Whose D is better... that will be decided on the ice. Not even going to get into a "who is better on paper" argument, both sets of D for U.S. and Canada I think are the best in the Olympics, With Canada being #1 on paper, but I will let the games do the final assessment...

I hope to hell it's Canada and the U.S. in the medal round. that was soo much fun last time around!!


and I just gotta put Milbury on blast... MIKE MILBURY.... ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME? OF COURSE YOU START QUICK OVER MILLER, HANDS DOWN ANY DAY OF THE WEEK AND TWICE ON SUNDAY... CASE CLOSED, BYLSMA GOT IT RIGHT AND THANK GOD YOU ARE NOT IN HIS EAR OR HAVING ANYTING TO DO WITH TEAM U.S.A.
- MikeOxbyg

I don't get why it's so obvious to start Quick over Miller? What exactly are you basing this on?

Gold:USA
Silver:Canada
Bronze:Russia


Best Forwards:Canada
Best Defense:Canada
Goaltending: USA
Dark Horse:Swedes(not sure if they even qualify as a dark horse )
Biggest douche: Chara

Well i think thats a fair assesment if you exclude Norris contenders.

USA
Orpik
Fowler
Carlson
Shattenkirk
McDonagh
Faulk
Martin

Canada
Bouwmeester
Hamhuis
Vlasic

In fact i'd say the Americans are way better than the Canadians in that scenario.
- Girouxsalem90

If you take the Norris contenders out of the comparison, the US has a better defense. Did I read that correctly!?

Wow, I think people need to relax. Too much pissing and moaning on HB now days. Piss and moan if Ek gives his opinion... piss and moan if Ek doesn't give his opinion... piss and moan if Ek writes something factual... piss and moan if Ek writes something ficticious... or just piss and moan for the sake of pissing and moaning no matter what Ek does.

Still have never understood why so many pissers and moaners still frequent a blog that they clearly hold so much disdain for.


GO USA!
- MnGump

Fortunately for so many people who like to piss and moan, we have Eklund to provide the fodder.

Team Sweden looks scary. They almost scored twice shorthanded. I have no idea why the Czechs elected to start their non-NHL goalie.
- nayefj

They scored one goal. Sweden wont medal...

Gold:USA
Silver:Canada
Bronze:Russia


Best Forwards:Canada
Best Defense:Canada
Goaltending: USA
Dark Horse:Swedes(not sure if they even qualify as a dark horse )
Biggest douche: Chara
- iTOLDu

Canada will win gold easily USA will win bronze.

Gold:USA
Silver:Canada
Bronze:Russia


Best Forwards:Canada
Best Defense:Canada
Goaltending: USA
Dark Horse:Swedes(not sure if they even qualify as a dark horse )
Biggest douche: Chara
- iTOLDu

2 out of 8 correct....not a very good score

2 out of 8 correct....not a very good score
- Iggysbff

Oh we will see..

Fortunately for so many people who like to piss and moan, we have Eklund to provide the fodder.
- 1979AD

Touche!

The Americans are coming fast to challenge Canada as the best in the world at developing world class hockey players. The NHL is currently 50% Canadian & in decline. The US is now at 25% & growing fast.

All you need do is extrapolate the #'s. The # of kids in the US that are now choosing hockey over conventional sports in the US like, baseball, football & basketball is staggering. The sport is growing rapidly & the population base is a significant factor in them starting to take over as the wrold power house.

We can female dog about NHL expansion into the sunbelt of the US but many of these cities, Dallas, Nashville, SJ, Anh, etc have spent large sums of money building rinks developing their own fan base & those effots are starting to pay huge didvidends for USA Hockey. The US National Development program is 1 of the best in the world & as we can see from U17, U18 & U20 the Americans are coming fast & it's only a matter of time before they dominate like in most other sports.

Canada won't lose it's status as a power house but our dominance over the US is over. I spend at least a week a month in Texas on business & the # of rinks built & being built is amazing.
- striker777

The number of Canadians of course would drop with talent from other countries developing. That was inevitable. But those are mainly bottom dwellers. There time was limited no matter what.

