Vancouver Canucks 2010 Olympic Preview
by Yankee Canuck on Dec 4, 2009 8:27 AM PST
35 comments
![Let's flip a coin. [Tenders Lounge]](http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/326514/roberto-luongo-martin-brodeur-canada.jpg)
We already one great post at Olympic hopefuls for Vancouver but, as you may have seen, the SB Nation Hockey group has been running a series of previews as well, so Sean and I have to run one more least the higher-ups flog us.
We disagree on some of these too but that's the fun part. Here's our take on the Vancouver Canucks who - for the first time ever? - have the easy commute.
Pack Your Bags & Walk To Work
Roberto Luongo (Canada) - Let's get the big one out of the way. The meltdown that was the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino left a bad taste in Lui's mouth. Everyone knows he's been eying these winter games in his own city like a fat kid froths at a cake from 100 yards off. Let the haters hate on him, but he's a lock and we all know it. But the starter? Probably not. Brodeur is still the pony to bet on and his November numbers were ridiculous (8-2-1, 1.67 GAA, .939 S%). Expect Luongo to pass Fleury and be Canada's #2 man between the pipes.
Daniel Sedin (Sweden) - I don't think any other team can offer what Vancouver offers Sweden: an entire scoring line. Daniel had four points in eight games in 2006. And unlike in Vancouver, Daniel won't necessarily have to shoulder the offensive load with guys like Alfredsson, Backstrom, Eriksson, Zetterberg and Holstrom around. And I didn't even have to mention that Forsberg character either.
Henrik Sedin (Sweden) - Yeah, see above. Same deal with points from 2006. Creepy.
Mikael Samuelsson (Sweden) - What does Sammy offer? Prior Olympic experience? You betcha: in 2006 he added four points in eight games for team Sweden. Stanley Cup experience? Check. Can sort of tell the Sedins apart? The jury's probably out on that one.
Sami Salo (Finland) - Great grandma's fragile chinaset Batman...the last thing poor Sami needs is MORE icetime. Finland's blueline isn't too deep as far as the NHL goes (only Timonen, Pitkanen and Koistinen spring to mind) and they can always elect to raid the European elite leagues or the KHL for replacements (Ossi Vaananen!!!). Salo has played in 10 Olympic games and has scored one goal and added three helpers.
Christian Ehrhoff (Germany) - Blastoff is one of the few shining stars for Team Germany. This will actually be his third appearance in international play: he was the second youngest player back in 2002 and had two points in five games back in 2006. He'll join Schuber and Seidenberg on the blueline and get a truck load of work since Germany is, well, awful (they haven't finished higher than sixth in damn near 20 years).
Nearly A Lock
Ryan Kesler (USA) - Sean disagrees with me and I can certainly see why. However he wasn't a lock when the roster was first looked at this summer. He needed to go into camp, gel with the linemates and prove his worth. He's had a strong season so far and, though guys like Kane and Parise have past him on the scoresheet, Kesler has more points than both Brown and Backes so chances are he'll make it. He better too since he already went ahead and guaranteed a medal.
Work To Do
Pavol Demitra (Slovakia) - I'm sure Demo would like nothing more than to join Hossa, Gaborik and Chara representing Slovakia, but obviously he has to be able to play first. It's probable he could be replaced by someone like Nagy or Satan if he can't make it. And, even then, I'm curious how Vancouver would feel letting him go play for the Olympics when he has yet to skate for the team. Demo clearly has the most work to do of all the current roster players.
Alexander Edler (Sweden) - Edler's slow start coupled with a deep Swedish blueline (Lidstrom, Ericsson, Ohlund, Kronwall and maybe Hedman) probably nixes him from consideration.
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Edler's slow start?
I realize he was weak early in the year…but with those numbers and what they project to…doesn’t that put him in good shape?
And Kesler seems like he would now have to be close to a lock, even if it’s just for 4th line energy minutes.
He did have a slow start. Better recently but his October (not just from the scoresheet) was forgettable. He looked a bit lost out there a few nights. And again Sweden has a deep blueline. Maybe a reserve, but not a starter.
Kesler is probably a lock, but the only reason I didn’t want to keep him in that top group was that he wasn’t one from the beginning. The fact he’s had a good year and has shown last year wasn’t a fluke all but guarantees him a spot.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Dec 4, 2009 11:11 AM PST up reply actions
I really think Edler’s a lock. You’re right about the Swedish blueline having depth (deeper than I realized until you started listing names) but I think Edler gets on there for his offense and puck-moving abilities. I’m not convinced that an 18-year old Hedman will make the team, but we’ll see…
by nucksandpucks on Dec 4, 2009 12:05 PM PST up reply actions
BTW Yankee, sorry to sneak in ahead of you on this topic… I guess I should have checked in to make sure that you or Sean weren’t going to do a similar Olympic piece.
by nucksandpucks on Dec 4, 2009 12:07 PM PST up reply actions
No worries at all. Your piece was a bit different too so it’s all good.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Dec 4, 2009 12:29 PM PST up reply actions
Pre-tourney Tournaments Suck
No NHL team is letting their players out to help the weaker international teams qualify for the Olympics – Anze Kopitar would certainly have helped Slovenia, and Denmark would have loved three NHL players (with Frans Neilsen joining Peter Regin, and our Great Dane himself) for qualifying!
