Sochi 2014. We all know what’s at stake: Canada’s hockey pride. Forming the optimal squad to defend the gold from Vancouver was no easy task for Steve Yzerman and Hockey Canada, but at last the debate for Sochi is now over. With a country so rich in talent, Yzerman and crew could hardly go far wrong.
However, there were a few key points that they had in mind when picking the team: First off, in Sochi, the tournament will be held on international ice not the smaller NHL size ice. As such, players with skating ability were generally given greater consideration than those who specialize more in fancy puck-handling moves. They were also looking to get a good mix of veterans and younger players, and to make sure that the team would gel together nicely during the rather short tournament.
And so, without further a-do, if the Benchwarmer was head coach Mike Babcock, here’s how the line-up would look:
FORWARDS
Chris Kunitz-Sidney Crosby-Steven Stamkos
Patrick Sharp-Jonathan Teows-Corey Perry
Jamie Benn-Ryan Getzlaf-Matt Duchene
Patrick Marleau-John Tavares-Jeff Carter
Extras: Patrice Bergeron, Rick Nash
This is one seriously potent offence. Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz play together on the Penguins, on arguably the most feared top line in the league. Bringing that over to the Olympics along with the goal-machine, Steven Stamkos, will make this line extremely difficult to deal with. Keep your fingers crossed that Stamkos will be recovered from injury in time for the Olympics. They will be relied on to lead the way in scoring, though of course the second and third lines will need to be producing for Canada to succeed.
As second centre, Jonathan Teows (a.k.a. Captain Serious) brings a unique mix of strong offence and responsible defense to his forward line. Placing Patrick Sharp alongside his NHL captain is logical as these two don’t need to look up to find each other on the ice. Corey Perry adds more scoring punch to this line—if he can reproduce his results from two seasons ago, this will be the most complete line on the roster, and quite likely, in the tournament.
Ryan Getzlaf is again, a very complete player, and an established leader with the Anaheim Ducks. Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn have both been red hot since the beginning of this season. This line brings scoring depth to the team and will be an integral part of the offence, especially if the other two lines do not manage to produce as expected.
The fourth line is an interesting one. John Tavares is an emerging young captain and will no doubt move up the depth chart in time for the next Olympics. On the flip side, Patrick Marleau and Jeff Carter bring some more experience to the ice, both having been in scoring and defensive roles. Extras include faceoff god Patrice Bergeron, and big man scorer Rick Nash. Nash is a talented goal-scorer, but has not had the same point production this year as he has had in past years. Look for him to try to heat up to get more ice time these Olympics. Bergeron however, will be relied on to take big draws in the defensive zone and towards the end of the third period. He will play a key role in Team Canada’s success or failure in defending the gold medal, particularly against highly powered offences such as Russia and the USA.
DEFENCE
Duncan Keith – Drew Doughty
Dan Hamhuis – Shea Weber
Jay Bouwmeester – Alex Pietrangelo
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – P.K. Subban
This defense core gives a great mix of offensive defensemen as well as the good old stay-at-home D-men. Returning Olympians Duncan Keith and Drew Doughty will pick things up where they left off in Vancouver. Both have offensive jump yet can still be relied on to put defense first. Shea Weber and Dan Hamhuis will also be dangerous offensively, as will be Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bowmeester. Look for these guys to be firing off shots from the point like there’s no tomorrow. Marc-Edouard Vlasic is extremely responsible in his own end and may be called upon in demanding defensive situations. P.K. Subban is no typical offence-first defensemen, as all Montreal fans will tell you. He’s come through in the clutch multiple times and has the potential to be that overtime hero should such a situation arise. The drawback with Subban of course (as Habs coach Michel Therrien has repeatedly pointed out) is that he does have a tendancy to be irresponsible in his own end. Perhaps pairing him with Vlasic will help him put this habit on hold at the Olympics.
GOALIES
Starter: Carey Price
Backup: Roberto Luongo
Extra: Mike Smith
Every self-respecting hockey fan knows that a team only goes as far as its goalie takes them. Though the Benchwarmer has criticized Carey Price in the past, he has undoubtedly found his game this season with a more-than-respectable .926 save percentage, fourth overall in the NHL. Roberto Luongo’s numbers have not been as strong as Price’s this season, but he brings the most international experience of any of the goalies on the roster and will certainly be put between the posts should Price lapse into one of his characteristic slumps. A bit of a surprise on the roster, Mike Smith has been a rock for the Phoenix Coyotes this season, and should his services be required, he will no doubt step up to the challenge.
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