Shake It Up - Blue and White Style

Well it has been a few weeks since the draft, buy-out season and of course silly season.  The latter saw more than $600 million committed in guaranteed NHL contracts signed.  This is my first blog on the Leafs since they hired Brendan Shanahan as Leafs President on April 11, 2014 and the Leafs dreadful last few weeks of the season.

Hiring of a Stats Wonk! 

The Leafs have just hired a boy wonder named Kyle Dubas, who was the youngest General Manager in OHL history. He created a rag-tag team of volunteers to track advanced stats of the Sault-Ste-Marie Greyhounds and this resulted (working with Coach Sheldon Keefe) an improvement from 47% to 57% in puck possession.  The improvement has led to finishing atop of the West Conference in the OHL Standings during the last regular season. Although, they lost to the Erie Otters in 4 straight in the second round of the play-offs.

Brendan Shanahan and Kyle Dubas (Hiring Press Conference)

Some Quick Leafs Facts by the Numbers:

FYI - These stars are for free from NHL.com:

• 2014 Shots Allowed Against Goal 2,945 or (30th in the League)
• 2014 Shot on Opposing Team net 2,290 (25th in the League)
• 655 negative shot differential or the opposing team out shot the Leafs 7.98 shot a game. (30th in the League.)
• 2014 Penalty Kill 78.4% or (28th in the League)
• 2014 Short Handed Goals Against total 12th (29th in the League)
• 2014 Face-off percentage 48.3% or (24th in the League)

You don't need a PHD in statistics to realize that finishing in the bottom quartile of defensive stats in the league is going to result in a disappointing season.  So, what can do Dubas do?

Well he can probably challenge the coaching staff to better utilize players in varying situations at both the Marlies and Leafs level.  He also can probably identify which players are better with and without the puck,   But, is that the answer? NO.

You don't Need to be a Stats Genius!

Dubas might be able to make a small difference in the standings with the player personnel in the organization by identifying the better farm talent and giving the coaching staff better situational analysis.  It doesn't address the fundamental overall skills level in the Leafs organization.  The Leafs lack a #1 Center and a #1 or a second #2 defensemen.  True #1 defenseman are the rarest commodity and if you have two number #2's you are still better than the majority of teams.  

First lets address the #1 Center - the Leafs have not had a bonafide #1 since Mats Sundin's retirement 2007-08 season and then for majority of those seasons the Leafs did not have a genuine top winger.  Now, the Leafs have Phil Kessel a top 5 Right Winger without that true Center. In fact they may have two top 

wingers with James van Riemsdyk emergence last season as a 30 goal scorer.   At this time the Leafs do not have a center that is projected to be better than a third line center in their system.  Frederik Gauthier who the Leafs drafted #1 - 15th overall in 2013 has not shown a substantial improvement in his final season of Jr to warrant this or Peter Holland who they traded for with the Anaheim Ducks.  Nazem Kadri who was much higher draft pick (1st round - 9th overall 2009) -  has not shown the prowess at face-offs nor the ability to be defensively sound to be a #1 or #2 center.  He is probably best utilized as a second line Right Winger.

The answer here is either the Leafs hit a home-rum with highly skilled William Nylander (1st round -8th overall) or Brendan Shanahan works his charm and lures Steve Stamkos to Toronto in 2016 from his close friend Steve Yzerman.  Both are long-shots... Tampa will likely throw $10+ million a season at him and are the better team on paper right now.  Also, why would Stamkos want the pressure cooker of Toronto media for a team that is not close to Stanley Cup contention. If Shanahan can work his charm on the best unrestricted free agents that would be great.... but NHL teams have consistently signed their top players to long-term contracts the last few years.

Phaneuf is a talented player and is an NHL number #2 defencemen, but he is clearly better when not playing beyond 21 minutes a night and makes more mistakes.  You can not play at top form, play against the other team's top talent and not have a great defensive partner. Frankly, I was surprised when the Leafs traded Carl Gunnarsson for Roman Polak of the St. Louis Blues.  They got a right-handed shot which the Leafs only had in Franson.  Other than that it seems a wash in skill, as both had similar contract, are the same age and talent. There is a case for optimism here with the Leafs having Morgan Rielly who played well in his debut season for a defenesmen and who could be a legitimate #2 and play for Team Canada at the Olympics.  He's young and people outside of Leafs Nation think highly of him.  It is going to take him another few seasons to learn the game and push Phaneuf down the depth chart.

