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- 08/23/2010, 07:17PM ET
"What 3 NHL teams would benefit most from Olympic sized ice?"
kingeraaa said 08/23, 07:17 PM
In picking 3 teams, I wanted to find the teams with the most euros on it, and what positions they play, as well as the quality of the euros on that team, so here goes nothing......
#1 Detroit-( This team has been the European team of the NHL for 2 decades, with great success, and one look at the roster says definite Stanley Cup contender. The Euros on this team, are what makes this team click, with Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, etc, etc! This is why I have them at #1, as in the past these Euros were main components of their respective countries teams, and are very comfortable on Olympic "size" ice.)
#2 Phoenix-( This team is also loaded with Euro talent, and from the crease out, they have European players at all stops. This is also a team that has both quantity, and quality. Bryzgalov was runner up to the Vezina, and with good reason, the rest of the team also played exceptionally!)
#3 Washington-( I picked them for quality, as if not for the euros on this team, they'd be in the basement. Just look at Team stats, and awards! Imagine A.O with more room!)
All 3 teams would benefit from the ''Big" ice space, due to experience imo.
Good luck Serial Dex!
Serial Dex said 08/23, 08:01 PM
I disagree with 2 of your picks whole heartedly, and 1 of them just slightly.
"Euro content" is only a small part of this. You have to look at age & playing style.
1. Detroit would dominate on a bigger ice surface with Henrik and Pavel, but that's about it. The Wings are one of the oldest teams in the league (if not the oldest). Do you really think that guys like Modano, Bertuzzi, Draper, Holmstrom, Lidstrom, Rafalski and Salei can keep up with MORE ice to cover? Those guys average around 36 years of age. They ain't no spring chickens.
2. Phoenix plays the trap. They are "successful" because of the neutral zone trap, which would almost disappear with more ice to defend. They would have to change their entire offensive/defensive schemes to play.
3. I initially thought of Washington also, but our TD was the teams who would benefit "the most." Since the Caps are already all about offense, they couldn't improve too much more. They are already at/near the top of the league every year for goals scored, so while they would improve, they wouldn't benefit the most.
My list (which I will defend in the next argument):
1. Edmonton
2. Montreal
3. Vancouver
kingeraaa said 08/24, 12:18 AM
"Euro content" is only a small part of this.
I agree, but wonder how you don't factor in other...factors?
RE:DET.You can't debate a larger ice surface and not talk experience. Age almost doesn't apply to guys like Rafalski, and Lidstrom(6mil for the latter at 40?). Bert and the others are great role players, except MO. All would do even better with room to breathe, as there is more depth there than just those you mentioned ex: Helm, Ericsson ,Franzen? Most also have big ice exp.
RE: PHX. No debate either, because on a larger ice surface, you will change the game plan to utilize other strengths, such as speed, and you'll see more breakaway's and such, and since they also have a lot of big ice exp on that team, and there are guys that could use their talents better with more room, such as Turris,Bryzgalov,Tikhonov, and Wolski. We might even see some yearly consistency in the W dept.
RE:WAS: They got 2 young goalies with big ice min, and given more room,A.O, and co would be deadlier, and Green wouldn't look so bad. They too have a lot of young talent, on D, and in net. With more room they'd look a lot better on D, and in net, both have had ?'s
Running out of space.
Serial Dex said 08/24, 01:18 PM
1. Montreal:
They only have 3 players over 30 (2 of which are Gomez and Gionta, 2 small/fast players). They have a lot of youth, no big bruisers/enforcers and multiple Euros. Plekanec, Cammellari and the Kostitsyn's would thrive with more room.
2. Edmonton:
A small, fast, young team. They were almost last in the NHL last year, so they would obviously do better with more room. They have "the most to gain" from bigger ice. They are in fact one of the youngest teams in the NHL so they have lots of energy and speed. Cogliano, Eberle, Gagne, Hall, Hemsky, etc.... can all go end to end on any rush.
3. Vancouver:
Has the perfect blend of speed and Euro content. The Sedins, Samuelsson and Shirokov love the Euro game. Burrows, Kesler and Raymond are unstoppable with enough room to work with. They are much like Detroit, only without the age factor slowing them down.
As for your choices, the biggest one I want to addresss if PHX.
You can't simply "change" the style they play as you say. You need to implement new plays, drills, practices, game fundamentals. It takes a long time to do an overhaul of your team.
kingeraaa said 08/24, 05:53 PM
PHX. Getting a new coach= new playing style, etc, etc. PHX would do excellent with more room. Remember this would be a season, not a WC Tourney!
Edm, has NO chemistry! What makes you think they would all of a sudden become a better team with more ice? Yes they are young, and very inexperienced!
Van, Good pick, but your reasons are suspect, as you come off as a hypocrite, not applying the same thinking to Van, as you did Phx. Samuelsson didn't even make the Limpic team, why?
Mon- They had no major chemistry either, and were bailed out by a goalie they don't have anymore. Small and fast yes, but they need to play like a team first, and have a goalie that doesn't have to face 50 shots per game, or that can! There is only 1 Kostitsyn brother left! Surprised you missed that!
Det- Their age isn't a factor as it's the exp that comes from it that makes the diff here. Couple that with speed and grit up front with guys like,Franzen,Helm,Zetterberg.
