Question from Kevin H: What do u think of Darnell Nurse not being selected to Team Canada? Picking Team Canada has now become a gong show. The QMJHL has won the last three memorial cups and gets the least players as usual. The last fool to Coach Team Canada last year benched MacKinnon. He goes on to win the MVP in Memorial Cup and Canada does not get a medal. Also, we need a number 1 and 2 dman in Edmonton. Who can we go after?
Interesting question because I just wrote yesterday that I was surprised fellow 1st rounder Michael McCarron wasn't at least invited to USA's camp so the same should apply to Nurse, especially since I can come up with a plausible reason McCarron wasn't invited, but with Nurse, I'm at a loss. You can argue that it's a 19-year-old's tournament, but then there are two 18-year-olds and a 17-year-old on Canada's current blueline so that argument's out the window. I don't know how you keep a point-per-game, big, mobile defenseman home. I don't have an explanation for you, except the powers that be at Hockey Canada feel other players give them a better chance to win.
Regarding a defenseman the Oilers can go after, I believe the correct answer is anyone that's available! As far as who I think they should go after, they need a puck mover - someone new to run the power play, fire bombs on net and help the transition with an outlet pass or five. Problem is these types of defensemen are hard to find and they don't come cheap.
Question from Skip in KC: Shoot outs: like them hate them? Do you have an alternative?
I enjoy shootouts - game on the line, puck on your stick, the pressure…I'm a fan. That said, I am not a fan of having only three shooters. I'd prefer at least five and wouldn't allow coaches to recycle shooters like they do in other leagues. I love when the shootout goes deep down the bench. It allows other players to step up and be the hero in an unexpected way.
Question from @716Marty: Love your work, Julie! Do you see #Buffalo winning a #frozenfour site selection?
Thanks, Marty! Glad to hear it! Hosting a Frozen Four is definitely one of Buffalo's long range goals and they are actually one of ten cities under consideration to host the championship from 2015-18. The committee is expected to announce their decision next week and with the 2015 Frozen Four being just 16 months away, it's likely they will choose a city who's been there and done that and already has a pretty good idea of what they're doing. Buffalo has hosted the Frozen Four before as well as the World Junior Championship, so that's one positive factor in their favor. Terry Pegula's heavy interest in hosting the event is another.
Other cities under consideration to host one of the four championships - Boston (2004), Brooklyn, Chicago, Columbus (at OSU in 2005), Philadelphia (this April), Pittsburgh (last year), St Paul (2011), Tampa (2012) and Washington (2009)
Question from @PaulDKeller: longer OT for the NHL or 4 on 4 then 3 on 3?
I wouldn't be opposed to a longer overtime session (10 minutes). As much as I enjoy watching 3-on-3 hockey, I'm not a fan of it determining the outcome of a game. As these overtime ideas are bounced around, let's just take a minute to remember why they're only five minutes long to begin with - time restrictions on TV broadcasts. Therefore, it'd be easier to do a root canal on yourself than get the overtime structure changed.
Question from Frankshotsauce7: Habs were scouting hard Columbus these past few weeks. What do you think could come out out of this?
Maybe the Montreal scouts are just big fans of the Arena District….? Or like traveling across Canada and wanted to join them on their road trip….? There could be a trade brewing, but it has been my experience that the number of scouts at a game or the frequency of one team's scouts watching another team has zero to do with anything brewing and 80+% to do with travel schedules.
Question from willschulme: Although it may be entirely possible the situation solves itself, how do you think the situation will be resolved in the Metro? Will they trade for better players, trade down or make an unexpected run for the cup in the playoffs? By they, I mean the Pens.
I'm not exactly sure of the situation you're referring to and when you're leading your division and sit atop the conference, I'm not sure how a run for the Cup in unexpected, so I'm not sure I understand the question.
That said, the Metropolitan Division is a big pile of mediocrity. These teams are literally beating each other up and there is little to no separation with the exception of Pittsburgh, which is clearly rising to the top with their stellar home record. It will be an all out battle for that third spot in the division standings because the wild card spots might end up being out of reach if they keep this up.
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I've got at least one more Q&A blog for you tomorrow so this is your last chance - for now! - to get your questions in! You know how to reach me!
Julie
JulieLovesHockey@gmail.com
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