I hate NHL Olympic participation. HATE IT. I do expect at least three more Olympians to be announced, though. Giroux, Voracek & Timonen seem like locks.
- Jsaquella

Please, God, tell Timonen to sit this one out.

Oh please, oh please, oh please.

My top picks are Subban and Yandle.
- Jsaquella

You like offensive defenseman. I, particularly, liked Yandle's giveaway on the winning goal.

Honestly, I'd go with these when everyone is healthy

19-28-93
10/40-40/10-17
24-14-9
12-76-18

I know Hartnell struggled with Giroux & Voracek earlier, but he's playing much better now. He's doing the dirty work he needs to be a productive player. A big part of his issues last season and early this one were born from him NOT doing that kind of stuff.

He needs to be a bastard out there, wreaking havoc and causing mayhem. He's doing that now. He was not before.
- Jsaquella

I think the fact Downie jumped from the 4th line to play with Giroux and Voracek instead of Hartnell when Raffl got hurt was VERY telling. To me it says they dont want Hartnell back on the top line at all costs.

Couturier should have made Team USA (I think he has dual citizenship, though I'm not sure if you have to pick for the OIC/IIHF). Also, any chance Lauridsen gets a spot?
- jmatchett383

Couturier has already represented Canada at the WJC, and once you play for a nation under IIHF domain, you're that nationality.

That's why Jason Muzzatti, for Flames goalie is Italian as far as the IIHF is concerned.

Has a shot. I was focused on the NHL roster, though.
- Jsaquella

Maybe Noebels too

Please, God, tell Timonen to sit this one out.

Oh please, oh please, oh please.
- Moose_15

I agree with you, but no way that happens.

I think the fact Downie jumped from the 4th line to play with Giroux and Voracek instead of Hartnell when Raffl got hurt was VERY telling. To me it says they dont want Hartnell back on the top line at all costs.
- youarewrong

I think it had more to do with the current hot streak that line is on.

I think the fact Downie jumped from the 4th line to play with Giroux and Voracek instead of Hartnell when Raffl got hurt was VERY telling. To me it says they dont want Hartnell back on the top line at all costs.
- youarewrong

I think it has more to do with not breaking up a line that was having a lot of success than keeping Hartnell off the top line. That 19-10-17 line was playing some very good hockey, and Berube isn't one to make changes when things are going well.

I agree with you, but no way that happens.
- johndewar

I'm sure he has a lot of pressure on him to play this year. Who are the best Fin players? It seems they have an aging core

Today at practice, Raffl is fully involved and skating with 4th line. Downie stays on top line for now. No Read yet.

Per the beats, especially Dave Isaac, who tweeted the lines

You have a strange wish list. Not saying those guys are bad players, but it's a strange combination.
- PhillySportsGuy

Shea Weber...and to Tomahawk's point, while he is not Chris Pronger in his prime, he is the closest thing to Chris Pronger in his prime that there is. To me, still the best defenseman in the game (all due respect to Suter and Karlsson).

Dustin Brown is like a some weird combination of Bob Kelly and Mike Richards. Big, likes to hit a lot (cleanly, sometimes), and will score you 20-25 goal a year. Excellent leadership, and can play anywhere in the top-9.

John Carlsson is, as was stated, and American hero. That OT winner against Canada in 2010 is one of my favorite hockey moments (and that was the best WJC game I've ever seen). Josh Gibson basically was the 2013 WJC version of Jonathan Quick from the 2012 SCF; pure lights out goaltending straight through the tournament.

I agree with you, but no way that happens.
- johndewar

Maybe the Flyers need to hire these two for the duration of the Olympics as "consultants" for Timonen:

Today at practice, Raffl is fully involved and skating with 4th line. Downie stays on top line for now. No Read yet.

Per the beats, especially Dave Isaac, who tweeted the lines
- Jsaquella

If there is no Read and Raffl is on the 4th line…That means Rinaldo is on the third line instead of Raffl.

Couturier has already represented Canada at the WJC, and once you play for a nation under IIHF domain, you're that nationality.

That's why Jason Muzzatti, for Flames goalie is Italian as far as the IIHF is concerned.
- Jsaquella

Does the IIHF have a say with the IOC when it comes to Olympic representation, or if the IIHF related only to hockey-only tournaments?

I'm sure he has a lot of pressure on him to play this year. Who are the best Fin players? It seems they have an aging core
- PhillySportsGuy

On their blue line?

Is Sami Salo still kicking around?

Otherwise, most of the Finns that play D that I know off the top of my head are young guys (Maata, Ristolainen).

I'm sure we'll see our good friend Lasse Kukkonen, no?

If there is no Read and Raffl is on the 4th line…That means Rinaldo is on the third line instead of Raffl.
- PhillySportsGuy

Or Rosehill
Or Akeson

Shea Weber...and to Tomahawk's point, while he is not Chris Pronger in his prime, he is the closest thing to Chris Pronger in his prime that there is. To me, still the best defenseman in the game (all due respect to Suter and Karlsson).

Dustin Brown is like a some weird combination of Bob Kelly and Mike Richards. Big, likes to hit a lot (cleanly, sometimes), and will score you 20-25 goal a year. Excellent leadership, and can play anywhere in the top-9.

John Carlsson is, as was stated, and American hero. That OT winner against Canada in 2010 is one of my favorite hockey moments (and that was the best WJC game I've ever seen). Josh Gibson basically was the 2013 WJC version of Jonathan Quick from the 2012 SCF; pure lights out goaltending straight through the tournament.
- jmatchett383

I think Suter is the best defenseman in hockey right now. The man plays 2 minutes more than any of there player. The Flyers should have written him a blank check.

I think Suter is the best defenseman in hockey right now. The man plays 2 minutes more than any of there player. The Flyers should have written him a blank check.
- PhillySportsGuy

I thought they did.

They offered much, much more than Minnesota.

On their blue line?

Is Sami Salo still kicking around?

Otherwise, most of the Finns that play D that I know off the top of my head are young guys (Maata, Ristolainen).

I'm sure we'll see our good friend Lasse Kukkonen, no?
- johndewar

One of my favorite moments of the last Olympics was when Finland was losing and my wife says, "Oh, I know why they're losing; they have Kukkonen on their team."

Does the IIHF have a say with the IOC when it comes to Olympic representation, or if the IIHF related only to hockey-only tournaments?
- jmatchett383

Nope, the IIHF & IOC work together for the Olympics. It's an IIHF sanctioned event, so Couturier is a Canadian only to them

I thought they did.

They offered much, much more than Minnesota.
- Moose_15

They sure did. I think they offered him $9M a year or something crazy like that.

Nope, the IIHF & IOC work together for the Olympics. It's an IIHF sanctioned event, so Couturier is a Canadian only to them
- Jsaquella

Gotcha.

On their blue line?

Is Sami Salo still kicking around?

Otherwise, most of the Finns that play D that I know off the top of my head are young guys (Maata, Ristolainen).

I'm sure we'll see our good friend Lasse Kukkonen, no?
- johndewar

This is kind of a gap year for them. They have some very good, young talent coming along. Risto, Maata, Barkov, Granlund, but they aren't quite ready to make an impact. Then, they have the vets like Timmo, Koivus, Teemu. Their goaltending is outstanding though. Rask, Lehtonen, Rinne, Niemi, Backstrom, Raanta

I thought they did.

They offered much, much more than Minnesota.
- Moose_15

They should have offered him the Liberty Bell for his living room.

They sure did. I think they offered him $9M a year or something crazy like that.
- jmatchett383

Could you imagine the cap casualties if they landed both Parise and Suter?

Very different looking lineup.