Team Canada
Goalies
Roberto Luongo,(Vancouver Canucks)
Martin Brodeur,(New Jersey Devils)
Marc-Andre Fleury,(Pittsburgh Penguins)
Canada should have no problems with goalkeeping this Olympics. Martin Brodeur arguably the best best goalie to ever play the game, most wins and most shutouts ever. Enough said. Luongo has been a rock for Vancouver this season with 31 wins in 51 games. Fleury is the third string goalie for team canada, but don't let it fool you he has an impressive resume. Was drafted 1st overall in 2003, won silver in 2003 world juniors and was named MVP of the tournament. In 2009 Fleury and Penguins won the Stanley cup beating Detroit in 7 games.
DEFENCEMEN
Dan Boyle, San Jose
Drew Doughty, Los Angeles
Duncan Keith, Chicago
Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim
Chris Pronger, Philadelphia
Brent Seabrook, Chicago
Shea Weber, Nashville
Canada's new look defense looks to be solid. Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger will be the veterans and relied on to carry this defense. The offensive load will be carried by Dan boyle who has been terrific this season, Shea Weber who has a bomb from the point and 21 year old Drew Doughty. In just his second season he leads the kings defense in points with 45, Doughty could be a factor for team Canada. The 2 shutdown guys are the tandem in Chicago Keith and Seabrook. The tandem are having great seasons and Canada will need them to continue their great play if they want to win anything in these Olympics.
FORWARDS
Patrice Bergeron, Boston
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim
Dany Heatley, San Jose
Jarome Iginla, Calgary
Patrick Marleau, San Jose
Brenden Morrow, Dallas
Rich Nash, Columbus
Corey Perry, Anaheim
Michael Richards, Philadelphia
Eric Staal, Carolina
Jonathan Toews, Chigago
Sidney Crosby one of if not the best player in the world will lead the offensive charge for Canada. Crosby has 42 goals this season tied for the lead league. The San Jose trio of Thortron,Heatly and Marleau are expected to score big time goals. The trio since put together have been taking the league by storm, Canada hopes they can continue. Nash,Iglna and Getzlaf are some of the best power forwards in the league. Expect them to reek havoc in the offensive zone. Patrice Bergeron,Corey Perry and Mike Richards will be the shut down guys. These guys will be vital to Canada's success.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Olympic Men`s Hockey Breakdown part 2
Team Russia
Goalies:
Ilya Bryzgalov (Phoenix)
Evgeni Nabokov (San Jose)
Semyon Varlamov (Washington)
Russia`s goal tending is strong. Illya Bryzgalov,Evgeni Nabokov and Semyon Varlomov are all having great seasons. Injuries have plauged Varlamov lately put he has proven this season that he can be a starting goalie. Illya Bryzgalov is top 10 in wins with 32 a goals against of 2.30 and a save percentage of .920. Evgeni Nabokov is having one of his best season and will get most of the load for Russia.
Forwards:
Maxim Afinogenov (Atlanta)
Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit)
Sergei Fedorov (Metallurg Magnitogorsk)
Ilya Kovalchuk (Atlanta)
Viktor Kozlov (Salavat Ufa)
Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh)
Alexei Morozov (Ak Bars Kazan)
Alexander Ovechkin (Washington)
Alexander Radulov (Salavat Ufa)
Alexander Semin (Washington)
Danis Zaripov (Ak Bars Kazan)
Sergei Zinoviev (Salavat Ufa)
Russia has some of the best snipers in the game and one of the best players in the NHL today. Alex Ovchekin one of the best players in the game today. Will lead the offensive charge for Russia, but will have a lot of help, with guys like Kovalchuck who have scored 40 or more goals in five straight season and is well on his way to six with 31 goals in 55 games. Malkin since entering the NHL in 2006 has been the top point getter and when on his game is nearly impossible to stop. Semin who has one of the best releases in the game will be a threat and if not covered can be very dangerous. Pavel Datsyuk will be a threat every time hes on the ice. He is a terrific passer and will generate alot with the snipers hes playing with. If these Russia forwards put it all together and score goals like they do Russia looks destined for gold.
