Early Olympic Picks

While the Leafers are making a futile late run at the playoffs (if only the season was 90 games instead of 82) it's time to turn our eyes to the upcomming 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Since I'm still waiting for my phone call from Hockey Canada to help with the team, I thought that I would submit my short list of players for Team Canada.

Forwards
Jarome Iginla - Sidney Crosby(A) - Eric Stall
Jason Spezza - Joe Thornton - Dany Heatley
Vincent Lecavalier - Martin St. Louis - Brad Richards
Rick Nash - Joe Sakic(C) - Daniel Briere

Defensemen
Dion Phaneuf - Brian Campbell
Ed Jovonoski - Chris Pronger(A)
Wade Redden - Jason Bouwmeester

Goalies
Martin Brodeur
Roberto Luongo

Picking a team for Canada is as easy as shooting fish in a barrel. Some could argue cases for one or two others to make the team instead of who I chose (i.e. Marc Savard instead of Brad Richards, Mike Riebeiro in place of Sakic) but I like the team I've put together. Having Sakic as captain adds experience and depth to the hockey team and provides shelter for heir-apparent Crosby to just do his job. I think the line of Spezza, Thornton and Heatley would dominate at just about every level with thier size, speed and creativity with the puck. The defence pairings are just thrown out there since they're all top two D-men and leaders on their respective teams. Brodeur and Luongo are locks. While Martin will most likely get the first look as starting goalie, we all know Roberto is very capable himself and deserves a spot. I didn't even bother putting down a third goalie for the team. Whether you bring in Cam Ward, Marty Turco, Martin Biron, or even a young Carey Price just to gain experience they aren't going to see any playing time behind Brodeur and Luongo. If you wanted to bring in a third goalie just for the players to shoot pucks at during practise then Kelly Hrudey can do double duty with the CBC and at least make the rest of the team feel good about themselves by scoring a lot before the main games!