Toews, Alzner, Irving, Marchand, and Gagner are all eligible to return.
im looking forward to seeing irving play next year i was shocked that canada didnt let him play even once , although price was amazing . And i think toews will be playing in chicago this time next year
I think Irvine would have played if the schedule/timing would have been different. The Germany game looked to be a perfect one for him, but as it turned it out, it was the battle for first place, so you obviously wanted Price in for that one. And the game vs. Slovakia meant nothing as far as stats were concerned, but if you don't start Price, then your No. 1 goalie doesn't get a game for a week - a recipe for disaster in a short tournament. Irvine will be fine next year.
The defence is obviously the area that will need the most shoring up, with only Alzner returning. This draft does appear to be a good one for Canadian defenceman, which is good, because 2006 was not a good draft for Canadian defenders. I don't know if Wishart will be there or not, he's not very mobile, and I think that's why he wasn't even invited to camp. Expect our blue line to be loaded with 2007 draftees. Dougherty's a late 89 who I expect to be on next year's team.
Gagner and Marchand will be back next year. I'll dance a jig if Toews is back. There should be more offensive potential on next year's team, but I think we say that every year, only to have the theory shot down by the unexpected. (In the case of this year's team, Setoguchi struggled all year, Brassard got hurt and Staal unexpectedly stuck with Pittsburgh). You hope that the 88's who were at camp will be there (especially Giroux and Maxwell, who could really be difference makers offensively). A player like James Sheppard may not, because of, again, skating issues. There are some 89's, like Esposito and Couture, who should be there, and Tavares will be on next year's team, too.