Defence:
Sergei Gonchar (Pittsburgh)
Denis Grebeshkov (Edmonton)
Dmitri Kalinin (Salavat Ufa)
Konstantin Korneyev (CSKA Moscow)
Andrei Markov (Montreal)
Ilya Nikulin (Ak Bars Kazan)
Fedor Tyutin (Columbus)
Anton Vonchenkov (Ottawa)
Russias defense will be just fine. They will be able to produce with guys like Sergei Gonchar and Andrei Markov manning the points. Both players are excellent power play specialists and will lead the charge. Anton Volchenkov is a great shut down man and will be counted on to play against teams best lines. Tyutin will complement Volchenkov and will be vital in shutting down teams best players. Grebeshkov has struggled this season and will need to find his game, otherwise his giveaways may cost Russia.
Goalies:
Ilya Bryzgalov (Phoenix)
Evgeni Nabokov (San Jose)
Semyon Varlamov (Washington)
Russia`s goal tending is strong. Illya Bryzgalov,Evgeni Nabokov and Semyon Varlomov are all having great seasons. Injuries have plauged Varlamov lately put he has proven this season that he can be a starting goalie. Illya Bryzgalov is top 10 in wins with 32 a goals against of 2.30 and a save percentage of .920. Evgeni Nabokov is having one of his best season and will get most of the load for Russia.
Forwards:
Maxim Afinogenov (Atlanta)
Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit)
Sergei Fedorov (Metallurg Magnitogorsk)
Ilya Kovalchuk (Atlanta)
Viktor Kozlov (Salavat Ufa)
Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh)
Alexei Morozov (Ak Bars Kazan)
Alexander Ovechkin (Washington)
Alexander Radulov (Salavat Ufa)
Alexander Semin (Washington)
Danis Zaripov (Ak Bars Kazan)
Sergei Zinoviev (Salavat Ufa)
Russia has some of the best snipers in the game and one of the best players in the NHL today. Alex Ovchekin one of the best players in the game today. Will lead the offensive charge for Russia, but will have a lot of help, with guys like Kovalchuck who have scored 40 or more goals in five straight season and is well on his way to six with 31 goals in 55 games. Malkin since entering the NHL in 2006 has been the top point getter and when on his game is nearly impossible to stop. Semin who has one of the best releases in the game will be a threat and if not covered can be very dangerous. Pavel Datsyuk will be a threat every time hes on the ice. He is a terrific passer and will generate alot with the snipers hes playing with. If these Russia forwards put it all together and score goals like they do Russia looks destined for gold.
Defence:
Sergei Gonchar (Pittsburgh)
Denis Grebeshkov (Edmonton)
Dmitri Kalinin (Salavat Ufa)
Konstantin Korneyev (CSKA Moscow)
Andrei Markov (Montreal)
Ilya Nikulin (Ak Bars Kazan)
Fedor Tyutin (Columbus)
Anton Vonchenkov (Ottawa)
Russias defense will be just fine. They will be able to produce with guys like Sergei Gonchar and Andrei Markov manning the points. Both players are excellent power play specialists and will lead the charge. Anton Volchenkov is a great shut down man and will be counted on to play against teams best lines. Tyutin will complement Volchenkov and will be vital in shutting down teams best players. Grebeshkov has struggled this season and will need to find his game, otherwise his giveaways may cost Russia.
Olympic Men`s Hockey Breakdown part 1
Their are four teams who will compete for gold,silver and bronze in the 2010 Olympics. Who will win gold? lets break down the four teams.
Team USA
Goaltenders
•Tim Thomas, 35 (Boston Bruins)
•Ryan Miller, 29 (Buffalo Sabres)
•Jonathan Quick, 24 (Los Angeles Kings)
USA has very good goal tending Ryan Miller is having a terrific season with 30 wins a .930 save percentage and a 2.16 goals against average which is good enough for second in the NHL. Ryan miller is going to see much of the work for team USA. Tim Thomas who has struggled this year after winning the vezina last year. Tim Thomas has shown signs of life this year and if called upon i believe will do just fine. Jonathan Quick like Ryan miller is having a terrific season with 35 wins a .907 save percentage and a 2.53 goals against average in just his second full season. If called upon i think he can really surprise people.
