'2 230lbs. Never seen the man throw a hit. I hate players like that
- RAG$4LIFE

Really? I understand the knock on Johnson for his defensive liabilities, but the dude throws his weight around plenty, he's usually good at throwing guys around. The problem is he gets out of position too often.

Eberle makes team canada.

Swedens d will be sick as eff too

Kronwall, edler, karlsson, hedmam, larsson, oek, enstrom

Kinda like the 2010 silver-winning team.
- Atomic Wedgie

Exactly like the 2010 team.

Stamkos Crosby Giroux
Staal Teows Perry
Tavarez Spezza Nash
Benn/Eberle Getzlaf Seguin

Doughty Weber
Keith Pietrangelo
Hamhuis Letang

Fleury/Price/Luongo

Really? I understand the knock on Johnson for his defensive liabilities, but the dude throws his weight around plenty, he's usually good at throwing guys around. The problem is he gets out of position too often.
- bluecoconuts

To be fair, I don't catch many Kings games so maybe your right. I just know from others that he doesn't have a reputation of being a physical player.

Team Canada. Not really close.

To be fair, I don't catch many Kings games so maybe your right. I just know from others that he doesn't have a reputation of being a physical player.
- RAG$4LIFE

So your're saying you need more johnson exposure?

Stamkos Crosby Giroux
Staal Teows Perry
Tavarez Spezza Nash
Benn/Eberle Getzlaf Seguin

Doughty Weber
Keith Pietrangelo
Hamhuis Letang

Fleury/Price/Luongo
- Boinker

Canada's lineup is so much harder to predict than USA's.

So your're saying you need more johnson exposure?
- hubie

Stamkos Crosby Giroux
Staal Teows Perry
Tavarez Spezza Nash
Benn/Eberle Getzlaf Seguin

Doughty Weber
Keith Pietrangelo
Hamhuis Letang

Fleury/Price/Luongo
- Boinker

Benn'll be there. Hes so sick.

Hamhuis is very dependable and solid. Underrated.
However, He is NOT nearly elite enough to make team canada.

Benn'll be there. Hes so sick.

Hamhuis is very dependable and solid. Underrated.
However, He is NOT nearly elite enough to make team canada.
- hugefemale dog77

Would I be denied entrance to Canada if I left Crosby of the list?
A) how will he rebound from injury
B) Will he risk injury to play
I just have a feeling hes going to turn into Lindros now

Would I be denied entrance to Canada if I left Crosby of the list?
A) how will he rebound from injury
B) Will he risk injury to play
I just have a feeling hes going to turn into Lindros now
- hubie

Great - the Leafs get him for one frustrating season!

Would I be denied entrance to Canada if I left Crosby of the list?
A) how will he rebound from injury
B) Will he risk injury to play
I just have a feeling hes going to turn into Lindros now
- hubie

Ha!
We'd probably just lynch you....

Its a fair question, guess we'll see. but crosby at 80% is still elite

Stamkos Crosby Giroux
Staal Teows Perry
Tavarez Spezza Nash
Benn/Eberle Getzlaf Seguin

Doughty Weber
Keith Pietrangelo
Hamhuis Letang

Fleury/Price/Luongo
- Boinker

bergeron

The Johnson's? McDonagh? Come on ek.

Nobody can match Letang, Doughty, Keith and Weber. I don't think Seabrook will be on the team.

So in short no, they won't have better D, but they will have the best Captain in the world, RYAN CALLAHAN!!!

Also, don't forget Marc Stall if healthy, Myers, Green etc. Lot's of other options for Canada.

Next question.
- The-O-G

He will absolutely be there if healthy and the nhl allows the players to go. This is his first full year and he is already on the top pair playing 25-30 minutes a night. He is a head of staal. Also, his skating is a huge plus
Edit: but they won't be as good as Canada's overall defense. stupid question to be honest