Lines and pairings

TURIN—Finally, some lines and defence pairs.

Let the second guessing begin.

For Maple Leafs fans, as opposed to fans of the Maple Leaf, quarrelling with Team Canada’s lineup might begin with the apparent designation of Bryan McCabe in practice today as the seventh defenceman going into tomorrow’s Olympic opener against Italy.

McCabe wore black just like the rest of the Canadian D-men in practice yesterday, but he was mostly paired with Dan Boyle, who replaced McCabe on the Canadian taxi squad when Scott Niedermayer pulled out. The other Canadian defence pairs appeared to be Chris Pronger with Rob Blake, Wade Redden with Adam Foote and Jay Bouwmeester – added to the team after McCabe moved up from the reserve list – with Robyn Regehr.

Up front, the lines appeared to be (left wing-centre-right wing) Simon Gagne-Joe Thornton-Rick Nash, Dany Heatley-Vinnie Lecavalier-Martin St. Louis, Kris Draper-Joe Sakic-Jarome Iginla, and Ryan Smyth-Brad Richards-Todd Bertuzzi.

Other than Draper as a left winger, there were no surprises, and Team Canada appears set to go with the Thornton line, which was so successful last year at the world championships, in the ’06 Games.

Those alignments appeared to leave Shane Doan as the 13th forward, but he wore red along with the other members of the Richards unit, so that could be subject to change. Jason Spezza and Eric Staal, the other members of the Canadian taxi squad, were also on the ice.

When Canadian practised the power play, the top unit appeared to be Pronger and Blake on the points, with Heatley, Lecavalier and St. Louis up front. The second group had Richards and Blake on the points, with Iginla, Sakic and Bertuzzi as the forwards.

That was a strong indication that Quinn plans to feature Bertuzzi perhaps even more than had been expected, with the Vancouver forward making his first Olympic appearance this year. During the power play practice, McCabe was paired with Redden as a point tandem.

All three goalies were on the ice, but Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo got most of the work.

Executive director Wayne Gretzky, meanwhile, was expected to appear at a post-practice press conference. During the practice, he sat on the team bench alongside Kevin Lowe and Bob Nicholson rather than in his usual place in the stands, probably to more easily sidestep reporters. Dozens of cameras parked on the opposite side of the Palasport Olimpico, snapping as many photos of Gretzky as the playing members of Team Canada.

Comments

[cindy]

I think it's sickening how the reporters are chasing Wayne. Damien tell them to leave him alone.

[andrew wood]

Bryan McCabe is the best defensemen in the league and should be playing full time, hes leading in defensive points and hes owning the league so put him in and he'll kick A**

[john myers]

I believe Wayne is telling the truth, I also believe that one could have a more dedicated friend then Wayne...He is loyal to the end.

[J Norman]

I'd like to see a few apologies published by the media for the libel they printed on Gretzky.

[has]

Wow, this is one of the best teams that Canada has had and i think we will win the gold again. I would prefer to see McCabe on the 1st line but that is not likely to happen as Blake and Pronger are on the team but oh well. GO CANADA GO

[Ryan]

I think it's sad that after all he has done for the game of Hockey, people (bloodthirsty media especially), are so quick to jump all over him when in reality he is not even affiliated with the investigation. He has never done anything but devote his life to the game and his country!!! Pick on someone your own size because they aren't even in the same league!!

[John Bowen]

It's been a shame to see our media relentlessly flog the Gretzky non-story. I guess specialty sports cable channels seldom get news of any sort (other than scores, standings, stats, injuries & trades) that they can't resist rying to make this something it isn't. Canadian sports network anchors must be salivating with the exposure they are getting on National networks. Keep pushing it guys. You might get an opportunity in the U.S. where journalism standards are even lower. I, for one have found myself changing channels with any mention of "the gambling ring" after seeing it as the lead story on the National for 3 days in a row.

[Doug]

I think the Canadian media outlets should stop covering Gretzky as if he were an escaped convict. If the feeling is that this type of coverage could harm the team's result in the games ahead, then stop filling our eyes and ears with reports about the gambling ring.
It is a legal matter not an Olympic matter!

[hendrick kempenaar]

I am uncertain how Jason Spezza could be left off the main roster here. Even hardcore Leafs fans know the magic that he can create in Ottawa with Heatley.

I do love what Bryan McCabe can do on the power play, but not very comfortable with him on the big ice. He was not very good during the lock out while playing in Europe.

[Mike Fogelman]

Hey Damien, McCowan misses you get back...Canada wins golds in hockey and everyone else falls down (see Jeff Buttle, Wotherspoon, Forsythe et al.)