Forwards
•Zach Parise, 25 (New Jersey Devils)
•Chris Drury, 32 (New York Rangers)
•Dustin Brown, 25 (Los Angeles Kings)
•Jamie Langenbrunner, 34 (New Jersey Devils)
•Paul Stastny, 24 (Colorado Avalanche)
•David Backes, 25 (St. Louis Blues)
•Patrick Kane, 21 (Chicago Blackhawks)
•Phil Kessel, 22 (Toronto Maple Leafs)
•Ryan Kesler, 25 (Vancouver Canucks)
•Bobby Ryan, 22 (Anaheim Ducks)
•Joe Pavelski, 25 (San Jose Sharks)
•Ryan Malone, 31 (Tampa Bay Lightning)
•Ryan Callahan, 24 (New York Rangers)
Up front USA is a young and very skilled group. Kane and Parise should lead the way for USA, Parise has a nose for the net and knows how to get open. Kane has a terrific release and knows how to finish plays off. David Backes and Dustin Brown play a similar game, they love to hit and can run you over, but can also score some goals. Ryan Malone,Ryan Callahan and Jamie Langenbrunner will be the shut down guys for USA. Malone is a big body and Callahan is a very good shut down guy and is great in his own zone. USA i think can score goals and definitely compete.
Defense
•Brian Rafalski, 36 (Detroit Red Wings)
•Ryan Suter, 25 (Nashville Predators)
•Erik Johnson, 21 (St. Louis Blues)
•Brooks Orpik, 29 (Pittsburgh Pittsburgh)
•Jack Johnson, 23 (Los Angeles Kings)
•Ryan Whitney, 26 (Anaheim Ducks)
•Tim Gleason, 27 (Carolina Hurricanes)
Here is where USA will struggle. USA has a very young defense and alot of unknowns. Ryan Suter,Jack and Erick Johnson are very good young defense men but in their first Olympics can they generate enough offense and play good enough defensively for USA to go far in the Olympics is yet to be seen. Rafalski is the veteran on this defense and will have to lead this defense if USA wants to go anywhere in the Olympics, but at age 36 can Rafalski still do it? Ryan Whitney will also be counted on to genrate some offense.Orpik and Gleason will have to be steady defensively for USA to make any noise in this Olympics.
Team USA
Goaltenders
•Tim Thomas, 35 (Boston Bruins)
•Ryan Miller, 29 (Buffalo Sabres)
•Jonathan Quick, 24 (Los Angeles Kings)
USA has very good goal tending Ryan Miller is having a terrific season with 30 wins a .930 save percentage and a 2.16 goals against average which is good enough for second in the NHL. Ryan miller is going to see much of the work for team USA. Tim Thomas who has struggled this year after winning the vezina last year. Tim Thomas has shown signs of life this year and if called upon i believe will do just fine. Jonathan Quick like Ryan miller is having a terrific season with 35 wins a .907 save percentage and a 2.53 goals against average in just his second full season. If called upon i think he can really surprise people.
Forwards
•Zach Parise, 25 (New Jersey Devils)
•Chris Drury, 32 (New York Rangers)
•Dustin Brown, 25 (Los Angeles Kings)
•Jamie Langenbrunner, 34 (New Jersey Devils)
•Paul Stastny, 24 (Colorado Avalanche)
•David Backes, 25 (St. Louis Blues)
•Patrick Kane, 21 (Chicago Blackhawks)
•Phil Kessel, 22 (Toronto Maple Leafs)
•Ryan Kesler, 25 (Vancouver Canucks)
•Bobby Ryan, 22 (Anaheim Ducks)
•Joe Pavelski, 25 (San Jose Sharks)
•Ryan Malone, 31 (Tampa Bay Lightning)
•Ryan Callahan, 24 (New York Rangers)
Up front USA is a young and very skilled group. Kane and Parise should lead the way for USA, Parise has a nose for the net and knows how to get open. Kane has a terrific release and knows how to finish plays off. David Backes and Dustin Brown play a similar game, they love to hit and can run you over, but can also score some goals. Ryan Malone,Ryan Callahan and Jamie Langenbrunner will be the shut down guys for USA. Malone is a big body and Callahan is a very good shut down guy and is great in his own zone. USA i think can score goals and definitely compete.
