News Briefs - Canadian Olympic Hockey Team

'Phoney' was not the right word and other notes - Steve Simmons, Toronto Sun

A point in need of clarification: I did not call Wayne Gretzky a phoney for his mid-Olympics, "everyone is against Canada" tirade. A headline writer did.

I wrote that he lost it. I wrote he was feeling the heat for Team Canada's early lack of performance. I wrote that his emotional post-game outburst was completely out of character for him. And I wrote if this team turned out to be a disaster, egg would be all over his face. I stand by all that.

And Gretzky all but confirmed the stress he was under after Canada won gold at the Olympic hockey tournament by saying he hadn't slept for five days. Clearly, he was feeling very responsible for what happened on the ice, good or bad.

In the end, with a break when Finland beat Russia, and shocking good fortune when Belarus upset Sweden, Gretzky's Team Canada won the gold medal in hockey for the first time in 50 years and only had to play one sharp game to do so. A game they had to win and did without question.

How much did Gretzky factor in the outcome? That point will forever be open to debate. But when the headline above my column called him a 'Phoney' understand this much: Those weren't my words. I called Gretzky many things, some of them critical -- phoney just wasn't one of them.

And the medal for Olympic passenger goes to Eric Lindros, who contributed all of one goal to the cause, the sixth goal in a 7-1 win over Belarus.

One of the amazing aspects of Team Canada's hockey gold medal was how it was viewed outside of Canada. Even the Americans and the Europeans were happy to see Canada finally win.

Vintage Gretzky - Doug Atkins, Saskatoon StarPhoenix

I had to chuckle at the media's response to Gretzky's "us against the world" press conference following the 3-3 game against the Czechs. Most pundits claimed it was "Gretzky as we've never seen him before." I disagree. That was vintage Gretzky, as we saw him many times in his prime with the Oilers. He never achieved greatness by being the biggest, strongest, or fastest player, but because he was the smartest, and played the game with the most passion and desire. That came through loud and clear in Salt Lake City.

I predict a Canadian victory - Translated from Norman Flynn's column on RDS.ca

Canada must show discipline and not leave any holes in their defence for the fast skaters of the United States. In front of the net, it will be necessary to dislodge John LeClair who will try to screen Brodeur's view. They need to follow step for step players like Jeremy Roenick and Michael York, who've been having a good tournament. In its territory, Canada cannot give the Americans space. In attack, the Canadians will have to be creative as they were against Belarus.

To have success, Pat Quinn's team will have to beat the opposing defence. They will have to be fast and get around the defenders. In the USA-Russia semi-final, the Russians waited for two periods before pressuring the defenders. When they did it, they dominated and that is what the Canadians must do to win.

This final should be like a good match in the NHL playoffs. It will undoubtedly not be a game with European flavour as we have been accustomed to seeing for the last few days. There will be more checking, more intensity and much more emotion. I like NHL playoff matches. The Olympic matches however offered a good spectacle with lots of emotion. In a tournament of a few games, over a short period, it is a question of intensity. In the NHL, a player must play a hundred games before winning the Stanley Cup.

I remain with my starting prediction and I believe that the Canadians will bring back gold to the country for the first time since 1952. Team Canada has more depth than the United States. In attack, our country is as strong as the Americans and we are definitely better in front of the net. Perhaps in defence, Canada does not have as much experience as the Americans, but I believe that our defenders are stronger and tougher.

Gretzky's Complaints - Jeff Gordon, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Would Wayne Gretzky's spirited pro-Canada rant have had more impact if he actually lived in The Great White North, instead of on a Southern California country club with his St. Louis-born wife?
If he's so sick of "American propaganda," shouldn't he move to Winnipeg and restrict his media intake to the CBC?
And while he's at it, shouldn't he move his Phoenix Coyotes back home to Winnipeg where they belong? As a true patriot, doesn't he owe that to his nation?

Out-of-control - Jay Mariotti, Chicago Sun-Times

On Wayne Gretzky's bizarre ranting about American propaganda machines and Canada-vs.-the-world nonsense. I've grown to like Canada like a little brother and need to remind Gretzky, the overmatched boss of the Canadian team, that America rallied around two ice dancers to the point the Russian government blamed us for the double golds awarded to David Pelletier and Jamie Sale. ''The Americans and other countries don't like us,'' The Great One moped, "and they want to see us fail.''

The only way that would be true, of course, is if the Canadians were the opponents in the gold-medal game, quite possible after a 2-1 victory over Finland. Which probably explains the nerves of Gretzky, who has drawn the ire of his country for the first time with lame personnel decisions--Why anger Patrick Roy to the point he didn't want to be here? Why appoint Pat Quinn as coach when Scotty Bowman was the better idea? Why isn't young gun Joe Thornton on the roster?--and is said to be behaving in uncharacteristic ways away from the ice. The Canadians could deal with losing to Russia or the Czech Republic. They could not deal with losing to the United States, the nation that took up hockey in a serious way only three decades ago, the neighbor that runs the NHL and has turned the Canadian franchises into something of an afterthought. It would be akin to Canada kicking our butts in baseball, basketball and football while operating our leagues from a Toronto office.

America would consider a victory over Canada much like a victory over Russia: an honor, a boon to our hockey credibility. Do we hate the Canadians, Keith Tkachuk? ''I hope not,'' said the injured forward, who hopes to play Friday. ''I married one of them.'' Alas, Gretzky would view a loss to the Americans as a national disgrace.

Let's hope everyone settles down and realizes this is a terrific sports moment, not a war.

Even Canadians feeling slighted - Micahel Rosenberg, Detroit Free Press

Now Canadian Olympic hockey czar Wayne Gretzky is in on it. Gretzky, normally the classiest of superstars, says that most of the world hates Canada.

Actually, most of the world can't find Canada on a map. As far as the world is concerned, Canada is Greenland with better beer, and who wouldn't respect that?

The Canadians were criticized because . . . let's see, I'll find the reason here somewhere . . . ah, yes, THEY LOST. And then they beat a bad team. And then they tied a pretty good team. This is usually how it works: win and get praised, lose and get criticized.

While some athletes flip through the newspapers, searching desperately for a disparaging sentence fragment, the rest of us are looking up at the scoreboard.

Canada-Finland - Chuck Finder, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Three minutes into the nightcap, Joe Sakic backhand ... score. "That should've been stopped by [Janni] Hurme," John Davidson, an old goalie, said of the Finnish goalie. Hey, look, there was Wayne Gretzky in the stands, quiet for once. Any more anti-American rhetoric, Gretz? No wonder some U.S. writers have taken to calling him The Great Whine.

Canada's captain looked like an old broken-down tractor, a Swedish broadcaster uttered after Olympic-tournament opener? Mario Lemieux isn't healthy, but he isn't useless farm equipment, either. Heaven knows what to expect next from this five-ring hockey circus.

Canadian Netminding Suspect? - Gary Thorne, NBC

One big question mark for Canada is goaltending. Without Patrick Roy, either Curtis Joseph or Martin Brodeur will be in goal. Both of these netminders have struggled this season and neither has distinguished himself as the number one man. Wayne Gretzky and Coach Pat Quinn plan to start Curtis Joseph in game one and then go to Brodeur in game two to see if one of them can get hot.

There’s tremendous pressure on Canada. For some reason, Canadians have decided that the time is now to get the gold and that anything less is unacceptable. The sentiment of the country is a mandate to bring back the gold to the place where hockey is the national pastime. Canadians don’t want to wait another 50 years for a gold medal.

Tough to call - Ray Ferraro, ESPN.com

I like Canada's speed and skill up front. Obviously, without Patrick Roy, their goaltending is a little unsettled. I would guess at this point that Curtis Joseph is probably going to be the starter, but Wayne Gretzky has said they will pool the top two goalies early on.

Defensively, Chris Pronger, Rob Blake and Al MacInnis are going to play a lion's share of the minutes. It's a completely different game on the big ice surface, so that will be their biggest adjustment.

Everyone who goes to the Olympics is an elite player and they realize the role that they have on their NHL team isn't necessarily going to be the role they have on their Olympic team. Guys that normally kill penalties, play the power play and play a regular shift might lose some time on a special team. A guy like Adam Foote is not going to see power play time, but he'll be out there killing penalties, and he'll be fresher at even strength.

Prediction: Silver. I think they're just a smidge below Russia. Cujo is going to be the key if they're going to win the gold.

Team Canada's lines
According to Al Strachan of the Toronto Sun they will be:
Kariya-Sakic-Lemieux
Gagné -Lindros-Nolan
Shanahan-Yzerman-Iginla
Smyth-Peca-Fleury or Nieuwendyk

Pronger-Blake
Foote-Niedermayer
MacInnis-Foote or Jovanovski

Prediction for Canada - Drew Berg, ESPN.com

I think they're going to miss Joe Thornton (and barring a major injury or a Theo Fleury meltdown, he won't be getting the call), but Team Canada is loaded. You want speed? Try Paul Kariya and Fleury. Playmaking? Try Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman and Joe Sakic. Finishers? Try Brendan Shanahan and Ryan Smyth. Grit? Try Eric Lindros, Chris Pronger and Owen Nolan. Blueline snipers? Try Rob Blake and Al MacInnis. You want goaltending? Well, you can't have everything. Curtis Joseph gets the first opportunity to play, with Martin Brodeur next in line. Ed Belfour isn't likely to see any action, period, and if he does, Canada is already in trouble. On paper a tandem of Joseph and Brodeur looks pretty formidable, but neither has looked great this season, and international play often takes some adjustment.

Canada's biggest problem is the Canadian Olympic curse. Anyone see world champion Jeremy Wotherspoon (a Canadian) fall on his face two seconds into his Monday heat in the 500m speed skating competition? This guy was supposed to compete for the gold, and instead was out of the running before the crowd even knew the event had started. This is the kind of thing that happens to Canada in the Olympics. If Canada is supposed to contend, Murphy's law is likely to take hold somehow. I think the Canadians will take home a medal, and they certainly have the talent to win the gold. My heart is with them, but it's always a crapshoot with Canada.

