Puneet Singh
With the announcement of Team Canada's Men's Hockey team due this week, it's time to look what the potential lineups could be.
1st Forward Line:
LW: Rick Nash
C: Sidney Crosby
RW: Jarome Iginla
Analysis: Nash is amongst the top Left Wingers in the NHL, while Crosby is the TOP center in the NHL and Iginla makes a strong case to be the best Right Winger in the NHL. Sidneys play making and creativity should gel well with Nash who himself is creative and Iginla's no nonsense type of play.
2nd Forward Line:
LW: Dany Heatley
C: Joe Thornton
RW: Patrick Marleau
Analysis: MANY NHL executives and people associated with Team Canada have been pushing for this line. The San Jose Sharks occasional 1st line and power play line have played well together and have developed a chemistry that many believe can only help them on the Olympic sqaud as well. Thornton is not that far removed from leading the league in points and yet again leads the NHL with 48 thus far. Meanwhile Marleau and Heatley are tied for 3rd for goals at 21 a piece.
3rd Forward Line:
LW: Brad Richards
C: Steven Stamkos
RW: Martin St. Louis
Analysis: There are many people demanding that Team Canada stick with the team chemistry aspect and bring back the Richards-Lecavalier-St. Louis line that brought the Lightning the '04 Stanley Cup title. Although Vinny is having a good year, he is being trumped by his teammate Steven Stamkos. Stamkos not only pushed Lecavalier onto the 2nd line of Tampa but possibly off Canada team. Stamkos however deserving of this; Stamkos is 24th in the NHL with 33 points. While Lecavalier isn't off by much (Vinny has 31 points) Stamkos trumps him with a 20 to 8 goals scored this year. Richards seems to have shaked that niggling injury problem from the last two years and has responded well with 39 points thus far while St. Louis shows why he is the model of consistency with 38 points, well onto his way of another 80 point year.
4th Forward Line:
LW: Jonathan Toews
C: Ryan Getzlaf
RW: Corey Perry
Analysis: the young exciting line. If Dustin Penners game didn't slip up of late, he'd be the LW on this squad bringing back the Ducks line from their Stanley Cup run back in 06-07. Toews scoring and playmaking ability however make him a great fit on the left, better than what Penner could offer. Getzlaf's size and strength along with smooth playmaking ability should help him work with Toews and current 1st line teammate Corey Perry from Anaheim.
On Hold:
Eric Staal: injuries cost his a lot of time early this year and took him out of the hunt. Still, his history is enough to merit a call up; don't be surprised to see him there.
Dustin Penner: Stevie Y loves athletic wingers. Although Penner is a monster of a winger, he lacks the killer instinct and drifts in and out of games. Numbers still suggest he deserves a call up.
John Tavares: putting up good numbers for what he has to work with in NY, with the Isles. Has already publically come out and said he'd jump at the chance to suit up for Canada. If the Isles are out of playoff contention come February, don't be surprised to see him get the blessing from Scottie Gordon and Charles Wang to represent Canada.
Jordan Staal: playing behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will do that to you. A great forward just overshadowed by others and thus has to play checking line.
NO CHANCE:
Jeff Carter and Mike Richards: the Philly youngersters poor play and attitude, coupled with Philly's poor play in general has easily cost them their spot on the team. Richards would have been a guaranteed lock had the teams been picked back in September. But his inability to lead the Flyers has shown how he handles pressure. Carter has regressed; whether it was playing under Stevens before his firing or whatever, this is not the same Jeff Carter from last year.
Simon Gagne: not to blame for the Philly disaster due to injuries, but his injuries are the reason why he misses out. Multiple concussions along with the nagging groin injuries more than likely mean he will join the afformentioned Flyers as sitting out this time around.
Blue Liners
1st Defensive Line:
Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger
Analysis: Two of the top defenders in the NHL and former teammates from the last 3 years prior to Prongers offseason trade to the Flyers. Chemistry is a non issue. Let Niedermayer move the puck up and control the pace and let Pronger demolish anyone who's foolish enough to skate into his zone.
2nd Defensive Line:
Dan Boyle and Dion Phaneuf
Analysis: Boyle is one of the best puck moving defenders right now in the NHL. His 22 assists are good for 21st in the NHL, FROM A DEFENSIVE POSITION. Phaneuf is a younger Chris Pronger. Not afraid to mix it up, take your eye off him for one minute and you'll find yourself either on a stretcher or on the ice.
3rd Defensive Line:
Duncan Keith and Jay Bouwmeester
Analysis: Duncan has become the backbone for the Chicago Blackhawks. They should how much he means now and to the future with the 13 year contract they handed him. Bone crunching hits along with smooth puck play, Keith brings it all to the table. What can't be said about Bouwmeester: if he hit a tad bit harder, he'd be the Canadien Nikalas Lindstrom. The best puckmover on this team, Bouwmeester acts as the point guard for the Canada team, running the entire show and controlling the pace.
On Hold:
Robyn Regehr: the less heralded off the Calgary Flames defenders. Regeher's hits are pulverizing. Expect him to get the call should any of the 1st choicers get injured.
Drew Doughty: the smooth skating Kings defender has shown no signs of a sophmore year slump. While hitting skills could be improved, his puck moving ability is already at an elite level and will only improve over time. Only expect him to get a call if one of the offensive minded defenders gets injured.
Brent Seabrook: Duncan Keiths linemate. While his offensive game is not up to par with his teammates, his hitting game most certainly is. A long shot to make the team but don't count him out.
NO CHANCE:
Mike Green: No one can deny Mike Green's offensive game. The numbers speak for itself. Problem is, he must be hanging around Carter and Mike Richards. He has no off ice work ethic and has come under scrutiny of late from Capitals management. If they're having trouble with Green, what makes anyone believe Canada is going to want any part of it?
Marc Staal: two words: RAW TALENT. Staal can hit and pass. Still needs some smoothing around the edges. Give it 5 years and we could possibly see all the Staal brothers (Jared too) skating for Team Canada.
Clearly this isn't your big brothers Team Canada. Gone are the Lemieux, Gretzkys, Sakics, Messiers. This bunch has HUGE expectations. As if playing for Team Canada wasn't enough, the Olympics are IN Vancouver, Canada. Anything less than a Gold Medal will not suffice.
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