Despite Bob Probert and Wendell Clark being on-hand to drop the puck, we know that not all our twentyteners out there were able to sit down, cold beer in hand, to watch last night's Hockey Night in Canada Pre-season debut. (Another "cough" Big Win for the Maple Leafs..."cough, cough")
For those who missed it, Inside Hockey's Elliotte Friedman sat down with Canada twentyten coach Mike Babcock to talk, amongst other things, about who in particular made an impression on the coach at this August's summer orientation camp in Calgary.
Friedman to Babcock: One player that stood out to you?
Babcock in reply: Ah Mike Richards...I knew because people told me, but I didn't know he was this good and this smart...they (he) do everything right and they're (he's) so competitive...he's a very very good player.
The assumption from the beginning in this household has always been that Richards is a likely candidate to centre a third or fourth line in Vancouver. But I think it is now safe to say that the former Kitchener Ranger, Junior Team, and current Flyers Captain is a LOCK to centre the shutdown unit at this winter's spectacle.
Sid and Richards...absolute locks down the middle.
Hold tight for this blog's pre'season "Who's in Who's out" lineup before the 09-10 festivities begin in earnest, mid-week.
WHAMMO!!
Showing posts with label orientation camp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label orientation camp. Show all posts
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Breaking news from camp
Calgary, Alta. - Dany Heatley has once again requested a trade, only this time, it's from his orientation camp team.
Upon hearing that he would be playing on the second power play unit for Team White in the inter squad scrimmage tonight, Heatley demanded to be traded to "Team Red, or the Slovaks".
When told about the trade demand, power play coach, Lindy Ruff had this to say, "That's a joke, that's an absolute joke, is what it is. Get him out of the game. I've seen enough of him, it's a joke. "
This has been a busy summer for Heatley. This drama comes after he demanded a trade out of Ottawa after the 2008-2009 season after he felt his role on the Senators had "diminished" after new coach, Cory Clouston, took over the bench for the Sens in early February.
Not much is known about whether or not Heatley can be traded. Team Canada GM, Steve Yzerman, could not be reached for comment.
Upon hearing that he would be playing on the second power play unit for Team White in the inter squad scrimmage tonight, Heatley demanded to be traded to "Team Red, or the Slovaks".
When told about the trade demand, power play coach, Lindy Ruff had this to say, "That's a joke, that's an absolute joke, is what it is. Get him out of the game. I've seen enough of him, it's a joke. "
This has been a busy summer for Heatley. This drama comes after he demanded a trade out of Ottawa after the 2008-2009 season after he felt his role on the Senators had "diminished" after new coach, Cory Clouston, took over the bench for the Sens in early February.
Not much is known about whether or not Heatley can be traded. Team Canada GM, Steve Yzerman, could not be reached for comment.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What a sin...line.
Two things:
1 - As Dewey reported here earlier today, Simon Gagne will sit out the rest of the orientation camp. What a sin for a guy who has been dynamite for Canada in past Junior and Olympic tournaments, but is also clearly on the bubble to make the twentyten team.
2 - As has been reported by all hockey insiders; Sidney Crosby, Jerome Iginla and Rick Nash have been practicing together over the past two days. What a S.I.N. line that would make: The Sid / Iggy / Nash line would certainly be dynamite in twentyten.
WHAMMO!!
1 - As Dewey reported here earlier today, Simon Gagne will sit out the rest of the orientation camp. What a sin for a guy who has been dynamite for Canada in past Junior and Olympic tournaments, but is also clearly on the bubble to make the twentyten team.
2 - As has been reported by all hockey insiders; Sidney Crosby, Jerome Iginla and Rick Nash have been practicing together over the past two days. What a S.I.N. line that would make: The Sid / Iggy / Nash line would certainly be dynamite in twentyten.
WHAMMO!!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Stepping up to the plate...
Unfortunately here at Canada Twenty Ten, we've both been extremely busy lately. With wedding season in full bloom, the nice weather finally starting to show up, and sneaking in rounds of golf whenever possible, it has led to a shortage in posts.
However, there really hasn't been that much to report on lately, but over the past week a couple worthy news tidbits have come up that are definitely worth discussing.