Fading Goaltenders - Mike Heika, The Dallas Morning News

Maybe it's good Patrick Roy pulled out of the Olympics. It looks as if he needs the rest. The top candidate for league MVP this season, Roy is 1-3-0 in his last four games with a 2.77 GAA and an .888 save percentage. Sean Burke of Phoenix, who was also talked about as a potential member of Team Canada has gone: 1-3-0, 3.80 GAA, .872 save pct.

Gretzky facing injuries - Roy MacGregor, National Post

Already charged with healing a nation's wounded hockey pride, Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky is facing a growing list of player injuries with opening night looming.

The latest is Anaheim forward Paul Kariya, who required stitches on a finger after an errant slapshot hit his hand in a loss to Carolina on Friday. Kariya, projected to be part of Canada's top line when it opens its Olympic schedule against Sweden on Friday, isn't expected to miss any games. Gretzky said he is prepared to call upon his reserves, specifically Boston centre Joe Thornton, if someone is unable to play.

"Obviously there are two or three players who deserve a call," Gretzky said. "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that Thornton is at the top of the list."

Steve Yzerman, Detroit's stalwart centre, plays tonight in Montreal, his first game since undergoing knee surgery on Jan. 28. San Jose Sharks forward Owen Nolan, also an original-eight pick, is bothered by a nagging back injury. St. Louis defenceman Al MacInnis, the only Team Canada member from the Maritimes, is also suffering through a foot and ankle injury.

Power and Glory - James Deacon, Maclean's

No Canadians in Salt Lake City will bear greater expectations than the 23 men's hockey players. An Olympic victory would be this generation's 1972 Summit Series, an event that transcends sport. So the team's development, from the appointment of executive director Wayne Gretzky to the final roster choices, has been more scrutinized than the last Quebec referendum results. There is palpable anxiety over the game-worthiness of Steve Yzerman (aching knee), Eric Lindros (aching head) and Theo Fleury (aching psyche). And oh, the goaltending. Patrick Roy didn't want to play, and the chosen three -- Curtis Joseph, Martin Brodeur and Ed Belfour -- are not making anyone forget Russia's Nikolai Khabibulin, let alone Czech star Dominik Hasek. Gulp.

Gretzky, however, seems serenely confident, as if he knows something he's not telling the rest of us. What he is saying, through his choice of coaches, is that the on-ice tactics in Nagano were wrong, and that the personnel required to succeed on the larger international ice surface isn't the same as might excel in the cramped confines of an NHL rink. That's why he, Edmonton general manager Kevin Lowe and head coach Pat Quinn chose speed and stickhandling and smarts over bang and crash, and took kids like Iginla, Simon Gagne, Eric Brewer and Ed Jovanovski over more established competitors. "We want to play a puck-possession game and take the play to the opposition, but not forget that defence is primary in your ultimate success," Quinn says. "We believe the type of players we've selected will let us play that game."

The style change appeals to Nagano vets. Yzerman says the 1998 team exhausted itself with an ineffective dump-and-chase system: it was too easy for defenders to get rid of the puck before forecheckers closed in. "It's a different game on the big ice, less attacking than the NHL -- the game slows down a bit," says the Detroit centre. There's a psychological adjustment, too. "A lot of guys are going to be back for a second time around, and they understand that it's not like a best-of-seven playoff series," says Colorado defender Rob Blake. "If you lose, you're done, you're out of the gold-medal game. So every game is so, so important."

Gretzky says he doesn't regard all the national gnashing of teeth as added pressure. Instead, he says Canada has greater motivation, and an important edge on other countries, because a victory would mean more to fans here than anywhere else. He has his own motivations. Certainly, by volunteering for the national team post, he has boosted his visibility and therefore his value to a lucrative roster of endorsers. But his shining reputation is riding on this year's entry, and he knows the only way to keep the shine is to bring home what Canadians so desperately want. "What I care about is putting together the best team possible," he says, "because if we don't win, I'm going to take more heat than anybody. So as a group, we tried to pick the players who we feel give us the best shot at gold."

Olympic ice - Damien Cox, The Toronto Star

The combination of the larger international ice surface and deleting the red line does not necessarily create a more offensive brand of hockey. Defencemen tend to back up to defend against the long home-run pass and few teams press hard on the forecheck because of the need to defend larger spaces. Earlier in the day, however, Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky indicated he believes Canada will still be able to play a forceful, offensive style. "I think we'll be fine without the red line," he said. "We have a fast team and we pass the puck well. We'll see."

Thornton no sure thing if Nolan can't play -- Eric Francis, Calgary Sun

Word is, even if Owen Nolan's back prevents him from playing in the Olympics, Joe Thornton is still an injury or two away from joining Team Canada. Gretzky and Co. seem to be convinced Thornton is a liability in his own end of the ice and will be overlooked if another player needs to be added. Instead, Anson Carter is next in line to join the squad.

Trouble ahead?: Lemieux fails to get shot on net - Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette

If this is a harbinger of the Salt Lake City Olympics, Canada's men's hockey team could be in big trouble.

Mario Lemieux, who will captain the Olympic squad, was a non-factor in Pittsburgh's 1-0 loss to the Canadiens last night before 21,191 spectators - less than capacity - at the Molson Centre. Lemieux, the Ville Emard native who has excelled against the Canadiens over the years - he recorded a three-goal game last season, for example - failed to register a shot against Jose Theodore despite playing 26 shifts totaling close to 24 minutes. He also lost nine of 16 faceoffs.

Of course, Lemieux will probably play with Paul Kariya and Joe Sakic as his linemates when the Canadians launch the Olympic tournament one week from today against Sweden. His linemates last night for the most part were Dan Lacouture and Aleksey Morozov.

Lemieux, who missed 24 games this season while recovering from hip surgery, has scored six goals and 28 points in 21 games. At age 36 and near the end of his career, it has become clear he's now more of a playmaker than natural scorer.

Thornton on the outside looking in - Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, The Boston Globe

There was no update on Thornton's status for the Olympics. He is still on the outside looking in. However, a spot could open up in the next several days. Steve Yzerman(knee surgery), Eric Lindros(knee), Owen Nolan(back), and Theo Fleury are recovering from various problems - although in Fleury's case, they're personal and not physical - and Wayne Gretzky, the Phoenix Coyotes owner who is putting together the Canadian squad, said he's been monitoring the situation. ''I talked to Jim Ramsey, the trainer for the New York Rangers who is now the trainer for Team Canada,'' said Gretzky. ''First of all, in Eric's situation, he said they feel very strongly he'll play in the next game. Consequently, I'm not overly concerned about Eric. I talked to Steve Yzerman and he informed me he planned to play in the last three games before the Olympics started. We have a tremendous amount of confidence that if Stevie is healthy, he's going to play. If he's not healthy, he'll be honest with us and tell us.'' Gretzky believes Fleury will be ready to go for the Games. ''We feel very strongly that Theo is going to be fine,'' he said. ''I still believe that Theo is going to be a big part of the success of this team.'' Nolan said he'd consider pulling out if his back doesn't feel completely healthy. What's different in this situation as opposed to the Stanley Cup playoffs, said Gretzky, is that if a player isn't at 100 percent, there are others who can replace him.

Thornton is ready and willing - Jim Cressman, London Free Press

When the team was announced Dec. 15, Joe Thornton was sitting something like 20th in scoring. It was a week and half later when he got hot.

"It was just one of those things. Everything you pass, the guys are scoring, and everything you shoot goes in,'' he said. And with it, Thornton shot to the top.

"I wasn't hurt when I wasn't named (to the Olympic team). I didn't expect it,'' he continued. "I'm not even sitting here today worrying about it. I understand the situation. They've got such a good team. It's just nice to have your name thrown in with that kind of company.''

But it's easy to see from his enthusiasm when speaking about the Olympics how much this kid-at-heart would love to be there. "Boy, would I love to go,'' he answered, breaking out in a smile from ear to ear, visions of the five Olympic rings obviously dancing in his head. "I'd play fourth-line wing if they asked. I'd go as waterboy.''

Burke's da man - Canadian Press
Veteran goalie Sean Burke remains the replacement in waiting should Team Canada's three named goalies suffer an injury or pull out of the Olympics. Wayne Gretzky, Team Canada's executive director, put to rest any talk that Montreal's Jose Theodore would also be considered.

"It won't even be an issue," Gretzky said firmly. "(Burke) deserves it. He'll be the first phone call. Theodore has had an outstanding year. He will probably play in 2006, no question about it. For this particular situation, it will be absolutely Sean Burke that will get the phone call. No wavering off of that."

For the record, Theodore is second among NHL goalies with a .926 save percentage, trailing only Tampa's Nikolai Khabibulin (.931). Burke has a .922 save percentage.

HIP TO BE MARIO: Is there a more famous hip in Canada than Mario Lemieux? The Team Canada captain is slowly finding his form after missing two months with the injury.

"It's getting better," said the Pittsburgh centre. "It's not quite 100 per cent. I still have a couple of weeks to take care of that and work on my conditioning some more, and hopefully peak by the Olympic Games."

There's not much the 36-year-old can do but pray it bets better in a hurry. "It's been a struggle," he said. "It's been frustrating at times. Feeling good some days, not so good some other days. I guess that comes with age," he added, smiling

Quinn Shoots, Scores - Allen Panzeri, The Ottawa Citizen
In two weeks, many of the all-stars who played in yesterday's game will start bumping and bruising for the Olympic gold medal, but they just couldn't resist getting started early with an assortment of verbal shots over the weekend. What wasn't to be expected, though, was that the best shot would could from Pat Quinn, the Canadian coach. His message: the gold medal is ours.