Defense
•Brian Rafalski, 36 (Detroit Red Wings)
•Ryan Suter, 25 (Nashville Predators)
•Erik Johnson, 21 (St. Louis Blues)
•Brooks Orpik, 29 (Pittsburgh Pittsburgh)
•Jack Johnson, 23 (Los Angeles Kings)
•Ryan Whitney, 26 (Anaheim Ducks)
•Tim Gleason, 27 (Carolina Hurricanes)
Here is where USA will struggle. USA has a very young defense and alot of unknowns. Ryan Suter,Jack and Erick Johnson are very good young defense men but in their first Olympics can they generate enough offense and play good enough defensively for USA to go far in the Olympics is yet to be seen. Rafalski is the veteran on this defense and will have to lead this defense if USA wants to go anywhere in the Olympics, but at age 36 can Rafalski still do it? Ryan Whitney will also be counted on to genrate some offense.Orpik and Gleason will have to be steady defensively for USA to make any noise in this Olympics.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Fall Of The Edmonton Oilers
In 2006 the Edmonton Oilers did something they haven’t done in almost 20 years when they reached the Stanley cup finals; eliminating teams like Detroit who led the league in wins, San Jose who only lost 10 games in their last 40 after acquiring a premier play maker in Joe Thornton, and the Anaheim Ducks only losing to Carolina in seven games in the finals. The devastating loss in the finals came with more heartache in the years to follow.
Chris Pronger deal
In the summer of 2006 only three weeks removed from the finals Chris pronger the Oilers superstar defense men demanded a trade, after one year removed from his 5 year deal which he signed a year previous. The request was made public days later and on July third Pronger was dealt to Anaheim for Joffery Lupul,ladislav Smid and 2 first round picks. In deals where you trade your best player your going to lose the trade 9out of 10 times. When this demand was made public it really effected this trade and the Oilers couldn't get the return they wanted.
Heart and Soul Traded
Ryan Smyth who has been the face of the franchise for almost 10 years was dealt due to a contract dispute. Don Meehan Ryan's agent could not come to an agreement on a new contract which some reports suggest the difference was only 500 000 dollars. So Kevin Lowe the Oilers general manager at the time felt he had no options but to trade him and on February 27 the Oilers dealt the heart and soul to the New York islanders in exchange for Robert Nilsson, Rayan Omara and the Islanders first round pick. The Oilers once again never got enough back and lost this trade as well.
Bad Contracts
In the salary cap era managing contracts are detrimental to a teams success. Kevin Lowe only 2 years after his team made the finals had to sign some of his key players in the off season. Will start with Ethan Moreau who signed a 3 year deal worth 2.5 million dollars per year the Oilers captain played very well in the finals but not making the playoffs 2 years straight signing a fourth line grinder for so much money can only come back to haunt you. Fernando Pisani who had 14 goals in the Oilers magical run was signed for three years for 9 million dollars now signing a player who’s potential at best is a third line checker is Way too much and in the long run really hurt the Oilers. Shawn Horcoff the Oilers so called first line center was signed for 5 years worth 5.5 million dollars now Horcoff who had a good playoffs and a good season till he needed shoulder surgery 50 games in really struggled in the next season and now is at an all time low with only 7 goals this season and a league worst minus 31. Horcoff is a good second line player and a great third line player. This contract will handicap the Oilers for years too come.
Impossible
After the departure of Chris Pronger the Oilers needed a super star and in 2008 the Oilers attempted to sign sniper forward Marian Hossa throwing a truck load of money at him in fact it was along the line of a 9 year 81 million dollar deal. After talks back and fourth and anxiously waiting Hossa decided to sign a one year deal with Detroit worth 7 million dollars to try and win the cup. The Oilers losing on Hossa tried to sign power forward Jamoir Jagar but he choose to play in the khl .Then the Oilers thought they had an agreement with Michael Nylander but after Nylanders wife refused to live in Edmonton he signed in Washington leaving the Oilers high and dry. After three failed attempts to get a superstar and keeping the ones they had Edmonton was ruled undesirable place to play. In 2009 this was proven right when Danny Heatly did not waive his no trade clause to come to Edmonton after a deal was reached between Edmonton and Ottawa
Offer Sheets
The Oilers desperate to make moves after failing to sign player in the Ufa market decided to take the rfa route and offer 2 players, first was Thomas Vanek of the Buffalo Sabers was signed to a 5 year 10 million dollars deal offer sheet buffalo matched it hours later. The second offer sheet was sent to Anaheim’s Dustin Penner for 4 years worth 4.25 million dollars. This coasted the Oilers a 1ST a 2ND and a 3RD round pick. Anaheim never matched the offer and Oilers got the man they wanted but he struggled in his first 2 years and in his third year he got off to a fast start putting him 5Th in league scoring 15 games into the season but losing Hemsky and Khabibulin for the season due to injuries and the Oilers in last place Penner seems uninspired. These offers pissed off a lot of gm's which effected the Oilers of making any kind of moves, as if the Oiler already never had a hard enough time.
