Pool A: Russia, Belarus, Slovakia, Kazakhstan
Pool B: Canada, Switzerland, Latvia, Italy
Pool C: Sweden, Czech Republic, Norway, France
Pool D: Finland, USA, Germany, Denmark

I think it is safe to say that Canada should win their group! The Team Canada brass released their roster recently and one of the biggest things that jumps out at you is the youth involved in this years team. Personally I think it is a great idea as we will hopefully see many of these players play for Canada in future Olympics (should the NHL allow their players to continue participation).

Goalies

Defense

Forwards

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So far Team Canada has gone quite unscathed on the injury front, but with exactly 1 week to go before the first puck drop, it looks like Team Canada may lose one of their top power forward threats. Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks injured his ankle in last night’s game against the Los Angeles Kings and will be re-evaluated over the next week.

Although I would only expect a decision later this week, most people are wondering who could replace Getzlaf if he were to miss the Olympics. The most logical choice for me is Vincent Lecavalier. He, like Getzlaf, is a big player, plays center but lacks the grit that Getzlaf would bring night in night out. Other players in the mix include Lightning teammate Martin St. Louis. With Canada having multiple players that can play center, this may be an opportunity to bring a spare winger on board.

The injury to Getzlaf is certainly not going to cause people to jump off the Team Canada gold medal bandwagon, but it certainly could play a big role in some of the tougher games on Canada’s schedule. I enjoy how Getzlaf plays, and hope he will be at 100% come next Tuesday!

Goalies

To me this is the easiest area to predict. Coming into the year, this was Martin Brodeur’s job to lose. If Brodeur played poorly, you knew that Roberto Luongo would be ready to shoulder the load in a very familiar GM Place. However, Brodeur has looked just as sharp as he was in 2002 and should be given the opportunity to play in the big games for Team Canada. I was pulling for Luongo to take over this year, but I think this is Marty’s job. Marc-André Fleury will provide great depth as a #3.

My Prediction

• Martin Brodeur
• Roberto Luongo
• Marc André Fleury

Defense

If I were a General Manager in the NHL, I would want to pair my first two defensive lines with offensive minded and a defensive minded defenseman. My 3rd defensive unit would play all defense, all the time. With that being said, the talent level on the Team Canada Roster makes it quite difficult to have offensive and defensive specialists. Just about every defenseman on the roster has upside in both areas.

For my 1st defensive unit I wanted to choose who I believe is the best shut-down defenseman along with who I think is the smartest defenseman on the roster. The nice thing about this pair is that they have played on the same team before. In my opinion the tandem of Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer would provide the most effective defense against the strong Russian and Swedish forwards.

On my 2nd defensive unit I went with Shea Weber and Dan Boyle. Although Weber excels in both offensive and defensive facets, I believe having a guy like Boyle on the other side will allow Weber to help out more in the defensive zone. Finally, on my 3rd line I have the two Blackhawk defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. I do believe that Drew Doughty could certainly crack the Top 6, but I like to keep things safe and stick with familiarity.

My prediction

• Chris Pronger – Scott Niedermayer
• Shea Weber – Dan Boyle
• Duncan Keith – Brent Seabrook
• Drew Doughty (7th defenseman)

Forwards

The forwards on the Team Canada Roster are the most difficult to judge and balance out. I wish Mike Babcock the best of luck with that! What I look for in assembling forward units is to make sure that you have a defensive/hitting presence on each line. I think Steve Yzerman did a great job with this.

The 1st line starts with Sidney Crosby. I believe that Crosby is going to have a huge tournament and will hopefully add a Gold Medal to his already impressive resume. I know one of the popular choices for his winger is Patrice Bergeron as they have played together in the World Junior tournament. For me, I am not sold on the Bergeron selection and really want to see Crosby working with Rick Nash and Jarome Iginla. With Crosby being a bit small, I really like the size that Nash has and the physical play that Iginla brings night in – night out. I think by placing Bergeron in this spot over Iginla that it creates a very small first unit.

My 2nd line again works in with putting together a group with great chemistry. To me, Joe Thornton is the 2nd best playmaker in the league behind Crosby (and just behind). I feel that Dany Heatley has found great chemistry with Thornton and should be included on this line as well. Although he’ll be playing a bit out of position I think adding a guy like Patrick Marleau to the mix will provide an amazing amount of familiarity between the 3 forwards. Wouldn’t it be neat to see 4 Sharks (including Boyle) on the ice at the same time?

The next line I have assembled is the checking/grinding line. I was very disappointed when Shane Doan was not named to the team as I think he is a perfect fit in this position. However, I think Yzerman wants to put 2 hardnosed guys together hear along with a player with more offensive upside. I absolutely love the way Brenden Morrow, and Mike Richards play and feel they will fit in well on the 3rd line. As for the 3rd forward on the line, I think this postion should goto Jonathan Toews. I realize he too will be out of position, but he has a big future in Team Canada activities. I don’t think he was purely selected for only his shootout abilities.

