23 is stupid.
- hscesq

aheum.

a) ok, so Carter is better than Getzlaf, Perry, Tavares, Toews, Benn, Bergeron...? HE IS one of the worst...not saying he's no good...but he, along with Kunitz and Nash are probably the 3 worst players on the team...

Also, most of those guys have tremendous int'l resume...'cos they are all pretty darn good players. Doesn't change my point...there are better players on the team.

b) to that point, you are right...Kunitz and Crosby play well together...but almost anybody would. Maybe there's not enough time to test that out, so I'll concede that this is probably wise (and the only reason Kunitz made the team)
- number_23

a) why even frame it like this??? It makes no sense. We have no idea who will be great and who will be less than great. As for on paper, they're all incredible. They all have legit claim to be there. I think it's really stupid to call someone one of their worst players. It doesn't even make sense.

No...he might be right on the Kunitz point, but I'm not conceding the Carter one...

I think Tavares, or Benn, or St-Louis would look better...some of the other guys too, but I see the logic behind some of the other players staying together...
- number_23

I'm far from a Carter lover. But the guy can rip it with the best of them, and that's really what Stamkos was supposed to do as well. Is Carter as good? Of course not. But I understand putting him there.

23 - still stupid.

I'm far from a Carter lover. But the guy can rip it with the best of them, and that's really what Stamkos was supposed to do as well. Is Carter as good? Of course not. But I understand putting him there.
- hscesq

Crade Tarter

Did you just imagine EE in your shower?
- hscesq

I was gonna ask, but thought better of it.

I was gonna ask, but thought better of it.
- pete26

A great read - thanks
I can't imagine Bergeron being scratched just for his face-offs alone. One of the best in the league. He can certainly be called on in key moments. Especially in the defensive end. As a Habs fan, I want to see Price there. I think he is the guy and your analysis of him playing against Finalnd makes a ton of sense. I am amazed at how many options Babcock has up front and on D. It will be very interesting to see how he navigates through the ups and downs of the tournament. I like his comment about embracing adversity and knowing it will happen. I don't know a lot about Vlasic being from the west but I hope he can handle the pressure. Can't wait to get this show on the road.

I'm far from a Carter lover. But the guy can rip it with the best of them, and that's really what Stamkos was supposed to do as well. Is Carter as good? Of course not. But I understand putting him there.
- hscesq

At quick glance, only 4 guys have less goals than him...Bergeron, Toews, Duchesne and Nash

I stand by my point.

At quick glance, only 4 guys have less goals than him...Bergeron, Toews, Duchesne and Nash

I stand by my point.
- number_23

I agree. Toews has no place on this team.

23 is stupid.
- hscesq

He's also one of the worst player on the team.

I agree. Toews has no place on this team.
- hscesq

that is EXACTLY what I said...word for word.

EDIT: maybe I should spell it out for you...of the players on the team, only four have less goals than Carter...meaning that right now there are 9 others with more goals than him. Excluding Crosby himself, that means there are 8 guys who are scoring more goals than carter as of now... Therefore, if a sniper is what Babcock wants on Crosby's wing, and goals are what we use to measure a sniper's success, there are currently 8 better options than Carter. Some of those "options" aren't really options (like Getlzaf and Perry...wouldn't want to break up that duo just for the sake of breaking it up) but others are (Tavares, Benn).

Is team Canada losing because of Terribly Awful Jeff Carter plays on Crosby's wing? I doubt it.

Is it, in my opinion, the optimal mix? NO. And that's all I said.

And by the way I didn't say what the blogger said was stupid...But I thank him and you for saying that what I'm saying is stupid. Really appreciate that.

that is EXACTLY what I said...word for word.
- number_23

Glad we agree.

a) why even frame it like this??? It makes no sense. We have no idea who will be great and who will be less than great. As for on paper, they're all incredible. They all have legit claim to be there. I think it's really stupid to call someone one of their worst players. It doesn't even make sense.
- EricEngels

If I may Eric, I think what 23 is trying to say is that there are better players on the team than Carter.

And there is.

At quick glance, only 4 guys have less goals than him...Bergeron, Toews, Duchesne and Nash

I stand by my point.
- number_23

Did your quick glance include games played? Carter is a sniper, and as soon as I learned Stamkos was out I naturally thought of him of Sid's wing.

If I may Eric, I think what 23 is trying to say is that there are better players on the team than Carter.

And there is.
- pete26

There are.

Not sure what Hamhuis brings that would slot him ahead of PK. I mean, he's steady enough, but there are already enough steady guys on the back line. If for nothing other than the PP, I would think PK would be in there. Then again, maybe each gets one of the first two games, and the order matters not.
- hscesq

Agreed. I don't see what Hamhuis is doing on the team. The only selection I disagree with. Good thing he's a lefty, otherwise he'd be playing golf by now.

There are.
- hscesq

Glad we agree.

Glad we agree.
- pete26

I agree there are better players. But I don't disagree with having Carter play with Sid.

Agreed. I don't see what Hamhuis is doing on the team. The only selection I disagree with. Good thing he's a lefty, otherwise he'd be playing golf by now.
- fidopro

He's a positional defender that skates well, good for the big ice. He'll be good on the PK if he plays, and at even strength.

Did your quick glance include games played? Carter is a sniper, and as soon as I learned Stamkos was out I naturally thought of him of Sid's wing.
- golfingsince

My first thought was the same as EE's initial first thought...Perry. But I didn't think the Getzlaf Perry combo should be broken up...

My thought after that was Tavares.

Crosby doesn't need a PURE sniper...as he can score as well...so having someone who can pass it back to him might work even better.

Someone who would benefit MORE from a PURE sniper is Toews...as he's a great playmaker, but doesn't score as much as Crosby.

I'll let EE tell us all that's a stupid way of thinking...

Agreed. I don't see what Hamhuis is doing on the team. The only selection I disagree with. Good thing he's a lefty, otherwise he'd be playing golf by now.
- fidopro

I think Hamhuis is a solid defenseman... and if Vlasic for example is having trouble and, as you said, since he's a lefty, he could be called upon to play the same role.

But if for some reason Canada's defense lacks offensive punch, P.K. will be their guy for sure.

He's a positional defender that skates well, good for the big ice. He'll be good on the PK if he plays, and at even strength.
- golfingsince

They have enough defenders.

My first thought was the same as EE's initial first thought...Perry. But I didn't think the Getzlaf Perry combo should be broken up...

My thought after that was Tavares.

Crosby doesn't need a PURE sniper...as he can score as well...so having someone who can pass it back to him might work even better.

Someone who would benefit MORE from a PURE sniper is Toews...as he's a great playmaker, but doesn't score as much as Crosby.

I'll let EE tell us all that's a stupid way of thinking...
- number_23

You want to play JT on his off wing? Or are you putting Kunitz at RW?

If I may Eric, I think what 23 is trying to say is that there are better players on the team than Carter.

And there is.
- pete26

*feels awkward*