Maybe, but some of the other selections (notably Marleau) are very suspicious.
- jmatchett383

really patrick marleau is suspicious and not kunitz

Giroux set a QMJHL playoff record for scoring while playing wing, kills penalties, and is just flat-out better. There's a host of wingers (St. Louis and Benn the top two) I would have taken over him.
- jmatchett383

I know. Im not arguing with you. I just think they like Marleaus two-way play and the fact that he plays wing a lot in the NHL.

really patrick marleau is suspicious and not kunitz
- 2Real

Kunitz is on the team because of his chemistry with Crosby. We all know that. If it were Marleau and thronton it would make more sense

Kunitz is on the team because of his chemistry with Crosby. We all know that. If it were Marleau and thronton it would make more sense
- PhillySportsGuy

still makes no sense to put a plug like him on the olympic roster

still makes no sense to put a plug like him on the olympic roster
- 2Real

They went for chemistry between line mates. Toews-Sharp, Crosby Kunitz, Getzlaf-Perry. A little strange they didn't take Seabrook though.

Schenn is a different type of player than Laughton. He's shown he can be a good 2nd line center when Vinny isn't anchoring the line down. Im not sure Couturier or Laughton will score enough to be a 2nd line center. I hold out hope that Couturier will.
- PhillySportsGuy

I see Coots in a Brindy role as a 2nd line center. I think he has enough offensive skill to get the job done. I'm not sure how healthy Vinny's back really is, it might just be about getting strength regained. I'll be curious to see how he skates after the break.

Who do you guys think will be the finalist for the Norris?

Maybe, but some of the other selections (notably Marleau) are very suspicious.
- jmatchett383

You call marleau suspicious when Crosby is bringing is trash man?

Selfishly, I hope it's NOT Giroux. But I'm sure Giroux may not feel that way.
- johndewar

He has shown he's more injury prone when at leisure (or playing against Crosby) so I think it's nice if he goes and gets to stay in a rhythm and have that experience. This is the last NHL Olympics til at least 2026. So probably G's only chance.

I see Coots in a Brindy role as a 2nd line center. I think he has enough offensive skill to get the job done. I'm not sure how healthy Vinny's back really is, it might just be about getting strength regained. I'll be curious to see how he skates after the break.
- ravishingone

That'd be fine by me. I think thats best case scenario.

Honestly there are several reasons. First of which is I think this team is lacking a top scoring threat. Someone with a killer shot to compliment Griroux and Voracek. Second, I think we are top heavy on 2 way centers, and while I know its a good thing, we should be seeing what our options are to spread that depth out a bit. Also he is young like the rest of the core of this team and we could keep a good diverse core together for some time. And also because it is possible that is value is lower now then it will ever likely be. It would be nice to be on the winning "got you" side of a trade for once.
- youarewrong

First of all, I'm going to state that I can't tell you what Yakupov is going to become. Haven't seen him play enough. I read some things about him, good and bad. Seen him play a few times where I wasn't impressed. Obviously he's an elite talent or he wouldn't have been selected #1. But that's neither here nor there. I understand wanting a top scoring threat, but how do you know Yakupov is going to be that? If you're going to give up what it takes to acquire a player like that, you better be right, or it's an issue. So the cost is going to be extremely high regardless. I don't think that Edmonton is going to put on him a for sale sign and sell lower any time soon. And lastly, I don't think there is a such a thing as being too top heavy at a position, or having an excess at a position.

He has shown he's more injury prone when at leisure (or playing against Crosby) so I think it's nice if he goes and gets to stay in a rhythm and have that experience. This is the last NHL Olympics til at least 2026. So probably G's only chance.
- bodiva88

If he's planning to go away for the break and golf, I'd rather have him playing hockey

He has shown he's more injury prone when at leisure (or playing against Crosby) so I think it's nice if he goes and gets to stay in a rhythm and have that experience. This is the last NHL Olympics til at least 2026. So probably G's only chance.
- bodiva88

Explain

I think B. Schenn is the trade chip they use to bolster blue line. Vinny can keep the seat warm at center through next year as Laughton is brought along on the 4th line. I can't think of another reason why they haven't extended Schenn yet, they seem to have no problem extending guys they want to keep (of course they extend guys who they don't either - Richards, Carter, JVR
)
- ravishingone

Schenn signed to a new deal wouldn't affect his trade value negatively. it might make it better. I personally wouldn't read anything into that other then they just haven't reached a deal yet.

Giroux set a QMJHL playoff record for scoring while playing wing, kills penalties, and is just flat-out better. There's a host of wingers (St. Louis and Benn the top two) I would have taken over him.
- jmatchett383

In my opinion I don't think the Canadian braintrust view Giroux as a Winger. They view him as a playmaking Center that needs to play on one of the top lines. And they feel that Crosby, Toews, and Getzlaff are all better right now. That's why I feel he didn't make the original roster. I personally would've taken Giroux over Matt Duchene. But Giroux may make the team now that Stamkos is out.

