Red or White? Pick a Winner!

[Brodeur_fan666]

Don't forget our fine american brothers! I think they will be in the mix as well. American Hockey is on the rise !!!

They are on the rise because of Parise and Stastny , mostly !. They couldn't put 2 teams as powerful as Canada could. Their major weakness is their Offense : some strong quality players , but not enough depth . The same thing can be said about the American D : when you have Komisarek as a potential starter for your country , there is something wrong.

[sholi2000]

Hey Shane - if Carey comes out of the blocks like gangbusters (call it 15-5 in his first 20 games) and Ward and/or Fleury stumble a little, does he move up to the 3rd spot?

I don't think so. The focus is on one-two.

But believe me, I am more than a little upset that Carey wasn't invited. Last December theere was no other goalie mentioned as number three for the Canada camp this summer. Then he gets injured, comes back less than stellar (the Canadiens are a team stunk up the last half), and boom. That's the last you heard of him.

I am more than happy with the goalie selection, and you and I know that someday Carey will be there too.

If I was picking third based on last season. Cam Ward would get my vote.

BTW Richard I received your fee today. Thanks.

[Matteo Hockey]

If Team Canada doesnt win the gold medal i really dont know who will??

[Brodeur_fan666]

If Team Canada doesnt win the gold medal i really dont know who will??

Russia...

[ravens_creed]

I'd just like to state that there is no way in heck that Mike Green cracks the line up. Don't get me wrong, I'd still put him up there as one of the top 3 exciting D-men in the league, but don't let his fantasy pool value (his ability to accumulate points) make you forget that he is absolutely BRUTAL defensively, so much so that it is a liability that Team Canada can't afford to take. See my comments on Shea Weber...

On Robin Regehr (and being overrated)... I have to disagree, mainly because I used to feel that way. I couldn't understand why his name was around for the last team as well (and the year Eric Brewer was in the mix.... for real?), but I've educated myself as to how well Mr.Regehr makes a living bringing pain and frustration to any forward who comes near him (especially in his own end). On those merits, let's not forget that it's defense that wins hockey games. Having said that, though, I wouldn't even be slightly disappointed if he didn't make the team. I can just see why they'd take him (and Hockey Canada has him as one of their guys, just like Ryan Smyth and Dany Heatley). In that regard, I definitely think they have him overrated overall.


On Team USA... I heard a very good conversation on the topic of Team USA's Olympic squad for this year on the local sports radio station here in Toronto, and there were some very good points brought up. The conversation could be summarized by the following points:

- Team USA is in a transition period. Their former roster of studs are all retired or in the limelight of their careers now (and sad to think some will still be on the team come February), and the core of the team of the future isn't in their prime yet (Stastny, Parise, Mueller, Ryan, Kane, Kessel)

- Team USA is hurting for top-tiered defensemen. Brian Rafalski is arguably your top guy back there.

- Team USA is very likely not going to medal in the 2010 Olympics, and that is BAD FOR HOCKEY in North America in general

- To give an idea of how far away from some of the other power house teams they are (with regards to talent and depth)... David Booth is likely going to make the roster, and Paul Gaustad stands a decent chance.

- The hockey "experts" in the chat mutually agreed that if USA Hockey was smart, they'd pass over geriatrics like Jason Blake, Keith Tkachuk, and Bill Guerin (who probably won't make it anyway), and let some of their very young talent suit up (Blake Wheeler, even James Van Riemsdyk was mentioned), as a warm-up for 2014, when they'll be much more competitive.

[RGM81]

I don't think so. The focus is on one-two.

But believe me, I am more than a little upset that Carey wasn't invited. Last December theere was no other goalie mentioned as number three for the Canada camp this summer. Then he gets injured, comes back less than stellar (the Canadiens are a team stunk up the last half), and boom. That's the last you heard of him.

I am more than happy with the goalie selection, and you and I know that someday Carey will be there too.

If I was picking third based on last season. Cam Ward would get my vote.

BTW Richard I received your fee today. Thanks.

Glad to hear that it arrived safe and sound - really looking forward to the fun this fall/winter.

The good thing about being the whopping age of 22 is that he's got his entire career ahead of him. As awesome as it would be for him to take it all in while in his home province, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.

[sholi2000]

Glad to hear that it arrived safe and sound - really looking forward to the fun this fall/winter.

The good thing about being the whopping age of 22 is that he's got his entire career ahead of him. As awesome as it would be for him to take it all in while in his home province, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.

I know. If only the Canadiens didn't tank the second half then Price would have been invited. Oh well I guess we'll have to win gold with just Brodeur or Luongo :)

[lumm0x]

I'm excited that Carter got invited and will be even moreso should he find his way onto the roster. That would be a giant stepping stone in a young career and hopefully help him elevate his game one more level.

[ravens_creed]

I would be shocked if Jeff Carter didn't make the team.

[gregmal05]

Crosby-Iginla-Carter
Nash-Thornton-Heatley
Doan-Getzlaf-Staal
Toews-Lecavalier-Richards

Pronger-Neidermeyer
Keith-Bouwmeester
Boyle-Regheir

Brodeur
Ward
Luongo (in order, there is no way he should be near the net in an elimation game)