2010 Team Canada Preview Part One: The Captain

There are a lot of players looking for a spot on this year's Olympic roster, but only 23 will be going to Vancouver. Steve Yzerman will have his hands full making the decision, but whoever he decides to take should be one that can contend for the Gold.

The most important part of the decision will be who will Captain the squad that could bring Canada back to glory.

A team needs a strong captain in order to be successful in any sport. The captain for this All-Star Team needs to be respected and one who leads by example, but who also motivates.

In 2006, Joe Sakic was the captain of Team Canada. Being one of the most respected players in the history of sports, Sakic deserved the "C." He is normally one to lead by example as he did in 2002. The one thing missing in 2006 was motivation. He was giving his all on the ice, and the only other was Jarome Iginla.

With Sakic retiring, the captain's role has been rumored to be going to players such as Sidney Crosby, Scott Niedermayer, Joe Thornton or Jarome Iginla.

Joe Thornton

Thornton has had a great year, but is known for his regular season play but not big games. When Patrick Marleau was stripped of the "C" in San Jose, Sharks brass looked past Big Joe and gave it to Rob Blake. That has got to hurt his chances with team Canada, so let's just drop him from consideration right now.

Scott Niedermayer

Niedermayer has been around for a while and has won at every level. He's smart and knows the game very well. Plus, being the only Canadian player to play in all four Olympic games that NHL players participated in, Niedermayer definitely has the experience to garner that "C".

Sidney Crosby

Crosby has been touted as a future captain of Team Canada since before he was in the NHL. He is the youngest captain to lead his team to a Stanley Cup Championship, and he has been scoring points in massive numbers since coming into the league.

Jarome Iginla

Iginla is one player who can carry a team on his back when motivated and won't hesitate to say what needs to be said. With that many egos in a dressing room, you may need a stronger voice to keep this team in check.

So let's break it down and see who should be the captain of Team Canada 2010.

I don't think it's the right time to use Crosby as the captain of Team Canada. Give him these Olympic games to get his feet wet and play with this group before crowning him with the "C".

I also don't know how many players would be a little more than miffed at having him as their captain. He's great, and I'm sure he'll be a great captain someday, but give it time.

Niedermayer has the experience and the beard to prove it. He should definitely be on the team, but I think this team needs a guy who can turn a game around in a matter of moments. That will be hard to do from the  blue line, especially since he won't be one of the defensemen getting the most ice time.

He will be a calming influence on the bench and the dressing room even without the "C," so I don't think Niedermayer should be the captain.

That leaves Jarome Iginla. Iginla is a fierce competitor and someone who can single-handedly change a game. Players know he's hard to play against, and they know he's a great leader.

A recent ESPN.com poll asked 193 players in the NHL who was the best leader. Jarome Iginla was No. 1 with 22 percent of the votes, in front of Nicklas Lidstrom (17 percent) and Joe Sakic (11 percent).

With all those factors, I do believe Jarome Iginla should be the next Captain to lead Team Canada into the Olympics in Vancouver this coming February.