Courtesy of NHL.com:

Canada unveils a powerhouse lineup for Olympics

"Let the scrutinizing begin.
The most talked about roster perhaps in hockey history was released by Hockey Canada executives Wednesday afternoon and now Canadian fans and, really, hockey fans around the globe, have a month and a half to dissect, critique and scrutinize the decisions that were ultimately made by Team Canada Executive Director Steve Yzerman.

With Doug Armstrong, Kevin Lowe, Ken Holland and coach Mike Babcock sitting to his left at the dais in Saskatoon, Sask., Yzerman announced Canada's roster for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

He selected players with Olympic experience, but also went with a roster that has a strong flavor of youth.

Highlighting the team that is expected to compete for gold in Vancouver are the obvious choices of Sidney Crosby, Jarome Iginla, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger and Martin Brodeur.

Niedermayer will be Canada's captain in Vancouver and Pronger, Crosby and Iginla will be his alternates."


G Martin Brodeur
G Roberto Luongo
G Marc-Andre Fleury

D Chris Pronger (A)
D Shea Weber
D Brent Seabrook
D Scott Niedermayer (C)
D Dan Boyle
D Drew Doughty
D Duncan Keith

F Sidney Crosby (A)
F Jarome Iginla (A)
F Jonathan Toews
F Rick Nash
F Eric Staal
F Mike Richards
F Brenden Morrow
F Dany Heatley
F Joe Thornton
F Ryan Getzlaf
F Patrick Marleau
F Corey Perry
F Patrice Bergeron

"Yzerman wound up leaving former Olympians like Vinny Lecavalier, Shane Doan, Ryan Smyth, Brad Richards, Jay Bouwmeester and Martin St. Louis off the roster. They played on Canada's disappointing team in 2006.

Mike Green and Jeff Carter were also getting serious consideration, but neither made the final cut."

Personally, I'm disappointed that Mike Cammalleri didn't receive any consideration. He's shown a hot hand lately. And leaving out Bouwmeester and Phaneuf doesn't make any sense, either.

I'm happy with these picks. I was really worried that the likes of Phaneuf, Bouwmeester, Green and Regehr were going to make it, but I was relieved to see that they were left off. This is a team that should have a good mix of skill, physicality and of course a lot of chemistry. Anything less than Gold (as is always the expectation for Canadian hockey teams) will be considered a failure.

I was so surprised that Doughty and Toews made it. The team looks good but they lack toughness on d. To me either Phaneuf or Boumeester should have made it on the back end and I would have put Jordan Staal or Brad Richards on forward, other than that it looks good.

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

I was thinking the same thing at first, PK. But then again, it will be international rules set to these games. If Phaneuf or Jay-Bo were to go out and start kill-dozing everything in site, it would end up costing us on the score sheet. I think we've got a good group of guys with decent heads on their shoulders. I wouldn't go as far as to say we're a lock for the gold by any means. I think this squad SHOULD be good enough to compete, as long as the egos are left at the door, unlike as it was in Torino.

The only real bad thing I see, is that big lipped fool on our roster. I mean, it was a given that Crysby was going to make it, but goddamn it I just can't cheer for him. Yes, the kid has some skill. Obviously, he's in the frickin NHL. I just can't stand him and when I say these words, I get the usual; "How can you say that about our Cindy!?!?!?! He's our home town boy!!!!"

Fucking gag me.

It would be a miracle of sorts, but as long as he doesn't score often and/or have his mug on the TV, then I'll be all for Canada. Should this not be the case, then I'll be jumping on the US band wagon.

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If it's a tight squeeze, spit on it! - NyI

He's a middling AHL player who had the good fortune of a drunk arbitrator. - The Squanto re: Tim Kennedy

Bergeron? Really? Okay...

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

I hope the US starts Thomas or Anderson and gets shelled. I want a rested Ryan Miller, I'm selfish. Go Canada!

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

A lot of people are surprised by this but if he hadn't missed a season because of his concussion he would have been as much of a lock as Richards was.

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Driver of the Tyler Ennis Bandwagon, Ridin' shotgun on the Tyler Myers Bandwagon, chillin' on the Luke Adam Bandwagon


Eh

Someone needs to go up there are bury a US dollar coin under center ice....

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Hold my beer and watch this...

THIS

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mechaphil

Yzerman talked about balance and maturity...why not select Marc Savard? The guy is pure money. A great blend of grit and tenacity, great vision, mad skills and unsurpassed as a playmaker.

He could have replaced any of six possible players on that roster...easily.

All I know is, we may question some of Yzerman's choices, but this guy is a goddamned hockey god. He knows or sees shit we may never notice, so I'm not gonna second-guess him on any roster selection.

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mechaphil

Didn't he select the 2006 team that fell flat on their faces?

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

I can't find any evidence to say he was, so I guess no?

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mechaphil

Gretzky..................

Also I feel Don Cherry should collaborate with HockeyCanada as an advisor and he should help in making WJC teams, WC teams and Olympic teams.

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Driver of the Tyler Ennis Bandwagon, Ridin' shotgun on the Tyler Myers Bandwagon, chillin' on the Luke Adam Bandwagon


Eh

Can he play the wing? He wasnt taking a spot from Crosby Getzlaf or Thornton. The only guy he could have replaced was Toews but I like the young piss and vinegar that we were lacking in 06.

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Driver of the Tyler Ennis Bandwagon, Ridin' shotgun on the Tyler Myers Bandwagon, chillin' on the Luke Adam Bandwagon


Eh

nah, when Patrick Kane plays, he will dig up all the ice and noone will be able to play.

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"Ah...composite sticks...you can't beat 'em...unless you have a wooden one..."-Harry Neale

In Pegula We We Trust!

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

Patrice Bergeron was struck in the hand by a shot by Dennis Wideman. Could hurt his chances to stay on the team.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=304732

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret