not interested in the world cup, just a money grab. i don't even think the players are really into it... probably want to avoid injury more than anything...
- kaptaan

well said…kind of like the Olympics now…

Thank you Carol, now watch Vrbata hit all of his contract bonuses...
- Makita

lol…yep.

RIP Ripper.

agreed.. I think Tanev falls in this category with a lot of people...
- kaptaan

To me tanev is a 2/3 guy
A 2 on a non playoff team
A 3 on a playoff team

Hillbilly, one of those Olympic swimmers was Micheal Phelps. Imagine if an American commentator mixed up Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux with Rob Zamuner.

It's all good but I wouldn't say it isn't a big deal.
- golfingsince

I'd half expect that if it was espn or another american channel.

From what I see of CBC and the usual Canadian coverage of Olympic events, they cover more than just Canadian athletes. I turn on the tv and tsn is often covering matches or games where it is countries other than Canada playing in that match.

I was just down in Seattle and every tv had an american athlete on the screen.

I think it is admirable on the part of Canadian networks to show so many sports regardless of countries in that actual event, game, heat, etc..

Yeah, it was a mistake by Freidman, but more of it is just the love of many to jump on a person who made a mistake.

But you have to admit that NHL Network list of top 20 was trash.

Seabrook has no business being on anyone's top 20 list.
- classic321

No? 3 cups in 6 years and he's not a top 20 guy?

Friedman was more upset about it than anyone else. I like that he takes pride in his work.
- Canada Cup

I love Friedman but what the hell is he doing so far out of his element? has he actually had any experience in calling Olympic events previously - in particular swimming? definitely a bit of a head scratcher. That said, even the best make mistakes (paging Bob Cole), so it shouldn't be that big of a deal

From the last blog.

Can we please stop with the "only 10 number one d men and 20 number 2 d men" in the nhl talk.

The top 30 are the number ones

Top 60 are all top pair

Top 120 are all top four

Top 180 are all top 6

Yes there are a handful of elite defenceman who can carry a number 3 or 4 and make them look good, but the top 30 defenceman in the league are the number ones, etc....
- Pres.cup

Well, I guess there are 30 top line centers, 90 top line wingers....and so on...

But I get your point, its frustrating because I don't think there is a solid definition of a top line d man. Perhaps a top line d-man is the guy you would want if you were down a goal AND the one you would send out if you were protecting a goal. Under those definitions, I think there are only a handful of d that excels at both.

I love Friedman but what the hell is he doing so far out of his element? has he actually had any experience in calling Olympic events previously - in particular swimming? definitely a bit of a head scratcher. That said, even the best make mistakes (paging Bob Cole), so it shouldn't be that big of a deal
- Zogg

I think it was Armitage's gig, but he got sick and Friedman was a last minute replacement...

I didn't set out to turn it into an us and them but I don't have a big problem with the mistake. It didn't impact the outcome of the race or anything. I dont' see it as that big a deal.

No? 3 cups in 6 years and he's not a top 20 guy?
- LordHumungous

I'm glad he single handedly won those cups

His possession sucks
his shot suppression sucks

and he is overpaid by about $2 million.

I love Friedman but what the hell is he doing so far out of his element? has he actually had any experience in calling Olympic events previously - in particular swimming? definitely a bit of a head scratcher. That said, even the best make mistakes (paging Bob Cole), so it shouldn't be that big of a deal
- Zogg

I think they just needed bodies/voices. Heard somewhere they threw him in at the last minute but I have no idea if that's true. You could tell he was gettng a bit excited during some of those races v

Don't care Freidman missed the call

Don't cate about top 30 list

This is Piña Colada weather and swimming.

BTW .i like our D core.

No? 3 cups in 6 years and he's not a top 20 guy?
- LordHumungous

Yeah I'm scratching my head as well.

agreed.. I think Tanev falls in this category with a lot of people...
- kaptaan

well I think perspective here is needed....ask what is a top pairing D? What are the criteria?
Some might say offense. Physical. Mistake %. Ability to play high minutes....

Meanwhile Tanev isn't said to be a #1 D, but he IS said to be a NHL top defensive Dman....the stay at home D type. Not exactly the same thing. Yes he plays big minutes and he's great at shutdown, but I cant think of another D at the moment that is strictly Defensive that is #1-2. I think he only meets 2 of the 4 proposed criteria I listed above.

So when people hear he is a highly regarded D in the NHL they also assume he's a #1-2 guy as well. Not so. So there's where the confusion lays

But you have to admit that NHL Network list of top 20 was trash.

