Team Canada Roster

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January 21, 2010

In less than 3 weeks, most of Canada’s eyes will be fixed on the Team Canada Hockey team. I thought now would be a good time to start predicting what I think would be the best line combinations for the Team Canada Roster. In all honesty you could probably go with a wide variety of combinations and still be as effective, but I believe the following combinations would provide the best chemistry and cohesion.

Goalies

To me this is the easiest area to predict. Coming into the year, this was Martin Brodeur’s job to lose. If Brodeur played poorly, you knew that Roberto Luongo would be ready to shoulder the load in a very familiar GM Place. However, Brodeur has looked just as sharp as he was in 2002 and should be given the opportunity to play in the big games for Team Canada. I was pulling for Luongo to take over this year, but I think this is Marty’s job. Marc-André Fleury will provide great depth as a #3.

My Prediction

Martin Brodeur
Roberto Luongo
Marc André Fleury

Defense

If I were a General Manager in the NHL, I would want to pair my first two defensive lines with offensive minded and a defensive minded defenseman. My 3rd defensive unit would play all defense, all the time. With that being said, the talent level on the Team Canada Roster makes it quite difficult to have offensive and defensive specialists. Just about every defenseman on the roster has upside in both areas.

For my 1st defensive unit I wanted to choose who I believe is the best shut-down defenseman along with who I think is the smartest defenseman on the roster. The nice thing about this pair is that they have played on the same team before. In my opinion the tandem of Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer would provide the most effective defense against the strong Russian and Swedish forwards.

On my 2nd defensive unit I went with Shea Weber and Dan Boyle. Although Weber excels in both offensive and defensive facets, I believe having a guy like Boyle on the other side will allow Weber to help out more in the defensive zone. Finally, on my 3rd line I have the two Blackhawk defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. I do believe that Drew Doughty could certainly crack the Top 6, but I like to keep things safe and stick with familiarity.

My prediction

Chris Pronger – Scott Niedermayer
Shea Weber – Dan Boyle
Duncan Keith – Brent Seabrook
Drew Doughty (7th defenseman)

Forwards

The forwards on the Team Canada Roster are the most difficult to judge and balance out. I wish Mike Babcock the best of luck with that! What I look for in assembling forward units is to make sure that you have a defensive/hitting presence on each line. I think Steve Yzerman did a great job with this.

The 1st line starts with Sidney Crosby. I believe that Crosby is going to have a huge tournament and will hopefully add a Gold Medal to his already impressive resume. I know one of the popular choices for his winger is Patrice Bergeron as they have played together in the World Junior tournament. For me, I am not sold on the Bergeron selection and really want to see Crosby working with Rick Nash and Jarome Iginla. With Crosby being a bit small, I really like the size that Nash has and the physical play that Iginla brings night in – night out. I think by placing Bergeron in this spot over Iginla that it creates a very small first unit.

My 2nd line again works in with putting together a group with great chemistry. To me, Joe Thornton is the 2nd best playmaker in the league behind Crosby (and just behind). I feel that Dany Heatley has found great chemistry with Thornton and should be included on this line as well. Although he’ll be playing a bit out of position I think adding a guy like Patrick Marleau to the mix will provide an amazing amount of familiarity between the 3 forwards. Wouldn’t it be neat to see 4 Sharks (including Boyle) on the ice at the same time?

The next line I have assembled is the checking/grinding line. I was very disappointed when Shane Doan was not named to the team as I think he is a perfect fit in this position. However, I think Yzerman wants to put 2 hardnosed guys together hear along with a player with more offensive upside. I absolutely love the way Brenden Morrow, and Mike Richards play and feel they will fit in well on the 3rd line. As for the 3rd forward on the line, I think this postion should goto Jonathan Toews. I realize he too will be out of position, but he has a big future in Team Canada activities. I don’t think he was purely selected for only his shootout abilities.

Finally, my last line contains a bit of size and a bit of speed. I like the familiarity of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry and think they would also play well with Eric Staal. That leaves Patrice Bergeron as a very good forward in the press box.

My predictions