So, without further philibustering, here is the long list of Canadian players that could potentially (realistically) make the team.
The Forwards
- Jason Spezza
- Vincent Lecavalier
- Joe Sakic
- Dany Heatley
- Martin St. Louis
- Ryan Smyth
- Mike Fisher
- Brad Richards
- Paul Stastny
- Marc Savard
- Nathan Horton
- Kris Draper
- Patrice Bergeron
- Brad Boyes
- Paul Kariya
- Eric Staal
- Andy McDonald
- Jason Arnott
- Rod Brind'Amour
- Justin Williams
- Rick Nash
- Sidney Crosby
- Jonathan Toews
- Jordan Staal
- Shawn Horcoff
- Joe Thornton
- Daniel Briere
- Dustin Penner
- Patrick Marleau
- Simon Gagne
- Sam Gagne
- Jonathan Cheechoo
- Jarome Iginla
- Ryan Getzlaf
- Joffrey Lupul
- Alex Tanguay
- Corey Perry
- Mike Richards
- Owen Nolan
- Chris Kunitz
- Jeff Carter
- Shane Doan
- Brenden Morrow
- Brendan Shanahan
- Pierre-Marc Bouchard
- Mike Ribeiro
- Mike Cammelleri
- Todd Bertuzzi
- Wade Redden
- Kevin Bieksa
- Kyle McLaren
- Chris Phillips
- Brent Burns
- Brian Campbell
- Robyn Regehr
- Brent Seabrook
- Braydon Coburn
- Adam Foote
- Cam Barker
- Dan Boyle
- Rob Blake
- Duncan Keith
- Jay Bouwmeester
- Philippe Boucher
- Shea Weber
- Mike Green
- Trevor Daley
- Barret Jackman
- Sheldon Souray
- Ed Jovanovski
- Chris Pronger
- Dion Phaneuf
- Francois Beauchemin
- Eric Brewer
- Adrian Aucoin
- Scott Niedermayer
- Jason Smith
- Nick Shultz
The Goalies
- Ray Emery
- Martin Biron
- Marc-Andre Fleury
- Martin Brodeur
- Cam Ward
- Roberto Luongo
- Jean-Sebastien Giguere
- Manny Legace
- Marty Turco
- Jonathan Bernier
- Mike Smith
The Locks:
No doubt some of the names on these lists will stir debate, some will have people saying, "Why is this guy even ON the list", and some will have people questioning why this guy isn't at the top of an unordered list because he's THAT good. No matter how deep and talented your stable of players is, there will always be those players that stand out so far from the pack, that it's egg on your face if you don't choose them.
Sidney Crosby - Doi. This guy is good. Unbelievably good. After a single season, and at the tender age of 20 years, "Sid the Kid" has quickly become the most coveted forward in the NHL. The pundits had him chosen as a lock for the Hart, and were it not for the high ankle sprain he suffered about two weeks ago, he would probably have gotten there. He is the complete package. Offensively explosive, defensively reliable, plays a hard, physical game without ever crossing the line, a solid team player with no ego, and a team leader to boot, both vocal and by example. Believe the hype, because with Sidney Crosby, there is no downside. None. He is the epitome of what young hockey players aspire to be, and the player every coach wants to have.
Joe Sakic - Even mentioning this guy's name on this list might have some people saying, "Huh? Won't he be 40 in 2010"? But consider this. In the past 20 years or so, besides the name "Steve Yzerman", is there another name in the league that has commanded the level of respect as the name "Joe Sakic"? In some places, and with some people, the name is spoken with reverence. Small countries in Europe have erected shrines in his honour, and worship him as a deity. Okay, maybe not that far... but his accomplishments speak for themselves. 9th in all-time NHL scoring points, 11th in all-time assists, 14th in all-time goals, six 100+ point seasons, has averaged 1.2 points per game over 1300+ career games, is first overall amongst active players in scoring points (1611), one of the longest serving captains of one team (17 years), winner of the Hart and Conn Smythe trophies, member of the triple gold club, tournament MVP on the gold medal winning 2002 Canadian team, two Stanley Cups, destined for the Hall of Fame. Will he be 40 years old in 2010? Sure he will. Will he still be able to contribute to the team. You better believe it. While Joe Sakic is getting a little older, his consistency of play, his leadership skills, and the commanding presence he brings into the dressing room are things that could never be replaced. If Team Canada leaves for Vancouver without Joe Sakic (who was incidentally born in Burnaby, B.C.), they'll be worse off for it, I guarantee it.
