The Coyotes have five players heading to Russia to compete for their country. I honestly think there should be seven but two players weren't selected for whatever reasons. This is the most the team has sent since being in Phoenix and tied for highest in franchise history (the last time being in 1992 while the team was still in the place we shall not name).
I believe Yandle should have been selected but what do I know? I am just a female, sometime hockey blogger, living in the sunbelt of the United States, which means I know less than anything about hockey. 😉 Yes, Yandle does have his defensive errors but he works hard and actually tries to make up for his mistakes. He is great for offense though. I will say Bobby Ryan was the biggest snub.
I also think Vrbata is a better overall player than Hanzal and would have been a great addition to the Czech team. Hanzal will be streaky while throwing elbows and temper tantrums if he doesn't get his way while Vrbata will just be streaky. I have a feeling, from Vrbata's comments, that he may have asked not to be named. He said he'd be honored but would prefer the chance to rest plus his wife is pregnant. I have no clue if he said anything to them, just a feeling. The Czech team also made some interesting choices and left off some decent players. I bet they are going for a senior citizen discount for having the highest average age of all teams.
Unless you are living under a rock you already know which five players were selected but just to remind you: Mike Smith (Canada), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Sweden), Lauri Korpikoski (Finland) and Martin Hanzal and Zybynek Michalek (both Czech). I bet if Denmark had a team Mikkel Boedker would have made it (so by my count I'd have eight coyotes headed to the Olympics). Oh while we are at it let's make it an odd nine and throw in Greiss if Germany had made it.
Hopefully whatever has been throwing Mike Smith off his game has been solved by being named to team Canada. Being named should be enough of a confidence boost. He has been better than last season but not as good as the season prior. Either he is having confidence issues or there is something else going on. I'd bet confidence. Being selected for the Olympics should help the confidence. Maybe Greiss getting a shut out the other night will push him as well.
Anyway, none of this matters much to me. I will not be watching the Olympics. I will be drinking fruity drinks with umbrellas while on the beaches of Hawaii. Yah, that sounds much better than watching Olympics from my couch.
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