Seperate but Equipe-full (Worst. Pun. Ever.)

During the lead-up to the 2006 Olympics, which coincided with a lead-up to a Canadian election, Bloc "Separatist Douchebag" Quebecoise leader Gilles Duceppe ran on a platform that included an idea that Quebec should send its own independent team to the Olympics. The idea was widely panned, even from Quebec-born players who, you know, probably wanted to play for the reigning gold-medalists Canada. After reading this article, and after the initial shock of realizing that somebody picked Kevin Lowe as the assistant manager for our Olympic team, we at the HCP decided to look at a breakdown at the 2010 Team Quebec.

Forwards:

St. Louis - Lecavalier - Gagne

Tanguay - Stastny** - Ribero

Brassard - Briere - J.P. Dumont

Burrows - Bergeron* - Vermette

Lombardi

Defense:

Robidas - Beauchemin

M.A. Bergeron - Vlasic

Letang - Picard

Demers

Goaltenders:

Martin Brodeur*

Roberto Luongo*

Marc-Andre Fleury*

Close, but just missed: Pomminville, Perron, Talbot

* - indicates part of Team Canada

** - Paul Stastny is now playing for the American team, even though he was born in Quebec. As a dual citizen, he chose to play for the Americans, since they offered him a spot in the World Championships and his brother Yan was on the team. Canada usually doesn't allow dual citizens who play for the US to come back and play for Canada (think Brett Hull, the traitor), but we're assuming Team Quebec would be happy to have a native son back in the mix. Unless he spoke English to the taxi drivers. Then all bets are off.

The first important point is that Team Canada has been stripped of all three of its goalies, leaving us with Turco, Cam Ward...um...Steve Mason...? Easily the strongest part of the team, and the only real reason this team might make some noise and get an upset or two. The second striking point is the defense. Outside of Robidas, who got a serious look for the Canadians, it's middle of the road defenseman. Demers is a stretch as an NHL d-man, but if you take a look at the defensive competition, the pot is bare (play around with this until you find Quebec-born d-men). Their forwards are a solid bunch, who remind me of a more veteran less-skilled American forward group of solid second-liners with some pop. Burrows and Brassard were on the bubble, but we picked Burrows because of his PK ability (and, let's face it, we're massive homers), Brassard because of his potential, and left Pomminville off for his one-dimensional game, and Perron off for his inconsistency this year.

In conclusion, L'Equipe du Quebec probably wouldn't make it into the medal round without a lights out performance from a hot goalie, but with that defense it would make it even harder. Still, an impressive squad from a land where every boy is bred to be Mario, and trying to keep up at a neighborhood outdoor rink is nearly impossible.