Ryan Kesler is an absolute lock. He is a stone cold triple strength giant key lock. He is as much of a lock as the Sedin’s are for Sweden.
Parise – Stasny – Kane
Brown – Kessel – Ryan
Malone – Kessler – Knuble
Drury – Pavelski – Langenbrunner
Gomez as the extra forward.
That Kesler line is the shut down line that plays against Sid, Ovie and company. Ryan and Brown are bother RW but I think Brown can play his off wing.
I agree. If you’re gonna go into a tourney like this against teams w/the firepower of Canada, Sweden and Russia, you need a shutdown line that can also chip in w/some scoring. Kesler’s two-way play makes him a natural choice … well, if you and I were picking that team.
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
Wouldn’t you want a bit more speed on the checking line? I would think perhaps Malone-Pavelski-Kesler, perhaps?
Just my $0.02.
Don’t forget that Brian Burke is the GM, and Kesler is the stuff that Burkie’s truculent wet dreams are made of. As you say Section 312, “a stone cold triple strength giant key lock.” 100% he makes the US team.
by nucksandpucks on Dec 4, 2009 1:37 PM PST up reply actions
Ryan Kesler is an absolute lock. He is a stone cold triple strength giant key lock. He is as much of a lock as the Sedin’s are for Sweden.
I disagree. They’re in completely different camps talent-wise. And your line up is dropping out a guy like Backes who, last I checked, was playing on a line in camp with Kesler. That’s my point: there are a lot of guys who can fill in what Kesler does. I DO think he’s better than many of his peers at being the shutdown guy so that coupled with his point production should be enough to get him. But that doesn’t make him a lock and he certainly wasn’t a lock this past summer.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Dec 4, 2009 1:59 PM PST up reply actions
Selke finalist. How can you go to the Olympics and not take your countries best two way center?
Is Mike Richards a lock? Datsyuk?
Sorry but thinking anything other than Kesler is a lock is ridiculous. He is the third best American CENTER available and the best defensively. There isn’t more of a lock for the American team. He wasn’t a lock in the summer? Really? He is close to being a point a game guy this calendar year, a Selke finalist etc etc. He is a lock.
And Backes has 10 points in 26 games. He has played himself off of that team at the moment.
You’re being rational again; it’s not up to you.
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
Sorry for disagreeing with you both. At this point we’re splitting hairs because it’s a safe bet he’ll make the team. Whether he is viewed as a lock or not is just an exercise and I humbly disagree that is.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Dec 4, 2009 2:10 PM PST up reply actions
Ugh
…that HE is…
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Dec 4, 2009 2:10 PM PST up reply actions
He should be, but according to those who will choose the team, he isn’t. Or at least wasn’t, as of the summer.
Mind you, nucksandpucks made an awfully good point when he said that “Kesler is the stuff that Burkie’s truculent wet dreams are made of.” Very true.
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
We can agree that if Kesler somehow doesn’t make it and Byfuglien of all people does…then the Olympics suck.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Dec 4, 2009 2:19 PM PST up reply actions
Byfuglien isn’t a center though. I mean I know Canada has 45 centers playing out of position but the USA has basically 4 that are good enough. And Kesler is the third or second best of them. And by far the best 2 way player they have available. Is there a forward in the NHL better suited to trying to stop Ovechkin? Speed, hands, physical and will talk a little in his ear. He is the American Mike Richards and with Canada’s embarrassment of riches up front Richards is still a lock.
I didn’t mean to suggest Byfuglien was a center, only that he’s listed as a potential member of Team USA.
Hey if Burke wants truculence…
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Dec 4, 2009 2:37 PM PST up reply actions
I would think that Edler is a lock as long as he keeps up his solid play. I’d take Edler over Ericsson and Hedman for sure. Even over Ohlund if it came down to only one of the two.
Also, the Kronwall injury may have increased his chances.
Hmm, that is quite debatable. Over Ohlund? I wouldn’t.
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 4, 2009 2:43 PM PST up reply actions
San jose
I’d argue they have a full Canadian line. Thornton, Heatly, and Marleau. Throw Boyle on D. Blake too if you’re nostalgic.
by treved on Dec 4, 2009 4:25 PM PST via mobile reply actions
No, not Blake ;)
Yeah, We may as well use Heatley, Thornton and Marleau on a line because they already click.
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 4, 2009 4:44 PM PST up reply actions
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