Post by Jazz on May 16, 2004 2:16:57 GMT -5
Kariya, Bertuzzi, would headline Canada's fictional shadow team[/u][/color]
By PIERRE LEBRUN -- Canadian Press
Ever wonder what it would be like if Canada was allowed to ice a second team at the World Cup of Hockey?
"There's so much talent in Canadian hockey," Team Canada boss Wayne Gretzky said Saturday. "We should be proud of the talent we're producing because we could have two very good hockey clubs."
So why not? We present to you Canada's shadow team as chosen by The Canadian Press, a 26-player roster that would strike the fear in the rest of the world.
In goal, Jose Theodore of the Montreal Canadiens would be the No. 1 man, backed up by Marty Turco of the Dallas Stars and J.S. Giguere of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks -- a group of young stars that already includes a Hart Trophy, Vezina Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy as well as four all-star game appearances.
The defence would be young and mobile, anchored by Bryan McCabe of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Sheldon Souray of the Montreal Canadiens, the pair combining for 31 goals this season. They're also punishing in front of the net and both had Norris Trophy seasons.
Rounding out the blue-line would be Jay Bouwmeester of the Florida Panthers, Adrian Aucoin of the New York Islanders, Brad Stuart and Scott Hannan of the San Jose Sharks, Chris Phillips of the Ottawa Senators and two-time world championship gold medallist Steve Staios of the Edmonton Oilers.
Impressed so far? We thought so.
Now for the offence. The top line would comprise centre Vincent Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning between Alex Tanguay of the Colorado Avalanche and Glen Murray of the Boston Bruins -- a trio that combined for 89 goals and 205 points this season.
The second line would feature Brendan Morrison playing alongside Vancouver Canucks linemate Todd Bertuzzi with two-time Olympian Paul Kariya also along for the ride. The CP management staff assumes NHL commissioner Gary Bettman would re-instate the suspended Bertuzzi.
The checking line would be centred by Keith Primeau of the Philadelphia Flyers and flanked by Nashville Predators linemates Scott Walker and Steve Sullivan.
A fourth line that can do some major damage would feature world championship star Daniel Briere of the Buffalo Sabres at centre with veteran Brendan Shanahan of the Detroit Red Wings and 41-goal man Rick Nash, 19, of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The three extra forwards would be Rob Niedermayer of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Cory Stillman of the Lightning and Mark Recchi of the Philadelphia Flyers.
The head coach would be Mike Babcock of the Mighty Ducks with assistants Tom Renney and Mike Pelino -- Canada's gold medal staff from the world championship in Prague this year.
Oh, but we overlooked Michael Peca, Derek Morris, Owen Nolan, Joe Nieuwendyk, Curtis Joseph, Andrew Raycroft, Jason Arnott, Michael Ryder, Eric Lindros, Nick Boynton, Mike Ribeiro, Jason Spezza, Gary Roberts, Dan Boyle and Mike Rathje.
Anyone for a third team?
By PIERRE LEBRUN -- Canadian Press
Ever wonder what it would be like if Canada was allowed to ice a second team at the World Cup of Hockey?
"There's so much talent in Canadian hockey," Team Canada boss Wayne Gretzky said Saturday. "We should be proud of the talent we're producing because we could have two very good hockey clubs."
So why not? We present to you Canada's shadow team as chosen by The Canadian Press, a 26-player roster that would strike the fear in the rest of the world.
In goal, Jose Theodore of the Montreal Canadiens would be the No. 1 man, backed up by Marty Turco of the Dallas Stars and J.S. Giguere of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks -- a group of young stars that already includes a Hart Trophy, Vezina Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy as well as four all-star game appearances.
The defence would be young and mobile, anchored by Bryan McCabe of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Sheldon Souray of the Montreal Canadiens, the pair combining for 31 goals this season. They're also punishing in front of the net and both had Norris Trophy seasons.
Rounding out the blue-line would be Jay Bouwmeester of the Florida Panthers, Adrian Aucoin of the New York Islanders, Brad Stuart and Scott Hannan of the San Jose Sharks, Chris Phillips of the Ottawa Senators and two-time world championship gold medallist Steve Staios of the Edmonton Oilers.
Impressed so far? We thought so.
Now for the offence. The top line would comprise centre Vincent Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning between Alex Tanguay of the Colorado Avalanche and Glen Murray of the Boston Bruins -- a trio that combined for 89 goals and 205 points this season.
The second line would feature Brendan Morrison playing alongside Vancouver Canucks linemate Todd Bertuzzi with two-time Olympian Paul Kariya also along for the ride. The CP management staff assumes NHL commissioner Gary Bettman would re-instate the suspended Bertuzzi.
The checking line would be centred by Keith Primeau of the Philadelphia Flyers and flanked by Nashville Predators linemates Scott Walker and Steve Sullivan.
A fourth line that can do some major damage would feature world championship star Daniel Briere of the Buffalo Sabres at centre with veteran Brendan Shanahan of the Detroit Red Wings and 41-goal man Rick Nash, 19, of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The three extra forwards would be Rob Niedermayer of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Cory Stillman of the Lightning and Mark Recchi of the Philadelphia Flyers.
The head coach would be Mike Babcock of the Mighty Ducks with assistants Tom Renney and Mike Pelino -- Canada's gold medal staff from the world championship in Prague this year.
Oh, but we overlooked Michael Peca, Derek Morris, Owen Nolan, Joe Nieuwendyk, Curtis Joseph, Andrew Raycroft, Jason Arnott, Michael Ryder, Eric Lindros, Nick Boynton, Mike Ribeiro, Jason Spezza, Gary Roberts, Dan Boyle and Mike Rathje.
Anyone for a third team?
