Team Canada Should Not Overlook The Shark Captain For Its 2010 Olympic Roster

A year from now when you think of your Sharks Captain, you may also think of Team Canada. As the Canadian National team prepares to defend home ice rinks throughout British Columbia in the 2010 Olympic Games.

At this time last year a notion of even thinking of Patrick Marleau along those lines would have had you laughed at on every hockey affiliated talk show or message board across North America. This includes those of the San Jose Sharks. 

What a difference half of a season, two rounds of playoffs, and a new coach can do for a player's confidence aye! Patrick Marleau has emerged this season under head coach Todd McLellan to playing the absolute finest hockey of his career. 

He is on pace to set career bests for goals, points, and shorties. Yes shorthanded goals! The captain's value to his team is like it's never been before.

Marleau is seen playing in all situations this season and his compete level has led the way to his team getting out to one of the best regular season starts in the history of the league. Known around the league as a Center, he's doing most of his damage this season from the left wing. 

He's been used in all situations, and most of all, one thing we know about Patty is he shows up for big games. Who wouldn't want that on their roster in a short tournament?

Toss out the '07 playoff series against Detroit. Lets not talk about it, it's over, it no longer matters.

After Team Canada's positive and for sure selections of Crosby, Richards, Getzlaf, LeCavalier, Nash, Iginla, Towes and Heatley, there will be a few question marks on who exactly makes this team. Steve Yzerman, executive director for Team Canada, has his work cut out for himself on how he wants to fill out the rest of this deep, talented roster. 

Shane Doan should make the team for his character, work ethic, and gritty warrior mentality alone. The same goes for Brendan Morrow, if he's 100 percent and his knee holds up without any problems. Joe Thornton is someone some were actually writing off believe it or not.  Not me. 

Now that leaves us with Jason Spezza, Eric Staal, Corey Perry, and Martin St. Louis as strong candidates for team Canada's collection of forwards. Patrick Marleau should definitely be right in that mix. 

He can do more for a team in more areas of the game then for example, Jason Spezza can or will. Marleau's ability to play two positions up front and kill penalties should make him the most logical candidate to Stevie Y. for a roster spot nod.   

Watched closely perhaps will be Marleau's contribution later this season to helping carry his team past the second round, into the Conference Finals, and possibly Stanley Cup Finals. Certainly, his 24 playoff goals since 2003 is a strong indication to where this player's mental toughness, skill, and passion lie in big games. 

Is there any reason to believe, now, with Patrick Marleau playing the finest hockey of his career that he won't continue such strong playoff performance. We'll have to wait and see, but mark my words, Team Canada would be foolish to overlook Aneroid, Saskatchewan's Patrick Marleau.