I love Olympic hockey. I say that because it surprises me how many NHL fans don’t. They don’t like the fact it interrupts the NHL season, the risk of injury to key players, in some case the just don’t like the hockey itself. International rules do change how the game is played, but not enough that I see what the big deal is. Larger ice surfaces does change things a bunch, that I have to admit, but the fact the best players in world are playing makes up for that in my opinion. It’s not even an issue this year as the hockey will be played on NHL size ice. Oh well, can’t make everyone happy I guess, for those of us that enjoy the conversation, I’d like to take a look at some of the more interesting choices Steve Yzerman has to make in picking what will hopefully be a gold medal hockey team.
Joe Thronton:
Only interesting in the fact that to start the season the popular vote was that Thornton wasn’t a lock for the team. In fact more then one expert DIDN’T have him on the team in mock drafts. To be humble, neither did I, and I’ve always had a soft spot for Joe Thornton. In the end though, turns out we where all nuts. He leads the NHL in points and assists and is just plain scary when playing with Heatley. Conversation over.
Result: Makes the team
Eric Staal:
A bitterly hard to watch slow start and then injury has the 2009-2010 season off to a rocky start for the power forward. I think the question is how much is this season performance playing into Yzerman’s selection process. Looking back to the last seasons playoff run the Hurricanes went on Eric Stall was money when it mattered the most in professional hockey. He was the reason the Cnaes won whet they did last spring.
Result: Makes the team
Dion Phaneuf:
His offensive upside often makes up for mistakes in his own end, the problem is he is on pace for only 37 points this season thus far. If it happens that would be the lowest output he has seen in his time in the NHL. I thought going in that Phaneuf had to earn a spot as he certainly wasn’t one of the locks, in my opinion he hasn’t accomplished that yet and more then likely won’t.
Result: Doesn’t make the team
Marc Savard:
In my opinion, the most underrated 90 point player in the game today. What the guy is up against however is to fold. First, he is a center. That’s a brutal position to play if you’re trying to earn a spot on Team Canada. Second, his offense is second to none, but his two way play isn’t. That’s not say it’s awful, just not as good as the other centers that will more then likely get the job.
Result: Doesn’t make the team
Dustin Penner:
Who saw him coming? I’m the Oiler fan and I certainly didn’t, not at this level anyway. I’d always held firm Penner could score 30, but to be on pace for 46 goals and 92 points, someone slap me. Even more surprising is that Pat Quinn is right, his two way play is the best in the Oilers lineup right now, he kills penalties, and can win faceoffs it turns out, who knew? His edge, the Canadians don’t have a massive glut at natural left wing. If Yzerman is making picks based on this years play how can you not put him on the team?
Result: Makes the team
Then again, this is just another damned opinion.
