Canes named to Canadian Olympic LONG list

[corylav]

NICE!

Work to be done

The list of 81 includes several players who were not at the summer orientation camp but are now enjoying quick starts to the new NHL season.

CALGARY (CP) -- Rookies Sidney Crosby, Jeff Carter, Michael Richards, Dion Phaneuf and Cam Ward are among a list of 81 potential players for Canada's men's hockey team at the Winter Olympics in Turin this February.

The list, released by Hockey Canada, includes nine goaltenders, 23 defencemen and 49 forwards.

Forwards Jason Spezza, Eric Lindros, Paul Kariya and defenceman Bryan McCabe are among the players also named who weren't invited to Team Canada's summer camp, but have had strong starts to the NHL season.

A player has to be on the preliminary list to be eligible for the 23-man roster that will participate at the Olympics.

The deadline for the final roster selection is Dec. 22.

[corylav]

NICE!

Work to be done

The list of 81 includes several players who were not at the summer orientation camp but are now enjoying quick starts to the new NHL season.

CALGARY (CP) -- Rookies Sidney Crosby, Jeff Carter, Michael Richards, Dion Phaneuf and Cam Ward are among a list of 81 potential players for Canada's men's hockey team at the Winter Olympics in Turin this February.

The list, released by Hockey Canada, includes nine goaltenders, 23 defencemen and 49 forwards.

Forwards Jason Spezza, Eric Lindros, Paul Kariya and defenceman Bryan McCabe are among the players also named who weren't invited to Team Canada's summer camp, but have had strong starts to the NHL season.

A player has to be on the preliminary list to be eligible for the 23-man roster that will participate at the Olympics.

The deadline for the final roster selection is Dec. 22.

[corylav]

NICE!

Work to be done

The list of 81 includes several players who were not at the summer orientation camp but are now enjoying quick starts to the new NHL season.

CALGARY (CP) -- Rookies Sidney Crosby, Jeff Carter, Michael Richards, Dion Phaneuf and Cam Ward are among a list of 81 potential players for Canada's men's hockey team at the Winter Olympics in Turin this February.

The list, released by Hockey Canada, includes nine goaltenders, 23 defencemen and 49 forwards.

Forwards Jason Spezza, Eric Lindros, Paul Kariya and defenceman Bryan McCabe are among the players also named who weren't invited to Team Canada's summer camp, but have had strong starts to the NHL season.

A player has to be on the preliminary list to be eligible for the 23-man roster that will participate at the Olympics.

The deadline for the final roster selection is Dec. 22.

[corylav]

NICE!

Work to be done

The list of 81 includes several players who were not at the summer orientation camp but are now enjoying quick starts to the new NHL season.

CALGARY (CP) -- Rookies Sidney Crosby, Jeff Carter, Michael Richards, Dion Phaneuf and Cam Ward are among a list of 81 potential players for Canada's men's hockey team at the Winter Olympics in Turin this February.

The list, released by Hockey Canada, includes nine goaltenders, 23 defencemen and 49 forwards.

Forwards Jason Spezza, Eric Lindros, Paul Kariya and defenceman Bryan McCabe are among the players also named who weren't invited to Team Canada's summer camp, but have had strong starts to the NHL season.

A player has to be on the preliminary list to be eligible for the 23-man roster that will participate at the Olympics.

The deadline for the final roster selection is Dec. 22.

[nccanes]

Canada's long list of 81 Canadian NHL players submitted on Wednesday includes nine goaltenders, 23 defencemen and 49 forwards.





Preliminary Team Canada roster for 2006 Turin Olympics:

Goaltenders

Ed Belfour, Toronto; Martin Brodeur, New Jersey; Dan Cloutier, Vancouver; Curtis Joseph, Phoenix Coyotes; Roberto Luongo, Florida; Andrew Raycroft, Boston Bruins; Jose Theodore, Montreal; Marty Turco, Dallas; Cam Ward, Carolina.

Defencemen

Adrian Aucoin, Chicago; Rob Blake, Colorado; Jay Bouwmeester, Florida; Dan Boyle, Tampa Bay; Nick Boynton, Boston; Eric Brewer, St. Louis; Eric Desjardins, Philadelphia; Adam Foote, Columbus; Scott Hannan, San Jose, Barret Jackman, St. Louis; Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver; Bryan McCabe, Toronto; Kyle McLaren, San Jose Sharks; Derek Morris, Phoenix; Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim; Dion Phaneuf, Calgary; Chris Phillips, Ottawa; Chris Pronger, Edmonton; Wade Redden, Ottawa; Robyn Regehr, Calgary; Sheldon Souray, Montreal; Steve Staios, Edmonton; Brad Stuart, San Jose.

Forwards

Jason Allison, Toronto; Jason Arnott, Dallas; Patrice Bergeron, Boston; Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver; Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Minnesota; Daniel Briere, Buffalo; Jeff Carter, Philadelphia; Marc Chouinard, Minnesota; Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh; Shane Doan, Phoenix; Kris Draper, Detroit; Simon Gagne, Philadelphia; Dany Heatley, Ottawa; Shawn Horcoff, Edmonton; Jarome Iginla, Calgary; Paul Kariya, Nashville; Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay; Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh; Eric Lindros, Toronto; Joffrey Lupul, Anaheim; John Madden, New Jersey; Kirk Maltby, Detroit; Patrick Marleau, San Jose; Brendan Morrison, Vancouver; Brenden Morrow, Dallas; Glen Murray, Boston; Rick Nash, Columbus; Rob Niedermayer, Anaheim; Joe Nieuwendyk, Florida; Jeff O'Neill, Toronto; Michael Peca, Edmonton; Keith Primeau, Philadelphia; Mark Recchi, Pittsburgh; Brad Richards, Tampa Bay; Michael Richards, Philadelphia; Michael Ryder, Montreal; Joe Sakic, Colorado; Marc Savard, Atlanta; Brendan Shanahan, Brendan, Detroit; Ryan Smyth, Edmonton; Jason Spezza, Ottawa; Eric Staal, Carolina; Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay; Steve Sullivan, Nashville; Alex Tanguay, Colorado; Joe Thornton, Boston; Scott Walker, Nashville; Wes Walz, Minnesota; Steve Yzerman, Detroit.

[nccanes]

Canada's long list of 81 Canadian NHL players submitted on Wednesday includes nine goaltenders, 23 defencemen and 49 forwards.





Preliminary Team Canada roster for 2006 Turin Olympics:

Goaltenders

Ed Belfour, Toronto; Martin Brodeur, New Jersey; Dan Cloutier, Vancouver; Curtis Joseph, Phoenix Coyotes; Roberto Luongo, Florida; Andrew Raycroft, Boston Bruins; Jose Theodore, Montreal; Marty Turco, Dallas; Cam Ward, Carolina.

Defencemen

Adrian Aucoin, Chicago; Rob Blake, Colorado; Jay Bouwmeester, Florida; Dan Boyle, Tampa Bay; Nick Boynton, Boston; Eric Brewer, St. Louis; Eric Desjardins, Philadelphia; Adam Foote, Columbus; Scott Hannan, San Jose, Barret Jackman, St. Louis; Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver; Bryan McCabe, Toronto; Kyle McLaren, San Jose Sharks; Derek Morris, Phoenix; Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim; Dion Phaneuf, Calgary; Chris Phillips, Ottawa; Chris Pronger, Edmonton; Wade Redden, Ottawa; Robyn Regehr, Calgary; Sheldon Souray, Montreal; Steve Staios, Edmonton; Brad Stuart, San Jose.

Forwards

Jason Allison, Toronto; Jason Arnott, Dallas; Patrice Bergeron, Boston; Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver; Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Minnesota; Daniel Briere, Buffalo; Jeff Carter, Philadelphia; Marc Chouinard, Minnesota; Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh; Shane Doan, Phoenix; Kris Draper, Detroit; Simon Gagne, Philadelphia; Dany Heatley, Ottawa; Shawn Horcoff, Edmonton; Jarome Iginla, Calgary; Paul Kariya, Nashville; Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay; Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh; Eric Lindros, Toronto; Joffrey Lupul, Anaheim; John Madden, New Jersey; Kirk Maltby, Detroit; Patrick Marleau, San Jose; Brendan Morrison, Vancouver; Brenden Morrow, Dallas; Glen Murray, Boston; Rick Nash, Columbus; Rob Niedermayer, Anaheim; Joe Nieuwendyk, Florida; Jeff O'Neill, Toronto; Michael Peca, Edmonton; Keith Primeau, Philadelphia; Mark Recchi, Pittsburgh; Brad Richards, Tampa Bay; Michael Richards, Philadelphia; Michael Ryder, Montreal; Joe Sakic, Colorado; Marc Savard, Atlanta; Brendan Shanahan, Brendan, Detroit; Ryan Smyth, Edmonton; Jason Spezza, Ottawa; Eric Staal, Carolina; Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay; Steve Sullivan, Nashville; Alex Tanguay, Colorado; Joe Thornton, Boston; Scott Walker, Nashville; Wes Walz, Minnesota; Steve Yzerman, Detroit.

[nccanes]

Canada's long list of 81 Canadian NHL players submitted on Wednesday includes nine goaltenders, 23 defencemen and 49 forwards.





Preliminary Team Canada roster for 2006 Turin Olympics:

Goaltenders

Ed Belfour, Toronto; Martin Brodeur, New Jersey; Dan Cloutier, Vancouver; Curtis Joseph, Phoenix Coyotes; Roberto Luongo, Florida; Andrew Raycroft, Boston Bruins; Jose Theodore, Montreal; Marty Turco, Dallas; Cam Ward, Carolina.

Defencemen

Adrian Aucoin, Chicago; Rob Blake, Colorado; Jay Bouwmeester, Florida; Dan Boyle, Tampa Bay; Nick Boynton, Boston; Eric Brewer, St. Louis; Eric Desjardins, Philadelphia; Adam Foote, Columbus; Scott Hannan, San Jose, Barret Jackman, St. Louis; Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver; Bryan McCabe, Toronto; Kyle McLaren, San Jose Sharks; Derek Morris, Phoenix; Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim; Dion Phaneuf, Calgary; Chris Phillips, Ottawa; Chris Pronger, Edmonton; Wade Redden, Ottawa; Robyn Regehr, Calgary; Sheldon Souray, Montreal; Steve Staios, Edmonton; Brad Stuart, San Jose.

Forwards

Jason Allison, Toronto; Jason Arnott, Dallas; Patrice Bergeron, Boston; Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver; Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Minnesota; Daniel Briere, Buffalo; Jeff Carter, Philadelphia; Marc Chouinard, Minnesota; Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh; Shane Doan, Phoenix; Kris Draper, Detroit; Simon Gagne, Philadelphia; Dany Heatley, Ottawa; Shawn Horcoff, Edmonton; Jarome Iginla, Calgary; Paul Kariya, Nashville; Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay; Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh; Eric Lindros, Toronto; Joffrey Lupul, Anaheim; John Madden, New Jersey; Kirk Maltby, Detroit; Patrick Marleau, San Jose; Brendan Morrison, Vancouver; Brenden Morrow, Dallas; Glen Murray, Boston; Rick Nash, Columbus; Rob Niedermayer, Anaheim; Joe Nieuwendyk, Florida; Jeff O'Neill, Toronto; Michael Peca, Edmonton; Keith Primeau, Philadelphia; Mark Recchi, Pittsburgh; Brad Richards, Tampa Bay; Michael Richards, Philadelphia; Michael Ryder, Montreal; Joe Sakic, Colorado; Marc Savard, Atlanta; Brendan Shanahan, Brendan, Detroit; Ryan Smyth, Edmonton; Jason Spezza, Ottawa; Eric Staal, Carolina; Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay; Steve Sullivan, Nashville; Alex Tanguay, Colorado; Joe Thornton, Boston; Scott Walker, Nashville; Wes Walz, Minnesota; Steve Yzerman, Detroit.

[nccanes]

Canada's long list of 81 Canadian NHL players submitted on Wednesday includes nine goaltenders, 23 defencemen and 49 forwards.





Preliminary Team Canada roster for 2006 Turin Olympics:

Goaltenders

Ed Belfour, Toronto; Martin Brodeur, New Jersey; Dan Cloutier, Vancouver; Curtis Joseph, Phoenix Coyotes; Roberto Luongo, Florida; Andrew Raycroft, Boston Bruins; Jose Theodore, Montreal; Marty Turco, Dallas; Cam Ward, Carolina.

Defencemen

Adrian Aucoin, Chicago; Rob Blake, Colorado; Jay Bouwmeester, Florida; Dan Boyle, Tampa Bay; Nick Boynton, Boston; Eric Brewer, St. Louis; Eric Desjardins, Philadelphia; Adam Foote, Columbus; Scott Hannan, San Jose, Barret Jackman, St. Louis; Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver; Bryan McCabe, Toronto; Kyle McLaren, San Jose Sharks; Derek Morris, Phoenix; Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim; Dion Phaneuf, Calgary; Chris Phillips, Ottawa; Chris Pronger, Edmonton; Wade Redden, Ottawa; Robyn Regehr, Calgary; Sheldon Souray, Montreal; Steve Staios, Edmonton; Brad Stuart, San Jose.

Forwards

Jason Allison, Toronto; Jason Arnott, Dallas; Patrice Bergeron, Boston; Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver; Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Minnesota; Daniel Briere, Buffalo; Jeff Carter, Philadelphia; Marc Chouinard, Minnesota; Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh; Shane Doan, Phoenix; Kris Draper, Detroit; Simon Gagne, Philadelphia; Dany Heatley, Ottawa; Shawn Horcoff, Edmonton; Jarome Iginla, Calgary; Paul Kariya, Nashville; Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay; Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh; Eric Lindros, Toronto; Joffrey Lupul, Anaheim; John Madden, New Jersey; Kirk Maltby, Detroit; Patrick Marleau, San Jose; Brendan Morrison, Vancouver; Brenden Morrow, Dallas; Glen Murray, Boston; Rick Nash, Columbus; Rob Niedermayer, Anaheim; Joe Nieuwendyk, Florida; Jeff O'Neill, Toronto; Michael Peca, Edmonton; Keith Primeau, Philadelphia; Mark Recchi, Pittsburgh; Brad Richards, Tampa Bay; Michael Richards, Philadelphia; Michael Ryder, Montreal; Joe Sakic, Colorado; Marc Savard, Atlanta; Brendan Shanahan, Brendan, Detroit; Ryan Smyth, Edmonton; Jason Spezza, Ottawa; Eric Staal, Carolina; Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay; Steve Sullivan, Nashville; Alex Tanguay, Colorado; Joe Thornton, Boston; Scott Walker, Nashville; Wes Walz, Minnesota; Steve Yzerman, Detroit.

[goalie33]

Sweeet.

Cam can easily outplay Cloutier, Joseph, Theodore, and Turco right off the bat.

[goalie33]

Sweeet.

Cam can easily outplay Cloutier, Joseph, Theodore, and Turco right off the bat.

[goalie33]

Sweeet.

Cam can easily outplay Cloutier, Joseph, Theodore, and Turco right off the bat.

[goalie33]

Sweeet.

Cam can easily outplay Cloutier, Joseph, Theodore, and Turco right off the bat.

[Captain Slack]

I'd say Brodeur & Luongo have the top two spots locked. Competition will be for the third.

[Captain Slack]

I'd say Brodeur & Luongo have the top two spots locked. Competition will be for the third.

