Torino - Olympic Games 2006

eme · Post by **eme** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:28 pm

I know, the games are like 3 months away, but im already waiting the games anxiously. With this thread i'd like to start a conversation around the games, teams and their line-ups etc, whatever might cross your mind, somehow related to olympic hockey tournament.

As you might know, the teams are divided into 2 groups, total amount of teams is 12.

Group A: Italy, Canada, Germany, Finland, Switzerland, Czech Republic
Group B: Kazakhstan(or something), Latvia, Sweden, Slovakia, USA, Russia

4 teams from each group will continue to play-offs.

So, feel free to give predictions, news related to the teams and so on.

Post by **Minstrel** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:05 pm

I actually feel this is great for the game (in reputation) but bad for the NHL season. The effect of an Olympic year is nightamarish scheduling leading to almost no nights off and longgg stretches of games due to the compacting of the schedule. It also means that players not playing have that whole break away from competetive play. Players had a real difficulty two Olympics ago due to the travel and time difference and while this year it should be a bit better it will still be a factor. In effect it punishes the best teams the most and I don't think that's fair in any system... not that as a Hawks fan I ever have t worry about such things

That said... I LOVE it! The actual games are fascinating. I swear I almost cried watching the Belarus-Sweden upset game... biggest underdog victory since the US 'Miracle' Team. Sweden was an NHL-stacked powerhouse. The Belarussians? Their only pro player was Ruslan Salei and they had major injuries to their best players who with little to no extra 'bench' players mainly just gutted it out dragging themselves around the ice but never backing down. The most amazing game I've ever seen.

eme · Post by **eme** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 4:26 pm

US Names their olympic team! There sure is some mixture of new and old players, Chelios for example, is attending his 4th olympics. Impressive count eh?. More info about the team can be found on NHL

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:40 pm

Really thought that Paul Mara would be on the U.S. roster...

Post by **Minstrel** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 9:31 pm

I effin HATE Chris Chelios. That aside, it's a joke that he was named to this team. He is going ot be absolutely destroyed on the larger ice surface, hell he can't cover an NHL rink and hasn't been able to since the 80's. Of all the deserving people that could have been named to the team it's really sad he's taken one of those few slots.

If they're just going to reward guys who have been important to US Hockey tournaments past then fine, where's Brian Leetch? Where's Roenick? If being able to skate or score doesn't matter as the additon of Derrian freakin' Hatcher (speaking of big, dumb and slow) would suggest then fine, bring back Amonte and Leclair too.

I do love for example that they did acknowledge emerging talents like Eric Cole and JM-Liles and brought in other hard working heart-and-soul guys like Knuble and J. Blake. The veterans especially on defense are questionable at best.

They may be in serious trouble though if Esche and DiPietro continue with the frequently shakey performances they've put in so far this season. Third on the list is John Grahame and while he's probably had the most consistent year he's been really shakey too at times. In a situation where you get one chance I'm not sure if any of the three can be counted on to come through.

eme · Post by **eme** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:56 pm

Hehe, well aren't you optimistic eh?

. The team ain't that bad really, and for sure US is a tough team to beat.

Im really waiting for the naming of finnish, swedish and canadian teams. Finland will propably have a very good team this year, atleast what comes to the defence department. Joni PitkÃ¤nen and Sami Salo have been great this season, same goes to Kimmo Timonen. Then again our attackers have had better season than for few seasons, Teemu SelÃ¤nne is a great example. And ofcourse few good goalies, Miikka Kiprusoff and Jussi Markkanen is enough to make it a good team, and definate challenger for medals. And yes, im finnish, so dont be surprised if you find this to be pure Kasparaitis

The Blue Meanie · Post by **The Blue Meanie** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:39 pm

well....I think we all have to admit that Russia and Canada are overwhelming favirotes in any hockey tourney. Just because they both have such an awesome depth of quality players. They could both ice two or three teams that would all be just as competitive.

That said, USA, Finland, Sweden and the Czechs are all reasonable dark horses. As its been proven time and time again, a hot goalie is all you need to win a tourney like this. Just think of Hasek that year...they were no where close to being the best team...yet they won gold.

But...USA looks weak this year especially in goal. Sweden or Canada would be my choices to win it this year.

I think the world would be shocked if Canada didn't bring home the Gold.

Post by **Minstrel** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 5:17 pm

eme wrote:Hehe, well aren't you optimistic eh? .

Yeah I guess there really should have been a

in there somewhere, eh?

I'm not alone though, I think a lot of people are baffled by a lot of the selections. I love this quote though from Rotowire adressing Systemfel's

about Mara not making the team:

This is a glaring oversight on the part of Team USA who named old man Chris Chelios, who will be 44 when the Games begin, and lumber truck Derian Hatcher, who can't skate his way out of a wet paper bag on small ice let alone an international surface

I wonder if Team Canada will draw the same kind of reactions, they are supposed ot be naming that team today I believe. Many people have been debating the selections especially among the young players. Obviously Yzerman has backed out and I doubt Mario will go with his health concerns so that may be a factor. However I don't see any way you keep Spezza and Staal off this team. There are people saying they might not even take Thornton which I think is madness. We'll see if they make more intelligent decisions than Team USA has.

I still think the problem is that these are all-star teams not "teams" so they are never quite as good on ice as they are on paper. Guys haven't played together etc. and that lack of chemistry is how you end up with last Olympics' Belarus upset. I won't be surprised should we see another this year. Meanie is right though, it does have to be considered Canada's gold to lose.

