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.
- blizzzard

They re one of the top teams in the league and have been for 5 years , why would that chemistry change in Sochi , it's like saying wade and lebron might not have the same chemistry in the Olympics bc the rules are slightly different , ridic in my opinion

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

....And plays with Crosby...

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

LOL

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

Sharp is in the top 10 in scoring right now, +18, has terrific speed and is consistently great in the playoffs. His two way game is surpassed only by guys named Toews, Bergeron or Couture.

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?
- Flyers1218

Kunitz is physical, kills penalties, blocks shots and plays d, soo no!!!

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
- Brianandr1

Dude the problem never will be finding chemistry with Crosby that is insane. There are how many other forwards and you are going to tell me that because you don't know which one is going to have chemistry with him means Kunitz should be there? like (frank). This isn't Crosby's first Olympics or first time he has played for Canada without Kunitz on his wing. There will also be how many tune up games ? Your arguement is built around such a minor problem we would lose multiple games because no one can find chemistry with Sid he will create his own regardless and there will be 3 other lines that are extremely talented to pick up the slack of 1 freaking line.

Sharp is in the top 10 in scoring right now, +18, has terrific speed and is consistently great in the playoffs. His two way game is surpassed only by guys named Toews, Bergeron or Couture.
- Canuckleafer

Crosby? Giroux?

Crosby? Giroux?
- Scooby_Doo

Well played.. lol.

They re one of the top teams in the league and have been for 5 years , why would that chemistry change in Sochi , it's like saying wade and lebron might not have the same chemistry in the Olympics bc the rules are slightly different , ridic in my opinion
- Brianandr1

Saying that it will be such a huge deal ( big enough to take a guy who has almost no right being there on his own ) to take Kunitz because we will be doomed if some of the most talented players in the world can't find chemistry in the first three games is so silly. You are banking on a total unknown and making it out to be like it's a huge deal. Canada still could win a gold without Crosby that is how much talent is there and available to them.

Kunitz is physical, kills penalties, blocks shots and plays d, soo no!!!
- Brianandr1

You're making good points, but none of these will be issues for Canada on any line or set of combinations, you know? Like Kunitz is good, but pick the best players available, period. No history, no seasonal chemistry. Look what happened in 2006 with that "team built to compete".... The Swiss ended up beating us 2-0 and we didn't even finish top-3.

Crosby? Giroux?
- Scooby_Doo

I never said he was the top player on the team, but I'd put Sharp's defensive play ahead of Crosby or Giroux for that matter.

....And plays with Crosby...
- Flyers_V88

That's what I'm saying Kunitz also doesn't have the responsibility of a difficult defensive assignment.

Kunitz is physical, kills penalties, blocks shots and plays d, soo no!!!
- Brianandr1

yes crosby and kunitz have chemistry. but that should not be the basis that you take kunitz. you could put scott gomez with crsby and gomer will probably have a good year. the point is, kunitz imo should not take the roster spot of a giroux, or hall or any of the other better skilled players, this is bigger ice as well. posiitoning is much different. also the poeple that play with crosby need to be 1) fast 2) have vision and a high hockey iq. crosby will make the extra ordinary play you need a guy to be there or at least think along the same line as he does. no (frank)ing way you have kunitz playing with the best player in the world on canadas top line.

crosby next to giroux or next to hall will be better than crosby kunitz.

That's what I'm saying Kunitz also doesn't have the responsibility of a difficult defensive assignment.
- tomburton99

When guys swarm Crosby it likely leaves Kunitz pretty open or uncovered.

Benn brings a lot more than points. His speed tenacity and all around skill set should have him there on the 3rd or 4th line.
Plus his pk and two way play

When guys swarm Crosby it likely leaves Kunitz pretty open or uncovered.
- blizzzard

Ok. What does that have to with Kunitz not having to be a defensively responsible as Giroux. Giroux as the center has to be involved at both ends.

yes crosby and kunitz have chemistry. but that should not be the basis that you take kunitz. you could put scott gomez with crsby and gomer will probably have a good year. the point is, kunitz imo should not take the roster spot of a giroux, or hall or any of the other better skilled players, this is bigger ice as well. posiitoning is much different. also the poeple that play with crosby need to be 1) fast 2) have vision and a high hockey iq. crosby will make the extra ordinary play you need a guy to be there or at least think along the same line as he does. no (frank)ing way you have kunitz playing with the best player in the world on canadas top line.

crosby next to giroux or next to hall will be better than crosby kunitz.
- munky123

1. Kunitz is a good skater
2. His hockey IQ is high

if he didn't, how would he be ready for Crosby's extra ordinary plays he sees every game?

Benn brings a lot more than points. His speed tenacity and all around skill set should have him there on the 3rd or 4th line.
- NoobasaurusRex

Agree.

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

G is a better defensive player then Kunitz as well, so there goes that argument.

WHAT ABOUT HALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

G is a better defensive player then Kunitz as well, so there goes that argument.
- Flyers1218

Truth.

WHAT ABOUT HALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- JasonDh

Interesting call with Hall.. .Of the younger players, he'd be the one I'd take.

G is a better defensive player then Kunitz as well, so there goes that argument.
- Flyers1218

False. I have never seen Kunitz coast back into the d zone. The same cannot be said about Giroux. They were blasting his effort early this year when the team was struggling and his goal scoring was down. The local Philly guys were saying it was effecting his entire game.

Giroux can be dominating when he wants to be. He can also be very average.

Interesting call with Hall.. .Of the younger players, he'd be the one I'd take.
- Flyers_V88

Theres no question imo. One of the greatest skaters i have seen, and is proven to produce even on a poop awful team. If it wasn't for the injury and having to start playing the centre position, he would've been in top 10 scoring for sure.

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

I hate when people quote +/-, terrible stat...
Kunitz has been on a stacked Pens team for years with the best player on the planet as his linemate...he should have a ridiculous +/-.
Giroux has played on some pretty average Flyers teams, with some very average goaltending...

I take Giroux over Kunitz all day.