colby:
Actually Phaneuf has played a lot of International play and was a force at the World Junior's last year. He is having a phenomenal season in a small market team. The teams in the West are better than the Eastern teams, and Calgary is up near the top.
McCabe's effectiveness on the special teams, read power play, has been negated since teams have figured out how to play him. Toronto's PP has slipped in recent weeks.
He was effective in the playoffs against Ottawa because...
good [early] morning colby,
don't worry bro, not knocking Phanuef's junior play - hell, it was rather epic. I was just trying to think of how the atmosphere of an olympic gold medal game would match up to, and I couldn't think of anything better than an intense playoff game (my example of Leafs vs. Sens was just a cheap shot. I actually was referring to any intense playoff series). I just couldn't compare it to the junior level international play (you disagree/agree?). Besides, McCabe has also performed at junior internationals (although definitely not as impressive as Dion) but what really matters is how they will perform at an olympic level. Now based on the assumption of a playoff-like atmosphere, the reason I said I'd chose him was because he has shown to perform in the playoffs. We could both vindicate why McCabe thrived (good or bad), but the bottom line is that he was an integral part of the team.
I do think that McCabe's stronger on the PP than the PK, but if you actually notice McCabe's shorthand play, he's a great hustler. His usual defensive partner Kaberle is a complete defensive moron who gives up half way through the PK and cannot clear the net to save his life. It's unbearable to watch (note, I haven't watched any of this season since they don't have coverage here.
But I'm pretty sure the Leaf's PK is still the same emotional roller coaster it has been since Quinn took the head coach job).
As for the media hype, I wouldn't boil it down as the reason why McCabe was chosen. If that was the case, we'd most likely see Crosby instead of Staal in the reserve list. I mean, Lemieux was vouching hard for the guy. And then with the media attention Spezza got (including Heatley & others cheering for him), he probably would have been on the roster. As for McCabe, even Quinn said he wasn't a top choice even though he has the most goals, assists, and points for a defencemen this season.
Anyway, I just wanted to share my comments and thought process of why I would choose McCabe over Phaneuf. You said you wouldn't, that's cool, I welcome your disagreement, heck, I even expected it! Who knows, I could be mincing my words if McCabe is called to dress and gets a stupid penalty in the dying minutes of a 1-1 Gold medal match... feel free to quote me a rub it in my face.
you have any additional thoughts on the roster?
