Team Canada: Keith's Edition

: Crosby's talent and vision allow him to make the switch to wing without a significant drop off in production. His offensive prowess and commitment to defence will be a huge boon to Canada, and having two natural centers on a line will allow the center on his line to cheat on faceoffs, knowing if he gets thrown out, Crosby can step in.

Dany Heatley: Heatley is capable of playing both wings and may end up on the right side in order to balance everything out. Because he plays left wing during the regular season, that is where he will be placed on the list. Despite the Edmonton/Ottawa situation, he is one of the most productive scorers today and will be needed in Vancouver.

Shane Doan: Also able to play both wings, Doan's physicality and effective approach to defence see him on a checking line that will still be dangerous offensively. He is a fast and strong forward capable of digging in the corners and making smart decisions.

Left wing will have only one natural left winger along with a center and two hybrid wingers. Despite this, Canada will still be deep and capable of creating offense one through four. None can match the genius that is Oveckin on the wing, but Team Canada's left wingers will more than hold their own on the world stage.

 

Right Wing

Jarome Iginla: One of the best players in the league over the past 10 years, Iginla is ultimate power forward and one of the best two-way players in the league. "Most Complete Player" is something that gets mentioned with Iginla on a regular basis, and he will be a huge part of the 2010 team.

Martin St. Louis: Despite the small ice, St. Louis is just too fast, too talented, and too hardworking to consider leaving off the team. His familiarity with Lecavalier and his nose for the net are all positives that Team Canada will want on their roster.

Jeff Carter: A natural center, his goal scoring talents and his size (6'3", 200) will hopefully allow Carter to make the transition to the wing easily, and his +23 rating demonstrates his commitment to playing in both ends of the ice.

Milan Lucic: Despite the talent that is still available in camp, Lucic brings something to the table that not many teams bring to the Olympics; he is a shift disturber that can put the puck in the net, and he is a plus player. On international ice surfaces, he would be a liability, but, on NHL ice he is a talent of a different sort and someone this team could use.

 

13^th Forward

Joe Sakic: Sakic might not get plenty of playing time, but his contribution won't be on the ice; it will be in the dressing room. Sakic is one of the most respected players of all time, and if he returns this season, he will be on the team.

 

Letters

Jarome Iginla, Sidney Crosby, and Scott Niedermayer will be the letters. Niedermayer or Iginla will be captain. Sakic may not be a letter because he may not be on the ice. His role on the team will still be a leadership role, as it doesn't take a letter to make a leader.

 

Roster

Crosby-Thorton-Iginla

Nash-Lecavalier-St Louis

Heatley-Getzlaf-Carter

Doan-Richards-Lucic

Sakic

 

Neidermayer-Pronger

Bouwmeester-Regehr

Phaneuf-Keith

Green

 

Luongo

Brodeur

Ward

 

This is my offseason team. As the season gets underway, things may change. What does your team look like; what roles do your players fit?

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