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Being a member of the Maple Leafs didn't give forward Jason Blake the inside track on earning a roster spot on the U.S. Olympic team headed to the 2010 Games.
Blake's boss in Toronto, general manager Brian Burke, has the same job for the U.S. squad and left Blake off the list of 34 invitees announced yesterday to the team's orientation camp later this summer.
"I'm wearing a Team USA hat when I do this work," Burke said during a conference call yesterday. "(Blake) was a factor in our decisions, but he did not make our final cut."
For the most part, Burke and his management team went with a youth movement.
That means players such as Doug Weight, Keith Tkachuk and recent Stanley Cup winner Bill Guerin are among those not on the initial list.
"We've tried to identify people who can perform certain tasks on a hockey team," Burke said. "We've got some first violins and we've got some tuba players, too."
The U.S. won't be among the favourites to win the Olympic tournament, but Burke believes they will be competitive with Canada, Russia, Sweden and the Czech Republic.
"We are going to be an underdog in Vancouver -- for sure not one penny is going to be bet on us in Vegas," Burke said. "We know that, but we are going there to win."
Five of the invitees have Olympic experience, led by three-time Olympian Mike Modano as well as Chris Drury, Brian Rafalski, Scott Gomez and Jamie Langen-brunner. Tim Thomas, who won the 2009 Vezina Trophy, heads the goaltending group.
The only other Leafs connection to Team USA is coach Ron Wilson, who will head the coaching staff in Vancouver.
Monster delay
Much desired free-agent goaltender Jonas Gustavsson isn't in a rush to decide which NHL team he favours. Agents for the Swedish goaltender known as "the Monster" said he will not decide by today's noon opening bell for the NHL free-agency period.
The Leafs and Dallas Stars are believed to be frontrunners. Burke had hoped to have an answer prior to today.
Summer camp
The Leafs annual prospect camp will take place next week at Lakeshore Lions Arena with 25 players, including first-round pick in this past weekend's draft Nazem Kadri in attendance.
Habs, Rangers do deal
The Montreal Canadiens acquired forward Scott Gomez from the New York Rangers in exchange for Chris Higgins yesterday.
The deal also sees prospects Tom Pyatt and Mike Busto head to Montreal with Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko going to the Rangers in return.
ROB.LONGLEY@SUNMEDIA.CA