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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