@JohannesHockey
A few quick notes and thoughts from around the hockey world...
1. So we all know that the Olympic rosters were named not too long ago. For Canada, there were a few controversial selections and snubs as to be expected. As for snubs, I was genuinely shocked that Claude Giroux and Marty St.Louis did not make this team. In my opinion Marty and Claude deserved a spot on this roster far more than some one like Rick Nash. Also, Vlasic and Hamhuis over Seabrook? I know that a lot of thought process goes into the whole left handed vs right handed debate, but how could you leave Seabrook off of the roster? Even without Keith on the team he deserves a spot.
2. Apparently Nash made the team for his 'size'. Yeah, the guy IS 6'4, and he DOES have some wheels, but he has not played with enough intensity or consistency in the last 4 years to warrant a spot on the team. Want someone big? Joe Thornton and Eric Staal are pretty big. Want a fast skater? Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin are pretty fast. A guy like Logan Couture would have contributed more, and that's without even mentioning Giroux and St.Louis.
3. Speaking of lack of intensity, Bobby Ryan not on the American squad? Really? I'll ask again... Really?! This is a perennial 30 goal forward with size and skill to spare, who's proven he can play at the Olympic level. Oh yeah, he can't spell intensity though, so he can't be on any team with the Brian Burke stamp of approval. Ironic considering who drafted him...
4. James Neal is having quite the season so far. Holy crap. 36 points in 27 games gives him a points per game of 1.33. That's third in the league behind only Crosby and Stamkos. He plays with some amazing players in Pittsburgh but trust me this guy has some real talent. Too bad team Canada is so deep.
5. Okay, so recently I read the opinion that Derrick Pouliot severely disappointed at the World Juniors. My first thought when I read this was that whoever thinks this must not have payed very close attention to the rearguards play. Watching Pouliot's play closely, he was calm and poised, confident and skilled with the puck and overall he played a very mature game considering his progression as a prospect. In my opinion he stepped up as the best D on team Canada, (discounting Griffin Reinhart due to the fact he only played part of the tournament.) ahead of Ekblad and Dumba. I didn't realize how strong of a prospect Pouliot was, but he's got a bright future.
6. Speaking of prospects, the BMO CHL/NHL Prospects Game is a few days away and I couldn't be more excited to see the future stars of hockey play. Some great names to watch for sure. Fleury, Vanier, Bleackley, Draisaitl, Virtanen, Honka and Scherbak just to start.
7. Patrick Kane scored on his own net in a play that was entirely NOT his fault. Poor guy. Geez.
8. Tomas Tatar has been playing on fire lately, which is awesome to hear considering the recent passing of his father. Congrats on being named to the Slovakian Olympic team Tomas!
9. So happy for Ryan Johansen and the season he's having. There were a few bumps in the road as he developed but he's showing some significant forward steps and he's posting some great numbers. Johansen has a great mix of two way play, skill and size. Full package.
10. Zemgus Girgensons has got to be one of the hardest working players in the league. He's got a motor that won't quit and the opportunity to represent his country in the Olympics will only benefit him. Got to be one of the funnest players to watch right now. Keep an eye on him.
Last, a link to my attempt at guessing the Canadian roster back in July. I was relatively close, right?
http://johanneshockey.weebly.com/1/post/2013/07/team-canada.html
Thanks for tossing this a read, much appreciated! Let me know what you think! -Johannes.
A few quick notes and thoughts from around the hockey world...
1. So we all know that the Olympic rosters were named not too long ago. For Canada, there were a few controversial selections and snubs as to be expected. As for snubs, I was genuinely shocked that Claude Giroux and Marty St.Louis did not make this team. In my opinion Marty and Claude deserved a spot on this roster far more than some one like Rick Nash. Also, Vlasic and Hamhuis over Seabrook? I know that a lot of thought process goes into the whole left handed vs right handed debate, but how could you leave Seabrook off of the roster? Even without Keith on the team he deserves a spot.
2. Apparently Nash made the team for his 'size'. Yeah, the guy IS 6'4, and he DOES have some wheels, but he has not played with enough intensity or consistency in the last 4 years to warrant a spot on the team. Want someone big? Joe Thornton and Eric Staal are pretty big. Want a fast skater? Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin are pretty fast. A guy like Logan Couture would have contributed more, and that's without even mentioning Giroux and St.Louis.
3. Speaking of lack of intensity, Bobby Ryan not on the American squad? Really? I'll ask again... Really?! This is a perennial 30 goal forward with size and skill to spare, who's proven he can play at the Olympic level. Oh yeah, he can't spell intensity though, so he can't be on any team with the Brian Burke stamp of approval. Ironic considering who drafted him...
4. James Neal is having quite the season so far. Holy crap. 36 points in 27 games gives him a points per game of 1.33. That's third in the league behind only Crosby and Stamkos. He plays with some amazing players in Pittsburgh but trust me this guy has some real talent. Too bad team Canada is so deep.
5. Okay, so recently I read the opinion that Derrick Pouliot severely disappointed at the World Juniors. My first thought when I read this was that whoever thinks this must not have payed very close attention to the rearguards play. Watching Pouliot's play closely, he was calm and poised, confident and skilled with the puck and overall he played a very mature game considering his progression as a prospect. In my opinion he stepped up as the best D on team Canada, (discounting Griffin Reinhart due to the fact he only played part of the tournament.) ahead of Ekblad and Dumba. I didn't realize how strong of a prospect Pouliot was, but he's got a bright future.
6. Speaking of prospects, the BMO CHL/NHL Prospects Game is a few days away and I couldn't be more excited to see the future stars of hockey play. Some great names to watch for sure. Fleury, Vanier, Bleackley, Draisaitl, Virtanen, Honka and Scherbak just to start.
7. Patrick Kane scored on his own net in a play that was entirely NOT his fault. Poor guy. Geez.
8. Tomas Tatar has been playing on fire lately, which is awesome to hear considering the recent passing of his father. Congrats on being named to the Slovakian Olympic team Tomas!
9. So happy for Ryan Johansen and the season he's having. There were a few bumps in the road as he developed but he's showing some significant forward steps and he's posting some great numbers. Johansen has a great mix of two way play, skill and size. Full package.
10. Zemgus Girgensons has got to be one of the hardest working players in the league. He's got a motor that won't quit and the opportunity to represent his country in the Olympics will only benefit him. Got to be one of the funnest players to watch right now. Keep an eye on him.
Last, a link to my attempt at guessing the Canadian roster back in July. I was relatively close, right?
http://johanneshockey.weebly.com/1/post/2013/07/team-canada.html
Thanks for tossing this a read, much appreciated! Let me know what you think! -Johannes.