Can Gold
Russia Silver
Bronze USA

I should qualify my opinion.

I am Canadian. I live on the west coast & I love hockey.

My favorite team is Boston. I spent my formative years in New Brunswick; grades 4, 5 & 6 & everyone my age; 51, has an original 6 team as their favorite team, all though I like a ton of NHL teams. I don't care where players come from I just love almost any sport played at the highest level & appreciate what the US is doing to improve my favorite sport.

The World Juniors are my favorite. I love the passion those kids show. Something very difficult to duplicate with professionals but the Olympics is a fabulous tournament. The set up allows for almost anyone to win.

We seem to all agree primarily on the top 4; Russia, US, Canada & Sweden, but acknowledge that teams like the Czechs, Finn's & Swiss etc simply can't be discounted in a 1 & done format. It's 1 of the dynamics that makes Olympic hockey so appealing.

That said. I hate the NHL season being shut down & hope the NHL brings back a tournament in September every 2 to 4 years facing countries best off against the best. Call it what ever you won't World Cup, Canada Cup what ever. Just don't shut down the NHL regular season.

I don't get why it's so obvious to start Quick over Miller? What exactly are you basing this on?
- MnGump

I would say Miller isn't wrapped to tight, but now that I think about it neither is Quick, but Quick is wrapped a little tighter.

I get the impression that Quick has the right amount of fear and confidence needed to play out of his head, Miller I just see over confidence and no healthy fear.

Quick can steel games.

I guess I would say that in the ability category Quick edges him out by margin enough for me to want him in net,

Miller had his chance and Lost.

I don't like Miller, every time he is interviewed I wind up wanting to hit him in the ear with a Tack Hammer.

What I think is going on though is that Bylsma is letting Quick take the first game just to see what mode he is actually in, if he shows cracks in the armor Miller will go in on the next game.

Eklund thinks Canada will be in the bronze game..

You're losing your marbles lately with crap pouring out. Anything for hits I guess.
- CanadianBodmon

In a tournament of single games, anything can happen. With Canada's track record on international sized ice of late (2006, WJCs, World Championships [albeit minus their BEST players], etc), it's not out of the realm of possibility to suggest that they may not even medal.

In a tournament of single games, anything can happen. With Canada's track record on international sized ice of late (2006, WJCs, World Championships, etc), it's not out of the realm of possibility to suggest that they may not even medal.
- MaximumBone

Agreed.

Due to the nature of the set up, any team could get a terrible match up in the 1/4's or semi's & get eliminated in a 1 & done game. 1 brilliant outing by any goal after the regulagation round & your done.

The Americans are coming fast to challenge Canada as the best in the world at developing world class hockey players. The NHL is currently 50% Canadian & in decline. The US is now at 25% & growing fast.

All you need do is extrapolate the #'s. The # of kids in the US that are now choosing hockey over conventional sports in the US like, baseball, football & basketball is staggering. The sport is growing rapidly & the population base is a significant factor in them starting to take over as the wrold power house.

We can female dog about NHL expansion into the sunbelt of the US but many of these cities, Dallas, Nashville, SJ, Anh, etc have spent large sums of money building rinks developing their own fan base & those effots are starting to pay huge didvidends for USA Hockey. The US National Development program is 1 of the best in the world & as we can see from U17, U18 & U20 the Americans are coming fast & it's only a matter of time before they dominate like in most other team sports played only in North America.

Canada won't lose it's status as a power house but our dominance over the US is over. I spend at least a week a month in Texas on business & the # of rinks built & being built is amazing.
- striker777

Fixed.

Hockey has become exorbitantly expensive to play in Canada and as a result the talent pool of Canadian youth has shrunk. Once Canadians realize what its doing to our national program and cease making it only a sport for the wealthy, it will be corrected. Throw all the numbers at it you like you guys simply dont live the game like we do. I do agree to a certain extent and think that sooner or later the US will produce a true generational talent. and then we get to watch the fun as he will be proclaimed better than Gretzky.