Also previously I had argued that the Leafs try to trade up and get Aaron Ekblad or #2 or #3 overall pick to get a Center.  Since none of the top picks moved, I can think that none of the GM's made a worthy offer. So, what can Dubas do?  You need elite talent to win.  

Well maybe he can remind Brendan Shanahan that the majority of Superstar and Star players are drafted in the first few picks of the annual draft.  Maybe, he can point out that you can find mediocre players for under $2 million rather than for $5 million.  Why spend to the Cap.... try some 'Moneypuck.'  Why not just tank the Leafs in 2014 for a shot at Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel who are both likely going to be NHL Superstars.  Baseball has wins above replacement, maybe the Leafs should have players better than pylons.

Final Thoughts:

The Leafs hiring a Stats Genius is not going to bring the Toronto Maple Leafs to the promise land of an NHL Stanley Cup.  You need to have the talent an as LA, Pittsburgh, Boston, Detroit and Chicago the last few season has proved it is a combination of drafting talent and developing them. It is a lot easier having a couple of top picks to get things moving towards success and then you get some players ready to re-sign for less or join your team at a discount.  Shanahan please use your past success and charm to placate the fools who expect you to turn it around in one season.  Bottom-out and let the kids from the farm have opportunities.  Try not to spend for a change and give the Leafs some room under the Cap by avoiding more Clarkson like commitments.  Then when the Leafs have enough young talent than try to lure in those complimentary players and then I can watch the Leafs without a paper bag over my head.

Comments? Thoughts? Suggestions?  I don't really watch the Leafs with a paper bag over my head.  I just only watch a dozen of 82 or so games. I'm not a masochist. How many do you watch?

Maple Laughs Return

Once again the Leafs return to classic losing form and will miss the play-offs.  They teased us with a strong start to the the season and good January before the Olympics.  But they went off a cliff twice, once in November (after Bozak and Bolland's injury) and in March (Bernier's groin pull.)  Injuries aside, they consistently got out shot, out drawn and have the second worst puck possession time in the NHL.  But, my hopes of a play-off run now dashed, why not keep that losing streak going.  They are at 8 games lost in row and play Burkie's Calgary Flames tonight.

Lose, Baby Lose!

The good news is that if the Leafs keep losing they can likely pick higher in this Summer's draft and hopefully find that two-way center or shut-down defencemen they need.  Thankfully, they did not trade away their first round pick like so many times before.  The Leafs are currently 11th place in the race for the bottom.  First through 5th are respectively held by Buffalo, Edmonton, Florida, NY Islanders and Calgary.   The Leafs could lose all remaining 6 games, but they can't catch these teams.  With a few more losses the Leafs could drop to 8th or 9th draft position.

That draft position could be fruitful as once can see going back a few years in the NHL:

                                                                    GP - G - A - Pts
2006 - 9th Overall - Min - C James Sheppard - 317 - 16 - 57- 73
          8th Overall - Pho - C Peter Mueller - 297 - 63- 97 - 160
2007 - 9th Overall - SJ - C Logan Couture - 211 - 109 - 105 - 214
          8th Overall - Bos - C Zach Hamill - 20 - 0 - 4 - 4
2008 - 9th Overall - NYI - C Josh Bailey - 398 - 62 - 114 - 176
          8th Overall - Pho - LW Mikkel Boedker - 331 - 53 - 89 - 142
2009 - 9th Overall - Ott - D Jared Cowen - 158 - 12 - 21 - 33
          8th Overall - Dal - C Scott Glennie - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0
2010 - 9th Overall - Min - LW Mikael Granlund - 90 - 10 - 39 - 49
          8th Overall - Wpg - C  Alexander Burmistov - 194 - 23 - 35 - 58
2011 - 9th Overall - Bos - D Dougie Hamilton - 99 - 12 - 29 - 41
          8th Overall - Phi - C Sean Couturier - 197 - 27 - 51 - 78
2012 - 9th Overall - Wpg - D Jacob Trouba - 59 - 9 - 18 - 27
          8th Overall - Pit - D Derrick Pouliot - No NHL Games Played

