With the announcement of Team Canadas Olympic hockey team tomorrow, I thought I would make a list of the players

I would pick, including their role and actual likelihood of making the team. At the end Ill name some bubble guys and why I cut them over the others. FIRST LINE RW: Steven Stamkos - Moving over to RW to play on the first line with Crosby. He wasnt there last time and should be hungry. (He is a lock to make the team.) C: Sidney Crosby (Captain) No surprise here, folks. (lock city) LW: Matt Duchene - This first line left wing spot was the hardest to fill, for me Duchene would fit in perfectly on our scoring line. He has the skill and speed to keep up. (It is possible Duchene wont even make the team, Ill just be happy to see him there.) SECOND LINE RW: Rick Nash Great power forward, thrives on national stage, seems like a no brainer. (Lock it up) C: Jonathan Toews (Assistant Captain) its guys like Toews that make it a comfortable option to cut Patrice Bergeron in my opinion. #spoileralert. (Locked in) LW: Logan Couture Everything about this kid I love. All round player GOOD CANADIAN KID. (even though I consider him a lock, there is that small chance he doesnt make it.) THIRD LINE RW: Claude Giroux We made it. If Philadelphia has done anything right as far as management is concerned in the past 5 years, it would have to be drafting and NOT TRADING AWAY Claude Giroux. Perhaps if they did the same with Richards, Carter, Van Riemsdyk, Lupul, Bobrovsky, they would be somewhere (not a lock, but I would be SHOCKED if he wasnt there) C: John Taveras - No question when John Taveras is your third line center, you are a favourite to win the tournament. (LOCK) LW: James Neal The Real Deal is in fact that. The 26 year old has 34 points in 24 games, and yet (I would be happily surprised to see him make the team, just havent been hearing his name in the mix)

FOURTH LINE RW: Corey Perry While for all I know, Perry could be slotted in on the first line I think they will keep him with Getzlaf, and run all 4 lines. (100 percent lock) C: Ryan Getzlaf Its never easy to make Team Canada, but Getzlaf for me, has removed any doubt that he belongs there (I have to say he Is a lock) LW: Jamie Benn- Another favourite of mine, he can do it all. (hes maybe a coin flip to make it.)

When you look at the LW positions, you see how it was hard to decide who would play on that first line. I feel this lineup as is, is the strongest. EXTRA FORWARDS Patrick Sharp, Martin St Louis Both good savvy vets. I would be surprised to see Yzerman not take St Louis, but you never know. Sharp could play with Toews if called upon, while St Louis with Stamkos.

FIRST PAIRING Shea Weber (Assistant Captain) He is having a monstrous year, and would have made this team regardless. Just shoot! (Locked in) Drew Doughty Along with weber, returning from last time I think these two are a great combination. (Locked) SECOND PAIRING Duncan Keith/Brent Seabrook Returning pair from last time. I dont see why not, both putting up huge years. (Keith is locked, Seabrook is battling for his spot) THIRD PAIRING PK Subban Last years Norris winner should certainly be there. (Lock it in) Alex Petriangelo Perhaps the most underrated defenseman in the game, has all

the tools and has shown nothing but consistency at the NHL level. (Almost for sure will make the team) EXTRA DMEN Kris Letang, Dan Boyle - Both offensively minded defensemen, I think we would be remissed if we were to leave Letang off this team after he was OVER POINT PER GAME just last year, that being said he was just activated from the IR yesterday, and perhaps they will leave him off , but I think that is a mistake. Dan Boyle is fine as a number 8 guy and seems to flourish when playing for Canada. He brings much experience. GOALTENDERS Carey Price, Roberto Luongo, Jonathan Bernier While Price seems like he will be the starter, though they may give it to Lou for seniority reasons I think the third string goalie is where it gets fun. You could name Josh Harding (though he has health issues and could probably use time off) or Mike Smith (despite having a dreadful year) and it starts to fall off after that. Maybe Marc Andre Fleury bottom line is I doubt they go with Bernier as the 3rd string, but if this is my team, I like him enough to let him watch from the bleachers.

This turned out to be pretty long, so if anyone has any beef with any picks you can call me out and Ill explain those cases.