Cmon the KHL is not on the same level as the NHL. Leaving out Semin is incredibly strange and dumb (lots of shockers on these olympic teams eh? Like the decaying remains of Petr Nedved lolwtf). Semin is by far the best possession player for the Hurricanes this year, plays against top competition and only has 6 goals because hes shooting at 6% which is well below his average. He's really good at hockey folks, certainly better than Denis Kokarev or Sergei Soin. Russia just wants to make their league seem legit and that could hurt their chances at gold or even getting a medal.

In terms of Canada's team, Im not too upset with it. It could be worse I guess is my opinion haha. Kunitz being on it is probably not smart especially over better guys like Giroux, Thornton, Neal, Hall or St.Louis. Id probably put all of those guys on my team over some of the other picks but what can ya do. Still think bouwmeester is hella overrated but the D is still very strong. Goalies were totally expected too. Overall good team and should get gold or Ill cry and stuff.

I was really expecting to see St. Louis on the team.

Yeah they bring Kunitz for Crosby but who will play with Stamkos???!!!

He'll be on his own :laughing: I don't know. Maybe the lineups should be shuffled. The team is always going to centre around Crosby though.

If he's healthy, he's with Kunitz and Crosby on the right wing for sure. He's a guy that would be a good fit on either wing as opposed to center, which is completely locked up with Crosby, Getzlaf, Toews and Bergeron. Tavares is a guy that will have to move to wing as well.

Thinking about it a bit more and knowing which chemistry they'll try to push with certain players, I'd bet on this being the first lineup they'll try:

Forwards

Kunitz-Crosby-Stamkos
Tavares-Getzlaf-Perry
Sharp-Toews-Nash
Marleau-Bergeron-Carter
13th forward: Duchene
14th forward (scratched): Benn

Unfortunately, Kunitz-Crosby is a given, at least to start. Stamkos seems like a no-brainer there as well.

Getzlaf-Perry is another given. Tavares has played left wing in the World Championships before, and with so many good centers,I'm guessing he'll be asked to do the same. As a bigger body who can factor in in the Anaheim duos cycle game, he'd be a good fit here. Benn is another option for this spot.

I thought Sharp would be an extra forward at first, but he's been lights out and has earned a spot in the top 12. He's been playing with Toews recently, and those two should most likely play together. Nash and Toews have some chemistry from last Olympics as well. Both Sharp and Nash are capable of playing either wing, just depends on whether Babcock wants them on their strongside or not.

The 4th line wouldn't have any chemistry, but with Bergeron centering it, it will be the checking line. Carter and Marleau are both very versatile players that have good defensive games, so it should be a good fit. Benn is an option in Marleau's spot as well, as he is pretty good defensively too.

Duchene might be the 14th forward, but I think Canada will want him available for his both his versatility and gamebreaking speed/ability.

I'd assume one of Marleau/Benn will be scratched, but I'd bet on it being Benn simply because Marleau is better defensively and would be one of their best PKers.

Defense

Keith-Doughty
Bouwmeester-Pietrangelo
Hamhuis-Weber
7th defenseman: Subban
8th defenseman (scratched): Vlasic

All of these pairs have chemistry. Bouwmeester and Pietrangelo play together now, Keith and Doughty played together last Olympics and Hamhuis and Weber played on the same team in Nashville (not as partners as Weber was with Suter, but they are familiar with each other). Subban is the PP specialist, and guy they need when they need a spark, much like Duchene. I'd prefer Vlasic in over Hamhuis, but I think they'll try Hamhuis to start.

Goalies

Price
Luongo
Third goalie (scratched): Smith

No real explanation needed. This is pretty much locked up, I think.

I wasn't arguing that they should have nit take Semin, of course they should, but while KHL definitely ain't as good as NHl, it is not much worse either.

So Canada left St. Lous off? :o

Was at the Nucks Pens game tonight...fuckin devastating loss.

What do people think of Patrice Bergeron on the roster for Canada? I know last time around he was a little hyped up but didn't end up doing that well. He's come pretty far in the last four years, but I don't think he is going to see a lot of ice time in this tournament. I think he has a good face off percentage so maybe he will be a key face off guy for the team but I'm not expecting a whole lot else from him.

Bergeron really is great tho. He may not get the massive amount of points that other players get but he is an absolute beast. He plays against top competition, starts mostly in his own zone and still manages to have the best possession numbers on the team. Ok im nerding out here a bit but he is the perfect example of what a shutdown forward should be. He pushes the play against elite players and even if he doesnt score, the puck is in the attacking zone the whole time. His numbers are actually insanely good. Well deserving of a roster spot even if it's just a 4th line role.