Do we need more Canadians?

[Majsheppard 203]

On Coaches Corner, Don Cherry suggested the reason the Leafs were so bad was that they have practically no drafted Canadians on the team.

He cited that the teams that won recently have had Canadians numbering in the high teens and said that if you want to win a cup you draft Canadians.

Now we all know Don is a bit xenophobic and I think we can all agree that a better team isn't contingent on the country of origin of the players. Yet his point that Canadian kids grow up dreaming of the Stanley Cup more so then European players could have weight to it.

Do Canadians play harder in the playoffs then others?

Should we look to aquire Canadian players at the deadline?

Personally I say more sweedes please!

[Herr Hockey 0]

That was an early 90's esque Don Cherry nationalist tirade. No thanks.

[Redmen and Their Wives 0]

On Coaches Corner, Don Cherry suggested the reason the Leafs were so bad was that they have practically no drafted Canadians on the team.

He cited that the teams that won recently have had Canadians numbering in the high teens and said that if you want to win a cup you draft Canadians.

Now we all know Don is a bit xenophobic and I think we can all agree that a better team isn't contingent on the country of origin of the players. Yet his point that Canadian kids grow up dreaming of the Stanley Cup more so then European players could have weight to it.

Do Canadians play harder in the playoffs then others?

Should we look to aquire Canadian players at the deadline?

Personally I say more sweedes please!

It all depends on what Canadians we are talking about. Brendan Smith looks like a pretty good draft pick, so sure in that case drafting a Canadian made sense. Same deal with Logan Pyett and Darren Helm. But drafting Nick Lidstrom, Sergei Fedorov, Pavel Datsyuk, Tomas Holmstrom, Henrik Zetterberg and Valtteri Filppula all look like pretty good picks.

Just because a guy's Canadian doesn't mean he's a great hockey player.

[lets go pavel 2]

On Coaches Corner, Don Cherry suggested the reason the Leafs were so bad was that they have practically no drafted Canadians on the team.

He cited that the teams that won recently have had Canadians numbering in the high teens and said that if you want to win a cup you draft Canadians.

Now we all know Don is a bit xenophobic and I think we can all agree that a better team isn't contingent on the country of origin of the players. Yet his point that Canadian kids grow up dreaming of the Stanley Cup more so then European players could have weight to it.

Do Canadians play harder in the playoffs then others?

Should we look to aquire Canadian players at the deadline?

Personally I say more sweedes please!

i say no, not because we don't want canadians, but because our needs have to do with what players bring to the team, not where they were born ... we could use some depth at defense, another goal scorer, and some big and physical players ... as long as we get those things, who cares where they were born? you don't have to be born in canada to appreciate the stanley cup, and no they don't play harder ...

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I think we need more toughness, which usually associates with North American players. Unfortunately, Canadians don't always equal toughness, as we've found out with the last few deadline deals. I also think more North Americans would make it easier for fans to associate with the personalities on the team. As for Don Cherry, he's a ******* racist, so I don't condone anything he says for the reasons he says it.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Don knows what he's talking about. It certainly couldnt hurt to get more Canadians, but I'd settle for americans too. We dont need anymore europeans, we have loads. When we were winning cups, we had a good balance. Right now, we dont have that balance.

[jim3033 1]

I saw that. He was pretty intense. Coache's corner has been going downhill for a long time now. They used to actually talk about the game. Now it's all blabbering every week often times about off topic stuff.

We need good tough players. Europeans usually don't play as tough but they tend to have better sportsmanship. It 's probably because they play on bigger ice or something. Toronto doesn't suck because of the nationality of their players. Don Cherry was out of line.

Edited February 17, 2008 by jim3033

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I saw that. He was pretty intense. Coache's corner has been going downhill for a long time now. They used to actually talk about the game. Now it's all blabbering every week often times about off topic stuff.

We need good tough players. Europeans usually don't play as tough but they tend to have better sportsmanship. It 's probably because they play on bigger ice or something. Toronto doesn't suck because of the nationality of their players. Don Cherry was out of line.