"We taught hockey to everybody in the world and it's still our game," said Quinn. "Now at the international level, we have a chance to claim that title back as the leader in hockey. It really belongs to us, anyway. Therefore, the onus is on our team to bring the gold."

Team Canada revels in Lemieux's return - Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated
With knee injuries to Steve Yzerman and Eric Lindros and Theo Fleury's personal problems, the return to form by Mario Lemieux couldn't have come at a better time for Canada's Olympic team.

Lemieux has been dazzling since returning Jan. 12. He has kickstarted a winning streak of six games, recording 10 points in the last three matches he played. Lemieux is being cautious about his surgically repaired hip and chronic bad back, skipping one end of back-to-back games. Of Team Canada injuries, only Yzerman's currently threatens his Olympic berth. He underwent arthroscopic surgery Monday but should be ready just prior to Canada's first game in Salt Lake City on Feb. 15.

A place for Thornton - Kevin Allen, USA Today
To appreciate the importance of international hockey to Canada, consider that one of the interesting discussions in the hockey world of late is how Wayne Gretzky is going to find a spot on the Olympic team for very hot Boston Bruins center Joe Thornton. If you listen closely to the undertones of the discussion of the injured players, it's almost as if folks are suggesting that a player who isn't 100% healthy, he should step aside in favor of Thornton. The idea of doing something for the good of the country's national team isn't foreign to Canadian players. That's ingrained into their thinking when they are junior players. That's why Canada has been so successful at the World Junior Championships and international competitions in general.

Notes - Jim Matheson, The Edmonton Journal
Mike Peca may be the best open-ice hitter in hockey but he eased up when he had a shot at drilling Eric Lindros the other night. For love of his country, obviously. They're teammates in Salt Lake City. He wound up taking a tripping penalty, sliding into Eric's legs.

Jeff O'Neill was in the mix for an Olympic team spot but he only has one even-strength goal in the last 38 games in Carolina. He's been stuck at 19 goals for weeks.

Burke wants to prove himself at the All-Star game - Jim Kelley, FOXSports.com
Goalie Sean Burke is still pointing for the All-Star game despite a groin problem that has kept him out of the Coyotes lineup in recent games.

He says it's because it's such an honor, but whispers out of Phoenix indicate that Burke wants to show all of Canada that the Olympic selectors made a mistake in bypassing him for Dallas goalie Ed Belfour. Burke was a standout at the All-Star Game last winter in Denver (he came away with a car that he later gave to his mother). He also has a 2.26 goals-against average and a stunning .921 save percentage, numbers that are better than most any goalie going to Salt Lake City.

Burke denies the whispers, saying its in the past, but there are people who believe that Belfour might suffer a meltdown between now and Salt Lake and Burke wants to show that he's ready to step in.

Bowman skips Olympics - Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun
Detroit Red Wings coach Scott Bowman won't be using his down time during the Olympics to help bring down Team Canada. The National Hockey League's winningest coach, who wasn't asked to be part of Team Canada's Olympic hierarchy, confirmed yesterday he was approached by two countries to work for them at the Salt Lake City Games.

He turned down a request to coach Latvia, but did give some thought to an offer from Russian coach Slava Fetisov to be a consultant. "Slava played for me in Detroit and he asked me," Bowman said yesterday during a conference call with rival NHL all-star game coach Pat Quinn yesterday. "Being a dual citizen (Canadian and American), I couldn't. I'm going to take the all-star break to re-charge. I'm going to a family reunion in Florida."

The Latvians, who must qualify for the main tournament, offered Bowman money, while the deal with the Russians would have been to act as a sounding board.

Gold Rush - Chris Zelkovich, The Toronto Star
CBC will air one of those behind-the-scenes documentaries on the selection of Canada's Olympic hockey team Tuesday at 8 p.m. Gold Rush does provide some candid stuff, most notably a frank discussion on the merits of certain goaltenders, but most of the team brass' comments on players are pretty positive. Cameras were obviously ordered out of the room when those discussions took place. Still, it's good stuff for the fans.

Oilers and Sharks clash causes Olympic injury worries - Bob Mckenzie, TSN.ca
A couple of possible injuries occurred in the same game Monday night that may affect the Canadian Olympic Team. Edmonton Oilers defenceman Eric Brewer left the game with a shoulder injury while San Jose Sharks forward Owen Nolan sat with a back injury.

Now it's not very serious on the Brewer front. Team doctors evaluated the Edmonton Oilers defenceman today, and it was found that he has a very minor bruise at this point. Brewer is listed as doubtful for the Oilers next game but is likely to return for the weekend, however it was suggested that if tomorrow was a playoff game, Brewer would be in the lineup, but it's not so it doesn't look like it's going to have any Olympic ramifications at this point.

As for Owen Nolan he's had a little bit of a wonky back and he didn't play very many minutes in the game against the Oilers; seven to be exact, and he didn't play at all in the third period.

Now there was some word filtering out of the Edmonton side that maybe Nolan and San Jose Sharks head coach Darryl Sutter were not on the same page but in fact Nolan did stay back in San Jose when the team left for Detroit Tuesday for their week long trip to get a little treatment on his back. But Nolan rejoined his team in Detroit Tuesday so we'll find out what his status is, as far as this road trip is concerned, but at this point it doesn't look significant. If it were he wouldn't be getting on a plane and going away for the next week or so.

Théodore now a star in his own right - Jack Todd, The Montreal Gazette
Théodore's outstanding play poses some problems in other quarters. The all-star goalies chosen by a blue-ribbon panel of NHL GMs and coaches might pose a problem for Wayne Gretzky, Pat Quinn and the brain trust in charge of Team Canada at the Salt Lake Olympics next month.

What's wrong with this picture? The all-star goalies for North America are Roy, Théodore and Sean Burke - all Habs. The Olympic goaltenders are Martin Brodeur, Curtis Joseph and Ed Belfour.

Now Roy took himself out of the Olympics after Quinn and Gretzky refused to pay him his due and make Roy the starting goaltender going in - a concession, given Roy's performance this season, that should have been a no-brainer.

But Quinn and Gretzky let Roy get away and the conspicuous absence of Théodore and Burke might come back to haunt them if Canada takes an Olympic pratfall because of the holes in Joseph's glove.

It has taken time for people around the NHL to notice how well Théodore is performing. If he played in Toronto, Théodore would already be on the Olympic team. Instead, he is such a relative unknown that during Saturday-night's game against the Leafs, Hockey Night in Canada play-by-play man Bob Cole twice called him José "Thibodeau."

All that should begin to change with Théodore's selection for the all-star team.

Canadiens coach Michel Therrien, who saw Théodore during his days in the Quebec minor-hockey system and coached him in Fredericton, couldn't conceal his delight Wednesday. "I'm very happy for him," Therrien said. "Since the beginning of the season, he's played the big games for us. He's a goalie with a lot of character, and he's worked very hard to get where he is."

Asked if he would hesitate to recommend Théodore for a spot on the Olympic squad if one of the other goalies can't make it, the Habs coach gave his No. puck-stopper his most ringing endorsement. "I know the kid," he said. "Every time there's a challenge, he's there."

Odds on favourite - Garth Woolsey, The Toronto Star
Canada is the early pre-tournament favourite with at least one on-line betting site going into the Olympic hockey tournament. Behind Canada at 9-to-5, are Russia at 2-to-1, the Czech Republic at 13-to-4, the U.S. at 7-to-2, Sweden at 10-to-1, Finland at 20-to-1 and the field (everyone else in the tournament lumped together) at 28-to-1. That's a generous payoff on the Americans, in particular, with their big and talented lineup and a tradition of delivering on home soil.

Thornton isn't centering on Olympics matter - Kevin Paul Dupont & Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, The Boston Globe
Good stuff runs aplenty this season for the Bruins, and not just the fights. In fact, much of it is embodied in fifth-year center Joe Thornton, who learned he had been named to his first NHL All-Star team Wednesday night. A pretty impressive accomplishment for the big kid, but it took almost a magnifying glass to find it in yesterday morning's papers.

Jumbo Joe will suit up for the North American squad for the NHL extravaganza Feb. 2 in Los Angeles. The opposition will be a World team made up of NHLers from around the globe. It is an elite class, and Thornton deserves to be there, just as he should be rubbing shoulders with many of the same players, North American and otherwise, next month at the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

After last night's game on FleetStreet, Thornton (19-32-51 in 47 games) ranked second in scoring only to Calgary's Jarome Iginla. In the 14 games prior to last night, Thornton collected 21 points, a pace that could bring 123 points over the course of an 82-game season. A few years back, no one's eyes would have bugged out at the thought of 123 points. But in the last five seasons, only one NHLer has reached 123 - Jaromir Jagr connecting for 127 in 1998-99. Two seasons ago, not a single player made it to 100 points. Offensively, the game has turned into a mini-me version of itself.

The points alone, though, don't detail what a force Thornton (blanked last night) finally has become this season. The top pick in the '97 draft, he finally is using his size and skill, his confidence seemingly ratcheted higher by the week. The ''franchise'' tag dangling from his elbow, a laughable thought after he scored but 7 points his rookie season, now reads more like a guarantee than a promise. He finally arrived in 2001-02.

Team Canada figured it had enough centers, along with ample skill at the wing, when it made its final Olympic selections on Dec. 15. It figured wrong. But, hey, they're accustomed to that. Remember, this is the same bunch of double-runnered decision-makers who opted not to have Wayne Gretzky take his best shot in an overtime shootout against the Czech Republic at Nagano in the '98 Games.

Thornton, snubbed in December (irony: Gretzky was among the choice-makers), immediately was placed on an unwritten reserve list, and he was told to stay ready in case of emergency. In the meantime, his play has created a quiet crisis. The Canadians now obviously know they'd have a better squad in the foothills of Olympus if Thornton had that red maple leaf on his chest. If he keeps up that 1.5-point-per-game pace, and the Bruins actually finish atop the Eastern Conference (shhh, that possibility is just between us, OK?), he'll command votes for the Hart Trophy as this season's most valuable player.