So, based on 7 seasons from 2006 to 2012, 11 of 14 players are NHL regulars.  Mueller now plays in the Swiss league, but concussion and injuries curtailed his career.  Derrick Pouliot is 20 years old and the team leading defencemen on the Portland Winterhawks who are the second best team in the WHL.  I'm guessing with his 17G, 53A for 70 points in 58 games and we will see him in the NHL.  So, that is really 12 out of 14, or 86% chance of landing an NHL player.  The majority of the above players have developed into second or third liners or 4th/5th defencemen on their respective teams.  All are still young and improving.

The Next Great Blue & White Hope:

Looking above a couple of these players drafted around 8th or 9th are true difference makers, specifically Logan Couture (who just missed out on being on Canada's Olympic Team) and Mikael Granlund who shined for Finland and was selected as one of the Tournament All-Stars.  So, who will the sharks of the Toronto media be circling?  The draft is still awhile way on June 27th in Philadelphia.  

I checked NHL.com and TSN.ca, and the draft ranking have not been updated since January. Bob McKenzie is wrong the majority of the time with his trade speculation, but his final draft ranking are reasonably accurate.  The most recent Draft Ranking I could find is from Craig Button TSN's Director of Scouting, see it here.  Based on Craig's list the Leafs could select C Jared McCann, LW Adrian Kempe, D Haydn Fleury, RW David Pasternak, or D Anthony DeAngelo.  Play-offs are currently occurring in the CHL and will be a chance for some of these players to further distinguish themselves.

Wikipedia has an article that details all the transactions affecting the draft if you want to know who has moved their respective draft picks.

The Hail Mary:

Moving up in the draft does occur occasionally and this could be a season that this could occur.  The Leafs could package a roster player and their first round pick for a top 3 pick.  Players such as Gardiner, Franson, Reimer or Kadri who are younger and proven enough may be enough to entice another team that wants to improve quicker. I'm specifically thinking of Edmonton Oilers who need help on defence and Franson would be #1 on their depth chart based on looking at their team. Florida similarly may want help on defence and Kulikov their best defenceman's contract is up and he has turn down offers to sign with Panthers this season.  He is rumored to want to cash in by returning to play in Russia and play in the KHL.  Franson or Gardiner would help replace Kulikov's loss on the power play.  I doubt Buffalo would move their pick as they are on record saying they want to bottom out and restock the organization.  NYI and Calgary who would pick 4th and 5th under Garth Snow and Brian Burke's supervision are both known to trade... but would moving up to 4th or 5th be worth a roster player?  A top prospect and the Leafs first round pick could do it. If Nonis were to able to work some magic than these are 3 players to aim for.  (Stats are for the recently completed CHL season.)

1) Sam Reinhart - Kootenay Ice Dogs - 6'1, 185 LBs - GP 60 G 36 A 69 PTS 105

A player with high a hockey IQ that knows where to be at both ends of the rink.  Capable of scoring and a team leader, he is projected to be a top center and could be the 1st or 2nd line center the Leafs need.

2) Aaron Ekblad - Barrie Colts - Defence - 6'4, 216 LBS - GP 58  G 23 A 30 PTS 53

A big body defencemen who can play 25 minutes a game at both ends of the ice.  Projected to be a star defenceman and could be that #1 or #2 defenceman given seasoning that the Leafs need.

3) Sam Bennett - Kingston Frontenacs - 6'0, 178 LBS - GP 57 G 36 A 51 PTS 91

Again another center that is versatile and good at both ends of the ice.  He plays with an edge and has proven to step up when it counts.  Another projected top center and again could be 1st or 2nd line center the Leafs need.

None of the above players are projected to be Superstars like Crosby or Thornton or 2015's Connor McDavid, but if I'm in Nonis shoes I'd certainly gamble on getting one of these 3 players.

Knowing the Leafs:

My last thought is the Leafs will of course go on a 3 game winning streak to close out the season and shoot themselves in the foot and move down in the draft rankings.   It is the Maple Laughs way!

