04/25/24
May 17, 2004
Mario makes the team.: After numerous injuries and his battle with Hodgkin's Disease, 38-year-old Mario Lemieux has been named to the Canadian World Cup team. Guys like Keith Primeau and Vincent Lecavalier didn't get the nod. Can Super Mario contribute enough to warrant the nod?
The selection of Kirk Maltby is still baffling to me. Kris Draper I can understand, he had a great year, and deserves some kind of recognition. I didn't see any of last year's championship games...was Malts *that* good last year?
posted by MeatSaber at 07:31 AM on May 18, 2004
I still think Mario is the best player around. In his comeback year, he put up more points than 98% of the league in only half the games. The man is simply in a class of his own. I think if he's healthy he could win the scoring title by March. Hopefully his hip surgery went well and we'll get one last glimpse of the Mario of Old, instead of Old Mario. McCabe did get consideration. I read that somewhere. I'm sure he would have been selected if there weren't 7 guys who were better in front of him on the depth chart. Regehr was a huge surprise to me. I probably would have taken McCabe in that spot. I haven't got any complaints about this year's roster. A good mix of young and old. Canada needs to start grooming its future Olympians and the World Cup is the perfect training ground. And remember, it's small ice so Canada needs grinders like Morrow, Maltby, etc. My one change would be to take Primeau. I mean, come on.
posted by Succa at 09:04 AM on May 18, 2004
add primeau and drop....? the lineup seems to be a good mix. part of the fun is wondering what a Canada B team would look like and how well would they do. With a gold in SLC and two consecutive world championship golds I am inclined to think that the people assembling teams to represent Canada know what they are doing. i'll save the second guessing for the first intermission of the first game when they are down 2-0 or something.
posted by gspm at 09:47 AM on May 18, 2004
I kinda like the Draper/Maltby combo. They'll be deadly on the PK, and should get a shorty or two. They'll fill their 3rd/checking line role perfectly. McCabe had a great year, but his confidence has been shaken after handing the Flyers two games. He's not the guy I want playing 'right now'. But not inviting Keith Primeau is shocking. Considering his play in SLC, and his current domination, I can't see how he isn't atleast centering Malty and Draper. Talk about a mean line. And there is no greater hockey player on the planet right now than Jerome Iginla. I want a 'Chillin with Jerome in the Dome' t-shirt. And Mario, well, I hope he doesn't over exert himself and only be able to play 5 games next year for the Pens.
posted by garfield at 10:24 AM on May 18, 2004
I want a 'Chillin with Jerome in the Dome' t-shirt. Me too. If any of our Calgaryite SpoFiers can get a hold of one, I'll happily trade a cool t-shirt for a XL Jarome tee.
posted by NoMich at 10:42 AM on May 18, 2004
Okay I'm a baised Flames fan, but Regehr has had a great year, not just a great playoff. He desrerves to be their, but being 8 on the defense depth chart means he might not see a lot of ice. In my mind he is much better stay at home defenseman than McCabe. gpsm asked... add primeau and drop.... Mario. I don't understand taking Mario instead of Primeau. Gretzky is talking about building a grinding team because they are playing on the small ice surface. So if you put together a team like that why the hell would not take Primeau? I don't care if Primeau is having a great playoff or not. The grinding game IS his game. I believe that the first player that has to drop out will be replaced by Primeau, but taking Mario on a team like this still doesn't make any sense me. Since it was brought up earlier TSN has some thoughts on who would make up Canada's 'B' team. On Preview: I'll keep my eye's open for 'Chillin With Jarome' shirts, but Flames merchandise is hard thing to find these days. Gotta run... Flames tickets go on sale in 5 minutes.
posted by camcanuck at 10:56 AM on May 18, 2004
Did I mention I really want a Jarome t-shirt.....I did? My bad.
posted by garfield at 11:42 AM on May 18, 2004
I've heard talk that Todd Bertuzzi wouldn't have made the team even if he wasn't suspended. The scuttlebutt was that he takes too many stupid penalties and is too much the loose cannon for a short tournament. I think the same thing can be said for Brian McCabe. He's VERY talented, but he always seems to take that bad penalty when you least expect it. Mario is allowed to go until he decides he can't play. If he's healthy enough to play, he'll be the dominant centreman. Worst case scenario is that he'll draw the defensive scheme towards him and free up his wingers to do their stuff. I'd play Iginla and Doan with him and watch those guys score in bunches. The goaltending depth for the Canadians is just amazing. All three of them would be the automatic starting goalie for every other team in the tournament EXCEPT possibly the Czechs (Hasek being the default choice). In comparison, the Swedish goalies are all backups or have no NHL experience.
posted by grum@work at 12:20 PM on May 18, 2004
The scuttlebutt was that he takes too many stupid penalties... And Joe Thornton doesn't?
posted by NoMich at 01:13 PM on May 18, 2004
The scuttlebutt was that he takes too many stupid penalties... And Joe Thornton doesn't? Good point.
posted by grum@work at 03:25 PM on May 18, 2004
I hate the Bruins, but I have to admit, if Thornton could just keep his awful temper under control, he would be downright scary to play against. As it is right now, all you have to do is get under his skin a bit and then bask in the 4 minute power plays.* On the other hand, he is only still about 15 years old*, so he's got plenty of time to temper that temper a bit. I rue the day that happens. * - Only a slight exaggeration.
posted by NoMich at 03:32 PM on May 18, 2004
>but did Brian McCabe recieve any consderation? During the 2002 Olympics they made the list of alternates public: Anson Carter, Wade Redden, Joe Thornton and two others. Maybe they'll make this list public, too. Same question was asked two years ago: "Why not a net-crasher like Keith Primeau, who played so well in Nagano?" I'm surprised Mike Peca has fallen off the screen. I liked seeing that second team linked to above. (Scott Taylor of the Winnipeg Free Press was on the Score last night: he said Canada should lobby the IIHF to have a second team because Canada A and Canada B would play in the gold medal game.)
posted by Philfromhavelock at 10:06 PM on May 18, 2004
Never bet against him. That's all I know. However, I would like to ask how Regher can play his way onto the team soley on the strength of these playoffs and Primeau somehow can't? I can buy that they'd be worried about penalties, 'cause Thorton takes as many or more (granted Primeau is not Joe Thronton). That said, there really aren't any bad moves you can make. Though Lecavalier I'd rather have than Shane Doan. No knock againt Doan, but I'd rather seee Vinny get the taste than Doan - who's more likely to play next time the Olympics or World Cup comes around? And not to be a Leaf fan - but did Brian McCabe recieve any consderation? He had a great year. And there is no greater hockey player on the planet right now than Jerome Iginla.