Joe Thornton - Aside from Sidney Crosby and Jason Spezza, Joe Thornton is likely the best playmaker in the league. His big body presence up the middle, unparalled vision, and utter domination down low will be an invaluable asset in opening up the big ice surface for his teammates. While he's not the fastest skater on the team, nor the most vocal team leader, his ability to focus on the task at hand, play through the pain, lack of any sort of ego, and personality that will accept any role given to him without complaint will be a boon to the Canadian team. Mike O'Connell, GM of the Boston Bruins possibly made the worst trade in history by trading away Joe Thornton (who went on to win the Hart and Art Ross trophies that year). Mike Milbury possibly one-upped him (retrospectively) by trading Zdeno Chara and 1st round pick (Jason Spezza) for Alexei Yashin. Fortunately, neither Mike Milbury, nor Mike O'Connell will be running Team Canada.
Vincent Lecavlier - An offensive dynamo. Unbelievably creative with eyes in the back of his head, hands like velvet, an emergent leader, and a temper like quicksilver. Vincent Lecavalier will create space for his team, run the powerplay, and has the potential to turn defenders inside-out. One of the most complete offensive players in the league; for those not entirely in tune with his talents before his breakout, his numbers have begun to speak for themselves. A Team Canada without Lecavalier is like a Sundae without icecream.
Martin St. Louis - Like Lecavalier, he is also part of "the big 3" (now "the big 4" with the inclusion of Dan Boyle). Martin St. Louis may be small, but his heart is as big, and shines as brightly as the sun. Slick, shifty, and tight in the corners, coupled with an attitude that refuses to back down from any challenge, physical or mental, St. Louis leads by example. Penalty kill, powerplay, big ice, NHL ice, checking or scoring, it doesn't matter to St. Louis who he's playing against, who he's playing with, how much ice time he gets, or what role he's given. Martin St. Louis will give 110% every time, every game, every shift. Even if you've never heard of Martin St. Louis, that's as much as you need to know.
Jarome Iginla - Possibly the happiest guy in the league, Jarome Iginla brings an upbeat, positive attitude, zero ego, and a never quit attitude to compliment a lethal shot, powerful skating stride, and physical dominance. A true triggerman, Iginla lives in the slot, and from there, he can be one of the most dangerous players in the NHL. Amongst powerfowards, Iginla is amonst the best. On the Calgary Flames, he is the heart and soul. Jarome Iginla will never quit, he will never stop, he will always inspire, and he will be a constant menace on offense.
Dany Heatley - One of the most dangerous players in the NHL in the offensive zone, Dany Heatley is as good as setting up as he is at finishing. While not as creative as players like Sidney Crosby or Vincent Lecavalier, his shot is as hard as it is accurate, and his one-timer is amongst the best in the league. Physically big and strong, he's as dangerous in the slot as he is in front of the net as he is from the half-boards, and just to further confound defenders, he's just as likely to pass as he is to shoot.
Ryan Smyth - Nicknamed "Captain Canada", when Canada calls, Ryan Smyth will answer, even if he's only got one leg to stand on. The only player to possibly rival St. Louis in terms of sheer will, Ryan Smyth lives and thrives on effort. While not the most flashy, creative, or physically dominant player in the league, there is no player in the league that will sacrifice more for his team than Ryan Smyth. His epic battles, goals scored, and punishment received in front of the opposing net have been made into inspiring ballads by some bard living in some remote country watching Edmonton games on television. (As a matter of fact, of his 281 career NHL goals, 280 of them were probably scored from within five feet of the goal line). There is no player in the league that battles as hard as Ryan Smyth, night in and night out. He creates goals out of sheer will. His ability to simplify the game has been a blessing on his team on innumerable occasions. He leads by voice and by example, and his tenacity is unmatched. Even for a player unpossessing of a skillset like Ryan Smyth's, that kind of dedication is impossible to ignore.
Scott Niedermayer - Four Stanley Cups on two different teams, gold medal winner, Norris trophy winner, Conn Smythe trophy winner, Scott Niedermayer has done one thing over his career, and that is win. As smooth a skater as there has ever been, a slick puck mover, powerplay quarterback, stalwart defender, vocal team leader, and a consumate professional who never gets rattled; Scott Niedermayer does it all. The only question about Scott Niedermayer's involvement with Team Canada is, if he retires in the next couple years, how hard will Canadian brass have to beg him to get him to come back?