Isn't it about time Team Canada just admits the boo-boo, kicks someone off the bus, and tells Joe Thornton to get himself to Olympus? In fact, the longer they wait, the more justified Jumbo Joe would be in telling them to kiss his Canadian keister if they come back to him, helmet in hand, around Valentine's Day. After all, in life, there are so many beaches and so little time.

Wherever Bruins center Joe Thornton goes, he's asked if he has heard any word about whether he'll be added to the squad. It has been a daily question, practically since the day the Canadian Olympic team roster was announced.

Thornton said the answer is the same today as it was yesterday and the day before that. ''Nothing at all,'' said Thornton last night. ''There's been no word at all.''

Thornton would seem to be a slam dunk to be first aboard if there is an injury to a Canada player. The names of the Penguins' Mario Lemieux (just recovered from a hip ailment) and the Rangers' Eric Lindros (concussions) and Theo Fleury (personal problems) consistently surface as the most iffy for next month's Games in Salt Lake City.

With the NHL All-Star Game coming up in Los Angeles Feb. 2, which Thornton will be a part of for the first time, and with the Bruins' heavy schedule (six games in 10 days beginning tomorrow and leading up to the break), Thornton said the Olympics haven't even been on his mind.

''I don't really think about it,'' he said. ''When I get asked about it [by teammates], it's for fun. I'd like to go, but if they don't call my name, I'm sure I'll get a suntan somewhere.''

Primeau snub - Mark Zwolinski, The Toronto Star
Keith Primeau was not named to the North American all-star team and was similarly snubbed by Team Canada. The Toronto native hinted recently he would stay at home if the Team Canada brain-trust came calling for his services as an injury replacement.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's not an issue at all because I don't even know if I was named to the taxi squad in the first place,'' Primeau said. "My mind is not made up on the question, but I really think there are other players who are more derserving anyway.''

The Thornton Factor - Mark Zwolinski, The Toronto Star
Don't count on seeing Joe Thornton in a Team Canada jersey in Salt Lake — not just yet. The consensus lately is that it's a matter of how — not if — Thornton will join the Olympians.

With health questions hanging over Mario Lemieux, Eric Lindros and Theo Fleury, the rugged Thornton's name has cropped up as a possible replacement. He's helped his case by leading the surging Bruins with some stellar play.

But Lemieux's playing again after missing 32 games with a bad hip. He says he's almost 100 per cent healthy, so don't expect the Team Canada captain to go anywhere. The question of Lindros is another matter.

Lindros has returned to the job with the Rangers after suffering another concussion. Since his return, he's played a very non-Lindros game: avoiding the physical side of play. But it's the NHL — one hit could sideline him again, leaving a spot for a certain Bruin.

Fleury is a strange case. He's questionable because of his erratic behaviour lately.

If he can't resolve the so-called "family problems'' that prompted his sudden exit from a recent Rangers' game and being seven minutes late for a Leafs game in December, Fleury may force Team Canada to reconsider taking him to Utah in three weeks.

And perhaps give Thornton his chance.

Rules Squeeze Thornton - William Houston, The Globe and Mail
The CBC's Don Cherry has been complaining about Joe Thornton's omission from the Canadian men's Olympic team, and he makes a good point.

After all, Thornton, a Boston Bruins centre, has moved into second place in National Hockey League scoring. By the time the league breaks for the Olympics, he could be the league leader.

For its best shot at winning the gold medal in the highly competitive Olympic tournament, Canada will need its best forwards, and that would include Thornton. But he won't be at Salt Lake unless one of the players previously selected is injured. Those are the rules.

Or are they?

Not according to the Salt Lake hockey tournament organizers. Olympic tournament rules, approved by the Salt Lake Organizing Committee as well as the International Ice Hockey Federation, state that there is nothing to stop Canada from naming Thornton now or as late as Feb. 14 -- one day before its opening game in the final round. Of course, one of Canada's 23 players would need to be dropped.

Why did Canada announce its first eight players last March? And why was the deadline for the final roster of 23 players set at Dec. 22, 2001?

"December 22nd wasn't our deadline," said Dan Moro, the director of ice hockey for the Salt Lake Olympics. "I would think that was more a deadline for the NHL and IIHF, I believe, for marketing purposes. And, of course, you would want to inform the players so they can get their minds around [playing in the Olympics] somewhat."

Indeed, the roster deadlines were established by the NHL, NHL Players' Association and IIHF. Marketing was a consideration. Multiple announcements would drum up more interest.

But the important point about Thornton is this: The NHL, NHLPA and IIHF rules have made it difficult for countries such as Canada to enter their best teams.

The initial eight-player deadline never should have been imposed. And the Dec. 22 deadline should have been limited to 20 players instead of the full roster of 23. That would have given countries extra time to select their final three players.

Théodore shows form of all-star - Dave Supleve, The Globe and Mail
José Théodore has been the Canadiens' best player this season. The 25-year-old netminder was added to the North American team for the National Hockey League 2002 all-star game in Los Angeles next month, moments after carrying the Canadiens to a 2-0 win over the Washington Capitals before a crowd of 18,952 at the Molson Centre. Théodore and Sean Burke of the Phoenix Coyotes were selected to the team, joining Patrick Roy, who was voted to the starting lineup in fan balloting. None of the three Canadian all-star goaltenders were named to the Olympic team.

In beating the Capitals, he lowered his goals-against average to 2.15 and bumped his save percentage to .927. Only Roy and Nikolai Khabibulin of the Tampa Bay Lightning have a better save percentage and his goals-against average is third best among netminders with 30 or more starts.

Those numbers had some people thinking Théodore deserved a spot on the 2002 Canadian Olympic team. The two available berths, behind Curtis Joseph of the Toronto Maple Leafs, were given to Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils and Ed Belfour of the Dallas Stars.

Gretzky doc ready - William Houston, The Globe and Mail
The CBC documentary on the building of the Canadian Olympic men's hockey team, produced by Insight Sports, is titled Gold Rush 2002. It will air Jan. 29 at 8 p.m., on Feb. 8 in some markets, and again on Feb. 17, at 4 p.m. ET.

Line Combinations - Jim Matheson, The Edmonton Journal
Gretzky's toying with the idea of playing Paul Kariya on RW with Joe Sakic and using Steve Yzerman on left wing on his top line. He'd play Brendan Shanahan with Mario, even though Shanny and Yzerman play together in Detroit. He feels he needs an experienced hand with Lemieux and Owen Nolan. He'd like Mike Peca with Jarome Iginla and Simon Gagne on an energy line. Right now, Nieuwendyk is 13th forward, and Gretzky, deep down, knows he'd like to get the NHL's second-leading scorer Thornton on his team somehow. That'll have to be through an injury, and Thornton pretty much can only play centre. Al MacInnis's back problems and poor play by Ed Jovanovski since the Olympic announcement also have him concerned on the back-end. Jovo was on for all four goals in Detroit's rally from 4-1 down to win 5-4 in OT this week.

Gretzky doc ready - William Houston, The Globe and Mail
No announcement yet, but the CBC will air a documentary on the Canadian men's Olympic hockey team twice, on Jan. 28 and again on Feb. 8 as a lead-in to the network's coverage of the Salt Lake City Winter Games. Produced by Insight Sports in Toronto, the hour-long show was given special access to Wayne Gretzky, the executive director of the team and his associates, over the past year. The show is expected to provide an inside look at the building of the team.

Injury Worries - Jim Matheson, The Edmonton Journal
Memo to Canadian Olympic team assistant GM Kevin Lowe: Adam Foote's sprained knee is supposed to be "minor.'' It's not a six- or seven-week thing, which would mean a scramble for another body on the Canadian blue-line. Steve Yzerman is out for 1-2 weeks with a bruised ankle. Eric Lindros is day-to-day and may have sustained a mild concussion.

Eddie the Eagle sinking fast - Allen Panzeri, The Ottawa Citizen
When the Canadian men's Olympic hockey team gets around to picking its No. 1 goalie, assistant coach Ken Hitchcock will probably have a lot to say. As coach of the Dallas Stars, he gets to watch Ed Belfour every night, and it's clear Belfour is not as good as he once was. His goals-against average has gone from 2.34 last season to 2.66 this year, and his save percentage has gone from .905 to .898. Predictably, the Stars have seen their team goals-against average go from 2.26 (second in the National Hockey League) to 2.60 (18th). "If you want to be an elite team and stay there, it's all about the goaltenders," Hitchcock said. "If Eddie can play the way he did the last two years, that will give us a fighting chance." ... Meanwhile, here's Belfour's take on the omission of Stars defenceman Derian Hatcher from the U.S. roster: "Guess it's good for (the Canadians)." ... In Edmonton, Oilers defenceman Eric Brewer still can't believe he was named to Canada's Olympic squad. "There's so many good players who aren't on the team," he said. "I shake my head sometimes and wonder how I got on it."

No.1 Goaltenders - Stan Fischler, MSG Network
Kevin Lowe tells us Sean Burke's Olympics rejection came because the general staff didn't think he could be Number One. They weren't willing to bring him in for the second or third spot. Lowe figures Curtis Joseph, Marty Brodeur or Ed Belfour are all solid number ones.

A major factor in Belfour's Olympic inclusion has been his much-improved personality. The Eagle has become a mellower, nicer guy in his mature years.

Gretzky taking heat in the desert - Tim Tyers and Christina Butterfield, National Post
Coyotes managing partner Wayne Gretzky has taken considerable heat in the local media for not using his weight as general manager of the Canadian Olympic Hockey team to select goaltender Sean Burke on the team.

Burke's numbers this year are better than that of Martin Brodeur and Eddie Belfour, whose coach Ken Hitchcock lobbied long and hard for, and while he tops Curtis Joseph in save percentage, he is behind him in goals against average. But over the last three seasons, Burke's .920 save percentage leads all active NHL netminders.