[kEITH LOVELY]

In my opinion the Canadian has been really soft on Gretzky. Gretzky says he is not involved but that is wrong because his asst.coach was taking bets for quite a period of time. His other best friend Bruce Mcnall went to jail, he has to to take resposibility for the friends he picks.
The interview Gretzky did on the Sports Network was was a poor example for journalsim.

[Brian]

As soon as i hear the media hounding Gretzky i change the channel. Why listen to a bunch of media people telling lies about a guy who hasen't been charged for anything.
Change your channel as well please.
This won't be printed but it's worth a
try.

[John Smith]

McCabe's D is always worrisome. Can anyone still remember his deadly turnover to Keith Primaeu in the last playoff? Sure he's leading Ds in scoring this season, if not a one-trick pony, but he should more focused on improving his D than offence.

[Darryl Dobbs]

It's hilarious how hard the media is trying to make the gambling issue into a Gretzky story. The only ones that care are the media. Nobody actually believes that Wayne did anything, therefore it is not a story.
'nuff said about that. The real story here is the lineup. I like it. I wish there was more information about it, and the team...but the media prefers to chase non-stories...oops, there I go again.
I'm happy with everything, with the exception of perhaps putting McCabe and Redden on the second powerplay unit instead of Richards and Blake (Blake doubleshifting). McCabe isn't there for his defence.

[Ryan Cole]

Well, if McCabe isn't gonna play that means:1) McCabe will leave Toronto at the end of the year or 2)Quinn will be fired, to keep McCabe in town. Quinn should have been fired a long time ago, this might be the writting on the wall we've all been waiting for.

[Karim Sunderji]

It is truly shocking and disgusting the way the Canadian media has chosen to go about this story - in particular their ripping of Gretzky as if he's actually done something wrong. It would be one thing if there was even an ALLEGATION towards Wayne (a la Barry Bonds), at least then some of the ripping would be justified. However, there has not been even one drop of evidence suggesting he placed a bet and y et the media has chosen to make this a far greater issue than it is just so that they can be a side headline on cnnsi or espn.com. You guys should be ashamed of your complete disregard for media integrity and responsible reporting.

[Marco]

Hey, some actual hockey talk finally -- yes! Hopefully that first line will continue where they left off at last spring's WC -- with the exception of the final game, that is (gotta find a way to break through the Czech trap and either Vokoun or Hasek, should be doable with a better suporting cast this time). The rest of the lines will work themselves out over the first few games. I hope Marty St. Louis' and Draper's games haven't totally gone south and they porve their worth (Staal is definitely the Joe Thornton of the 02 TC version, he'll be a key guy in Vancouver '10). Bottom line, if Brodeur is better than rock solid there's no reason why the gold doesn't come back to Canada. GO boys!

[Egons Lasis]

I truly fail to see all the hype about McCabe. Blind Leaf faithful are being silly. He is a good extra but in the international arena he'll definitely be a bigger liability than asset. I hope that he never has to prove me right.

[B Haffey]

The media is desperately trying to taint Wayne's image. He's a living Canadian hero and even if he did make a mistake, we should all support him for all the right moves he's made in the past and everything he's done for our country and the game of hockey.

[Newton]

McCabe should be utilized exclusively on the power play where he is proficient enough to play on the 2nd unit.

It's a travesty that Staal and Spezza aren't on the active roster while Draper and Doan are. Staal is as agile as any player in the NHL and would be a force on the wing alongside Sakic and Iginla.

What are the rules relating to injury replacements during the tournament?

If a forward goes down can the team go immediately to the taxi squad bypassing the 13th forward or 7th D?

If so, how "hurt" does a player need to be to be replaced?

Perhaps Draper should try his luck on the luge track or the downhill...

[mike casey]

Has anyone else wondered about the 'unfortunate' timing of the NJ Authorities publication of the alleged crimes? Is only a coincidence that all this started a few days before the Olympics? Is it possible that they have attempted to create distractions for Team Canada so that Team USA might benefit on the ice? Hmmm, I wonder.

[Colin Debeers]

The media shouldn't be bothering Gretzky about gambling...instead they should be questioning why Doan and Bertuzzi are on team while Staal and Spezza are on the taxi squad.

[Jim S....]

Agree with most of the comments on how overblown the media has treated the Gretzky/gambling non-story. An example of how exaggerated the media treatment has been is the way some radio commentators have repeatedly used Gretzky's name in the same context as Kobe's rape charge and the OJ case. Not even close.....

[bob ortan]

Take Bertuzzi out put in staal!! Come on.

[Wayne Wheeler]

It's Tocchet, not Gretzky. The Canadian press needs a story. They can create a story where they would like one to happen. During the Olympics its time for the press in Canada to be Canadian and get behind Canada on the international stage. Let the Gretzky generated 'no news' rest.