First off is this piece from the CTV Olympic homepage, where our boy, Marty Brodeur has said that it will be up to the "Young Guns" (not to be confused with this 1988... classic?) to really step up this coming February and lead this team to victory.
Ever since Matty and I started having these discussions one of my biggest gripes with the way Team Canada always seems to be run is that they always seem to bring along too many veterans. I have no problem with the experience factor, but if you take too many veterans, I just feel like their legs may not be able to keep up with some of the other younger squads that are iced for the tournament. Some veteran leadership is great, too much of it is just tiring.
This is why I believe this story is news worthy. I like how a veteran, who is probably one of the three safest players going to camp who will actually be on the team, is coming out and acknowledging these kids are going to be big time players for the Twentyten team. I think that most people I've spoken with agree that we need some of these younger kids there. Crosby, Getzlaf and Eric Staal are all what should be "givens", but with guys like Perry, Carter and younger brother Jordan Staal all on the bubble in my opinion, I believe that these guys are guys that should be on the team over some of the older guys that are being considered for the same spots on the team.
This also has a bit of a two-pronged effect. These young kids, who I am sure are all plenty confident about their own ability but may be feeling just a few butterflies about making the team, will have that little boost from a guy they know will be counted on for this team saying that they're going to be needed. This may just be all in my head, but I have to believe that some of these guys who know their on the bubble could really use a push like that from a guy they respect.
The other newsworthy piece to report actually deals with one of these kids who I have on just about any team I build, Ryan Getzlaf, who apparently had surgery for a sports henia on Wednesday. This of course means Getzy will be missing the orientation camp when it begins in the latter part of August. Could this hurt his chances of being on the team? I think it does, but I still think he's there in Vancouver. The kid has been dynamite in the NHL, showing improvement every season, and his performance with Heatley and Nash a couple years back definitely plays in his favor. That being said, if he comes out of the gates slow this season, showing that he's not fully recovered, I wouldn't put it past any of the Twentyten brass to consider someone else for his spot, and there will surely be someone who will gladly step in.
Oh and in case you didn't know... camp starts in 24 days...
WHAMMO!!
However, there really hasn't been that much to report on lately, but over the past week a couple worthy news tidbits have come up that are definitely worth discussing.
First off is this piece from the CTV Olympic homepage, where our boy, Marty Brodeur has said that it will be up to the "Young Guns" (not to be confused with this 1988... classic?) to really step up this coming February and lead this team to victory.
Ever since Matty and I started having these discussions one of my biggest gripes with the way Team Canada always seems to be run is that they always seem to bring along too many veterans. I have no problem with the experience factor, but if you take too many veterans, I just feel like their legs may not be able to keep up with some of the other younger squads that are iced for the tournament. Some veteran leadership is great, too much of it is just tiring.
This is why I believe this story is news worthy. I like how a veteran, who is probably one of the three safest players going to camp who will actually be on the team, is coming out and acknowledging these kids are going to be big time players for the Twentyten team. I think that most people I've spoken with agree that we need some of these younger kids there. Crosby, Getzlaf and Eric Staal are all what should be "givens", but with guys like Perry, Carter and younger brother Jordan Staal all on the bubble in my opinion, I believe that these guys are guys that should be on the team over some of the older guys that are being considered for the same spots on the team.
This also has a bit of a two-pronged effect. These young kids, who I am sure are all plenty confident about their own ability but may be feeling just a few butterflies about making the team, will have that little boost from a guy they know will be counted on for this team saying that they're going to be needed. This may just be all in my head, but I have to believe that some of these guys who know their on the bubble could really use a push like that from a guy they respect.
The other newsworthy piece to report actually deals with one of these kids who I have on just about any team I build, Ryan Getzlaf, who apparently had surgery for a sports henia on Wednesday. This of course means Getzy will be missing the orientation camp when it begins in the latter part of August. Could this hurt his chances of being on the team? I think it does, but I still think he's there in Vancouver. The kid has been dynamite in the NHL, showing improvement every season, and his performance with Heatley and Nash a couple years back definitely plays in his favor. That being said, if he comes out of the gates slow this season, showing that he's not fully recovered, I wouldn't put it past any of the Twentyten brass to consider someone else for his spot, and there will surely be someone who will gladly step in.
