World Championships - Team Canada

Ok, so with one win in their last six games, there's not a lot of positive things to write regarding the Ottawa Senators. I'm a born optimist though, and I'm just waiting patiently for them to right the ship. which they inevitiably will. In the meantime, I though I'd have some fun and look at potential line-ups for Team Canada at the 2010 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships.

 

Although the final NHL standings are not yet finalized, I think most of the teams currently in the top 8 are safe, with only the 8th/9th spots in the Western Conference still close. Of course, a team that goes on a good run or a bad slide could change things, but I 'll be using the standings as of today (March 15th) as a reference point for potential players.

As usual, options for Team Canada are plentiful. Unfortunately, the WC's are not the most glamourous tournament, and many stars decline the offer to participate. This year could be different, however. Players who participated in the Olympics may be motivated to accomplish a rare feat: Olympic and WC Gold in the same season. And those that did not make the big cut may want to show that they too can win an international tournament.


So without further ado, here is what Team Canada could look like for the 2010 World Ice Hockey Championships:

Forwards:

Steven Stamkos - Vincent Lecavalier - Martin St. Louis

This line could easily have made the Olympic Team Canada, and although I can't complain much given the ultimate result, I would have loved to see this trio over Bergeron, Thornton and Marleau. Stamkos and St Louis are likely to say yes, give that Steven is young, eager and still in the process of establishing himself, while St Louis is all heart and soul and has answered his country's call many times before. Lecavalier has declined to wear the red Maple Leaf in recent years, although this was partly due to injuries. Hopefully the Olympic snub will motivate him to represent his country.

Eric Staal - Brad Richards - Rick Nash

Two Olympians and an elite playmaking centre. Nice. I wouldn't blame Staal and Nash for skipping this event. They represented their nation well and won Olympic Gold on home ice. But considering they would've played into June had their teams qualified for the postseason, why not play for your country? Granted, they wouldn't have to travel overseas, but when you think about it,  The Stanley Cup involves 4 series that include a minimum of 3 road games each, 12 total...the WC  actually involves LESS over-all travel. you fly there, compete, and fly back when it's over. Could the allure of winning Olympic and WC Gold in the same year entice them to don the Red and White a second time in 2010? Richards has played for Team Canada before, and if healthy has no reason to ignore the call this time.


Brendan Morrow - Ryan Getzlaf - Corey Perry

An all Olympic line! Reunited! I don't have much to add here, other than how awesome it would be to see this line in action again.

I've left the 4th line open for now, as players can be added after the first round of the play-offs conclude and 8 more teams are eliminated. That means some very good players will become available. However, Junior Team Canada stand-out and national hero Jordan Eberle warrants great consideration. Other forwards from probable non-play-off teams that could be considered (if the players I chose decline) include Dustin Penner, Stephen Weiss, Nathan Horton, James Neal, Sam Gagner, Joffrey Lupul, Andrew Brunette, Ray Whitney and Colby Armstrong.

Defense:

Scott Neidermayer - Francois Beauchemin

He's won it all before, but a chance to pad his list of accomplishments in what is possibly his last season will hopefully entice Scott to represent his home and native land one last time. His familiarity with Beauchemin should form a solid all-around pairing.

Stephane Robidas - Dion Phaneuf

Both were invited to Team Canada's Olympic orientation camp last summer, and both should be eager to prove their worth. A solid pairing that brings it all: Puck movement, a hard shot, big hits and shot blocking.

Again, I'll leave the final slots open until after the first round. Other players to be considered include: Luke Schenn, Marc Staal, Cam Barker, Brent Burns, Kurtis Foster and Bryan McCabe. And could future blue-line stud Alex Pietrangelo be avaiable?

Goal:

Cam Ward
Dwayne Roloson
Marty Turco

You can't go wrong with any of these three goaltenders, two of which warranted Olympic consideration early on. Each one has proven his big-game ability.

Other goaltenders to consider include: Chris Mason and Steve Mason

Head Coach:

Above I mentioned that the 8th/9th spots in the Western Conference are still being closely contested. The Calgary Flames trail the Detroit Red Wings by one point, but have one more win in the same number of games. With one of Mike Babcock and Brent Sutter likely to miss the postseason, those two gentleman are my front runners for the head coaching position. Peter DeBoers and Randy Carlyle would be the assistants

I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.


Discuss!