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 While Marc Savard has turned down invitations to represent Canada on a number of occasions, Yzerman rejected the notion that such past history played a role in the decision. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) |
You are Marc Savard. Or Jason Spezza. Or even Chris Osgood.
As an upper-echelon player in the NHL, you hoped -- even expected -- to get a shot at making the 2010 Canadian Olympic team for the Vancouver Winter Games, a dream for almost every hockey-playing kid in this country.
There are no guarantees you will make the final roster, of course, but that's fine. All you want is the opportunity.
Then, yesterday, the list of invitees for Team Canada's summer orientation camp, which runs Aug. 24-27 in Calgary, comes out.
And your name is not on it.
The feeling is devastating. Understandably so.
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As a member of Savard's family summed up yesterday: "We are all shocked."
Added Spezza last night: "I'll admit, it's upsetting. But it's something you can't control."
The credentials are there. During his past three seasons with the Boston Bruins, Savard has averaged 89 points per campaign. Spezza has averaged 85.5 points in the past four seasons, although his 2008-09 total of 73 is by far the lowest. And Osgood, who still does not get the respect due a man with three Stanley Cup rings (two as a starter), has led his Detroit Red Wings to back-to-back final appearances.
Forget about participating in the big dance out in B.C. in seven months. These guys didn't even receive a call to audition.
Such is the predicament Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman finds himself in. With so much depth of talent in this country, you are: "Damned if you do, damned if you don't."
While Savard has turned down invitations to represent Canada on a number of occasions, Yzerman rejected the notion that such past history played a role in the decision.
"We wanted to bring some different kinds of players, some players who maybe aren't leading their teams in scoring, but maybe can play a different kind of role," Yzerman said yesterday.
"That's why Marc is not on the list," he added.
And why Milan Lucic, Savard's teammate with the Bruins, is.
"Lucic is a big, strong, skilled forward that can go up and down his wing and he can make a play and score a goal," Yzerman said. "Based on his play in the playoffs, he's a guy that can bring a different element, so we won't have four lines that do the same thing."
If the omission of names such as Savard, Spezza, Osgood, Steve Stamkos, Brian Campbell, Mike Cammalleri and Marty Turco raised a few eyebrows in the hockey world, so, too, did the inclusion of guys such as Lucic, Joe Sakic, Daniel Cleary and Stephane Robidas.
Of course, there always have been controversial choices when it comes to Team Canada over the years. Remember Rob Zamuner?
Stamkos, for one, is someone Yzerman will monitor early in 2009-10, although the glut of talented forwards on hand might make it difficult for him to squeeze on to the roster.
"He was a guy we debated down to the last minute," Yzerman said. "He'll still be a player I watch this fall."
The biggest wild card is Sakic, who missed much of last season with a herniated disc, not to mention a mangled hand suffered in a snow blower accident. Sakic, who turns 40 Tuesday, has not publicly stated if he will return to the Colorado Avalanche next season, although the team said an announcement could come in the coming days.
Either way, Yzerman insists nothing is etched in stone. Players not invited to camp, he insists, will have the chance to make the team if they get off to a sizzling start next season.
Which is exactly what Spezza plans to do.
"Are my chances slimmer because I'm not invited? Sure," Spezza said. "But I'm not giving up.
"If I come out of the gates hot, I'll make it hard for them to keep me off the team."
Marc Savard and Steven Stamkos likely couldn't agree more.
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INVITEES
GOALTENDERS (5)
Martin Brodeur (Montreal/New Jersey, NHL)
Marc-Andre Fleury (Sorel, Que./Pittsburgh, NHL)
Roberto Luongo (Montreal/Vancouver, NHL)
Steve Mason (Oakville/Columbus, NHL)
Cam Ward (Sherwood Park, Alta./Carolina, NHL)
DEFENCEMEN (16)
Francois Beauchemin (Sorel/UFA, NHL)
Jay Bouwmeester (Edmonton/Calgary, NHL)
Dan Boyle (Ottawa/San Jose, NHL)
Brent Burns (Ajax/Minnesota, NHL)
Drew Doughty (London/Los Angeles, NHL)
Mike Green (Calgary/Washington, NHL)
Dan Hamhuis (Smithers, B.C./Nashville, NHL)
Duncan Keith (Penticton, B.C./Chicago, NHL)
Scott Niedermayer (Cranbrook, B.C./Anaheim, NHL)
Dion Phaneuf (Edmonton/Calgary, NHL)
Chris Pronger (Dryden/Philadelphia, NHL)
Robyn Regehr (Rosthern, Sask./Calgary, NHL)
Stephane Robidas (Sherbrooke, Que./Dallas, NHL)
Brent Seabrook (Tsawwassen, B.C./Chicago, NHL)
Marc Staal (Thunder Bay/N.Y. Rangers, NHL)
Shea Weber (Sicamous, B.C./Nashville, NHL)
FORWARDS (25)
Jeff Carter (London/Philadelphia, NHL)
Dan Cleary (Carboneau, Nfld./Detroit, NHL)
Sidney Crosby (Cole Harbour, N.S./Pittsburgh, NHL)
Shane Doan (Halkirk, Alta./Phoenix, NHL)
Simon Gagne (Ste-Foy, Que./Philadelphia, NHL)
Ryan Getzlaf (Regina/Anaheim, NHL)
Dany Heatley (Calgary/Ottawa, NHL)
Jarome Iginla (St. Albert, Alta./Calgary, NHL)
Vincent Lecavalier (Ile-Bizard, Que./Tampa Bay, NHL)
Milan Lucic (Vancouver/Boston, NHL)
Patrick Marleau (Aneroid, Sask./San Jose, NHL)
Andy McDonald (Strathroy/St. Louis, NHL)
Brenden Morrow (Carlyle, Sask./Dallas, NHL)
Rick Nash (Brampton/Columbus, NHL)
Corey Perry (Peterborough/Anaheim, NHL)
Michael Richards (Kenora/Philadelphia, NHL)
Derek Roy (Rockland/Buffalo, NHL)
Joe Sakic (Burnaby, B.C./Colorado, NHL)
Patrick Sharp (Thunder Bay/Chicago, NHL)
Ryan Smyth (Banff, Alta./Colorado, NHL)
Martin St-Louis (Laval, Que./Tampa Bay, NHL)
Eric Staal (Thunder Bay/Carolina, NHL)
Jordan Staal (Thunder Bay/Pittsburgh, NHL)
Joe Thornton (St. Thomas/San Jose, NHL)
Jonathan Toews (Winnipeg/Chicago, NHL)