Comments? Thoughts? Suggestions?  Are you about to throw your Maple Leafs jersey on the ice?  Please share below.

Projecting the 2018 Men's Canadian Olympic Hockey Team

It is only a few days since Canada's Men won the Olympic medal and we will not know for months whether the NHL will participate again in Pyeongchang in 2018.  But I realized that the majority of players are on the 2014 are in there prime and many of them will still be under 32 at the next Olympics.  Unlike other countries Canada typically does not have many players over 35 on their roster.  Recent greybeards included Teemu Selanne (43- Finland), Jaromir Jagr (42 Czech), Peter Nedved (42, Czech) and Sandis Ozolinsh (41 - Latvia).  The most recent tournament the oldest Canadian player was Martin St. Louis (38) and he was a late bloomer playing his first NHL season at 23.  The oldest NHL Canadian player to participate in the Olympics was defenseman Al MacInnis in 2002 at 39 years old.  Other notable players such as Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman and Joe Sakic were all 37 in their final appearance at an Olympic Tournament.

The Final 2014 Men's Olympic Roster

(In brackets there age at the start of Olympic Tournament)

  

Forwards:	Left Winger	Center	Right Winger
Line 1:	Chris Kunitz (34)	Sydney Crosby (26)	Patrice Bergeron (28)
Line 2:	Patrick Marleau (34)	Jonathan Toews (25)	Jeff Carter (29)
Line 3:	Jamie Benn (24)	Ryan Getzlaf (28)	Corey Perry (28)
Line 4:	Rick Nash (29)	John Tavares (23)	Matt Duchene (23)
Defensemen:	Left Side	Right Side
Pairing 1:	Shea Weber (28)	Duncan Keith (30)
Pairing 2:	Drew Doughty (24)	M.E. Vlasic (26)
			Spares:
Pairing 3:	Jay Bouwmeester (30)	Alex Pietranagelo (24)	Steven Stamkos (24)
			Patrick Sharp (32)
Goaltenders:	Roberto Luongo (34)		Martin St. Louis (38)
	Carey Price (26)		Dan Hamhuis (31)
	Mike Smith (31)		PK Subban (24)

Per the IIHF they are allowed to have a 25 man roster that consists of 3 goalies and 14 forwards and 8 defensemen.(Note: During the 2010 Olympics rosters were 23 man in size, it was expanded to 25 for Sochi to allow emergency replacements to be easily available.  Bench size consists of 21 players (2 goalies and 19 nineteen skaters.)  There is 26 players above as Steven Stamkos broken leg did not heal in time and he was replaced by Martin St. Louis.

How Old Will These Players be in 2018

(Highlighted in yellow players over 34 Years Old)

Forwards:	Left Winger	Center	Right Winger
Line 1:	Chris Kunitz (38)	Sydney Crosby (30)	Patrice Bergeron (32)
Line 2:	Patrick Marleau (38)	Jonathan Toews (29)	Jeff Carter (33)
Line 3:	Jamie Benn (28)	Ryan Getzlaf (32)	Corey Perry (32)
Line 4:	Rick Nash (33)	John Tavares (27)	Matt Duchene (27)
Defensemen:	Left Side	Right Side
Pairing 1:	Shea Weber (32)	Duncan Keith (34)
Pairing 2:	Drew Doughty (28)	M.E. Vlasic (30)
			Spares:
Pairing 3:	Jay Bouwmeester (34)	Alex Pietranagelo (28)	Steven Stamkos (28)
			Patrick Sharp (36)
Goaltenders:	Roberto Luongo (38)		Martin St. Louis (42)
	Carey Price (30)		Dan Hamhuis (35)
	Mike Smith (35)		PK Subban (24)

Based on the amount of elite players Canada has, the players ages and generally speaking players are in there prime from about 24 to 32 before they start a slow decline and injuries catch up. Further players past 35 that have played for Canada have been 1st Ballot Hall of Famers (ie Gretzky, Lemieux, Neidermayer, and Yzerman.) Based on that and there level of play I'm fairly certain that these players will not be Olympic Participants in 2018. 

