Pre-Olympics coverage: Team Canada
Bienvenue and howdy from Calgary, Alberta.
This FanShot is your Japers' Rink destination for pre-Olympic chatter for all things Team Canada (and Mike Green). Feel free to post your own links or thoughts in the comments.
The link at the top takes you to the Orientation Camp roster; Greenie is assigned to Team White and will be playing with Crosby.
over 2 years ago
EmilyB
63 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
CTV doesn’t have Green making the team (scroll to the bottom).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I keep seeing “questions about Mike Green’s conditioning” raised in various articles about the Canadian team, but where on earth did this start? I’ve never heard even a peep of such talk in Washington, yet everyone seems to be harping on it. Is it really nothing more then people seeing poor play (from mono and a separated shoulder, not lack of conditioning, imo), calling it poor conditioning because they didn’t have the full story, and now its taken as the gospel truth?
I’m not assigning any credibility or validity to the questioning issues, but I have heard several people in DC talk about Green’s taste for the sauce. He stays out drinking late (and according to some that includes nights before home games) and spent most nights of training camp last year at the Front Page. Again, I’m not saying I have first hand knowledge of this (because I rarely go out during the school year/hockey season) but I’ve heard it from too many independent sources to just dismiss it.
A man must have a code.
In general, there were times when we read about some of the guys out late at some event or other that would concern me. Wasn’t there an MMA thing the night before a matinee? They won that game, too. So I’m willing to give a little on the argument that someone parties too much, but I’d have to see a correlation in performance. The only poor performance I can think of for Green was during the playoffs, and it’s know he was hurt. Whether he was indeed sick, too, I don’t even know what to believe any more.
My concern with the partying is long term affect. Green can party now and get up in the morning and skate like the wind. He’s 23 now and his body can handle it. But at some point the alcohol catches up to you (anyone else remember what his dad looks like?). At some point you need to make a serious commitment to be in top physical shape to take advantage of your skills. I firmly believe that Green can be everything Scott Niedermayer is/has been, but with better finishing skills. But to reach that level he’s going to need to make that his absolute number one goal. I’m not convinced I’ve seen that commitment yet.
A man must have a code.
No argument at all long term. Just that I don’t know how much that concern should affect the here and now if you can’t see anything on the ice.
And Mirtle lists him as a contender. The Montreal Gazette/Canwest likes his chances too, more-or-less
But yeah, overall the buzz seems to be mildy lukewarm about his chances. Birdie, I agree that the “conditioning” questions are odd. He wasn’t ever “out of condition”, just banged up.
IS PAЯTY NOW
And there’s a black guy on the white team!
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I love the “do not enter signs” on the back of the jerseys like the Canadian Olympic camp is meant for 13 year olds. Did Ryan Hollweg get an invite or something?
A man must have a code.
Green gets paired with… Marc Staal.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Here’s a look at the on-ice part of camp thus far.
I haven’t been able to find anyone’s golf scores from the off-ice portion yesterday…
IS PAЯTY NOW
But, Mike [Babcock], what about the defencemen?
"The group is very deep. We’ll figure it out. We watch them everyday in the National Hockey League. We know who can run a power play."
For you between-the-lines readers, that’s gotta be a positive for Greener (though it’s arguable as to who actually “runs” the Caps’ PP).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah I maintain he’s not a traditional PP QB. But if Team Canada is looking for D that contribute on the PP Mike Green is the standout, obviously. He doesn’t bomb away from the point but he gets it done.
A man must have a code.
And if they want to work the backdoor (hey now!), he’s your man.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
No backdoor action. See the Do Not Enter sign.
A man must have a code.
by Rob Parker on Aug 26, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Even then, he’s a good passer, a great skater, a good shot. Not best suited to be the high man, but maybe in the circle.
by red army line on Aug 26, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Like Niedermayer in Anaheim’s PP this past postseason, if you saw them.
by red army line on Aug 26, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
I sorta think just by having Babcock as the coach, Green’s chances are pretty high. He knows how much damage Lidstrom can do for Sweden, why not take Green to provide some defensive firepower for Canada?
