Sochi 2014: Team Snublandia

Now that all the Olympic teams have been named for the upcoming 2014 Sochi Olympics, let’s have a look at the notable omissions of each major country and form the best possible team with the talented players that have been left out by their respective countries. Luckily for us Habs fans, P.K. Subban was named to Team Canada so there will be no riots in Montreal this week.

This squad of cast-offs would be one of the most dominant teams of the Olympic tournament thanks to a mix of talent, speed and leadership. Those disgruntled players are ready to prove their detractors wrong and go for Gold in late February.

Hand picked team Canada myself so I wouldn't have to toss a hipcheck at Claude Giroux if he came close to scoring a golden goal.
— Sidney Crosby's Ego (@SidneyCrosbyEgo) January 7, 2014

Forwards:

James Neal (CAN) – Claude Giroux (CAN) – Martin St. Louis (CAN)
Alexander Semin (RUS) – Joe Thornton (CAN) – Bobby Ryan (USA)
Taylor Hall (CAN) – Logan Couture (CAN) – Tyler Seguin (CAN)
Sean Bergenheim (FIN) – Eric Staal (CAN) – Jiri Hudler (CZE)
Extras: Kyle Okposo (USA), Radim Vrbata (CZE)

-Canadian forwards with more points than Claude Giroux since the 2010 Olympics: Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos. This means that if Stamkos is not ready to go, all three players will be left off Canada’s roster.

-Joe Thornton not only leads the NHL with 43 assists in 42 games this season, he is also 4th in scoring with 48 points and has a lot of international experience.

-Alexander Semin, despite being a 0.86 point per game player in his career, was snubbed in favor of some unknown KHL players who are struggling to put points on the board in Putin-land.

-Talented wingers Jiri Hudler and Radim Vrbata was left out of Czech Republic’s roster in favor ofPetr Nedved who played for the Canadian National Team back in 1993-94…

Olympic snubs are trying to create their own Olympics.

Defensemen:
Keith Yandle (USA) – Victor Hedman (SWE)
Jack Johnson (USA) – Kris Letang (CAN)
Jonas Brodin (SWE) – Brent Seabrook (CAN)

Extras:

Dan Boyle (CAN) – Jan Hejda (CZE)

Paul Martin made Team USA over Keith Yandle, Jack Johnson, and Erik Johnson. Lord help us. https://t.co/irLdCWP75Q
— Drunk Patrick Kane (@Drunk_Kane88) January 6, 2014

-Kris Letang, Brent Seabrook and Dan Boyle were all left off the Canadian squad because they shoot right. Instead, left-handed Canuck Dan Hamhuis gets the call despite scoring only 13 points this year.

-Sweden decided to select washed up defenseman Henrik Tallinder instead of talented youngsters such as Victor Hedman and Jonas Brodin…

Goalenders:

Marc-André Fleury (CAN)
Ben Bishop (USA)

Pekka Rinne (FIN)

-Team Canada decided to chose Mike Smith, who has more goals than shutouts this season, over former Stanley Cup winner Marc-André Fleury. Flower also leads the NHL with 24 wins this season.

-Despite suffering from the lingering effects of an infection to his surgically-repaired hip, Pekka Rinne should have been nominated, at least temporarily, as one of the top three Finnish netminders.

Other notables:  Nail Yakupov, Brandon Saad, Jordan Staal, Mike Richards, Jeff Skinner, Sven Baerstchi, Dustin Byfuglien, Marc Staal, Mark Giordano, Erik Johnson, Dmitry Kulikov, Corey Crawford, Josh Harding, Robin Lehner.

Did I miss anyone?

Do you think this team of misfits could contend for gold in Sochi?

Follow me on Twitter to debate and talk about puck!

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Pregame Preview: Canadiens at Flyers (Game #45)

 
Match Up:

The Canadiens (25-14-5) are in Philly Wednesday night to face the Flyers (22-17-4). The game is set to start at 7:30 and can be seen on RDS and TSN.

