2002 Olympic roster potential turnover:
W) Lemieux: if he's healthy and willing, he'll be back and he'll be captain.
C) Sakic: a lock, assistant.
W) Iginla: a lock. might wear a letter this time.
W) Gagne: a lock. he's clutch.
W) Kariya: ? needs to have a good first half to put horrible 2003-04 behind him. St. Louis seems to have taken over his role as the undersized speedster but even he will have to have a good first half to prove his Art Ross season wasn't a flash in the pan.
W) Smyth: ? can't imagine an international squad without him, but must earn his spot. attitude seems like a good fit for a bench job. could lose his spot to Gretzky-favorite Doan or perhaps Marleau.
C/W) Yzerman: ? invaluable leadership, but too old/hurt perhaps. his stepping down before the World Cup opened a spot for Lecavalier who repaid the favor by scoring a huge OT GWG against the Czechs in the semis. Vinny has had bouts with inconsistency in the past so a good first half would go a long way in making him a lock for Torino.
C) Peca: ? perhaps other checkers have passed him by, didn't make world cup team. some would argue there's no need for a checking centre but every edition of Team Canada has had one. Take your pick of potential replacements: Draper, Primeau, Morrow, McCauley... Personally I like Madden.
W) Nolan: ciao. open a spot for Nash who is a lock.
C) Lindros: ciao. open a spot for Thornton who is a lock.
W) Fleury: ciao. open a spot for Bertuzzi who, having put the ugliness of last season behind him, should be a lock, but of course must regain his form with a good first half after more than a year away from the game.
C/W) Nieuwendyk: ciao. open a spot for Richards who, like Gagne, is becoming another clutch young player Gretzky can depend on. A good first half will make him a lock.
W) Shanahan: ciao. enter Heatley. only a disastrous first half will keep him from being a lock after a so-so world championships.
D) Blake: a lock.
D) Pronger: a lock. will probably wear a letter again.
D) Niedermayer: a lock.
D) Foote: good bet to return, leadership needed to guide young defenders. hopefully hasn't lost a step in the last year since mobility will be key on international ice. right-handed shot and familiarity with Blake gives him added value. solid first half will make him a lock.
D) Jovanovski: good bet to return, but lack of discipline and mental mistakes at times is a slight concern. must have a good start to season with youngsters breathing down his neck to be considered a lock. if he makes it, he must take his game to another level to get top-four minutes.
D) Brewer: might not make the cut this time. was passed over for world cup. will get Lowe's support but must outperform other youngsters with a strong first half. enter Reghr, Redden, or Hannan.
D) MacInnis: ciao. enter a youngster. enter Reghr, Redden, or Hannan.
G) Brodeur. a lock. short tournament, so he will play every game.
G) Luongo very likely will back up Brodeur. will be interesteing to see how smaller equipment (especially pads) affects his game during first half.
G) Belfour: ciao. Theodore not reporting to world championships may have opened the door for company-man Turco.
The Crosby factor: yes, traditionally Canada has brought along its youngsters slowly, due to this country's incredible depth. e.g. Brodeur waited for years under Joseph and Roy's shadow. Niedermayer was passed over time-and-again. Thornton wasn't in Salt Lake despite leading the NHL in scoring. Nash was left off the World Cup team despite his Richard Award-winning 41-goal season.
However if there ever was to be an 18-year-old exception to this trend, it could be Sidney. All will depend on how he handles the first few months of his rookie season. he shows the potential for true greatness, but his style of play leaves him vulnerable to frequent injury, IMO. I could see a scenario develop where by the time February rolls around, his numbers may be outstanding, but he misses the Olympics anyway due to injury and the dilemma of whether or not to chose him never materializes. The 2008 world cup or Vancouver/Whislter 2010 may be a more likely debut.
