Two weeks since we asked you to step into Steve Yzerman's shoes and name Canada's Olympic roster.
Plenty of readers have taken up the challenge. (If you haven't yet, here's your chance.)
So it's time to review the results so far.
We'll keep compiling your suggestions, and do another tally just before the real team is named on New Year's Eve.
Here's the About.com projected roster. Now let's see who you picked.
Canadian Hockey Royalty
Of the complete or near-complete rosters submitted, these guys made every list:
- F Sidney Crosby, Penguins
- F Ryan Getzlaf, Ducks
- F Dany Heatley, Sharks
- F Jarome Iginla, Flames
- F Rick Nash, Blue Jackets
- G Martin Brodeur, Devils
- G Roberto Luongo, Canucks
No huge surprises, though it's interesting to note Heatley's rapid return to respectability. Only a few weeks ago, he was being called "the Most Hated Man in Canada." But he's on pace for a 59-goal season. With those kinds of numbers, you don't have to like him to play him.
Near-Unanimous Choices
- F Patrick Marleau, Sharks
- F Corey Perry, Ducks
- F Joe Thornton, Sharks
- D Jay Bouwmeester, Flames
- D Dan Boyle, Sharks
- D Scott Niedermayer, Ducks
- D Chris Pronger, Flyers
- D Shea Weber, Predators
- G Marc-Andre Fleury, Penguins
As far as you folks are concerned, the goaltenders are set: Brodeur, Luongo, Fleury. Only two other goalies were named, Marty Turco in Dallas (1 vote) and Montreal's Carey Price (1 vote). You think Price can handle the crushing pressure of a win-or-goodbye against the Russians or Swedes? Good luck.
We see several guys who have played their way into your hearts since October. Marleau was on nobody's list at the end of last season. Boyle and Thornton were suspect. Perry's name was rarely invoked. All are off to splendid starts in 2009-10.
Popular Picks
- F Jeff Carter, Flyers
- F Mike Richards, Flyers
- F Martin St. Louis, Lightning
- D Mike Green, Capitals
- D Dion Phaneuf, Flames
Green and Phaneuf remain popular selections, despite well-documented lapses in their defensive duties. More conservative, safety-first defensemen need not apply.
So far, that's 11 forwards, 7 defencemen, 3 goalies. That leaves only a couple of spots left on a 23-man roster.
Near Misses
- F Shane Doan, Coyotes
- F Steven Stamkos, Lightning
- F Jonathan Toews, Blackhawks
- D Duncan Keith, Blackhawks
Stock Plunging
- F Vincent Lecavalier, Lightning
- F Eric Staal, Hurricanes
- F Brenden Morrow, Stars
- D Brent Burns, Wild
By the way, three of you picked Eric Staal, two of you picked Jordan Staal, and two of you didn't specify which Staal you were talking about. Details, people.
Scattered Support/No Respect
- F Mike Cammalleri, Canadiens
- F Dan Cleary, Red Wings
- F Milan Lucic, Bruins
- F Marc Savard, Bruins
- F Patrick Sharp, Blackhawks
- F Ryan Smyth, Kings
- D Drew Doughty, Kings
- D Brent Seabrook, Blackhawks
- D Robyn Regehr, Flames
Despite plenty of media support, few of you are buying into Savard, Sharp, Lucic, Smyth or Cleary. A potential 40-goal season isn't enough to get Cammalleri any respect. Regehr doesn't score enough points to attract attention. Doughty's a newcomer and buried in the Pacific time zone.
Coming up later this month: a look at your Team USA picks.
See also: Projected Team Canada Roster: The About.com Picks
(Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)
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