"Wayne was in a no-win situation," Phoenix general manager Mike Barnett said. "If Sean is selected, it's because he's Wayne's player. If he doesn't select him, then he's wrong for not taking his player. The selection committee had an agreement that every vote would be equal."

OK, then, the selection committee was wrong. Belfour has been a great goalie and he has a Stanley Cup behind him, but he's also known to be a "wing-nut" in the locker room. That could flare up if he's put in a minor role, which promises to be the case given his play this year compared to Joseph and Brodeur.

"He also has a reputation for being a great goaltender," Gretzky said, tersely. Perhaps, but Burke was willing to accept a No. 3 role and has a reputation for being a solid leader in the room.

No one really even noticed when the Minnesota Wild's Andrew Brunette was not named to the Canadian Olympic team. The question is: Why not? Why wouldn't Brunette at least merit some consideration? When the Canadian spots were finalized on Dec. 16, Brunette was 22nd in NHL scoring. But he was ninth among Canadian-born players. On the day the final roster was announced, Brunette had more points than seven of the 13 forwards named to the team.

Nilsson critical of Wayne Gretzky's picks - Jim Matheson, The Edmonton Journal

Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky is a legend in North America but Swedish national team coach Hardy Nilsson doesn't think much of Gretzky's Olympic team picks.

"They don’t necessarily have to be the best players, as long as they fit in to the system," Nilsson said. "(Canada's GM) Wayne Gretzky picked the best players overall, and then he'll create a system around them. You do it the other way around," Nilsson said.

"Gretzky was a great player, a fantastic player. But I haven’t heard anything about any coaching success he's had," said Nilsson, a seven-time coaching champion in Germany and Sweden.

Taking it in stride - Red Fisher, The Montreal Gazette
Spare me, if you can, all of the media-inspired whining about those players who aren't among the 23 players who will represent Canada at the Salt Lake City Olympics. But don't blame the players. Almost without exception, those who haven't been selected are saying all of the right things. Ain't that right, Andrew Brunette?

"The knock on me always has been my skating, and I think there's always been a question on whether or not I could play on the big international ice surface. I don't think I've ever been considered. I've never played for any of the national teams. I never considered myself a candidate, so I can't say I'm disappointed. Because of my skating, I don't think I'm the type of player they are looking for."
(He isn't.)

"I did everything I could to make the team," Chicago's Eric Dazé said. "I was third in goals and top 10 in points. It was just a really tough team to make. But when you do everything you can, there's nothing to be ashamed of. That team will be really good."
(Sounds just about right.)

"Of course, I'm disappointed," Phoenix goaltender Burke said. "I think I've had a good year and that I've played well enough to get consideration, and I'm sure I did. But what are you going to do?"
(Better luck next time, pal.)

Morris Injury - Allen Panzeri, The Ottawa Citizen
The fear in Calgary is that defenceman Derek Morris' wrist injury is more than a sprain and may require surgery. That would be good news for Wade Redden, who would become the first defenceman called to the Canadian Olympic team in case of an injury to someone else.

The Big Announcement - William Houston, The Globe and Mail
The media predictions of the Canadian men's Olympic hockey roster were almost perfect, which illustrates either the genius of the prognosticators or indicates that Canada has 26 or 27 very good hockey players, so identifying 23 of them isn't exactly rocket science.

The second explanation runs counter to Eric Duhatschek's argument in The Globe and Mail on Saturday -- that Canada has such a wealth of talent that it could ice two Olympic men's teams, both of which would challenge for gold.

Could we really? Damien Cox, the Toronto Star's hockey columnist, thinks Canada's complement of world-class players has actually shrunk. He said on TSN Extra that 10 years ago as many as 60 players had a shot at making the Canada Cup team.

That seemed like a overstatement, but certainly in the 1980s during the Canada Cup tournaments, earning a spot on the squad was a wide-open competition among, not 27 or 28, but 40 or so players invited to camp.

We asked Derek Holmes, a former amateur player who was a member of the 1968 Olympic team, worked as executive director of Hockey Canada in the 1970s and is now a hockey agent placing players on European teams, his assessment of the top hockey countries.

He says it doesn't matter whether Canada has 25 or 45 top-flight players. What does count is the core -- the six to eight superstars who stand out among the rest. They're the go-to guys, the people who will get the ice time when the game is on the line.

Holmes thinks Sweden and Russia will have a strong core. If Canada's top six or eight are as good or better than Sweden, Russia and the Czech Republic, it should win a medal and has a decent shot at gold. If not, the Canadians will need to ride a hot goalie. The wild card is the host U.S. team.

Gagné: An easy case to plead - Translated from Yvon Pedneault's column on RDS.ca
The Flyers winger has several allies within the committee. Wayne Gretzky has always said that Gagné represented change, that he had all the talent to excel on the larger rink.

"There is no doubt that Gagné impressed many observers since the beginning of the season, confirming the hopes held by several members the committee. He had a slow start but he has rallied rapidly becoming the Flyers most prolific attacker." I was told yesterday, by an observer close to the leaders of the Olympic team.

If Gagné is ignored, or left off the team, how will one be able to justify such a decision?

Gagné is superior to Recchi. He is a more dynamic player and more brilliant than O'Neill. There is no place for Thornton in the center. Carter can excel in the corners, but he does not have as much flair in attack as Gagné.

Lastly, there is Fleury. The pest of the Rangers is aging and if the leaders of the Canadian team are consistent with their philosophy that it is necessary to make room for the young stars of the league, one cannot find a better scenario to apply this philosophy.

In short, Team Canada should name:
Goal : Brodeur, Joseph, Belfour.
Defense : Niedermayer, Blake, Pronger, MacInnis, Foote, Redden and Brewer.
Forwards : Lemieux, Sakic, Yzerman, Kariya, Nolan, Iginla, Lindros, Smyth, Shanahan, Peca, Primeau, Nieuwendyk and Gagné.

If I was Wayne Gretzky - translated from Jacques Demers, RDS.ca
Here are my choices: to a blue line composed of Niedermayer, Pronger and Blake, I would add Wade Redden, Ed Jovanovski, Adam Foote and Al MacInnis.

On the left wing, Ryan Smyth, Simon Gagné and Brendan Shanahan would join Kariya. On the right, Theoren Fleury and Jarome Iginla would join Nolan. At center, in addition to Sakic, Yzerman and Lemieux, I would add Joe Thornton, Eric Lindros and Michael Peca. Peca will be used for killing penalties. He can also win important faceoffs and will be invaluable in tight games.

Finally, in goal I would choose Curtis Joseph, Martin Brodeur and Sean Burke. Like Team Canada management, I would let the coaching staff determine the number one goaltender.

Cujo is all about the play - Toronto Star
To date, Joseph has been very good, if not out and out brilliant. Moreover, under the spotlight of essentially trying out for an Olympic position for three months, he has not wilted, while Martin Brodeur (.895 save percentage) and Ed Belfour (2.69, .900 save percentage) seem to have faltered.

Other Canadian-born goalies have been statistically better than Joseph, a list that includes Roy, Jose Theodore, Sean Burke and Chris Osgood. But other than Roy, who has opted not to play in Salt Lake City, the others didn't have to bear the burden of Olympic scrutiny that Joseph, Brodeur and Belfour did.

Smyth to be added - Jim Kelley, FOXSports.com
Sources tell FOXSports.com that Oilers forward Ryan Smyth will be added to the Canadian team that will go to the Olympics when the rest of the team is named Saturday night during a televised show in Canada. Smith has a broken ankle, but the Olympic thinkers in Canada think it will be healed in time for him to participate. Smyth has a plate and seven surgical screws in the ankle. That sounds gruesome, but actually allows him to be more aggressive in his rehab. He's already walking without crutches and is riding the exercise bike. He broke the ankle Nov. 15 and it's expected to take six to eight weeks to fully heal.

Olympic favourites - Mike Ulmer, Toronto Sun
The Canadian men's hockey team, despite its array of stars, will will not enter the Salt Lake City Olympics as favourites. For all the talk of Canada's best ever team, the Czech Republic must be ranked the No. 1 entry, albeit by a hair.

The Czechs will hit Salt Lake on a roll. They have won three consecutive world championships and two world junior championships. The Swedes boast a talent level only slightly inferior to that of Canada which may be without its best player in Mario Lemieux and has already lost the services of standout goalie Patrick Roy. The difficulty for Canada doesn't even end there. The Americans will be playing amidst a patriotic roar at home. The Russians have an abundant talent pool and the Finns, while several notches below the elite talent-wise, check ferociously. Put it all together and you have a variety of places where Canada could fall.

The Olympic goalie confrontation - Al Strachan, Toronto Sun
It's highly likely that Curtis Joseph and Sean Burke will be named to Team Canada 2002 on Saturday, and although executive director Wayne Gretzky wasn't on hand to watch them last night, assistant coach Wayne Fleming was. The odds are that both men will be selected for Team Canada, but just in case the matter is still open, Joseph took an early lead in the balloting with a spectacular save on Teppo Numminen.

May set Numminen up at the side of the yawning net for what appeared to be a certain goal but, in a flash, Joseph's right leg appeared and blocked the shot. As the game went on, Joseph pulled away to an easy consensus victory over Burke, who has been superb this season but did not have one of his better games last night. Eyebrows were raised when he went in the wrong direction on a Mats Sundin shot. The puck was rising but Burke went down. As a result, the Leafs opened a 2-0 lead, even though Sundin was at the point and Burke was not screened.

Joseph gave up goals from his doorstep, including the one that followed the Lumme misplay, but produced a generally strong game. Burke, however, never looked better than average.