Seabrook has no business being on anyone's top 20 list.
- classic321

Wasn't it for fantasy purposes though? So basically taking into account stats for fantasy purposes and not actual playing ability

I love Friedman but what the hell is he doing so far out of his element? has he actually had any experience in calling Olympic events previously - in particular swimming? definitely a bit of a head scratcher. That said, even the best make mistakes (paging Bob Cole), so it shouldn't be that big of a deal
- Zogg

Bob Old one of the best...

Wasn't it for fantasy purposes though? So basically taking into account stats for fantasy purposes and not actual playing ability
- walshyleafsfan

I haven't read the full article just a review

here is the first paragraph
"Whether it's breaking up a big play, setting up a goal or scoring on the power play, some defensemen can do it all. It's time to take a look at the League's "Top 20 Defensemen Right Now" as chosen by a panel of NHL Network experts"

They don't indicate it is for fantasy, otherwise Giordano would be on this list hands down.

I haven't read the full article just a review

here is the first paragraph
"Whether it's breaking up a big play, setting up a goal or scoring on the power play, some defensemen can do it all. It's time to take a look at the League's "Top 20 Defensemen Right Now" as chosen by a panel of NHL Network experts"

They don't indicate it is for fantasy, otherwise Giordano would be on this list hands down.
- classic321

Yeah, good point. I thought I read somewhere they were doing fantasy projection type things.

NHL.com is by far the worst website for knowledge of the big four (NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA). Some of their writer's don't seem to know a lot about hockey, which is strange.

not interested in the world cup, just a money grab. i don't even think the players are really into it... probably want to avoid injury more than anything...
- kaptaan

Im not concerned with who is making money off the deal. More best vs best competitions are needed in hockey IMO. I dont care so much about the patriotism they are trying to sell, this is like an All Star tournament where the players will actually try. The Olympics are a true test of nations best vs best, this is a fun and competitive tournament with opportunity to see super teams/lines face off when it would never be possible

Today @ 6:02 PM ET
I hope sven timed it so getting locked in a cage didnt coincide with her pms

What a stupid thing to say.

Yeah, good point. I thought I read somewhere they were doing fantasy projection type things.

NHL.com is by far the worst website for knowledge of the big four (NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA). Some of their writer's don't seem to know a lot about hockey, which is strange.
- walshyleafsfan

I find it kinda funny how bad their writers are. I don't even remember the last time I've went to nhl.com to check things out.

I'm glad he single handedly won those cups

His possession sucks
his shot suppression sucks

and he is overpaid by about $2 million.
- classic321

100%

What a stupid thing to say.
- WhatTheNuck

with all the fighting going on here lately posting something comical is relieving. Something other than negativity.....like youre posting.
you're welcome

I find it kinda funny how bad their writers are. I don't even remember the last time I've went to nhl.com to check things out.
- ClarksonDavid

I forget who he is but,
I know one guy actually writes for NBA.com as well.

Well, I guess there are 30 top line centers, 90 top line wingers....and so on...

But I get your point, its frustrating because I don't think there is a solid definition of a top line d man. Perhaps a top line d-man is the guy you would want if you were down a goal AND the one you would send out if you were protecting a goal. Under those definitions, I think there are only a handful of d that excels at both.
- Rocket_Launcher

Way I see it is that every team has a #1, #2, #3, #4... dman and that number is determined based on how many minutes that Dman plays. #1 dman always plays the most minutes. #2 2nd most and so on. These roles are interchangeable on a game-by-game basis, however, generally speaking, at the end of the year, the guy that played the most minutes was your #1 Dman for that year (even if your best Dman was injured for most of the year). Your #1 guy is the guy you rely on the most and therefore the guy your coach plays the most.

That being said, a #1 Dman on one team isn't a #1 Dman on another. For example, Phaneuf was the #1 Dman on Toronto for so many years until Babcock came in and he slid to #3 (I believe). He's now #3 in Ottawa I think. It's just the role you play on a team.

Same can be said about #1 Centermen.

Just because a guy is a #1 Dman on a team doesn't mean he's an elite Dman (again, see Phaneuf). It's just you're #1 guy.

I'm probably in the minority in this line of thinking, and i expect/welcome backlash/criticism... it's all semantics really, but let me ask you, who's the #1 Dman in Nashville now? Is it Subban or is it Josi? I'd say it's the guy who plays the most minutes. IMHO

with all the fighting going on here lately posting something comical is relieving. Something other than negativity.....like youre posting.
you're welcome
- SMBDragon

Hard to believe you're not married.