We are quickly approaching the time for the Olympic rosters to be set, so it is about time to take another look at what they might look like. This is something we’ve done on this blog during each of the past two Stanley Cup finals, but now we’re just a few weeks away.
There was a graphic with today’s story on Mike Green that included an educated guess at what Team Canada’s roster might look like on Dec. 30. Here it is for those of you who don’t get the paper:
SEE RELATED:
GOALTENDERS
Martin Brodeur
Marc-Andre Fleury
Roberto Luongo
Just missed: Marty Turco
Analysis: Those three have separated from the pack, so this is a pretty easy choice. It might be Bobby Lou’s home rink, but expect it to be Brodeur’s net barring any unforeseen changes.
FORWARDS
Sidney Crosby
Jarome Iginla
Rick Nash
Joe Thornton
Dany Heatley
Ryan Getzlaf
Corey Perry
Brendan Morrow
Jonathan Toews
Mike Richards
Patrick Marleau
Martin St. Louis
Steven Stamkos
Just missed: Jeff Carter, Ryan Smyth
Analysis: Top-end guys not as flashy as Team Russia, but no other team can match Canada’s combination of depth and guys who are both skilled and play a physical style. That could be a huge factor on the NHL-sized rink in Vancouver.
DEFENSEMEN
Scott Neidermayer
Chris Pronger
Duncan Keith
Shea Weber
Dan Boyle
Jay Bouwmeester
MIKE GREEN
Just missed: Brent Seabrook, Drew Doughty
Analysis: Those first four guys are locks, and Boyle/Bouwmeester might be pretty close to that. In this scenario Green might not dress at the start of the tournament, but if the team is struggling to score or the power play is lagging (like what happened in 2006) then they can turn to Green for a boost.
If I were drawing up the forward lines, I’d probably start with something like this:
Nash-Crosby-Iginla
Heatley-Thornton-Marleau
St. Louis-Getzlaf-Perry
Morrow-Richards-Toews
Stamkos
