My team Canada 2010

LeafyMcLeaf writes "I had previously stated that I would announce who I felt was deserving of an Olympic Roster spot in 2010 exactly one year before the gold medal game. With Steve Yzerman taking the reigns, I feel if Hockey Canada believes it's soon enough to start discussions, it is soon enough.

I felt we need to avoid "flash in the plan" players. I've stated in the past two and a half years that I'd periodically update my roster at certain points. The next will be this year's all star break. After that, at the conclusion of this season, then at the end of the first month of next season, and then the day before team Canada is announced in December.

Because of that, flash in the pan players will, not yet, be placed on the team. This means, when deciding this team, I wanted to avoid putting on players like Mike Green, who have had one good season. Give me another all-star season, and he can earn a spot. I really like the guy. He's a very good powerplay defenseman. But his spot pay depend on Scott Niedermayer's playing status. With defensemen capable of playing the powerplay like Scott Niedermayer, who has had MVP caliber years, or Jay Bouwmeester, who was a loan bright spot on the 2006 team in Torino, Mike Green's usefulness may be limited.

I also wanted to loot at some of the goaltenders a little more closely. Generally, the goals picked are Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, and Carey Price. I am not really impressed with any of them. Martin Brodeur, as I've stated many times, is overrated. He's played on great teams that make him look much better than he is. Roberto Luongo is probably the best goalie in hockey. Arguably the best player in the NHL. But when Luongo plays poorly, he can also be lit up. I don't think that's nearly enough to remove him from this team though. In the case of Carey Price.. he folded in the playoffs. Give him a few years at the World Championships, and if NHL players go, send him to Sochi. If not, send him to the next World Cup.

What about the place of players whose futures have not been determined? Well, I apologize, but at this juncture, I'm taking players based on right now. That's all we can do when determining the squad. So, Joe Sakic and Scott Niedermayer will not be left off due to questions about their playing careers. Despite Sakic only signing a one year deal, and leaving it a little late, as well as Scott Niedermayer's contract expiring, I firmly believe both will play in Vancouver. Don't forget, both are BC boys.

That's the most I can say without giving away the roster. So, here I go.

From Burnaby, British Columbia, and the Colorado Avalanche, Joe Sakic.
From Edmonton, Alberta, and the Calgary Flames, Jarome Iginla
From Banff, Alberta, and the Colorado Avalanche, Ryan Smyth
From Cole Harbor, Nova Scotia, and the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby
From Ile Bizard, Quebec, and the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vincent Lecavalier
From London, Ontario, and the San Jose Sharks, Joe Thornton.
From Calgary, Alberta, and the Ottawa Senators, Dany Heatley.
From Ottawa, Ontario, and the Boston Bruins, Marc Savard
From Ottawa, Ontario, and the Carolina Hurricanes, Rod Brind'Amour
From Carlyle, Saskatchewan, and the Dallas Stars, Brendan Morrow
From Kitchener, Ontario, and the Philadelphia Flyers, Mike Richards
From Halkirk, Alberta, and the Phoenix Coyotes, Shane Doan
From Montreal, Quebec, and the Tampa Bay Lightning, Martin St. Louis
From Dryden, Ontario, and the Anaheim Ducks, Chris Pronger
From Cranbrook, British Columbia, and the Anaheim Ducks, Scott Niedermayer
From Edmonton, Alberta, and the Calgary Flames, Dion Phaneuf
From Calgary, Alberta, and the Calgary Flames, Robyn Regehr
From Sicamous, British Columbia, and the Nashville Predators, Shea Weber
From Windsor, Ontario, and the Phoenix Coyotes, Ed Jovanovski
From Edmonton, Alberta, and the Florida Panthers, Jay Bouwmeester
From Montreal, Quebec, and the Vancouver Canucks, Roberto Luongo
From Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, and the Dallas Stars, Marty Turco
From Montreal, Quebec, and the New Jersey Devils, Martin Brodeur.