We can slag Ek all we want but he's doing something most of us can only dream of & wish we were doing. Making aliving out of his favorite sport.

I'm sure he achieved exactly the outcome he had hoped when he posted his blog. As usual.

we might not agree butb were all here debating it helping him increase his sites value with every post.

Fixed.

Hockey has become exorbitantly expensive to play in Canada and as a result the talent pool of Canadian youth has shrunk. Once Canadians realize what its doing to our national program and cease making it only a sport for the wealthy, it will be corrected. Throw all the numbers at it you like you guys simply dont live the game like we do. I do agree to a certain extent and think that sooner or later the US will produce a true generational talent. and then we get to watch the fun as he will be proclaimed better than Gretzky.
- sanfordnson

Goalie equipment is too expensive for a lot of families to be able to afford. Hell, even road hockey equipment is expensive for what you get.

I would say Miller isn't wrapped to tight, but now that I think about it neither is Quick, but Quick is wrapped a little tighter.

I get the impression that Quick has the right amount of fear and confidence needed to play out of his head, Miller I just see over confidence and no healthy fear.

Quick can steel games.

I guess I would say that in the ability category Quick edges him out by margin enough for me to want him in net,

Miller had his chance and Lost.

I don't like Miller, every time he is interviewed I wind up wanting to hit him in the ear with a Tack Hammer.

What I think is going on though is that Bylsma is letting Quick take the first game just to see what mode he is actually in, if he shows cracks in the armor Miller will go in on the next game.
- MikeOxbyg

While I dont think your take is unfounded, I still think either is more than capable. Both are execptional goalies. Biggest difference IMO is that Quick is used to playing behind one of the best defensive teams in the West while Miller has been on a team with mediocre defensive play over the last 2+ seasons.

I like either one and appreciate that 2 of the best in the NHL are 1 and 2 playing for the US.

Tell me about it.

I have 3 boys playing hockey. A 12 year old playing Peewee AAA; only plays hockey now, quit baseball which broke me heart, a 14 year old playing Bantam AAA; plays AAA baseball as well, & a 16 year old; will also play Junior A lacrosse this spring, playing Junior B. I coach my oldest & youngest son's hockey teams & also coach my middle sons AAA Bantam baseball team. Coaching Junior B & AAA Bantam both pay me small salary to help off set the time commitment.

Hockey this year for registration, gear, travel & tournaments, camps & off season fitness training, will run just over 25K. If any of them decide to play Major Midget or higher those costs rise moving forward. Add in Baseball & Lacrosse & we hit almost 40K for them to play & develop at these levels!

I'm pushing all 3 boys to hopefully go NCAA Div 1 as I did; Michagan State. I have no NHL aspirations for my kids but a quality free education & the opportunity to potentially travel. I played 11 years in Italy after my 4 years of University & it was an incredible experience.

Fixed.

Hockey has become exorbitantly expensive to play in Canada and as a result the talent pool of Canadian youth has shrunk. Once Canadians realize what its doing to our national program and cease making it only a sport for the wealthy, it will be corrected. Throw all the numbers at it you like you guys simply dont live the game like we do. I do agree to a certain extent and think that sooner or later the US will produce a true generational talent. and then we get to watch the fun as he will be proclaimed better than Gretzky.
- sanfordnson

Hockey equipment is expensive in any country. I have a hard time believing that the decline of Candian hockey youth can honestly be attributed in any large part to the costs of playing.

I personally have friends that live paycheck to paycheck and still find a way to pay for multiple kids to play organized youth hockey. Being Hockey is of such national interest in Canada, you would have a hard time convincing me that this is truly a plausible reason behind any meaningful decline in your youth programs.