First of all, I'm going to state that I can't tell you what Yakupov is going to become. Haven't seen him play enough. I read some things about him, good and bad. Seen him play a few times where I wasn't impressed. Obviously he's an elite talent or he wouldn't have been selected #1. But that's neither here nor there. I understand wanting a top scoring threat, but how do you know Yakupov is going to be that? If you're going to give up what it takes to acquire a player like that, you better be right, or it's an issue. So the cost is going to be extremely high regardless. I don't think that Edmonton is going to put on him a for sale sign and sell lower any time soon. And lastly, I don't think there is a such a thing as being too top heavy at a position, or having an excess at a position.
- MJL

I agree. But I think right now... at this minute his trade value is a lot lower then what he will be.

And to your second point.. We arent just top heavy at a certain position, but the 3 players are very similiar players... maybe not clones, but its not like one is a play makes, one is 2 way and 1 is scorer.... I would break 1 up for a scoring threat.

You call marleau suspicious when Crosby is bringing is trash man?
- youarewrong

That trash man is 8th in the NHL in goals (4th among Canadians), and is a natural winger. And yes, he has chemistry with the best player in the world. So I totally get why he made it. This is a short tournament so building chemistry is basically blind darts. It's nice to have some familiarity, especially when a guy is producing like Kunitz is.

Explain
- youarewrong

The NHL has all but said it won't let their players play in the next 2 Olympics.

I agree. But I think right now... at this minute his trade value is a lot lower then what he will be.

And to your second point.. We arent just top heavy at a certain position, but the 3 players are very similiar players... maybe not clones, but its not like one is a play makes, one is 2 way and 1 is scorer.... I would break 1 up for a scoring threat.
- youarewrong

I don't think they're similar at all (well, to a certain extent, all players are).

Giroux is an elite playmaker who is as dangerous as almost anyone any time he has the puck.

Couturier is on the cusp of becoming an elite shutdown center who is already a top PKer who has a ton of offensive potential that he may or may not realize, but is valuable as is due to his defensive prowess.

B Schenn is a bit of a wild card. He's finally starting to fulfill the goal scoring and 2-way play he was touted as having. He's not a defensive expert a la Coots/Richards, but he's strong on the puck, can hit as hard as anyone, and is starting to show he can be a difference maker with his goals.

The only one who's even remotely available should be Schenn, since Giroux is better on the offensive side of the puck and Coots is better on the defensive side. But I'm not trading him for a player who's soft (in relative terms) and has shown no interest in anything but scoring goals.

The NHL has all but said it won't let their players play in the next 2 Olympics.
- jmatchett383

Looks like I wont be watching any winter olymipcs until 2026.

Looks like I wont be watching any winter olymipcs until 2026.
- youarewrong

You don't want to see the bobsled and cross-country skiing?

But seriously, I will watch for speed skating and curling, the sport you don't care about for 3 years and 49 weeks out of every 4 years but fall in love with for a few weeks.

The NHL has all but said it won't let their players play in the next 2 Olympics.
- jmatchett383

And will be reinstituting a World Cup style competition quadrennially to take place during the summer.

I agree. But I think right now... at this minute his trade value is a lot lower then what he will be.

And to your second point.. We arent just top heavy at a certain position, but the 3 players are very similiar players... maybe not clones, but its not like one is a play makes, one is 2 way and 1 is scorer.... I would break 1 up for a scoring threat.
- youarewrong

I guess that depends on which 3 players you're talking about? I can understand thinking that Couturier and Laughton are similar players. But that's where the comparisons end. And I don't think that Laughton is even that similar to Couturier.

And will be reinstituting a World Cup style competition quadrenially to take place during the summer.
- bodiva88

Yep. World Cup 1996 was the best hockey I've ever witnessed. I was at the double OT Canada vs. Sweden Semifinal, 16 seconds away from a 3rd OT. I was so upset that I had to stop watching them, as both teams had their superstars at the height of their powers (minus Gretzky).

I don't think they're similar at all (well, to a certain extent, all players are).

Giroux is an elite playmaker who is as dangerous as almost anyone any time he has the puck.

Couturier is on the cusp of becoming an elite shutdown center who is already a top PKer who has a ton of offensive potential that he may or may not realize, but is valuable as is due to his defensive prowess.

B Schenn is a bit of a wild card. He's finally starting to fulfill the goal scoring and 2-way play he was touted as having. He's not a defensive expert a la Coots/Richards, but he's strong on the puck, can hit as hard as anyone, and is starting to show he can be a difference maker with his goals.

The only one who's even remotely available should be Schenn, since Giroux is better on the offensive side of the puck and Coots is better on the defensive side. But I'm not trading him for a player who's soft (in relative terms) and has shown no interest in anything but scoring goals.
- jmatchett383

I was talking about Couts, Schenn, Laughton.... Giroux is much differnet then those 3... and of course each one is different then the other, but it seems like they arent diverse enough to make a good combination. EI 3 2-way players. One is better at scoring. one better at defense... and one unknown.... but they are still not really playmakers or snipers. If they were a better mix, then i would say sure fine... depth at center is great...

For Example... our depth before was... Richards... defensive minded 2 way player... Carter... Shooting sniper... Briere... Speedster/Sniper Giroux... Playmaker.