I don’t know. Babcock’s Wings in 07-08 were high on not committing giveaways and on defensive responsibility.
by red army line on Aug 26, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
They were also high on putting out the most talent they could, playing guys that knew how to play with the puck, and not giving away roster spots for tough guys.
A man must have a code.
this.
Its the freaking OLYMPICS. Lundqvist is going to be in net for Sweden—who is going to have quite a bit of firepower in their own right, just as an example. Every team in the running, is going to be bringing goalies who don’t let pucks get by them. Teams needs guys who can put the puck in the net. If that guy is a d-man, so be it.
But I forgot, Mike Green is the worst D-man, EVER. He never should have been in the Norris conversation, blah blah blah.
Mike’s mom is still recovering from a heart attack – she can’t watch him play live ’cos it might put to much stress on her system.
IS PAЯTY NOW
Here’s Mike looking focused as he rocks the white red black jersey for Team White.
(Picture #10)
IS PAЯTY NOW
“[H]e’s got things figured out pretty good. I might be learning things from him now.”
Scott Niedermayer reflects on his first meeting with Mike Green.
And Coach Babcock has some additional thoughts as well.
IS PAЯTY NOW
Green is a “longshot” to make the team? That’s nucking futs.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Perhaps for the pundit class justifying their expense accounts, having used up their allotment of St. Sidney pixels. The hockeymen know what they’re looking for…and why.
IS PAЯTY NOW
Right. I meant that LeBrun’s opinion that Green is a long shot is nuts. I by no means am comfirming that the belief that he’s a long shot is held by Babcock, Yzerman et. al.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’ve never held LeBrun in very high regard. I generally read his stuff and think “Wow, there are way better ways to kill a few hundred brain cells in five minutes.”
LeBrun clearly doesn’t read, since he’s regurgitating the same BS without digging deeper:
There were questions about Green’s fitness level. He simply wasn’t the same blueliner come playoff time. He lacked confidence with the puck. I won’t soon forget the night of the Capitals’ Game 7 second-round loss to the Penguins. A distraught Green never came out to talk to the media, likely devastated by what he knew was a subpar playoff performance.
Well, gee, Pierre, its a rather well known fact here in DC and among Caps fans that Green didn’t look so hot because he was fighting mono. And yes, he didn’t handle the puck well because he was trying to play with a separated shoulder. But, hey, you work for ESPN, where inconvenient things like facts just get in the way. No worries.
I think it’s a matter of perspective and this passage better sums up how I saw it:
This will be a tough blue line to crack for Green. Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger are locks, leaving five spots open with leading candidates such as Duncan Keith, Dan Boyle, Shea Weber, Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf, Brent Seabrook and Robyn Regehr. Green needs a big opening two months to get into that mix.
Distance yourselves from just the Washington area fan perspective with a close view of Green for a second. Think of a broader observer who saw the playoff stinker, and with so much other talent to choose from, suddenly the beginning of the season matters a lot.
Green won’t make Team Canada if looks like he did in the playoffs. Then again, no one should expect that to be the case, since he’s healthy his play ought to revert to regular season level.
LeBrun should have noted that Green had a reason for a poor performance (injury and illness) and ought to be in a position to redeem himself. And if/when that happens, it’s hard to imagine he’s not one of the 5 more defensemen Yzerman & co. call for the Olympics.
If playoffs 2009 bumped Green to the bubble in the eyes of more than the media, it must be a fairly dynamic and fluid movement of players. That also could have been written originally.
Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*
*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night
Is there any reason, though, to believe that “playoffs 2009 bumped Green to the bubble in the eyes of more than the media”? I’d put the odds at better than 50/50 that it’s media-fueled crapola. Mike Babcock and Steve Yzerman know what Green can do.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I actually like LeBrun quite a bit, generally.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I meant that LeBrun’s opinion that Green is a long shot is nuts.
