The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

It’ll be less than a month before Wayne Gretzky announces his selections for Team Canada’s Men's hockey team. There are some sure bets that will be named to the team such as Jarome Iginla and Simon Gagne, but what’s more interesting is finding out who will be left behind. This is where the whole “Do we give the young guys a chance?” argument comes forward.

Jason Spezza is having a dynamite year so far and there is no reason to think it’s a fluke. He is currently tied for first in the NHL in scoring and was just named NHL player of the week. Combined with the fact his linemate, Dany Heatley, will be named to Team Canada is just more reason to give 22 year-old Spezza a chance to play in Turin.

Not so fast.

Wayne Gretzky has previously announced his starting centres are pretty much a lock: Joe Thornton, Joe Sakic, Vincent Lecavalier and Mario Lemieux. So if you were the GM, who would you ask to take a seat? Thornton? Not a chance. His stellar play in the World Championships playing with Simon Gagne and Rick Nash, not to mention being a part of the DDT line in the 2004 World Cup assures him a spot. Joe Sakic has been a consistent, dependable forward for Canada for years and provides invaluable leadership and a veteran presence. Vincent Lecavalier was the 2004 World Cup MVP and a big reason the Lightning won the Stanley Cup AND he's playing even better this year. Despite Mario’s rumblings he’ll be happy to give his spot to Sydney Crosby, I have a feeling Gretzky will ask Mario to play, if for no other reason players around him play better than they should because of that aura he brings with him. He’s also averaging almost a point a game this season, so it’s not like he’s a deadweight to the team, either (although I wish he’d be a little more enthusiastic about playing in the Olympics than talking about relinquishing his place, which is why I wouldn’t mind if he didn’t play).

If you figure guys like Martin St Louis will be passed over for having sub-par seasons, I expect there to be one spot left for a young kid. And the debate is will it be Spezza, Eric Staal or Sydney Crosby.

It’s true that Spezza and Staal are only 22 and 21 years old, but Crosby just turned 19. Crosby is just getting his first taste of pro hockey and no doubt he’ll be a staple for Canada in future years, I just don’t think now is the time. If you look at how Staal or Spezza have developed since their rookie seasons in the league, it’s almost night and day. You saw flashes of brilliance but now you’re seeing the full results of their development.

I’m putting my bias aside (because I'd love it if Spezza was chosen) when I say Staal gets the edge because he doesn’t have as great a supporting cast as Spezza. In Carolina, Staal is the go-to guy. In Ottawa, if Spezza doesn’t perform you go to Heatley. Or Alfredsson. Or Havlat. Eric Staal, at such a young age, is pretty much carrying the weight on his shoulders for his team to perform, and he’s doing a great job of it. I can only imagine how well he do when that pressure is lifted.

Either way, it’d be nice to send one of these young guns to Italy. If Gretzky does the right thing, at least one of those kids will get to play. We’ll find out by December 22nd.