Who's missing that may shock you.

Eric Staal - I've always felt he was a tad overrated. I don't see him as an elite player, or at the level of the other forwards. He had one stellar year, and he's lived off that since. I believe he'll wind up like Mats Sundin. Between 70-80 points a year on a weak team, making him look good.

Carey Price - Folded in the playoffs. Simply not ready. I feel he has the potential to be an all-time great. To be another in a long line of legendary Canadiens goalies. But, not this year. Not yet. Don't worry. Sidney Crosby and Steve Yzerman both missed the cut once or twice too.

Rick Nash - I don't care if he's on a weak team. He hasn't scored 40 goals in the last four years, and he has only played even close to a point per game once. Does anyone else realize his career high is 69 points? And he hasn't cracked 60 besides that year. He still has a very good chance. I like him. I like his style. But he hasn't earned himself a spot yet.

Jonathan Toews - Too many people are banking on him to be more than what is really possible. I don't see him as an Olympian yet. Any other country? Ya, sure. But this is Canada. We're like Brazil in soccer, or the United States in every other sport. We'll say no to Hall of Famers annually. Give him a few years.

Ryan Getzlaf - Very good player, but his offensive numbers are really only on par with the lowest offensive numbers on this team's offense, and Mike Richards, Brendan Morrow, Shane Doan, and Rod Brind'Amour are much better two way players.

Jason Spezza - Defensive liability. Commits bad turn overs. I've always felt he was the product of two stud linemates, and I hate Heatley and Alfredsson, and have always let bias show. So if I figure they're better than him, they probably are.

Mike Green - Possibly one of the top seven defenseman in this country, but I haven't seen enough yet. Get me another year of close to 20 goals, and an all-star performance, and we'll talk.

Brian Campbell - Just a slightly less moronic Bryan McCabe. I don't see him as nearly good enough to contend for a spot. But, he's got a better team around him, and if he flourishes, maybe he gets his name back on this list come February.

Simon Gagne - Probably would have made it had he played last year. He's been very good thus far. Again, this is so preliminary, it's impossible to count him OFF this team. Especially after being such a mainstay on the national team since 2002.

Brent Burns - I really just don't understand the hype. He's good, but come on folks, he isn't at team Canada level just yet. There are guys who make the all-star team annually who still miss out on team Canada. We've said no to Vezina winners, MVP's, and goals champions (Theodore in 2002, Cheechoo in 2006 if you insist on an example).

Who you may be shocked to see.

Rod Brind'Amour - Plays at a point per game, and had it not been for a bad injury, would have won his third straight Selke trophy. One of the very best two way players in the game. Should have been taken in 2006. Should have won the Hart trophy in 2007. Should go now.

Marc Savard - Constantly hovering around 100 points, has started the season very well. Scores timely goals, sets up big players. He's a huge part of what the Bruins have been doing. One of the most severely underrated players in the game.

Ryan Smyth - Don't ever make a team without putting Smyth on. He'll always make it. I apologize, if you think differently, you're wrong.

Marty Turco - The last two years, he's proven that he CAN perform under pressure. I love the guy. Was possibly the best goalie in hockey last year... though, I still would've given the Vezina to Nabokov.

Ed Jovanovski - Great veteran presence. Physical, can play the powerplay, and has been there before. I don't understand why he isn't making everyone's lists. Maybe because he plays for Pheonix now? I haven't got a clue.

Martin St. Louis - Last time around, I criticized the picks of Shane Doan and Martin St. Louis. Frankly, at the time, they were both overrated. But they both had stud tournaments, and both have loads of heart. St. Louis has gone from waived by a dead-end organization at 27 to being a possible HOFer. If anyone deserves a spot, it's him.

This is nowhere near close to done. You'll see the same type of analysis come February. But for now, if the roster had to be sent out today, this is the team I'd go with.

-L
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