James Tanner: Some Concerning Developments With Team Canada Looking into Team Canada and asking questions no one else is.

James Tanner: Some Concerning Developments With Team Canada
Looking into Team Canada and asking questions no one else is.
- James_Tanner

Superbly written. I couldn't agree more with just about everything you said. One thing I don't recall seeing, is something about Rick Nash. Heck of a player, and has the Olympic experience. But I would take any of the three players you mentioned over him as well.

I think if you start looking at it from a who is a better player perspective, then that's coming from the wrong perspective. It's not an All Star team. How players compliment each other, chemistry and other factors are all considered. If not just rank the player 1--24 or whatever and there is your team.

Superbly written. I couldn't agree more with just about everything you said. One thing I don't recall seeing, is something about Rick Nash. Heck of a player, and has the Olympic experience. But I would take any of the three players you mentioned over him as well.
- hscesq

Thank so much for the kind words.

As to Nash, I just like what he brings size-wise. There might not be another player who can take the puck and just use his body to keep it as long as he wants it. I know injuries and things have set him back, but from a pure talent level the guy remains awesome. And his size/talent combo/ratio is something that is never seen. You might be right, I know lots of guys who agree with you, but I just can't give up on Nash yet. I still think he has a 50 goal season in him.

Sharp doesn't bother me, fourth line duties for him is great. It still bothers me about Kunitz since he is riding Crosby's coat tails. Price should be starting when the games matter. Subban should be dressed and used properly, especially on the PP.

I'll agree, that third line with Getzlaf will be the best line we have!

I think if you start looking at it from a who is a better player perspective, then that's coming from the wrong perspective. It's not an All Star team. How players compliment each other, chemistry and other factors are all considered. If not just rank the player 1--24 or whatever and there is your team.
- MJL

I agree, but only to a point. Its not an allstar team, yes, but Stall, Giroux and Hall are not just flashy scorers who do nothing else. They are gritty hard nosed guys - Hall himself I believe brings something no one else has - the guy is an animal. And Giroux is one of the best hockey players in the world. He is literally better than 95 % of the players in the Olympics.

Still, I get you're point and concede that you may be right.

Thank so much for the kind words.

As to Nash, I just like what he brings size-wise. There might not be another player who can take the puck and just use his body to keep it as long as he wants it. I know injuries and things have set him back, but from a pure talent level the guy remains awesome. And his size/talent combo/ratio is something that is never seen. You might be right, I know lots of guys who agree with you, but I just can't give up on Nash yet. I still think he has a 50 goal season in him.
- James_Tanner

Wow - 50 goals? That's a lot of confidence in him. I just don't see it. I'm a Habs fan, but I live in NY and I see him play a lot. He's lost more than a step, IMO. But again, he does have size and he has a great shot as well. Just not sure about him on the big surface. i was in Torino - it wasn't pretty.

Sharp doesn't bother me, fourth line duties for him is great. It still bothers me about Kunitz since he is riding Crosby's coat tails. Price should be starting when the games matter. Subban should be dressed and used properly, especially on the PP.

I'll agree, that third line with Getzlaf will be the best line we have!
- ChetManly

This makes some sense as well. I will even concede that PK should be used carefully and properly. But he should definitely not be in the press box IMO.

FYI Patrick Sharp plays on Chicago's first line. You could say he benefits from playing with Hossa and Toews, but he creates just as much offensively as either of those two. He also doesn't get second rate defensive match ups, because he plays on Chicagos top line with their other top two players, therefore against other teams top defensive/shut down players. He also is an excellent skater, which maybe you forget the olypmic game is played on a larger ice surface which favors speed and skill more than anything else. Oh yeah and he was there in 2010 when they won it last time if that means anything... If your gonna bad mouth Sharp for being on team Canada at least get your facts straight.

FYI Patrick Sharp plays on Chicago's first line. You could say he benefits from playing with Hossa and Toews, but he creates just as much offensively as either of those two. He also doesn't get second rate defensive match ups, because he plays on Chicagos top line with their other top two players, therefore against other teams top defensive/shut down players. He also is an excellent skater, which maybe you forget the olypmic game is played on a larger ice surface which favors speed and skill more than anything else. Oh yeah and he was there in 2010 when they won it last time if that means anything... If your gonna bad mouth Sharp for being on team Canada at least get your facts straight.
- Ballam

You were ok until the last sentence. No need for that. The man gave his opinion and you are free to disagree - respectfully.

FYI Patrick Sharp plays on Chicago's first line. You could say he benefits from playing with Hossa and Toews, but he creates just as much offensively as either of those two. He also doesn't get second rate defensive match ups, because he plays on Chicagos top line with their other top two players, therefore against other teams top defensive/shut down players. He also is an excellent skater, which maybe you forget the olypmic game is played on a larger ice surface which favors speed and skill more than anything else. Oh yeah and he was there in 2010 when they won it last time if that means anything... If your gonna bad mouth Sharp for being on team Canada at least get your facts straight.
- Ballam

I agree, but only to a point. Its not an allstar team, yes, but Stall, Giroux and Hall are not just flashy scorers who do nothing else. They are gritty hard nosed guys - Hall himself I believe brings something no one else has - the guy is an animal. And Giroux is one of the best hockey players in the world. He is literally better than 95 % of the players in the Olympics.