This is the third and final meeting between the Habs and Flyers this season, each team has won on home ice. Claude Giroux had a goal and an assist and Jakub Voracek had a pair of helpers for the Flyers in their 2-1 win a month ago.

What to Watch:

Carey Price saved 16 of 16 third period shots against the Panthers on Monday to preserve Montreal's 2-1 lead and secure a victory for the Habs. The performance was a welcome turnaround from his recent play, Price had allowed 13 goals in the previous 3 games although the netminder has still managed to earn at least one point in each of his last 6 starts, including Monday's win.

The Flyers are coming off a 3-2 overtime win against the Devils Tuesday night, Brayden Schenn scored the winner and picked up an assist in the victory. Flyers leading scorer, Claude Giroux, has goals in back to back games. Scott Hartnell and Wayne Simmonds may be the hottest Flyer of late, Hartnell extended his point scoring streak to 8 games with a goal against the Devils while Simmonds has 14 points in his last 10 games.

What's at Stake:

The race for top spot in the Atlantic division is heating up, the Bruins, Bolts and Habs are separated by just 3 points with half a season of hockey left to play. Montreal is at the bottom of that pile and both teams hold a game in hand, so every win helps close the gap for the Canadiens.

Who's Out:

Alex Galchenyuk suffered a broken hand in Montreal's win against the Panthers, the early reports have him out until the end of the Olympics. Ryan White (upper body) is out for two weeks but George Parros has been cleared to play and should be in the lineup Wednesday night. Davis Drewiske (shoulder) is still out long term.

For the Flyers, Matt Read has missed the past 3 games with an upper body injury, Erik Gustafsson (knee) could be nearing a return, but did not play against the Devils Tuesday.

What Else:

The Canadiens had 8 players named to their respective national Olympic teams. Max Pacioretty for Team USA, Tomas Plekanec, the slated captain for the Czech Republic, Slovakia's Peter Budaj, Swizterland's Raphael Diaz, Andrei Markov and Alexei Emelin for Russia and Canada's PK Subban and Carey Price.

At the other end of the ice, the Flyers will be sending 5 players to Sochi in February. Kimmo Timonen for Finland, Mark Streit for the Swiss, Michael Raffl for Team Austria, Czech Jakub Voracek and Slovak Andrej Mezaros all received the honor. Missing from that list is Canadian Claude Giroux, who was not named to the team when the roster was announced on Tuesday.

The Question Mark:

We want to hear from you: what was the biggest surprise surrounding the announcement of the Olympic rosters?

Let us know what you think, leave a comment or send us a tweet by using the #MTLHockey hashtag on Twitter.

Be sure to tune into the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show an hour before the puck drop and the Post Game Show 5 minutes after the final siren. Join the live conversation by using the #MTLHockey hashtag on Twitter.

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NHL Roundup: Playoff storylines, Gainey returns, Robinson and more

With a few days off from the grueling playoff schedule, NHL fans got a little breather from the grinding intensity.

And what intensity it has been so far!

Incredible goals, scintillating goaltending, buzzer-beating game savers, crushing body-checks, and overtimes, overtimes, overtimes.

All in all, it has made for some of the most entertaining and exciting playoff hockey in a recent memory. On top of it all, most of the underdogs have made it through to the final four (New Jersey, Phoenix, Los Angeles).

Saturday night will see the finale of what has been a well-fought, evenly contested Rangers-Caps series, with the winner advancing to the conference finals. If things play out the way they have in the other three series, you can expect to see the Caps facing off against the Devils in Round 3.

But the Rangers will surely have a word or two to say about that first, hosting Game 7 in their own barn.

Who gets the momentum?

Like every year in the playoffs, from game to game and series to series, the margin of victory is often razor thing. Moreover, a small mistake, a critical hit, or a back-breaking save can often turn the tide one way or another. These pivotal moments are what make playoff hockey so intense.

It really is a game of inches and entire series have been lost in such critical moments.

For me, there have so far been two pivotal points that stand out in the second round. The first was Caps' forward, Joel Ward, taking a brain-dead penalty in Game 5 with his team leading by a goal and time running out.