I knew what you meant. Pierre does too. He’s no dummy.
But the media needs to have their Cinderella story somewhere. It’s surely not gonna be at forward this time ’round, so might as well be Greenie getting the glass slipper.
He’s creating a narrative.
IS PAЯTY NOW
No mention of MG in this article, but some discussion of power play and PK drills from Wednesday.
IS PAЯTY NOW
Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing Team Canada. Men’s, Women’s, and Paralympics Sledge Hockey teams.
Bonne chance and good luck!
IS PAЯTY NOW
Some late afternoon updates as they get ready to play the scrimmage (I didn’t check the time but am guessing 7pm Pacific, 10pm Eastern):
Keep your eyes peeled for Oilers prez Kevin Lowe at Caps games this fall.
Dany Heatley “might rub a guy here or there”.
And here’s Joe Thornton and MG having a fine ol’ time:
IS PAЯTY NOW
For those of you so inclined
CBC is hosting a live chat for the scrimmage. This is the link for the page; the rest is up to you.
These are the pairings they have listed. It’s not clear if that was for practice this a.m. or for the scrimmage to-night:
Thursday’s pairings:
TEAM WHITE
Forwards
* Smyth-Lecavalier-Sharp
* E Staal-Spezza-Perry
* Roy-Toews-St. Louis
* Nash-Crosby-Iginla
Defence
* Ponger-Boyle
* Regehr-Doughty
* Phaneuf-Seabrook
* Hamhuis-Robidas
TEAM RED
Forwards
* Marleau-Thornton-Heatley
* Morrow-Richards-Carter
* Lucic-McDonald-Cleary
* J Staal-Doan- (injured Gagne makes this a duo)
Defence
* Niedermayer-Weber
* Bouwmeester-Burns
* Keith-Green
* Beauchemin-M Staal
IS PAЯTY NOW
The game is streaming (video!) here
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Hey, guess who’s not making LeBrun’s or Burnside’s Team Canada?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Ouch.
From the Canadian Press:
Mike Green (Washington): Now considered a bubble player after flaming out in the playoffs. But don’t forget his 73 points last season.
IS PAЯTY NOW
Wait, Mike Green did something before playing hurt/sick in the playoffs? No way!
How about “remember his 31 goals” or “remember his Norris nomination” or “remember his plus-24 rating.” I’m so sick of this crap.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
You didn’t get the memo? Norris finalists are determined by raffle now.
A man must have a code.
by Rob Parker on Aug 28, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Japers' Rink
Related FanShots on Japers' Rink
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
55 | 27 | 17 | 11 | 65 |
|
Washington
|
55 | 28 | 22 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
57 | 26 | 25 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
55 | 24 | 25 | 6 | 54 |
|
Carolina
|
56 | 20 | 25 | 11 | 51 |
(updated 2.13.2012 at 1:00 PM EST)
The Vault
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Forget Quenneville; GM Stan Bowman just gave Blackhawks goalies a vote of confidence
- Puck Headlines: Dustin Penner’s pancakes; why Stanley Cup is sports’ best trophy
- Fantasy Hockey: Odd year for rookies; Corey Perry on fire; buy on Robidas
- Marek Vs. Wyshynski Radio: Dave Bidini; NHL players and food; greatest trades never made
- Puck Daddy chats with John Tavares about all-star season, commitment to Islanders and Nassau Coliseum as a ‘dump’
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Jets deal minor-leaguer Riley Holzapfel to Ducks for Maxime Macenauer
- Coyotes goalie Smith named NHL first star after recording four wins last week
- Oilers sign veteran D Sutton to 1-year extension
- Struggling Wild call up Scandella, Foucault from minors; team has used NHL-high 38 players
- Struggling Wild summon 2 more players from minors
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
