I know Boudreau has a book to sell, but does he ever stop talking???  Last week he’s comlaining that players were focusing on OV and finishing their checks on him, now he’s saying this?

Posted by Greg on 11/04/09 at 03:42 PM ET

Watch any of the top plays videos posted on here this week…see Nash skate right around Green…then ask yourself that question again.

Posted by VandyBuck on 11/04/09 at 03:43 PM ET

Uh, I don’t think Green is even a 7th d-man for Canada.

Pronger - Neidermayer
Weber - Boyle
Seabrook - Keith

And even before Green as a reserve I’d take the Flames’ trio of Bouwmeester, Phaneuf, and Regehr… hell, on defensive ability alone, Hamhuis and Robidas have better track records. And this isn’t a team that’s going to need a fourth forward on the ice, they’ll have plenty of offense up front, and plenty of power play options from that group of six d-men listed above.

Even if Green is the biggest offensive threat, you’re better off taking any of these other guys because they can play in all situations.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 11/04/09 at 04:08 PM ET

I agree Nathan.  With all the talent the Canadian team has on defense, you can’t really say that.  He might make it but as a third pairing at the most.

Jay Bouwmeester, Dan Boyle, Scott Niedermayer, Robyn Regehr, Dion Phaneuf, Marc Staal, Shea Weber, François Beauchemin, Brent Burns, Drew Doughty, Stéphane Robidas, Mike Green, Dan Hamhuis, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Chris Pronger were all invited to the tryouts in August.

Look at that Lineup:  Boyle, Niedermayer, Pronger are all shoo-ins (depending on injuries, I guess)  Likely candidates left are Phaneuf, Doughty, Keith, Bouwmeester, Seabrook.

I might even take Del Zotto over Green.  We have enough scorers up front.  We need real defenseman that can move the puck really well and play in all situations.  I don’t doubt Green’s offensive prowess but look at the players that could be playing on our offensive lines:

Sidney Crosby, Shane Doan, Dany Heatley, Jarome Iginla, Rick Nash, Joe Sakic, Martin St-Louis, Eric Staal, Joe Thornton, Vincent Lecavalier, Ryan Getzlaf,  Milan Lucic, Patrick Marleau, Andy McDonald, Brenden Morrow, Corey Perry, Derek Roy, Patrick Sharp, Ryan Smyth, Jordan Staal and Jonathan Toews, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne. 

I think our offense is taken care of already Boudreau.  Plus, Boyle, Niedermayer, Bouwmeester and Phaneuf can also put the puck in the net.  I think we’re good without Green.

Posted by Matt Fry from Winnipeg on 11/04/09 at 04:30 PM ET

Mike Green actually knows how to play defence? That’s news to me.

Posted by Bryan on 11/04/09 at 04:59 PM ET

I hope he doesn’t make the team now.

Posted by mike from austin on 11/04/09 at 05:10 PM ET

Mike Green = Overrated.  Bruce has to say that crap to keep Green’s ego happy.

Posted by yreland from Van Dieman's Land on 11/04/09 at 05:44 PM ET

Mike Green isn’t a 7th d-man for Canada.  He wouldn’t and shouldn’t even be the 17th.

Unless Andy Delmore’s getting a second look or something as well…

Posted by Primis on 11/04/09 at 06:11 PM ET

C’mon, shouldn’t a Vezina Winner be a top D-man?
That Why-zerman guy must be nuts for not making him the #1 go to guy.
Jeebsus, Mike Green… seriously?

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 11/04/09 at 06:22 PM ET

Will Mike Green Make Team Canada?

Only if the country wants to improve the chances of other teams to beat them.  He wouldn’t be a good fit on the team.

Besides, after seeing the calibre of defenseman throughout his career that Yzerman has, I think he might have a little bit different idea of what he is looking for in a defenseman than Boudreau is hoping he has.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 11/04/09 at 07:12 PM ET

As a US hockey fan, I think he should definitely make the team.

We need someone to offset Mike Komisarek’s horrible play.

Posted by Wild Wing from Orange County, CA on 11/04/09 at 07:48 PM ET

“If I’m Stevie Yzerman, I’m looking at him as one of your top pair,” Boudreau said.

It’s a damn good thing that you’re not Steve Yzerman.

Posted by mrfluffy from Long Beach on 11/04/09 at 10:43 PM ET

Look at that Lineup:  Boyle, Niedermayer, Pronger are all shoo-ins (depending on injuries, I guess) Likely candidates left are Phaneuf, Doughty, Keith, Bouwmeester, Seabrook.

Good comment, Matt, but why no Shea Weber in your list? To me, Shea Weber is the anchor of a defense that’s been able to be stingy no matter who they have in net, and no matter how thin they are up front, in Nashville. He’s big, got pretty quick feet for his size, and is an all-situations type player… certainly, he’s proven more at the NHL level than Doughty and Bouwmeester, and (arguably) Phaneuf… though I don’t think it’s arguable—Phaneuf’s game (in his own zone, especially) has regressed a couple season in a row, while Weber’s got better and better.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 11/05/09 at 08:32 AM ET