With Caps on the verge of taking a 3-2 series lead back to Washington, Rangers' forward, Brad Richards, potted the equalizer with six seconds to play. That set the stage for Marc Staal to unload a slapper, with Ward still sitting in the penalty box, for the OT winner.

To be honest, I thought that was the Caps' chance and that New York would roll over them in Game 6. But this isn't Bruce Boudreau's team anymore.

The Dale Hunter coached Caps have become a resilient, never-quit bunch, and they took Game 6, forcing a decisive Game 7 on Saturday.

So the question becomes, did the Ward penalty become the rallying point for the Rangers, with the Caps letting their chance to win slip away? Or, will it end up being the spark the Caps needed to get over the hump?

We'll find out Saturday night.

Where's the leadership?

On the Flyer-Devils front, there is no question that the Flyers had a tough time dealing with the Devils all series. And the fact that Jersey dismantled Philly in five games speaks to that point.

But in a lot of ways, it really seemed like the Flyers became frustrated by the Devils, the same way the Pens did against Philly in the first round.

In the now famous game where Sidney Crosby and co. lost their minds and decided to brawl with the Flyers rather than playing hockey, we saw evidence of poor leadership.

Now I'm sure to take some shots for that comment, but hear me out.

I loved Crosby's passion, his desire to win and his engagement in the match. However, losing his cool the way he did set the stage for his teammates to follow him down that road. While emotion is important in hockey, if it goes unchecked it will usually lead to a loss.

Controlled emotion is where it's all.

After the meltdown, the Pens were off their game and the Flyers had them right where they wanted.

Fast forward to the Jersey series, and the Flyers, led by Claude Giroux, in a lot of ways fell into the same trap.

The pivotal moment, for me, was Claude Giroux's ill-advised shoulder to the head of Danius Zubrus—the play resulted in a one-game suspension for Giroux, who missed the fifth and final game of the series.

Giroux was frustrated with what he perceived to be a missed call by the refs, and, acting on pure emotion, lashed out. Not only did his act hurt the Flyers in that game, but it also meant that were without the services of their best player the follwing game—an elimination game.

That, to me, is not weak leadership.

The playoffs are a time for selflessness. It's a time when the winners are usually the ones who suck it up and roll with the punches, rather than lashing out and reacting.

Now I'm not saying the Flyers would have won the series if Giroux hadn't made that hit, but simply that, as a leader, you have to know better than to retaliate in the playoffs. I guess Giroux will have all summer to learn that lesson.

On the Habs front

According to a story on TSN, Devils' assistant coach and former Hab hall of fame defenseman, Larry Robinson, would welcome a return to the Habs in some capacity.

Robinson's agent, speaking to La Presse, said they have reached out to the Montreal twice in the past, and have been turned down both times—a fact that I find reprehensible.

So now, with a new sheriff in town (Marc Bergevin), will he turn to Robinson to come on board in some capacity? How would you feel about Robinson running the Habs defense next season? How much better would a player like P.K. Subban be playing under Robinson as a defensive coach?

Also, with up and coming stud defensive prospects like Nathan Beaulieu and Jared Tinordi, perhaps the timing is perfect to make such a move.

Either way, no conversations have taken place yet. Robinson's contract with the Devils expires on July 1st and, until then, the Habs would need Jersey's permission to speak with him. We'll see where this story leads but it is enticing to say the least.

On another (sorta) Habs front, former Habs GM and then special advisor, Bob Gainey, was hired by the Dallas Stars yesterday. He will act in mostly the same role he did in Montreal, working as a special advisor to GM Joe Nieuwendyk.

So does this mean the Stars will suddenly have interest in trading for Scott Gomez?

I keed, I keed!

---
Kamal is a freelance writer, Senior Writer/Editor-in-Chief of HabsAddict.com, and Montreal Canadiens Blogger on Hockeybuzz.com. Kamal is also a regular on-air contributor on TSN 990, CJAD, and LiveSport New Zealand.

Follow Kamal on Facebook and Twitter

(Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

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Habs News, Dudley, Giroux, Kings, Devils and More

Good morning hockey fans!