[Captain Slack]

I'd say Brodeur & Luongo have the top two spots locked. Competition will be for the third.

[Captain Slack]

I'd say Brodeur & Luongo have the top two spots locked. Competition will be for the third.

[corylav]

so ... I guess this was moved, eh?

[corylav]

so ... I guess this was moved, eh?

[corylav]

so ... I guess this was moved, eh?

[corylav]

so ... I guess this was moved, eh?

[Staalgurl4ever]

Luongo are probably gonna be the top 2. It's either gonna be Turco or Theodore I'm guessing for the third.

[Staalgurl4ever]

Luongo are probably gonna be the top 2. It's either gonna be Turco or Theodore I'm guessing for the third.

[Staalgurl4ever]

Luongo are probably gonna be the top 2. It's either gonna be Turco or Theodore I'm guessing for the third.

[Staalgurl4ever]

Luongo are probably gonna be the top 2. It's either gonna be Turco or Theodore I'm guessing for the third.

[Turbulence]

I think 2010 will be Cam's year in the Olympics...there are plenty of veterans out there this year who will probably take the 3 spots for this upcoming Olympics.

Staal, however, might have a chance to make the team. That's not as big of a long shot as it might have been before...he's been playing well and consistent, and by the time late Winter shows up, he may be ready.

[Turbulence]

I think 2010 will be Cam's year in the Olympics...there are plenty of veterans out there this year who will probably take the 3 spots for this upcoming Olympics.

Staal, however, might have a chance to make the team. That's not as big of a long shot as it might have been before...he's been playing well and consistent, and by the time late Winter shows up, he may be ready.

[Turbulence]

I think 2010 will be Cam's year in the Olympics...there are plenty of veterans out there this year who will probably take the 3 spots for this upcoming Olympics.

Staal, however, might have a chance to make the team. That's not as big of a long shot as it might have been before...he's been playing well and consistent, and by the time late Winter shows up, he may be ready.

[Turbulence]

I think 2010 will be Cam's year in the Olympics...there are plenty of veterans out there this year who will probably take the 3 spots for this upcoming Olympics.

Staal, however, might have a chance to make the team. That's not as big of a long shot as it might have been before...he's been playing well and consistent, and by the time late Winter shows up, he may be ready.

[nccanes]

so ... I guess this was moved, eh?

Sorry - forgot to post a note in the 'general Canes thread'. Thought there would be further discussion things move toward the Olympics so I split your post to its own thread. :)

[nccanes]

so ... I guess this was moved, eh?

Sorry - forgot to post a note in the 'general Canes thread'. Thought there would be further discussion things move toward the Olympics so I split your post to its own thread. :)

[nccanes]

so ... I guess this was moved, eh?

Sorry - forgot to post a note in the 'general Canes thread'. Thought there would be further discussion things move toward the Olympics so I split your post to its own thread. :)

[nccanes]

so ... I guess this was moved, eh?

Sorry - forgot to post a note in the 'general Canes thread'. Thought there would be further discussion things move toward the Olympics so I split your post to its own thread. :)

[SoCalcaniac]

WOW! Cam & Eric! I know the list is LONG, however, what a great HONOR...... talk about decisions to make- Staal probably has a really great shot to get in there- and Cam, hey, who knows???

It's all good though......

[SoCalcaniac]

WOW! Cam & Eric! I know the list is LONG, however, what a great HONOR...... talk about decisions to make- Staal probably has a really great shot to get in there- and Cam, hey, who knows???

It's all good though......

[SoCalcaniac]

WOW! Cam & Eric! I know the list is LONG, however, what a great HONOR...... talk about decisions to make- Staal probably has a really great shot to get in there- and Cam, hey, who knows???

It's all good though......

[SoCalcaniac]

WOW! Cam & Eric! I know the list is LONG, however, what a great HONOR...... talk about decisions to make- Staal probably has a really great shot to get in there- and Cam, hey, who knows???

It's all good though......

[ontheglass]

Eric Staal was named as a "darkhorse" by TSN (1st intermission Isles/Rangers game) to make the Canada Team. Actually got some good press. TSN says that Gretzsky would prefer players with more experience, but a "darkhorse" is still pretty good this early and they like his finishing ability.

[ontheglass]

Eric Staal was named as a "darkhorse" by TSN (1st intermission Isles/Rangers game) to make the Canada Team. Actually got some good press. TSN says that Gretzsky would prefer players with more experience, but a "darkhorse" is still pretty good this early and they like his finishing ability.

[ontheglass]

Eric Staal was named as a "darkhorse" by TSN (1st intermission Isles/Rangers game) to make the Canada Team. Actually got some good press. TSN says that Gretzsky would prefer players with more experience, but a "darkhorse" is still pretty good this early and they like his finishing ability.

[ontheglass]

Eric Staal was named as a "darkhorse" by TSN (1st intermission Isles/Rangers game) to make the Canada Team. Actually got some good press. TSN says that Gretzsky would prefer players with more experience, but a "darkhorse" is still pretty good this early and they like his finishing ability.

[Guyute]

yeah, we were watching that game/broadcast too. nice piece about all the kids that got put on the list.

[Guyute]

yeah, we were watching that game/broadcast too. nice piece about all the kids that got put on the list.

[Guyute]

yeah, we were watching that game/broadcast too. nice piece about all the kids that got put on the list.

[Guyute]

yeah, we were watching that game/broadcast too. nice piece about all the kids that got put on the list.

[SoCalcaniac]

That piece on TSN was awesome- and I think if Staal keeps things up- he might not be such a darkhorse- but wow, it's amazing the load of talent Canada has.

I had to roll my eyes really hard when kooky Pierre Maguire starts wailing that Darcy Tucker was 'overlooked'. Ok dude.

[SoCalcaniac]

That piece on TSN was awesome- and I think if Staal keeps things up- he might not be such a darkhorse- but wow, it's amazing the load of talent Canada has.

I had to roll my eyes really hard when kooky Pierre Maguire starts wailing that Darcy Tucker was 'overlooked'. Ok dude.

[SoCalcaniac]

That piece on TSN was awesome- and I think if Staal keeps things up- he might not be such a darkhorse- but wow, it's amazing the load of talent Canada has.

I had to roll my eyes really hard when kooky Pierre Maguire starts wailing that Darcy Tucker was 'overlooked'. Ok dude.

[SoCalcaniac]

That piece on TSN was awesome- and I think if Staal keeps things up- he might not be such a darkhorse- but wow, it's amazing the load of talent Canada has.

I had to roll my eyes really hard when kooky Pierre Maguire starts wailing that Darcy Tucker was 'overlooked'. Ok dude.

[Guyute]

yeah, Canada is going to be damn near impossible to beat in 2010 from how things look now.

as a side note--- I wasn't watching who said it, but one of the guys when they started the Canadian List piece was talking about "it will be easier to tell you who's NOT on the list... so let's start there.
Steve, that guy in your beer league. Not on it."

I was LMAO.

[Guyute]

yeah, Canada is going to be damn near impossible to beat in 2010 from how things look now.

as a side note--- I wasn't watching who said it, but one of the guys when they started the Canadian List piece was talking about "it will be easier to tell you who's NOT on the list... so let's start there.
Steve, that guy in your beer league. Not on it."

I was LMAO.

[Guyute]

yeah, Canada is going to be damn near impossible to beat in 2010 from how things look now.

as a side note--- I wasn't watching who said it, but one of the guys when they started the Canadian List piece was talking about "it will be easier to tell you who's NOT on the list... so let's start there.
Steve, that guy in your beer league. Not on it."

I was LMAO.

[Guyute]

yeah, Canada is going to be damn near impossible to beat in 2010 from how things look now.

as a side note--- I wasn't watching who said it, but one of the guys when they started the Canadian List piece was talking about "it will be easier to tell you who's NOT on the list... so let's start there.
Steve, that guy in your beer league. Not on it."

I was LMAO.

[Mona]

What a gem Eric is.. I so hope we can keep him for a long time. :) Same goes for Mr. C. Ward. :D

[Mona]

What a gem Eric is.. I so hope we can keep him for a long time. :) Same goes for Mr. C. Ward. :D

[Mona]

What a gem Eric is.. I so hope we can keep him for a long time. :) Same goes for Mr. C. Ward. :D

[Mona]

What a gem Eric is.. I so hope we can keep him for a long time. :) Same goes for Mr. C. Ward. :D

[SoCalcaniac]

yeah, Canada is going to be damn near impossible to beat in 2010 from how things look now.

as a side note--- I wasn't watching who said it, but one of the guys when they started the Canadian List piece was talking about "it will be easier to tell you who's NOT on the list... so let's start there.
Steve, that guy in your beer league. Not on it."

I was LMAO.

Yeah, Guy-that was hilarious- it was James Duffie who said it.... hee hee.

[SoCalcaniac]

yeah, Canada is going to be damn near impossible to beat in 2010 from how things look now.

as a side note--- I wasn't watching who said it, but one of the guys when they started the Canadian List piece was talking about "it will be easier to tell you who's NOT on the list... so let's start there.
Steve, that guy in your beer league. Not on it."

I was LMAO.

Yeah, Guy-that was hilarious- it was James Duffie who said it.... hee hee.

[SoCalcaniac]

yeah, Canada is going to be damn near impossible to beat in 2010 from how things look now.

as a side note--- I wasn't watching who said it, but one of the guys when they started the Canadian List piece was talking about "it will be easier to tell you who's NOT on the list... so let's start there.
Steve, that guy in your beer league. Not on it."

I was LMAO.

Yeah, Guy-that was hilarious- it was James Duffie who said it.... hee hee.

[SoCalcaniac]

yeah, Canada is going to be damn near impossible to beat in 2010 from how things look now.

as a side note--- I wasn't watching who said it, but one of the guys when they started the Canadian List piece was talking about "it will be easier to tell you who's NOT on the list... so let's start there.
Steve, that guy in your beer league. Not on it."

I was LMAO.

Yeah, Guy-that was hilarious- it was James Duffie who said it.... hee hee.

[StormShaman]

HOW the hells is Aaryn Bechard not on that list?!

*pounds on the desk* I demand an explanation from Hockey Canada RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!!!!

;)

[StormShaman]

HOW the hells is Aaryn Bechard not on that list?!

*pounds on the desk* I demand an explanation from Hockey Canada RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!!!!

;)

[StormShaman]

HOW the hells is Aaryn Bechard not on that list?!

*pounds on the desk* I demand an explanation from Hockey Canada RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!!!!

;)

[StormShaman]

HOW the hells is Aaryn Bechard not on that list?!

*pounds on the desk* I demand an explanation from Hockey Canada RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!!!!

;)

[Captain Slack]

HOW the hells is Aaryn Bechard not on that list?!

*pounds on the desk* I demand an explanation from Hockey Canada RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!!!!

;)

HARUMPH!!!!!

Anybody else give me a HARUMPH!!!!!

:beatup:

[Captain Slack]

HOW the hells is Aaryn Bechard not on that list?!

*pounds on the desk* I demand an explanation from Hockey Canada RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!!!!

;)

HARUMPH!!!!!

Anybody else give me a HARUMPH!!!!!

:beatup:

[Captain Slack]

HOW the hells is Aaryn Bechard not on that list?!

*pounds on the desk* I demand an explanation from Hockey Canada RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!!!!

;)

HARUMPH!!!!!

Anybody else give me a HARUMPH!!!!!

:beatup:

[Captain Slack]

HOW the hells is Aaryn Bechard not on that list?!

*pounds on the desk* I demand an explanation from Hockey Canada RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!!!!

;)

HARUMPH!!!!!

Anybody else give me a HARUMPH!!!!!

:beatup:

[AbNormal27]

HOW the hells is Aaryn Bechard not on that list?!

*pounds on the desk* I demand an explanation from Hockey Canada RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!!!!

;)

Thank you. I was wondering the same thing. :mad: ;)

Aaryn

PS: I'd rather be playing for the Hurricanes anyway.

[AbNormal27]

HOW the hells is Aaryn Bechard not on that list?!

*pounds on the desk* I demand an explanation from Hockey Canada RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!!!!

;)

Thank you. I was wondering the same thing. :mad: ;)

Aaryn

PS: I'd rather be playing for the Hurricanes anyway.

[AbNormal27]

HOW the hells is Aaryn Bechard not on that list?!

*pounds on the desk* I demand an explanation from Hockey Canada RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!!!!

;)

Thank you. I was wondering the same thing. :mad: ;)

Aaryn

PS: I'd rather be playing for the Hurricanes anyway.

[AbNormal27]

HOW the hells is Aaryn Bechard not on that list?!

*pounds on the desk* I demand an explanation from Hockey Canada RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!!!!

;)

Thank you. I was wondering the same thing. :mad: ;)

Aaryn

PS: I'd rather be playing for the Hurricanes anyway.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

TSN has a story on Cam being on the list....

Ward Surprised to Make Canadian List (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=140373&hubname=nhl)

[SouthernHockeyChick]

TSN has a story on Cam being on the list....

Ward Surprised to Make Canadian List (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=140373&hubname=nhl)

[SouthernHockeyChick]

TSN has a story on Cam being on the list....

Ward Surprised to Make Canadian List (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=140373&hubname=nhl)

[SouthernHockeyChick]

TSN has a story on Cam being on the list....

Ward Surprised to Make Canadian List (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=140373&hubname=nhl)

[Alicia]

He shouldn't be surprised! :D

[Alicia]

He shouldn't be surprised! :D

[Alicia]

He shouldn't be surprised! :D

[Alicia]

He shouldn't be surprised! :D

[corylav]

grrrrrr ...

"Cam who?" - Mighty Ducks G Jean-Sebastien Giguere when told that rookie Cam Ward, and not Giguere, was on Team Canada's list of 81 potential Olympians.

[corylav]

grrrrrr ...

"Cam who?" - Mighty Ducks G Jean-Sebastien Giguere when told that rookie Cam Ward, and not Giguere, was on Team Canada's list of 81 potential Olympians.

[corylav]

grrrrrr ...

"Cam who?" - Mighty Ducks G Jean-Sebastien Giguere when told that rookie Cam Ward, and not Giguere, was on Team Canada's list of 81 potential Olympians.

[corylav]

grrrrrr ...

"Cam who?" - Mighty Ducks G Jean-Sebastien Giguere when told that rookie Cam Ward, and not Giguere, was on Team Canada's list of 81 potential Olympians.

[goalie33]

Gerber > Giguere.

Ward > or = Gerber.

.:

Ward > Giguere.

[goalie33]

Gerber > Giguere.

Ward > or = Gerber.

.:

Ward > Giguere.

[goalie33]

Gerber > Giguere.

Ward > or = Gerber.

.:

Ward > Giguere.

[goalie33]

Gerber > Giguere.

Ward > or = Gerber.

.:

Ward > Giguere.

[corylav]

I'm not going to go that far (yet) ... Any goalie that has the run that Giggy had during the Ducks Cup run has my respect (as a player anyway)

Both Martin and Cam have a lot to prove still ... but it did seem disrespectful for Giggy to say that.

[corylav]

I'm not going to go that far (yet) ... Any goalie that has the run that Giggy had during the Ducks Cup run has my respect (as a player anyway)

Both Martin and Cam have a lot to prove still ... but it did seem disrespectful for Giggy to say that.