Oh and in case you didn't know... camp starts in 24 days...
WHAMMO!!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
On mice and men
As Matty pointed out last night, the NHLPA is worried about players getting injured skating this summer at the orientation camp, and in a beautiful use of the word "really", really hammered the point home that this it's insane to not let these men go out and do what they do best, and that is play hockey.
Fortunately for us, the players feel the same way as we do in this piece from TSN.ca. Three guys that I all have pegged to be in the lineup when the team takes the ice, Rick Nash, Joe Thornton and Marty Brodeur, all say that it's ridiculous and plan to be on the ice in August when the possible skaters get together for the first time.
Let me just remind you that the team did skate together at the orientation camp in 2002 and things seemed to turn out pretty well for Canadian hockey then... (let's not talk about 2006 or Torino).
If there are any players that are to come forward and say they don't want to take the ice, that they believe that a single practice the day before their first game in Vancouver will suffice, I don't think I'd want them on the team. This team will have no room for softies, though in reality, I don't think any of these Canadian boys are soft, and every one of them will want to take the ice in August for their country.
Fortunately for us, the players feel the same way as we do in this piece from TSN.ca. Three guys that I all have pegged to be in the lineup when the team takes the ice, Rick Nash, Joe Thornton and Marty Brodeur, all say that it's ridiculous and plan to be on the ice in August when the possible skaters get together for the first time.
Let me just remind you that the team did skate together at the orientation camp in 2002 and things seemed to turn out pretty well for Canadian hockey then... (let's not talk about 2006 or Torino).
If there are any players that are to come forward and say they don't want to take the ice, that they believe that a single practice the day before their first game in Vancouver will suffice, I don't think I'd want them on the team. This team will have no room for softies, though in reality, I don't think any of these Canadian boys are soft, and every one of them will want to take the ice in August for their country.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Missing the Marc?
So earlier today Hockey Canada released the names of the guys who will be attending the olympic orientation camp this August. As great as the names are that are on that list, we, as a blog, have to focus on the negative, so let the second guessing begin:
Marc Savard - In a word: Really? Savard was left off the list and was the biggest shock to me. I was listening to Prime Time Sports tonight and heard Johnny Misley, Executive Vice President of Operations for Hockey Canada, talking about how the biggest problem they had in the room was that there were so many good centers to choose from (listen to the full interview here). However, he also mentioned that they had looked at the players last three years, as well as their resume playing internationally. Savard's last three years are 96, 78 (in 74 games), and 88 just last season, his international resume may not look like much, but that of course is because his team has been playing in the playoffs, making it a bit hard to make it to the worlds. There's not much more he could have done, if that doesn't merit a trip to camp, he won't be on the team. They (the brass) must not have believed that he could move to a wing, as some other players will have to do, or maybe they just didn't have enough S' to put on the jerseys, thanks to inviting so many Staal brothers, which might help explain the next two omissions as well.
Jason Spezza - In a word: Statement. One of the first things from Matty upon learning of Spezza not being on the team was that despite being a superstar, also being a "sometimer just don't jive". No doubt this omission probably came as a bit of a shock to him as well, having answered the call for Canada in the past and playing in the worlds the last few years. Spezza certainly has fallen far from the accolades (the next Gretzky) he recieved at 16. We'll see how this plays out for Spezza, whether it will inspire him to come out and play like he's capable of, or whether he'll just bury his head in the sand... or whatever it is they have like sand in Ottawa.
Steven Stamkos - In a word: Disappointing. Stamkos had a rough start to his NHL career. After being selected first overall, his rookie season started with normal rookie struggles, along with a coach who didn't believe he was ready for the show. He struggled in the first half and some started to wonder if Tocchet had a point. However, he really seemed to figure it out in the second half, finishing the season with 23 goals and 46 points. He followed that up by going to the worlds and being an offensive force for the Canadian team. You almost hope that performance would have got him to Calgary for camp, but apparently his spot had to be given to Andy MacDonald.
