Jay’s Take – Hockey Canada Selections

This morning Hockey Canada announced their roster that will be representing the Great White North in Sochi next month.  After looking at the roster, it’s unbelievable how stacked it is. Damn, it’s good.  Even so, much like last week when the United States announced their roster, there’s plenty of debate on who made the team and who was snubbed (for lack of a better word).

OFFENSE – Jamie Benn – Dallas Stars, Patrice Bergeron – Boston Bruins, Jeff Carter – Los Angeles Kings, Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh Penguins, Matt Duchene – Colorado Avalanche, Ryan Getzlaf – Anaheim Ducks, Chris Kunitz – Pittsburgh Penguins, Patrick Marleau – San Jose Sharks, Rick Nash – New York Rangers, Correy Perry Anaheim Ducks, Patrick Sharp – Chicago Blackhawks, Steven Stamkos – Tampa Bay Lightning, John Tavares – New York Islanders, Jonathan Toews – Chicago Blackhawks

This is a highly-skilled offense heading to Sochi, but it could be better.  Jeff Carter is a good player, but I don’t see him as an NHL elite forward; at least not anymore.  He’s not the same player he was when he was in Philadelphia.  The same goes for Nash. He has been unable to stay healthy this season and is no longer considered a guaranteed 30-goal scorer.  There are more deserving players than Nash who deserve to represent Canada.

Snubs – Given the depth Canada has, it’s hard to pick out a snub most will agree upon but it doesn’t mean they aren’t out there.  I know Claude Giroux struggled coming out of the gate, but the Flyers as a franchise struggled and he was coming off hand surgery.  He’s still regarded as one of the best players in the league.  He not representing Canada is absolute nonsense.

Call me a homer here, but its bullshit Taylor Hall was left off the roster.  Statistically he’s third amongst Canadian left-wingers, only behind Sharp and Kunitz, but I’ll argue all day he’s better than both of those.  Both Kunitz and Sharp play on Stanley Cup contenders and have a cast of all-stars surrounding them.  Hall plays on a dysfunctional team (if you don’t know the Oilers are a dysfunctional team you’re an idiot), where he might have different linemates on any given night.  He’s averaging over a point a game over the past two seasons and at only 22 is a veteran leader on the Oil. 

Other overlooks are Joe Thornton (extensive international experience and is 5^th in the league in scoring), and James Neal (averaging 1.42 points a game).  I’d take them over Nash and Carter.  Logan Couture is another player who should have received more consideration but he’s on the shelf for a month with hand surgery.

DEFENSE – Jay Bouwmeester – St. Louis Blues, Drew Doughy – Los Angeles Kings, Dan Hamhuis – Vancouver Canucks, Duncan Keith – Chicago Blackhawks, Alex Pietrangelo – St. Louis Blues, PK Subban – Montreal Canadiens, Marc-Edouard Vlasic – San Jose Sharks, Shea Weber – Nashville Predators

Looking at the defensive selections, there’s no better group in the World heading to Sochi.  It’s so deep the only US defenseman who could crack this roster would be Ryan Suter.  Yzerman selected a squad of two-way defenseman who are going to make life hell for their opponents.  It sucks when I can’t find something to bitch about.  Thanks Stevie-Y…

Snubs – Brent Seabrook is having a career season.  He’s a plus-22, which leads all Canadian defenseman and his 31 points are only behind Keith and Subban.  I probably would take him over Hamhuis, but I can see the reasoning why Hamhuis was selected to the team.

GOALTENDING – Roberto Luongo – Vancouver Canucks, Carey Price – Montreal Canadiens, Mike Smith – Phoenix Coyotes

                                   

Overall this is a good group of netminders, but it could have been better.  I personally think Price is the best goalie in the NHL right now.  Luongo also adds a lot of international experience and leadership.  Then there’s Smith.  Unless he has naked photos of Steve Yzerman’s wife or some dirt on Mike Babcock, what the hell is he doing on the roster?  Outside of one good season, that was two years ago, he’s a mediocre goalie with career stats similar to Devan Dubnyk.  There’s nothing impressive about a 2.89 GAA.

Snubs – Given the fact Smith made the roster, about 90% of Canadian goalies should feel snubbed but a couple come to mind. Marc-Andre Fleury might be a dog in the playoffs but he has had an outstanding season in Pittsburgh.  His 24 wins are first among Canadian goalies and his 2.23 GAA ranks him third among Canadian starters.

Steve Mason has done a hell of a job for the Flyers, especially considering their offense was non-existent the first two months of the season.  His line of 17-10-4/2.39/.922 is the reason the Flyers have gone from a team in the basement to a playoff contender.  He’s not the sexiest name in the Canadian goalie pool, and I’m sure he wasn’t given any consideration, but he’s still better than Smith.

PREDICTION – On paper there’s not a better roster in the world.  From top to bottom each player representing Canada can do damage.  In saying that what’s on paper doesn’t always transpire to what happens on the ice as Russia, Sweden, Finland, and the United States are strong in their own right.  Canada is still the best.  They’re going to beat the United States and win the Gold.

What didn’t you like about the Canadian roster?  Email me at gimmeasign@gmail.com and let your voice be heard.  Follow me on Twitter @JayPlatt.  I’m full of surprises.