[corylav]

I'm not going to go that far (yet) ... Any goalie that has the run that Giggy had during the Ducks Cup run has my respect (as a player anyway)

Both Martin and Cam have a lot to prove still ... but it did seem disrespectful for Giggy to say that.

[corylav]

I'm not going to go that far (yet) ... Any goalie that has the run that Giggy had during the Ducks Cup run has my respect (as a player anyway)

Both Martin and Cam have a lot to prove still ... but it did seem disrespectful for Giggy to say that.

[goalie33]

Alls I know is dat Gerber outplay Giguere for whole season.

[goalie33]

Alls I know is dat Gerber outplay Giguere for whole season.

[goalie33]

Alls I know is dat Gerber outplay Giguere for whole season.

[goalie33]

Alls I know is dat Gerber outplay Giguere for whole season.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Wonder if he was being a smarta** or if he seriously didn't know who he was.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Wonder if he was being a smarta** or if he seriously didn't know who he was.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Wonder if he was being a smarta** or if he seriously didn't know who he was.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Wonder if he was being a smarta** or if he seriously didn't know who he was.

[corylav]

Alls I know is dat Gerber outplay Giguere for whole season.

I wouldn't agree with that ... there numbers were pretty similar (GAA was different, but I think Giggy faced about five shots more a game), and Gerber was the one shipped out of town.

[corylav]

Alls I know is dat Gerber outplay Giguere for whole season.

I wouldn't agree with that ... there numbers were pretty similar (GAA was different, but I think Giggy faced about five shots more a game), and Gerber was the one shipped out of town.

[corylav]

Alls I know is dat Gerber outplay Giguere for whole season.

I wouldn't agree with that ... there numbers were pretty similar (GAA was different, but I think Giggy faced about five shots more a game), and Gerber was the one shipped out of town.

[corylav]

Alls I know is dat Gerber outplay Giguere for whole season.

I wouldn't agree with that ... there numbers were pretty similar (GAA was different, but I think Giggy faced about five shots more a game), and Gerber was the one shipped out of town.

[goalie33]

Watching them play last season, Giguere had more starts than Gerber because: a) he had the job at the beginning of the season, and b) you can't continue to sit a six million dollar goalie, even when he's playing like garbage.

As for shipping out Gerber...you have to have somewhere to ship a player, and no one wants a six million dollar goalie who can't hold a job.

[goalie33]

Watching them play last season, Giguere had more starts than Gerber because: a) he had the job at the beginning of the season, and b) you can't continue to sit a six million dollar goalie, even when he's playing like garbage.

As for shipping out Gerber...you have to have somewhere to ship a player, and no one wants a six million dollar goalie who can't hold a job.

[goalie33]

Watching them play last season, Giguere had more starts than Gerber because: a) he had the job at the beginning of the season, and b) you can't continue to sit a six million dollar goalie, even when he's playing like garbage.

As for shipping out Gerber...you have to have somewhere to ship a player, and no one wants a six million dollar goalie who can't hold a job.

[goalie33]

Watching them play last season, Giguere had more starts than Gerber because: a) he had the job at the beginning of the season, and b) you can't continue to sit a six million dollar goalie, even when he's playing like garbage.

As for shipping out Gerber...you have to have somewhere to ship a player, and no one wants a six million dollar goalie who can't hold a job.

[corylav]

Watching them play last season, Giguere had more starts than Gerber because: a) he had the job at the beginning of the season, and b) you can't continue to sit a six million dollar goalie, even when he's playing like garbage.

As for shipping out Gerber...you have to have somewhere to ship a player, and no one wants a six million dollar goalie who can't hold a job.

their save percentages were similar ... I just don't think Giggy lived up to the performance he put up the year before, and everyone assumed that made him awful. He was OK last season ...

[corylav]

Watching them play last season, Giguere had more starts than Gerber because: a) he had the job at the beginning of the season, and b) you can't continue to sit a six million dollar goalie, even when he's playing like garbage.

As for shipping out Gerber...you have to have somewhere to ship a player, and no one wants a six million dollar goalie who can't hold a job.

their save percentages were similar ... I just don't think Giggy lived up to the performance he put up the year before, and everyone assumed that made him awful. He was OK last season ...

[corylav]

Watching them play last season, Giguere had more starts than Gerber because: a) he had the job at the beginning of the season, and b) you can't continue to sit a six million dollar goalie, even when he's playing like garbage.

As for shipping out Gerber...you have to have somewhere to ship a player, and no one wants a six million dollar goalie who can't hold a job.

their save percentages were similar ... I just don't think Giggy lived up to the performance he put up the year before, and everyone assumed that made him awful. He was OK last season ...

[corylav]

Watching them play last season, Giguere had more starts than Gerber because: a) he had the job at the beginning of the season, and b) you can't continue to sit a six million dollar goalie, even when he's playing like garbage.

As for shipping out Gerber...you have to have somewhere to ship a player, and no one wants a six million dollar goalie who can't hold a job.

their save percentages were similar ... I just don't think Giggy lived up to the performance he put up the year before, and everyone assumed that made him awful. He was OK last season ...

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I think Gerber being "shipped out of town" probably had a lot more to do with contract and up and coming prospects than that Giguere has consistently outplayed him. JMO.

I never assumed anything made Giguere "awful." But I saw him play some games and I saw Gerber play some games. And, IMO, Gerber outplayed him.....whatever their save percentage says.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I think Gerber being "shipped out of town" probably had a lot more to do with contract and up and coming prospects than that Giguere has consistently outplayed him. JMO.

I never assumed anything made Giguere "awful." But I saw him play some games and I saw Gerber play some games. And, IMO, Gerber outplayed him.....whatever their save percentage says.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I think Gerber being "shipped out of town" probably had a lot more to do with contract and up and coming prospects than that Giguere has consistently outplayed him. JMO.

I never assumed anything made Giguere "awful." But I saw him play some games and I saw Gerber play some games. And, IMO, Gerber outplayed him.....whatever their save percentage says.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I think Gerber being "shipped out of town" probably had a lot more to do with contract and up and coming prospects than that Giguere has consistently outplayed him. JMO.

I never assumed anything made Giguere "awful." But I saw him play some games and I saw Gerber play some games. And, IMO, Gerber outplayed him.....whatever their save percentage says.

[corylav]

I think Gerber being "shipped out of town" probably had a lot more to do with contract and up and coming prospects than that Giguere has consistently outplayed him. JMO.

I never assumed anything made Giguere "awful." But I saw him play some games and I saw Gerber play some games. And, IMO, Gerber outplayed him.....whatever their save percentage says.

I never said Giguere outplayed Gerber ... my whole point was goalie33's claim that "Gerber > Giguere" really is unfounded, that Gerber has a lot to prove before that can be said.

[corylav]

I think Gerber being "shipped out of town" probably had a lot more to do with contract and up and coming prospects than that Giguere has consistently outplayed him. JMO.

I never assumed anything made Giguere "awful." But I saw him play some games and I saw Gerber play some games. And, IMO, Gerber outplayed him.....whatever their save percentage says.

I never said Giguere outplayed Gerber ... my whole point was goalie33's claim that "Gerber > Giguere" really is unfounded, that Gerber has a lot to prove before that can be said.

[corylav]

I think Gerber being "shipped out of town" probably had a lot more to do with contract and up and coming prospects than that Giguere has consistently outplayed him. JMO.

I never assumed anything made Giguere "awful." But I saw him play some games and I saw Gerber play some games. And, IMO, Gerber outplayed him.....whatever their save percentage says.

I never said Giguere outplayed Gerber ... my whole point was goalie33's claim that "Gerber > Giguere" really is unfounded, that Gerber has a lot to prove before that can be said.

[corylav]

I think Gerber being "shipped out of town" probably had a lot more to do with contract and up and coming prospects than that Giguere has consistently outplayed him. JMO.

I never assumed anything made Giguere "awful." But I saw him play some games and I saw Gerber play some games. And, IMO, Gerber outplayed him.....whatever their save percentage says.

I never said Giguere outplayed Gerber ... my whole point was goalie33's claim that "Gerber > Giguere" really is unfounded, that Gerber has a lot to prove before that can be said.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

And, I'm just saying that Gerber being the one shipped out of town probably had very little to do with who outplayed whom.

I took G33's comments as being made with a little tongue in cheek-ness rather than something serious enough to argue.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

And, I'm just saying that Gerber being the one shipped out of town probably had very little to do with who outplayed whom.

I took G33's comments as being made with a little tongue in cheek-ness rather than something serious enough to argue.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

And, I'm just saying that Gerber being the one shipped out of town probably had very little to do with who outplayed whom.

I took G33's comments as being made with a little tongue in cheek-ness rather than something serious enough to argue.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

And, I'm just saying that Gerber being the one shipped out of town probably had very little to do with who outplayed whom.

I took G33's comments as being made with a little tongue in cheek-ness rather than something serious enough to argue.

[goalie33]

It was a bit of that, yes.

Giguere had two good seasons and a good playoff run, and that's about it. As far as I'm concerned, he's inconsistent and generally unproven, just like Theodore.

Gerber is generally unproven as well, but ignoring numbers completely, Gerber outplayed Giguere last season.

[goalie33]

It was a bit of that, yes.

Giguere had two good seasons and a good playoff run, and that's about it. As far as I'm concerned, he's inconsistent and generally unproven, just like Theodore.

Gerber is generally unproven as well, but ignoring numbers completely, Gerber outplayed Giguere last season.

[goalie33]

It was a bit of that, yes.

Giguere had two good seasons and a good playoff run, and that's about it. As far as I'm concerned, he's inconsistent and generally unproven, just like Theodore.

Gerber is generally unproven as well, but ignoring numbers completely, Gerber outplayed Giguere last season.

[goalie33]

It was a bit of that, yes.

Giguere had two good seasons and a good playoff run, and that's about it. As far as I'm concerned, he's inconsistent and generally unproven, just like Theodore.

Gerber is generally unproven as well, but ignoring numbers completely, Gerber outplayed Giguere last season.

[corylav]

so ... should I keep questioning Gerber "proving" himself? :beatup:

[goalie33]

I think you're gonna have to. It obviously ticks him off.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I believe it's what you'd call a requirement, now. :beatup:

[StormShaman]

That's like on the Preds' message board--whenever one of the posters would say something nice about Mark Eaton, Mark would have a bad game. So when the poster would turn around and bash Mark, he'd have a good game.

So now Mark Eaton is known on the Preds board as "a worthless sack of protoplasm". :beatup:

[corylav]

heh hem ....


I sure do hope Cam starts tomorrow ... I just don't think Martin's consistent enough for back-to-back good performances.









:beatup:

[AbNormal27]

I sure do hope Cam starts tomorrow ... I just don't think Martin's consistent enough for back-to-back good performances.
:beatup:

Isn't Cam still listed as Day to Day?

Aaryn

PS: BTW, aren't we getting a bit OT?

[ssangste]

I sure do hope Cam starts tomorrow ... I just don't think Martin's consistent enough for back-to-back good performances.
:beatup:

Isn't Cam still listed as Day to Day?

He is... but I think he could play if required. I think they are giving him a break as a precaution more than anything else that actually is stopping him from playing.

To get back on topic, I don't honestly believe that Cam will make the team. I would be thrilled if he does make the squad. But for better or for worse, there are a number of folks above him in the pecking order that virtually guarentee they will both make the team and play before, no matter how pedestrian or mediocre their NHL seasons have been to date...

I think Cam's time will come. Staal, on the other hand, I think has a very good chance to make the squad if he continues his current level of play and looks as fresh come December as he does now. There's a little uncertainty there for Gretz wanted to make sure he gets folks he can count on. As a guy only playing in his second NHL campaign, it might be tough for him to leapfrog guys that have more experience....... but if he keeps ripping it up and is near the top in league scoring to go along with the other developments in his game, I think he really does have a shot....

[MIKELIUT]

http://www.mojoradio.com/news/toronto_sports.cfm?cat=7428109912&rem=24937&red=80110923aPBIny&wids=410&gi=1&gm=toronto_sports.cfm

Gibson's Wednesday Hockey Report
Nov, 30 2005 - 9:20 AM
Team Canada has dropped their list of players down from 81 to 51. The Team Canada brain trust will be getting together next week to trim down the list even further. Here's who is left as of today.

Goal: Belfour, Brodeur, Joseph, Luongo, Theodore and Turco.
Defence: Blake, Boyle, Brewer, Foote, Hannan, Jovanovski, McCabe, Morris, Niedermayer, Phaneuf, Phillips, Pronger, Redden, Regehr and Stuart.
Forwards: Allison (Jason), Arnott, Bertuzzi, Crosby, Doan, Draper, Gagne, Heatley, Horcoff, Iginla, Kariya, Lecavalier, Lemieux, Lindros, Maltby, Marleau, Morrison, Morrow, Murray, Nash, O'Neill, Richards (Brad), Sakic, Shanahan, Smyth, Spezza, Staal, St. Louis, Sullivan, Tanguay, Thornton, and Yzerman.

Thirty players have been set aside at this point. It doesn't mean that those thirty won't be on the team. They could set the ice on fire between now and December 21st, although, three weeks is a short time frame. Players not named to the Olympic roster in a few weeks, but are on the original 81 player list can still be added to the team up to 24 hours before Canada's first game on February 15th (flag day) against the host Italy, if a player is unable to play due to injury.

[MIKELIUT]

though Cam vanished in the cut from 81 to 51, note the following from Gibson's story that I did not include in my last post:

Another point to make is about Canada's third goalie. In 2002 Belfour went and sat in the crowd. Will a veteran goalie want to travel to Italy to do the same this time out? If not, Cam Ward or Andrew Raycroft might be enjoy the sites of the Olympic games. Out of the nine goalies originally named to the list of 81, Curtis Joseph and Marty Turco are playing the best right now.

[Staalgurl4ever]

I heard that Mario Lemiux and Steve Yzerman don't want to play this year.

[nickgregory]

I heard that Mario Lemiux and Steve Yzerman don't want to play this year.

mario said he would give his spot to sidney :eek:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Some nice quotes from Staal here....

Young guns hope for Turin invite

Canadian Press
12/6/2005 3:54:42 PM

TORONTO (CP) - Jason Spezza had a simple message when asked if he wanted anything relayed to Team Canada Olympic boss Wayne Gretzky, who was in town to take in Tuesday's Kings-Leafs game.

"Just that I want to be there," Spezza said on the phone, albeit with a chuckle.

"There," would be Turin, Italy, and the Ottawa Senators star centre's chances of obtaining a plane ticket improved Tuesday with the news that veteran Detroit captain Steve Yzerman had withdrawn his name from Olympic consideration. Yzerman, 40, not playing up to his high standards this season, told Gretzky by phone Sunday.

Either way, Yzerman's withdrawal improves the chances of young centres Spezza, Eric Staal and Sidney Crosby - none of whom were invited to the Olympic camp in August - of being named to the Olympic team roster Dec. 21. At least one, if not two of them, could crack the team now.

"All three of those guys have been outstanding all year," Gretzky told reporters at Air Canada Centre on Tuesday night. "I saw Staal play the other night, he was tremendous.

"Spezza is leading the league in scoring and what else can you say about the 18-year-old (Crosby) who's kind of carried the league on his shoulders, he's had a lot of pressure. He's lived up to all the expectations, maybe even better than what people anticipated."

Spezza, 22, couldn't do anything more. He's tied for the NHL lead in scoring with 43 points (11 goals, 32 assists) in 25 games and is on pace for a 141-point season. Will it be enough to get an invite from Gretzky?

