The following is based purely on my own ideas as to how to build a gold medal squad.
1st Line:
Taylor Hall-L, Sydney Crosby-C, Claude Giroux-C/R
This line should create absolute havok on the opposition. It has it all, speed, size, playmaking and goal scoring.
2nd Line:
Patrick Sharp-L, Jonathon Toews-C, Steven Stamkos-C/R
Toews and Sharp will make life hell for the opposing forwards, while Stamkos can use his speed and shot to take maximum advantage of Toews playmaking abilities.
3rd Line:
Erik Staal-C/L, Patrice Bergeron-C/L, Brad Marchand-C/R
My 'shutdown' line, with Bergeron and Marchand to kill penalties and hound the opposition, while Staal uses his massive frame and skill to bulldoze opposing defenders.
4th Line:
Jamie Benn-L, Mike Richards-C, Martin St Louis-R
Spare: Jordan Eberle.
A group of utility forwards who can be moved up or down the lineup (i.e. feel free to put Martin St Louis on any other line and bump someone else down).
For all the forwards I placed a premium on skating and two-way ability. Rick Nash, Ryan Getzlaf and John Tavares are excellent NHL players, but I don't want any of them trying to keep up with the Russians on the big ice. Guys like Sharp and Marchand - who won't ever make an All-Star team, are especially valuable in short series like the Olympics where their ability to skate and shut down opposition players will be in high demand, someone has to kill penalties and shadow the opposition.
Defense:
1st pair
Kris Letang - Jay Bouwmeester
2nd pair
Duncan Keith - Shea Weber
3rd pair
PK Subban - Drew Doughty
7th
Alex Pietrangelo
How good is your defense corps when Shea Weber is the worst skater of the 7? Pretty awesome depth at the blueline. No Brent Seabrook or Karl Alzner types, as I don't see them being as baluable as the guys who skate at an elite level. JBo may be a surprise, but he has loads of international experience and still possesses absolutely fantastic skating ability.
Goaltenders:
Luongo
Crawford
Price
Order them however you want, but I think Luongo earns the top role and gets the bulk of the starts.
Thoughts?
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1 comment:
Really- Canada should get to dress two teams. So many options. Like your analysis Bob. I'm good with Luongo getting the start - not sure I trust Price just yet, although he likely would be fine.
Ward, Fleury and Crawford should not even be allowed past security. IMO. I'm cool with people disagreeing with me. They're wrong, I'm right. All good. ;-)
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