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George Zoran
Top Prospect
Canada
55 Posts |
 Posted - 11/08/2005 : 11:26:46
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Contributed By: George Zoran
I thought it might be fun to play Wayne Gretzky and select Canada's Olympic team based on the first month of the NHL season. I see no point in naming the few who will sit in the press box with Gretzky, Kevin Lowe, and the rest of the executives, so what you get is the starting line up.
In Goal:
Normally Martin Brodeur would be a lock to start, but he is day to day with a knee injury. Statistically, the Wild duo of Manny Fernandez and Dwayne Roloson are the top Canadian Goalies, however both were left off of the 81 player short/long list.
I have Roberto Luongo starting, with Curtis Joseph backing him up.
On D:
This is easy. Rob Blake, Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer and Adam Foote are all healthy so they are locks. Brian McCabe and Ed Jovanovski have played themselves into the top six Canadian D-men.
Forwards:
This is a bit more difficult. Because Canada is so deep down the middle, a few centers will have to move over to the wing. Perennial Team Canada leaders Joe Sakic, Mario Lemieux, and Jarome Iginla are obvious selections. Given the way Eric Staal has played thus far, he has to be on this team. Same goes for Simon Gagne. Give Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley two first class tickets to Turin. Same goes for Joe Thornton and Glen Murray. Slide in Sidney Crosby beside Mario and add Vincent Lecavalier and Brad Richards – There are your top twelve forwards.
Notables left off of the list:
- Todd Bertuzzi – More effort needed to be considered one of Canada’s best.
- Martin St. Louis – Slow start hurts the reigning league MVP.
- Ryan Smyth – Mr. Canada has had a rough start due to an early injury.
- Shane Doan – A favorite of Gretzky, but too many guys are playing better right now.
- Scott Hannan – Will check the opposition’s best player like no other, but seems to have disappeared for the first part of this season.
- Marty Turco – 3.19 GAA and 0.883 SV%. Enough said.
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If the Olympics started tomorrow...Canadian Roster 
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