Steve Yzerman smiles as he is officially named executive director of Canada's National Men's Olympic Team for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, BC. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

Steve Yzerman had settled into his seat in the home arena of the Kloten Flyers when Steve Stamkos snapped a shot for an early goal.

About six minutes later, Yzerman watched as Stamkos netted his second of the game in a 5-1 win by Canada over the Czech Republic at the world hockey championship.

It's not as if the executive director (a.k.a. general manager) of Canada's Olympic team didn't know about Stamkos. But the fact the NHL rookie with the Tampa Bay Lightning is showcasing his skills at the world tournament wasn't lost on Yzerman.

"He is an NHL player, no doubt about that," said Yzerman, who will remain in Switzerland until the world tournament is over on May 10.

Yzerman has the unenviable task of having the final say on who will wear Canada's colours at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Roster is far from locked

Some players have a lock — Sidney Crosby, Roberto Luongo and Jarome Iginla, for example — but to say that Yzerman has assembled his roster and is merely paying lip-service to the selection process is wrong.

Think back to the months prior to the selection of Canada's 2006 Olympic team and how the debate was over whether Wayne Gretzky should inject some youth and include Sidney Crosby, Eric Staal, Jason Spezza and Dion Phaneuf on Team Canada. Gretzky didn't and the defending Olympic champion wound up out of the medals.

Fast forward the tape to the 2008-09 NHL season, the Stanley Cup playoffs and the 2009 world championship tournament.

Stamkos had a great second half for the Lightning and drew rave reviews for his skill and speed after he was paired with Martin St. Louis. Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks has emerged as a top performer while Staal is a go-to guy in Carolina.

Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings and Luke Schenn of the Toronto Maple Leafs also had impressive rookie campaigns.

On the flip side, Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau of the San Jose Sharks were great during the regular season but struggled in the pressure-packed playoffs and you have to think Yzerman has taken note of that. Goalie Martin Brodeur didn't exactly stand on his head for the New Jersey Devils.

'I am not ruling anybody out at this point'

These are some of the things on Yzerman's mind as he looks ahead to Vancouver.

"I am not ruling anybody out at this point," Yzerman said when asked specifically about Stamkos. "It is too early and I watched Tampa play a lot this year and I watched Steve's performance, particularly down the stretch when they put him with Marty, and he just took off. This tournament will be good for him.''

Yzerman watched Canada's victories over Belarus but passed on the game against Hungary. He was asked whether the Canadians competing in the world tournament could improve their chance of playing in the Olympic Games.

"Well, they're going up, and if they don't play well, they are going down, likewise. Watching the Stanley Cup playoffs, I've been watching all season long, and I haven't sat down at one point and done a depth chart," said Yzerman. "I have a list of players and I just keep watching them. And you see players go up and down through the course of the year, and again, the more times you watch them, you have a better understanding.

"The team I have in my mind a little bit, without actually writing it down on paper, has fluctuated all year and will continue that way really until next December when we announce it."

Yzerman was asked his thoughts about the number of high-profile Canadian NHLers who passed on the world tournament.

"We said last year if you are not in the playoffs we want you here as far as an Olympic perspective goes. The more guys who might be on the Olympic team playing together in more games, it would be a good thing in that sense. I would have loved to see more guys who might be on that team here. But that gives guys who are here more ice time and they play bigger roles.

Coaching staff to be announced in June

"Just being a part of this [Canada's world team program] for years now, and being a player, you understand that once that first [NHL playoff] round is over, you know who is healthy and who isn't. Just read the papers and everybody is having surgery. But the guys over here are getting a good opportunity and that is important."

Yzerman knows he has his share of significant decisions to make in the near future. He will announce Canada's coaching staff in June and a list of players being invited to a summer training camp.

And he's loving every minute of it.

"I really enjoy it for the simple reason, I like watching hockey. I like the game. Even just being a member of the Red Wings, I'm out watching a lot of hockey. Kenny [Holland] and Jimmy Nill always tell me, at the end of the day, it's about player assessment. You have to get out and watch games, whether you're watching junior or college, high school, European hockey, anything.

"It's player evaluation. So from that perspective I'm learning a lot about a lot of the countries, and the Canadian players, I'm learning a great deal about them. So, I really like it, mostly because I really like watching the game."

And people are watching to see who Yzerman will name to Canada's Olympic roster.