Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Golden Boys

As far back as I can remember, the Leafs have been accused of being minimal in the talent department. And really, I cant fault anyone for saying that, a few players excepted, Toronto has had very little top flight All-Star skill.

But things are changing. How you ask? Well just look at the Olympic camp rosters from around the world and you will notice something kinda shocking yet totally awesome, a plethora of Leafy goodness.

Lets investigate shall we?

Canada
Francois Beauchemin

U
SA
Mike Komisarek

Russia

Nicholai Kuelemin

Sweden

Jonas Frogren
Rickard Wallin
Jonas Gustavsson
Carl Gunnarsson

Finland

Vesa Toskala
Niklas Hagman

Czech
Thomas Kaberle

Belarus

Mikhail Grabovski
Mikhail Stefanovich

10 Players and 2 prospects, not too shabby, also lets not forget outside shots like Jason Blake and Lee Stempniak for team USA.

Say what you will about the Leafs chance at victory, but sufficient to say, more than a few will be adding a medal to their trophy case this season.


5 comments:

Loser Domi said...

The Olympic surprise sounds tasty

general borschevsky said...

Nice post. I was thinking of doing something similar. Question: does any other team have 3 defenders (Kaberle, Komisarek. Beauchemin), possibly 4 (Frogren?), going to the Olympics?

Pal Hal Pall said...

I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think Beauchemin is going to make the team.

SBurtch said...

Beauchemin, Stempniak, Kulemin, Gunnarsson, Frogren, and Stefanovich are probably far from mortal locks to make their respective teams.

The fact that they were invited is pretty cool, but they aren't olympians yet.

Jaredoflondon said...

Im pretty sure Beauchemin will have a good shot at making Canada's roster, but all but maybe 3 or 4 players on that team are a lock
Stefanovich is playing for Belarus, I am pretty confident of that and Kulemin is a perfect 3rd-4th liner for the Russians as he is very responsible defensively and doesnt shy from the physical.
I think Frogren will be a 3rd pairing defenseman, but gunnarsson is a definite long shot.
Id be very shocked if Stempy made the USA squad though