2010 Team Canada Forecast

With the Vancouver Games just over two years away it is probably a good time to kick around what the Canadian men's hockey team could look like for 2010. Okay, it is too early, but there have been enough bar arguments about it recently, so....

Predicted lineup as of January 24, 2008

FORWARDS
Heatley – Crosby – Iginla
Getzlaf – Lecavalier – Perry
Nash – Thornton – Gagne
B. Richards – M. Richards – E. Staal
Spezza (13th forward)

Assumptions:

• Mike Richards continues to develop as projected – I fully expect his line to be the most effective in the tournament (isn’t that always the way?)
• This is Perry’s breakout season and he develops into a top goal scorer while retaining his physical play (like a more talented Brenden Morrow)
• Gagne recovers from his concussion problems
• Spezza doesn’t suddenly develop the defensive side of this game (that will come later in his career) – after the trouble Canada had scoring goals in Torino they can’t afford not to bring him, although scoring goals probably won’t be an issue as long as Crosby is healthy
• They don’t employ a true checking / grind / energy line (which they probably will)*
• If Toews forces his way onto the team it will be at the expense of Staal, Perry or Spezza, as currently configured, but the most logical replacement would be Gagne (similar two-way game, although Gagne’s speed would be tough to replace and I consider him a lock for the team)
• Sakic and Smyth, if still in the league, will be given the opportunity to withdraw from consideration in advance (i.e. soccer-style international retirement) and will have some involvement in the team during the Games à there’s no way Sakic won’t be involved somehow with the Games in Vancouver

I think you have to try the lineup above, but expect that they end up tweaking the lines after a game or two (i.e. after they barely beat Germany and everyone freaks out) to look like this:
Getzlaf – Crosby – Perry
B. Richards – Lecavalier – Iginla
Nash – Thornton – Heatley
Gagne – M. Richards – E. Staal
Spezza

Backups: Toews, St. Louis, Briere
Goes to the orientation sessions for learning purposes: Gagner, Tavares, Stamkos, Turris
* Grind line: Morrow – Fisher – R. Niedermayer / M. Richards (of course, Ryan Smyth would need to be factored in if Canada goes this route)

DEFENSE**
Regehr – Phillips (shutdown pair)
Pronger – Vlasic
Weber – Phaneuf
Bouwmeester

Backups: Beauchemin, Campbell , Redden
Goes to the orientation sessions for learning purposes (at least): Green, M. Staal, Burns, Seabrook, Keith, Doughty
** With so many good, young defensemen, playoff experience will be a key determinant, which is why I’ve rated players like Vlasic over Keith et al.

GOALIES: Luongo, Brodeur, Price

Captain: Iginla
Assistants: Crosby, Pronger
GM: Yzerman
Coach: Babcock