As has been widely reported, it seems that Marc Bergevin is targeting Rick Dudley to be his Assistant General Manager. Both men worked together during their time in Chicago.

Currently in the employ of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dudley has also coached the Buffalo Sabres and been General Manager of both Floridian franchises.

The only hiccup is that Brian Burke is less than keen on letting his current assistant leave before the Entry Draft.

In any event, how do you feel about the potential hire?


Habs News

HabsAddict.com - VIDEO: Marc Bergevin on Radio-Canada's Tout le monde en parle

ESPN - Dudley to follow Bergevin?

La Presse - Un vote pour Bob Hartley

TSN - Dreger: Dudley expected to join Canadiens as assistant GM

Hockey News

ESPN - Blues refuse to blame injuries for loss

The Hockey News - No. 8-ranked Kings favorite to win wild West; Flyers missing Chris Pronger

TSN - McKenzie: Giroux frustration could lead to suspension

TSN - Cullen: Kings bounce Blues; Devils push Flyers to edge

TSN - Report: Bettman to announce tentative Coyotes deal Tuesday

USA Today - Claude Giroux's hit could be reviewed by league

USA Today - Kings sweep Blues, advance to West finals

USA Today -Devils push Flyers to brink of elimination

(Photo by TARA WALTON/TORONTO STAR)

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Habs/Flyers post game, Pens preview, Leafs, Jets, Gretzky, Turris, Rumours and more

Habs News

HabsAddict.com - Montreal Canadiens: the untapped offensive potential of Alexei Emelin
http://www.habsaddict.com/2011/11/montreal-canadiens-untapped-offensive.html

Hockey Inside/Out - At long last, Sid returns to Montreal
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/at-long-last-sid-returns-to-montreal

Audio: About this afternoon … (Reader’s Digest version)
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/boone/about-this-afternoon-readers-digest-version

RDS - Giroux vole la vedette contre le CH
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/330609.html

ESPN.com - Penguins-Canadiens Preview
http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/preview?gameId=400047771


NHL News
TSN - SIEGEL: KULEMIN FIGHTING DEMONS OF GOAL DROUGHT
http://www.tsn.ca/toronto/blogs/jonas_siegel/?id=381315

BEYAK: JETS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
http://www.tsn.ca/winnipeg/blogs/jets_report/?id=381314

DREGER'S MAILBAG: QUESTIONS ON TURRIS, LEAFS GOALIES AND OVI
http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/darren_dreger/?id=381257

FRASER: THE BRUINS-SABRES, 'REVENGE' GAMES AND BRIAN BURKE
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=381256

GRETZKY DECLINES TO PLAY IN WINTER CLASSIC ALUMNI GAME
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=381262

THN.com - Kennedy: Can Fleury catch Brodeur's win total?
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/43125-Kennedy-Can-Fleury-catch-Brodeurs-win-total.html

VIDEO: THN Puck Panel - Off-season steals
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/43158-VIDEO-THN-Puck-Panel-Offseason-steals.html

Spector's Hockey - Updates on Turris, Comeau and Bergfors
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/2011/11/25/updates-on-turris-comeau-and-bergfors/

(Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images North America)

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Habs/Sabres preview, HHOF inductees, Penner on IR, Jets, Vezina candidates, Rumours and more

Habs News

HabsAddict.com - Habs Press Release - Canadiens Recall Andreas Engqvist
http://www.habsaddict.com/2011/11/habs-press-release-canadiens-recall.html

The Sunday Shinny - Nov. 13, 2011 - Habs/Preds, Gomez, Tampa/Philly, Dickie Moore and more
http://pc.habsaddict.com/2011/11/sunday-shinny-nov-13-2011-habspreds.html

The Mayans, The Rosicrucian’s, the NHL and the end of the World
http://www.habsaddict.com/2011/11/mayans-rosicrucians-nhl-and-end-of.html

Hockey Inside/Out - Canadiens begin busy stretch
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/canadiens-begin-busy-stretch

Sabres — minus Miller — could be fired up vs. Habs
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/sabres-minus-miller-could-be-fired-up-vs-habs