IMO, Cup final year in and out, or the possibility of that, is why I chose those 3 teams. Exp balances out age in this case. Chemistry is a factor on any ice surface, and 2 out of 3 of your picks have none, or very little.
Serial Dex said 08/25, 12:04 AM
"Van, Good pick, but your reasons are suspect & come off as a hypocrite, not applying the same thinking to Van, as you did Phx. Samuelsson didn't even make the Limpic team?"
This makes no sense. Vancouver doesn't play a trap. They wouldn't have to change their whole offensive & defensive schemes. Also, what does Samuelsson not playing in this Olympics have to do with anything? He played his entire life (aside from NHL seasons) in Europe. So he missed 1 tournament. That doesn't mean he forgot how to play on a larger surface.
Montreal has no chemistry you say? Did you watch last season? They made a Cinderella run all year & were a weak team playing ONLY on chemistry and heart. It's not like they had a strong lineup to win with, but they still won.
Si.com writer Muir says this about DET: Modano will quickly recognize how far he's beyond his best-by date. He won't be the only one, either. The Wings could dress as many as 9 players who are least 35, and that seems like a roster that dips too far into the "early bird special" crowd. Mike Babcock will keep them competitive, but the graying of the Wings might finally catch up to them.
They ARE really old.
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Comments (43) Add A Comment
I hope that wasn't a ball dropping that I heard! LOL!!!!
kingeraaa
Total Comments (4399)
When you hit puberty, they normally drop... HA!
fvkasm2x
Edmonton, AB
Total Comments (2115)
That's why I questioned the comment, as I'm almost sure Float is a guy, and both my balls dropped long ago! I apologize to who ever is waiting for that second nut to drop in the pocket ;)
kingeraaa
Total Comments (4399)
Unlike most Russians, Ovie actually likes the smaller ice surface. Guy's a banger.
1. San Jose (wouldn't get steamrolled physically as quickly in the playoffs)
2. Buffalo (Miller on intl ice is like Hasek on intl ice).
3. Montreal (Dex can argue that one)
YODA
Edmonton, AB
Total Comments (7173)
its all about speed and good decision making on that larger surface. i like buffalo, montreal, and the kings.
Trench Warfare 101
Total Comments (16)
I like that pick too. I'm surprised kingeraa didn't go with the Kings.
Good topics in this tournament.
YODA
Edmonton, AB
Total Comments (7173)
Montreal was the first team I thought off. They are small, that is all I will say.
Argos.
Total Comments (5428)
San Jose is kinda slow, guys like Joe Thornton, and Ryan Clowe are too slow for the big ice.
I like Buffalo, but I think Detroit more than them.
Montreal would be my number one.
Argos.
Total Comments (5428)
Maybe so, but he has big ice exp, and the guy feeding him the puck most nights would do even better with some room, that's what I'm saying. San Jose? Maybe not. Buffalo would have to be able to put the puck in the net, and Miller was pumped up for those big games on big ice. This would be just another season.
kingeraaa
Total Comments (4399)
That's cuz I thought of them :-p
Yoda, your opponent said he would challenge you tomorrow (Tuesday). Bring your 'A' game, because the winner of your set faces the winner of my set...
fvkasm2x
Edmonton, AB
Total Comments (2115)
Basically it would come down to the mobility of the defense as most NHL teams D need to be able to contend in front of their net but this is not as much the case in European rinks the Housley-Leetch type defenseman would flourish where as the Stevens-Hatcher types would have problems with all the lateral movement as a lot of the play is wide on the perimeter.And the defenseman (offensively) have lot more opportunities back door.
Swamp Dragon
Total Comments (13951)
You might be right about San Jose.
Thornton's heart might seem even smaller on the big ice, like when he disappeared during the Olympics.
YODA
Edmonton, AB
Total Comments (7173)
Foosball's Fannation Fantasy Football
7 teams signed up 1 more pending. Need at least 12 teams.
FM me if interested.
Resistance is…
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Hey Foos, I keep trying to FM you but the internet at work isn't so good. So if you read this I'd like to join that league
Buck4
Port Elgin, ON
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Good lists... so far I agree with Dex's take on Detroit. I think they are a bit too old for a faster game the big ice would provide. Will wait to see though.
fvkasm2x
Edmonton, AB
Total Comments (2115)
2 for K-aaa (Detroit Washington)
1 for serial dex (Vancouver)
Disagree about the age thing even more important than speed on the big ice is puck control and the Wings Canucks and Caps have that and mobile defensemen
Edmonton was the worst team by 15 points don't see them getting any better on the bigger rink
I would have taken LA over Edmonton Phoenix or Montreal
Swamp Dragon
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Almost did.
kingeraaa
Total Comments (4399)
Brilliant!
kingeraaa
Total Comments (4399)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<&l t;<<<<<<<<<<<Edmonton
yellowlighter
Total Comments (23)
Kings play a good possession game but don't get a lot of cross ice movement in the zone. They stick to the boards and corners. Not sure I see playing on international ice as truly benefitting them. They are a crash the net team and there just isn't a whole lot of flair there. Young, FAST team though....easy to overlook
SoCalBroncosFan
Thousand Oaks , CA
Total Comments (275)
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