"I hope so," Spezza said after practice Tuesday. "All I can do is go out there and play and show them what I can do on the ice.

"I think I've done that to this stage and I just need to continue to do that. Hopefully they have the confidence in me to give me that honour."

Senators linemate Dany Heatley is all but assured a spot with his equally impressive season and the fact he played in the World Cup of Hockey in 2004 and attended the Olympic camp.

Spezza had more to prove.

"Leading the league (in scoring) definitely helps out my chances and being on a team that's in first place and having the record that we have, I think it shows them that I can play on a winning team and be successful and play a lot of minutes," Spezza said, pleading his case. "The Olympics is something that I've always thought about.

"It was a goal of mine coming into the year and hopefully I can keep it going to make it a real hard decision for them and hopefully they can select me."

Canada's depth at centre remains strong. Joe Sakic, Joe Thornton and Vincent Lecavalier are seen by most as locks, with Brad Richards a versatile forward who can play both centre and wing. If Pittsburgh captain Mario Lemieux does play, he'll likely play wing like he did in Salt Lake City.

Staal, 21, has also turned heads this season, sitting sixth in league scoring with 38 points (19-19) before Tuesday's game at Anaheim. He sounded uncomfortable when asked how Yzerman's departure helped out his case.

"He's a tremendous player and he's been an unbelievable player for so long, it's tough for me to say anything, I mean, it's Steve Yzerman," Staal said. "But obviously it definitely helps my chances.

"I'm happy with the way I'm playing. I'm going to continue to push and try and get better. Whatever I can do to make that team is what I'm going to do. If I get the call to go I'll gladly represent Canada and hopefully win a gold medal. If not, we'll send the best and I'll hopefully get a chance next time around."

The Carolina Hurricanes star made his case with a personal display last Saturday at Phoenix, scoring a highlight-reel goal while Gretzky watched behind the Coyotes bench.

"It was nice to score that goal in front of a guy in that position but the fact of the matter is that we lost 8-4 and anytime your team loses that bad, it's not a good thing for me personally," Staal said. "I wish we could have got the win and then score that goal."

Crosby, 18, has matched his hype with 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 27 games, not to mention getting an Olympic team plug from Lemieux.

Gretzky began an Olympic scouting trip Tuesday alongside Kevin Lowe, Steve Tambellini and Marc Habscheid. The four will then head to New Jersey on Wednesday and Philadelphia on Thursday before returning to New Jersey on Friday to huddle with head coach Pat Quinn, assistants Ken Hitchcock and Wayne Fleming and reduce the 81-player list to a more manageable number.

The final 23-man roster will announced after a final meeting Dec. 21 in Vancouver.

[SoCalcaniac]

I'm very impressed with Staal's humble attitude. He's a keeper.

With the Yzerman announcement and what should be a Lemieux announcement in the next few days or so- I cross fingers and toes for our #12 to get the call from Wayne. It's going to be a nail biter; That being said, the hand wringing and thinking out loud begins :laugh: Gretzky has a TOUGH, TOUGH job ahead of him- and seeing him on with Harry Neale last night during the Leafs game, you could hear a bit of stress in his voice already, poor guy. Dec 21 can't come soon enough....

A few articles I found on all of the hub-bub are really interesting......

Gretzky faces tough choices
By AL STRACHAN

Picking a team to represent Canada never is easy, simply because of the calibre of the talent.

For the 2006 Olympics, said Wayne Gretzky last night, it will be harder than ever because the talent is now spread over every position.

Gretzky, the executive director of Team Canada, was in town last night to do some scouting prior to Friday's initial selection meeting in Philadelphia.

"I think the biggest change on our team today compared to 2002 and over the years is that we could take centremen and move them to the wing," he said. "You can't move them to the wing now. We have so many good wingers now, there's no room to move them.

"We have centres now and we have wingers, and that's the way it's going to be."

In Salt Lake City, the team was loaded with centres. The goal that virtually clinched the gold medal was scored with two centres and a winger up front. Even in the 2004 World Cup, Mario Lemieux was used primarily as a winger.

Could it be such a bad idea to stock up with centres again?

"Who are you going to leave off the wings?" Gretzky asked.

"You'd have to leave some really good wingers off the list."

When it came to naming those wingers, or anyone else who might be on the team, Gretzky was coy, although he did admit there are some certainties -- like New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur, for instance.

"Let's be honest ... Marty has to be a pretty safe bet," he said.

Mario Lemieux?

"I'm going to talk to Mario on Saturday," Gretzky said.

As was the case with Steve Yzerman, Lemieux can more or less make his own decision about his inclusion.

Yesterday, Yzerman announced his decision to pull out, but Lemieux might wait a little longer. As far as Gretzky is concerned, he can delay his decision right up to the Dec. 21 announcement.

"He can wait right to the end," Gretzky said. "He's a special person to our team. He has earned the respect and I give him that respect."

Gretzky acknowledged that no matter who he and his colleagues select, there will be complaints.

"No matter what we do, there's going to be a controversy," he said. "The only way we're going to be right is by winning the gold medal. Other than that, you're not going to be right."

Wherever Gretzky goes, he runs into coaches and general managers who are lobbying for the inclusion of their players.

And those he doesn't meet in person, he hears from by phone.

"Everybody wants to add guys to the team," Gretzky said. "And that's great, but who gets taken off? We can only have seven defencemen. We can only really have four centremen and unfortunately, when you add guys, you have to take guys off and that's where it becomes really difficult."

While Gretzky considers all the proferred views, the meeting that will probably be the most important in the team's selection is the one scheduled for Friday.

Four years ago, a similar meeting was held in Toronto, and all involved came away with the feeling they had taken the single most important step toward the selection of the team that eventually won the gold medal.

"It's not just pick every guy that can score 50 goals and we'll win a gold medal," Gretzky said. "You have to take the best possible players, but they've still got to fit within the team concept."

Gretzky, his scouting staff and the coaches will discuss the makeup of the team. Do they want guys who excel in penalty killing? How many faceoff specialists should they have? How many youngsters? How many grinders?

Once those issues are decided, the group will thrash out the names that should be on the primary roster.

And contrary to popular opinion -- like all those people who keep suggesting that Pat Quinn will be able to put Bryan McCabe on the team -- - the coaches have very little to do with it.

Their opinions will be considered, but they will be the first to tell you they don't see other players often enough to be able to make suitable evaluations.

Even Gretzky, now that he's a coach, won't have as much input as those who have been doing the scouting.

But he's the guy at the top and if it doesn't work out, he'll take the blame.

That's the nature of the job.

Now Spezza's comments after Yzerman's announcement, are markedly different than Staal's - I know Spezza is a bit more 'brash' or should I say confident when he speaks than say Staal, but there's a difference

No Stevie Y may mean Spezza's the guy
By MIKE ZEISBERGER, TORONTO SUN

Jason Spezza was en route to the gym for an off-ice workout yesterday when Ottawa Senators teammate Dany Heatley delivered a bombshell.

Steve Yzerman had pulled out of contention for the Canadian Olympic team, leaving the door open for a young candidate to step in.

Would this be the opportunity for the Mississauga native to potentially join Heatley, his Sens linemate, in Turin?

"Any news like that is good news for me,"said Spezza, who entered play yesterday tied with Jaromir Jagr for the NHL scoring lead with 43 points. "I think what I've done so far shows I can play there.

"It's a short-term tournament and there's not a lot of time for players to jell. I think the chemistry (Heatley and I) have helps my chances."

Spezza, the Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Staal and the Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby are the top young guns vying for a spot on Team Canada.

The final roster will be announced Dec. 21.

Also aiding the cause of Staal and the others are recent comments from Mario Lemieux, who hinted he also might step aside. Should that be the case, don't be surprise if Magnificent Mario pushes Crosby as his replacement.

Yzerman called Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky Sunday night to deliver the news.

"I talked to Wayne the other night and told him I didn't feel I was playing well enough to hold one of 13 spots," Yzerman told Sportsnet.

"I'm very grateful for past opportunities representing my country, but there are too many good players playing too well for me to hold a spot on the roster."

Team Canada coach Pat Quinn raved about the job Yzerman did at the 2002 Salt Lake City games.

"He played on one leg and he still was a leader," Quinn said. "Everyone knows there are a lot of young talented guys knocking at the door but you can't replace that leadership."

Quinn expects players like Rob Blake and Joe Sakic to pick up the leadership slack in Yzerman's absence.

"Blake and Sakic showed in 2002 what important elements they were," Quinn said.

And then there is Damien Cox- always the one to keep it real... lol.

Canada sets double standard in dealing with Olympic talent
Dec. 7, 2005. 05:19 AM
DAMIEN COX

Some players can't play themselves off Canada's Olympic team.

Others can't play themselves on.

Fair or unfair, that historic dichotomy was once more made apparent yesterday, first with the news that Steve Yzerman had asked to be removed from consideration as a participant in the 2006 Winter Olympics.

To anyone familiar with Yzerman's athletic struggles this season, that he would have been a candidate at all comes with some level of incredulity.

But despite being five years removed from his last strong NHL season and four years away from his last big-time international effort, such is the enormous respect Yzerman enjoys with Hockey Canada that he was awarded the right of deciding by himself whether or not he would be part of the Olympic effort.

Yzerman, theoretically, could have been pointless on the season, but if he had insisted on being part of Team Canada, executive director Wayne Gretzky would have made sure uniform No.19 was waiting.

Happily, Yzerman's not that selfish or unrealistic, and on Sunday he made Gretzky's life a little easier by pulling out, a decision announced yesterday.

"I'm disappointed he won't be coming with us," said Gretzky last night at the Air Canada Centre. "I guess it's a changing of the guard."

That change, however, seems likely not to include Maple Leaf defenceman Bryan McCabe, who despite leading all NHL defencemen in points by a country mile seems destined to be passed over one more time.

With Gretzky watching from the press box, McCabe had a mediocre outing last night, similar to most of his teammates in an uninspiring 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

It would be ridiculous to suggest Gretzky would make a decision on any player based on one game. But given that McCabe has never played on a World Cup or Olympic team and wasn't invited to the Kelowna orientation camp last summer, he probably needed to mirror or surpass the quality of his overall season last night just to give himself an outside shot at the seventh and final position.

"One game doesn't make a season," shrugged McCabe.

Clearly there is lingering hurt for McCabe that, after being on two national junior teams and three Canadian entries in the world championships, he hasn't been able to get one of the coveted spots for the marquee events.

"There's a lot of great players in Canada. There's 80-some guys on that (Olympic eligibility) list and I'm just one of 'em," he said. "I'm here to play for the Leafs, that's it.

"I mean, (Canada is) defending champ at everything. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I swear to God it's the last thing on my mind. I've got a new baby at home to worry about and a two-week break never hurt anyone."

Gretzky watched the Leafs-Kings game along with Team Canada associates Kevin Lowe, Steve Tambellini and Marc Habscheid, part of a mini-tour for the Canadian executive that will culminate with a meeting in Philadelphia on Friday.

McCabe took two unnecessary penalties that were easy calls for the officials. The Leafs had nine power plays, situations in which McCabe has shone all season, but the club's vaunted extra-strength unit didn't have its usual flair and McCabe didn't seem nearly as dangerous.

His thwarted Olympic aspirations in the midst of his finest pro season, meanwhile, also stand in sharp contrast to the Yzerman-like consideration being afforded Pittsburgh CEO and captain Mario Lemieux.

Lemieux has only seven goals and is a minus-17 this season, but it's up to him to decide if he wishes to compete in Italy.

So far, he's been non-committal, and Gretzky said he plans to visit with No.66 on Saturday in Pittsburgh but won't demand an answer well in advance of the scheduled unveiling of Team Canada Dec. 21 in Vancouver.

"Mario can wait right until the end if he wants," said Gretzky. "He deserves that. He's a special person in the game. I give him that respect."

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I agree with Cox. IMO, they're placing way more emphasis that they should be on the players' name and way less than they should be on their play. Can't really argue with their past success though, can you?

I think I miss the days when NHLers weren't allowed to compete.

[SoCalcaniac]

I do agree with Cox on several fronts too SHC- but since I have that anti-Leaf Jihad thing or whatever you want to call it, goin' on, I have a hard time working up any sympathy for ol' Bryan McCabe ;) - and I have to chuckle just a bit reading his quotes on how he's 'really not thinking about the Olympics,with a baby at home, blah, blah- - of course he's thinking about it- :laugh:
However, now that our own #12 is 'in the mix' my little feelings are really gonna be hurt if he doesn't get the nod-and say Spezza (who you can't argue is having a great ass season like Staal is) or the Chosen One in PIT gets in, I'll be of the mindset, right or wrong, that Staal got slighted because he plays for our team, as opposed to having the backing of a Hall of Fame/Team Owner/Superstar, or in Spezza's case, plays for a Canadian team. Which would probably be wayyyy off the mark, but that's how I'll see it. :lol:

So I kinda agree, it would be a lot easier if the NHLers just weren't in the mix at all we left it to the amateur players, cause all the insider stuff, the grind of pulling together a team without the whole country (in Canada's case) going nuts at the selection, would make life probably alot easier, but on the other hand, there's so much intrigue in the whole process of the selection, that I'm willing to endure the agony..... tee hee.....

[SoCalcaniac]

I had to post this cause I knew I'd probably get SHC to chuckle ;)

But seriously, there are some interesting view points from Wayne's scouts who have been out all seasno watching the 'wonderboys'.


Choosing Canada's roster one tough job
By LANCE HORNBY, TORONTO SUN

The National Hockey League's army of pro scouts have criss-crossed the continent this autumn, watching the same 414 games as Team Canada's braintrust.

But the scouts might not reach the same conclusions as Wayne Gretzky and Co. this week in Philadelphia, as the latter meets to pare the original list of 81 players closer to the final 23-man roster for the Turin Olympics.

Nick Beverley, a scout for the Nashville Predators, has seen all the wonderboys -- Sidney Crosby, Eric Staal and Jason Spezza -- and thinks all should get a shot.

"If you want to grow, you have to be ready to make changes," Beverley said. "You can't always rely on the same guys."

Craig Button of the Maple Leafs disagrees.

"If you're asking me if I'd take players who have played well in that pressure situation as opposed to taking those you hope will play well, then I'll take the former," Button said." (The medal round) is a knockout tournament and you need players who are unafraid in that environment."

All were in agreement the aging Steve Yzerman did the right thing by stepping aside, feeling he'd be a detriment.

One anonymous scout is not sure Gretzky will fill the Yzerman vacancy with young Spezza, the NHL's second highest scorer before last night's games.

"Wayne just saw Carolina play his team and Staal scored an unbelievable goal. With Spezza, you have to contend with the Heatley factor (in other words, where would one be without the other?) But if you put one of Spezza or Staal with Heatley and Jarome Iginla, that's your A-line. hmmmm.....

"There are going to be problems deciding on a second-line centre and who is going to be the top left winger. I wouldn't want to be one pulling the trigger picking this team."

Of players not there in 2002, Button thinks the Lightning trio of Vince Lecavalier, Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis could make the jump.

The defence appears to be more of a closed shop. Ed Jovanovski, Rob Blake, Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer are expected to retain their jobs from Salt Lake City, while Wade Redden was on the 2004 World Cup champions. Scott Hannan and Robyn Regehr have made strides, which makes it all that harder for Toronto's Bryan McCabe.

