Giroux is a fine player but he is a +19 for his career. Kunitz is a +148 to compare. You need responsible 5 on 5 play from your "depth" players. CG racks up a lot on the PP but I don't see him getting much time there with the roster in place.
- mjk3122

Kunitz also plays on a team that is head and shoulders better.

Sharp could have taken the Con Smythe in 2010 and was great again in 2013. He is clutch.

Can play center and wing, he's durable, he's fast and he's smart.

He's not even on the bubble. He's in.

WTF!!! No Richard Park on this list..

Kunitz also plays on a team that is head and shoulders better.
- tomburton99

And how often does he play against the oppositions top line?

And how often does he play against the oppositions top line?
- twotoekenn

Bylsma does not match lines very often so every night! No disrespect to giroux , both players belong on the team

Sharp could have taken the Con Smythe in 2010 and was great again in 2013. He is clutch.

Can play center and wing, he's durable, he's fast and he's smart.

He's not even on the bubble. He's in.
- AceRatbang

Every centre on the team can play wing.
Sharp would be a bad pick, and would ride the pine the whole tournament if selected.

And how often does he play against the oppositions top line?
- twotoekenn

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Couturier match up against the other teams top line players?

Every centre on the team can play wing.
Sharp would be a bad pick, and would ride the pine the whole tournament if selected.
- Scooby_Doo

Disagree 100%. Sharp, with his speed, versatility and great two way play should be a virtual lock.

Giroux is a fine player but he is a +19 for his career. Kunitz is a +148 to compare. You need responsible 5 on 5 play from your "depth" players. CG racks up a lot on the PP but I don't see him getting much time there with the roster in place.
- mjk3122

Claude Giroux is 30 times the player Chris Kunitz is. Giroux plays powerplay, penalty kill, and for the most part is a strong defensive player. He was a ppg player without Jagr last year (common joke amongst Pens fans) and has 37 points in 40 games after the Flyers started the season as the statistically worst goal scoring team in history. He has put the team on his back. He is also one of the best faceoff guys in the league and while he'd play wing it's good to have two guys that can take key defensive draws. Chris Kunitz is a want to be tough guy, like James Neal, whose prone to ill timed penalties. He's been a 20 goal scorer, but he's never a dominant, take over a game player like Giroux is (especially against Pittsburgh in the playoffs two years ago). Lastly, as Ek pointed out Giroux is one of the best clutch players in the NHL and scores big goals in the playoffs. Stop with the Chris Kunitz poop. He's a product of Crosby and even then, he's not worthy of being on an Olympic roster. I would score 20 playing with Sid. Think what Stamkos would score on 87's wing.

Claude Giroux is 30 times the player Chris Kunitz is. Giroux plays powerplay, penalty kill, and for the most part is a strong defensive player. He was a ppg player without Jagr last year (common joke amongst Pens fans) and has 37 points in 40 games after the Flyers started the season as the statistically worst goal scoring team in history. He has put the team on his back. He is also one of the best faceoff guys in the league and while he'd play wing it's good to have two guys that can take key defensive draws. Chris Kunitz is a want to be tough guy, like James Neal, whose prone to ill timed penalties. He's been a 20 goal scorer, but he's never a dominant, take over a game player like Giroux is (especially against Pittsburgh in the playoffs two years ago). Lastly, as Ek pointed out Giroux is one of the best clutch players in the NHL and scores big goals in the playoffs. Stop with the Chris Kunitz poop. He's a product of Crosby and even then, he's not worthy of being on an Olympic roster. I would score 20 playing with Sid. Think what Stamkos would score on 87's wing.
- Flyers1218

Once someone argues to take Kunitz over Giroux that's your cue to start ignoring them.

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Couturier match up against the other teams top line players?
- mjk3122

That is correct, but in years past they have used Giroux. Now they use him, obviously, as the scoring line, but he takes a ton of key defensive zone draws.

Giroux is a fine player but he is a +19 for his career. Kunitz is a +148 to compare. You need responsible 5 on 5 play from your "depth" players. CG racks up a lot on the PP but I don't see him getting much time there with the roster in place.
- mjk3122

Kunitz has played 250 games more than Giroux.

Taking nothing away from Kunitz but he is playing with the best player in the known world in Crosby and also has another generational talent in Malkin on that team.

Once someone argues to take Kunitz over Giroux that's your cue to start ignoring them.
- FinAddict

I'm not saying Kunitz is bad either. I think he's a good player. I just wouldn't put him on an Olympic team with so many other players to choose from. Yeah he plays awesome with Sid. So do a lot of players and so will who ever they put on this line in Sochi. Kunitz is not elite. An elite player getting the opportunities Kunitz does on a nightly basis is scary.

I'm not saying Kunitz is bad either. I think he's a good player. I just wouldn't put him on an Olympic team with so many other players to choose from. Yeah he plays awesome with Sid. So do a lot of players and so will who ever they put on this line in Sochi. Kunitz is not elite. An elite player getting the opportunities Kunitz does on a nightly basis is scary.
- Flyers1218

Kunitz is good. There's no room for good on Canada.

Claude Giroux is 30 times the player Chris Kunitz is. Giroux plays powerplay, penalty kill, and for the most part is a strong defensive player. He was a ppg player without Jagr last year (common joke amongst Pens fans) and has 37 points in 40 games after the Flyers started the season as the statistically worst goal scoring team in history. He has put the team on his back. He is also one of the best faceoff guys in the league and while he'd play wing it's good to have two guys that can take key defensive draws. Chris Kunitz is a want to be tough guy, like James Neal, whose prone to ill timed penalties. He's been a 20 goal scorer, but he's never a dominant, take over a game player like Giroux is (especially against Pittsburgh in the playoffs two years ago). Lastly, as Ek pointed out Giroux is one of the best clutch players in the NHL and scores big goals in the playoffs. Stop with the Chris Kunitz poop. He's a product of Crosby and even then, he's not worthy of being on an Olympic roster. I would score 20 playing with Sid. Think what Stamkos would score on 87's wing.
- Flyers1218

No question giroux is a better player, at the same time stop with the product of Crosby poop , the guy puts up 20 + every season , on the ducks and two whole seasons with no Crosby , is he a hall of fame superstar no!!! Should he be on team canada bc of his production and esp bc of his chemistry with Sid yes!

