Olympic Squad - how the times change!!!

hockey_lover writes "Its almost less than 100 days to the Olympics .. and boy, how things change in such a short period of time.

When the potential Olympic squad met in the summer, there appeared to be some "sure things" at camp. There were also some players that weren't at the camp that never would have had a chance to be there.

A month into the season, some things have changed.

Dustin Penner is surely making a case to be at the Olympics. On pace for a 50g/105pt season is surely helping his cause. However, since his career high is 47pts, it would seem unlikely that he can keep up this pace, but hey, ya never know.

After a few uninspiring seasons, Ryan 'Captain Canada' Smyth seems to be back in form in a big bad way. On pace for a 103pt season, he will surely get some extra consideration. He was at the camp but really, how many people expected him to make the team?

Brad Richards also had a few really rough seasons of late. But now that he is on pace for 113pts, he would seem like a lock to make the team.

Ryan Getzlaf seemed like a lock to make the team. But with 1 goal in the first 12 games, is that still the same?

Iginla is on pace for his lowest point total since 98/99. One will still say that he is almost a sure thing to make the team, but, ya never know.

While some said that Crosby would captain the team, he started the season pretty slowly. While it has pick up a bit lately, Sid still stands to finish with his lowest point total (outside of 07/08's injuries) in his career, although, his goal total is on pace to shatter his previous best of 39.

Francois Beauchemin was at camp but it seems like an extreme longshot he makes the team at this point. His play thusfar this season has been dreadful, to say the least.

Mike Green was at camp based on his ridiculous offensive season of 31g/73pts. It would seem insane not to have him there as an offensive threat. However, his defensive game is a bit suspect, as many have noted. Since he only have 2 goals right now and is on pace for 11, is his current limited offense still enough to outweigh his shoddy defense?

Everyone seemed to assume that the goalies on the team would be Brodeur, Luongo, and Ward (with Mason a close runner up to Ward). Fleury wasnt given much of a chance at all. But is that still the same?

Based on his experience, you would have to think Brodeur is a lock. He ended last season on a HUGE down note and this season started just as bad. However, the last few weeks, the old Marty has shown up and has raised his game.

Luongo certainly hasnt played his best hockey this season. Despite his injury, he has let in quite a few soft goals. With his save% JUST below .900 and his GAA a bit below 3.00, they will represent his lowest totals in quite some time (99/00 for save%, 05/06 for GAA). Given that the games are in his hometown, is he a lock, even if his play is poor?

Cam Ward has not been good at all. However, neither have the Hurricanes. With a save% under .900 and a GAA over 3.00, one would have to think that if his play doesnt pick up, he would be passed over.

Steve Mason has certainly not played his best hockey this season. With a GAA of over 3.50 a game, the chances of him making the team are slim. While the Canadians shouldnt have a problem scoring goals, having to score more than 4 every game may prove to be difficult. A save% of .880 isnt inspiring either.

MA Fleury was considered an afterthought to make the team. But after the first month of the season, his play has been stellar. However, much like Ward (however the opposite), playing behind the team that he is may be inflating his stats. Still, one cant deny the stats: 9 wins out of 11 games, a save% of .918 and a GAA of 2.07. That has got to be worth something. Definitely not the starting job, given his limited experience but certainly a small consideration for the backup. If not, then without a doubt, the taxi goalie.

All in all, it looks like Stevie Y has a lot of big decisions to make ... some that he likely never planned on.

What do you guys think?"


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