Conference call - Translated from Yvon Pedneault's column on RDS.ca
The thinkers of the Canadian Olympic team held a conference call, yesterday, in order to review, possibly for the last time, the analysis of Canadian manpower for the Salt Lake City Games. It is reported that the team of 23 players is complete, but yesterday's conference call was to be the final approval. It was to answer any questions and to eliminate any conflict on the choice of certain skaters. Wayne Gretzky, Kevin Lowe and Pat Quinn will meet this week to finalize the list which will be known, Saturday, before the match between the Canadians and Leafs.

Still a hot point however: the third goaltender. Martin Brodeur and Curtis Joseph are the selections. Ed Belfour and Sean Burke: Gretzky will try to push "his" goalie. Ken Hitchcock already made his presentation for choosing Belfour.

Defenders: Already selected: Chris Pronger, Rob Blake, Scott Niedermayer.
Guaranteed: Al MacInnis and Adam Foote.
Possibilities: two places available: Ed Jovanovski, Eric Brewer.
Candidate of last hour: Derek Morris

Forwards: Already selected: Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, Owen Nolan (?), Paul Kariya, Joe Sakic.
Guaranteed: Eric Lindros, Jarome Iginla, Michael Peca, Ryan Smyth, Brendan Shanahan.
Possibilities: Joe Thornton, Théoren Fleury, Mark Recchi.
Possible candidates: Simon Gagné and Anson Carter.

It is up to you to make your choices now...

Olympic Roster Confusion Remains - Jim Matheson, The Edmonton Journal
I know that Hockey Night in Canada would like the Canadian Olympic roster unveiled on Dec. 15 when the Leafs play the Habs -- the two most storied franchises and not one Canadian from either team in consideration for a roster spot. But there are still a few question marks for GM Wayne Gretzky's selection crew.

Here are the givens right now:

Goal: Curtis Joseph, Martin Brodeur, Sean Burke, who single-handedly has kept Phoenix in games the last two years.

Defence: Rob Blake-Adam Foote; Chris Pronger-Al MacInnis; Scott Niedermayer and TBA. There are four guys vying for two spots: Scott Stevens, who has the selection committee torn, and three kids -- Jovanovski, Redden and Eric Brewer.

Forward lines: Paul Kariya-Joe Sakic-Owen Nolan; Ryan Smyth-Eric Lindros-Theo Fleury; Simon Gagne-Mario Lemieux-Steve Yzerman; TBA-Mike Peca-Jarome Iginla. There is one LW spot open on the four lines and another winger as the 13th forward. Joe Nieuwendyk has the inside track for a spot because Gretzky is a booster and he was very good in Nagano, not to mention being the best faceoff man in the league. If it's Nieuwendyk, that leaves Keith Primeau, Anson Carter, Brendan Shanahan and Mark Recchi fighting for one spot.

The interesting fact is Peca has played so well for Gretzky and Co. that he's no longer looked upon as the fourth-line role player. He might be the No. 3 centre.

And Smyth will be there as a reward for his strong first two months before breaking his ankle. He has been better than Kariya and they'll put him on the 23-man roster and tell him he'll be yanked off 24 hours before the first game in Salt Lake City for injury sake if his ankle is bothering him in the few weeks before the Olympics starts.

Snubbing Luc - Rich Chere, New Jersey Star-Ledger
There is harsh criticism in Canada, where the braintrust of that country's Olympic team continues to snub Luc Robitaille, who just happens to be on the verge of passing Bobby Hull as the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history. Robitaille, who is one reason why the Detroit Red Wings have been so dominant this season, has once again been overlooked by Team Canada and he isn't sure why.

"I wish I did know why my name doesn't come up more. That's not up to me, you know," he told reporters during a conference call last week. "I feel, as a player, I can only do the best I can do. I felt I had a good year (last season with the Los Angeles Kings), but my name was not mentioned. Just like every other player in the league, I hope someone will look at me and give me a chance, but I don't control that."

The last time Robitaille represented his country, he led Team Canada to a gold medal in the 1994 world championships when he scored the winning goal in the championship game. It came in a shootout. Three years earlier he played in the Canada Cup tournament and helped his country win the gold medal.

There has been speculation that a French-Canadian bias or a poor relationship with former Kings and Rangers teammate Wayne Gretzky are behind Canada's decision to overlook Robitaille. "I don't think it has any bearing. Wayne and I had a great relationship in New York. I've seen him a few times since L.A. I don't think it has anything to do with that," Robitaille said. "Besides, Wayne isn't the only one picking. It's a group of four or five guys."

As for the French thing, he added: "I don't think I've ever thought that. I think if you're Canadian, you're Canadian. It comes down to the coaches and what type of players they want. I don't think it comes down to French-Canadian or they wouldn't have given (the captaincy) to Mario Lemieux right away."

He's probably right, although there is no good reason why the game's highest-scoring left winger isn't going to Salt Lake City. Seems as if Canada would have been wise to name Patrick Roy their No. 1 goalie and Robitaille as one of the first picks early-on.

Olympic Picks Won't Be Rushed - Allen Panzeri, The Ottawa Citizen
Canadian Olympic team management has a conference call scheduled for Friday to discuss the final selections to the roster, with the announcement expected to come on Saturday night during Hockey Night in Canada. But assistant general manager Kevin Lowe says the announcement could be changed to Dec. 22, the official deadline. There are apparently some tough decisions that may take longer to make. ... Edmonton Oilers left-winger Ryan Smyth will be one of the 23 players named to the team, even though he's out with a broken right ankle. He is progressing well and he should be back by mid-January. If Smyth is unable to play, he can be dropped up until 24 hours before the first game. ... Phoenix Coyotes goalie Sean Burke will also be named.

Gretzky announcement in limbo - Scott Taylor, Winnipeg Free Press
The CBC strike could also affect Wayne Gretzky's plan to announce Canada's Olympic hockey team on Hockey Night in Canada next Saturday night. Gretzky, who says he already has his final list of 23 players, wanted to unveil the team next Saturday before the Leafs-Canadiens game at the Air Canada Centre. However, the strike could make it impossible to a special program on the Olympic team. So yesterday, Canadian Hockey's Bob Nicholson said the Team Canada executives were "looking into alternatives in case the strike wasn't settled."

Date set for Olympic team - William Houston, The Globe and Mail
Wayne Gretzky said yesterday he will announce the roster of the men's Olympic team on Dec. 15, a week tomorrow, probably as part of the Hockey Night in Canada telecast."I don't think there will be any surprises," said Gretzky, who is executive director of the team."What you see is what you get. There are always one or two people who are going to say that guy shouldn't be on the team, but we're going to try to pick the best players possible and go from there."Gretzky said he is concerned about the status of Mario Lemieux, the Olympic team captain who underwent hip surgery three weeks ago, but is hopeful he will play.

Wayne, give Brunette a call - Scott Taylor, Winnipeg Free Press
Andrew Brunette is a player who is never mentioned in the same sentence as "Canada's 2002 Winter Olympics team." However, based on his play early this season, Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky might want to take a closer look. Brunette can put points on the board and he's proving it with the Minnesota Wild every day.

"I'd say my strength is from the blue line in, and helping with the power play," Brunette said the other day. "But the Olympic team? I'm not even thinking about it."

Brunette's an interesting player. He's spent his entire seven-year NHL career with Washington, Nashville, Atlanta and Minnesota and while he didn't accomplish much with the first three, he has helped turn the Wild into early-season winners. The two-year-old Wild are 11-10-5-2 this season and while few expect that success to continue, most observers believe the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Brunette has the talent to maintain his solid play. To this point in the 2001-02 season, he has nine goals and 21 assists.

He is currently tops in the league in assists and also in power-play points with 17. He is tied with linemate RW Marian Gaborik for the club lead in scoring with 30 points and ranks second in the NHL in shooting percentage at 26.5 per cent (nine goals on only 34 shots).

Getting Closer - - Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa Sun
Team Canada GM Wayne Gretzky is getting down to the short strokes in coming up with a list of 23 players who will represent the country in Salt Lake City in February. With the deadline to name a roster set for Dec. 22 and Canada expected to make its announcement Dec. 15 on Hockey Night in Canada, the braintrust hoped to gather Sunday in Toronto, but that appears doubtful. Gretzky along with the staff of Kevin Lowe, Steve Tambellini, Wayne Fleming, Pat Quinn, Ken Hitchcock and Senators coach Jacques Martin will likely hold a couple of conference calls this week. While eight players have already been named to the roster and the group has held conference calls every week, Gretzky wants a couple of final talks with everybody on the staff. Unfortunately, the league schedule won't allow the staff to be together for a face-to-face evaluation on each player. The belief is the group is confident enough to go ahead to make a final list.

A Dallas look to Team Canada - Eric Duhatschek, The Globe and Mail
The charming and every-approachable Stars' goaltender Ed Belfour on his chances of winning a spot on the Canadian Olympic team: "It'd be a great honor to represent my country. I've always dreamed of playing for Team Canada in the Olympics and never had the opportunity, so I'd love to be there." Belfour did play a full year for Canada's national team in the 1989-90 season before being called up by the Chicago Blackhawks for the '90 playoffs. The next season, he led the NHL with 43 wins and won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year...

Both Steve Tambellini, director of player personnel for Canada's Olympic team, and assistant coach Wayne Fleming watched the Stars play Thursday, leading to the question: Who, among the Dallas players invited to the September orientation camp, remains in contention for an Olympic spot?

Not Turgeon, who missed too much time because of his injury; not Brenden Morrow, who is having a so-so season; and not Richard Matvichuk, who probably hasn't played well enough to dislodge one of the younger, up-and-comers on the blueline. That leaves only Belfour (a longshot), plus centre Joe Nieuwendyk who, despite a mediocre plus-minus rating, leads a low-scoring, ultra-conservative team in goals and points.

Nieuwendyk would make the perfect 13th forward. He is a capable on the power play and strong in the faceoff circle. Wayne Gretzky, the Olympic team's executive director, believes Nieuwendyk was one of Canada's top forwards in 1998...

