It is under a year to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and the hype train for Olympic hockey has already left the station (albeit a bit prematurely, seeing as there’s no deal in place yet for NHL players to attend, but nevertheless, it has left). Expectations for this particular iteration of Team Canada are, well, about the same as they always are – gold or bust. Already, predictions for who will make what team are abound on the internet. But these predictions you’re reading are different: they’re in newsprint, which means they are infinitely better. So without further ado, I present to you the compilation of Canadians that will indisputably take home the gold.
The Forwards
Line 1: Stamkos – Crosby – Giroux
This is the big show, the line that’s going to generate more offensive power than a nuclear powerplant and most definitely about as terrifying a top three as one could hope for.
Steven Stamkos – The king of the one timer (and goal scoring in general) gets shifted to the wing and gets one of the best setup men in the NHL in Crosby. Oh Doctor, he could be good.
Sidney Crosby – Because, obviously. Next.
Claude Giroux – His point totals have increased dramatically over the last four years, and although not having Jagr around is hurting his production a bit this season, the poster boy of NHL ’13 is still an elite talent. Also, he’s played right wing in the past, something that Canada desperately needs.
Line 2: Tavares – Staal – Eberle
One knock against this line? None of these players are particularly amazing at playing defense, not that it’s going to matter when they spend all their time in the offensive zone.
John Tavares – Arguably singlehandedly carrying the New York Islanders into relevancy, this kid’s year over year points total is skyrocketing. He’s dominated for Canada at the World Juniors and I shudder at the thought of what he can do with wing-mates slightly more skilled than Matt Molson and Brad Boyes.
Eric Staal – One of the most consistent players over the last few years, despite having nobody to play with until this season. Reason Staal gets the center position over Tavares? Slightly better face-off man and a much better passer.
Jordan Eberle – Probably the most clutch scorer in the history of clutch scorers, not only has Eberle given TSN’s most overplayed sound bit of all time (CAN. YOU. BELIEVE. IT.), he only gets better as the stage gets bigger. Eberle is the miracle man; if Canada needs a goal he will deliver.
Line 3: Nash – Toews – Perry
Remember when I called the first line about as terrifying as you can get? I lied. It’s this one. This line could make so many lives miserable, while tearing up the score sheet in the process.
Rick Nash – He hits. He scores. He’s six foot four. He’s a complete package and the fact that Columbus traded him away for what was essentially a bag of pucks is criminal. A mainstay on Canada’s world championship teams (once again, Columbus), Nash can play on both ends of the ice.
Jonathon Towes – The most complete player in the NHL. There I said it. Also, one of the best faceoff men in the NHL. Captain Serious (his glare is terrifying) was named the best forward in the 2010 Olympics and honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was again.
Corey Perry – He won the 2010-2011 Hart and Rocket Richard Trophies (MVP and Most Goals), the last Canadian to win the Hart since Crosby in 2007. He had an off season last year, but he is, alongside the rest of Anaheim, going to bounce back and will be ready to go come 2014.
Line 4: Lucic – Bergeron – Iginla
A line that can play defense, as well as grind it out in the other teams end, if Canada is up by one with one minute left in the third, these are the people I want on the ice (well, maybe not Lucic…).
Milan Lucic – I hate Lucic. So much. He’s a pest, gets under his opponent’s skin, crashes the net with a passion and is a goon to the upmost degree. So naturally, I wish this kind of misery upon the rest of the world. I don’t want him to play pretty, I want him to wreak havoc against Russia.
Patrice Bergeron – Unlike his Boston wing mate, I like Bergeron. He’s the best defensive forward out there, has had good chemistry with Crosby in the past (should a line shuffle be needed) and if for some odd reason Towes is tired, Bergeron will win any faceoff thrown his way.
Jarome Iginla – This will be Iggy’s fourth (!) Olympics, and he’ll be the exact same age as Canada’s last three captains (36). Just sayin’. Finally he was born on July 1, how can you not have him on the team?
Extras: Patrick Sharp, Ryan Getzlaf.
The Defence
Line 1: Doughty – Weber
Drew Doughty – Doughty was Canada’s best defenseman in the 2010 tournament. Although his NHL numbers have dipped a bit since then, he can still move the puck and more importantly, play solid defence.
Shea Weber – Weber is off to an awful start this year (undoubtedly heartbroken over the loss of Ryan Suter), but don’t expect that to last long. This is Canada’s best answer to Zdeno Chara, and frankly, you need the guy who can blast the puck through the net.
Line 2: Keith – Seabrook
The Chicago pairing will make a return from the 2010 team. Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook come as a package deal. Both can pass the puck and hit fantastically well. Expect this line to be depended on early as the others take time to develop chemistry (ala Thorton-Marleau-Heatley from 2010).
Line 3: Pietrangelo – Staal
Alex Pietrangelo – This kid could very well be to Canada in 2014 what Doughty was in 2010, a young defensemen playing out of his mind. He was named the top defensemen in the 2010 World Juniors and the 2011 World Championships. Expect big things from him.
Marc Staal – The prototypical shutdown defender. Marc Staal gobbles up minutes for the New York Rangers. He won’t exactly have to do that here, but when it’s time to kill a penalty, he should be first on the ice.
Extras: Kris Letang, Dan Girardi.
The Goaltenders
Starting: Luongo, Backup: Fleury
Roberto Luongo – As far as I can tell, there is no reason not to start Luongo, sure he couldn’t play in Boston to save his life in 2011, but the defense in front of him with Canada will be exponentially better than those in Vancouver. An elite goaltender the last few years, he can make the big save when it counts.
Marc Andre Fleury – Fleury has won a Stanley Cup, and in this season (and the last two years), his save percentage and goals against average have been a very tidy .915 and 2.35 respectively.
Extra: Carey Price
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