I was wondering what you guys thought about the following players and their status on the national team:
1) Paul Kariya: I was somewhat disappointed that Kariya wasn't named to the World Cup team this summer, however it is easy to see why he wasn't included. Kariya was mired by injury for much of the season, and only played in one playoff game (where he picked up a point). Kariya is also a better big ice player, and for this reason, Gretzky may have felt more comfortable to choose grittier players for the World Cup.
To me, Kariya is still the most "skilled" Canadian forward, and I hope that Gretzky, or however heads up future Team Canada's will consider him for this year's World Championships and beyond. He has been loyal in the past, and as long as he can still produce, he should be rewarded for that loyalty.
2) Eric Lindros: Once a fixture on the Team Canada roster, Lindros's health concerns have diminished his ability to be a bigtime player. To me, if Lindros is able to play for a team where he has great support, and little pressure, he will thrive. Even the last two seasons, as his game seemingly regressed, Lindros had some great moments. If Lindros can recapture part of his past form, I would consider him for the national team. However, the hockey factory which churns out dozens of great players every year may force him out.
What other players do you think should get consideration for future tournaments that haven't been called up to the national team yet?
In article <1110063934.451915.90620@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, theodore911@hotmail.com says...> Hello everyone,>
This is my first post in this particular group.>
I was wondering what you guys thought about the following players and> their status on the national team:>
1) Paul Kariya: I was somewhat disappointed that Kariya wasn't named> to the World Cup team this summer, however it is easy to see why he> wasn't included. Kariya was mired by injury for much of the season,> and only played in one playoff game (where he picked up a point).> Kariya is also a better big ice player, and for this reason, Gretzky> may have felt more comfortable to choose grittier players for the World> Cup.>
To me, Kariya is still the most "skilled" Canadian forward, and I hope> that Gretzky, or however heads up future Team Canada's will consider> him for this year's World Championships and beyond. He has been loyal> in the past, and as long as he can still produce, he should be rewarded> for that loyalty.
I agree that Kariya is pretty skilled, but I still think you need to have some size to back up that skill. Guys like Jarome Iginla are showing the other superstars that it is possible in today's game to score 50 goals and also stand up for yourself in front of the net (ie. Iginla's scrap with Darien Hatcher in the 2004 playoffs)>
2) Eric Lindros: Once a fixture on the Team Canada roster, Lindros's> health concerns have diminished his ability to be a bigtime player. To> me, if Lindros is able to play for a team where he has great support,> and little pressure, he will thrive. Even the last two seasons, as his> game seemingly regressed, Lindros had some great moments. If Lindros> can recapture part of his past form, I would consider him for the> national team. However, the hockey factory which churns out dozens of> great players every year may force him out.
Ever since Lindros threw a fit with the Nordiques, I've had little to no respect for the guy. Seeing Scott Stevens anahilate Lindros at the blue line was the most memorable hits of all time! Of course as we all know, games at the World Championships and Olympics involve much more skill than size, so I think having Lindros out there would be a huge negative for Team Canada. Maybe he had wheels back when he was in junior, but since all his concussions, he has really slowed down (to match the rest of the mediocre talent that exists on the 30 NHL teams) >
What other players do you think should get consideration for future> tournaments that haven't been called up to the national team yet?
I don't know about other players that should play, but I'm kinda confused why more and more NHLer's are backing out of the tournament. Sundin's excuse was that he couldn't get in shape for the World Championships in 6 weeks! If he isn't staying in shape, just what the heck is he doing during the lockout? I live in Edmonton and last week at the National University Championships, they showed pictures of Ryan Smyth and Mike Comrie sitting in luxury suites at the games. I can't imagine that if you a love a game so much, why you would just sit at home doing nothing, rather than trying to stay in shape and improve yourself so that you are at the top of your game when you get back to competition. But I guess Ryan Smyth did organize a charity road trip that was supposed to go to small towns all across Alberta - the only thing was that they didn't tell anyone they were coming! In their first game, they only managed 500 fans to watch 11 NHLers and other "superstars". Needless to say the road trip was immediately cancelled. If that is any sign of what to expect when the NHL finally gets back to action, I guess the problem in the NHL is a lot worse than I thought!
Sundin's excuse was that he couldn't get in shape for the World >Championships in 6 weeks! If he isn't staying in shape, just what the >heck is he doing during the lockout?
The abandoning of ship of some 20 Swedish "stars" is a hot topic in Sweden, these days. Swedish fans are furious about all the more or less inventive excuses from various players. The Association is talking about investigations and the banning of players forever from the NT, if they find lies.
-- All that we see, or seem, is but a dream, within a dream, installed by the Machine
On 4/5/05 16:18, in article m6s551d3k3fsjelmrddo1b5lh07qqrvuor@4ax.com, "anders t" <anthu_001@No?SPaM?_hotmail.com> wrote:
Sundin's excuse was that he couldn't get in shape for the World>> Championships in 6 weeks! If he isn't staying in shape, just what the>> heck is he doing during the lockout?>
The abandoning of ship of some 20 Swedish "stars" is a hot topic in Sweden,> these days. Swedish fans are furious about all the more or less inventive> excuses from various players. The Association is talking about> investigations and the banning of players forever from the NT, if they find> lies.
Why the frustration is perfectly understandable, upon what grounds would they ban them from play? Participation has always been optional since the NHL became truly international. This strikes me as cutting off one's nose to spite the face.
Markku Grönroos 6 April 2005 14:42:44 [ permanent link ]
"anders t" <anthu_001@No?SPaM?_hotmail.com> kirjoitti viestissä news:m6s551d3k3fsjelmrddo1b5lh07qqrvuor@4ax.com...> Quoting Kurt Ashton in rec.sport.hockey:>
excuses from various players. The Association is talking about> investigations and the banning of players forever from the NT, if they
find> lies.> I don't believe such an association is any good for anyone. Suppress it.
In article <BE7B340B.C8613%fjlij@hotmail.com>, fjlij@hotmail.com says...
Some Canadians can act equally outraged when players turn down the> opportunity to play but Hockey Canada is neither petty enough nor> short-sighted enough to threaten them with bans from future participation.
Besides - there's ample talent out there that's WILLING and EAGER to play. No sense in having someone who doesn't want to be there on the bench and pulling down moral. You say thank you for your time, hang up the phone, and call the next guy on the list.
These are grown men being asked to play for free and most of them answer the> call on a regular basis. However, when they don't, Hockey Canada and those> people objective enough to understand that they have lives of their own do> not become hysterical and engage in the bureaucratic equivalent of a hissy> fit.
Of course, there's the other side of the coin, where a player DOESN'T get asked one year, and refuses to from then on. Not that I'd want Hull on my team Canada anyways...
