LONDON -The news is good - very good - on the early Olympic decisions of Steve Yzerman.
Yzerman's already making the tough choices that Wayne Gretzky felt he couldn't make back for the Torino effort in 2006, at least partially because Gretzky was hamstrung by the 2004-05 lockout that gave him little evidence upon which to pick a roster.
This time around, Yzerman has shown some good decisiveness and a willingness to say farewell to some fine old warriors. From the '06 team, defenceman Rob Blake, Adam Foote and Wade Redden have not been invited to the Calgary orientation camp, and the same goes for Ed Jovanovski, who was originally named to the Torino team but didn't play because of injury. Bryan McCabe, who did play, was also not invited this time around.
Up front, Kris Draper, Brad Richards and Todd Bertuzzi weren't brought back. Neither was third-string goalie Marty Turco or alternate forward Jason Spezza. Yzerman didn't invite Detroit goalie Chris Osgood, unfortunate but a demonstration he won't favour any Red Wings, nor was centre Marc Savard asked to attend the Calgary camp, probably the biggest name player not to make the grade.
By contrast, Yzerman did invite veteran Joe Sakic despite the fact he missed last season with an injury, knowing he may well need Sakic in a leadership capacity that he himself filled for Team Canada at the '02 Salt Lake City Games.
That's quite a bit of change in three years.
On the other hand, Yzerman did make some interesting choices of players to invite, including defenceman Francois Beauchemin and Stephane Robidas, and forwards Dan Cleary, Andy McDonald and Milan Lucic.
Meanwhile, you've got to love the invitations that went out to all three Staal brothers. What a story that would be if Eric, Marc and Jordan all made it.
I agree Damien! How about the Ryan Smyth pick?? He should have been left off...he's gone down hill since his move to Colarado.
Posted by: Jack Arns | July 03, 2009 at 11:45 AM
I think it would be imparative that all the staals are on the team, they have shown they do not need the spotlight and are responsible two way players. I would love to hear the conversations around that household and the banter about who has stanley cups and who doesn't....... "person without a cup has to cut the grass and set the table" lol.
But as for Canada, there should be a new role called embasador set up for players who embody this role such as Yzerman did and hopefully Sakic will be able to do. The olympics is more exciting than the regular season and will be a nice break and pre-lude to a stellar playoffs next year.
How is the tennis damien? you still got the inside scoop halfway across the world! Kudos to fine journalism
Posted by: mario | July 03, 2009 at 01:14 PM
Hard to find fault with Stevie Y's picks. A good mix of youth and experience. I really like the potential blue line with a lot of mobility, size and puck handling prowess. And, despite his injury plagued last season, I think you have to give Sakic a look. You don't want to be top heavy with old guys and 'veteran leaders'.... but you can't discount having a couple of them in the room.
Posted by: other mark | July 03, 2009 at 01:37 PM
I think Sakic was chosen out of respect for what he has done and because of his incredible leadership. He would be the kind of guy who would play on the 4th line, never complain and then go score the winning goal. It was a good choice to include him, I hope his game is up to par if he doesn't retire because with the talent this team will have it would be too bad and a tough decision to have leave him off.
You have to feel for a guy like Mark Savard. He reminds me of Adam Oates, always produces at the top yet always overlooked.
Posted by: Victor | July 03, 2009 at 07:19 PM
If Sakic had not gotten hurt in the '98 Olympic quarterfinal, Canada WOULD have won the gold medal in Nagano and bot bombed out in the semi against the Czechs.
He will be on the 2010 team.
Posted by: Malivai David | July 03, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Let's hope he goes for speed. I never understood why the "great one" went for lumbering Bertuzzi types last time around.
Posted by: Johnnyk | July 04, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Kudos to Team Canada and Stevie Yzerman for choosing such a top tier team. It has to be tough, with all of Canadas hockey talent, there are bound to be a few left out....I cant wait for the Olympics to start and with our hometown advantage anything short of Gold would be a major disappointment...its also going to be exciting to see Iggy, Crosby and Nash play together, if that line holds up.....GO CANADA GO......
Posted by: Noel | August 26, 2009 at 03:53 PM