No kidding, they suck because there players arent very good and their coach is a maroon.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

On the same page with the Coach on this one! Until a team thats led at the top by europeans wins the Cup, i will never change my mind. Does it mean i think the whole team has to be Canadian? Of course not. But I believe you have to have some Canadians mixed in your core of top players. The playoffs is where heart comes to the forefront, I dont see how anybody can not acknowledge that dreaming of the Cup all your life doesnt come into play.

Edited February 17, 2008 by Lou_Siffer

[Redmen and Their Wives 0]

On the same page with the Coach on this one! Until a team thats led at the top by europeans wins the Cup, i will never change my mind. Does it mean i think the whole team has to be Canadian? Of course not. But I believe you have to have some Canadians mixed in your core of top players. The playoffs is where heart comes to the forefront, I dont see how anybody can not acknowledge that dreaming of the Cup all your life doesnt come into play.

Nick Lidstrom was the first European player to win the Conn Smythe in '02.

Sergei Fedorov led the team in total points in the playoffs during the Cup run in '97.

Dominik Hasek played a key role in winning the 3rd Cup in '02.

I'd say that counts as being led at the top by Europeans. Canadians are obviously important like I mentioned in my earlier post but to discount European players - especially in Detroit - just doesn't make much sense in my opinion.

[Sergeiwasmyfav 0]

On the same page with the Coach on this one! Until a team thats led at the top by europeans wins the Cup, i will never change my mind. Does it mean i think the whole team has to be Canadian? Of course not. But I believe you have to have some Canadians mixed in your core of top players. The playoffs is where heart comes to the forefront, I dont see how anybody can not acknowledge that dreaming of the Cup all your life doesnt come into play.

Back in the day, maybe even as recently as ten years ago, I would agree with this. But I have to believe that with the spread of the Internet, and just technology and communication in general, all young up and coming NHLers, no matter what country they are from, know about the prestige of winning the Stanley Cup. Most playoff games are now shown in many European countries, and as I understand it, there is a genuine interest in watching over there. I think as the next generation of NHLers gradually comes in, it will matter less and less where they are from as far as dreaming of the Cup because the exposure will be there. It may always be greater to an extent over here, but I think the impact of it will diminish.

[Izzy24 44]

I think the Wings need more Canadiens, in the persons of Michael Ryder and Guillaume

Latendresse.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Nick Lidstrom was the first European player to win the Conn Smythe in '02.

Sergei Fedorov led the team in total points in the playoffs during the Cup run in '97.

Dominik Hasek played a key role in winning the 3rd Cup in '02.

I'd say that counts as being led at the top by Europeans. Canadians are obviously important like I mentioned in my earlier post but to discount European players - especially in Detroit - just doesn't make much sense in my opinion.

No, it doesnt count. Im talking about your core...the Wings had guys like Yzerman and Shanahan who were integral pieces, as well as other important players who were Canadian. Its not nearly the same as it is now.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I think Lilja should be officially listed as a Canadian due to his toughness and enforcing in the last calendar year.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Back in the day, maybe even as recently as ten years ago, I would agree with this. But I have to believe that with the spread of the Internet, and just technology and communication in general, all young up and coming NHLers, no matter what country they are from, know about the prestige of winning the Stanley Cup. Most playoff games are now shown in many European countries, and as I understand it, there is a genuine interest in watching over there. I think as the next generation of NHLers gradually comes in, it will matter less and less where they are from as far as dreaming of the Cup because the exposure will be there. It may always be greater to an extent over here, but I think the impact of it will diminish.

It will never be to that level though imo. But aside from that, playoff hockey in general caters to the play more of a North American than that of a european player. Regular season games can be won by finesse teams, games are alot more wide open. In the playoffs, teams play the trap more, games get tight, hitting peaks. Its much more of a gritty game. Yes i am being stereotypical and there are ALWAYS exceptions, but that is much more the game in North America. Hence, you are more likely to be successful having those players imo.

[awingsincebirth 0]

I saw that "The Donald" tirade as well and thought it was a bit ridiculous.