1) Martin St. Louis (42) 

2) Chris Kunitz (38)

3) Patrick Marleau (38) 

4) Roberto Luongo (38)

5) Patrick Sharp (36)

6) Dan Hamhuis (35)

7) Mike Smith (35)

Based on talent and play at the 2014 Olympics I doubt these players will be returning:

8) Jay Bouwmeester (34) - 3rd pairing Olympic defenseman who did not play key moments during the game.

9) Rick Nash (33) - Played 4th line minutes (8:32 minutes average per game) and was the third least used forward on the team. He also got only one assist as well and did not deliver as a goal scorer. Only Matt Duchene and Patrick Sharp played fewer minutes.

Predicting the 2018 Team:

It is fool's folly to try predict the 2018 team as so much can change by then.  For example both Crosby and Bergeron based on their past concussion issues may be injured out of the game. Further everyday injuries and broken bones. Just recently Sweden had both their top two centers (Henrik Zetterberg and Henrik Sedin) unavailable because of injury.  Players go through hot and cold cycles, such as Claude Giroux, who was playing terrible in the Fall and since Christmas he's been one of the best players.  Above, I eliminated 9 players from returning to the 2014 team and here my suggested replacements.

Forwards:

This is the position where Canada has the most depth and is hardest to differentiate the talent of players. Considering that St. Louis, Marleau, Kunitz will likely be retired and that both Sharp and Nash are in the declines of their career that there would be 5 spots open.  

1) Claude Giroux (C/RW) - He had terrible start at the beginning of the season, but has established himself as a top tier center and point per game player.  At forward many of the talking 'puck heads' argued he should have been on the 2014 team and should have replaced Stamkos over St. Louis.  He's also has proven in the past that he can play RW, thus has some versatility.  He would be 30 and thus in his prime for 2018.

2) Taylor Hall (LW) - The 1st overall pick of 2010 would be 26 at the next Olympics. He has a knack for the net and has progressed into a point per game player.  Yes, his defense could improve and it is baffling that Edmonton has yet to turn the corner with all their high draft picks, but I suspect soon the Oilers will be a contender and he'll be leading the charge.  With some playoff experience he could develop that clutch experience team Canada needs and expects.

3) Tyler Seguin (C) - The 2nd overall pick after Taylor Hall and the player part of the trade for Phil Kessel is now in his 4th season in the NHL.  He like Hall has developed in a points per game player and has demonstrated great chemistry with Jamie Benn who played on the 2014 team.  Give him a few more seasons on a rebuilding Dallas Stars and he hopefully get the playoff experience to turn him into a clutch player.

4) Jordan Eberle or Jeff Skinner or Evander Kane- all first round picks and all have shown glimpses of capable goal scorers, will they all they turn the corner and become clutch players? Jeff Carter was able to score a hat trick and gave Canada many scoring chances.  Will one of these players develop into a consistent goal scorer? They are all on teams that have done poorly for years (Edmonton, Carolina and Winnipeg), so one of these teams at least has to turn the corner and become a contender.

5) Nathan MacKinnon (1st overall - 2013 - Colorado) - He has 44 points in 58 games in his first season of the NHL and will likely win the Calder Trophy.  With Patrick Roy coaching and Joe Sakic as the GM he has two winner to learn from and I suspect that Colorado will become an annual playoff contender with the depth of young talent they now possess.  MacKinnon plays center and not wing, but with 4 years of more experience be able to challenge Crosby, Toews, Getzlaf and Tavares as a starting center?

Honourable Mentions:

Predicting out Goalie and defenseman is nearly impossible.  Forwards often do show that talent far earlier and the next one is Connor McDavid (C).  At the moment per 'puck heads' he's expected to be drafted first overall.  That is two drafts from now, but in four years he would be in his second NHL season.  He like Tavares was granted exceptional player status in the OHL and in his first Under 18 tournament led in scoring with 14 points in 7 games at the age of 16.  Is he going to be the next superstar?

Defenseman:

With the age and strong play of Keith, Doughty, Weber, Vlasic and Pietrangelo that is 5 spots taken. PK Subban would likely be the 6th although he only played in 1 game and for 11 minutes in 2014 Olympics.  Thus leaving two spots. I would imagine it would be two up and coming defensemen and it does take years to develop into a strong two-way player.  

