n theres a reason the ruskies havent won a gold medal since the NHL joined the olympics.

its easy to win over college kids and amateurs when you ice your best.
but when the other teams start icing their best its different,

The russian defense is weak, their bottom 6 is crap, they have datsyuk playing on one leg. they will need more then over and malkin playing well to win.

Semin is a pig puss, Kovalchuk is in KHL retirement and the KHL is garbage no matter what the russians say.

Norway and Austria in our first two.
- hugefemale dog77

yea

n theres a reason the ruskies havent won a gold medal since the NHL joined the olympics.

its easy to win over college kids and amateurs when you ice your best.
but when the other teams start icing their best its different,

The russian defense is weak, their bottom 6 is crap, they have datsyuk playing on one leg. they will need more then over and malkin playing well to win.

Semin is a pig puss, Kovalchuk is in KHL retirement and the KHL is garbage no matter what the russians say.
- Jurco_28

They'll get the benefit of all 50/50 calls, so the PP will be key for them. That and goaltending(in a short tournament like this goaltending is almost always the difference).

They'll get the benefit of all 50/50 calls, so the PP will be key for them. That and goaltending(in a short tournament like this goaltending is almost always the difference).
- Nucker101

russians will go back to "dominating" because this is the NHLs last olympics.
pretty was to win when you bring your best and everyone else brings amateurs

Hall would look a lot better on the Ducks line than Marleau will. Couture too, but he didn't recover from his injury on time anyway. Giroux with Crosby instead of Carter would have been better too, however I would assume those two don't like each other very much. Probably has something to do with why Giroux didn't make the team.
- FinAddict

I tried to remain as unbiased as possible, which is tough to do. and even though I could see why they didn't choose him, I think he'dve been great for this team.


either way team Canada is stacked and we'll see how it all plays out.

and as much hatin on carter ive been doin, you guys are right in that his wrister is absolutely lethal and he could prove to be very effective with someone getting him the puck with so much extra room

check all the hot athletic chicks....

Damn theres a lot of smokeshows!

http://www.totalprosports...the-2014-winter-olympics/

n theres a reason the ruskies havent won a gold medal since the NHL joined the olympics.

its easy to win over college kids and amateurs when you ice your best.
but when the other teams start icing their best its different,

The russian defense is weak, their bottom 6 is crap, they have datsyuk playing on one leg. they will need more then over and malkin playing well to win.

Semin is a pig puss, Kovalchuk is in KHL retirement and the KHL is garbage no matter what the russians say.
- Jurco_28

one could make an argument that some of the teams they sent back in the day (klm line etc) were better than todays team. add to that playing against amateurs.


home ice might be huge, but on paper I think theyre probably only the 4th best team

check all the hot athletic chicks....

Damn theres a lot of smokeshows!

http://www.totalprosports...the-2014-winter-olympics/
- Iggysbff

I think we'll sit martin st.louis and matt Duchene.

definition of depth
- hugefemale dog77

Only one of them sits, the other one dresses as extra forward, same goes for d.

in the prelims, the ruskies only need datsyuk vs, the yanks.

though they could do what the swedes did in 94' with Footberg and sit him out the entire prelims

- Nucker101

the Russian curling team is retarded. 3 models

Only one of them sits, the other one dresses as extra forward, same goes for d.
- Scooby_Doo

so. st. Louis and hamhuis ?

vlasic and Duchene?


if I had my way it'd be carter and vlasic sitting

so. st. Louis and hamhuis ?

vlasic and Duchene?


if I had my way it'd be carter and vlasic sitting
- hugefemale dog77

Prolly be Hamhuis since he's just returned from injury.

Looks like theyre set on keeping Nash and Toews together.

Prolly be Hamhuis since he's just returned from injury.

Looks like theyre set on keeping Nash and Toews together.
- Iggysbff

makes sense

It just bugs me when I think of chris kunitz and jeff carter on the first line of the best team our country could put together.

makes sense

It just bugs me when I think of chris kunitz and jeff carter on the first line of the best team our country could put together.
- hugefemale dog77

It just seems ridiculous.....boggles my mind.

so. st. Louis and hamhuis ?

vlasic and Duchene?


if I had my way it'd be carter and vlasic sitting
- hugefemale dog77

Vlasic is skating with Doughty, he's in the lineup.

TSN reported they are planning on dressing Hamhuis over Subban, not sure how they gathered that information but that would be a huge mistake.

Vlasic is skating with Doughty, he's in the lineup.

TSN reported they are planning on dressing Hamhuis over Subban, not sure how they gathered that information but that would be a huge mistake.
- FinAddict

Good pairing. I'm a Canuck fan, but Subban is definitely the better player. Hamhuis the safer guy for sure though. Babcock definitely seems to want to have a solid defensive team. Keith/Doughty/Petro/JBo/Weber should still provide enough offense, but it's kinda hard to scratch a guy who just won the Norris.....

Vlasic is skating with Doughty, he's in the lineup.

