The amount of hockey talent in Canada is gluttonous. If the rules allowed it, this nation could send several teams to Sochi that would have a legitimate shot at earning a medal.
On Tuesday in Toronto, 25 players were chosen to represent Team Canada but many in the hockey world were surprised at some of the omissions.
Team Canada’s executive director Steve Yzerman had a tough task, but managed to put together a quality group of players that will be expected to bring home the gold.
However, we feel with the plethora of talent left off the team we could create a second gold-medal contender complete with a coaching staff, 14 forwards, eight defencemen and three goalies.
So without further ado, we present to you…
Sportsnet.ca’s Team Canada 2 Olympic hockey roster
Salary cap hit: $123.37 million (via CapGeek)
1st-round picks: 15
Stanley Cup rings: 13
COACHING STAFF
Head coach: Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche. The Hall of Fame goalie can energize this group just like he’s done with the Avalanche this season. The fiery bench boss can also rely on the vast knowledge and experience of his assistants.
Assistant coaches: Dave Tippett (Phoenix Coyotes), Barry Trotz (Nashville Predators), Paul MacLean (Ottawa Senators)
FORWARDS
Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks – A perfect choice to not only be the captain, but lead this squad as a catalyst on offence with his sublime passing and playmaking ability.
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning – You need someone to put points on the board? He’s your guy. You need someone to backcheck and kill penalties? He’s your guy. You need a reliable veteran voice in the locker room? He’s your guy.
Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks – One of the best two-way players in the game, Couture is an ideal choice to suit up on the top line of Canada 2. The chemistry he has with Sharks teammate Thornton is an added bonus.
Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes – Staal has the size, offensive skill and Olympic experience needed for the No. 2 centre role. At the Vancouver Olympics, Staal had one goal and five assists in seven games for Canada.
Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers – Team Canada 2 was fortunate to have a world-class player such as Giroux fall in our laps. Giroux will be expected to play a critical role on offence where his speed and playmaking ability will serve as a huge asset. He bounced back from a rough start with points in 11 of his last 13 games.
Taylor Hall, Edmonton Oilers – Hall adds speed and scoring punch on the wing. He will get significant power play time and would excel on a scoring line with Staal and Giroux. He is on pace to surpass 30 goals for the first time in his NHL career.
Mike Richards, Los Angeles Kings – An absolute pest for opposing players to deal with. He can thrive in a shutdown role, in the face-off circle and on the penalty kill. He’s a winner and has proven it at all levels (including Vancouver 2010).
Milan Lucic, Boston Bruins – Even on international-sized ice you need bruisers and it’s a daunting task for any player to go into a corner with the big Vancouver native (although he’s not a big fan of the city right now). He can guard the puck and chip in offensively as well.
Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers – He has come up big for Canada in the past and the speedy winger would thrive on a checking line with Richards and Lucic.
Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars – Good thing Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli isn’t on our staff because Seguin was a lock for this roster. In his first season in Dallas, Seguin has proven that he can be a reliable No. 1 centre. On this team, he’ll have to fit into more of a two-way role with physical forwards Neal and Ladd.
James Neal, Pittsburgh Penguins – Neal didn’t get the Chris Kunitz treatment but he still has been good enough to earn a spot on this roster. The 26-year-old is one of the best snipers in the NHL and he’ll slide in very well with Seguin on the fourth line. Neal has 16 goals in 26 games this season.
Andrew Ladd, Winnipeg Jets – Ladd is one of the more underrated players in the league. He is an effective three-zone player that would be an ideal fit in a checking role. The Jets forward adds some sandpaper and solid scoring ability as well.
Jason Spezza, Ottawa Senators – He was just edged out by Tyler Seguin as the fourth-line centre. Spezza will serve as a healthy scratch to start but could comfortably fill in for any of the centres if an injury occurs or the lineup needs a shake-up.
Jarome Iginla, Boston Bruins – The veteran was integral to Canada’s gold medals in 2002 and 2010. Even if his ice time was limited, he would be a calming presence in the locker room for youngsters like Hall, Eberle, and Seguin.
DEFENCE
Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks – The fact that Seabrook shoots right-handed hurt his chances of landing on Yzerman’s Team Canada. On this squad, Seabrook will be a shutdown defenceman that will log major minutes against opposing top lines. Even without Duncan Keith, he’s one of the most reliable blueliners in the league and has Olympic experience.
Marc Staal, New York Rangers – Marc is the second Staal brother to land on Team Canada 2. His rock-solid play in his own end makes him an ideal partner for Seabrook on the top pair. Staal is a strong skater as well, which should bode well on international-sized ice. With just six goals over his past three seasons, don’t expect Staal to land on the top power play unit.
Dan Boyle, San Jose Sharks – The smooth skater had six points in seven games for Canada at the 2010 Games. He’d have a bigger role on this team as the power play quarterback.
Dion Phaneuf, Toronto Maple Leafs – He may be a polarizing player, but at the end of the day there’s no denying his production. As long as he plays disciplined and limits his penalties, his booming shot from the point and ability to get under the skin of opponents will go a long way.
Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins – If Boyle or Phaneuf struggled offensively Letang could step into that role without issue. The fact he can play the left side effectively as a right-handed shot is an important skill to possess.
Kevin Bieksa, Vancouver Canucks – The Canucks stalwart isn’t afraid to sacrifice his body to make a play or block a shot. The physical blueliner also makes excellent breakout passes that will spring the crop of talented forwards.
Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames – On an otherwise underwhelming Flames roster, Giordano has been a bright spot. With Giordano’s veteran leadership and experience logging major minutes with Calgary, he is a strong fit as the seventh defenceman. Coach Roy would have no problem turning to Giordano if things went awry.
Francois Beauchemin, Anaheim Ducks – Since leaving Toronto, Beauchemin has been a dependable player on the back end. If need be, Beauchemin can chip in offensively but will be mostly asked for reliable play in his own zone. He ranks eighth on our depth chart to start, though.
GOALIES
Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks – The reigning Stanley Cup champion has been one of the most consistent and efficient netminders over the past four seasons. With a career save percentage of .913 and a record of 100-49-24, we’ve got faith Crawford can be the starter.
Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins – He’s been there before and although he’s plagued by inconsistency, his Stanley Cup ring suggests he can come up big when it counts.
Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild – With the best stats in the NHL this season we couldn’t leave Harding on the outside looking in.