Chris Pronger - Big, strong, and physical with a wicked mean streak, great reach, a bullet shot from the point, the ability to quarterback a powerplay, and the ability to log a tonne of minutes. His accolades include a Norris trophy, a Hart trophy, a gold medal, a Stanley Cup in 2007, and almost single-handedly carrying Edmonton on his shoulders during their Cup run to the finals in 2006; what left is there to say? Pronger is the complete package, and everything a coach could ask for in a blueliner. Throw away all those bulky old one-dimensional players. With Chris Pronger, your satisfaction is guaranteed, or your money back!
Adam Foote - Surprised? It would be no surprise that many people would not have this man on their lists. However, take this into consideration. For the past decade, Adam Foote has been a stalwart defender for Canada. While he will be 38 come 2010, Adam Foote remains as tough as nails, and I would challenge anyone to find a player in the NHL that's tougher (and I'm not referring to enforcers). This guy eats nails for breakfast. I've seen him do it. He may be getting a little older, but his positioning is still as uncanny as ever, he's virtually impossible to beat one-on-one, and he's seemingly immune to breakdowns in defensive coverage. There is not a Canadian defenceman who has more experience or has experienced as much success, both internationally and in the NHL, than Adam Foote (except for possibly Scott Niedermayer). That experience and leadership, both vocal and by example, will not only be an invaluable asset to the team, but more importantly to the younger members of the Team Canada's blueline.
Martin Brodeur - I won't even bother going through the reasons why Martin Brodeur should be included on this list, or the accolades he's accumulated over the years. To Team Canada, Martin Brodeur is Martin Brodeur. Sure, he'll be 38 come 2010, but he's also Martin Brodeur; arguably one of the greatest goaltenders in the history of the NHL. He makes his biggest saves at the most crucial of times under the most intense pressure. A true clutch performer, in the big games, there's no one better.
The Supporting Cast:
Here's where it gets interesting. After that list of 8 forwards, 3 defense, and 2 goaltenders, that leaves a mere 5 forward positions open, 4 defense positions, and 1 available goaltender position. This to split amongst a very, very talented list of players. Here's my two cents:
Jason Spezza - One of the most skilled forwards in the NHL, if he could ever play a complete season, with the points per game he acquires year in and year out, he could realistically compete for the Art Ross every year. While he may be defensively weak, and he may not be as fleet of foot as some of the speedier players, his vision and passing skills are unparalleled, rivaling or perhaps even surpassing those of Sidney Crosby or Joe Thornton. He commands fantastic stick handling skills, the soft hands of a sniper, and long reach which he often uses to his advantage. On the powerplay, there may not be a better centre in the league.
Simon Gagne - Perhaps the least offensive threat from the thirteen forwards, Simon Gagne brings much more to the table than being an offensive menace. His international experience with Team Canada and his leadership role on the Flyers are both important contributing ingredients to a winning team. His speed and creativity will open up ice for his teammates, his finishing polish and quick release make him offensively capable, and his two-way savvy will be a boon on the penalty kill. These things, along with Gagne's previous international involvement with Team Canada make him a tough cut.
Eric Staal - Tall and lanky with a nose for the net, Eric Staal is a constant menace on offense. Great long reach, a natural goal scorer, leadership qualities, a mean streak, and one of the very few forwards in the league who can effectively quarterback a powerplay. Eric Staal has a desirable skill set, and one which will give the coach heaps more options than he would otherwise. But perhaps what sets Eric Staal apart from the rest of the pack is his intelligent decision making with and without the puck. It is this decision making that always has Staal in the right place at the right time, and it is this intelligence that allows him to safely quarterback the powerplay. With Eric Staal in the lineup, the coach will have some very tasty options at his disposal.
Rick Nash - Another tall powerforward with long reach similar to Staal, but unlike Staal, Nash brings something very different to the table. While he is not as defensively responsible as some of his Canadian peers, or is not as adept a playmaker as he is a finisher, his smooth, effortless skating stride, long reach, mindbending one-on-one ability and puck control, and undeniable offensive intelligence make him possibly the most dangerous player in the tournament on the big international ice surface. While he has yet to produce up to his potential in the NHL, his skill is irrefutable, and on that merit alone, Nash is a virtual lock. He's that good.
