There is no doubt that Steve Yzerman and the folks at Hockey Canada had a tough job to do in selecting the roster for Team Canada that will take part in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
And there is also no doubt, there will be weeks and weeks of speculation and discussion about who was selected – and who was left off – until the Olympic Games begin.
But I think one thing is for certain – as much as all of us who profess to know who should be on Team Canada, none of us know even a tenth as much as Yzerman and the Team Canada selection committee know.
I trust their judgement, primarily because they know the players involved and they know who is best suited to be a part of the intense pressure and responsibility of being on a Canadian hockey team at the Olympics.
I think most hockey observers could pick who we think the top three goalies, seven defenceman and 13 forwards born in Canada who are playing in the NHL are. Most of us, maybe as high as 80 or 90 percent, would pick the same 20 guys, with the exception of a player or two or three.
But when it comes to selecting a team of 23 players that would give Canada the best chance at a gold medal, well that is another story. So some higher profile guys might have been left off for either younger ro more role-playing kind of guys, but that’s the decision best left in the hands of Yzerman and his staff, not hockey pundits.
Same thing with their choice for captain, Scott Niedermeyer. There were other players mentioned and “supported” by media types and fans, but again, who REALLY knows the players better than Yzerman and his staff? No way would I question the pick of Niedermeyer.
Bottom line is that Team Canada’s Olympic team is younger on defence, very highly skilled on offence and solid in goal. There will be some very disappointed players like Martin St. Louis, Vince Lecavalier, Ryan Smyth, Shane Doan, Mike Fisher and several others, but Canada has great depth.
And the bottom line is – Hockey Canada knows these guys better than any of us do. And looking at the roster, it really is one hell of a team. Can’t wait to see them line up against the best of the rest of the world at the Olympics.
Brodeur
Luongo
Fleury
Boyle
Doughty
Keith
Niedermeyer
Pronger
Seabrook
Weber
Bergeron
Crosby
Getzlaf
Heatley
Iginla
Marleau
Morrow
Nash
Perry
M. Richards
E. Staal
Thornton
Toews
Canada is certainly the odds-on favorite to win the gold medal at the world junior hockey championships, and I certainly won’t bet against them winning a sixth straight gold medal.
But although Canada dominates the weaker teams in the tournament and wins most of the time, Canada rarely has dominated the medal round games and they won’t this time around either.
Sweden has a terrific young team, Finland is very competitive and so is Russia. And although the United States is more geared up for next year’s event in Buffalo than this year’s in Saskatoon, they are a quality club too that plays with lots of emotion.
The tournament up until now has been a dud from an entertainment and competitive standpoint, no question. But that is going to change from here on out, as Canada heads into the medal rounds.
Canada should win – but don’t count on it. It’s never easy and it won’t be easy this time out as well. Enjoy the games – because you’ll see some top flight and very competitive hockey from here on out.
And Happy New Year everyone! All the best from my family to yours, have a great 2010, and thanks for supporting latenightvampire.com!!!