CALGARY! Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Defense is a really strong position for Canada, as is forwards obviously, The only real question mark for Canada is in goal, with no real clear cut choice for the Olympic team. So that being the case, which direction would you like to see Canada go in the 2014 Olympics with their defenses. Do we take advantage of the big ice surface and lean more toward the Offensive dmen with good outles passes and PP skills and try to beat teams threw sheer offense, or do we build our defense around more defensive minded dmen to protect our goaltending, which, I don't think stacks up against the likes of the USA, Sweden, or Finland. Of course we have our dmen who can do both, score and defend, such as Weber, Doughty, Kieth and Seabrook, and many others. Then we have our offensive dmen collection, guys like Letang, Phanuef, Mike Green(if he ever finds his old form). Then we have a load of solid stay at home guys don't put up huge numbers, but always have a good +- and play well in a shut down role. On the big ice surface which will be used in Russia, I would almost be inclined to line our defense with high offense guys, and play a more run and gun style, when you think of the calibre of the forwards we will be icing next year, they would be even more deadly with rushing dmen who jump into the play. At the same time, I am worried about our goaltending, and would like some solid big bodies, who will hang back and keep the other teams snipers in line. I think I would like to see something like this: Letang Doughty Keith Seabrook Weber Phanuef Why- Letang- about as good as any offensive Dman, Doughty plays a big offensive game but also shuts down the leagues best, has great endurance and I think this would be a solid top pairing. Keith is fast as hell and could start some big rushes on the big ice surface, Seabrook is a big body who can shut down the leagues best, plus the two have Chemistry Weber Phanuef, now I criticize Phanuef alot, and for good reason, but on the big ice his rushing and outlet passes would be a big advantage, and paired with Weber, who is, in my mind the best shut down guy in the game, I think this would work, Plus the two would be a feared pair to play against with their size and the huge hits they lay. What route would the rest of you fellas go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRussianRocket. Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 That'll pretty much be the D. Looks solid, although not as sexy as previous years with legendary players like Scott Niedermayer and Pronger back there. ...I'm guessing Hamhuis will be in the talks too...can easily be a depth Dman oh the team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c00kies Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 No Phaneuf; Alex Pietrangelo (or someone else) over him. Hamhuis (even Garrison) might be a good option to balance that offensive d-men core. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xbox Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 It's hard because we are so strong on the right side and weaker on the left. Also, I don't trust Phaneuf on Team Canada. I'd say: Keith - Seabrook - Obvious chemistry from Chicago Campbell - Letang - Campbell is a great puck mover and Letang could benefit greatly from this Hamhuis - Weber - Solid pairing and familier ties from Nashville Honorable Mentions: (In case of injury) Bouwmeester - Pietrangelo Great pairing for St. Louis and is well balanced. Doughty Subban Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferlands_Head Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Looks legit! I'd replace Phaneuf with Pietrangelo though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas19 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 No Phaneuf or Seabrook and maybe not Keith. You forgot Pietrangelo and Subban. Only problem is that a lot of Canada's top d men are right handed. Not many left handers. That's why guys like Keith, Hamhuis, M. Staal have a shot at making the team. We also need defensive d-men. We can't just have all offensive guys. We need a couple guys who could be a shut down pair. Canada's future on defense is looking good. A lot of good young guys in the league and then you have two guys in the CHL who were granted exceptional status in Ekblad and Day. Canada's future in hockey is looking brighter than ever. EDIT: Did anyone realize that Cody Franson was 3rd in the NHL for points by Canadian defensmen? Not bad. Once again though he's a righty. Jesus we have a lot of right handed d-men. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmpunk Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Weber and Doughty looks like they would be the top shutdown pairing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaNuCkSLoUiE23 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 We can have 7 d-men, so I would add Pietrangelo to that list. Also, take out Phaneuf and add Hamhuis or Subban. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gally Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Letang-Doughty Keith-Seabrook Hamhuis (a bit biased maybe)-Pietroangelo Subban Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JE14 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Not biased to have Hammer. Solid defender who put up a lot of points this year plus he's a lefty. If he repeats this year's performance next year he'll make the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blömqvist Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Letang-Doughty Keith-Seabrook Hamhuis (a bit biased maybe)-Pietroangelo Subban Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langdon Algur Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 It's hard because we are so strong on the right side and weaker on the left. Also, I don't trust Phaneuf on Team Canada. I'd say: Keith - Seabrook - Obvious chemistry from Chicago Campbell - Letang - Campbell is a great puck mover and Letang could benefit greatly from this Hamhuis - Weber - Solid pairing and familier ties from Nashville Honorable Mentions: (In case of injury) Bouwmeester - Pietrangelo Great pairing for St. Louis and is well balanced. Doughty Subban Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langdon Algur Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 My pairings Keith-Seabrook Hamhuis-Weber Doughty-Pietrangelo Letang.Edited to remove Subban after realizing Subban lead the league in giveaways last year and averaged a give away a game this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzam Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 phanuef? wtf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gally Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 No Weber?!?!?!? Doughty - Weber Keith - Seabrook Phaneuf - Letang Subban Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CALGARY! Posted May 28, 2013 Author Share Posted May 28, 2013 Not big on Subban, I think he would cost us a lot of penalties with IIHF refs, although Phanuef likely would too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CALGARY! Posted May 28, 2013 Author Share Posted May 28, 2013 Also Hamhuis would be a good stay at home guy, but I was going for more of an offensive mix, which is why I paired Phanuef with Weber, as Weber can easily make Phanuef look more credible in his own end, meanwhile its hard to find a Canadian Dman with a harder shot or better rushing ability then Phaneuf, even though I realize all his defensive zone flaws, which again is why I paired him with Weber. Like I said I think Subban chirps a lot and takes bad penalties which would cost us with International refs, and ya for a 7th guy I could see Hamhuis, Pietrangelo or JBo. Someone you could stick in when the game is tight. Also could keep guys like Phanuef and Letang as PP specialists. Although not paired together lol, could see a couple shorties going in that way. I know Phanuef is hard to get behind, but he has actuallly came a long way from his one dimensional game he played in Calgary. And he has stepped up and played for Canada in the IIHF tourney most years recently. If the game were on North American ice he would not be on my list, but on big ice I can see him being a positive on the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apples Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Letang Doughty Keith Seabrook Weber Subban Pietrangelo will be the 7th dman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CALGARY! Posted May 28, 2013 Author Share Posted May 28, 2013 Also Hamhuis would be a good stay at home guy, but I was going for more of an offensive mix, which is why I paired Phanuef with Weber, as Weber can easily make Phanuef look more credible in his own end, meanwhile its hard to find a Canadian Dman with a harder shot or better rushing ability then Phaneuf, even though I realize all his defensive zone flaws, which again is why I paired him with Weber. Like I said I think Subban chirps a lot and takes bad penalties which would cost us with International refs, and ya for a 7th guy I could see Hamhuis, Pietrangelo or JBo. Someone you could stick in when the game is tight. Also could keep guys like Phanuef and Letang as PP specialists. Although not paired together lol, could see a couple shorties going in that way. I know Phanuef is hard to get behind, but he has actuallly came a long way from his one dimensional game he played in Calgary. And he has stepped up and played for Canada in the IIHF tourney most years recently. If the game were on North American ice he would not be on my list, but on big ice I can see him being a positive on the team. I don't think Campbell has a spot on the team, I think he is past his prime, with all of Canada's talent I can't see him being called upon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Keith-Weber Doughty-Subban Letang-Pietrangelo Seabrook Hamhuis Phaneuf Myers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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