"McCabe's not bad, but I think the talk of him getting picked is being powered by the Toronto media," one scout said. :lol:

In goal, most of the scouts seem ready to forgive Martin Brodeur's slow start with the New Jersey Devils.

"He's still the guy to beat," Beverley said.

Roberto Luongo and Jose Theodore have been mentioned as the backups or challengers to the No. 1 job, but 2002 veterans Curtis Joseph and Ed Belfour also have impressed the scouts.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

"If you want to grow, you have to be ready to make changes," Beverley said. "You can't always rely on the same guys."

Yeah, cause those guys get old, and they have their knees rebuilt and they get a-fib.

Like the Olympics is so much more pressure than the NHL?

I'm worried about that Spezza/Heatley thing myself. Seems like that gives Spezza a big advantage over Staal if there is only one spot. :sad:

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, now that the week is here- and Team USA gets announced tonight on OLN- there's obviously alot of chatter about both USA's & Canada's roster- and one person making it interesting is our buddy Damien Cox at the Toronto Star...... I just hope to God his 'list' is right- although some of the other picks are kinda surprising......


Who should play for Team Canada?
Dec. 19, 2005. 08:34 AM
DAMIEN COX
HOCKEY COLUMNIST


There's "my" NHL, as the slogan goes.

So here's "my" Team Canada. Ownership, it would seem, means everything in hockey these days.

This, you must understand, is not a hard guess at the team that will be announced as Canada's Olympic entry on Wednesday, although one should hope there would be some degree of overlap.

Substantial overlap, in fact. Those guys couldn't get it that wrong, could they?

Actually, the real common ground for anybody who tries to pick this team, whether it's Wayne Gretzky and his pals or the fellow down the street who always revs up his snow blower in the middle of your afternoon nap, is that everybody else looks on and says, "Well, you almost got it right."

So these are the players I would take, although there are those who deserve to be on the plane to Italy and didn't make my group.

Brendan Shanahan, for instance. He's the first-half MVP of the league just for the way in which he stuck his neck out to try and make the game better.

The fact he can obviously still score makes it even harder to leave him off.

Ditto for Curtis Joseph, who has played as well as any goaltender in the opening half of the season.

It wasn't hard to leave Todd Bertuzzi off the list. Great talent, but too much risk. Jason Spezza deserves to be part of the Olympic effort by the numbers, but he's fighting for a spot with some talented, talented fellows.

Another tough deletion was Captain Canada, Ryan Smyth. But the position he plays, left wing, may at this moment be the most talent-laden position at the elite level of Canadian hockey, particularly if you believe, as I do, that Simon Gagné of the Flyers is the most complete forward in the game today.

There are a few picks that will surprise you; one in goal, at least one on defence and two up front. As well, I'm not going to chicken out and avoid the hard choices by adding a taxi squad.

These are the best 23 for my Team Canada. Let me explain:

GOALTENDERS:

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils: Don't let the stats fool you. He'll be fine when the cheering starts in Turin.

Marty Turco, Dallas Stars: Deserves far more attention than he's been getting on an underrated Stars squad. Second only to Brodeur in his ability to play the puck.

Ed Belfour, Toronto Maple Leafs: Nope, he's not the third-best Canadian goalie. But if disaster struck and the first and second stringers went down, for one game he would be as prepared and focused as anybody could be in such a situation.

DEFENCEMEN:

Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim Mighty Ducks: Speedy and elegant, he is absolutely in his prime. On big ice, he goes from impressive to dominant.

Chris Pronger, Edmonton Oilers: Close, but he made it. No longer the force he was, but makes the long tape-to-tape feed as well as anybody and has enormous international experience.

Rob Blake, Colorado Avalanche: Like Pronger, just barely fighting off the younger fellows. Fact that he is a right-handed shot is a big plus.

Robyn Regehr, Calgary Flames: The Flames' season turned around when Regehr came back from injury. The lone pure, stay-at-home blueliner in the group and brutally physical in the battles on the boards.

Wade Redden, Ottawa Senators: Not as fast as Niedermayer, but almost as smooth. A stabilizing force, but starting to be bothered too often by injury.

Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver Canucks: He does a little bit of everything. With the right partner, his inconsistencies aren't as obvious, and his superb athleticism allows him to do things others can't.

Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames: Offensively, love his ability to one-time the puck on the power play. Fierce and competitive. Has leapfrogged past Jay Bouwmeester, Eric Brewer and Scott Hannan on the Canadian depth chart.

CENTRES:

Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks: Had he become a Shark sooner, Patrick Marleau and Jonathan Cheechoo might be on this team as well. His presence is making others better and he knows the international game.

Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning: Gretzky says Lecavalier will be even more important this time around than he was while winning MVP honours at the World Cup.

Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche: May end up being the most important player on this roster with Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman not playing. He was the best Canadian forward when it mattered in Salt Lake City.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins: Too young at 18? Nope. Too good to leave off and he can move around and fill any job that's required. Tell him to check, and he'll check.

Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes: More size and skill up the middle, plus great skating ability that will work well on the big ice. Could be the breakthrough player for Canada this time around.

RIGHT WINGERS:

Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames: The easiest of choices. He'll be on the top line and will lead the team in effort.

Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning: Very close to missing this time around, but he has come on and his ability to buzz and harass opponents is very useful.

Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets: You just can't leave him off, even though he has hardly played. At last spring's worlds, some were saying he was already the best forward on the planet.

Rob Niedermayer, Anaheim Mighty Ducks: The lesser of the Niedermayers. Never gets picked for these teams and probably won't be going to Turin. But his size, fabulous speed and doggedness along the boards would make him a perfect member of a checking line.

LEFT WINGERS:

Simon Gagné, Philadelphia Flyers: Speed, size, smarts, defensively aware and able to kill penalties. What more could you ask of a player?

Dany Heatley, Ottawa Senators: Has re-emerged as an NHL force. He plays well with Spezza, yes, but one suspects he'll find a centre on this team that suits his fancy.

Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning: Smooth and versatile, you can move him around to add balance to different forward lines. Just can't leave him off.

Paul Kariya, Nashville Predators: You may not need him at all. But if the shootout comes, you wouldn't want to be without him.

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, now that the week is here- and Team USA gets announced tonight on OLN- there's obviously alot of chatter about both USA's & Canada's roster- and one person making it interesting is our buddy Damien Cox at the Toronto Star...... I just hope to God his 'list' is right- although some of the other picks are kinda surprising......


Who should play for Team Canada?
Dec. 19, 2005. 08:34 AM
DAMIEN COX
HOCKEY COLUMNIST


There's "my" NHL, as the slogan goes.

So here's "my" Team Canada. Ownership, it would seem, means everything in hockey these days.

This, you must understand, is not a hard guess at the team that will be announced as Canada's Olympic entry on Wednesday, although one should hope there would be some degree of overlap.

Substantial overlap, in fact. Those guys couldn't get it that wrong, could they?

Actually, the real common ground for anybody who tries to pick this team, whether it's Wayne Gretzky and his pals or the fellow down the street who always revs up his snow blower in the middle of your afternoon nap, is that everybody else looks on and says, "Well, you almost got it right."

So these are the players I would take, although there are those who deserve to be on the plane to Italy and didn't make my group.

Brendan Shanahan, for instance. He's the first-half MVP of the league just for the way in which he stuck his neck out to try and make the game better.

The fact he can obviously still score makes it even harder to leave him off.

Ditto for Curtis Joseph, who has played as well as any goaltender in the opening half of the season.

It wasn't hard to leave Todd Bertuzzi off the list. Great talent, but too much risk. Jason Spezza deserves to be part of the Olympic effort by the numbers, but he's fighting for a spot with some talented, talented fellows.

Another tough deletion was Captain Canada, Ryan Smyth. But the position he plays, left wing, may at this moment be the most talent-laden position at the elite level of Canadian hockey, particularly if you believe, as I do, that Simon Gagné of the Flyers is the most complete forward in the game today.

There are a few picks that will surprise you; one in goal, at least one on defence and two up front. As well, I'm not going to chicken out and avoid the hard choices by adding a taxi squad.

These are the best 23 for my Team Canada. Let me explain:

GOALTENDERS:

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils: Don't let the stats fool you. He'll be fine when the cheering starts in Turin.

Marty Turco, Dallas Stars: Deserves far more attention than he's been getting on an underrated Stars squad. Second only to Brodeur in his ability to play the puck.

Ed Belfour, Toronto Maple Leafs: Nope, he's not the third-best Canadian goalie. But if disaster struck and the first and second stringers went down, for one game he would be as prepared and focused as anybody could be in such a situation.

DEFENCEMEN:

Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim Mighty Ducks: Speedy and elegant, he is absolutely in his prime. On big ice, he goes from impressive to dominant.

Chris Pronger, Edmonton Oilers: Close, but he made it. No longer the force he was, but makes the long tape-to-tape feed as well as anybody and has enormous international experience.

Rob Blake, Colorado Avalanche: Like Pronger, just barely fighting off the younger fellows. Fact that he is a right-handed shot is a big plus.

Robyn Regehr, Calgary Flames: The Flames' season turned around when Regehr came back from injury. The lone pure, stay-at-home blueliner in the group and brutally physical in the battles on the boards.

Wade Redden, Ottawa Senators: Not as fast as Niedermayer, but almost as smooth. A stabilizing force, but starting to be bothered too often by injury.

Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver Canucks: He does a little bit of everything. With the right partner, his inconsistencies aren't as obvious, and his superb athleticism allows him to do things others can't.

Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames: Offensively, love his ability to one-time the puck on the power play. Fierce and competitive. Has leapfrogged past Jay Bouwmeester, Eric Brewer and Scott Hannan on the Canadian depth chart.

CENTRES:

Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks: Had he become a Shark sooner, Patrick Marleau and Jonathan Cheechoo might be on this team as well. His presence is making others better and he knows the international game.

Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning: Gretzky says Lecavalier will be even more important this time around than he was while winning MVP honours at the World Cup.

Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche: May end up being the most important player on this roster with Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman not playing. He was the best Canadian forward when it mattered in Salt Lake City.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins: Too young at 18? Nope. Too good to leave off and he can move around and fill any job that's required. Tell him to check, and he'll check.

Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes: More size and skill up the middle, plus great skating ability that will work well on the big ice. Could be the breakthrough player for Canada this time around.

RIGHT WINGERS:

Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames: The easiest of choices. He'll be on the top line and will lead the team in effort.

Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning: Very close to missing this time around, but he has come on and his ability to buzz and harass opponents is very useful.

Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets: You just can't leave him off, even though he has hardly played. At last spring's worlds, some were saying he was already the best forward on the planet.

Rob Niedermayer, Anaheim Mighty Ducks: The lesser of the Niedermayers. Never gets picked for these teams and probably won't be going to Turin. But his size, fabulous speed and doggedness along the boards would make him a perfect member of a checking line.

LEFT WINGERS:

Simon Gagné, Philadelphia Flyers: Speed, size, smarts, defensively aware and able to kill penalties. What more could you ask of a player?

Dany Heatley, Ottawa Senators: Has re-emerged as an NHL force. He plays well with Spezza, yes, but one suspects he'll find a centre on this team that suits his fancy.

Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning: Smooth and versatile, you can move him around to add balance to different forward lines. Just can't leave him off.

Paul Kariya, Nashville Predators: You may not need him at all. But if the shootout comes, you wouldn't want to be without him.

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, now that the week is here- and Team USA gets announced tonight on OLN- there's obviously alot of chatter about both USA's & Canada's roster- and one person making it interesting is our buddy Damien Cox at the Toronto Star...... I just hope to God his 'list' is right- although some of the other picks are kinda surprising......


Who should play for Team Canada?
Dec. 19, 2005. 08:34 AM
DAMIEN COX
HOCKEY COLUMNIST


There's "my" NHL, as the slogan goes.

So here's "my" Team Canada. Ownership, it would seem, means everything in hockey these days.

This, you must understand, is not a hard guess at the team that will be announced as Canada's Olympic entry on Wednesday, although one should hope there would be some degree of overlap.

Substantial overlap, in fact. Those guys couldn't get it that wrong, could they?

Actually, the real common ground for anybody who tries to pick this team, whether it's Wayne Gretzky and his pals or the fellow down the street who always revs up his snow blower in the middle of your afternoon nap, is that everybody else looks on and says, "Well, you almost got it right."

So these are the players I would take, although there are those who deserve to be on the plane to Italy and didn't make my group.

Brendan Shanahan, for instance. He's the first-half MVP of the league just for the way in which he stuck his neck out to try and make the game better.

The fact he can obviously still score makes it even harder to leave him off.

Ditto for Curtis Joseph, who has played as well as any goaltender in the opening half of the season.

It wasn't hard to leave Todd Bertuzzi off the list. Great talent, but too much risk. Jason Spezza deserves to be part of the Olympic effort by the numbers, but he's fighting for a spot with some talented, talented fellows.

Another tough deletion was Captain Canada, Ryan Smyth. But the position he plays, left wing, may at this moment be the most talent-laden position at the elite level of Canadian hockey, particularly if you believe, as I do, that Simon Gagné of the Flyers is the most complete forward in the game today.

There are a few picks that will surprise you; one in goal, at least one on defence and two up front. As well, I'm not going to chicken out and avoid the hard choices by adding a taxi squad.

These are the best 23 for my Team Canada. Let me explain:

GOALTENDERS:

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils: Don't let the stats fool you. He'll be fine when the cheering starts in Turin.

Marty Turco, Dallas Stars: Deserves far more attention than he's been getting on an underrated Stars squad. Second only to Brodeur in his ability to play the puck.

Ed Belfour, Toronto Maple Leafs: Nope, he's not the third-best Canadian goalie. But if disaster struck and the first and second stringers went down, for one game he would be as prepared and focused as anybody could be in such a situation.

DEFENCEMEN:

Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim Mighty Ducks: Speedy and elegant, he is absolutely in his prime. On big ice, he goes from impressive to dominant.

Chris Pronger, Edmonton Oilers: Close, but he made it. No longer the force he was, but makes the long tape-to-tape feed as well as anybody and has enormous international experience.

Rob Blake, Colorado Avalanche: Like Pronger, just barely fighting off the younger fellows. Fact that he is a right-handed shot is a big plus.

Robyn Regehr, Calgary Flames: The Flames' season turned around when Regehr came back from injury. The lone pure, stay-at-home blueliner in the group and brutally physical in the battles on the boards.

Wade Redden, Ottawa Senators: Not as fast as Niedermayer, but almost as smooth. A stabilizing force, but starting to be bothered too often by injury.

Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver Canucks: He does a little bit of everything. With the right partner, his inconsistencies aren't as obvious, and his superb athleticism allows him to do things others can't.

Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames: Offensively, love his ability to one-time the puck on the power play. Fierce and competitive. Has leapfrogged past Jay Bouwmeester, Eric Brewer and Scott Hannan on the Canadian depth chart.

CENTRES:

Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks: Had he become a Shark sooner, Patrick Marleau and Jonathan Cheechoo might be on this team as well. His presence is making others better and he knows the international game.

Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning: Gretzky says Lecavalier will be even more important this time around than he was while winning MVP honours at the World Cup.

Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche: May end up being the most important player on this roster with Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman not playing. He was the best Canadian forward when it mattered in Salt Lake City.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins: Too young at 18? Nope. Too good to leave off and he can move around and fill any job that's required. Tell him to check, and he'll check.

Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes: More size and skill up the middle, plus great skating ability that will work well on the big ice. Could be the breakthrough player for Canada this time around.

RIGHT WINGERS:

Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames: The easiest of choices. He'll be on the top line and will lead the team in effort.

Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning: Very close to missing this time around, but he has come on and his ability to buzz and harass opponents is very useful.

Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets: You just can't leave him off, even though he has hardly played. At last spring's worlds, some were saying he was already the best forward on the planet.

Rob Niedermayer, Anaheim Mighty Ducks: The lesser of the Niedermayers. Never gets picked for these teams and probably won't be going to Turin. But his size, fabulous speed and doggedness along the boards would make him a perfect member of a checking line.

LEFT WINGERS:

Simon Gagné, Philadelphia Flyers: Speed, size, smarts, defensively aware and able to kill penalties. What more could you ask of a player?

Dany Heatley, Ottawa Senators: Has re-emerged as an NHL force. He plays well with Spezza, yes, but one suspects he'll find a centre on this team that suits his fancy.

Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning: Smooth and versatile, you can move him around to add balance to different forward lines. Just can't leave him off.

Paul Kariya, Nashville Predators: You may not need him at all. But if the shootout comes, you wouldn't want to be without him.

[caniac369]

Ditto for Curtis Joseph, who has played as well as any goaltender in the opening half of the season.
:sick:

[caniac369]

Ditto for Curtis Joseph, who has played as well as any goaltender in the opening half of the season.
:sick:

[caniac369]

Ditto for Curtis Joseph, who has played as well as any goaltender in the opening half of the season.
:sick:

[Alicia]

Ditto for Curtis Joseph, who has played as well as any goaltender in the opening half of the season.
:sick:

He has been almost stellar this season, so far...

[Alicia]

Ditto for Curtis Joseph, who has played as well as any goaltender in the opening half of the season.
:sick:

He has been almost stellar this season, so far...

[Alicia]

Ditto for Curtis Joseph, who has played as well as any goaltender in the opening half of the season.
:sick:

He has been almost stellar this season, so far...

[caniac369]

Ditto for Curtis Joseph, who has played as well as any goaltender in the opening half of the season.
:sick:

He has been almost stellar this season, so far...

Yeah, but it's one of those things, like the Bears HAVE to hate the Packers, I still hold contempt for any member of the 01-02 Red Wings, hence my location. Yes, I am bitter, but all in good fun! :D

[caniac369]

Ditto for Curtis Joseph, who has played as well as any goaltender in the opening half of the season.
:sick:

He has been almost stellar this season, so far...

Yeah, but it's one of those things, like the Bears HAVE to hate the Packers, I still hold contempt for any member of the 01-02 Red Wings, hence my location. Yes, I am bitter, but all in good fun! :D

[caniac369]

Ditto for Curtis Joseph, who has played as well as any goaltender in the opening half of the season.
:sick:

He has been almost stellar this season, so far...

Yeah, but it's one of those things, like the Bears HAVE to hate the Packers, I still hold contempt for any member of the 01-02 Red Wings, hence my location. Yes, I am bitter, but all in good fun! :D

[Alicia]

And before that he was a Maple Creep :sick: :sick: :sick: , but I've always liked him...despite the "team" he was on. :beatup:

[Alicia]

And before that he was a Maple Creep :sick: :sick: :sick: , but I've always liked him...despite the "team" he was on. :beatup:

[Alicia]

And before that he was a Maple Creep :sick: :sick: :sick: , but I've always liked him...despite the "team" he was on. :beatup:

[Staalgurl4ever]

I think Rick Nash is probably going to get cut due to his injuries.

[Staalgurl4ever]

I think Rick Nash is probably going to get cut due to his injuries.

[Staalgurl4ever]

I think Rick Nash is probably going to get cut due to his injuries.

[AbNormal27]

I think Rick Nash is probably going to get cut due to his injuries.

Don't count on that.

Aaryn

[AbNormal27]

I think Rick Nash is probably going to get cut due to his injuries.

Don't count on that.

Aaryn

[AbNormal27]

I think Rick Nash is probably going to get cut due to his injuries.

Don't count on that.

Aaryn

[Staalgurl4ever]

If you read Forslunds blog he was saying that theres that everyday is getting stronger that Staal will make Team Canada. About Rick Nash I remember reading a preview that Nash's chaces are pretty slim.

[Staalgurl4ever]

If you read Forslunds blog he was saying that theres that everyday is getting stronger that Staal will make Team Canada. About Rick Nash I remember reading a preview that Nash's chaces are pretty slim.

[Staalgurl4ever]

If you read Forslunds blog he was saying that theres that everyday is getting stronger that Staal will make Team Canada. About Rick Nash I remember reading a preview that Nash's chaces are pretty slim.

[AbNormal27]

Nash returned tonight for the Bluejackets. He's got a goal and a roughing penalty before the end of the first.

Aaryn

[AbNormal27]

Nash returned tonight for the Bluejackets. He's got a goal and a roughing penalty before the end of the first.

Aaryn

[AbNormal27]

Nash returned tonight for the Bluejackets. He's got a goal and a roughing penalty before the end of the first.

Aaryn

[SoCalcaniac]

Yeah Aaryn's right-O, Nash is still very much in the mix- he's that valued for team Canada, and with good reason. I just have this feeling that Staal gets the nod tommorow- he made his final statement and case to the crew of the Canadian Hockey Braintrust- and the statement was loud and clear.

Now if only I can make it to 5pm EST when they announce the team tommorow!

[SoCalcaniac]

Yeah Aaryn's right-O, Nash is still very much in the mix- he's that valued for team Canada, and with good reason. I just have this feeling that Staal gets the nod tommorow- he made his final statement and case to the crew of the Canadian Hockey Braintrust- and the statement was loud and clear.

Now if only I can make it to 5pm EST when they announce the team tommorow!

[SoCalcaniac]

Yeah Aaryn's right-O, Nash is still very much in the mix- he's that valued for team Canada, and with good reason. I just have this feeling that Staal gets the nod tommorow- he made his final statement and case to the crew of the Canadian Hockey Braintrust- and the statement was loud and clear.

Now if only I can make it to 5pm EST when they announce the team tommorow!

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, I'm just gonna keeping beating this thing down til 5pm hits......

interesting article in today's Toronto Sun on Gretzky continuing on, despite losing his mum, and our #12's chances of making the team...... Oh, it gives me hope! :spin:


Gretzky soldiering on
He'll be involved in today's talks on final roster picks
High-scoring Staal may have edge on Crosby, Spezza


Dec. 21, 2005. 05:48 AM
KEN CAMPBELL
SPORTS REPORTER


Wayne Gretzky participated in discussions last night and is expected to be on the conference call this morning when the Canadian Olympic management team makes its final roster decisions.

Despite the death of his mother Phyllis on Monday night, Gretzky remains involved and is giving his input into the personnel decisions. However, he won't be in Vancouver when the final announcement is made at 5 p.m. (EST) in a media conference that Hockey Canada said will go ahead as scheduled.

"There is certainly a sensitivity to Wayne's situation that we can all appreciate," Brad Pascall, senior director of communications for Hockey Canada said last night. "If Wayne didn't want us to go ahead we wouldn't do it, but we're moving ahead as though we're doing it (today). It's totally up to Wayne, but I know that Bob (Hockey Canada president Nicholson) and Kevin (assistant GM Lowe) have talked to him several times."

Canada technically has until tomorrow to make its announcement, but Mrs. Gretzky's funeral is also scheduled for tomorrow. By having the announcement today, those involved with the Olympic team will have a chance to get to Brantford in time for the funeral.

Gretzky and the management team will have some difficult decisions to make in that call this morning. Just in case they needed some extra prodding, Eric Staal scored two goals — his 23rd and 24th — and picked up an assist for the Carolina Hurricanes last night in their 6-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Meanwhile, Ottawa's Jason Spezza had to leave last night's game against the Canadiens with a pulled chest muscle, but not before scoring a goal.

There have been reports that Staal is the leading contender among the young players, with Spezza second and Pens rookie Sidney Crosby third. Crosby has 14 goals and 19 assists.

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, I'm just gonna keeping beating this thing down til 5pm hits......

interesting article in today's Toronto Sun on Gretzky continuing on, despite losing his mum, and our #12's chances of making the team...... Oh, it gives me hope! :spin:


Gretzky soldiering on
He'll be involved in today's talks on final roster picks
High-scoring Staal may have edge on Crosby, Spezza


Dec. 21, 2005. 05:48 AM
KEN CAMPBELL
SPORTS REPORTER


Wayne Gretzky participated in discussions last night and is expected to be on the conference call this morning when the Canadian Olympic management team makes its final roster decisions.

Despite the death of his mother Phyllis on Monday night, Gretzky remains involved and is giving his input into the personnel decisions. However, he won't be in Vancouver when the final announcement is made at 5 p.m. (EST) in a media conference that Hockey Canada said will go ahead as scheduled.

"There is certainly a sensitivity to Wayne's situation that we can all appreciate," Brad Pascall, senior director of communications for Hockey Canada said last night. "If Wayne didn't want us to go ahead we wouldn't do it, but we're moving ahead as though we're doing it (today). It's totally up to Wayne, but I know that Bob (Hockey Canada president Nicholson) and Kevin (assistant GM Lowe) have talked to him several times."

Canada technically has until tomorrow to make its announcement, but Mrs. Gretzky's funeral is also scheduled for tomorrow. By having the announcement today, those involved with the Olympic team will have a chance to get to Brantford in time for the funeral.

Gretzky and the management team will have some difficult decisions to make in that call this morning. Just in case they needed some extra prodding, Eric Staal scored two goals — his 23rd and 24th — and picked up an assist for the Carolina Hurricanes last night in their 6-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Meanwhile, Ottawa's Jason Spezza had to leave last night's game against the Canadiens with a pulled chest muscle, but not before scoring a goal.

There have been reports that Staal is the leading contender among the young players, with Spezza second and Pens rookie Sidney Crosby third. Crosby has 14 goals and 19 assists.

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, I'm just gonna keeping beating this thing down til 5pm hits......

interesting article in today's Toronto Sun on Gretzky continuing on, despite losing his mum, and our #12's chances of making the team...... Oh, it gives me hope! :spin:


Gretzky soldiering on
He'll be involved in today's talks on final roster picks
High-scoring Staal may have edge on Crosby, Spezza


Dec. 21, 2005. 05:48 AM
KEN CAMPBELL
SPORTS REPORTER


Wayne Gretzky participated in discussions last night and is expected to be on the conference call this morning when the Canadian Olympic management team makes its final roster decisions.

Despite the death of his mother Phyllis on Monday night, Gretzky remains involved and is giving his input into the personnel decisions. However, he won't be in Vancouver when the final announcement is made at 5 p.m. (EST) in a media conference that Hockey Canada said will go ahead as scheduled.

"There is certainly a sensitivity to Wayne's situation that we can all appreciate," Brad Pascall, senior director of communications for Hockey Canada said last night. "If Wayne didn't want us to go ahead we wouldn't do it, but we're moving ahead as though we're doing it (today). It's totally up to Wayne, but I know that Bob (Hockey Canada president Nicholson) and Kevin (assistant GM Lowe) have talked to him several times."

Canada technically has until tomorrow to make its announcement, but Mrs. Gretzky's funeral is also scheduled for tomorrow. By having the announcement today, those involved with the Olympic team will have a chance to get to Brantford in time for the funeral.

Gretzky and the management team will have some difficult decisions to make in that call this morning. Just in case they needed some extra prodding, Eric Staal scored two goals — his 23rd and 24th — and picked up an assist for the Carolina Hurricanes last night in their 6-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Meanwhile, Ottawa's Jason Spezza had to leave last night's game against the Canadiens with a pulled chest muscle, but not before scoring a goal.

There have been reports that Staal is the leading contender among the young players, with Spezza second and Pens rookie Sidney Crosby third. Crosby has 14 goals and 19 assists.

[nccanes]

Someone please explain why Crosby is even being put in the same sentence as Staal and Spezza?

[nccanes]

Someone please explain why Crosby is even being put in the same sentence as Staal and Spezza?

[nccanes]

Someone please explain why Crosby is even being put in the same sentence as Staal and Spezza?

[Guyute]

easy:

hype.

[Guyute]

easy:

hype.

[Guyute]

easy:

hype.

[agentpreppie]

easy:

hype.

Exactly. Not to take away the kids talent, he just hasn't matured enough as a player to take advantage of it. I have yet to see him take over a game like Staal did last night and has done in a few other games. I think that is the big difference between Staal and Spezza as well. Spezza is amazing but he's also playing for an amazing team and hasn't had to take a game over for the win, Staal has. For the three young guys, I would rank them Staal, Spezza, Crosby. Granted I'm biased but I just don't think that Spezza and Crosby have played at the level Staal is right now. Besides, how can you not take the league leader in goals?

[agentpreppie]

easy:

hype.

Exactly. Not to take away the kids talent, he just hasn't matured enough as a player to take advantage of it. I have yet to see him take over a game like Staal did last night and has done in a few other games. I think that is the big difference between Staal and Spezza as well. Spezza is amazing but he's also playing for an amazing team and hasn't had to take a game over for the win, Staal has. For the three young guys, I would rank them Staal, Spezza, Crosby. Granted I'm biased but I just don't think that Spezza and Crosby have played at the level Staal is right now. Besides, how can you not take the league leader in goals?

[agentpreppie]

easy:

hype.

Exactly. Not to take away the kids talent, he just hasn't matured enough as a player to take advantage of it. I have yet to see him take over a game like Staal did last night and has done in a few other games. I think that is the big difference between Staal and Spezza as well. Spezza is amazing but he's also playing for an amazing team and hasn't had to take a game over for the win, Staal has. For the three young guys, I would rank them Staal, Spezza, Crosby. Granted I'm biased but I just don't think that Spezza and Crosby have played at the level Staal is right now. Besides, how can you not take the league leader in goals?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

easy:

hype.

Second descriptor:

bullsh*t.



I think it was Don Cherry I saw the other night picking Spezza for the team saying you can't ignore the leading scorer (which he hasn't been for a while but Cherry's probably been on a bender). I guess Staal heard that and said "Oh, that's what you want? How about leading goal scorer!" He and Spezza are tied at 4th for points today. Crosby is #29. Let Sid sit out a year. It'll be good for him.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

easy:

hype.

Second descriptor:

bullsh*t.



I think it was Don Cherry I saw the other night picking Spezza for the team saying you can't ignore the leading scorer (which he hasn't been for a while but Cherry's probably been on a bender). I guess Staal heard that and said "Oh, that's what you want? How about leading goal scorer!" He and Spezza are tied at 4th for points today. Crosby is #29. Let Sid sit out a year. It'll be good for him.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

easy:

hype.

Second descriptor:

bullsh*t.



I think it was Don Cherry I saw the other night picking Spezza for the team saying you can't ignore the leading scorer (which he hasn't been for a while but Cherry's probably been on a bender). I guess Staal heard that and said "Oh, that's what you want? How about leading goal scorer!" He and Spezza are tied at 4th for points today. Crosby is #29. Let Sid sit out a year. It'll be good for him.