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 6:09 pm

Minstrel wrote:I doubt Mario will go with his health concerns

Mario also backed out a few days ago...

Post by **Minstrel** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:51 pm

Ahh... hadn't seen anything official on that but figured that was the way it would go with Mario...

The live naming of Team Canada has just concluded and it's a veteran heavy team with no Crosby on even the alternates:

Goaltender Martin Brodeur, defencemen Rob Blake, Adam Foote, Ed Jovanovski, Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger, and forwards Simon Gagne, Jarome Iginla, Sakic and Ryan Smyth are the 10 holdovers from Salt Lake City.

Also named for the February tournament in Turin, Italy, were goaltenders Roberto Luongo and Marty Turco, defencemen Wade Redden and Robyn Regehr, and forwards Bertuzzi, Shane Doan, Kris Draper, Dany Heatley, Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Rick Nash, Martin St. Louis and Joe Thornton.

The reserve squad consists of Staal, Jason Spezza and Bryan McCabe, who is the highest-scoring defenceman in the NHL. They would only play in case of injuries taking others out off the roster.

Borlag · Post by **Borlag** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 12:24 am

eme wrote:Hehe, well aren't you optimistic eh? . The team ain't that bad really, and for sure US is a tough team to beat.

Im really waiting for the naming of finnish, swedish and canadian teams. Finland will propably have a very good team this year, atleast what comes to the defence department. Joni PitkÃ¤nen and Sami Salo have been great this season, same goes to Kimmo Timonen. Then again our attackers have had better season than for few seasons, Teemu SelÃ¤nne is a great example. And ofcourse few good goalies, Miikka Kiprusoff and Jussi Markkanen is enough to make it a good team, and definate challenger for medals. And yes, im finnish, so dont be surprised if you find this to be pure Kasparaitis

Sadly though, PitkÃ¤nen is out for 4-6 weeks and who knows how long it'll take him to get back in form. On the bright side, Sami Kapanen's recovered pretty good and I for one would love to see him on the team. Finland needs more top class scorers than just SelÃ¤nne and Lehtinen, and judging from the Euro Hockey tour matches, there isn't really any coming from Europe. Then again the coaching hasn't been exactly convincing either lately...

If Finland is going to even try and get to the medal games, Kipper is pretty much the guy who takes us there. Can't imagine anyone else being up for that job.

The Blue Meanie · Post by **The Blue Meanie** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 2:28 am

Well..the rosters are announced and I stand by my previous comments...I believe a 2nd team Canada led by CuJo and Eric Brewer, Crosby, Staal, and Spezza, could just as easily win the gold. Certainly those 5 are better than the top 5 any other nation could put together....or just as good...

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 9:51 am

Team Sweden's roster will be named in 10 minutes, stay tuned!

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 10:23 am

Here's the Swedish roster.

Goaltenders
01 Stefan Liv
32 Mikael Tellqvist
35 Henrik Lundqvist

Defensemen:
02 Mattias Ã–hlund
03 Kim Johnson
05 Nicklas LidstrÃ¶m
08 Christian BÃ¤ckman
14 Mattias NorstrÃ¶m
29 Kenny JÃ¶nsson
55 Niklas Kronwall

Centers
13 Mats Sundin
20 Henrik Sedin
21 Peter Forsberg
26 Samuel PÃ¥hlsson

Wingers:
11 Daniel Alfredsson
12 Daniel Sedin
19 Markus NÃ¤slund
22 Per-Johan Axelsson
28 Mikael Samuelsson
33 Fredrik Modin
40 Henrik Zetterberg
51 Mika Hannula (huge surprise)
72 JÃ¶rgen JÃ¶nsson

What a shocker that the JÃ¶nsson brothers made it. I really miss Marcus Nilson and Homer on this team

eme · Post by **eme** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:21 pm

Team Finland was announced thursday, and since im lazy, i'll just copy paste this from a finnish news page.

Goalies:

Miikka Kiprusoff Calgary
Kari Lehtonen Atlanta
Fredrik Norrena LinkÃ¶pings HC

Defenders:

Teppo Numminen Buffalo
Sami Salo Vancouver
Kimmo Timonen Nashville
Joni PitkÃ¤nen Philadelphia
Toni Lydman Buffalo
Aki-Petteri Berg Toronto
Ossi VÃ¤Ã¤nÃ¤nen Colorado

Attackers:

Saku Koivu Montreal
Olli Jokinen Florida
Niko Kapanen Dallas
Mikko Koivu Minnesota
Jere Lehtinen Dallas
Teemu SelÃ¤nne Anaheim
Tuomo Ruutu Chicago
Ville Peltonen HC Lugano
Sami Kapanen Philadelphia
Antti Laaksonen Colorado
Antti Miettinen Dallas
Jarkko Ruutu Vancouver
Jukka Hentunen HC Lugano

Now, after the naming of the team, Miikka kiprusoff announced that he's NOT going to participate in the olympics. This is ofcourse shocking news, since he is the best goalie we have. Also, our second goalie, Kari Lehtonen, hasnt even played one match, so im wondering what are they thinking of. Who will replace kipru, remain to be seen.

grazza · Post by **grazza** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 5:36 pm

I'm gonna back italy in the Olympics they have former eagle John parco in their squad. Cmon Italy !!!