San Jose Sharks 2010 Olympic Hockey Preview: Part One
by Mr. Plank on Dec 2, 2009 6:00 AM PST
in Winter Olympics
48 comments
The 2010 Games in Vancouver are fast approaching, with final rosters set to be announced in late December. SB Nation has been running a network wide preview series chronicling the likelihood of individual players making their respective country's roster, and pocket aces dropped today-- it's Fear The Fin's turn to make our grand entrance onto the big stage.
As I see it, the San Jose Sharks have a couple locks and a smorgasbord of remaining hopefuls that boast a myriad of different skills; these hopefuls will either need to elevate or hold their current level of play in order to make their inclusion later this month the right choice for their country.
Make the jump for evaluations of Nabokov, Marleau, Thornton, and Heatley.
PACK YOUR BAGS, JACK
Evgeni Nabokov is a no-brainer for the Russian team this winter, and will likely be starting between the pipes as he did during their fourth place outing in Turin where he went 5-2 with a 1.34 GAA. His recent success at the 2008 World Championships where Russia won gold, along with his stellar play during the first two months of the 2009-2010 NHL season, also add to his credentials. Competing for his job will be Illya Bryzgalov and Semyon Varlamov, with Nikolai Khabilbulin looking to be on the fringe as of this moment considering he is dealing with back trouble and has not played as well as the aforementioned three. Two veteran netminders should be able to shoulder the immense load on a Russian team expected to play for the gold medal in what stands to be a boisterous Canadian arena. The potential seasoning of Varlamov (along with his excellent play) will be an enticing opportunity for the Russian brass to consider, as it will concurrently set the team up for another bid at the 2014 games in Sochi*.
*Admittedly the NHL hasn't green-lighted sending players over as of yet, but with the KHL an alluring alternative and one of their biggest stars (Alexander Ovechkin) stating that he wants to play in the games, it might be in their best interest to do so. Words such as "fatigue" and "potential injury" will be tossed around, but keep in mind that it is just as likely, if not more, about the loss of revenue stemming from shutting the league down for three weeks to play overseas. Alas, that is a topic to be covered at a later date.
No matter what happens in the next month, Team Russia boasts four able netminders to choose from in the crease. And if current trends hold, Nabokov will be front and center.
Coming off a 38 goal year, Patrick Marleau has once again shot the lights out, posting 19 goals and 33 points in 29 games during the 2009-2010 season. Going into Team Canada's development camp last summer it was uncertain whether or not he would be able to crack the squad-- an offseason filled with off-ice extracurriculars concerning his leadership abilities and "heart" in high pressure situations (views that were never shared by this author, nor the majority of readers at Fear The Fin) contributed to that, along with the astonishing depth of the Canadian national team. However, with what's shaping up to be another strong year for Marleau, his inclusion onto the roster is but a phone call away.
Although short on Olympic credentials (invited to camp but eventually discluded from the 2006 roster), Marleau will nonetheless be able to provide the high powered Canadian offense with some of the best defensive abilities in the game, and will contribute heavily on the penalty kill. All while being a threat in the offensive zone every time he takes a shift.
Team Canada's all-time leading points and goals scorer. A man on a mission to earn back his country's trust following a heavily publicized trade request. Top five in the goal scoring race with fellow teammate Patrick Marleau. Penalty kill partner in limited minutes with fellow teammate Joe Thornton. There's just about every reason in the world to include Dany Heatley on Team Canada later this month.
The only issue is whether or not to put him on Getzlaf's wing. Two balding superstars on the same line might be too much fun to pass up.
Jumbo Joe has run into the same stigmas that plagued Patrick Marleau the last few seasons-- good when it counts, not so good when it counts the most. Whether or not that is fair assessment of his play with San Jose or a vestige of his days in Boston is a debate that will echo in the halls of eternity for the next millenia.
Of course, the suits behind the team would be loathe to leave Thornton off the roster, and that's where he'll be in February; expect to see him centering Heatley and Marleau during Team Canada's push to avenge their woeful seventh place performance during the 2006 games.
*****
Go Sharks Team USA.
