Who do you think will be Team Canada's Squad?

[21pro]

i believe the final roster will be 23.

this is my guess at them.. i'd imagine that Gretzky and the big guys managing the team would wan't to keep the core similar to 2002... ie, if it ain't broke don't fix it.... but i still think the team will be much younger and a little different.
Goaltenders
1.Brodeur, Martin
2.Luongo, Roberto
3.Turco, Marty

Defence
4.Blake, Rob
5.Brewer, Eric
6.Foote, Adam
7.Pronger, Chris
8.Jovanovski, Ed
9.Redden, Wade
10.Stuart, Brad

Forwards
11.Gagné, Simon
12.Iginla, Jarome
13.Sakic, Joe
14.Smyth, Ryan
15.Crosby, Sidney
16.Bertuzzi, Todd
17.Heatley, Dany
18.Lecavalier, Vin
19.Richards, Brad
20.Spezza, Jason
21.Sullivan, Steve
22.Thornton, Joe
23.Briere, Daniel



that's right... i left out some big names, but i don't think they'll be playing:
Kariya, Paul
Lemieux, Mario
Lindros, Eric
Nieuwendyk, Joe
Nolan, Owen
Peca, Michael
Shanahan, Brendan
Yzerman, Steve
St. Louis, Martin...
Neidermayer, Scott..

 

[spiff]

Mario

I think Gretzky will ask Mario if he wants to play and if he says yes then he's on the team.. I believe they should take him for his leadership anyways. As well I hope you don't think they will put Turco in front of Luongo on the depth chart.

But in the Sun today they mentioned Bryan McCabe.....

Not sure about that just yet.....

 

[21pro]

I agree about Mario... but he has slowed down alot!

I'd like to see McCabe on the squad... I think he could do it this year... he's taking alot less penalties and his game has improved than in years past. It would also be nice to see Lindros on the team too, but who knows?

we actually could have 3 world class teams, couldn't we! I remember the under 17's when they would go to the world champions, we'd have 3 teams composing of Ontario, Atlantic, and West. I don't know if they still do that, though...

 

[ottawasub]

Lemieux is playing like a 40 year old, despite giving himself all the powerplay time and offensive zone draws he hasn`t accomplished mich this year. He`s slow and a liability defensively. As for leadership, he`s never been much of a leader. Hopefully Gretzky will have the guts to leave him off the team, it would be better if Lemieux could put his ego aside and see that he`s not up for it and step aside.

 

[Ranger68]

St. Louis gets in ahead of Briere, hands down.
Probably Niedermayer over Stuart.
And you could easily replace Smyth with Peca, if just for defensive purposes.

 

[SupahotGavin]

good list but...

There is no way Scott Neidermayer doesn't make the team. He is a lock, guaranteed, no question.

 

[Dimitri]

even if

even if mario looked like tom fitzergald out of respect you have to invite him...and i think in a short tournie mario can do some damage still.......forwards there are so many.....its almost a crap shot on who gets in.......if they are judging play by this year and it weighs in who knows who we will see....rob balke has looked awful in col...and all canada goalies with exception of edd lately havent looked that sharp...i guess brodeur aint so great anymore....lifes harder now that he gets over 16 shots a game...martin=overrated

 

[A-ROD]

Canada could put in at least three competative teams in the tourney. I am more interested in seeing how well they will do. I think that you will see Canada shine because for the first time they should be playing the high flying style of game vs the clutch and grab. I hope the referees call the same type of game as in the NHL

 

[GlavaMan]

I could see Eric Brewer being left off now that he is out of Edmonton. Cujo could be invited if Wayne wants him there.

 

[Ranger68]

Yes, a healthy Nash displaces most anyone - probably Sullivan.

Briere, Sullivan, and Stuart are replaced by Niedermayer, Nash, and St. Louis.

 

[Goober Mcfly]

Good God, I'm agreeing with Ranger.

I'm scared...

 

[A-ROD]

Good God, I'm agreeing with Ranger.

