Stick-handling hopefuls

Posted by admin on Dec 9, 2005 in Sports | 0 comments

This NHL season certain players are competing for more than the Stanley Cup. Yes, the cup is the first priority, but close behind is a trip to the Olympics. Wayne Gretzky, Team Canada’s general manager, must have a final roster by December 21, and there are only 23 spots.
The forward positions have some guarantees. Simon Gagne has played his way back onto the team. Other locks include Jarome Iginla, Joe Sakic, Dany Heatley, Joe Thornton, Ryan Smyth, Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards. That leaves three forward spots, two of those Gretzky had given to Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman, but it is rumored that Lemieux and Yzerman will decline those spots, and that Gretzky is favouring Todd Bertuzzi and sparkplug Shane Doan as their replacements.

For the twelfth forward spot many are calling the name of Sidney Crosby, and although he has been phenomenal, I think he should watch from home. Eric Staal and Jason Spezza are at the top of the leaderboard in scoring. Staal has a reputation for being a reliable two-way player, and Spezza has shown remarkable chemistry with Heatley in Ottawa. Both should receive a call before Crosby. This is not to say Crosby couldn’t play in Turin, Italy; he’s shown himself capable, and if he is selected, no one will feel that the Team Canada brass has lost their marbles. Crosby will be a fixture on Team Canada for many years to come.

If Canada elects to take a thirteenth forward, that spot would be contended for by the aforementioned Crosby, as well as Rick Nash, who would have been a lock if he had been healthy, Kris Draper, Patrick Marleau and Alex Tanguay. However it seems Gretzky is leaning towards taking eight defenceman, in case of injury, which would mean no thirteenth forward.

On defense, Chris Pronger, Scott Neidermayer, Rob Blake, Adam Foote and Wade Redden are going to be there. That leaves three spots with a lot of names trying to make their mark. It would be hard to leave Toronto’s Bryan McCabe off the team, as he has shown he’s among the league’s best this year. Tampa Bay’s Dan Boyle, Florida’s Jay Bouwmeester, and Vancouver’s Ed Jovanovski are also frontrunners for the Team Canada blue line. Rookie Dion Phanuef could easily make the team, as could his teammate in Calgary Robyn Regher. Former Olympian Eric Brewer and World Cup invitee Scott Hannan have played themselves out of contention. The final three spots will likely go to McCabe, Jovanovski and Bouwmeester.

In goal it seemed the big three of Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo and Jose Theodore was set. However, Marty Turco of Dallas has played extremely well, as has Curtis Joseph, who has experience and Wayne Gretzky in his corner. But in all likelihood, the first three will stay intact.
2002 held Olympic Gold for Canada, and they are the favourite to repeat in 2006.