JMMR Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 Niedermayer backs out of Team Canada Mighty Ducks of Anaheim defenceman Scott Niedermayer has decided that he will not be playing for Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino. Niedermayer, one of Team Canada's top defencemen for almost a decade, has been playing over the last couple of months with a lingering knee injury. The 32-year-old blueliner will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday. He suffered a small tear in some cartilage in his right knee in December and had to decide whether to continue playing through the injury, or to use the Olympic break as an opportunity to have the knee surgery and minimize the time missed playing with the Ducks. The 2004 Norris Trophy winner underwent a second MRI last week. The latest results showed more swelling than before, but not to the point where doctors said surgery was absolutely necessary. Related Info Canada's 2006 Men's Olympic Hockey Team Niedermayer was one of Canada's most experienced blueliners, having played at the 1991 and 1992 World Juniors, the 1996 World Cup, the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics, Canada's 2004 World Championship team and the 2004 World Cup team. Canada had already lost Ed Jovanovski after the Vancouver Canucks blue-liner underwent surgery for a groin injury. Bryan McCabe of the Toronto Maple Leafs was upgraded from the taxi squad but Canada must still name two other defencemen - one for the 23-man roster and one to replace McCabe on the reserves. Sources suggest Florida's Jay Bouwmeester is the leading candidate to replace him, although Tampa Bay defenceman Dan Boyle is getting consideration as well. More to follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olematelot Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 I like Phaneuf, although any of the others wouldn't hurt either. Must say loosing Niedermeyer is big, I don't think you can fully replace him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted February 8, 2006 Author Share Posted February 8, 2006 You are absolutely correct olematelot Niedermeyer is irreplaceable his skating ability and prowess on the ice to make excellent tape-to-tape passes may be unmatched by any other defenseman in the league. With all of these players dropping out I truly wonder how much influences GM’s around the league have on whether or not their star players will go over seas or take a much needed rest to juice up for the playoff run. Furthermore how many teams with the majority of the core of their team heading to Torino will come back from the break and falter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gohabsgo252006 Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 I can't even understand how there is a decision to make, Phaneuf, would be hands down in my book, I think Gretz is losing it if he takes Bowmeester over Phaneuf. Heck Phaneuf should be on the team ahead of McCabe and probably even Foote and Blake according to their play this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsniper Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 Phaneuf hasn't been better then Blake this year. Anyway, I'd have to go with Dan Boyle but I can understand why Bouwmeester would be the first canidate. When you lose a guy on the team, you want someone back in the same mould as the guy you lost because, obviously, you've got a team plan to follow. Phaneuf and Nieds playing styles aren't even close to each other (and hes too young but I know tons of people hate that argument). Bouwmeester plays the exact same game that Niedermeyer does. But I don't want Phaneuf anywhere near this Olympic team. Probably the 2010 games but not this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTH Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 Phaneuf has been better than Blake. Phaneuf is a Norris candidate. Based on this season alone, Phaneuf would be Canada's first selection for their blueline. Bouwmeester is a half-bust and isn't Olympic material. Neither is Boyle who is good but no better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsniper Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 Phaneuf has been better than Blake. Phaneuf is a Norris candidate. Based on this season alone, Phaneuf would be Canada's first selection for their blueline. Bouwmeester is a half-bust and isn't Olympic material. Neither is Boyle who is good but no better. Norris canidate. Hahahaha. Good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenadian Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 Bouwmeester is in, and Boyle goes onto the taxi squad. Just heard it on Sportsnet news................ Now all we need it for Tonya Harding to pay McCabe a "visit" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted February 9, 2006 Share Posted February 9, 2006 that would be so sweet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted February 9, 2006 Author Share Posted February 9, 2006 McCabe deserves to play for Canada with his performance this year. Although he only has 2 points in his first four games back from injury he has been a force on the PP this year and why not ride a hot hand. I despise the leafs as much if not more then many Habs fans, but when McCabe pulls the team Canada sweater over his head I am sure he will wear it with pride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenadian Posted February 9, 2006 Share Posted February 9, 2006 McCabe is TERRIBLE 5 on 5.........and since it's "olympic" ice he'll be lost out there. Most of his points are on the PP, where he plays the whole 2 minutes [or close to it].......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted February 9, 2006 Author Share Posted February 9, 2006 Okay well I am sure if his +- is -10 after the first two games he wont see too much ice. But if Canada can utilize his shot on the PP then why not! They dress 7 defenseman every game so I am not too worried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gohabsgo252006 Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Okay well I am sure if his +- is -10 after the first two games he wont see too much ice. But if Canada can utilize his shot on the PP then why not! They dress 7 defenseman every game so I am not too worried. If i'm coaching this team, as good as he's been on the PP this year (and i stress on the PP, because he's brutal 5 on 5) I would still rather Blake or Pronger at the point launching pucks. Just watch, when McCabe who is probably the most undisciplined player on the team, gets them in some serious Penalty trouble. Phaneuf is a Norris candidate maybe a darkhorse but he's right up there. Yes he is young, but at some point age should be compensated for by talent. In this new NHL, Phaneuf is better defensively than most of the Dmen on this team. Not to mention he's no slouch on the PP either. I dislike this call by Gretzky and believe (although I hope it doesn't) that this weak decision may cost the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted February 11, 2006 Author Share Posted February 11, 2006 Blake left the Avs Jackets game tonight with an injury. No word on the severity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gohabsgo252006 Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Blake left the Avs Jackets game tonight with an injury. No word on the severity. That's intense....Seems like the players are doing everything possible to get Phaneuf on the team (maybe not by choice though) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gohabsgo252006 Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 I just saw it on the ticker on tsn, it said that Blake left with a Groin Strain...nothing about the severity, but judging by the groin strains of late, i would guess it would be doubtful that he would play at the olympics but who knows that's just my opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsniper Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 It's not mentioned in the game summary at all and it was vaguely noted during the game. All indications right now point that it isn't serious and Blake will be there for Team Canada. Avs haven't announced anything as of yet though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gohabsgo252006 Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=154411&hubname= Check it out...no word yet, but an indication Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark_faerie87 Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Is our entire D-core going down with injury? I heard Pronger has a cracked rib as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gohabsgo252006 Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Tsn reporting that both Pronger and Blake will be going to the Olympics barring further injury Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsniper Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Kickass, that means we should have him for the Detroit game tomorrow too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenadian Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 So McCabe take's a "lazy" penalty vs Germany; then when he comes out of the box (making it a 5 on 4) he doesn't even take a German player, or get out to the point..... And GErmany scores. Then Quinn [idiot] has him out there his next shift, and he coughs the puck up at the blueline.....causing a 2 on 1. And as I'm typing this he take a checking to the head penalty 2min [+ a 10 min misconduct (automatic) WHICH the way he's playing is a GOOD thing] Smarten up Quinn, your not coaching TO here......................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonus Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 McCabe has looked outclassed in this game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsniper Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 He stunk yesterday too. My dad phoned me a little while ago just to bitch about McCabe They really need to put Boyle in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted February 16, 2006 Author Share Posted February 16, 2006 The German goal was not McCabes fault he had his man Sakic got sucked down it was his defenceman who was left alone at the point. Although McCabe did look terrible for many of his other shitfs in that game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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