Chris Pronger deal
In the summer of 2006 only three weeks removed from the finals Chris pronger the Oilers superstar defense men demanded a trade, after one year removed from his 5 year deal which he signed a year previous. The request was made public days later and on July third Pronger was dealt to Anaheim for Joffery Lupul,ladislav Smid and 2 first round picks. In deals where you trade your best player your going to lose the trade 9out of 10 times. When this demand was made public it really effected this trade and the Oilers couldn't get the return they wanted.
Heart and Soul Traded
Ryan Smyth who has been the face of the franchise for almost 10 years was dealt due to a contract dispute. Don Meehan Ryan's agent could not come to an agreement on a new contract which some reports suggest the difference was only 500 000 dollars. So Kevin Lowe the Oilers general manager at the time felt he had no options but to trade him and on February 27 the Oilers dealt the heart and soul to the New York islanders in exchange for Robert Nilsson, Rayan Omara and the Islanders first round pick. The Oilers once again never got enough back and lost this trade as well.
Bad Contracts
In the salary cap era managing contracts are detrimental to a teams success. Kevin Lowe only 2 years after his team made the finals had to sign some of his key players in the off season. Will start with Ethan Moreau who signed a 3 year deal worth 2.5 million dollars per year the Oilers captain played very well in the finals but not making the playoffs 2 years straight signing a fourth line grinder for so much money can only come back to haunt you. Fernando Pisani who had 14 goals in the Oilers magical run was signed for three years for 9 million dollars now signing a player who’s potential at best is a third line checker is Way too much and in the long run really hurt the Oilers. Shawn Horcoff the Oilers so called first line center was signed for 5 years worth 5.5 million dollars now Horcoff who had a good playoffs and a good season till he needed shoulder surgery 50 games in really struggled in the next season and now is at an all time low with only 7 goals this season and a league worst minus 31. Horcoff is a good second line player and a great third line player. This contract will handicap the Oilers for years too come.
Impossible
After the departure of Chris Pronger the Oilers needed a super star and in 2008 the Oilers attempted to sign sniper forward Marian Hossa throwing a truck load of money at him in fact it was along the line of a 9 year 81 million dollar deal. After talks back and fourth and anxiously waiting Hossa decided to sign a one year deal with Detroit worth 7 million dollars to try and win the cup. The Oilers losing on Hossa tried to sign power forward Jamoir Jagar but he choose to play in the khl .Then the Oilers thought they had an agreement with Michael Nylander but after Nylanders wife refused to live in Edmonton he signed in Washington leaving the Oilers high and dry. After three failed attempts to get a superstar and keeping the ones they had Edmonton was ruled undesirable place to play. In 2009 this was proven right when Danny Heatly did not waive his no trade clause to come to Edmonton after a deal was reached between Edmonton and Ottawa
Offer Sheets
The Oilers desperate to make moves after failing to sign player in the Ufa market decided to take the rfa route and offer 2 players, first was Thomas Vanek of the Buffalo Sabers was signed to a 5 year 10 million dollars deal offer sheet buffalo matched it hours later. The second offer sheet was sent to Anaheim’s Dustin Penner for 4 years worth 4.25 million dollars. This coasted the Oilers a 1ST a 2ND and a 3RD round pick. Anaheim never matched the offer and Oilers got the man they wanted but he struggled in his first 2 years and in his third year he got off to a fast start putting him 5Th in league scoring 15 games into the season but losing Hemsky and Khabibulin for the season due to injuries and the Oilers in last place Penner seems uninspired. These offers pissed off a lot of gm's which effected the Oilers of making any kind of moves, as if the Oiler already never had a hard enough time.
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