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Nothing like nutrition class to get me out of bed in the morning. I hope they all make the team, while it may provide extra wear and tear…maybe it will bring the so-called heart to the surface. Exposing them to high pressure situations before hopefully making a deep run into the playoffs, is not the worst idea in the world. I feel like a gold medal matchup between russia and canada will be just what the doctor ordered San Jose’s Stanley Cup Success
Im Bill Romanowski, EAT MY STEROIDS OR ILL EAT YOUR F***ING BRAINS!!
I am so stoked
to see Thornton Marleau and Heatley on Canada’s top line.
It’s too bad that Pavs is gonna lead the American team to gold over Canada.
Haha but seriously folks. A top line on team Canada all from one team. When is the last time that’s happened?
I shouldn't have said anything.
Im stoked too
The upcoming Olympics is going to be amazing. I plan on watching ever hockey game that I can. I would love to see our top line contine to light the lamp for team Canada, until they play the U.S. and we shut them down! How about a top U.S. line of Pavslski centering Kane and Parise…that would be my dream line
Fear the 8 in a Sharks and Team USA jersey!!
Pavelski closing in, Pavelski fires, HE SCOOORES!! 5 games not enough! The Sharks have another date in the Lone Star State!
I’m actually planning on taking vacation during the Olympics so I can do nothing but sit on my butt and watch top quality hockey.
now that is a great idea!!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality? (boycott Hollywood!)
by ang6666 on Dec 2, 2009 10:10 AM PST up reply actions
Pretty sure Vincent Lecavlier, Brad Richards, and Martin St. Louis played together on Team Canada. It wasn’t the top line though.
It’s too bad that Pavs is gonna lead the American team to gold over Canada.
Heh, let’s hope we can make it to the the quarters. Something tells me goaltending is going to have to carry the day here.
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Our line is hot, but I won’t be surprise to see other players be the top line, like I indicated below, in Crosby-Iginla-Nash line, simply because of Thornton’s and Marleau’s playoff experiences. Thornton didn’t look all that hot in the last Olympics either.
Either way, I’ll still take Ovechkin-Malkin-Kovy line over that, especially at knock out stages, but you all know why.
The Russian top line is scary talented. Like, scary scary scary talented.
Sometimes the impossible can become possible if you're AWESOME!
by ZeroIndulgence on Dec 2, 2009 10:14 AM PST up reply actions
So Datsyuk would help man the second line? The Russians are loaded on the top line, and I think more so than our top line.
Proud member of the "Don't Trade Marleau" club.
Fear the Fin: Where Sharks Fans Aren't Like Other Sharks Fans.
by SharksFanEst.1994 on Dec 2, 2009 5:47 PM PST up reply actions
Go Sharks!
Team Canada will have a killer line with just Marleau, Heatley, and Thornton.
"It ain't over till it's over." - Yogi Berra
Agreed. There’s no way you leave Iginla-Crosby-Nash off of the top line. Those are two potential Captains right there and I highly doubt any San Jose Shark even sniffs a letter. Safe money says Iginla wears the C even though a push has been made for Crosby— there’s too much riding on the line with the Games in Canada to put that all on a 22 year old’s shoulders, no matter his previous accomplishments.
The beauty of teams like Russia and Canada is that you can essentially roll four lines with fairly even ice time, but you’re right. No matter what Don Cherry says, the Shark line won’t be out there with 30 seconds to go in the game down by a goal.
I’d probably throw Heatley-Crosby-Iginla out there at that point now that you mention it.
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
I’m putting my money on Niedermeyer wearing a C. Iginla doesn’t have trophys to show for all his leadership, and I agree – too much pressure will be on Crosby. Young David Beckham as a Captain of England in 1998 WC almost ruined his career.
Although they can also make a case for Pronger who’ll probably lead Canada in ice time.
The Iginla-Crosby-Nash line is scary good also, but it just seems like the perfect orgasm for the Canadian media.
Proud member of the "Don't Trade Marleau" club.