Brian Campbell - In a word: Who the soup guy? Brian Campbell signed a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks last offseason after having been dealt to the Sharks at the NHL trade deadline from the Sabres. He then proceeded to take the money he got from signing that contract and entered the witness protection program. I'd imagine that Stevie and the rest of the gang probably just forgot his name. Of course I'm joking, but it's not surprising that Campbell was left off the roster, as two of his teammates outplayed and over shadowed him this season past.
Braydan Coburn - In a word: Puzzling. They took 16 defenseman and he wasn't one of them. A young kid like him fits the mold like Seabrook, Keith and Hamhuis, but didn't make it. The only reason I guess that he would have overlooked would be that I guess you can have too many good, young, strong defenseman. (But don't tell that to Pierre McGuire, WHAMMO!)
Carey Price - In a word: Expected. How far has Price fallen in the last year? A year ago, if you had asked who would be in nets for team TwentyTen, everyone's answer would have been the same, "Brodeur, Luongo, Price". After his amazing playoff run with the Habs in '08, that version of Price seems like a distant memory. He posted a winning record this past season, at 23-16-10, but had a save percentage of only .905, and had a goals against of nearly 3. Between guys like Ward, Fleury and Mason really stepping up this year, and Price's regression, his being left off this list was surely an easy choice. (Matty's quick summation: "The Price is wrong, bitch!")
Chris Osgood - In a word: Talbot. In the same interview I mentioned earlier, Misley did say something that made the Savard omission a little easier to swallow. He said there was no agenda for anyone in the room making the choices. This makes the Cleary choice a bit puzzling to me, but it keeps Osgood out of nets for Canada in twentyten, and that makes me happy.
Potent Notables (that we're also leaving off our list) - Daniel Briere (who we actually had going to camp in our original list), Brad Richards, Mike Cammalleri, Patrice Bergeron
The list will be trimmed from 46 to 23 before we go to Vancouver next year, and while we are disappointed in these omissions, we can't help but think that it will make predicting who's on the team just that much easier... I'm looking at you Robidas!
Marc Savard - In a word: Really? Savard was left off the list and was the biggest shock to me. I was listening to Prime Time Sports tonight and heard Johnny Misley, Executive Vice President of Operations for Hockey Canada, talking about how the biggest problem they had in the room was that there were so many good centers to choose from (listen to the full interview here). However, he also mentioned that they had looked at the players last three years, as well as their resume playing internationally. Savard's last three years are 96, 78 (in 74 games), and 88 just last season, his international resume may not look like much, but that of course is because his team has been playing in the playoffs, making it a bit hard to make it to the worlds. There's not much more he could have done, if that doesn't merit a trip to camp, he won't be on the team. They (the brass) must not have believed that he could move to a wing, as some other players will have to do, or maybe they just didn't have enough S' to put on the jerseys, thanks to inviting so many Staal brothers, which might help explain the next two omissions as well.
Jason Spezza - In a word: Statement. One of the first things from Matty upon learning of Spezza not being on the team was that despite being a superstar, also being a "sometimer just don't jive". No doubt this omission probably came as a bit of a shock to him as well, having answered the call for Canada in the past and playing in the worlds the last few years. Spezza certainly has fallen far from the accolades (the next Gretzky) he recieved at 16. We'll see how this plays out for Spezza, whether it will inspire him to come out and play like he's capable of, or whether he'll just bury his head in the sand... or whatever it is they have like sand in Ottawa.
Steven Stamkos - In a word: Disappointing. Stamkos had a rough start to his NHL career. After being selected first overall, his rookie season started with normal rookie struggles, along with a coach who didn't believe he was ready for the show. He struggled in the first half and some started to wonder if Tocchet had a point. However, he really seemed to figure it out in the second half, finishing the season with 23 goals and 46 points. He followed that up by going to the worlds and being an offensive force for the Canadian team. You almost hope that performance would have got him to Calgary for camp, but apparently his spot had to be given to Andy MacDonald.