Get off St. Patrick - Jack Todd, The Montreal Gazette
Look, if Patrick Roy wants to bow out of the Olympic team, what's the problem? He's 36 years old, it's a long campaign and his team is struggling. And there are supposedly plenty of veteran goalies Team Canada can turn to. But some of the strange part is that some of the same columnists who build up Curtis Joseph as the second coming of Jacques Plante are now all over Roy because they're terrified that Joseph doesn't have the stuff to win Olympic gold.

Yes, it might have been different had Wayne Gretzky and Pat Quinn had the class to name Roy their starting goalie in advance. But you can't knock Roy for saying no. The Avalanche pay him a whole lot of money every year to get them to a Stanley Cup. Roy's obligation to his team comes first.

Team announcement - Jim Matheson, The Edmonton Journal
The Canadian Olympic team will be announced on Hockey Night in Canada on Dec. 15. Word is, Wayne Gretzky and Co. have about 18 of the 23 players firmed up. Holdups might be the sixth and seventh defencemen, a fourth-line winger or two to play with Mike Peca, and the goalies. One thing that should be worrying Team Canada: while the Devils are struggling big-time, so is goalie Martin Brodeur. He hasn't grabbed the team on his back to carry them out of their funk.

Olympic dreams - Tom Jones, Minneapolis Star Tribune
With Patrick Roy dropping out, Toronto's Curtis Joseph and New Jersey's Martin Brodeur likely will be two of Canada's three goalies in the Olympics. The third goalie figured to be Phoenix's Sean Burke, who won't mind being a backup. But now Dallas' Ed Belfour is throwing his waffle pad into the mix.

"I would like to be a part of it in any way, and I think they've been watching," Belfour said. "Of course it's my dream to be the No. 1 guy at the end of the day when we win the gold medal. That's how I am. I'm going to do everything I can to prepare myself to be that guy. If I'm not, I'll do whatever I can to help the team and be ready."

Olympic et cetera - Rich Chere, New Jersey Star-Ledger
Canadian Olympic officials have their fingers crossed that Lemieux will be healthy by February. The tentative plan is for Team Canada to use a first line of Lemieux, Shanahan and Paul Kariya.

Hurricanes center Jeff O'Neill believes he is being overlooked for the Canadian Olympic team because he plays in Raleigh, N.C. Although he was a 41-goal-scorer last season, he wasn't invited to the orientation camp in September, and he wonders if people are taking notice again this year. "I think the big papers always write about the New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, New Jersey Devils or the Toronto Maple Leafs," O'Neill said. "We're not on TV a lot, we're not in the news a lot and I think in certain situations the media dictate a lot of things. I think that when you play down here, sometimes that can hurt you." When it was suggested that Canadian officials weren't happy that he skipped the world championships after the Hurricanes were eliminated from the playoffs last spring by the Devils, he said: "I have a bad fear of flying and going overseas wasn't something I was ready to do."

Say What? - Red Fisher, The Montreal Gazette
Sean Burke recently said he "respects Patrick Roy's decision to skip the winter Olympics, but if I were in Roy's skates, there's no way I would turn down the opportunity." Burke explained: "I think it's the biggest thrill in sports you can have. I think it's bigger than the Stanley Cup, to be quite honest."

Oh, really? Tell me: how would Burke know? Everybody knows Burke was on the Canadian Olympic team twice, but in his 13 seasons in the NHL, with New Jersey, Hartford, Carolina, Vancouver, Philadelphia, Florida and Phoenix, his teams made the playoffs only four times, didn't get beyond the first round three times and never made it as far as the Stanley Cup final.

Just asking.

Vincent Damphousse? - Victor Chi, Faceoff.com
After shoulder surgery sidelined him for nearly three months last season, he has returned to enjoy another All-Star-calibre season.

"He's really hockey smart; he's quick to pick up what the other team is doing," Sharks Coach Darryl Sutter said. "I really hope he gets considered."

Damphousse, who played for Canada in the 1996 World Cup, can offer strength on faceoffs, defensive accountability, and on-ice I.Q., in addition to his offense. His ability to play left wing as well as center helps, because Edmonton left wing Ryan Smyth, a favorite to be named to the team, broke his ankle last week.

"I'm probably a long shot because I didn't get invited to the camp," Damphousse said of the orientation session in September. "But if I keep putting up numbers, I can have a chance."

Olympics shut out - Red Fisher, The Montreal Gazette
On Tuesday morning, New York Post hockey columnist Larry Brooks asked Theo Fleury if he had an opinion on who should be in the nets for Team Canada: Roy, Martin Brodeur, Curtis Joseph or Sean Burke.

"We'll see how it stands after the game," Fleury replied. "We might know more then."

Roy went into the game against the Rangers with three consecutive shutouts. He was yanked before the end of the second period after allowing five goals on only 18 shots. Did Theo know something the rest of us didn't?

Olympic knapsack - Jim Kelley, FOXSports.com
Michael Peca is intent on making the Canadian Olympic squad, even though the center list includes names like Steve Yzerman, Eric Lindros, Mario Lemieux and Joe Sakic to name a few. Still, the betting is that Canada won't go all offense all the time and Peca could help fill a defensive-forward role on the team. It's a given that that's what Yzerman will do, but he could easily shift to the wing (say on a line with Lemieux), which would free the quicker Peca to play against the top pivot on another team.

Sources tell FOXSports.com that the job is Peca's to lose, and the way he's playing this season, the only way he could lose it is through serious injury.

FYI: Think of Florida goalie Roberto Luongo as a likely replacement for Patrick Roy now that Roy has removed himself from consideration for the Canadian Olympic team. Three of Luongo's five wins this season have been shutouts, and he also was brilliant in a 44-save effort that produced a 1-0 loss in Montreal. He won't be the No. 1 guy, but he should make the squad.

Thoughts on Roy skipping Olympics - Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy should be ashamed for skipping the Olympics to rest for the remainder of the NHL season. Representing his country and trying to win a gold medal is more important than trying to win a Stanley Cup.

Don't anguish too much for Canada without Roy. Martin Brodeur and Curtis Joseph aren't bad alternatives. Now if Mario Lemieux can't play ...

Olympic eyes on Flames vs. Senators - Ken Warren, The Ottawa Citizen
Olympic eyes were all over this one, with the Canadian braintrust of Steve Tambellini and Wayne Fleming scouting prospective talent, including Senators defenceman Wade Redden and Flames blueliner Derek Morris. For those keeping score, Morris was sharper than Redden last night, showcasing an all-around game, and setting up Conroy's game opening goal with a crisp cross ice pass inside the Senators zone.

Fleury tackles Canadian angst - Terry Frei, The Denver Post
The Rangers' Theo Fleury, who played with Patrick Roy with Colorado for part of one season, wouldn't cast a vote in the Canadian Olympic team's No. 1 goaltending race. But he does say he finds the Canadian angst over the nonmedal performance at Nagano in 1998 to be a bit amusing. "All we've heard in Canada since then is the hype and bull about our game going downhill, all because we lost a shootout," Fleury said at the morning skate before the Rangers met the Avalanche. "A shootout. It's not hockey. It might as well be Scrabble."

Yes, but how many points do you get for "xylophone" in a shootout?

Competition for the final D spot on Team Canada - Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa Sun
Senators D Wade Redden and Canucks D Ed Jovanovski are in a battle for spots on Canada's Olympic team. They're in a group being considered, along with Edmonton's Eric Brewer, Buffalo's Jay McKee and Calgary's Derek Morris. "You know all the guys who were at the evaluation camp are not going to go (to the Olympics)," said Redden. "Everyone has been playing pretty well and we're fighting for spots. We're going to have to just wait to see what happens."

Olympic team may lose Smyth to ankle injury - Scott Taylor, Winnipeg Free Press
Canada's Olympic hockey brain trust, better known as "Wayne Gretzky and Co.," is going to have to go out and find another winger. Either that, or hope Edmonton Oilers sniper Ryan Smyth makes a miraculous recovery.

Smyth suffered a serious spiral fracture in his lower fibula in the Oilers' 7-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday and could miss the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. During surgery yesterday afternoon, Oilers team physician, Dr. Boris Boyko, attached a metal plate to Smyth's broken right ankle bone to help the healing process and then declared that Smyth would be out at least eight weeks and perhaps 10.

The Oilers' leading scorer this season with eight goals and 15 assists was hooked from behind early in the first period and fell awkwardly into the boards. His right leg twisted underneath him and although he struggled to the bench, he nearly collapsed when he reached the walkway to the Oilers' dressing room.

"I feel bad for the hockey club, but really bad for Ryan as an individual," Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish told reporters after the game. "Our guys worked hard to get a big win without Ryan tonight, but it's going to be a tough road for the next 8-10 weeks.

Edmonton general manager Kevin Lowe, who is also the assistant executive director of Canada's Olympic team, said yesterday that he won't rule Smyth out for February's Olympic tournament. At least, not yet. "Ryan has placed so well, he's pretty well forced his way onto the team," Lowe said. "We need scorers and skaters and Ryan is definitely. I'm going to hold out hope at this time that he's back by the end of January and ready to go in the Games."

Canada can always hope.

Roy's Shutouts Likely Caught Gretzky's Eye - Jim Matheson, The Edmonton Journal
The Avalanche can't score a lick - six goals in their last eight games - but Patrick Roy's been their best player. He's played in five 1-0 games already this year, losing three of them, but his two straight 1-0 shutouts are his first in 11 years, going back to wins over Hartford and Buffalo with the Habs. "Back when I was a kid,'' said Roy. Roy's average is 1.93. I'm sure Olympic team picker Wayne Gretzky has noticed.

It's a Luongo way to Salt Lake City - Jack Todd, The Montreal Gazette
If Roberto Luongo doesn't make Team Gretzky for the Olympic Games, there oughta be an investigation. If the Toronto media gets its way and Curtis Joseph does make the team, there should be two investigations.

