I think the difference maker would be Howe....he would both calm any issues in team USA's end as well and provide the offensive jump to go along with Roenick and LeClair.

Team USA takes this
- Pyzik

I don't think USA would enter as the favorite -- I think Ontario would -- but they could easily be the team that ultimately prevails. The USA-Ontario game would be a war!

So I am 25... which means that Pronger and Lindros are probably the meanest skilled players I have watched. I honestly cant think of anyone who could dominate in all facets like these guys...
- jak521

They would be difficult to face for anyone. But Holmgren and LeClair on the same line would be like dealing with two elephants with great hands...and one would be pissed off and capable of beating the poop out of anyone on your team.

The scariest thing about Ontario is how do you deal with Kerr and Lindros together? Those two beasts just clear room for Barber.

I flipped the USA & Ontario, and had Quebec third. Not that it was a blowout in any way, shape or form.
- Jsaquella

For sure. I just saw a front line of Lindros, Barber, and Kerr, with Pronger and Daily on the back end and felt they could overcome any goalie issue. And Froese was pretty good that year.

For sure. I just saw a front line of Lindros, Barber, and Kerr, with Pronger and Daily on the back end and felt they could overcome any goalie issue. And Froese was pretty good that year.
- MBFlyerfan

Froese was a monster in the regular season, fell apart in playoffs. That was my sole worry, Frosty wasn't much of a money goalie.

Boucher was not as good as Froese, but when the games really mattered, Boosh could step up and get wins.

Now if Bobby Ryan were on team USA! It would put them over the top.

Now if Bobby Ryan were on team USA! It would put them over the top.


- Philly1980

Shiny!

Team Quebec wins it all for me! Only the Lord saves more then Bernie!

Froese was a monster in the regular season, fell apart in playoffs. That was my sole worry, Frosty wasn't much of a money goalie.

Boucher was not as good as Froese, but when the games really mattered, Boosh could step up and get wins.
- Jsaquella

I liked boosh think he would have made a hell of a backup for us....sad to see him signed for two years. He would have made an excellent backup to bryz.

Giroux is an error. Hearst is well into Northen Ontario, actually West of Toronto. When he played in the Q he played for the Olympiques. Gatineau is across the river from Ottawa. More important, he and his family lived in Orleans, a superb of Ottawa.

I relate to this. I was born in Sudbury, same region as Hearst. Moved to Ottawa, worked in Gatineau (Hull) for 16 years. Never thought of myself as being from Quebec or a Quebecer.

Great blog Bill. Makes for an interesting debate.

1. Ontario
2. Quebec
3. Sweden
4. USA

Last Russia, they have the worst goaltender in the lot.

Fat Balloon on the wing for Team Manitoba, as opposed to Jody Shelley? Interesting.

Giroux is an error. Hearst is well into Northen Ontario, actually West of Toronto. When he played in the Q he played for the Olympiques. Gatineau is across the river from Ottawa. More important, he and his family lived in Orleans, a superb of Ottawa.

I relate to this. I was born in Sudbury. Moved to Ottawa, worked in Gatineau (Hull) for 16 years. Never thought of myself as being from Quebec or a Quebecer.
- spatso

well if it giroux,Lindros and kerr. that pretty much kills every other line.

I don't think Team Sweden could get through the 10-game round robin without a couple key guys going down, and then it would be players like Marcus Ragnarsson or Patrik Juhlin who would have to step up.
- bmeltzer

But if they stay healthy, most talented team. I think they stay healthy in this extra-dimensional tournament.

well if it giroux,Lindros and kerr. that pretty much kills every other line.
- Philly1980

I think that is a fact.

Giroux is an error. Hearst is well into Northen Ontario, actually West of Toronto. When he played in the Q he played for the Olympiques. Gatineau is across the river from Ottawa. More important, he and his family lived in Orleans, a superb of Ottawa.

I relate to this. I was born in Sudbury, same region as Hearst. Moved to Ottawa, worked in Gatineau (Hull) for 16 years. Never thought of myself as being from Quebec or a Quebecer.
- spatso

Did you read the blog? Bill addressed why he put Giroux there.

Too bad we have to miss out on the talents of the "Latvian Laser" Oskars Bartulis and the "Norwegian Hammer" OK Tollefsen in this tourney.

Did you read the blog? Bill addressed why he put Giroux there.
- MJL

Yes I did and I came to the conclusion that you could not put Bobby Ryan on team Ontario or Nail Yakupov on team Ontario because they played in the OHL.

Yes I did and I came to the conclusion that you could not put Bobby Ryan on team Ontario or Nail Yakupov on team Ontario because they played in the OHL.
- spatso

Yes I did and I came to the conclusion that you could not put Bobby Ryan on team Ontario or Nail Yakupov on team Ontario because they played in the OHL.
- spatso

As a francophone who played in the Q, I think he can be an honorary Team Quebec member. Otherwise, Giroux would have been excluded and Simon Nolet or Andre Lacroix would have been in, which makes Team Quebec less of a contender, IMO.

Giroux is an error. Hearst is well into Northen Ontario, actually West of Toronto. When he played in the Q he played for the Olympiques. Gatineau is across the river from Ottawa. More important, he and his family lived in Orleans, a superb of Ottawa.

I relate to this. I was born in Sudbury, same region as Hearst. Moved to Ottawa, worked in Gatineau (Hull) for 16 years. Never thought of myself as being from Quebec or a Quebecer.
- spatso

Kind of funny that Bill covered his reason for moving Giroux to the Quebec team and noted that he's from Ontario and not Quebec, and that the solitary reason he made the move was because the player played in the Q, and it made the whole discussion more interesting by including a popular player and making a stronger team that would draw votes to win, where as with Simon Nolet instead of Giroux, Quebec is likely to be no better than 4th or 5th on most voters lists.

As a francophone who played in the Q, I think he can be an honorary Team Quebec member. Otherwise, Giroux would have been excluded and Simon Nolet or Andre Lacroix would have been in, which makes Team Quebec less of a contender, IMO.
- bmeltzer

If his mother agrees, I will concede the point.

well if it giroux,Lindros and kerr. that pretty much kills every other line.
- Philly1980

If Giroux was left in the team Ontario pool, he doesn't even make the team. Giroux doesn't top Lindros or Kerr, based on the careers those players had, and to suggest he'd beat out Bill Barber is insanity.

There's a reason nobody's wearing number 7 for the Flyers again.

If Giroux was left in the team Ontario pool, he doesn't even make the team. Giroux doesn't top Lindros or Kerr, based on the careers those players had, and to suggest he'd beat out Bill Barber is insanity.

There's a reason nobody's wearing number 7 for the Flyers again.
- Jsaquella

Ive seen those three play so my opinion is biased. I dont remember barber.

Did you read the blog? Bill addressed why he put Giroux there.
- MJL

Spatso, I agree with MJL, who stated "Did you read the blog?".

You should read the blog. It addresses why Bill put Giroux there.

For sure. I just saw a front line of Lindros, Barber, and Kerr, with Pronger and Daily on the back end and felt they could overcome any goalie issue. And Froese was pretty good that year.
- MBFlyerfan

Woe to the team that tried to contain Lindros AND Kerr down low, with Pronger and Dailey on the points and Barber with virtual free reign in the offensive zone.

If his mother agrees, I will concede the point.
- spatso

I suspect Giroux himself would prefer the option of representing Quebec rather than not making Team Ontario (because he's not going to beat out a HHOF, Lindros at his peak, or Kerr's goal-scoring at his).