I'm scared...

So when do you think the two of you will be going out on the town together

 

[the_big_E]

Yes, Scott Niedermayer is a definite lock.

Where on earth did hockey Canada come up with a list of 81 players? Why not 82, or 80?

Whoever is on top of their game should be there, no loyalties, I would hope...

 

[ottawasub]

You guys are really underrating Daniel Briere. I`m not claiming he`s a lock, but he`s closer than people think and has excelled at international tourneys before. Expect him to be on a line with Heatley if he makes it.

At both the 2002 Olympics and last years World Championships, Jovanovski was Canada`s worst defenseman. It doesn`t look like he`ll ever fulfill his potential and I`d rather see Bouwmeester or Souray get a shot.

Regarding Lemieux, you can`t invite him just out of respect. It`s sad but people get old and their skills diminish. There came a time when they stopped inviting Mark Messier for that reason, it`s just the way it is. Of course Lemieux would be a better choice than the most overrated player in hockey: Todd Bertuzzi.

 

[GlavaMan]

Whoever is on top of their game should be there, no loyalties, I would hope...[/QUOTE]

Should be but may not be:

http://www.hockeydirt.com/2005/10/canadian_olympi.html

 

[Ranger68]

So when do you think the two of you will be going out on the town together

I've called a bunch of times, but he won't return my messages.

 

[21pro]

Yes, Scott Niedermayer is a definite lock.

Whoever is on top of their game should be there...

yes i do believe Niedermayer should be there, but i do know they always have 2 up and cummers on 'D'... maybe him instead of Blake, he's not off to the best season, having trouble with the new NHL rules- but he is one stud of a defenseman.

also, i don't think St. Louis is on top of his game... he should be, but isn't. maybe he hasn't hit his stride yet... if he does, definitely count him in. if not, give someone else a try.

 

[21pro]

it is notable that the teams associated with the management and coaching staff of Team Canada are very well represented on the long list.

Head Coach Pat Quinn (Leafs) and Assistant Coach Ken Hitchcock (Flyers) both have 5 players from their respective NHL teams on the list, as does Assistant GM Kevin Lowe of the Oilers. Director of Player Personnel Steve Tambellini, who also serves as the Canuck's Vice President will be pleased to see 4 Canucks on the long list. Team Canada GM Wayne Gretzky's Coyotes and Assistant Coach Jacques Martin of the Panthers each have 3 named players.

All of the players named to the Team Canada will undoubtedly enjoy the recognition they will receive as a result of this honour. Many can be expected to raise the level of their game in an effort to earn a final roster spot. Was this a factor in drawing up the Team Canada list? If there were some "politics" involved in the selection process, it will not be the first time.

In both 1987 and 1991, Head Coach Mike Keenan cut Steve Yzerman from Team Canada. Despite averaging over 50 goals a season from 1986-87 through 1992-93, Keenan snubbed Yzerman in what is now seen as an attempt to undermine the confidence of Wings' Captain. At the time, Keenan was coaching the Chicago Blackhawks, divisional rivals of the Red Wings.

It is beyond belief that Gretzky would tolerate any manipulation of the Team Canada selection process to benefit his or any other NHL club. Nonetheless, he will be pressed to explain the coincidence of having selected so many players from the clubs represented in the Team Canada brain trust.

I say:
...go with who you know...
nothing wrong with that.

it's amazing how the author of this article has configured the stats to be in his favour, yet only 25 of the 81 players come from teams associated with the coaching/management squads... ie MOST players that are invited come from OTHER teams.

 

[stang]

Gretzky's in charge. Won't rock the boat and will go with his fav's.
Goalie's will be Brodeur, Belfour and Joseph again. Possibly Luongo instead of Belfour.

And he'll pass on Bertuzzi.

 

[the_big_E]

Luongo has to be there, he's probably better than Brodeur right now (this season, I know Brodeur is amazing, but he hasnt been Brodeur-like thus far)

Secondly, McCabe should be off the team for trying to catch the puck tonight!