Fear the Fin: Where Sharks Fans Aren't Like Other Sharks Fans.
by SharksFanEst.1994 on Dec 2, 2009 5:47 PM PST up reply actions
At even strength throughout the game that’s definitely a great line, and you get to keep the Sharks line together. I was speaking more about the end of the game when the team is likely in the offensive zone and needs a goal— Heatley replaces Nash there in my opinion.
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Gotcha.
I agree, in a clutch situation, I would take those three with Heatley subbed in. I would feel comfortable with either of those lines though, but more with Iginla-Crosby-Heatley.
Proud member of the "Don't Trade Marleau" club.
Fear the Fin: Where Sharks Fans Aren't Like Other Sharks Fans.
by SharksFanEst.1994 on Dec 2, 2009 9:36 PM PST up reply actions
I'll add my 2 kopecks
Tretiak in his recent interview (he attended Caps – Habs game over the weekend) said to Varlamov that it appears he’s competing for the third string position. It’s not a surprise of course, but it’s interesting to see him say so in the open. Varlamov of course didn’t like the comment, but I hope he’s realistic about his chances.
From all I’ve read in the past few days, I think the starting job is Nabby’s.
Tretiak said he’ll be in Phoenix in the next few weeks. I can’t see why else he’d go there unless he’s attending Coyotes – Sharks game on Dec 12th to watch Bryzg and Nabby go head-to-head. I hope our man comes out on top.
Found another piece on Nabokov
From an interview with Igot Zakharkin, one of the Team Russia’s coaches.
Q – Are you still planning on meeting with Nabokov and Bryzgalov? One one of them will have to be a backup.
A – Yes, we can’t have two starting goaltenders. No. 1 goaltender, of course, should be Evgeny Nabokov. He’s an excellent goaltender with positive qualities who does a great job of directing the defense. He’s a winner, and he’s a soul of our team. All these in my mind put Nabokov into the starting role.
<a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fblank">www.sovsport.ru%2Fgazeta%2Farticle-item%2F359044&sl=ru&tl=en" target="new">Link to Google translation of the full interview
Sorry about the link problem.. Not sure what happened there. I love the Google translator. It came out with another masterpiece.
The fourth link. Here difficult situation. As far as we want to use Afinogenov? Or will it be goats?
haha – yeah, something like that.
The text actually says Kozlov, which means ‘son of a goat’ in Russian.
At this point in the season I can’t imagine the Russians would consider leaving Afinogenov off the team. He’s playing like a top 9 guy. Obviously isn’t going to crack the top 3, but he could be on the second or third line no problem.
Well, I don’t know. He has been playing well, but he may be too soft for small rings and for when we play big teams like Canada or US.
Right now the locks for the team are the following forwards – Kovy, Malkin, Ovy, Datsyuk, Frolov, Semin. That’s already your top 6. They also said they’ll take a bunch of KHL players. Assuming Morozov’s trio goes, that’s only three more spots left, or just two if Russia goes with 7 D-men. Is Afinogenov good enough to fit that bill or do you take a checking line of physical players (because Canada will likely have one) such as Antropov or Artyukhin. What about Fedotenko who’s a known playoff performer, or Kovalev and Fedorov or Slava Kozlov who won it all? How do you leave off Yashin, leading KHL scorer, off the team? Lots of questions there.
Have I mentioned how rediculous the Russian team is?
Seriously, between them and the Canadians it should be epic.
The Americans have a good top 2 lines, but beyond that we thin out fast.
The swedes are also fairly stupendous, but nothing compares to the Russians and Canadians.
If Olympics took part in 4-wins SC format, no doubt Russia or Canada will win it all. However, it’s a different format.
Back in Torino, Nabokov and Ovechkin single-handedly beat Canada 2-0 in quarterfinals. Then Russia got cold and overly confident and lost to Finland in semis.
Hot goalie, such as Voukun or Miller have a potential for an upset. Heck, even Halak can beat anyone on his own. That’s what makes it so exciting. But Russia-Canada final will for sure be epic.
Even last two WC finals with Russia facing (and beating) Canada were terrific. I think most Russians remember where they were when this happened. It still send shivers down my spine.
“Sorry, Maxim. We decided to go with goats on the fourth line.”
