Team Canada Adds Four Players for World Championships
by Scott Reynolds on Apr 29, 2010 10:59 PM MDT
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PrintFour players have been added to the team Canada roster for the upcoming World Championships. The additions are Brooks Laich, Tyler Myers, Michael Del Zotto and.. the Greatest-Hockey-Player-To-Ever-Live, an Oiler-For-Life, Captain Cliche Canada himself, Ryan Smyth POTULNY Smyth. MacTavish and Smyth re-united, back together for one last romp before they can finally go their separate ways for good. This whole tourney is going to be like cheering for (a much better version of) the Oilers circa 2003 and I for one couldn't be happier.
The (very distant) second biggest addition to the team is Tyler Myers who should be the unanimous choice for the Calder Trophy this season. It's easy to look at Myers box-cars and be impressed. In the regular season he scored 11 goals and 37 assists for 48 points which placed him second in rookie scoring and 11th overall in scoring by defenders. His 31 even-strength points is the third best total for a defender in the entire league. And he can play defense (which makes him a better Norris candidate than Mike Green). In all three quality of competition measures we see Tyler Myers at the top of the list with partner Henrik Tallinder. His zone-start? One of the toughest on the team with a -19 differential ( 367 OZ and 386 DZ). And all he did was post a sterling +9 goal differential 5-on-5. At 20 years old, he's one of the youngest defenders on the team. He's also the very best. (Wouldn't it be great if we had an opportunity to draft a player like that... Oh well, maybe Buffalo would trade him to us for Dustin Penner... Dammit).
At any rate, the official roster is now at 19 players plus Jordan Eberle. Maybe Shawn Horcoff will be willing to play with his old friend Ryan Smyth. I would love a Smyth-Horcoff-Eberle line. Make it happen. Anyway, here are all 19 guys (age in brackets):
LW Rene Bourque (28) - Calgary Flames
LW Evander Kane (18) - Atlanta Thrashers
LW Steve Ott (27) - Dallas Stars
LW Ray Whitney (37) - UFA (Carolina Hurricanes)
LW Ryan Smyth (33) - Los Angeles Kings
LW Brooks Laich (26) - Washington Capitals
RW Steve Downie (23) - Tampa Bay Lightning
RW Corey Perry (24) - Anaheim Ducks
C Rich Peverley (27) - Atlanta Thrashers
C Steven Stamkos (20) - Tampa Bay Lightning
C John Tavares (19) - New York Islanders
LD Francois Beauchemin (29) - Toronto Maple Leafs
LD Mark Giordano (26) - Calgary Flames
LD Kris Russell (22) - Columbus Blue Jackets
LD Marc Staal (23) - New York Rangers
LD Michael Del Zotto (19) - New York Rangers
RD Brent Burns (25) - Minnesota Wild
RD Tyler Myers (20) - Buffalo Sabres
G Chris Mason (33) - UFA (St. Louis Blues)
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Now that you mention it, I am too, especially considering he’s already got a contract for next season. Still lots of time though and they’ll probably bring two more goalies.
by Scott Reynolds on Apr 30, 2010 8:53 AM MDT up reply actions
i remember that in your last post on this thread, you made a mention to my comment saying that there is a lot of talent on this team, I agree. But this is a very raw and inexperienced bunch esp on defense. Also arent we lacking a few centers?
I think Brooks Laich, Steve Ott and Evander Kane are all natural centers who I’ve listed at wing because that’s where they played in the NHL this year. I’d say the most glaring hole is natural right-wingers. Apparently they’re still twisting Marty St. Louis’s arm though I personally wouldn’t blame him for being miffed that he’s only under consideration for the “B” team. That, or maybe he’s just recovering from a long season. Still, it raised my eyebrows that two thirds of his line in Tampa is going but he isn’t.
by Scott Reynolds on Apr 30, 2010 9:42 AM MDT up reply actions
It will be nice that St loius makes it. And i was very surprised to see him not make the olympic team. he is a natural winger and Yzerman kept talking about having players that played thier natural position. And you are right there are a few RW missing. Also looking at the roster it may not be difficult for eberle to see some good ice time with the team. its not as if he will be the youngest on out there then. I know he hasnt played in NHL yet, but i think he is talented enough that he can steal some ice time from players like Kane
As a big St.Louis fan, I was miffed that he was passed/fucked over for the Olympic team, especially after his fine performances at the last two Worlds. He and Stamkos were All-Star forwards last year. Thanks for coming.
I hope he changes his mind, cuz he’s a fun player to watch and because his presence will make that line a real force at Worlds.
Any word on Doughty? His name was in the mix the other day.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
by Bruce McCurdy on Apr 30, 2010 12:23 PM MDT up reply actions
Damn. I was envisioning him just taking the next step and entering the tourney as Canada’s #1 defender, and further staking his claim. I suspect as soon as next year Drew will be otherwise occupied at WC time.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
by Bruce McCurdy on Apr 30, 2010 4:48 PM MDT up reply actions
The Worlds are always exciting.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
by Bruce McCurdy on Apr 30, 2010 12:23 PM MDT up reply actions
Unless he’s been removed from the roster, shouldn’t Matt Duchene be on there? They were talking about him being on the team on TSN the other day, and the list at TSN.ca had him too.
You are correct! Apparently he got his own article. And to Bruce, it looks like Doughty is out.
by Scott Reynolds on Apr 30, 2010 1:11 PM MDT up reply actions
Too bad. The screen isn’t wide enough to properly encapsulate how much
Doughty >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Del Zotto.
Adding Myers is good, it’ll be interesting to see the big guy cope with the big ice.
Maybe a Calgary fan can help me out here, but it seems to me that Giordano spent at least a chunk of his time on RD. Whereas that long list of LWs really did play LW so somebody will have to switch. I like Laich and Kane to be the candidates, but that’s really a WAG.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
by Bruce McCurdy on Apr 30, 2010 1:31 PM MDT up reply actions
del zotto is a terrible defenseman. Looks like a lot of players are refuting the invitesmay be due to olympic snub or maybe due to something else. I just read that chris krieder is on US team..wow
You know who else is on the US team? Taylor Chorney.
by Scott Reynolds on Apr 30, 2010 1:44 PM MDT up reply actions
Hey, don’t bet against Chris Krieder! He won the World Junior and the NCAA this season!! Chris Krieder is clutch ! ! 1 ! ! 1
Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries
"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
by Bruce McCurdy on Apr 30, 2010 4:46 PM MDT up reply actions
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