Team Canada At The 2014 Winter Olympics: Editor In Leaf’s Picks
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The 2014 edition of Team Canada is set to be named tomorrow at 11 a.m. It seems everyone is making their own selections for the teams, so we here at Editor in Leaf have decided to join in the fun.
Of course, there are locks on the team. Everyone knows that Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Steven Stamkos, Duncan Keith, Shea Weber, Roberto Luongo and Carey Price are going to be on the team. There are other players that are near locks and players that are only hoping to play.
Things might have gotten interesting in the goalie department for Canada. Already one of the bigger question marks, now Luongo might be out for some time with another injury suffered last night against the Los Angeles Kings.
Tomorrow should give us plenty to talk about. Will any Leafs make the team?
Here are Editor in Leaf’s picks for Team Canada.
Jeff Langridge’s Picks
Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
LW C RW
Jamie Benn Sidney Crosby Steven Stamkos
Patrick Sharp Jonathan Toews John Tavares
Logan Couture Patrice Bergeron Martin St. Louis
Matt Duchene Ryan Getzlaf Corey Perry
Extras: Joe Thornton & Jordan Eberle
LD RD
Marc-Edouard Vlasic Shea Weber
Jay Bouwmeester Alex Pietrangelo
Extras: Dion Phaneuf & P.K. Subban
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Jeff’s Explanation:
As for the forwards, my big omission is Claude Giroux. My two picks that I think could make big differences are Thornton and Eberle. Thornton because of his experience and size and Eberle because of his speed and clutch ability, especially in international play.
You might think I’m being a homer, but my picks of Phaneuf and Bernier are not because they are Maple Leafs.
Not everyone likes the plus/minus stat but the fact that Phaneuf leads a Leaf team in that stat when he is playing against the opposition’s best players, some of whom are playing on Canada’s top two lines, speaks volumes.
Bernier is one of the goalies simply because his stats say that he is one of the best Canadian goalies in the league this year, ahead of others who might be bigger names. However, if Luongo is unable to make the team, I would include Corey Crawford in his place.
Tim Bayer’s Picks
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
LW C RW
John Tavares Sidney Crosby Steven Stamkos
Matt Duchene Ryan Getzlaf Corey Perry
Patrick Sharp Patrice Bergeron Jonathan Toews
Patrick Marleau Joe Thornton Martin St. Louis
Extras: Taylor Hall & Claude Giroux
LD RD
Duncan Keith Shea Weber
Jay Bouwmeester Alex Pietrangelo
Marc-Edouard Vlasic Drew Doughty
Extras: Dan Hamhuis & PK Subban
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Carey Price
Roberto Luongo
Tim’s Explanation:
The biggest difference between my picks and most others is the inclusion of Marleau, Thornton and Hall. I just think these three players are playing too well for them to be left off. Thornton and Marleau have been there before and bring tons of experience, while Hall has game-breaking speed and scoring ability.
I’m not sure how a line of Tavares, Crosby and Stamkos would look in practice, but in theory, three dynamic offensive players of their calibre should be able to figure it out. I like Duchene’s speed on the second line alongside the Ducks. The third line will be the shutdown unit, and good luck winning draws against either Bergeron or Toews late in a game.
The third-string goalie spot doesn’t really matter, but I decided to go with Bernier instead of Braden Holtby. Bernier has the (slightly) larger body of work and is playing much better than Holtby this season.
Warren Nye’s Picks
Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
LW C RW
Jamie Benn Sidney Crosby Steven Stamkos
Logan Couture Jonathan Toews Martin St. Louis
Matt Duchene Ryan Getzlaf Corey Perry
Patrick Sharp John Tavares Claude Giroux
Extras: Patrice Bergeron & Patrick Marleau
LD RD
Duncan Keith Brent Seabrook
Jay Bouwmeester Drew Doughty
Dan Boyle Shea Weber
Extras: Alex Pietrangelo & PK Subban
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Roberto Luongo
Carey Price
Warren’s Explanation:
Starting with Luongo we have to go with a goalie that is proven. I think he will step up when the time comes. If he doesn’t then you go to goalie 1B with Price. He seems to be starting to show he is ready for prime time. Third stringer in my opinion is Crawford. One of the most underrated goalies out there but he does have a couple of cup rings!