Luongo has now established himself as the best young goalie in the game, as anyone who was at Saturday night's game against the Panthers can tell you. He's better than Cujo, he's better than Martin Brodeur.

Yeah, Patrick Roy is still the man, as he proved with his third straight shutout yesterday - but Luongo is right behind him, ready to take over.

Jim Matheson's Hockey World - The Edmonton Journal
Jeff O'Neill is lighting it up in Carolina but when he didn't go to the Worlds last spring because he's not a good flier, it hurt his chances of being on the Olympic team. The guys picking the team have that in their memory bank.

Oh Canada? - Tom Jones, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Here's a bit of surprise: Phoenix goalie Sean Burke is a candidate to be Team Canada's third goalie in the Olympics. If that happens, Burke would appear in the Olympics in three decades. (He also made the '88 and '92 Olympic teams.)

Colorado's Patrick Roy, Toronto's Curtis Joseph, New Jersey's Martin Brodeur and Dallas' Ed Belfour all are in the running for the top two spots. What makes Burke attractive is he is willing to be No. 3 -- something the other four might not be willing to do. The only other goalie who wouldn't mind playing third fiddle is Florida's Roberto Luongo, but he might be too young.

"Maybe 10 years ago, I would have felt a lot different about it," Burke said. "But I had a chance to play in two of them and I consider those the best experiences I've had as a hockey player. So an opportunity to be on a third team in a third decade would be an honor. I'd go there prepared to play, but I'd accept the role I was given."

Gretzky no big fan of Disney scripts - Jim Matheson, The Edmonton Journal
Wayne Gretzky isn't buying the idea that Brendan Shanahan should be on Canada's Olympic squad this time around so he can make up for missing the last try in the shootout in Nagano. "Everybody likes a Walt Disney type story, but I think we'd be happier if we won a gold medal,'' said Gretzky, who's got the final say on player selections. He does admit Shanahan was under tremendous pressure in the shootout on Dominik Hasek after the first four guys missed. "I was sitting between Joe Nieuwendyk and Steve Yzerman and I turned into a fan like everybody else. I was nervous. I can't imagine the stress the shooters were under.''

As ordinary as Eric Lindros is playing, I still get this feeling Wayne Gretzky has promised him a spot on the Olympic squad. Two guys who definitely have to pick it up: Keith Primeau and Theo Fleury. And despite the hot starts by Jarome Iginla, Jeff O'Neill and Brendan Shanahan, Gretzky likes Alex Tanguay, even if he's struggling, because he can play with Joe Sakic and Simon Gagne and because he could play with Mark Recchi

The job is Roy's: It's up to him to keep it - Translated from Yvon Pedneault's column on RDS.ca
Kevin Lowe's analysis is simple. "The job of goaltender for the Olympic team belongs, in principal, to Patrick Roy" he explains. "His record is terrific, his many accomplishments, and his results last season summarize his career well. Consequently, the job belongs to him. It's up to him to keep it, to make sure that nobody takes it away from him."

One hears murmurs everywhere: Roy has a bad hip. He's aged. Can he physically stand up to competition as intense as that of the Olympic Games?
Why so many questions?

Well, Patrick Roy has aged six months since the last game of the Stanley Cup finals. He certainly hasn't lost his reflexes over the summer. In June, he picked up the Conn Smyth trophy, the honour given to the most dominant player in the playoffs. What we've seen of Roy this season, in spite of a somewhat dismantled team in front of him, is that he is the same goaltender as he was last spring, just as intimidating and just as reliable.

Some assert that he has a bad hip. Maybe he is not playing as many games at the begining of the season but he does not show any worrying signs in the level of his technique and his movement on the rink. There are questions about his ability to cope, on a physical level, with a schedule as demanding as that of the Olympics? In my opinion, Roy held up well in the Stanley Cup playoffs, a tournament definitely more physically demanding because it lasts two months and the athletes travel to the four corners of America.

As long as a serious injury does not put the brakes on his season, Roy will be in goal for the Candian Olympic team. The management of the Canadian team know it very well and in their evaluation, until proof to the contrary, he is currently the best Canadian goaltender.

Canadian Olympic Team Competition - Pierre McGuire, TSNMAX.ca
You've got to love what is going on. Sure, eight players have already been named but that has not stopped a lot of guys from getting their names into the game. Jarome Iginla, Brendan Shanahan, Joe Thronton, Brian Savage, and Sean Burke are all guys who have peaked the interest of Wayne Gretzky and his selection committee. While some people are worried about the lack of production of those already named to the team, there really is no need to panic.

Kevin Lowe doesn't shut the door on the Olympics for Brian Savage- Translated from La Presse Canadienne:
"His name isn't at the top of our list," indicated Kevin Lowe, "but we will keep an eye on him if he keeps scoring in November and December. We are not against the idea of adding players to our list who were not at the orientation camp in Calgary. We will also keep in contact with five or six players after we give our final list on December 22. Injuries can always occur between now and the games in February".

Savage has scored five goals and has seven assists in 10 games this season. "It's a great compliment even if the Olympics are not my priority right now" Savage said. "I took part in the games of 1994 in Lillehammer and I was very proud. The Olympics are still the highlight of my career."

Lowe is also impressed by the start of Joe Thornton of the Bruins. So far he has scored four goals and has ten points this season. He could also receive an invitation.

In The Corners - Ken Campbell, Toronto Star
Remember when everyone was touting Vincent Lecavalier as a candidate for the Canadian Olympic team? After a terrible season last year, Lecavalier went into last night's game against the Atlanta Thrashers with no goals and two assists in seven games and was minus-2. ... Who would you rather have on the Canadian Olympic team, Jeff O'Neill or Paul Kariya? Thought so. ... Who would have thought that Ed Belfour would be the best of the four goaltending candidates for the Canadian Olympic team in the early going?

Gretzky will pick Burke as third goalie - Jim Matheson, The Edmonton Journal
Take this to the bank: Sean Burke will be Canada's third goalie in Salt Lake City, playing for his boss Wayne Gretzky. He's got history on his side, playing in the '88 and '92 Olympics, and he wouldn't rock the boat and want to play unless there was an injury. Gretzky has dropped hints that Burke is standing on his head in Phoenix, so you know he's thinking of the 34-year-old rather than, say, a kid like Roberto Luongo. Patrick Roy's definitely going to be there. It's either Cujo or Marty Brodeur for backup, and Brodeur's making an awful lot of noise about not going if he's No. 3.

Bowman Bitter! - Translated from Yvon Pedneault's column on RDS.ca:

It is necessary to have spent a few years close to Scotty Bowman to know that he does not stomach being completely ignored by the management of Canada's Olympic team.

The other day in an interview, he stated that he had contacted the leaders of Hockey Canadian several months ago but he was referred to the people who would be chosen to manage the operations of the team… He never contacted Wayne Gretzky.

Bowman will never say it openly, perhaps he will do it later it, when he writes his memoirs but he feels deeply humiliated. That Gretzky and company did not have the tact to call him is a lack of respect towards the best coach in the history of professional hockey.

Gretzky preferred Pat Quinn, who has never won anything during his career as coach and general manager in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Toronto.

Why Quinn rather than Bowman? Possibly because a few years ago, Bowman withdrew from the Canada Cup tournament. He was never forgiven for having notified Glen Sather by sending him a fax.

There are people at Hockey Canada who should put their egos aside. At this interview, Bowman fired a left hook at certain individuals of the Canadian team stressing that he had received offers from certain European teams but that he had finally declined the invitation "I'll be satisfied watching it on television."

Shouldn't the Canadian Olympic team join together the best Canadian manpower?

How is it that Canada's best coach will watch the Olympic tournament on TV?

As Charlie Brown once said to Lucy, "Tell your statistics to shut up."- Bruce Dowbiggin, Calgary Herald
Some chattering classes are panicking because Canada's four goalie choices for the Olympics are off to mediocre starts. At 17th overall, Ed Belfour is the highest-rated candidate while Patrick Roy, Joseph and Martin Brodeur are far down the goalie ratings in the early going.

Team Canada coach Pat Quinn says he's taking the hottest goalie at the time of the Games. If the Olympics started today, the highest-rated Canadian goalies would be Dafoe of the Bruins, Martin Biron of the Buffalo Sabres and Chris Osgood of the New York Islanders.

Now, what are the chances of Quinn calling his man Cujo at Christmas to say, "We're going with Chris Osgood. Sorry, Curtis"? About the same as Air Canada finding that garment bag of yours from 1978.

Shootout Tactics - Jim Matheson, The Edmonton Journal
Nobody knows who Canada will have participating in an Olympic five-man shootout in Salt Lake City. But here's something to consider: teams can look at, say, Milan Hejduk's stick and think it has an illegal curve. If they call for a measurement and they're wrong, however, they lose one of their five shooters. You know what that means?

Players will have carte blanche to use any stick they want, considering the shootout comes when the ice is chewed up, and shooters want a stick that can lift a shot over a goalie, not one used just for dekes.

Olympic coach Quinn likes Smyth, Brewer - The Edmonton Journal
Leafs coach Pat Quinn, who doubles as Canadian Olympic coach, is letting the rest of the Salt Lake brass -- Kevin Lowe, Wayne Gretzky and Steve Tambellini -- scout players for Team Canada. But he still has an opinion on Oilers Ryan Smyth and Eric Brewer.

"Ryan loves to play. It's not a chore for him,'' said Quinn. "Whether it's going good or bad, he's in the thick of things. Of all the things you get to choose about players, if you could choose attitude, this young man seems to have it.''

Like Smyth, Quinn also liked Brewer at the Olympic team camp. "I didn't have a good feeling about him after playing against him, but after watching him in Calgary, I could see a good skill level. What I liked was his ability to see a play and make it right away. Not lugging the puck, but getting the puck changed around fast. That's where the speed in our game is. He seems to have an aptitude for making the play, plus he's got size and he can move.''