"Official" 2010 Olympic Hockey Thread

[goalie75]

With the US and Canada camp rosters released I thought it would be a good time to start this.

Canada
NHL.com - 2010 Winter Olympics: Team Canada unveils Olympic camp roster - 07/02/2009

U.S.
NHL.com - 2010 Winter Olympics: USA Hockey names 34-man roster for Olympic camp - 06/30/2009


DiPietro should've gotten the invite instead of Quick. Even if he's injured, they could've replaced him (I think). I don't think anyone would argue that a healthy DiPietro is better than Quick.


And Russia is gonna win with Sweden and Canada coming in second and third.

[c0nquistad0rian]

Originally Posted by goalie75

U.S.
NHL.com - 2010 Winter Olympics: USA Hockey names 34-man roster for Olympic camp - 06/30/2009


DiPietro should've gotten the invite instead of Quick. Even if he's injured, they could've replaced him (I think). I don't think anyone would argue that a healthy DiPietro is better than Quick.

Craig Anderson and Ty Conklin are two other American goalies left off of their camp roster. I'm thinking that Anderson was left off of the list because he declined an invitation to play for team USA in the WC this past spring. He did not want to risk being injured due to his pending free agency.

[LukePhillips]

I'll be watching every game is Oshie, Backes, and Johnson are on the team. I bet Johnson makes it and probably Oshie but I don't think Backes will end up making the final cut. Hope he does though.

[Weirdo]

I don't know how USA hockey runs or picks their team but nothing much you can say about with the Canadian invites. Even if someone wasn't invited doesn't mean they don't have a chance of making the team come February. There are just so many Canadians that can play on the team, you just have to cut off somewhere.

[SNOW57]

man i really due think the states are a darkhorse team that could go all the way. i like the youth and skill. it will be a sort of chicago situation when many thought they were good but to young, they just believed in themselves and refused to quit.
as for canada, i love it, crosby and getzlaf as top 2 centres. question is does heatley have a spot? you would think with his amazing play with getz and nash before with the line putting up i believe over 40 points in 9 games in a world championship. but if he doesnt play all year then he could be deemed not worth it. i would prefer toews over thornton, and if it came down to big joe or vinny lecavalier im not sure who i would want. and our starting goalie... if it wasnt in van i might go with brodeur but.. its lous rink and lous town, if he promises not to let in 7 goals in our 6th game id put him in

[ashel91362]

I am of course a little biased since I am a devout kings fan, but I have to think that Johnathan quick is someone there looking towards the future with miller or Thomas obtaining the starting jobs. I think the Rick has been inconsistent and his injury problems really don't have an end in sight. Quick played incredibly toward the middle to end of last season and being only 23 years old gives them something to work with for the future.

[GoalieCrzY]

As much as I am hoping and praying that Canada wins gold on home soil, I just don't think that its realistic.... and this disappoints me deeply.

I was 10 years old when Canada's mens hokey team won Olympic gold. I was not into hockey yet, but i remember watching the seconds tick down to the win and feeling on overwhelming sense of pride. I also remember shedding a small tear. I knew hardly any of the players or the significance of the win but that Canada, my country, was the best in the world at something.

Being in the arena this year when Canada won World Junior gold produced a smiler feeling. This time I was fully aware of the significance, and knew stats on every single player. When they stormed the goalie you felt a part of the team, they had won- we had won.

This feeling I imagine is universal for any team who wins, and shares it with their fans. I believe hockey is special, in that it has such as massive following in Canada (and growing in the US). The Olympics only intensifies this feeling. I would give almost anything to have that feeling again, that such a sense of national pride.

Go Canada Go

[goalie75]

Thats what sucks about living in the US. It seems like hockey fans are the only people who care, but if they happen to make semi's EVERYBODY will become hockey experts and hardcore hockey fans. And if we do happen to win, I think it'll be almost an empty feeling for me, knowing a lot of the people never cared about hockey or never liked hockey before that. I'm sure it would mean so much for Canada or Russia or Sweden because they live for hockey, and they've been waiting for another shot at the gold since '06, and in the US, it doesn't even matter. Apollo Ono will probably get more coverage.

[ashel91362]

Goalie75 I couldn't agree more on some of your points. Sadly though, around where I live, even if the US won the gold there would only be a small circle of friends of mine and a minuscule bit of others who would even care or notice. Our group of friends talks hockey plays hockey all the time and we just get laughed at for caring about such a silly sport in most peoples eyes. Its very frustrating having such a love for something that is not shared by many.. The us I think has a great nucleus with a nice mix of youth and veterans with a more solid goaltending core in my opinion than in years past although I do think that dipietro played very well last Olympics.

[Weirdo]

Originally Posted by GoalieCrzY

As much as I am hoping and praying that Canada wins gold on home soil, I just don't think that its realistic.... and this disappoints me deeply.

I don't get how it's not realistic. You haven't explained that. Seriously, how is it not realistic? Canada is deeper than any other country in the world in every position. Do you think someone like Stamkos would have not received an invite from any of the other teams?

Now I'm not sitting here guaranteeing anything because Canada could very well finish without a medal like 2 of the last 3 Olympics. Superstitions, past history and all that other garbage aside, on paper, Canada has the best shot at gold. This is not the "pre-NHL" Olympics where Canada was icing 3rd-4th rate players. Canada is sending our best players, at least, what we think is the best team. Yes, it's very realistic.

[Gaping5Hole]

WTF is up with Canada's invite list? Cleary? Robidas? What, was Rob Zaumner not available?

Spezza left off the list I get... but Marc Savard has been a dynamite 2-way player for some time now.

[Wordlifetn97]

i wanna see russia's invite list. its been between them and canada the last 2 years at iihf so, you could assume they'll meet somewhere late in the competition for the olympics

[goalie33fan]

The US team looks pretty stacked. I have high hopes.

[Weirdo]

Originally Posted by Gaping5Hole

WTF is up with Canada's invite list? Cleary? Robidas? What, was Rob Zaumner not available?

Spezza left off the list I get... but Marc Savard has been a dynamite 2-way player for some time now.

Does it matter that much? When it comes down to the 23 players there could be a chance none of those guys will even make the team. It's more how they do during the first half of the season rather then those few days. Attending the camp could be a double edged sword. Not a lot of guys are in hockey shape and those few days could workout against them. Why worry about a list where you can only have a limited number of players.

The other matter is the role of the players. Are Spezza or Savard better checkers than Cleary and Robidas? Are they able to adapt to that role? 10 minutes or less in a game? Clearly there are 3 lines worth of forwards that are better than the Spezza and Savard. It's not about putting all the best players together, it's about putting the best team.

[GoalieVogel]

I can't wait for the Olympics! Winter Olympics is the best of them all. Hands down.