Our top 6 d-men are the best in any league. I put Seabrook out there instead of the young kid Vlasic. I like Pietrangelo, he is the next in line of a solid two way d-man comparing him to Duncan. Our 8th guy who may steal the show if allowed will be Subban. Big ice a lot of skating, could be the difference maker if needed.
Top three lines a solid core no doubt. What I like about the fourth and extras is that they can be moved into any spot and with any line without missing a beat. I might be short changing ourselves without having some extra experience (Thornton or Nash) but they have lost a step so in with the young now.
James Gleason’s Picks
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
LW C RW
Claude Giroux Sidney Crosby Steven Stamkos
John Tavares Jonathan Toews Corey Perry
Patrick Sharp Matt Duchene Ryan Getzlaf
Patrice Bergeron Joe Thornton Martin St. Louis
Extra: Patrick Marleau
LD RD
Duncan Keith Brent Seabrook
Alex Pietrangelo PK Subban
Marc-Edouard Vlasic Kris Letang
Extra: Dion Phaneuf
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Carey Price
Roberto Luongo
James’ Explanation:
For the forwards, I picked Giroux because although he has had a bad year, he can still produce when on a productive line. With stars like Crosby and Stamkos, Giroux should find open chances to score.
Tavares with Toews and Perry is a line I picked because I think Tavares has been one of the few bright spots on a disappointing Islanders team. He has great chemistry with Vanek so having guys like Toews and Perry should spruce up production.
As for my Reimer pick, I know it is not the most popular choice, but if you look at Reimer’s numbers, his save percentage is one of the better ones in the league. With an actual competent defense corps in front of him, he could really shine.
Daniel Goldsmith’s Picks
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
LW C RW
Steven Stamkos Sidney Crosby Rick Nash
John Tavares Jonathan Toews Matt Duchene
Logan Couture Ryan Getzlaf Corey Perry
Milan Lucic Patrice Bergeron Patrick Sharp
Extras: Jamie Benn and Ryan O’Reilly
LD RD
Duncan Keith Brent Seabrook
Jay Bouwmeester Alex Pietrangelo
Marc-Edouard Vlasic PK Subban
Extras: Drew Doughty & Shea Weber
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Roberto Luongo
Carey Price
Daniel G.’s Explanation:
I picked Nash for my first line in spite of his slow start to the season. He was one of Canada’s most effective players in 2010 and few power forwards have skating ability that can rival his, on the large ice that skill set will be even more vital in Canada’s top six.
Milan Lucic is my other non-favourite on the starting lineup. Lucic is a big game player who has shown throughout his career an ability to put the team on his back and control the pace of the game, Lucic’s inconsistencies have always garnered critics, but to me at least, he has silenced those critics during his marvelous playoff performance during the Bruins’ cup run last season.
Jamie Benn and Ryan O’Reilly are my extra forwards for the roster, the both of them can play centre or on the wing, and have multi-faceted skill sets which should let them contribute wherever needed in the lineup.
I kept handedness in mind with my defensive pairings, as well as chemistry between defenders. Both top four pairings feature defensemen who play side by side in the NHL, one being Chicago’s top pair and the other St. Louis’.
My bottom two of Vlasic and Subban has less experience as a pairing, but their complimentary styles and handedness will hopefully help them develop chemistry quickly, if not either can be substituted for Weber or Doughty, more experienced rearguards who were on the 2010 team.
As for the goalies, I think I made pretty standard picks. Luongo is the only proven Olympic goalie in Canada’s talent pool, so starting him seems obvious. Price is finally starting to put together his sizeable skill set this season, after struggling in the past to reach his potential.
Harding simply put, has been the highest performing Canadian goalie of the season, leading the league in GAA and ranking fourth in save percentage. This is his first season playing at such a level however, so I’m more comfortable with him as an insurance option should the more proven tandem falter or suffer injuries.