Am I smarter than Mike Babcock?

Well the practices have begun, the official picture has been taken, and the games are about to begin. At the practice they were putting a bunch of lines together to see if they would gel.
This is a great article by Mike Johnston on Sportsnet on the line combos and defence pairings of Canada, USA, Sweden, and Russia. The big four who one of these teams is likely to win. 
So what does the lines for Canada look like? It sounds like they are going to dress 13 forwards and 7 defensemen. Love the pairing of keeping the teammates together. And according to Sportsnet this is what it was at the 1st practice.
Forwards
Chris Kunitz – Sidney Crosby – Jeff Carter
John Tavares – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry
Rick Nash – Jonathan Toews – Patrick Sharp
Jamie Benn – Patrice Bergeron – Patrick Marleau
Extras: Martin St. Louis, Matt Duchene
Defence
Duncan Keith – Shea Weber
Jay Bouwmeester – Alex Pietrangelo
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Drew Doughty
Extras: Dan Hamhuis, P.K. Subban

Here's my thoughts and suggestions...

Forwards

Chris Kunitz – Sidney Crosby – Jeff Carter

Kunitz and Crosby are no brainers...you wouldn't have brought Kunitz if he wasn't with Crosby. But Carter as the sniper? I like Carter's experience. I can think of 4 players who should be on this line instead of Carter

John Tavares – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry

I like this line a lot. Tavares is the best player on this line and will be a breath of fresh air for the Ducks studs. Tavares also can play at C or LW so he gives the opponent lots to worry about. 

Rick Nash – Jonathan Toews – Patrick Sharp

Sharp and Toews together is smart. Love Nash on this line. Toews and Sharp's quickness and skill will give Nash great opportunities to score. 

Jamie Benn – Patrice Bergeron – Patrick Marleau

Bergeron on this line comes to surprise very few people. He's a do it all kind of guy. Benn is a good fit at LW and could play well with Getzlaf and Perry. 

Extras: Martin St. Louis, Matt Duchene

No one is surprised if St.Louis is a healthy scratch but I believe he will get a shot to play in the second game vs Austria. I think he should have a significant role on this roster but we will see.

Looks like they are having a hard time figuring out where to play Duchene. I think he's skilled enough to play all 3 forward positions. He's showed moments of brilliance and his passing is superb. With the right line mates he could be a key sniper as well.   

Defence

Duncan Keith – Shea Weber

Keith & Weber are studs and can play with anyone and be effective. I'm so glad to have them as the core D of this roster.

Jay Bouwmeester – Alex Pietrangelo

Keeping the Blues brothers together is wise. Their chemistry will be a blessing. 

Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Drew Doughty

Doughty's speed will help Vlasic to do what he does best. I believe they would rely on Vlasic's defensive ability so Doughty can be free to be offensive. 

Extras: Dan Hamhuis, P.K. Subban

It keeps sounding like Subban (who won the Norris trophy) is the odd man out. But he's trying to prove his worth in these practices. Hamhuis needs to play better as of late in order to keep from being in the press box and allowing Subban to take his spot. 

So am I smarter than Coach Mike Babcock? Well I'm not when it comes to defensive & offensive schemes, the in and the outs of games, and managing egos. I can barely skate but I know what I see. But I'm very surprised at these line combo's and hope they change. 

This is what I would do if I was in charge...

Forwards

Chris Kunitz – Sidney Crosby – Martin St. Louis

This line would be deadly! The skill would be tremendous. St.Louis should have made this team without a Stamkos injury. The best player in the world is going to make any line magical. 

Matt Duchene – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry

Getzlaf and Perry need some speed on that left wing and Duchene can fly! If Perry is on this would be a hard line to stop. 

Patrick Sharp – Jonathan Toews – Rick Nash 

LOVE this line. Nash and Sharp can play both wings and Toews is as solid of a C as anyone. This would probably be line #2. 

Jamie Benn – John Tavares – Jeff Carter

This might be the #4th line but with Tavares on this line Bobcock could roll all 4 lines without hesitation. Benn is a wild card who could really impress.  

Patrice Bergeron on the PK mostly but can play many important minutes but he should be playing in key defensive situations.

Extras: Patrick Marleau

I'm not happy with the Marleau decision especially with Giroux sitting at home but someone's got to sit and I believe Marleau will be that guy. 

Defence

Duncan Keith – Drew Doughty

At the last Olympics this defensive pairing was fantastic. Keep these guys together. 

Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Shea Weber

Weber is a stud and imagine the hits these two will punish people with. A little slow but would be able to shut down most of the elite composition. 

Jay Bouwmeester – Alex Pietrangelo

I'm not a big Bouwmeester fan but Pietrangelo is special. 

Extra: P.K. Subban

Subban makes mistakes but he's effective offensively. 

In the press box: Dan Hamhuis

Hamhuis is one dimensional but when he plays he has to be unbelievably defensive. He must help his goalie out and block some shots. 

Goaltending

1. Luongo 2. Price 3. Smith

Luongo will start game 1 & 3 then will start in the playoffs. Price as great as he is doesn't have a goal medal and the confidence of Babcock. Price will play game 2 and will be ready if Luongo struggles but Smith will not see any action.

Of course, I could be wrong but I doubt it. And I hope for our sake I'm wrong. And Babcock is the genius behind the bench bringing home the gold. The problem we have is not our team but playing on international ice. We have only won on the NHL ice. So let's see how our boys in red and white do! 

GO CANADA GO!