RDS - Desharnais semble se plaire avec Cole
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/330002.html

Habsworld.net - HW Recap: Road, Sweet Road
http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2640

ESPN.com - Sabres-Canadiens Preview
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/preview?gameId=400047183


NHL News
TSN - HOCKEY HALL OF FAME WELCOMES ITS NEW MEMBERS ON TSN2
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=380407

KINGS PLACE PENNER ON INJURED RESERVE WITH HAND INJURY
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=380357

MEECH TO MISS SIX-EIGHT WEEKS AFTER UNDERGOING SURGERY
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=380390

ESPN.com - Trophy Tracker: Latest Vezina candidates
http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/12197/trophy-tracker-latest-vezina-candidates

THN.com - Getting To Know: Claude Giroux
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/42930-Getting-To-Know-Claude-Giroux.html

Before I made it: Carl Gunnarsson
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/42909-Before-I-made-it-Carl-Gunnarsson.html

Ask Adam: Khabibulin in the Hall?
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/42894-Ask-Adam-Khabibulin-in-the-Hall.html

Spector's Hockey - Monday NHL Rumor Roundup – November 14, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/2011/11/14/monday-nhl-rumor-roundup-november-14-2011/

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Canadiens Game Day: Habs and Flyers Clash in Pre-All Star Rumble

by Kamal Panesar

Dictionary.com defines the word nemesis as follows:

nem·e·sis [nem-uh-sis]
–noun, plural

1. something that a person cannot conquer, achieve, etc.: The performance test proved to be my nemesis.
2. an opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.
3. Classical Mythology, the goddess of divine retribution.
4. an agent or act of retribution or punishment.

If ever the Montreal Canadiens had a nemesis, the Philadelphia Flyers would be that team.

The Flyers and Canadiens have played each other in two playoff series since 2008, with Montreal losing both series four games to one.  In addition, the two teams have faced each other three times already this season with the Flyers winning two out of three.

Moreover, Philly has been able to physically dominate the small, fast Canadiens forwards and, as such, it has been a long time since Montreal has had any real answer for what the Flyers bring.

So tonight's fourth and final meeting is sure to be a high intensity match between these two teams whose rivalry seems to grow with each encounter.  Not only because of the bad blood between the two teams but, with a week off for the All-Star break starting tomorrow, both teams are sure to leave it all on the ice.

The Flyers are the No. 1 team in the league with 69 points in the standings—tied with the Canucks for points but ahead of them by virtue of their 32 wins to Vancouver’s 30—and look like the odds-on favorite to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Montreal, on the other hand, has had its ups and downs this season.  In addition, the Canadiens are decimated by injuries, having lost both Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges to season-ending knee problems.  In addition, top sniper Michael Cammalleri continues to be sidelined with a separated shoulder.

Yet, despite its losses, "Team Clinic" is 6-1-3 over its last 10 games and only two points out of first place in its division.  A win tonight by Montreal would put it in a tie with the Rangers and the Bruins—first place in the Northeast—with 61 points.  In addition, it would leave the Canadiens only two back of Washington and three back of Pittsburgh, fifth and fourth, respectively, in the Eastern Conference.

Needless to say, Montreal wants this win really badly.

Another source of motivation is that neither team wants to go into a one-week break on a loss, so expect a playoff atmosphere tonight at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly.

Claude Giroux and Mike Richards are the two hottest players for the Flyers, with five points in two games and five points in three games, respectively.  For Montreal, the defense is bringing the heat with James Wizniewski's 12 points in his last 11 games and P.K. Subban having six in his last six.

Max Pacioretty has also been heating things up lately with four points in his last two games.

Tonight's game is one that will feature a nice goaltending matchup with Carey Price—24 wins—going head-to-head against Sergei Bobrovsky—20 wins.

Montreal will be getting a much-needed boost to its lineup with the return of Jeff Halpern in favour of Andreas Engqvist, who was sent back down to Hamilton yesterday.

Game time is at 7:30 p.m. with the puck dropping around 7:40 p.m. for what should be one heck of a game!

(Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images North America)

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