TSN reported they are planning on dressing Hamhuis over Subban, not sure how they gathered that information but that would be a huge mistake.
- FinAddict

to be fair; the only reason I mentioned benching vlasic was ignorance.
ive seen him be solid and good for a long time since he cracked the roster as a baby, but I haven seen much of him lately where he's apparently taken his game to an elite level

as far as benching subban...ridiculous. he's become one of the true defensive game changers in the league

to be fair; the only reason I mentioned benching vlasic was ignorance.
ive seen him be solid and good for a long time since he cracked the roster as a baby, but I haven seen much of him lately where he's apparently taken his game to an elite level

as far as benching subban...ridiculous. he's become one of the true defensive game changers in the league
- hugefemale dog77

Vlasic is a pretty good player but I'm not sure if I'd file him under the elite category. He and Hamhuis are pretty similar players from what I've seen of Hamhuis. Whether Vlasic or Hamhuis lined up with Doughty it wouldn't make much of a difference.

As for Hamhuis vs Subban I'd prefer to sit Subban on the bench until a PP or throw him out if you need a goal. Subban brings that elite level of offense that only Keith can rival on our roster IMO. Hamhuis is a good player but any of those top 6 D can play PK/shutdown minutes which is what I assume they have in mind for Hamhuis.

But on the other hand Subban has played like poop since being named to the team, he'll really have to prove himself if he wants a significant role.

Vlasic is a pretty good player but I'm not sure if I'd file him under the elite category. He and Hamhuis are pretty similar players from what I've seen of Hamhuis. Whether Vlasic or Hamhuis lined up with Doughty it wouldn't make much of a difference.

As for Hamhuis vs Subban I'd prefer to sit Subban on the bench until a PP or throw him out if you need a goal. Subban brings that elite level of offense that only Keith can rival on our roster IMO. Hamhuis is a good player but any of those top 6 D can play PK/shutdown minutes which is what I assume they have in mind for Hamhuis.

But on the other hand Subban has played like poop since being named to the team, he'll really have to prove himself if he wants a significant role.
- FinAddict

He will...They play him and his game will come..

so. st. Louis and hamhuis ?

vlasic and Duchene?


if I had my way it'd be carter and vlasic sitting
- hugefemale dog77

vlasic abd Kunitz would be my call to sit.

Vlasic is a pretty good player but I'm not sure if I'd file him under the elite category. He and Hamhuis are pretty similar players from what I've seen of Hamhuis. Whether Vlasic or Hamhuis lined up with Doughty it wouldn't make much of a difference.

As for Hamhuis vs Subban I'd prefer to sit Subban on the bench until a PP or throw him out if you need a goal. Subban brings that elite level of offense that only Keith can rival on our roster IMO. Hamhuis is a good player but any of those top 6 D can play PK/shutdown minutes which is what I assume they have in mind for Hamhuis.

But on the other hand Subban has played like poop since being named to the team, he'll really have to prove himself if he wants a significant role.
- FinAddict

depends on your definition of elite. it was just meant to convey that no longer is he just a solid young shutdown defender. he's being considered for team Canada for eff sakes.

subban brings so much more than just pp qb. he starts, leads and controls the rush with regularity. he gets caught out of spot from time to time, but he also adds a physical element that can keep the opposition honest.
im sure they'll get guys in and out in these first two 'tuneups', but I think pigeonholing subban would really hamper what makes him special.

if you want shutdown guys that's fine. but if theyre not convinced of what he can bring by now, and he still needs to prove himself while jaybo and vlasic don't, then they haven't been paying attention imo.

Anyone else who is a flyers fan wanting Philly to make a push for Vanek? I'm talking about a packaged deal with Schenn, Mez, draft pick (s), and prospect ?
- arichardson22

Just what you need...more offense

He will...They play him and his game will come..
- Fruitcakenipple

good post. get him out there and he'll be a difference maker.

pietrangelo and weber on different pairings can play those tough defensive minutes.


both of hamhuis and vlasic should absolutely be the extra skaters. whoever is playing better dresses.

the pairings im hearing seems like babcock is desperate for a lefty and a righty together on every pairing.
don't overthink it. ( which I believe they already did to a certain extent picking the squad)
use handedness and strengths situationally.


keith doughty
weber subban
pietrangelo jaybo
vlasic

depends on your definition of elite. it was just meant to convey that no longer is he just a solid young shutdown defender. he's being considered for team Canada for eff sakes.

subban brings so much more than just pp qb. he starts, leads and controls the rush with regularity. he gets caught out of spot from time to time, but he also adds a physical element that can keep the opposition honest.
im sure they'll get guys in and out in these first two 'tuneups', but I think pigeonholing subban would really hamper what makes him special.

if you want shutdown guys that's fine. but if theyre not convinced of what he can bring by now, and he still needs to prove himself while jaybo and vlasic don't, then they haven't been paying attention imo.
- hugefemale dog77

I agree with you, but Jbo and Vlasic are viewed as safe bets. Simple players who don't make mistakes. Subban still has this reputation for causing as many goals as he sets up, whether it's true or not.

I bet (hope) Subban starts as the 7th guy and plays his way into the top 4. He's got all the tools to excel on Olympic ice and with extremely talented teammates. A Keith - Subban pairing would be a nice counter to OEL - Karlsson