No question giroux is a better player, at the same time stop with the product of Crosby poop , the guy puts up 20 + every season , on the ducks and two whole seasons with no Crosby , is he a hall of fame superstar no!!! Should he be on team canada bc of his production and esp bc of his chemistry with Sid yes!
- Brianandr1

Stop with the product of Crosby poop? Why, call a spade a spade. He's never played to this level. Big deal, 20 goals, there are a lot of 20 goal scorers consistently in the NHL, Scott Hartnell for one. Doesn't mean he should be on the Olympic team while a guy like Hall or something is left off for him.

Stop with the product of Crosby poop? Why, call a spade a spade. He's never played to this level. Big deal, 20 goals, there are a lot of 20 goal scorers consistently in the NHL, Scott Hartnell for one. Doesn't mean he should be on the Olympic team while a guy like Hall or something is left off for him.
- Flyers1218

Even if that's true, which it's not!!! Based on his chemistry with Crosby he should be there , are there 10 guys better , yes for sure, will any of them have the chemistry with Crosby????? Again I don't know and neither do u, Crosby Kunitz is a slam dunk

No question giroux is a better player, at the same time stop with the product of Crosby poop , the guy puts up 20 + every season , on the ducks and two whole seasons with no Crosby , is he a hall of fame superstar no!!! Should he be on team canada bc of his production and esp bc of his chemistry with Sid yes!
- Brianandr1

Not a chance... At all. I don't want Kunitz on the top line at all regardless of his chemistry 20 goals ? like that makes him good enough to be on Canada when you are taking about 90 pt 30-60 goal guys.

Disagree 100%. Sharp, with his speed, versatility and great two way play should be a virtual lock.
- Canuckleafer

A lock? Come on, that's ridiculous.
There are 9 players that are versatile, fast, two way players etc... I'd take before him.

Stop with the product of Crosby poop? Why, call a spade a spade. He's never played to this level. Big deal, 20 goals, there are a lot of 20 goal scorers consistently in the NHL, Scott Hartnell for one. Doesn't mean he should be on the Olympic team while a guy like Hall or something is left off for him.
- Flyers1218

If it were 2011 hartnell might be there , he was certainly better then Kunitz up to then, since then Kunitz has been flat out better with Crosby or without

Once someone argues to take Kunitz over Giroux that's your cue to start ignoring them.
- FinAddict

I am not saying Kunitz is better than Giroux. That would be stupid. I was simply showing what I think are defensive weaknesses on CG's part. When filling out your team, I think it needs to be more like an elite NHL team, not an all star squad.

Thats why the US played so well against them 4 years ago. The USA has players that have specific roles on the team and understand those roles.

How many forwards are going to lay on the ice and block a shot from Canada? Getzlaf and Perry? Maybe?

Canada should win gold every time but they don't. I just believe that you dont take the 12 highest scoring forwards to the tourney.

Even if that's true, which it's not!!! Based on his chemistry with Crosby he should be there , are there 10 guys better , yes for sure, will any of them have the chemistry with Crosby????? Again I don't know and neither do u, Crosby Kunitz is a slam dunk
- Brianandr1

Has he played with Crosby on the Large ice ? How do you know he will have chemistry with him at the Olympics what if he slumps right after the team is picked he is a waste of spot period there are to many things that could go wrong with taking him over the good it could bring. This isn't a world cup this is the freaking Olympics. We have way to much skill to worry about if someone will have chemistry with Crosby don't be silly by acting like it's so important when you can't even know if he would have chemistry in an event like this it isn't the NHL it''s a different game.

I am not saying Kunitz is better than Giroux. That would be stupid. I was simply showing what I think are defensive weaknesses on CG's part. When filling out your team, I think it needs to be more like an elite NHL team, not an all star squad.

Thats why the US played so well against them 4 years ago. The USA has players that have specific roles on the team and understand those roles.

How many forwards are going to lay on the ice and block a shot from Canada? Getzlaf and Perry? Maybe?

Canada should win gold every time but they don't. I just believe that you dont take the 12 highest scoring forwards to the tourney.
- mjk3122

How much easier will it be for a skilled guy to do damage with all then extra ice ? A lot easier then it will be for these "shut down " "grinding type" players to do there jobs.

Even if that's true, which it's not!!! Based on his chemistry with Crosby he should be there , are there 10 guys better , yes for sure, will any of them have the chemistry with Crosby????? Again I don't know and neither do u, Crosby Kunitz is a slam dunk
- Brianandr1

Ok, whatever you say. You mention that Kunitz is not a product of Crosby over and over, but then use that as the basis of him being on the team. Which one is it? Seems to me it takes away from the team's versatility. Kunitz is one the team strictly to play with Crosby, useless everywhere else. What happens if Sid gets hurt? Two wasted roster spots then?

Not a chance... At all. I don't want Kunitz on the top line at all regardless of his chemistry 20 goals ? like that makes him good enough to be on Canada when you are taking about 90 pt 30-60 goal guys.
- blizzzard

Yes it does, you can't gaurantee any of those 30 90 guys can play with Crosby , how many guys will Babcock have to rotate in to find the right fit and how many games will canada potentially lose while figuring it out , this is not an all star game it's a two week tournament against some damn good teams