Official 2014 Olympic Hockey Thread (Admin warning #316)

[Dabura 12,207]

I doubt Russia and US will be dumping it in without a forecheck and lining up at the blue line. Playing a team that tries to score goals will be a nice change for our forwards

I feel like Canada has pretty much the greatest forward corps ever assembled. All we hear about is how monstrously deep they are and the countless different ways they can hurt you. So, "Yeah, well, all the teams they've played have been really good defensively"...that kinda rings hollow to me.

I do think there's something to what you're saying. And, like I said, I do fully expect "The REAL Team Canada" to emerge from its slumber now that they're past the prelims. But, any way you slice it, this can't be the kind of start Canada was hoping for. I mean, sure, a win is a win. But...dat lineup. It should be crushing a depleted Finnish team with one hand behind its back, meaningless game or not.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

He definitely is, though I wish he'd score like this for the Kings.

It may be an unpopular opinion here but I'd take Doughty over anyone on the Wings blueline.

On a side note, what's the best place for finding Olympic hockey stats? Anything I've found is usually at least a day behind and kind of piecemeal.

Not sure why it'd be an unpopular opinion, Doughty is one of the best defenceman in the world. I'd trade DK+Smith+1st for him in an instant, even though that'd never get it done. He's that good.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Not sure why it'd be an unpopular opinion, Doughty is one of the best defenceman in the world. I'd trade DK+Smith+1st for him in an instant, even though that'd never get it done. He's that good.

I agree. I guess I assumed some people would think Kronner was better.

[kipwinger 8,520]

I agree. I guess I assumed some people would think Kronner was better.

A few years ago I'd say it's close. But neither are particularly good defensively (ok at best for both) and they both score about as much as each other, but Kronner will only get worse moving forward while Doughty will only get better.

[Dabura 12,207]

Not sure why it'd be an unpopular opinion, Doughty is one of the best defenceman in the world. I'd trade DK+Smith+1st for him in an instant, even though that'd never get it done. He's that good.

Hell, I'd consider trading Datsyuk.

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

I agree. I guess I assumed some people would think Kronner was better.

Nope. Doughty is one of the few Dmen in the league that's an all-around better player than Kronwall. Doughty is an eff'n rockstar!

[marcaractac 3,962]

Well I hope for your sake you're right. Because of that s***ty, half assed performance, they now have to go through Russia to get to the Gold Medal game and I can promise you those guys can skate just as well as Finland AND score on their chances. Good luck with that.

You do realize that the most likely scenario for a Canada/Russia game at this point is IN the gold medal game, right? Canadas path (assuming everything goes as it should) Would be Switzerland, USA, then Russia.

[kipwinger 8,520]

Getting carried away boys. Datsyuk for Doughty...no. All around good defenseman...no. Doughty is an offensive defenseman who's decent defensively and above average offensively. While he's got the potential to round out his game and play above average two ways in the years to come, so far he's a young guy who's had one 50 pt. season and a lot of growing to do defensively.

You do realize that the most likely scenario for a Canada/Russia game at this point is IN the gold medal game, right? Canadas path (assuming everything goes as it should) Would be Switzerland, USA, then Russia.

Either you, or the announcers during the game were wrong. They stated during the Canada game that the US would not have to play Canada or Russia again unless it was in the gold medal game. I was basing my info off that. If they're wrong, then so am I.

[pucktividi 472]

Nope. Doughty is one of the few Dmen in the league that's an all-around better player than Kronwall. Doughty is an eff'n rockstar!

And one of the couple of D men that at time makes Pasha looks human.The other one(hate to say it)is Keith

[marcaractac 3,962]

Getting carried away boys. Datsyuk for Doughty...no. All around good defenseman...no. Doughty is an offensive defenseman who's decent defensively and above average offensively. While he's got the potential to round out his game and play above average two ways in the years to come, so far he's a young guy who's had one 50 pt. season and a lot of growing to do defensively.

Either you, or the announcers during the game were wrong. They stated during the Canada game that the US would not have to play Canada or Russia again unless it was in the gold medal game. I was basing my info off that. If they're wrong, then so am I.

[kipwinger 8,520]

Fair enough, I was wrong. All the better for us. I definitely want to go through Canada for the Gold.

[Ekmanc 586]

Perfect, Sweden just needs to go through Austria, Russia and Canada and the gold will be ours!

Edited February 16, 2014 by Ekmanc

[pucktividi 472]

Love how people already buried Finland,Slovakia/Czech Republic and Switzerland like today's games were ancient history.One of them will upset in the QF

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

Haha, awesome. USA doesn't get a free pass to the gold on this one.

[Ekmanc 586]

Love how people already buried Finland,Slovakia/Czech Republic and Switzerland like today's games were ancient history.One of them will upset in the QF

I think Finland have a really good shot at upsetting Russia. They have a much better goalie and if they play this kind of disciplined, grinding defense they will be incredibly tough to beat, add to that the classic Rus-Fin animosity and that game is a must watch!

Also there are no free passes in the olympics

[anthonyn66 89]

People don't realize how good Doughty's defensive game is. He's a great skater who plays really hard, is physical, and of course we all know about his offensive abilities. He's rarely out of position. Let's not forget that he's one of those guys who thrives on the big stage, whether it's the playoffs or the Olympics. Franchise defenceman for the next ten years at least, I'd give up almost anyone on our team to have him.

[kipwinger 8,520]

One of my favorite things about the Olympics is how all the NHL animosities you build up for players, and all the free rides you give players in the NHL, go right out the window. Which is why Ryan Kesler can be totally rehabilitated in the minds of American fans for blocking a shot, while half of Canada's forward can go from being superstars to bums in a close game. Everything is topsy turvy.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

One of my favorite things about the Olympics is how all the NHL animosities you build up for players, and all the free rides you give players in the NHL, go right out the window. Which is why Ryan Kesler can be totally rehabilitated in the minds of American fans for blocking a shot, while half of Canada's forward can go from being superstars to bums in a close game. Everything is topsy turvy.

I hate Shea Weber, but I love him for Canada, same with Crosby, Keith, Toews...

Your right, it's amazing!

[Nev 1,085]

He definitely is, though I wish he'd score like this for the Kings.

It may be an unpopular opinion here but I'd take Doughty over anyone on the Wings blueline

Not really. Doughty is consensus top 10, Kronner is consensus 10-20

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

Babbey Road

Babs needs to be photoshopped into various scenes of destruction and mayhem like happy strolling Leo DiCaprio.

MABUS!

[SDavis35 140]

Love how people already buried Finland,Slovakia/Czech Republic and Switzerland like today's games were ancient history.One of them will upset in the QF

I was saying today that I see Switzerland playing upset to someone... guess who it's going to be?

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

[RedWang 422]

This is the greatest thing ive seen in a while.

He embodies the USA. Look at those cheeks.

And BottleofSmoke im fimiliar with the Leo Strut and whole-heartedly second the notion to create a Babs Strut. Walking with the Beatles, or in the trenches of WWII, perhaps ontop of an erupting volcano? Definitely with a bench of laughing hudlers yelling at him as he strolls by...ah yeah, thatll do nicely.

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

Fair enough, I was wrong. All the better for us. I definitely want to go through Canada for the Gold.

Right, cause that worked out so well the last time...

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Haha, awesome. USA doesn't get a free pass to the gold on this one.

Like drawing Norway, Austria and an absolutely depleted Finland in group play?