[tommy]

Every time they mention Sidney Crosby as a front runner I feel like screaming "He can't score on Cam Ward on a shootout breakaway!" :beatup:

[tommy]

Every time they mention Sidney Crosby as a front runner I feel like screaming "He can't score on Cam Ward on a shootout breakaway!" :beatup:

[tommy]

Every time they mention Sidney Crosby as a front runner I feel like screaming "He can't score on Cam Ward on a shootout breakaway!" :beatup:

[Esbee]

In last night's wrap-up on OLN, Eric got some major votes for inclusion...supported with some great video...

[Esbee]

In last night's wrap-up on OLN, Eric got some major votes for inclusion...supported with some great video...

[Esbee]

In last night's wrap-up on OLN, Eric got some major votes for inclusion...supported with some great video...

[nccanes]

This answer from Buccigross is bogus.

Maybe its because I don't see him a couple of times a week hosting hockey, but I don't really enjoy Bucci like I used to.

It's a flawed argument because if the "gigantic international stage" is full of people who are unfamiliar with hockey, then why would they give a rip if the 'young star' is Crosby vs. Staal vs. Spezza. Anyone who follows hockey that hasn't already choked down "The Crosby Show" doesn't need the Olympics to get acquianted with him.

Another flaw is the NBC tie in - it ain't like Sid's gonna be seen on NBC during the playoffs. :roll: :evil:

John,
We know how you glow over Crosby, and he may later prove to be worthy. But to leave Eric Staal off of Team Canada is inexplicable. (Rick Nash even got a mention and he hasn't even been playing.) Staal is older (more experienced), stronger and leads Crosby in all categories except PIMs. He can be on the point on the power play and is a threat on PK to score shorthanded.

Of course, as a Hurricane fan, it would be OK with me to leave him off and keep him healthy. And I am sure he would feel like he would have something to prove if he was left off. Bucci, watch a 'Canes game now and then. I think you will see he deserves more respect.

Paul Burns
Graham, N.C.


Eric Staal was my last cut. I love his game, and you are right, that he is older and stronger. Taking him or Crosby probably won't make much of a difference in Canada's medal hopes. But I would be shocked if Sidney Crosby doesn't make the team. He is represented by a powerful agency, he is the face of the new, younger NHL, and it's important to the NHL that he is seen and promoted on a gigantic, Olympic, international stage.

The NHL participates in the Olympics to market its players and grow its game. The telecast of Canada's 5-2 victory over the United States for the gold medal in 2002 drew a 10.7 rating, the highest for any hockey game, NHL or Olympics, since the 1980 Olympics. Now that NBC has the NHL package, it will heavily promote NHL hockey and upcoming games during the Olympics. Sidney Crosby is a key part of the NHL's marketing strategy. The NHL wants him at the Olympics. NBC wants him at the Olympics. He will be at the Olympics.

[nccanes]

This answer from Buccigross is bogus.

Maybe its because I don't see him a couple of times a week hosting hockey, but I don't really enjoy Bucci like I used to.

It's a flawed argument because if the "gigantic international stage" is full of people who are unfamiliar with hockey, then why would they give a rip if the 'young star' is Crosby vs. Staal vs. Spezza. Anyone who follows hockey that hasn't already choked down "The Crosby Show" doesn't need the Olympics to get acquianted with him.

Another flaw is the NBC tie in - it ain't like Sid's gonna be seen on NBC during the playoffs. :roll: :evil:

John,
We know how you glow over Crosby, and he may later prove to be worthy. But to leave Eric Staal off of Team Canada is inexplicable. (Rick Nash even got a mention and he hasn't even been playing.) Staal is older (more experienced), stronger and leads Crosby in all categories except PIMs. He can be on the point on the power play and is a threat on PK to score shorthanded.

Of course, as a Hurricane fan, it would be OK with me to leave him off and keep him healthy. And I am sure he would feel like he would have something to prove if he was left off. Bucci, watch a 'Canes game now and then. I think you will see he deserves more respect.

Paul Burns
Graham, N.C.


Eric Staal was my last cut. I love his game, and you are right, that he is older and stronger. Taking him or Crosby probably won't make much of a difference in Canada's medal hopes. But I would be shocked if Sidney Crosby doesn't make the team. He is represented by a powerful agency, he is the face of the new, younger NHL, and it's important to the NHL that he is seen and promoted on a gigantic, Olympic, international stage.

The NHL participates in the Olympics to market its players and grow its game. The telecast of Canada's 5-2 victory over the United States for the gold medal in 2002 drew a 10.7 rating, the highest for any hockey game, NHL or Olympics, since the 1980 Olympics. Now that NBC has the NHL package, it will heavily promote NHL hockey and upcoming games during the Olympics. Sidney Crosby is a key part of the NHL's marketing strategy. The NHL wants him at the Olympics. NBC wants him at the Olympics. He will be at the Olympics.

[nccanes]

This answer from Buccigross is bogus.

Maybe its because I don't see him a couple of times a week hosting hockey, but I don't really enjoy Bucci like I used to.

It's a flawed argument because if the "gigantic international stage" is full of people who are unfamiliar with hockey, then why would they give a rip if the 'young star' is Crosby vs. Staal vs. Spezza. Anyone who follows hockey that hasn't already choked down "The Crosby Show" doesn't need the Olympics to get acquianted with him.

Another flaw is the NBC tie in - it ain't like Sid's gonna be seen on NBC during the playoffs. :roll: :evil:

John,
We know how you glow over Crosby, and he may later prove to be worthy. But to leave Eric Staal off of Team Canada is inexplicable. (Rick Nash even got a mention and he hasn't even been playing.) Staal is older (more experienced), stronger and leads Crosby in all categories except PIMs. He can be on the point on the power play and is a threat on PK to score shorthanded.

Of course, as a Hurricane fan, it would be OK with me to leave him off and keep him healthy. And I am sure he would feel like he would have something to prove if he was left off. Bucci, watch a 'Canes game now and then. I think you will see he deserves more respect.

Paul Burns
Graham, N.C.


Eric Staal was my last cut. I love his game, and you are right, that he is older and stronger. Taking him or Crosby probably won't make much of a difference in Canada's medal hopes. But I would be shocked if Sidney Crosby doesn't make the team. He is represented by a powerful agency, he is the face of the new, younger NHL, and it's important to the NHL that he is seen and promoted on a gigantic, Olympic, international stage.

The NHL participates in the Olympics to market its players and grow its game. The telecast of Canada's 5-2 victory over the United States for the gold medal in 2002 drew a 10.7 rating, the highest for any hockey game, NHL or Olympics, since the 1980 Olympics. Now that NBC has the NHL package, it will heavily promote NHL hockey and upcoming games during the Olympics. Sidney Crosby is a key part of the NHL's marketing strategy. The NHL wants him at the Olympics. NBC wants him at the Olympics. He will be at the Olympics.

[tommy]

As much as I adore Bucci, I basically skip over anything he writes about Crosby. Reading Bucci's comments, you'd think Crosby was not only the reason the NHL didn't die, but that he is the reason for Christmas, the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, and Beatles' worldwide success.

[tommy]

As much as I adore Bucci, I basically skip over anything he writes about Crosby. Reading Bucci's comments, you'd think Crosby was not only the reason the NHL didn't die, but that he is the reason for Christmas, the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, and Beatles' worldwide success.

[tommy]

As much as I adore Bucci, I basically skip over anything he writes about Crosby. Reading Bucci's comments, you'd think Crosby was not only the reason the NHL didn't die, but that he is the reason for Christmas, the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, and Beatles' worldwide success.

[Alicia]

The be all, end all...NOT!

Thanks for posting that, E, although I think I've lost some respect for Bucci.

[Alicia]

The be all, end all...NOT!

Thanks for posting that, E, although I think I've lost some respect for Bucci.

[Alicia]

The be all, end all...NOT!

Thanks for posting that, E, although I think I've lost some respect for Bucci.

[Alicia]

Canadian Press

12/21/2005 9:40:06 AM

Some big names are on the Olympic bubble Wednesday.

Todd Bertuzzi, Sidney Crosby, Adam Foote, Paul Kariya, Rick Nash, Jason Spezza, Eric Staal, Martin St. Louis, Brendan Shanahan and Ryan Smyth are just some of the players waiting to hear whether they are going to Turin with Team Canada.

The 23-player roster will be announced at a news conference in Vancouver. At the same conference, Hockey Canada will also reveal the women's roster . Watch the SPORTSCENTRE Special: Team Canada Hockey Announcement live starting at 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt or stay logged on to TSN.ca to watch the cybercast.

"I'd have a tough time picking this one," said Edmonton's Smyth. "There are two, three teams easily you could pick from this crop of players."

With a new generation of stars, led by Crosby, Spezza and Staal, fighting for inclusion on Team Canada, and a veteran group, the likes of Foote, Kariya and Shanahan, hoping for yet another crack at it, the selection process is as daunting as ever.

"Obviously you want to be on the team but there's at least 100 Canadian players that could easily be on that team," Coyotes captain Shane Doan, another hopeful, said from Phoenix. "The group making the selections will have a tough decision on a lot of guys."

The role of Wayne Gretzky, executive director of the Olympic team, was unclear in the wake of his mother Phyllis Gretzky succumbing to cancer late Monday night.

Deliberations are expected to start Wednesday morning. Assistant executive director Kevin Lowe, director of player personnel Steve Tambellini, Hockey Canada coach Marc Habscheid, Hockey Canada director of player personnel Blair Mackasey, Olympic head coach Pat Quinn, and assistant coaches Ken Hitchcock, Jacques Martin and Wayne Fleming are the men responsible for making those final cuts.

Gretzky may still be involved, but understandably has other matters on his mind.

Only Lowe, Tambellini and Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson will be in Vancouver, the rest of the group all joining via conference call.

Thursday is the deadline for all countries to announce their rosters, a decision taken back in September by the NHL, NHLPA and IIHF.

Canada's management group heads into Wednesday's final meeting with some obvious selections already in place, and will then throw around the names of all the bubble candidates until a consensus is reached.

The general consensus is that forwards Simon Gagne, Dany Heatley, Jarome Iginla, Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Joe Sakic and Joe Thornton are locks to make the team. Sakic, heading to his third Olympics, is expected to be the captain.

That leaves six jobs open to a bubble group that includes Bertuzzi, Doan, Kris Draper, Kariya, John Madden, Patrick Marleau, Brenden Morrow, Nash, St. Louis, Shanahan, Smyth, Alex Tanguay, and the three youngsters: Crosby, Spezza, and Staal.

On defence, Rob Blake, Ed Jovanovski, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Wade Redden and Robyn Regehr are the odds-on favourites to get in. The leaves one spot open for a bubble group that includes Foote, Dan Boyle, Scott Hannan, Bryan McCabe, Dion Phaneuf and Chris Phillips. McCabe and Phaneuf were the only ones not at the Olympic camp in Kelowna, B.C., in August.

In goal, Martin Brodeur is guaranteed a spot, leaving two jobs open for five goalies: Ed Belfour, Curtis Joseph, Roberto Luongo, Jose Theodore and Marty Turco. Belfour and Joseph weren't in Kelowna.

Spezza, like Kariya, Shanahan, Madden, Staal and Crosby, was not at the Olympic camp in August, but has worked his way into contention with a marvellous season.

"It's out of your control, so it won't be crushing (if he's not picked)," Spezza said in Montreal before Tuesday's game. "It will be disappointing. All you can do is go out and play. I feel good about how I've played and how the team's done. The most important thing is the team's winning and I'm the top centre on the first-place team in the league. That's what's most important. It definitely won't faze me so much that it would hinder my play."

Kariya, 31, has played fairly well this season, 27 points (10-17) in 30 games before Tuesday's game against Colorado, and is a dark horse by some to make it.

"I've love to get the opportunity again," Kariya said from Nashville. "But to be honest on my end I haven't heard anything. Obviously I don't get too much Canadian press down here. I'm in the dark really."

The two-time Olympian ('94 and '02) has a strong international resume and has also performed well in the shootout this season, something that could come in handy in Turin. He's tied for second in the NHL with three shootout goals.

Shanahan, 36, is making his case for the Olympic team with 36 points (19-17) in 34 games before Tuesday's game against Pittsburgh.

"The last two Olympics were great experiences for me," he said. "It was a great experience winning it the last Olympics but I also thought it was a valuable experience being in that situation in Nagano where we didn't have success. That was such a learning experience going into 2002.

"Obviously if I was selected I'd be thrilled and honoured to go but Canada has such a wealth of players that if I didn't get picked I would still be supportive and cheer for the team."

Doan, 29, scored the winning goal in the final of the World Cup of Hockey in September 2004 but a so-so season in Phoenix has him on the bubble.

"It was nice to contribute in that game and being to play in that whole World Cup is something I'll never, ever forget," said Doan. "But they're going to pick the best team they think has the best chance to win and they've had a pretty good success of doing that at this point."

Smyth, 29, has played in seven world championships as well as the Olympics and World Cup.

"It sure doesn't hurt your resume," said Smyth. "But I don't know what they'll base it on, that's for them to decide. Even just to be recognized as one of the guys on this list is quite an honour. I was fortunate to part of the Olympics on '02 and experience so many great things.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm excited and I'd love to hear my name Wednesday," continued Smyth. "But if it doesn't happen, is it the end of the world? No, it isn't. Being part of Team Canada in the past has always been a pleasure and I'd love to represent my country again."

Spezza, 22, doesn't have Smyth's international experience although he has played in three world junior championships.

"The only way you get experience is by playing in these things," Spezza said. "I haven't had any experience because I haven't had a chance to play in any of these. We've always made the playoffs, so I never had a chance to go to the (men's) world championships."

His linemate Heatley was anxious Tuesday despite being viewed as most as a slam dunk to make it.

"There's definitely butterflies," Heatley said. "It's a big thing. I'd love to play for my country and it would be great to go to the Olympics."

All the players can do is wait for Wednesday's announcement.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about it a bit," Spezza said.

With files from Canadian Press sports writer Bill Beacon in Montreal.

[Alicia]

Canadian Press

12/21/2005 9:40:06 AM

Some big names are on the Olympic bubble Wednesday.

Todd Bertuzzi, Sidney Crosby, Adam Foote, Paul Kariya, Rick Nash, Jason Spezza, Eric Staal, Martin St. Louis, Brendan Shanahan and Ryan Smyth are just some of the players waiting to hear whether they are going to Turin with Team Canada.

The 23-player roster will be announced at a news conference in Vancouver. At the same conference, Hockey Canada will also reveal the women's roster . Watch the SPORTSCENTRE Special: Team Canada Hockey Announcement live starting at 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt or stay logged on to TSN.ca to watch the cybercast.

"I'd have a tough time picking this one," said Edmonton's Smyth. "There are two, three teams easily you could pick from this crop of players."

With a new generation of stars, led by Crosby, Spezza and Staal, fighting for inclusion on Team Canada, and a veteran group, the likes of Foote, Kariya and Shanahan, hoping for yet another crack at it, the selection process is as daunting as ever.

"Obviously you want to be on the team but there's at least 100 Canadian players that could easily be on that team," Coyotes captain Shane Doan, another hopeful, said from Phoenix. "The group making the selections will have a tough decision on a lot of guys."

The role of Wayne Gretzky, executive director of the Olympic team, was unclear in the wake of his mother Phyllis Gretzky succumbing to cancer late Monday night.

