With Team Canada ready to announce the Olympic team on the 30th, I thought I would make my final prediction for the team and compare it to the team I predicted back in July. Here it is:
FORWARDS(13)
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, C
Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, RW
Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets, LW
Dany Heatley, San Jose Sharks, LW
Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks, C
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning, RW
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks, C
Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks, RW
Brenden Morrow, Dallas Stars, RW
Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers, C
Jeff Carter, Philadelphia Flyers, C
Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes, RW
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks, C
Definitely a few changes here, most notably with the retirement of Joe Sakic. With strong starts to the season, Joe Thornton and Corey Perry found their way onto the team, replacing retired Sakic and injured Simon Gagne. Martin St. Louis gets the nod over teammate Vincent Lecavalier with his all-around play, while Lecavalier has done nothing but play himself off the team so far this season. Jonathan Toews gets the 13th spot over Patrick Marleau, Brad Richards and Eric Staal. Toews a shootout specialist could become valuable.
DEFENSE(7)
Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim Ducks
Jay Bouwmeester, Calgary Flames
Chris Pronger, Philadelphia Flyers
Robyn Regehr, Calgary Flames
Shea Weber, Nashville Predators
Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
Mike Green, Washington Capitals
Only one change here with Duncan Keith replacing Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf was a tough guy to leave off but competition with Mike Green, Dan Boyle and Drew Doughty for the 7th spot, which in my mind should be a PP specialist, I had to go with Green would once again leads the league in defensemen scoring.
GOALIES(3)
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks
Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins
Any Arguments?(Once Again). There might have been more competition here for the 3rd spot if Cam Ward hadn't gotten injured, but Fleury has been very impressive again this season and I think even with a healthy Ward would have won the spot. Brodeur is the starter without a doubt.
LINES:
1- NASH-CROSBY-IGINLA
2- HEATLEY-THORNTION-ST. LOUIS
3- CARTER-GETZLAF-PERRY
4- MORROW-RICHARDS-DOAN
E- TOEWS
1- NIEDERMAYER-BOUWMEESTER
2- PRONGER-REGEHR
3- KEITH-WEBER
E- GREEN
1- BRODEUR
2- LUONGO
3- FLEURY
