The Canadian Olympic men's hockey management team should know later Tuesday whether Anaheim Ducks centre Ryan Getzlaf will play next week in Vancouver or not
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No shortage of replacement options if Getzlaf ruled out
- February 9, 2010 1:00 PM |
- By Noah Love
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The Canadian Olympic men's hockey management team should know later Tuesday whether Anaheim Ducks centre Ryan Getzlaf will play next week in Vancouver or not.
Getzlaf sprained his left ankle on Monday night in Anaheim's 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. He left the arena with his foot in a protective boot.
If Getlaf is not able to go to the Olympics, here are five players who could take his spot:
1. Jeff Carter, Philadelphia Flyers
Stats since snub: 18 GP, 9 G, 7 A, 15 PTS, +5
The case for: Dazzling speed; has a better knack for finding the back of the net with his own stick; five of 23 goals are game-winners; was reportedly the last guy stricken from the roster (Brendan Morrow was taken instead).
The case against: All things considered, still performing below expectations.
2. Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning
Stats since snub: 17 GP, 6 G, 12 A, 18 PTS, +2
The case for: Almost the exact same build as Getzlaf (6-foot-4, 220 pounds); has Olympic experience; was the franchise centre for a Stanley Cup winner; has played much better since Olympic snub; on pace for his first plus-rating in three seasons.
The case against: Slow accelerator; turned on the jets after Olympic pressure was off.
3. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
Stats since snub: 17 GP, 11 G, 13 A, 24 PTS, +5
The case for: He's on fire; tremendous power-play presence; dynamic skater.
The case against: He's still just 20 years old; Canada should probably go big to replace Getzlaf's imposing frame and Stamkos is not that.
Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes
Stats since snub: 18 GP, 7 G, 12 A, 19 PTS, -1
The case for: Finally producing in the vacuum that is Phoenix; Canada could use natural wingers due to an abundance of centres; his commitment to Hockey Canada should probably have earned him a spot in the first place.
The case against: Bergeron and Morrow both play a similar game; are his diminished numbers evidence of a dropoff in skill?
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
Stats since snub: 17 GP, 10 G, 9 A, 19 PTS, +4
The case for: Confidence as of late is off the charts; plays wing; owns the power play; scoring touch back with vengeance.
The case against: Size. The end. In fact, St. Louis would probably be the easy choice if he wasn't 5-foot-9 replacing 6-foot-4.
About the Author
- Bruce Arthur Bruce Arthur is the National Post's national sports columnist. A Vancouver native, he has been with the Post since 2001, and a columnist since 2005. He is covering his second Olympics, after the 2008 Games in Beijing. He expects these Games to be slightly less propagandistic, and for China to win slightly fewer medals.
- Joe O'Connor Joe O'Connor is a roving sports feature writer with an open-ended beat. He joined the National Post in 2002, and has spent the past seven years bouncing from sport to sport, offering fresh perspectives and delivering unique stories wherever he goes. Whether it has been getting Don Cherry to open up about his love life; George Chuvalo to talk about heartbreaking loss; or racing down the side of a mountain with former Crazy Canuck, Dave Irwin, the veteran Postie chases a story wherever it leads. Before joining the newspaper he was a two-time silver medalist at the National Magazine Awards. Vancouver will be his first Olympics.
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