I tend to think that when you enter the league, your nationality is thrown aside and you are judged by what you bring to the table. It is the management's responsibility to put together a well-balanced team of skill, toughness, defense, goaltending, etc. The reason teams to well or not well is because of their balance or lack thereof. If the Wings don't win the Cup, it won't be because they have too few Canadians, it will be because they are not tough enough or they lack secondary scoring.

With that said, certain countries seem to produce players with certain playing styles. However, if a team needs a tough winger, they should acquire a tough winger. There is a greater likelihood that player will be Canadian, however, if he is Swedish, Russian, hell, even South African, who gives a s***. You address a problem by acquiring a player based on ability, not nationality. Simple as that.

Edited February 17, 2008 by awingsincebirth

[Lou_Siffer 1]

I think Lilja should be officially listed as a Canadian due to his toughness and enforcing in the last calendar year.

Lilja is one of those exceptions i was referring to

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I think Lilja should be officially listed as a Canadian due to his toughness and enforcing in the last calendar year.

Agreed. Burke always says that Sami Pahlson is from Red Deer, Alberta. Lilja would most definately be from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

[Redmen and Their Wives 0]

No, it doesnt count. Im talking about your core...the Wings had guys like Yzerman and Shanahan who were integral pieces, as well as other important players who were Canadian. Its not nearly the same as it is now.

So Sergei Fedorov and Nick Lidstrom weren't part of the core of those three championships? You cannot be serious.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

So Sergei Fedorov and Nick Lidstrom weren't part of the core of those three championships? You cannot be serious.

Are you not getting it? Christ...i said you have to have some core players being Canadians. I specifically made it a point to say they dont ALL HAVE TO BE CANADIAN.

[SweWings 45]

I think you guys are overrating the nationality thing. If the situation was reversed I can't say that the situation wouldn't be the same. Canadian hockey players live and breathe with the dream of winning the Cup, who says that doesn't have a big motivational effect - esp in the playoffs.

[Duck Guy 86]

Canadians = it is basic math.

[imisssergei 0]

I disagree with Don on this one.

Canadians dominate the league. They have more players than any other nationality. I think it's something like 48% of the players are Canadian. So seriously, of course any team that wins the Cup is going to have a majority of Canadians.

It's like saying that since most NHLers are lefties, you should steer away from righties. Doesn't make any sense. It's about the players abilities. Nationality makes no difference.

[OsGOD 3]

I know lansing needs one less canadian!

oh wait wrong thread!

[Yzerfan1999 81]

I dunno, I partially agree with Don on this one.

I worry about the future of this team when I don't see the Canadian youth that teams like Edmonton, Philidelphia, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Ottawa. It actually just really struck me tonight. The youth on this team is not nearly as promising as many, many others. We have no Ganger, Cogliano, Letang, Vermette, Jeff Carter, Dion Phaneuf, everyone that has come up recently has been young flashy Europeans. That makes for great regular seasons and some flashy play - but obviously something on the Wings in the last 6 years hasn't worked. I can't wait till Emmerton, Quincey, and Pyett make the team for good in a couple of years. It will be nice to see some young fresh Canadian faces.

I would never say Canadian players are more talented than Europeans or American's but it always seems like Canadian boys have that extra gear that some other guys don't. In Canada you are bred on hockey. Boys and even girls now a days have 9 month winters were all they do is go to the rink and dream about winning the Stanley Cup - I just don't think thats as much of a dream for many European players. It sounds cliche, but I really think passion has something to do with it, and the Canadian passion for winning the Cup has always seemed stronger then players from other countries, they grow up with that drive.

What was it that Don said? the last handful of Cup teams have all had 15 or more Canadians on their team? Its a brand of hockey these guys play thats more rugged than the European style, a brand that gets them through 4 grueling rounds of playoffs.

And as for the percentage of Canadian players in the league? I actually think that serves as a message to how important Hockey is to Canada, a much smaller nation then Russia or the United States - yet still produces the majority of the NHLers.

Eh, just my two sense - but look at my avatar, I am biased.

P.S. not looking to squabble over this issue, so don't even bother - its just my opinion. It is what it is.