It's a Canadian Game

Exactly

@flyercanuck I know, way to shut me up. That's the Subban I have been waiting for. For the first time since the tournament started I am feeling confident in Subban.

Yea unfortunately, I don't see Binnington starting now and Spott has made it clear that he is going to run with Subban, but like @flyercanuck and I said to start, Subban has not done anything spectacular and what has ok goaltending got Canada the last three years? Not gold

Canada is 2 games deep into the World Junior Championship and they have started with wins over Germany and Slovakia with scores 9-3 and 6-3. So far Subban has started both games (with the likelihood of playing out the entire tournament) and has allowed 3 goals on 28 shots in both games with a save percentage under .900. Subban has yet to look like the same goalie that fans have seen in Belleville this year. He had a shaky camp, putting up the worst numbers of the three goalies in camp. So, with his lack-luster performance to date is it too late to give Jordan Binnington (who looked good in his tune-up game against Sweden) or is it too late to bring him in now that Canada's final two games are against strong American and Russian teams?

@hf101 not if... when

@hf101 I like that way of doing it, and I also believe Edmonton gets the first pick, I believe it is a lottery of some sort.

I agree they need to take Jones if they have the first pick again, if they take McKinnon that pretty much says to the organization that someone is either getting moved or is going to be seeing a lot of time in the AHL.

One name that I always remember is Jordin Tootoo in 2003 watching him throwing his body all over the place and also chipping in on the scoreboard too. Plus the cheers of "Tootoo" in the stands and the nickname the "Tootoo Train". Definitely worth an honourable mention in my book.

With the World Junior Championships about to get underway in Ufa, Russia one NHL team seeing some of its future stars in action is the Edmonton Oilers. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for Team Canada and Nail Yakupov for Team Russia are both suiting up for their respective teams and captaining them as well. In recent years the Oilers have had a large representation at the tournament. The likes of Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Sam Gagner, and Magnus Paajarvi have all represented their fellow countries, all outstanding and talented forwards. Drafting highly-touted forwards the past few years seems to have been the drafting strategy of the Oilers. Although these forwards all pack an incredible offensive punch are the Oilers starting to overstock on forwards? This past draft, Edmonton entered having the number one pick for the second year in a row. After having selected Nugent-Hopkins the year prior many analysts questioned whether Edmonton should look to pick up the top skater in the draft (Yakupov) or fill other positional needs such as a highly skilled defenseman or a goaltender. Edmonton finished the 2011-2012 season 23rd in goals against, with only the Ottawa Senators being the only team behind them to make the playoffs. So, help on defensive positions may be what Edmonton needs most. In 2012 of the top 10 players selected 8 were defensemen, meaning the opportunity for Edmonton to pick up a highly skilled defenseman was there. Besides the young blood Edmonton has in its system, they also have some other key forwards as well. Edmonton’s forwards include: Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Sam Gagner, Nail Yakupov, Magnus Paajarvi, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Ales Hemsky, Ryan Smyth, Shaun Horcoff, and more. Of all Edmonton’s forwards, Hemsky and now Yakupov, are the only natural right wingers, the rest being either centremen or left wingers. Now this group of forwards is no doubt a very solid group. Each of the young forwards in time will be all-stars in the league, but how will the team fair defensively? A typical NHL lineup consists of 2 scoring lines, an energy line (a mix of fast and physical players), and a fourth line (typically made up of checking forwards). With players of this caliber of skill it makes no sense to either have players change their game or to omit an essential part to any team or trying to balance the ice-time that each will demand. On top of this once the entry level contracts of each of the young forwards expires there is no question that each player will demand a hefty paycheck, something that the Edmonton’s salary cap will not be able to accommodate. So, in the end some of these names are going to have to be traded elsewhere or see time in the minors. Edmonton does have defensemen Ryan Whitney, prospect Colton Teubert (who is a former first round draft pick and also suited up for Canada at the World Junior Championship in 2009-2010), and now Justin Shultz (who is tied for tops in AHL in scoring, with teammate Jordan Eberle, as a 22 year-old in his first professional season). Will these three be enough to hold the weight of the Oilers' defense? The question of whether to draft the best player available or to address the needs of the roster has been a puzzle general managers have toiled with every draft season. It seems in the past Edmonton has been drafting the best available skaters, which may not have been the best strategy, but only time will tell. Follow me on Twitter @Craig_Hagerman

Some good names, first I have to send a vote to my favourite player of all-time, Alexander Mogilny also Housley and Lafontaine were both amazing players putting up great numbers in Buffalo. And (although I hate him and still believe he was never as good as his numbers suggested) Dominik Hasek has some of the best goaltending stats of all-time with the largest chunk of his career spent in Buffalo so you have to give him a nod.

It would have been great if the guy gave him a hug back... haha

@yave1964 Good stuff man, really didn't know much of anything about the Flames so good to hear about a bunch of players that were unknown to me. Reading this I would say that Vail needs to very much be considered. I don't care who you are if you have, an at least close to, point per game career you obviously did something right and have some skill.

@Podein25 well good to hear

@flyercanuck first I must start off you're from Barrie, no kidding I'm from Innisfil. Secondly, it really is a shame that Keefe never became the player he looked like he could be, but it is great to hear that he is doing well. It's also a crying shame to see how Frost has completely screwed over the careers of 2 good guys. Danton is trying to get back in to hockey, but because of everything he has been through no one wants to take him on. Hope the best for both. Go Colts Go!!

@flyercanuck oh yea, for the first time all year I kinda hope the lockout doesn't end til after the tournament. Canada will be stacked and hell if I need to wake up at 4:00 am to watch the games then so be it

@flyercanuck as of now it's believed the Canadian's first line will be RNH at centre with Scheifele and Huberdeau on the wings. Look Out!! http://watch.tsn.ca/international-hockey/clip817657#clip817657

I was thinking of the Arizona "Please come watch us play", but I fully support the other suggestions as well