1) Erik Gudbranson (2010 - 3rd Overall - Florida) or Dougie Hamilton (2011 - 9th Overall - Boston)  - Both of these defensemen are 6 ft 5 and have large reaches; they also have both established themselves as second pairing defensemen in terms of minutes.  Neither have shown the offensive prowess of the next two players, but they are developing skills to shut down opposing forwards.  Also, they are both starting to fill out to the size of their frames.  Given 4 seasons they will be a lot harder to play against and one of them will be a top stud defenseman.

2) Morgan Rielly  (2012 - 5th Overall - Toronto)  or Ryan Murray (2012 - 2nd Overall) - Both of these players have had strong starts for rookie defenseman and have played 50+ games in their first seasons in the NHL.  Given 4 years experience and that they both were exceptional players in the WHL one of them will likely be a top offensive defenseman.  

Honourable Mentions:

Brent Seabrook - A consensus pick to play in 2014 by the pundits and Duncan Keith's defensive partner in Chicago.  He will be 32 in 2018 and likely still playing with Keith.  

Kris Letang - One of the best offensive defenseman in the NHL when healthy, but the injury bug has been terrible the past two seasons.  He would be 30 in 2018 and his ability to both score and setup a play from the point would merit him being part of the discussion.

Goalies:

Carey Price is the likely starter or would be hard not to pick since he played so well in 2014.  That leaves two up and coming goalies. At the moment only 25 of 60 NHL starters and back-ups are Canadian born per NHL.com. This is the position that Canada has the least depth on.  

1) Jonathan Bernier - Great save percentage and skill level.  Continuing to develop on the Leafs and would be 29 years old.  Right in his prime for a goaltender.  

2) Malcolm Subban - (2012 - #24 overall - Boston) or Martin Jones (Undrafted - LA Kings).  Subban will be 25 and be coming into his own in the NHL.  He'll likely start backing up Tuuka Rask on a defensive team and will have a chance to develop slowly. He would be 25 in 2018. Martin Jones was undrafted by the Los Angeles Kings and has steadily developed.  He gave the Kings the confidence to trade Bernier and in his first NHL season as Quick's backup he has 8 and 4 record, with a .940% and 1.71 GAA. 

Honourable Mentions:

Corey Crawford or Marc-Andre Fleury - Both goalies have won a Stanley Cup and have played in numerous play-off games.  Crawford has a strong defense in front of him and is not known for stealing games yet, but rarely lets in bad goals.  Fleury is consistent during the regular season and was instrumental a few years ago in the Penguins winning the Stanley cup.  But the last few play-offs he was wildly inconsistent and the Penguins could not get past the first two rounds.  Both goalies would be 33 in 2018 and one of them may be on top of their game.

Thoughts?  Suggestions?  Is there a young Canadian player that is a star in the making that I did not include?  Please add your comments below.

Gold Medal Hockey Thoughts and Fun Facts

If you asked me a few weeks ago how many goals Canada would score on there way to a gold medal I would have said 25 to 30 over 7 games.  Canada would easily rack up 4 or more goals against weaker teams like Norway, Austria and Latvia.  Similarly, if you asked me how many goals against I would have thought 10 to 12 over 7 games.  I thought against teams like Finland, USA and Sweden they would likely get scored on twice per game.  So, I was extremely surprised that Canada scored only 17 goals and only 3 goals against.

2014 - Men's Olympic Champions - Team Canada

I'm not complaining that we won gold.  But, I was hoping for more entertaining hockey and I watched all the Canadian Men's games and some of the other games.  Frankly, I thought the best Men's game of the tournament was when the United States beat Russia in the shoot-out during the preliminary round.  That game had a lot more two-way hockey than the stifling defense as played by Canada, Sweden, Finland and Latvia.  Also, TJ Oshie was just amazing to watch in the shoot-out. If you have not seen that, get yourself to Youtube.  Overall, the best hockey games I watched at the tournament were played by Canada's women vs the USA.  That was great two way hockey and the come from behind win to beat the USA for gold was magical.

