Sochi 2014

Well folks, the NHL season is well underway and the lockout is a thing of the past.  Did fans come back?  Of course they did.  We're Canadians and we're suckers for the game we love.  As for Americans... They don't really start paying attention to the NHL (other than a few exceptions, i.e. Boston, New York Rangers, Philly, and Minnesota) until the NCAA is over.  But Canadians on the other hand are out full swing, supporting the same organizations who just a month ago were holding out on making a deal.  But I digress.

I realize it's only February 2013 and the NHL is still yet to officially announce their commitment to the Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014 but from what I understand, it's all but a foregone conclusion.  So, in one year's time, we can assume that the best in the world will square off yet again to see who reigns supreme as the best hockey nation in the world.  Feels like Vancouver 2010 was just yesterday, doesn't it?  Sid the Kid, scoring the Golden Goal from that beautiful Iggy pass... What a moment.

Anyway, since I'm all fired up on the subject, why don't we get a little ahead of ourselves and take a look at what the Canadian roster might look like in a years time.

2010

Before we look ahead though, let's look back at the 2010 roster.

Forwards:

Brendan Morrow, Patrick Marleau, Jarome Iginla, Dany Heatley, Johnathan Toews, Michael Richards, Joe Thornton, Eric Staal, Corey Perry, Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Getzlaf, Rick Nash, and Sidney Crosby.

Defense:

Duncan Keith, Shea Weber, Brent Seabrook, Drew Doughty, Chris Pronger, Dan Boyle, and Scott Neidermayer

Goaltenders:

Roberto Luongo, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Martin Brodeur.

This roster had a nice balance of youth skill and experienced veterans:  Brodeur the oldest at 38 and Doughty the youngest at 21.
Going forward, I think youth will be key because as the NHL currently demonstrates: It's a young man's game.

2014

There are certain names that pop into your head that are basically locks for making this team, barring injury, of course.  They are:

Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Eric Staal, Rick Nash, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf all seem pretty safe bets for me.  Although the SJ boys are having one heck of a start (Marleau and Thornton) and Morrow is also doing well in Dallas, all three will be 35 next year which leaves me wondering if they are getting just a tad too old.  Same goes for Iggy and Heatley who will be 37 and 33 respectively.  Richards and Bergeron just made the roster in 2010 so they will be bubble guys next year.

So, that leaves roughly 5-7 spots opening at the forward position.  Cleary, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares and Claude Giroux instantly jump to mind.  All three carry their teams and will surely skate for Canada next year.  Speaking of Stamkos, St. Louis and Lacavellier were both left off the 2010 roster to the ire of many and me thinks the same thing will happen (think age).   And how can we forget about the Edmonton Boys.  I think Jordon Eberle and Taylor Hall both have a good chance at cracking the lineup (Hey, maybe even the NUGE as well).  Others challenging for spots may be Tyler Seguin from Boston, Jamie Benn from Dallas, Jordan Staal from Carolina, and heck I'll even throw in Evander Kane so a Winnipeg Jet has a chance of making the Canadian team.

As for defense, looking back at 2010, it's clear Steve Yzerman and company looked for experience when selecting their team.  I don't see Pronger (injured, too old), Neidermayer (retired), or  Boyle (too old) returning to this team.  Weber, Doughty and possibly Keith and Seabrook will be the returnees, leaving a few spots open.  I think Kris Letang has showed enough in his game to merit a spot, as has Marc Staal and Alex Pietrangelo.  Other hopefuls may include Brayden Coburn, Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zotto, PK Subban, and Tyler Myers.

And finally, the ever-important goaltender.  Luongo was unreal in the Olympics so it's tough not to have him on the list.  Brodeur will be 42... Really?  He's having an unreal start so don't count this legend out just yet.  Fleury, other than his playoff performance last spring, has been solid and he could very well be the starter.  But what about Carey Price, Cam Ward and maybe even... Mike Smith?  Hey, it's a long shot but you never know.  Smith was lights out in the playoffs last year.

So, as is always the case, it will be challenging to put this team together.  I don't envy Stevey Y for one second.  What do you think?  Did I miss anyone?  Or include someone who shouldn't be there?  Comment and share!