Group A
Russia 3D
USA 6D
Slovakia 7D
Slovenia 10D

Group B
Canada 1D
Finland 4D
Austria 9D
Norway 12D

Group C
Sweden 2D
Czech Rep. 5D
Switzerland 8D
Latvia 11D

Qualifications
5D - 12D = E1 Czech - Norway
6D - 11D = E2 USA - Latvia
7D - 10D = E3 Slovakia - Slovenia
8D - 9D = E4 Switzerland - Austria

Quarterfinals
1D - E4 = F1 Canada - Switzerland
2D - E3 = F2 Sweden - Slovakia
3D - E2 = F3 Russia - USA
4D - E1 = F4 Finland - Czech

Semifinals
F1 - F4 = G1 Canada - Finland
F2 - F3 = G2 Sweden - Russia

Final
G1 - G2 = Gold Canada - Russia


Gold Canada
Silver Russia
Bronze Sweden
4th Finland
5th USA
6th Czech
7th Slovakia

Hockey equipment is expensive in any country. I have a hard time believing that the decline of Candian hockey youth can honestly be attributed in any large part to the costs of playing.

I personally have friends that live paycheck to paycheck and still find a way to pay for multiple kids to play organized youth hockey. Being Hockey is of such national interest in Canada, you would have a hard time convincing me that this is truly a plausible reason behind any meaningful decline in your youth programs.
- MnGump

There have been multiple articles written about. Its not just equipment and registration costs. Its also hockey camps, travel, tourneys etc. You wouldn't believe how much it runs to put even one kid through hockey until even midget AAA. Im not sure where you live but people living paycheque to paycheque dont put kids in hockey here. Simple as that.
Think about it, when the larger group of people are excluded from something because they can't afford, what happens to the talent pool? Just because you don't like the answer doesnt mean it isnt true.

Hockey equipment is expensive in any country. I have a hard time believing that the decline of Candian hockey youth can honestly be attributed in any large part to the costs of playing.

I personally have friends that live paycheck to paycheck and still find a way to pay for multiple kids to play organized youth hockey. Being Hockey is of such national interest in Canada, you would have a hard time convincing me that this is truly a plausible reason behind any meaningful decline of your youth programs.
- MnGump

Our youth hockey programs aren't declining. #'s are but are ability to develop world class hockey players won't. We will simply achieve more with less. The US has the advantage of #'s & $ but Canada will always be a power house. It's in our blood.

Look at how Norway is doing in the WinterOlympics. It's just a tiny country but in the Winter Olympics they produce a ton of world class athlets.

1 of the biggest issue's in Canada is where the money comes to get these athlets the coaching & development they need. The US tax system allows for better corporate sponsorship monies. Something that is a very hard sell in Canada. Reduced taxes for companies to fund sports.

That said many Canadian companies have stepped up regardless of any significant tax benefits to have done so. It started with 2010 & has carried forward. If we could get the government to provide more incentive for companies to invest all would be better served.

Group A
Russia 3D
USA 6D
Slovakia 7D
Slovenia 10D

Group B
Canada 1D
Finland 4D
Austria 9D
Norway 12D

Group C
Sweden 2D
Czech Rep. 5D
Switzerland 8D
Latvia 11D

Qualifications
5D - 12D = E1 Czech - Norway
6D - 11D = E2 USA - Latvia
7D - 10D = E3 Slovakia - Slovenia
8D - 9D = E4 Switzerland - Austria

Quarterfinals
1D - E4 = F1 Canada - Switzerland
2D - E3 = F2 Sweden - Slovakia
3D - E2 = F3 Russia - USA
4D - E1 = F4 Finland - Czech

Semifinals
F1 - F4 = G1 Canada - Finland
F2 - F3 = G2 Sweden - Russia

Final
G1 - G2 = Gold Canada - Russia


Gold Canada
Silver Russia
Bronze Sweden
4th Finland
5th USA
6th Czech
7th Slovakia
- cdn_ginger

Nice work. I was going to go & process out the scenario's based on the format but you have saved me the time. All though I don't agree with all your assumptions I admire your thought process & dedication to detail. You didn't just make an educated guess but processed out the scenario's.