2014 - Women's Olympic Champions - Team Canada

What gets me excited about Olympic or World Cup hockey is the talent levels of the top countries in the world.  However, the stifling play on the International ice and the use of the trap and clogging of the slot does not make for exciting hockey.  In all frankness I could not watch 82 games and the Stanley Cup Playoffs on International sized ice.  It would be too boring and I think most fans would rather watch a 4-3 game to say 2-1 game.  You need changing scores and fast scoring chances to keep fans interested.  That's my two cents.

Fun Facts and Stats Leaders:

• Per the IIHF after Canada won the Olympic Gold we moved up 2 ranks to 3rd best Hockey Nation in the world.  Previously, Canada was ranked fifth. Of course this is after winning two consecutive Olympic Gold Medals.  Sweden and Finland ranks first and 2nd respectively after the Olympics.   I could not find an explanation of the ranking system.

Teemu Selanne - The Highest Scoring Olympian of All-Time

• Teemu Selanne competed at 43 years old and in his 6th Olympics for Finland.  With the 4 goals and 2 assists in 2014 he padded his record for most points at the Olympics to 24 goals, 19 assists for a total of 43 points.  He was also selected as the MVP of the tournament.
• Chris Pronger (1998 to 2010) and Martin Brodeur (1998 to 2010) are tied with the most appearances as a Canadian NHL player with 4 tournaments.  Pronger played in 25 games as compared to Brodeur who in two of those tournaments he did not play a single game (1998 and 2010).  He has in 10 starts - 6 wins, 3 losses and 1 Tie.
• Roberto Luongo with is his 1 shutout win against Austria has the most wins of any Canadian NHL goaltenders with 7.  His two shut-outs put him in a 3 way tie with Carey Price and Martin Brodeur. Roberto Luongo has appeared in 3 Olympic tournaments.

Jarome Iglina

Jarome Iglina holds the record as the Canadian NHL Player with most goals 10 and most points at 14 in 19 games played over 3 tournaments.  Iglina's Canadian point record will likely be broken at the next tournament by one of these players. 

For more fun facts see my previous blog regarding Men's Olympic Hockey.

Canada's Active Point Leaders:

Players	Age	GP	Goals	Assists	Points
Shea Weber (D)	28	13	5	7	12
Jonathan Toews (C)	25	13	2	9	11
Sydney Crosby (C)	26	13	5	5	10
Ryan Getzlaf (C)	28	13	4	6	10
Drew Doughty  (D)	24	13	4	4	8

I was surprised to learn that Shea Weber is Canada's current point leader, but it makes perfect sense because in the last two Olympic tournaments Canada has gotten almost half of its goals by a defensemen.  It is likely that all of these players will participate in the next Olympics if they are healthy.

After the above players there is a points drop and most players have only a few points after participating in 1 or 2 Olympic tournaments.

Two Players Tested Positive for Doping:

At the tournament two hockey players tested positive for doping and only one was an NHL player.  Nicklas Backstrom got pulled prior to playing the Gold Medal game because he had allergy medicine in his blood, which was daily 'Claritin' like pill that he had been taken for 7 years.  The other was a Latvian Vitalijs Pavlovs for takings a stimulant called methylhexaneamine which is similar to ephedrine.  The latter never played in the NHL. This was only the third time in history a player has tested positive for a banned substance or having a blood level higher on non-prohibited substance.  In 2002 Mattias Ohlund tested positive for a drug that was prohibited after getting eye surgery, however he was allowed to play throughout the tournament.  In my mind it cheapens Canada's gold medal that Backstrom was unable to play over an allergy pill.  It is always best to win cleanly with both teams putting out there best rosters.

Looking back since the NHLers started participating in the Olympics in 1998 it is satisfying to know that our players and sport are clean.  The record books are not tainted with steroids, 'Balco', and various scandals that occurred in Major League Baseball.  All that drama that is going to permeate for years and the controversy will be ever present at Cooperstown.  Our (Toronto) Hockey Hall of Fame and record book remains asterisk free.  

Was Olympic Hockey that exciting to watch for you?  Could you watch 82 games and the Stanley Cup Play-offs on International Sized Rink?  Add your thoughts below.