Dein erstes Forum » Matthews, to use McCarthys words, was ext

With the National Hockey League announcing Friday that its players will be heading to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, its time to start thinking about which players Canada will send to defend its gold medal in mens hockey. The selection of Canadas national team always makes for an intriguing debate and never moreso than right now as the team transitions from some of its long-standing veterans to a young core that began its foundation at the 2010 Vancouver Games. The 2010 team that captured gold on home soil was a mixture of decorated international veterans like Scott Niedermayer and Jarome Iginla, alongside an injection of highly skilled young players like Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews. So, which pieces of that team will return to the Olympic ice to defend the Maple Leaf? The most final line of defence is perhaps the hottest debate swirling ahead of the selection of Canadas 2014 team. A man that has recently been given his starters job back on his NHL club might just be the man to lead Canada into Sochi as Roberto Luongo has been tapped by TSNs panel to make the trip. After a years-long fight for playing time in the Vancouver crease with recently-traded tandem-mate Cory Schneider, Luongo is the right man to get the start according to TSN Hockey Insider Jamie McLennan. "Going into this season you know that hes going to be the starter for the Vancouver Canucks," McLennan said of Luongo. "Hes going to be in mid-season form come the Olympics. Lets not forget: He won last time, so he has the experience and the confidence to know what it takes to help Team Canada win." Joining Luongo in net for Canada is an Olympic newcomer in Montreal keeper Carey Price. While short on Olympic experience, Price will forever be remembered for standing on his head at the 2007 World Juniors to help Canada secure gold. Rounding out the crease crew is Chicago netminder Corey Crawford. Fresh off back-stopping the Hawks to a second Stanley Cup in four years, Crawford was believed by many to be a Conn Smythe Trophy front-runner before the award was eventually given to Patrick Kane. TSN tapped eight forwards to return for 2014, including Crosby, Toews, Eric Staal, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Rick Nash, and Mike Richards. Returnee Patrice Bergeron was also included as one of the surplus forwards. TSN Hockey Analyst Dave Reid thinks that Bergeron will not be an extra piece for very long on Canadas final team. "Even though hes in the number-five spot at centre on that list, I think hes going to quickly move up to be a huge player for Team Canada," Reid said. "Hes fantastic on the draws, he can play on the power play, he can kill penalties and can play in every situation. "He is a player that will be utilized throughout this tournament in many ways that only the players and the people within the team understand." Another Olympic vet also made the cut, but it was a member of the 2006 team that was sent to Turin in Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis. Rounding out the forward corps are St. Louis Lightning line-mate Steven Stamkos, and Flyers captain Claude Giroux who would slot in on the top two lines. The third line brings a blend of familiarity and youth to Toews flanks with a pair of Olympic rookies: John Tavares and Patrick Sharp. Meanwhile, the fourth line sees Richards slide over to the wing to play alongside the Ducks duo of Getzlaf and Perry. Jamie Benn joins Bergeron as a forward depth option on the roster. The defence is anchored by a trio of returnees who have all been nominated for or won the Norris Trophy since the Vancouver games: Chicagos Duncan Keith, Los Angeles Kings rearguard Drew Doughty and Nashville captain Shea Weber. All three were under the radar a year prior to the selection of the Vancouver team and theyre joined by another Norris winner in Montreal blueliner P.K. Subban. Vancouver returnee Brent Seabrook earns another Olympic engagement on TSNs list, which is rounded out by a trio of offensive-minded blueliners including Pittsburghs Kris Letang, Rangers veteran Dan Girardi and young St. Louis blueliner Alex Pietrangelo. Christian McCaffrey Panthers Jersey . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season. Christian Miller Panthers Jersey . Vettel, who has already clinched his fourth straight F1 title, enters the finale with a chance to equal Michael Schumachers 13 victories in a year and match the record of nine consecutive wins by Alberto Ascari in the 1952 and 1953 seasons. http://www.shoppanthersonline.us/panthers-sam-mills-blue-jersey/ . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Donte Jackson Youth Jersey . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. Jordan Scarlett Panthers Jersey . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Two weeks ago, when the Green Bay Packers were scuffling along at 4-6, quarterback Aaron Rodgers made a bold proclamation.I feel like we can run the table, Rodgers said on Nov. 23.With victories over Philadelphia and Houston the past two weeks, the Packers are one-third of the way to that target. Sundays game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX) looms as by far the biggest barrier.Green Bay (6-6) remains two games behind Detroit in the NFC North but has gotten back into the wild-card chase, where it trails Tampa Bay (7-5) by one game.I think theres a lot of confidence in the locker room, Rodgers said Wednesday. I think guys really believe that this team has the potential to make a run. Weve shown it the last two weeks -- a tough road win and then holding serve at home.But, obviously, this is a little bigger game with the opponent. As every game progresses, theres more on the line for us to play for. So Im confident in the guys that were up to the challenge.With Dallas (11-1) running away in the NFC race for home-field advantage, Seattle (8-3-1) is battling Detroit (8-4) for a first-round bye. The Seahawks have won four of their last five games, including a blowout of Carolina on Sunday night in which Russell Wilson threw for 277 yards and Thomas Rawls ran for 106 of the teams 240 rushing yards.While the Seahawks appear to be surging, they did suffer a significant loss when safety Earl Thomas sustained a broken leg against the Panthers. Steven Terrell is expected to replace Thomas.The Seahawks are still confident that the beat will go on for a defense that is trying to lead the NFL in points allowed for the fifth consecutive season, which would be unprecedented in the Super Bowl era.A team thats not great, they try to have everyone lift their play and do more than what theyre supposed to do, said Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, who returned last week after missing five games with a knee injury. When youve got people behind them, you expect them to do their job. We expect wwhoever plays where Earl is, theyre going to do their job.ddddddddddddNobodys going to try to do more than what theyre supposed to do, and thats how you play great defense.The Packers no doubt will test Thomas replacement, but within reason.The way he plays the position is extraordinary, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. He has tremendous range, anticipation and hes a big part of their leadership of the football team.You have to look at how the new guys going to fit in, but were not going to drop back and throw 50-yard post routes all day because theyve got a new free safety. I dont think thats practical.Injuries will be a major storyline for the Packers, too. Starting outside linebacker Nick Perry, the teams leader with eight sacks, has been ruled out with an injured left hand.Fellow starter Clay Matthews, to use McCarthys words, was extremely limited against the Texans with an injured shoulder. Starting inside linebackers Jake Ryan (ankle), who returned last week from a two-game absence, and Blake Martinez (knee), who has missed the past two games, are ailing, too.Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is battling a hamstring injury -- not particularly good news for the Packers, considering Seattle ranks fourth in the league with 31 sacks.After a relatively slow start to the season, Rodgers is heating up in the nick of time. In the past seven games, he leads the NFL in touchdown passes and 100-plus rating games.Weve watched him all year, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. Hes being what he is. Hes an extraordinary football player, a great leader, an amazing competitor, such a creative player.This isnt a new guy to me. We played him back when he was in college a lot. Feel very familiar with him and have watched his career. If you want to break up this season by what he did early and what he did late, hes a great football player and, because of that, hes going to wind up showing you that if you watch him enough. ' ' '