Ryan Getzlaf - Another controversial pick, I'm sure, but consider what Ryan Getzlaf can bring to the team. While he's not as fast a skater and does not possess the one-on-one puck possession of a Rick Nash, he brings a skill set could be considered more suited to a smaller ice surface, but could be equally effective on the big ice under the right circumstances. A big body presence up the middle, competent and capable in all three zones, can play effectively 5-on-5, on the powerplay, or on the penalty kill, can make clean, crisp, tape-to-tape passes, and is equally fluent at finishing as he is at creating plays and passing. He plays with the poise and patience of a veteran ten years his senior, and while he possesses a vicious mean streak, will rarely allow the opposition to rattle his cage. Calm, cool, and polished in all three zones, Getzlaf will bring a very balanced skill set to the team.
Jay Bouwmeester - The only player in the league who can make skating look as effortless as Scott Niedermayer. Bouwmeester moves faster than any big man in the league, and while he hasn’t broken out of his offensive shell yet, he’s an intelligent blueliner who makes smart decisions with the puck. Turnovers in his own end are rare, he’s tight on the defensive coverage, excellent one-on-one defender, and amazing recuperative ability; crisp and clean outlet passes, the ability to lead the rush, and smart pinching. Combine these offensive and defensive traits along with the ability to log a tonne of minutes (30+ on many nights), and Jay Bouwmeester is one of the most balanced defenseman in the league. His potential as a shut-down defender, and balanced ability to play under any circumstance will add heaps of options to a coach’s arsenal.
Chris Phillips - Another terrific skater, although while not possessing as effortless a stride as Bouwmeester or Niedremayer, he remains one of the quicker big men in the league. Strong on the body, tight on the defensive zone coverage, long reach, which he often uses to his advantage, and can execute the outlet pass with aplomb. In the defensive zone, Phillips is one of the best defenseman in the league. While his acumen in the offensive zone leaves something to be desired, his ability to quickly and cleanly move the puck out of danger, his recuperative ability, his consistency and intelligent decision making, leadership skills, and his strong body presence in the defensive zone make him an invaluable asset to Canada’s defense.
Dion Phaneuf - Some have dared make the comparison between Phaneuf and the incomparable Scott Stevens in terms of his ability to make bone-crushing open ice hits, and in many respects, the comparison is justified. While he may not be up to the level of Scott Stevens yet, Dion Phaneuf is well on his way. While his defensive zone coverage is not as tight as other defenseman, and his outlet passes are not crisp and clean as players like Pronger, Niedermayer, Boyle, or Campbell, in terms of sheer intimidation, there is no one better. His ability to line up hits and intimidate the opposition with his physical presence and canon from the point will keep the opposition with their heads on a swivel, and prevent them from daring to cut into the middle. His intimidating presence will keep forwards honest and help the team both mentally, and on the score sheet, and his ability to walk the line will open up shooting and passing lanes on the powerplay.
Ed Jovanovski - There are few enough “complete package” defenseman in the league, and Ed Jovanovski is one of them. His vicious mean streak and physical presence can intimidate opponents, and his offensive acumen allows him to make smart outlet passes, make timely and smart pinches in the offensive zone without hurting his team, and quarterback a power play. Ed Jovanovski brings a very desirable skill set to his team, as like many of the premier “complete package” defenseman, he can do many of the things a “specialist” can do, and on many occasions, he can do them better.
Cam Ward - Considering that the third goalie on Team Canada will be relegated to playing maybe one game in the round robin (and even that's not very likely), particularly in light of the fact that he's backing up Roberto Luongo and Martin Broduer, both of whom are not only considered by many to be the best goalies in the league, but also play over 70+ games on their club teams, the choice of third goaltender is relatively inconsequential. Nonetheless, a team is a team, and in a case like this, the best choice is a goaltender with a positive team attitude, and maybe one with a future with the idea to give him international experience for future tournaments. Cam Ward is an excellent young goaltender with a mature attitude, and a potential for future Team Canada starts. While Turco and Giguere are also great goaltenders, why not give the kid some international experience. Even if he won't see a single game (which is very likely), the experience of travelling overseas with a team as strong as Canada's to compete in a foreign country on a stage as big as the Olympics will be the experience of a lifetime. And for a goaltender with a future as bright as Ward's, why not?
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