Still, I get you're point and concede that you may be right.
- James_Tanner

None of those players, Giroux especially failed to make the team because they weren't good enough.

None of those players, Giroux especially failed to make the team because they weren't good enough.
- MJL

100% accurate. And there are several others who could have easily made it as well.

FYI Patrick Sharp plays on Chicago's first line. You could say he benefits from playing with Hossa and Toews, but he creates just as much offensively as either of those two. He also doesn't get second rate defensive match ups, because he plays on Chicagos top line with their other top two players, therefore against other teams top defensive/shut down players. He also is an excellent skater, which maybe you forget the olypmic game is played on a larger ice surface which favors speed and skill more than anything else. Oh yeah and he was there in 2010 when they won it last time if that means anything... If your gonna bad mouth Sharp for being on team Canada at least get your facts straight.
- Ballam

I am not badmouthing him, but my facts are straight. I like Sharp. But the fact remains, he's the third option for defenseman. Not that Sharp isn't a great player, but you could literally plug any decent offensive player into the line of Toews and Hossa and they would put up great numbers.

Its not to say he isn't a good player or diminish what he's done. I really just wanted to make the point that you can't compare his stats to players like Eric Staal who get the main focus of the best defensemen.

I am not badmouthing him, but my facts are straight. I like Sharp. But the fact remains, he's the third option for defenseman. Not that Sharp isn't a great player, but you could literally plug any decent offensive player into the line of Toews and Hossa and they would put up great numbers.

Its not to say he isn't a good player or diminish what he's done. I really just wanted to make the point that you can't compare his stats to players like Eric Staal who get the main focus of the best defensemen.
- James_Tanner

I honestly don't think that's giving Sharp enough credit. He's a really good player.

I am not badmouthing him, but my facts are straight. I like Sharp. But the fact remains, he's the third option for defenseman. Not that Sharp isn't a great player, but you could literally plug any decent offensive player into the line of Toews and Hossa and they would put up great numbers.

Its not to say he isn't a good player or diminish what he's done. I really just wanted to make the point that you can't compare his stats to players like Eric Staal who get the main focus of the best defensemen.
- James_Tanner

Neither Toews nor Hossa nor Staal was an All-Star Game MVP. Sharp was. Just saying.

Neither Toews nor Hossa nor Staal was an All-Star MVP. Sharp was. Just saying.
- Sandus

You mean he won an MVP award in an all star game? Is that what you mean?

You mean he won an MVP award in an all star game? Is that what you mean?
- hscesq

Yes. I'll fix it.

I am not badmouthing him, but my facts are straight. I like Sharp. But the fact remains, he's the third option for defenseman. Not that Sharp isn't a great player, but you could literally plug any decent offensive player into the line of Toews and Hossa and they would put up great numbers.

Its not to say he isn't a good player or diminish what he's done. I really just wanted to make the point that you can't compare his stats to players like Eric Staal who get the main focus of the best defensemen.
- James_Tanner

Eric Staal might get the main focus of the best defensemen, but most of the best defensemen can't do much to stop Sharp because he skates circles around them. Just saying, it's obvious why he made the team to me, speed kills on the olympic ice surface. Sharp deserves to be on that team and he deserves more credit IMO

Yes. I'll fix it.
- Sandus

You should delete it TBH. An all star game MVP doesn't mean much in the NHL, or any pro sport for that manner.

You should delete it TBH. An all star game MVP doesn't mean much in the NHL, or any pro sport for that manner.
- hscesq

What is an Olympic team if not an All-Star team of players from the same country?

When it comes to guys brought along, I'm really not that worried about it. The only guy who came along I was uneasy about was Nash, and right after getting picked the guy went into all-star mode. So he carries that into this tournament and he'll be fine.

Sure there are guys you can argue wouldn't have been an issue to bring along, but it doesn't mean it's a huge problem that they weren't taken. I mean St. Louis is a fill in and he's been one of the most elite point producers since the last Olympics anyways.

Not all that worried that someone like Giroux isn't there to be the 13th forward. Long as they brought enough guys to assemble a good team that can work together. No point worrying until they give reason to worry on the ice.

PK is better than Weber, Keith and Doughty?

Keep smoking what you're smoking.

James Tanner: Some Concerning Developments With Team Canada
Looking into Team Canada and asking questions no one else is.
- James_Tanner

Pretty good article. I really couldn't agree more about Hall, who might be the most dynamic skater in the league. I would have bring Giroux over Kunitz, considering how complete of a player Giroux is. Also, i'm not so sure about your overconfidence in Nash. He isn't known to compete night in, night out and while he has a great skills set, he seems like he isn't the "wow" player he used to be in Columbus. And even if he is old and much slower, Jagr might be the toughest player to knock off the puck in the league. He just protects the puck like no one else while Nash is more efficient when he uses his speed and dangles.

You were ok until the last sentence. No need for that. The man gave his opinion and you are free to disagree - respectfully.
- hscesq

I don't feel like I said anything disrespectful. Is get your facts straight disrespectful? Man people are sensitive