nossagog Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 There has been quite some speculation as to whether Chris Kunitz can make the Team Canada roster. His biggest plus? He already plays regularly with Sidney Crosy and apparently has this chemistry thing going. Its been done before, Team Canada has take a full line from an NHL team to play together. Does it work? Who knows. But with two more goals last night, Chris Kunitz is now tied for third in the lead in goals with 16? Does he warrent consideration for Team Canada? Would he be helpful at all if he was not on Crosby's line(doesn't kill penalties, don't think he would be on the PP). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 @nossagog As Crosbys linemate - he deserves consideration. As good as Crosby is I don't think he's the easiest guy to plug someone in beside it seems. As far as talent goes on Team Canada he's nowhere near top 13 forwards. But he's certainly being considered. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Frankly I do not see how he cannot make the team. Having a heck of a year, there are not 12 better qualified Canadian forwards. Period. Flyercanuck pointed out the fact that he is linemates with Crosby is the cherry on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 @yave1964 By qualified do you mean there aren't 12 other guys getting setup by Crosby? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 @flyercanuck If you figure 4 centres and 8 wings, I believe Kunitz would have to be considered one of the top 8 Canadian wings IMHO that the team could carry. Does he benefit by being set up by Crosby? of course he does. I don't believe that could be held against him, to me it is a point in his favor as he has that connection. The two of them work well together and I believe Canada would be well served by taking advantage of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyerrod Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Truthfully, I hope he makes it. I want him and Crosby to have the extra wear and tear on them come playoff time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojo1917 Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 (edited) wow sixteen goals all by himself.that's like the Flyers team total for the month of October (almost) , He has got a great shot, finds space and has the strength to get it off...He's been a "top guy" this year so why not ?if the Canadians are serious about winning they need to ice the guys that are playing the best now and not guys that have a great reputation.I say he deserves a nod to make the team for sure.Edit: what i mean is, he deserves a try out or to be in the conversation, i do think there are enough quality forwards that he is not a lock in spite of his production this year. Edited December 7, 2013 by mojo1917 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Well lets look at it. assuming twelve forwards:LOCKSCrosby, Toews, Perry and Giroux NEAR LOCKSNash, Eric Staal, Couture BATTLING IT OUTBenn, Tavares, Hall, Kunitz, Seguin, Thornton, Getzlaf, maybe Eberle WILDCARDStamkos Assuming Stamkos makes the club, that is 8 spots wrapped up, leaving 4 for the battling it out group. Personally I would go with Tavares, Kunitz, Hall and Seguin but you could make a case for any of them. I think I forgot Marleau and Richards, maybe one or two more but I think they are deeper down the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyerrod Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 @yave1964No love for Couturier? I would like to think he would at least get a look. Stamkos should be healed by then but i doubt he is able to get in game shape that quickly after 2 months without skating.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 @yave1964No love for Couturier? I would like to think he would at least get a look. Stamkos should be healed by then but i doubt he is able to get in game shape that quickly after 2 months without skating....too many centers among the locks and near locks. granted most are first line players who are not required to play defense regularly and Couturier (among others) would bring a different element to the team, I think it is too crowded of a field for them to go with a specialist. I give credit to Couturier for developing offensively this year as well but there are just too many players ahead of him IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyerrod Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 too many centers among the locks and near locks.Can't argue that...He has been a different player since being given line mates with skills. He would probably be a 1st/2nd line center on any other Olympic team besides Canada. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nossagog Posted December 7, 2013 Author Share Posted December 7, 2013 Well lets look at it. assuming twelve forwards:LOCKSCrosby, Toews, Perry and Giroux NEAR LOCKSNash, Eric Staal, Couture BATTLING IT OUTBenn, Tavares, Hall, Kunitz, Seguin, Thornton, Getzlaf, maybe Eberle WILDCARDStamkos Assuming Stamkos makes the club, that is 8 spots wrapped up, leaving 4 for the battling it out group. Personally I would go with Tavares, Kunitz, Hall and Seguin but you could make a case for any of them. I think I forgot Marleau and Richards, maybe one or two more but I think they are deeper down the list. I'm not sure I'd call Giroux a lock. The centers I'd have before him are Crosby,Getzlaf,Thornton,Toews and Tavaras. It will be interesting to see if team Canada would be willing to play someone like Giroux at a different position than their normal. It will be interesting to see if they try to keep players in their natural positions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 I think Team Canada has never been shy about converting centers to wingers in this tourny. Many times you see 3 centers forming a line. For instance, I think Tavares makes the team, and there will be plenty of centers playing their natural position, so I'm think Tavares, among others will be a winger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 I'm not sure I'd call Giroux a lock. The centers I'd have before him are Crosby,Getzlaf,Thornton,Toews and Tavaras. It will be interesting to see if team Canada would be willing to play someone like Giroux at a different position than their normal. It will be interesting to see if they try to keep players in their natural positions. Giroux is certainly not a lock, I agree. It's not so much the lack of production, it's the inconsistent work ethic. Is Claude one of Canada's top 13 players skill wise, most certainly.....BUT the gold medal is all about who wants it the most. Guys that are playing their guts out to make this team deserve to make it before Claude's lackluster effort this season....just my thoughts... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 @yave1964 Canada doesn't pick "centers" and "wingers"...they take the best forwards. If Stamkos is ready he'll play wing. Tavares will likely play wing. etc. But Kunitz will definately have a shot at making the team. It's like Seabrooke. He may not be a top 7 Canadian defenceman, but he's close. And he's Keiths partner and they work well together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojo1917 Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 @jammer2 alright, I will agree that Giroux's production is down, what I don't see is "inconsistent work ethic". I don't see that, now I've been watching hockey for a long time but i still learn new nuances regarding the game so it is not as though i am the "knower of all things" but I do know effort when i see it. 28 puts out effort, trying to stick handle past 4 guys in the offensive zone ? check. Ill advised drop passes any time any place ? check. Always looking for the extra pass ? check. The guy has never been a lock down defensive player so there are lapses in that aspect of his game, but i think he's improving there also , he is not Daniel Breire in the D zone.There is something lacking with Claude's production yes; at this point I don't think I would pick him for team Canada. You could do worse and he did play pretty well in the world cup last year so he has good history. I certainly don't see him as a "lock". I also don't see him coasting either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 @flyerrod Couturier isn't quite ready for that big of stage. Especially on that big of ice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nossagog Posted December 7, 2013 Author Share Posted December 7, 2013 @yave1964 Canada doesn't pick "centers" and "wingers"...they take the best forwards. If Stamkos is ready he'll play wing. Tavares will likely play wing. etc. But Kunitz will definately have a shot at making the team. It's like Seabrooke. He may not be a top 7 Canadian defenceman, but he's close. And he's Keiths partner and they work well together. Do you really think Stammer will be ready? They moved the roster date(for final rosters) to Jan 7th. But that's still only a month away from today. Latest I've heard is that he's targeting the beginning of Feb for his return to the lineup, that's only one week before the Olympics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 @nossagog I'm not counting on it. But I didn't expect him to heal this quickly. And we could sure use him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 @flyercanuck Love the idea of a line of Stamkos, Crosby and Tavares. I know you take the best available and go from there, Seabrook is a wonderful example. I think Kunitz really has a legitimate shot based off of his play as well as his linemate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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