• For users coming over from tmlfans.ca your username will remain the same but you will need to use the password reset feature (check your spam folder) on the login page in order to set your password. If you encounter issues, email Rick couchmanrick@gmail.com

World Championships

Potential lines:

Sharp-Getzlaf-Perry
Benn-Tavares-Skinner
Ladd-RNH-Eberle
Kane-O'Reilly-Purcell

Keith-Phaneuf
Vlasic-Subban
Bouwmeester-Schenn
Methot

Ward
Dubnyk

Not a bad looking group. Without looking too closely at the other rosters, we have potentially the best goalie (Ward) and defenceman (Keith) in the tournament, although I could be overlooking somebody. Could be a very exciting team with 3 very impressive scoring lines.
 
No matter who is in or out out of the playoffs, Canada always sends a strong group.

That team would look much better with either of Stamkos, Crosby or Toews though.

I'm a little surprised Stamkos isn't going.
 
Burrows is the last forward added for Canada. Thing I'm a little confused by is, according to Terry Jones, Jason Spezza called Lowe and told him he wanted to play. The article makes it sound like Canada was waiting to hear from Tyler Seguin first, but he ended up being hurt. Then Burrows is selected.

So did Spezza get the shaft or is he going?

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/Sports/hockey/2012/04/27/19689931-qmi.html
 
Reading now on Twitter, according to Dan Seguin (who?), Spezza was told Team Canada's roster was set.

So I guess he did get the shaft. Turning down Spezza and adding Burrows is crazy.
 
Bonsixx said:
Reading now on Twitter, according to Dan Seguin (who?), Spezza was told Team Canada's roster was set.

So I guess he did get the shaft. Turning down Spezza and adding Burrows is crazy.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I don't mind the Burrows addition because the one thing I thought the team lacked a little was penalty-killing forwards and Burrows can definitely do that, but Spezza is a mighty fine penalty killer himself. From the line-up I posted I would have shifted RNH to the wing on the 3rd line and put Spezza there.
 
I think Canada was also a little guilty of selecting too many players before the playoffs ended. Purcell, Kane, and Schenn should have all been in wait and see mode. I can't imagine they would have been too hurt to hear that.
 
Brian Burke was just interviewed on Swedish Television. He was asked about Toronto's season too. And he said that there were two season for Toronto, the first one went well, and in the 2nd one the wheels fell off. He said that he thought that it was a combination of things, one was the goaltending, another was the fact that we are a young team, and another was that he thought that the officiating changed in the end of the season. He was asked about Gustavsson and he said that The Monster saved our season when Reimer got hurt, but that might look for an even better goaltender, and that Gustavsson will be the first one to know.

He was also asked a bit about Team Sweden, Team USA and swedish prospects. He seemed quite content with the american roster (3-2 lead after two periods vs Sweden). He talked a bit about the lack of success for Team USA in world championships. But that they are coming strong on the junior side, and have a strong pool in the NHL. The americans intend to play a fast skilled game. Renberg said that he was a bit worried about Sweden having too few starting goaltenders in the NHL, Burke thought that it would change. And I agree, I think that will change too. And he also said that he would be happy to draft more swedes, since he thinks that they are hard working and good team players.

As far as Team USA, I do think that they can do quite well. Pretty good d-men compared to Sweden, and a lot of players who are fast, and who can move the puck. So I would be very surprised if they do as bad as last year.
 
reporterchris: Ryan Getzlaf named captain of Canada at the world championship. Dion Phaneuf and Patrick Sharp will be alternates.
 
Nice to see no involvment of politics once again - Burrows over Spezza is a joke. I know dumping on Phanuef is cool and everything but the decision to hand him the 'A' is suspicious at best.
 
Bonsixx said:
Well, Burrows got hurt today. Wonder if Spezza is still interested...?
Click to expand...

I doubt any of the brass would put their neck out like that but Spezza is a pro and would probably jump at the opportunity to represent his country.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

About Us

This website is NOT associated with the Toronto Maple Leafs or the NHL.


It is operated by Rick Couchman and Jeff Lewis.
Back
Top