You just can’t question a goats commitment to the sweater. They can chew up ice time, can butt heads when they need to, have great vision, and are hard to knock off their feet.
Thanks, folks. I’ll be here all week. Try the chicken parmesan.
In a tragic mistake
They picked goats from San Jose who just can’t handle the high pressure situations.
Actually
They just picked Italian Soccer Goats
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Are there any bigger ones?
Except maybe this one
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
err, image fail
http://bp0.blogger.com/2zI5i1JQ-bw/SDcqplZVIOI/AAAAAAAABE8/qAg14LlrU8/s1600-h/baggio_afpgetty.jpg
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
talk about a tragedy. I still feel bad for Baggio. Now one remembers that he actually had a great tournament up to that moment.
Or that even if he had scored, the Italians likely still would have lost.
Juan Carlos Perez, please start hitting.
Can't wait til the Olympics!
It’s going to be awesome to see all these Sharks in the Olympics this year. I mean, I’m going to be hard pressed not to cheer for Canada if they put a Marleau-Thornton-Heatley line out there. I mean, thats our boys! I’d also love to see Nabby do well for Russia. But I’m also American, and especially if Pavs makes the team (I’m skeptical over whether this will actually happen), I want our boys playing for the Stars and Stripes to win as well. (Not to mention a possible Murray sighting on Team Sweden, maybe Griess for Germany, etc.) I will be very torn.
In the end, though, its going to be amazing to see amazing hockey as all the world’s best go head to head with one another. I might have to take some “sick days” in there to watch the best matchups. Luckily it’ll be in our time zone, so the best games should be in prime time, I’d hope. At least in the medal rounds and such.
Sometimes the impossible can become possible if you're AWESOME!
Olympic Hockey
was my first real taste of watching hockey and really really enjoying the sport. I watched the 98 Olympics and that was when I first saw Hassek. I still talk about the game between the Czechs and the Russians. Talk about a group of people with some dislikes of one another.
Olympic hockey is all star hockey with actual hitting… It’s amazing.
Agree. I personally prefer Olympics drama to Stanley Cup drama, because one game changes everything and because it’s once-every-4-years thing.
There is also a lot of national pride at stake. Back in Russia country unites during these tournaments, and crime levels actually significantly go down because everyone’s glued to their TVs. The streets are literally empty when the game is on. The only close thing I’ve seen here is the Superbowl Sunday.
The way you’re describing that scene, it’s just like here in England during the World Cup, nothing can ever unite the nation in quite the same way. Empty streets, flags flying all over the place, pubs rammed with fans singing all day long, papers and TV full of nothing else. Just a month of football insanity.
Even though we seem to always get dumped out in the quarters these days, it’s still the greatest sporting experience in the world. Roll on next summer!
And you think you live in a non-traditional hockey market...
Yes, I’ve lived in England and it is very similar, although I think England is more extreme because people prefer watching games in pubs and whenever England wins, it’s a big party, even if it’s just one win. I love England’s tradition of hanging flags outside of the windows of country house supports. Back in Manchester I saw flags all over the place.
Media loves it too – all news focus on sports, even for non-sports outlets.
Isn’t World Cup draw takes place this week?
I think this is why I love international sporting events...
The nationalistic pride it inspires is amazing. I mean, for me, I hate soccer. Can’t stand the sport. But I love the World Cup. I know enough about soccer that I’m not going into it blind, and I just want the US to win (and then when they lose, I’ll cheer for Ireland (BOOOOOOO ON FRANCE) or Germany or England, you know, for my back in the day heritage). And its a lotta fun. Then after the World Cup is over, I get to forget about Soccer again for a while.
So you can imagine what olympic hockey is like for me when I actually love the sport anyways. I just simply cannot wait for the puck to drop in February.
Sometimes the impossible can become possible if you're AWESOME!
by ZeroIndulgence on Dec 2, 2009 11:23 AM PST up reply actions
For all of the concerns I have with a lot of our top players making the team (and the fatigue that will play a part down the stretch), I’m unbelievably excited for the games to get under way. There’s truly nothing like it.
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
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