Brian Campbell - In a word: Who the soup guy? Brian Campbell signed a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks last offseason after having been dealt to the Sharks at the NHL trade deadline from the Sabres. He then proceeded to take the money he got from signing that contract and entered the witness protection program. I'd imagine that Stevie and the rest of the gang probably just forgot his name. Of course I'm joking, but it's not surprising that Campbell was left off the roster, as two of his teammates outplayed and over shadowed him this season past.
Braydan Coburn - In a word: Puzzling. They took 16 defenseman and he wasn't one of them. A young kid like him fits the mold like Seabrook, Keith and Hamhuis, but didn't make it. The only reason I guess that he would have overlooked would be that I guess you can have too many good, young, strong defenseman. (But don't tell that to Pierre McGuire, WHAMMO!)
Carey Price - In a word: Expected. How far has Price fallen in the last year? A year ago, if you had asked who would be in nets for team TwentyTen, everyone's answer would have been the same, "Brodeur, Luongo, Price". After his amazing playoff run with the Habs in '08, that version of Price seems like a distant memory. He posted a winning record this past season, at 23-16-10, but had a save percentage of only .905, and had a goals against of nearly 3. Between guys like Ward, Fleury and Mason really stepping up this year, and Price's regression, his being left off this list was surely an easy choice. (Matty's quick summation: "The Price is wrong, bitch!")
Chris Osgood - In a word: Talbot. In the same interview I mentioned earlier, Misley did say something that made the Savard omission a little easier to swallow. He said there was no agenda for anyone in the room making the choices. This makes the Cleary choice a bit puzzling to me, but it keeps Osgood out of nets for Canada in twentyten, and that makes me happy.
Potent Notables (that we're also leaving off our list) - Daniel Briere (who we actually had going to camp in our original list), Brad Richards, Mike Cammalleri, Patrice Bergeron
The list will be trimmed from 46 to 23 before we go to Vancouver next year, and while we are disappointed in these omissions, we can't help but think that it will make predicting who's on the team just that much easier... I'm looking at you Robidas!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Orientate this!!!
So...as Stevie Y and Super Mario look on upon the teams they once lead to greatness, Dewey and I figured it would be a good time to put our money where our mouth is, and post who we think is going to be at this summer's orientation camp. Hockey Canada has announced the camp will be held in Calgary from August 24-28 and we think it is high-time to let our masses in on who will be there.
We've whittled down the contenders to 25 forwards, 12 defencemen (wanted 10, but Dewey started crying when I suggested cutting certain guys out), and 5 goalies...ambitious, I know.
Here goes:
Forwards:
Last three out: Richards, Brad; Sakic and Boyes.
Defensemen:
Last three left out: Campbell, Brian and Bieksa.
Redden... as if!!
Goaltenders:
Last two left out: Turco and Price.
Osgood... you were never even a fleeting thought!!
Let the blog fodder take flight!
We've whittled down the contenders to 25 forwards, 12 defencemen (wanted 10, but Dewey started crying when I suggested cutting certain guys out), and 5 goalies...ambitious, I know.
Here goes:
Forwards:
- Crosby
- Lecavilier
- Gagne
- Iginla
- Doan
- Richards, Mike
- St. Louis
- Perry
- Getzlaf
- Thornton, Joe
- Marleau
- Carter, Jeff
- Lucic
- Staal, Eric
- Stamkos
- Nash
- Heatley
- Spezza
- Toews
- Savard, Marc
- Morrow
- Roy, Derek
- Briere
- Smyth, Ryan
- Staal, Jordan
Last three out: Richards, Brad; Sakic and Boyes.
Defensemen:
- Seabrook
- Green, Mike
- Pronger
- Neidermayer, Scott
- Phaneuf
- Regehr
- Burns, Brent
- Doughty
- Weber, Shea
- Bouwmeester
- Boyle, Dan
- Keith, Duncan
Last three left out: Campbell, Brian and Bieksa.
Redden... as if!!
Goaltenders:
- Brodeur
- Luongo
- Mason, Steve
- Ward, Cam
- Fleury
Last two left out: Turco and Price.
Osgood... you were never even a fleeting thought!!
Let the blog fodder take flight!
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