PITTSBURGH — Sidney Crosby is ready for the second-guessing to begin.
With Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman set to announce the team’s roster for the Vancouver Olympics next week, the Pittsburgh Penguins superstar told reporters he expects there will be plenty of debate in his native land over who is left off the team.
Crosby is one of six or seven forwards who is a lock to make the team, so nobody is going to cry foul over his selection. But there are some good battles for spots on the third and fourth lines, and some players many people think are deserving of an Olympic shot are going to get left off the list.
“It wouldn’t be normal without that (second-guessing),” Crosby said Wednesday. “That’s Canada. Everybody cares. If people didn’t care, they wouldn’t be second-guessing. That’s going to happen.
“If you look at the talent and the great players that Canada has, it’s really normal to do that. For the people picking the team, I’m sure they’ll have to deal with those pressures and things like that. I’m sure they also feel lucky to have the amount of guys they have to choose from as well.”
Crosby said there will be some disappointed players when the final roster is announced.
“All the guys are competitive and they want to be there,” the former NHL MVP said. “Whether they agree with it or disagree with it, whatever the case is, the fact is Canada has got a good amount of talent and a lot of great players. A lot has to do with how you’re playing. Guys are pretty realistic on what kind of start of the year they’ve had and the impression they left.”
Crosby’s Pittsburgh teammate Marc-Andre Fleury is pushing for the No. 1 goaltender’s job along with New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur and Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo, but the Kid declined to say who he’d pick to start between the pipes.
“All three goalies you’re talking about are playing pretty well,” said Crosby.
“They’re all making a great case for being there. I don’t really think anyone has stolen that position. All three guys have played well.”
Many happy returns
Senators C Shean Donovan wasn’t supposed to return until next week from a knee injury he suffered last month after a dirty hit from the Penguins’ Matt Cooke, but he was in the lineup Wednesday night. Donovan challenged Cooke in the second period, but the Penguins winger didn’t respond ... C Ryan Shannon got a ride in style back to his home in Connecticut for Christmas. He jumped on RW Alex Kovalev’s plane after the team’s flight landed in the New York area Wednesday night from Pittsburgh. Kovalev, a licenced pilot, keeps his plane in White Plains, N.Y., about 15 minutes from where Shannon’s family lives.
Off the glass
The Senators will make their final visit to Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena on Jan. 28. Construction of the new Consul Energy Center right across the street is on schedule and the building will open next September. Not sure if it’s just coincidence, but the capacity of the new building will be 18,087 (Sidney Crosby wears No. 87) and there will be 66 suites (Mario Lemieux wore No. 66) ... A sign held by a little girl in the stands read: “Santa, All I want for Christmas is a (Eric) Godard goal.” Santa is going to have a tough time making that wish come true.
Rumour du jour
Expect to see Philly C Jeff Carter dealt once the Christmas roster freeze is lifted. The Kings are considered front-runners for Carter, but there is plenty of interest in him. He has a year left on his contract at $5 million US and doesn’t have a no-movement clause.
Kudos for Kovalev
Vladislav Tretiak, head of the Russian hockey federation, was in the house Wednesday night. Ottawa D Anton Volchenkov, and possibly RW Alex Kovalev, are expected to be named to Russia’s Olympic team tomorrow. “He’s doing everything very good,” the legendary goalie said of Kovalev. “He’s moving good, he’s passing and he’s a leader now. I like him. He’s my man.”