Finally, my last line contains a bit of size and a bit of speed. I like the familiarity of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry and think they would also play well with Eric Staal. That leaves Patrice Bergeron as a very good forward in the press box.

My predictions

• Rick Nash – Sidney Crosby – Jarome Iginla
• Dany Heatley – Joe Thornton – Patrick Marleau
• Brenden Morrow – Mike Richards – Jonathan Toews
• Eric Staal – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry

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The Team Canada Mens Rosterwas announced today with a few surprises. Among those not making the team are Shane Doan, Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Dion Phaneuf, and Jay Bouwmeester.

The following players will be looking to bring home the gold medal in 6 short weeks!

Goalies

Defense

Forwards

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A full up to date list of injuries and players in the running can be found on the Team Canada Roster page.

Forwards

Rick Nash	Sidney Crosby	Jarome Iginla
Dany Heatley	Joe Thornton	Corey Perry
Brenden Morrow	Mike Richards	Shane Doan
Eric Staal	Ryan Getzlaf	Martin St. Louis

Defense

Scott Niedermayer	Chris Pronger
Jay Bouwmeester	Shea Weber
Dion Phaneuf	Dan Boyle

Goalies

Roberto Luongo	Martin Brodeur

Backups

Vincent Lecavalier	Duncan Keith	Marc Andre Fleury

Some of my key omissions include: Jeff Carter, Steven Stamkos, Brent Seabrook, and Cam Ward. Stamkos was the toughest, but I feel Steve Yzerman and crew will decide to go with more experienced players like Eric Staal, and Vincent Lecavlier over Stamkos.

It will be interesting to see how many I get right!

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When taking a look back at the 46 man roster the participated in the Team Canada Orientation camp, there are numerous players that are on the bubble right now and are going to have a tough time making the Top-23.  With players like Steven Stamkos breathing down the neck of some players, the following players will need to start getting going before the roster is named on December 31st.

Goalies

Steve Mason – I do not believe Mason would have cracked the roster anyways, but last year’s Calder trophy winner has struggled with a 3.27 GAA, and .891 SV%.

Defence

Francois Beauchemin – Cracking Team Canada on the blue line is no easy task.  Beauchemin would have had a difficult task ahead of him, but being a -7 (albeit on the Leafs) will not help his cause.

Dan Hamhuis – It’s not that Hamhuis has been playing bad, but Team Canada has an obundence of defenseman with his similar skill set.

Stephane Robidas – Robidas started off very hot in the beginning of the season but has cooled off quite a bit.  I do not believe he will be considered on December 31st.

Forwards

Dan Cleary – Team Canada is always known for putting together a scrappy griding line and Cleary would be a good fit.  But I believe there are others in camp that could provide a bit more than Cleary.

Simon Gagne – The injury big hit Gagne at a terrible time.  He will more than likely still not be on the ice by the time Canada makes its roster decisions.

Vincent Lecavalier - With only 2 goals on the season, Lecavalier will have to show a greater tendancy to hit the net if he wants to crack this roster.  The center position is a tough one to make for this team!

Milan Lucic - Another player hit with the injury bug.  Lucic should return in late November and could make a run at the Team Canada roster.

Andy McDonald – McDonald has been very inconsistent this season.  I do not expect him to be on the Team Canada roster.

Derek Roy – As mentioned earlier, center is probably the toughest position to make on Team Canada.  In my opinion, Roy has not played well enough to warrent a spot this year.

Patrick Sharp – With the great depth in the Team Canada forwards, one has to stand out to grab a roster spot.  It’s not that Sharp has been playing bad, but he just hasn’t done enough to get noticed.

Jason Spezza – Spezza has been struggling quite a bit offensively this season.  He’s played very well in other areas, and is still considered one of the top play-makers in the NHL.  He’ll need to get going in order to secure a spot on the roster.

Eric Staal – Injury trouble and a sub-par start to the season have Staal in danger of making this roster.

Jordan Staal – Similar to Partick Sharp, Staal would have to play above and beyond to get noticed for Team Canada.  I don’t believe he has done enough.

Jonathan Toews – Toews has a couple of things working against him: inexperience and injuries.  He should be returning to the line-up tonight, and if he plays well over the next month could still make the team.  He’s shown many times that he is a consistent performer with Team Canada.

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General Manager: Steve Yzerman

Head Coach: Mike Babcock
Assistant Coach: Jacques Lemaire
Assistant Coach: Ken Hitchcock
Assistant Coach: Lindy Ruff

The following players have made Team Canada:

Goalies

Defense

Forwards

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Team Canada Schedulefor the Men’s Olympic team:

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