You're keeping Jordan Staal, easily one of the best defensive forwards in the game today (and most likely even better in two years), off the team in favor of guys who will be in their mid 30s in 2014 or who didn't even make it in 2010. Seriously, hilarious.

As of today, when healthy, the forwards would be Stamkos, Crosby, Giroux, Neal, Toews, Tavares, Nash, Getzlaf, Perry, J. Staal, Bergeron, E. Staal and M. Richards.

Morrow, Iginla, Marleau, Thornton and Heatley will all be too old in 2014. As will players that didn't make it in 2010 like Doan, Lecavalier, St. Louis, Spezza, B. Richards and Sharp. Carter didn't make it in 2010 and won't be there in 2014 either.

Honorable mention to Eberle, Seguin, E. Kane, Couture and Benn but odds are, given their age, they are better candidates for 2018. However place an asterisks on M. Richards, Getzlaf and Nash who may be replaced by one of the younger players listed above if they continue to play below their usually high level.
- Two_For_Truth

Seguin will be 22, that’s not too young at all. Put up almost 70 points as a 19/20 year old, and is strong two way. Eberle will be 24, also by no means too young. I’d say it’s a pretty bold statement that Jordan Staal will be there ahead of them. Seguin is well on his way to earning a spot. In two years time, it’s possible he’s a lock at that point. Brad Richards will be 34, not too old. Patrick Sharp, 30 goal, 70 point player the last two years, and barely finished behind Staal in Selke voting this year. Will be 33 at the time. Tough to completely rule him out. And saying “well he didn’t make it last time” is hardly a convincing argument, given that he wasn’t playing at the same level he is now. Marleau will be 35.

I’m not sure why you’re willing to count guys out, just because they’re in the 30s. They went with ALL veterans in the past, and failed miserably. The idea going forward was take those that are on the top of their game, in the future. I don’t think it’s “take the best guys under 30”. It’s take the best guys, period.

His style is easy to pick up on. He's managed to drop the icons and a little of the condescending attitude but most of it is still there.

I'd say it can only be guaranteed that one Staal will make Team Canada.

Betting that two Staal's will make it is a 50/50 proposition. I could see two Staal's going but it's not a lock by any means.

Saying 3 brothers will make is just as absurd as saying the whole hockey playing Staal family will be on Team Canada. Yet UG is so sure of this he will bet a house he doesn't own on it happening.
- iLive4theLeafs

I'm sure if Mike Peca were still playing, he'd consider him a lock too.

If it's UG, let's just ask that he be banned. Again.

Seguin will be 22, that’s not too young at all. Put up almost 70 points as a 19/20 year old, and is strong two way. Eberle will be 24, also by no means too young. I’d say it’s a pretty bold statement that Jordan Staal will be there ahead of them. Seguin is well on his way to earning a spot. In two years time, it’s possible he’s a lock at that point. Brad Richards will be 34, not too old. Patrick Sharp, 30 goal, 70 point player the last two years, and barely finished behind Staal in Selke voting this year. Will be 33 at the time. Tough to completely rule him out. And saying “well he didn’t make it last time” is hardly a convincing argument, given that he wasn’t playing at the same level he is now. Marleau will be 35.

I’m not sure why you’re willing to count guys out, just because they’re in the 30s. They went with ALL veterans in the past, and failed miserably. The idea going forward was take those that are on the top of their game, in the future. I don’t think it’s “take the best guys under 30”. It’s take the best guys, period.
- prock

22 isn't too young and 35 isn't too old. Spectacular.

22 isn't too young and 35 isn't too old. Spectacular.
- Two_For_Truth

Great comeback you Rhodes Scholar.

22 isn't too young and 35 isn't too old. Spectacular.
- Two_For_Truth

Last olympics, Crosby was 21, Toews was 21, Doughty was 20. Some pretty key players last time around. Getzlaf, Perry, Weber, Seabrook were all 24. No, I don’t think it’s too young. And if you do, you’re sticking your head in the sand, trying to ignore that you’re wrong.

22 isn't too young and 35 isn't too old. Spectacular.
- Two_For_Truth

You doing ok today? You're not your usual self.

Last olympics, Crosby was 21, Toews was 21, Doughty was 20. Some pretty key players last time around. Getzlaf, Perry, Weber, Seabrook were all 24. No, I don’t think it’s too young. And if you do, you’re sticking your head in the sand, trying to ignore that you’re wrong.
- prock

I think he's just bored today, being very disagreeable and such.

I can see scenerios where all the Staals make it, I also see scenerio's where only one makes it. The olympics are 2 years away, last time around both Bouwmeester and Phaneuf were considered locks in 2007. Neither made it in 2010. I don't think any of you are wrong with the opinions you all have.

But that's the purpose of this blog, to get us talking (generate hits).

Last olympics, Crosby was 21, Toews was 21, Doughty was 20. Some pretty key players last time around. Getzlaf, Perry, Weber, Seabrook were all 24. No, I don’t think it’s too young. And if you do, you’re sticking your head in the sand, trying to ignore that you’re wrong.
- prock

In what world was crosby 21 at the last olympics?

In what world was crosby 21 at the last olympics?
- Habsforever101

The one in his head.

Last olympics, Crosby was 21, Toews was 21, Doughty was 20. Some pretty key players last time around. Getzlaf, Perry, Weber, Seabrook were all 24. No, I don’t think it’s too young. And if you do, you’re sticking your head in the sand, trying to ignore that you’re wrong.
- prock

Crosby was not 21 in 2010, sorry to tell you. And even if he was, he's Crosby.

And now begins the ever so fun comparisons of Seguin to Toews. Night and day comparisons.

Seguin is good, nobody is going to deny that but he is far more useful as an offensive forward than he is as a purely defensive forward. Staal has him beat defensively eight ways to Sunday. Staal will also be in his prime in 2014 and probably have at least one Selke in his pocket. For the purposes that Canada requires, Staal is far better suited for the defensive role.

In what world was crosby 21 at the last olympics?
- Habsforever101

22. Big deal. The article I read was off.

Toews 21. Doughty turned 21 the month before. Point still stands. 22 is not too young, given some of the top players were last time.

Crosby was not 21 in 2010, sorry to tell you. And even if he was, he's Crosby.

And now begins the ever so fun comparisons of Seguin to Toews. Night and day comparisons.

Seguin is good, nobody is going to deny that but he is far more useful as an offensive forward than he is as a purely defensive forward. Staal has him beat defensively eight ways to Sunday. Staal will also be in his prime in 2014 and probably have at least one Selke in his pocket. For the purposes that Canada requires, Staal is far better suited for the defensive role.
- Two_For_Truth

At least one selke eh? Lol. So, is he going to win the 2013 and 2014 selke trophy, all before the end of the 2014 season. You think he's just so amazing they'll give him two in one year?

Good work, dumb ass.

22. Big deal. The article I read was off.

Toews 21. Doughty turned 21 the month before. Point still stands. 22 is not too young, given some of the top players were last time.
- prock

So if Crosby can do it, Seguin can do it. Brilliant.

At least one selke eh? Lol. So, is he going to win the 2013 and 2014 selke trophy, all before the end of the 2014 season. You think he's just so amazing they'll give him two in one year?

Good work, dumb ass.
- prock

Ah yes, the inevitable need to name call to compensate for a weak argument.

So if Crosby can do it, Seguin can do it. Brilliant.
- Two_For_Truth

Uhh, if toews, at a younger age, and doughty playing a position that tends to take longer to develop can, yes, Seguin, who just put up almost 70 points, with one of the best plus minuses in the league, definitely can.

Ah yes, the inevitable need to name call to compensate for a weak argument.
- Two_For_Truth

I T's not compensating for any argument. Its making fun of your stupid comment.

Uhh, if toews, at a younger age, and doughty playing a position that tends to take longer to develop can, yes, Seguin, who just put up almost 70 points, with one of the best plus minuses in the league, definitely can.
- prock

So because Seguin has a pretty plus minus, he can be selected ahead of a Selke finalist in his prime as a defensive specialist. Please, do continue.

I T's not compensating for any argument. Its making fun of your stupid comment.
- prock

Crosby was 21 in 2010.

So because Seguin has a pretty plus minus, he can be selected ahead of a Selke finalist in his prime as a defensive specialist. Please, do continue.
- Two_For_Truth

Because he's a better player already than your bum chum, at the tender old age of 20.

Crosby was 21 in 2010.
- Two_For_Truth

How many hart trophies did he have? 6? 8?

Because he's a better player already than your bum chum, at the tender old age of 20.
- prock

That's a tough one. A Selke finalist versus the plus minus stat.

This is marvelous stuff. Do continue.

Ah yes, the inevitable need to name call to compensate for a weak argument.
- Two_For_Truth

It's pretty much Prock's specialty and funny how when everyone else does it they get banned, but uhmm apparently he never does, so uhm yeah....

His style is easy to pick up on. He's managed to drop the icons and a little of the condescending attitude but most of it is still there.

I'd say it can only be guaranteed that one Staal will make Team Canada.

Betting that two Staal's will make it is a 50/50 proposition. I could see two Staal's going but it's not a lock by any means.

Saying 3 brothers will make is just as absurd as saying the whole hockey playing Staal family will be on Team Canada. Yet UG is so sure of this he will bet a house he doesn't own on it happening.
- iLive4theLeafs

I believe this as well, so far, just Eric.

I believe this as well, so far, just Eric.
- ShootingSemin

Could be just Jordan....but with them both playing on the same team and likely the same line now ....they are either both going to get points or not get points. Eric Staal has had three below average years (50 points) out of the last 5 years.

Could be just Jordan....but with them both playing on the same team and likely the same line now ....they are either both going to get points or not get points. Eric Staal has had three below average years (50 points) out of the last 5 years.
- iLive4theLeafs

disagree completely