So, we've put together half of the team from the back end out and now we get to the forwards....When you look at the talent available at forward for Team Canada, all you can really do is shake your head because there's just so much depth and talent....the problem with choosing is: how much grit and character do you put on the team ahead of skill?
Alright, let's just name the players that are locks to make the team (barring injury) and get that out of the way: Sidney Crosby, Rick Nash, Jarome Iginla and Joe Thornton....Some people might balk at the last pick because of his inability to perform as well in the playoffs, but he's so talented, you have to continue to give him chances to prove himself....
So, we have 9 more spots to fill.....there are two that are also locks to make the team (barring injury), but more because of their character and grit....those players are Shane Doan and Brenden Morrow....they have offensive talent, but they seem to be the two that can easily make the adjustment to checking roles....
So, we're down to 7 spots.....These four represent a big part of the main core that will lead Team Canada for years to come...Mike Richards, Ryan Getzlaf, Eric Staal and Jeff Carter are all players with a valuable combination of youth and skill....all of them are also 25 years old or younger...
Carter, Getzlaf and Staal all have great offensive skills to go with their size and Mike Richards represents the heir apparent to Morrow and Doan when it comes to grit and determination.....his checking ability and skills on the penalty kill are very much under-appreciated, but will come up big in the tournament at some point...
So, we're down to 3 spots left with 1 of them being the alternate....I'm definitely gonna save a spot for Vincent Lecavalier....it's almost like he's become lost among the chaos that has become the Tampa Bay Lightning....yes, I realize he's coming off a tough year, but that whole team had a tough year....I still love the individual skill he possesses....
Now I know I'm going to get a lot of flack for this next pick, but I truly believe that he's going to get a chance with this team.....and that's public enemy number 1: Dany Heatley! I know, it's blasphemy for me to even suggest that considering the way he's treated Sens fans with his actions over the summer....
The problem for Heatley haters is that he still possesses a great ability to put the puck in the net and can be very valuable in a power-play situation (as long as he doesn't put up a stink about being on the 2nd power play unit like he did here)....he also had great success with Team Canada in the past...
So, one spot left for an alternate and I'll give that to someone with a ton of offensive potential, but someone who can't seem to shake the injury bug away: Simon Gagne.....When he's fully healthy, he's still a very dynamic player, but the key will be whether he can stay healthy enough to get to Vancouver.....
Alright, so the full team looks like this:
Goaltenders
Martin Brodeur
Roberto Luongo
Marc-Andre Fleury
Defencemen
Scott Niedermayer
Chris Pronger
Jay Bouwmeester
Robyn Regehr
Shea Weber
Duncan Keith
Dan Boyle
Forwards
Sidney Crosby
Rick Nash
Jarome Iginla
Joe Thornton
Shane Doan
Brenden Morrow
Mike Richards
Ryan Getzlaf
Eric Staal
Jeff Carter
Vincent Lecavalier
Dany Heatley
Simon Gagne
But hey, we still have six months still to talk about this...... :-)