Deliberations are expected to start Wednesday morning. Assistant executive director Kevin Lowe, director of player personnel Steve Tambellini, Hockey Canada coach Marc Habscheid, Hockey Canada director of player personnel Blair Mackasey, Olympic head coach Pat Quinn, and assistant coaches Ken Hitchcock, Jacques Martin and Wayne Fleming are the men responsible for making those final cuts.

Gretzky may still be involved, but understandably has other matters on his mind.

Only Lowe, Tambellini and Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson will be in Vancouver, the rest of the group all joining via conference call.

Thursday is the deadline for all countries to announce their rosters, a decision taken back in September by the NHL, NHLPA and IIHF.

Canada's management group heads into Wednesday's final meeting with some obvious selections already in place, and will then throw around the names of all the bubble candidates until a consensus is reached.

The general consensus is that forwards Simon Gagne, Dany Heatley, Jarome Iginla, Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Joe Sakic and Joe Thornton are locks to make the team. Sakic, heading to his third Olympics, is expected to be the captain.

That leaves six jobs open to a bubble group that includes Bertuzzi, Doan, Kris Draper, Kariya, John Madden, Patrick Marleau, Brenden Morrow, Nash, St. Louis, Shanahan, Smyth, Alex Tanguay, and the three youngsters: Crosby, Spezza, and Staal.

On defence, Rob Blake, Ed Jovanovski, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Wade Redden and Robyn Regehr are the odds-on favourites to get in. The leaves one spot open for a bubble group that includes Foote, Dan Boyle, Scott Hannan, Bryan McCabe, Dion Phaneuf and Chris Phillips. McCabe and Phaneuf were the only ones not at the Olympic camp in Kelowna, B.C., in August.

In goal, Martin Brodeur is guaranteed a spot, leaving two jobs open for five goalies: Ed Belfour, Curtis Joseph, Roberto Luongo, Jose Theodore and Marty Turco. Belfour and Joseph weren't in Kelowna.

Spezza, like Kariya, Shanahan, Madden, Staal and Crosby, was not at the Olympic camp in August, but has worked his way into contention with a marvellous season.

"It's out of your control, so it won't be crushing (if he's not picked)," Spezza said in Montreal before Tuesday's game. "It will be disappointing. All you can do is go out and play. I feel good about how I've played and how the team's done. The most important thing is the team's winning and I'm the top centre on the first-place team in the league. That's what's most important. It definitely won't faze me so much that it would hinder my play."

Kariya, 31, has played fairly well this season, 27 points (10-17) in 30 games before Tuesday's game against Colorado, and is a dark horse by some to make it.

"I've love to get the opportunity again," Kariya said from Nashville. "But to be honest on my end I haven't heard anything. Obviously I don't get too much Canadian press down here. I'm in the dark really."

The two-time Olympian ('94 and '02) has a strong international resume and has also performed well in the shootout this season, something that could come in handy in Turin. He's tied for second in the NHL with three shootout goals.

Shanahan, 36, is making his case for the Olympic team with 36 points (19-17) in 34 games before Tuesday's game against Pittsburgh.

"The last two Olympics were great experiences for me," he said. "It was a great experience winning it the last Olympics but I also thought it was a valuable experience being in that situation in Nagano where we didn't have success. That was such a learning experience going into 2002.

"Obviously if I was selected I'd be thrilled and honoured to go but Canada has such a wealth of players that if I didn't get picked I would still be supportive and cheer for the team."

Doan, 29, scored the winning goal in the final of the World Cup of Hockey in September 2004 but a so-so season in Phoenix has him on the bubble.

"It was nice to contribute in that game and being to play in that whole World Cup is something I'll never, ever forget," said Doan. "But they're going to pick the best team they think has the best chance to win and they've had a pretty good success of doing that at this point."

Smyth, 29, has played in seven world championships as well as the Olympics and World Cup.

"It sure doesn't hurt your resume," said Smyth. "But I don't know what they'll base it on, that's for them to decide. Even just to be recognized as one of the guys on this list is quite an honour. I was fortunate to part of the Olympics on '02 and experience so many great things.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm excited and I'd love to hear my name Wednesday," continued Smyth. "But if it doesn't happen, is it the end of the world? No, it isn't. Being part of Team Canada in the past has always been a pleasure and I'd love to represent my country again."

Spezza, 22, doesn't have Smyth's international experience although he has played in three world junior championships.

"The only way you get experience is by playing in these things," Spezza said. "I haven't had any experience because I haven't had a chance to play in any of these. We've always made the playoffs, so I never had a chance to go to the (men's) world championships."

His linemate Heatley was anxious Tuesday despite being viewed as most as a slam dunk to make it.

"There's definitely butterflies," Heatley said. "It's a big thing. I'd love to play for my country and it would be great to go to the Olympics."

All the players can do is wait for Wednesday's announcement.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about it a bit," Spezza said.

With files from Canadian Press sports writer Bill Beacon in Montreal.

[Alicia]

Canadian Press

12/21/2005 9:40:06 AM

Some big names are on the Olympic bubble Wednesday.

Todd Bertuzzi, Sidney Crosby, Adam Foote, Paul Kariya, Rick Nash, Jason Spezza, Eric Staal, Martin St. Louis, Brendan Shanahan and Ryan Smyth are just some of the players waiting to hear whether they are going to Turin with Team Canada.

The 23-player roster will be announced at a news conference in Vancouver. At the same conference, Hockey Canada will also reveal the women's roster . Watch the SPORTSCENTRE Special: Team Canada Hockey Announcement live starting at 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt or stay logged on to TSN.ca to watch the cybercast.

"I'd have a tough time picking this one," said Edmonton's Smyth. "There are two, three teams easily you could pick from this crop of players."

With a new generation of stars, led by Crosby, Spezza and Staal, fighting for inclusion on Team Canada, and a veteran group, the likes of Foote, Kariya and Shanahan, hoping for yet another crack at it, the selection process is as daunting as ever.

"Obviously you want to be on the team but there's at least 100 Canadian players that could easily be on that team," Coyotes captain Shane Doan, another hopeful, said from Phoenix. "The group making the selections will have a tough decision on a lot of guys."

The role of Wayne Gretzky, executive director of the Olympic team, was unclear in the wake of his mother Phyllis Gretzky succumbing to cancer late Monday night.

Deliberations are expected to start Wednesday morning. Assistant executive director Kevin Lowe, director of player personnel Steve Tambellini, Hockey Canada coach Marc Habscheid, Hockey Canada director of player personnel Blair Mackasey, Olympic head coach Pat Quinn, and assistant coaches Ken Hitchcock, Jacques Martin and Wayne Fleming are the men responsible for making those final cuts.

Gretzky may still be involved, but understandably has other matters on his mind.

Only Lowe, Tambellini and Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson will be in Vancouver, the rest of the group all joining via conference call.

Thursday is the deadline for all countries to announce their rosters, a decision taken back in September by the NHL, NHLPA and IIHF.

Canada's management group heads into Wednesday's final meeting with some obvious selections already in place, and will then throw around the names of all the bubble candidates until a consensus is reached.

The general consensus is that forwards Simon Gagne, Dany Heatley, Jarome Iginla, Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Joe Sakic and Joe Thornton are locks to make the team. Sakic, heading to his third Olympics, is expected to be the captain.

That leaves six jobs open to a bubble group that includes Bertuzzi, Doan, Kris Draper, Kariya, John Madden, Patrick Marleau, Brenden Morrow, Nash, St. Louis, Shanahan, Smyth, Alex Tanguay, and the three youngsters: Crosby, Spezza, and Staal.

On defence, Rob Blake, Ed Jovanovski, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Wade Redden and Robyn Regehr are the odds-on favourites to get in. The leaves one spot open for a bubble group that includes Foote, Dan Boyle, Scott Hannan, Bryan McCabe, Dion Phaneuf and Chris Phillips. McCabe and Phaneuf were the only ones not at the Olympic camp in Kelowna, B.C., in August.

In goal, Martin Brodeur is guaranteed a spot, leaving two jobs open for five goalies: Ed Belfour, Curtis Joseph, Roberto Luongo, Jose Theodore and Marty Turco. Belfour and Joseph weren't in Kelowna.

Spezza, like Kariya, Shanahan, Madden, Staal and Crosby, was not at the Olympic camp in August, but has worked his way into contention with a marvellous season.

"It's out of your control, so it won't be crushing (if he's not picked)," Spezza said in Montreal before Tuesday's game. "It will be disappointing. All you can do is go out and play. I feel good about how I've played and how the team's done. The most important thing is the team's winning and I'm the top centre on the first-place team in the league. That's what's most important. It definitely won't faze me so much that it would hinder my play."

Kariya, 31, has played fairly well this season, 27 points (10-17) in 30 games before Tuesday's game against Colorado, and is a dark horse by some to make it.

"I've love to get the opportunity again," Kariya said from Nashville. "But to be honest on my end I haven't heard anything. Obviously I don't get too much Canadian press down here. I'm in the dark really."

The two-time Olympian ('94 and '02) has a strong international resume and has also performed well in the shootout this season, something that could come in handy in Turin. He's tied for second in the NHL with three shootout goals.

Shanahan, 36, is making his case for the Olympic team with 36 points (19-17) in 34 games before Tuesday's game against Pittsburgh.

"The last two Olympics were great experiences for me," he said. "It was a great experience winning it the last Olympics but I also thought it was a valuable experience being in that situation in Nagano where we didn't have success. That was such a learning experience going into 2002.

"Obviously if I was selected I'd be thrilled and honoured to go but Canada has such a wealth of players that if I didn't get picked I would still be supportive and cheer for the team."

Doan, 29, scored the winning goal in the final of the World Cup of Hockey in September 2004 but a so-so season in Phoenix has him on the bubble.

"It was nice to contribute in that game and being to play in that whole World Cup is something I'll never, ever forget," said Doan. "But they're going to pick the best team they think has the best chance to win and they've had a pretty good success of doing that at this point."

Smyth, 29, has played in seven world championships as well as the Olympics and World Cup.

"It sure doesn't hurt your resume," said Smyth. "But I don't know what they'll base it on, that's for them to decide. Even just to be recognized as one of the guys on this list is quite an honour. I was fortunate to part of the Olympics on '02 and experience so many great things.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm excited and I'd love to hear my name Wednesday," continued Smyth. "But if it doesn't happen, is it the end of the world? No, it isn't. Being part of Team Canada in the past has always been a pleasure and I'd love to represent my country again."

Spezza, 22, doesn't have Smyth's international experience although he has played in three world junior championships.

"The only way you get experience is by playing in these things," Spezza said. "I haven't had any experience because I haven't had a chance to play in any of these. We've always made the playoffs, so I never had a chance to go to the (men's) world championships."

His linemate Heatley was anxious Tuesday despite being viewed as most as a slam dunk to make it.

"There's definitely butterflies," Heatley said. "It's a big thing. I'd love to play for my country and it would be great to go to the Olympics."

All the players can do is wait for Wednesday's announcement.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about it a bit," Spezza said.

With files from Canadian Press sports writer Bill Beacon in Montreal.

[Staalgurl4ever]

I don't like Bucigrosses picks. I think that Staal and Spezza should be in the final spots. They are more older, experienced(I think that playing in the AHL last year was a good place for them) Another thing is they are both on the point charts. There teams are some of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. While Crosby is on one of the worse teams in the league and I don't see him on the scoring charts. I was wrong about what I said about Rick Nash. I think yesterday was a good way for him to return by scoring a goal.

[Staalgurl4ever]

I don't like Bucigrosses picks. I think that Staal and Spezza should be in the final spots. They are more older, experienced(I think that playing in the AHL last year was a good place for them) Another thing is they are both on the point charts. There teams are some of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. While Crosby is on one of the worse teams in the league and I don't see him on the scoring charts. I was wrong about what I said about Rick Nash. I think yesterday was a good way for him to return by scoring a goal.

[Staalgurl4ever]

I don't like Bucigrosses picks. I think that Staal and Spezza should be in the final spots. They are more older, experienced(I think that playing in the AHL last year was a good place for them) Another thing is they are both on the point charts. There teams are some of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. While Crosby is on one of the worse teams in the league and I don't see him on the scoring charts. I was wrong about what I said about Rick Nash. I think yesterday was a good way for him to return by scoring a goal.

[SoCalcaniac]

I don't really enjoy Bucci like I used to.


Ding-Dong- Yo, she hits it right on target........

E- I'm right with ya- there's a sour grapes mentality to his columns anymore- and I've not read one in a couple months after his Q&A session where he said the Canes early hot start wasn't for real. The fact that Staal is a Cane is where he goes drooling for Crosby. I get the media machine, the hype and I believe the kid will be ripping up the league in a couple years, but he gets an in because why?????

Crosby is 18. He'll be 22 in 2010. He can wait.

FYI- and the reason I posted on this thread- TSN is doing a cybercast of the announcement, starting at 4:30EST. I am so nervous for Eric. :crazy:

[SoCalcaniac]

I don't really enjoy Bucci like I used to.


Ding-Dong- Yo, she hits it right on target........

E- I'm right with ya- there's a sour grapes mentality to his columns anymore- and I've not read one in a couple months after his Q&A session where he said the Canes early hot start wasn't for real. The fact that Staal is a Cane is where he goes drooling for Crosby. I get the media machine, the hype and I believe the kid will be ripping up the league in a couple years, but he gets an in because why?????

Crosby is 18. He'll be 22 in 2010. He can wait.

FYI- and the reason I posted on this thread- TSN is doing a cybercast of the announcement, starting at 4:30EST. I am so nervous for Eric. :crazy:

[SoCalcaniac]

I don't really enjoy Bucci like I used to.


Ding-Dong- Yo, she hits it right on target........

E- I'm right with ya- there's a sour grapes mentality to his columns anymore- and I've not read one in a couple months after his Q&A session where he said the Canes early hot start wasn't for real. The fact that Staal is a Cane is where he goes drooling for Crosby. I get the media machine, the hype and I believe the kid will be ripping up the league in a couple years, but he gets an in because why?????

Crosby is 18. He'll be 22 in 2010. He can wait.

FYI- and the reason I posted on this thread- TSN is doing a cybercast of the announcement, starting at 4:30EST. I am so nervous for Eric. :crazy:

[Alicia]

FYI- and the reason I posted on this thread- TSN is doing a cybercast of the announcement, starting at 4:30EST. I am so nervous for Eric. :crazy:

Bolded in the article I posted above. :)

[Alicia]

FYI- and the reason I posted on this thread- TSN is doing a cybercast of the announcement, starting at 4:30EST. I am so nervous for Eric. :crazy:

Bolded in the article I posted above. :)

[Alicia]

FYI- and the reason I posted on this thread- TSN is doing a cybercast of the announcement, starting at 4:30EST. I am so nervous for Eric. :crazy:

Bolded in the article I posted above. :)

[SoCalcaniac]

Holy Cow- they've spent the first 10 minutes of chatter on TSN.ca talking about STAAL and how he has to be on this team. Glen Healey? Complimenting someone? No friggin way..... :crazy:

[SoCalcaniac]

Holy Cow- they've spent the first 10 minutes of chatter on TSN.ca talking about STAAL and how he has to be on this team. Glen Healey? Complimenting someone? No friggin way..... :crazy:

[SoCalcaniac]

Holy Cow- they've spent the first 10 minutes of chatter on TSN.ca talking about STAAL and how he has to be on this team. Glen Healey? Complimenting someone? No friggin way..... :crazy: