Nice, though pretty much just a succinct summary of what everyone on these forums already knows. But it's nice for the Trib to write it up like that.

I think Toews should be a no-brainer for Captain, but I'm biased. If Babcock gave it to Sid I wouldn't be shocked either.
- Tugboat

Even if Toews is a better leader than Crosby, and many top Canadian hockey analysts believe he is, Pierre Lebrun got it right when he said team Canada doesn't need to create a controversy especially when Toews will be the last person to question any decision made about the captaincy positioning or playing time. Expect Crosby to be named captain for no other reason than most Canadian fans and media don't watch Toews enough to know or understand what he brings. However expect Toews to once again be Canada's best and most consistant player during the Olympics.

Point is - he is (a) 5th defensemen, albeit on a deep defensive than, but (2) why should we think he'd be higher on any good defensive team, and (III) Q doesn't fully trust him on the ice in important situations.

Why should we think he should /would have made the O-team if politics weren't involved?
- StLBravesFan

I am agnostic on the olympics, my comment related to proving a negative, which is how Leddy actually plays in many situations, he is never given a chance to play in.

While I criticize Q a lot, who can blame him when you have the options you have on the blue line in situations. If guys are rested because of TV time outs etc...what name do you call. It often is not so much a knock on a guy as it is an endorsment of another.

Leddy choose to stay home rather than accept an offer to play in Ann Arbor for the US national junior developmental team not that long ago. So he had no chance to be picked for the olympic team. I'm not saying he's an all star waiting to happen, but logic says to have a guy who can wheel like him on an olympic ice surface might be a good option. But Leddy made his bed when he told USA Hockey no a few years ago. Politics rules and always will.
- 6628

Even though, after that, he was picked and played for World Junior under 20 team. The junior olympic team?

Like many theories, politics are minimal when you are picking a team to win. In this case, there is no clear cut case that Leddy should have made the team. There are better balanced players ahead of him, many who did not make the team either. At some point, chemistry and coaching preference carry weight...

I'm just thinking most of us think sharp wll make it. I think Sharp himself might be thinking he will make it, especially with the way he has been playing. So after all the hype and predictions I wonder how many Hawks play? 5? 6? 7? Kane, Toews, Keith, Sharp?, Hossa, and Hammer?
- tomcat24

OK I was hoping that is what you meant.

He's not in the same stratosphere in Hammer. Nick has skating and that's the only skill he's better at.
- rollpards19

I guess once again we can agree to disagree here.

Last I looked, the skills for hockey include:

Skating
Passing
Stickhandling
Shooting
Positioning/Understanding the game
Physical strength/physicality
Heart/intangibles/willingness to sacrifice for the team

IMO, you have Leddy with +'s on Skating, Passing, Stickhandling and Shooting.
Hjalmarsson's big strength IMO is his positioning and understanding of the game. The physical strength/physicality -- is a toss-up. Honestly, although Hjalmarsson was known for his big open ice hits in the minors, he has seldom exhibited that in the NHL and when he does, we all seem to comment about why doesn't he do that all the time.

The other big + for Hjalmarsson is the last item, the heart/intangibles. Evidenced by the number of blocks and his clear do-anything necessary attitude.

But on pure skills -- no -- I don't think you can objectively say he (Leddy) is less skilled. I'm sure we can all point out guys past and present in the NHL that had all-world talent (skills) that amounted to little or nothing. And many others where you might wonder how they ever made it this far -- who are truly great players because they use every ounce of that talent and multiply it with heart and willingness.

I think this is why so many (like Phil has before) make comments like "dozy" Nick. Sometimes the head and heart just aren't there and regardless of all the other talents they have, with this most important ingredient missing, they simply never get far.

Again, we're simply talking about skills -- and as everyone knows, it's more than skills that make the player.

Even if Toews is a better leader than Crosby, and many top Canadian hockey analysts believe he is, Pierre Lebrun got it right when he said team Canada doesn't need to create a controversy especially when Toews will be the last person to question any decision made about the captaincy positioning or playing time. Expect Crosby to be named captain for no other reason than most Canadian fans and media don't watch Toews enough to know or understand what he brings. However expect Toews to once again be Canada's best and most consistant player during the Olympics.
- paulr

I keep hearing that Crosby is hard to play with and that is why Canada is considering bringing James Neal.

(frank) the Olympics. The whole thing is sham. I hope to God this is the last time an NHL season is interrupted with this crap. I'm glad Leddy and Saad are out, the fewer Hawks that go, the better.

(frank) the Olympics. The whole thing is sham. I hope to God this is the last time an NHL season is interrupted with this crap. I'm glad Leddy and Saad are out, the fewer Hawks that go, the better.
- Ogilthorpe2

Amen to that.

(frank) the Olympics. The whole thing is sham. I hope to God this is the last time an NHL season is interrupted with this crap. I'm glad Leddy and Saad are out, the fewer Hawks that go, the better.
- Ogilthorpe2

Even though it's good hockey.....but when I checked, aren't the Olympics about amateurs and up n comers.