2010 Olympic Preview:  Team Canada Olympic Hockey Team Roster Evaluation - February 2010

Team Canada's Olympic hockey team is a power house with expectations set high.  In fact, if Team Canada does not win the gold medal in Vancouver, it will be a disappointment for fans across this country.  The opening game for Team Canada is set at February 16th vs. Norway.  With an NHL equivalent team salary cap of $127,966,666, Team Canada has the most expensive roster heading into these Olympic games.

Scott Niedermayer of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks is the official team captain with Jarome Iginla, Sidney Crosby, and Chris Pronger named as alternate captains.  With his team struggling this season, is Scott Niedermayer the proverbial equivalent of dead wood on this team?  Follow the jump to see how the players on this roster rank in terms of goals, assists, points, +/-, and goals vs. threshold.

Game 57 Preview:  Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche - Denver Pepsi Center - February 6, 2010 - 8:00 PM - CBC

The Colorado Avalanche (31-19-6) are currently in a slump having lost four of their past five games.  As we all know, the Edmonton Oilers (18-32-6) are last in both the Western Conference and the league.  With the Carolina Hurricanes defeating the Buffalo Sabres last night by a score of 4-3, the Oilers are now 5 points behind both the Canes and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As for the season series, it's currently split at two games for each team though the Oilers were shutout in both of their losses including a 6-0 loss in their most recent game against Colorado.

Around the NHL, the pre-Olympic trade deadline trades have been heating up.  Most recently, the Detroit Red Wings have traded Ville Leino to Phildelphia for a 5th round pick in 2011 and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen.  The Tampa Bay Lightening have officially been sold to Jeffrey Vinik, A Boston hedge fund manager.  Of course, we all know that the Atlanta Thrashers made a deal with the Devils.  It looks like the Devils may have gotten the best of it too.  How much will Ilya Kovalchuk's presence tilt the current balance of power in the Eastern Conference?

Sheldon's Souray's Approved Team List

Earlier today, six of the teams that Sheldon Souray would waive his no-trade clause for was released on TSN.  Previously, Sheldon Souray had provided Oilers GM, Steve Tambellini, with a list of ten teams that he would agree to be traded to.  Souray has a no-trade clause which expires on July 1st, 2010.

From Darren Dreger's report, the list of teams include three from each of the Western and Eastern conferences.  From the Western Conference, there's the Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars, and the Anaheim Might Ducks.  For the Eastern Conference, the list includes the Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, and the Philadelphia Flyers.  However, Souray had surgery on a broken hand on Tuesday.  The injury was incurred in a recent fight with Jarome Iginala.  It's anticipated that there's very little chance that he will be traded before the February 12th Olympic roster freeze, but there's a small chance that he still might be moved prior to the March 3rd trade deadline.

Though Sheldon Souray has a $5.4 million dollar cap hit on a contract that extends two more seasons, the actual salary is only $4.5 million dollars for the next two years.  Souray is already 32 years old and has struggled this season since recovering from his concussion injury earlier this season.  In fact, this year he has just four goals and thirteen points in 37 games.  Last year, he had 23 goals and 53 points in 81 games.  Would any of the teams on this list be willing to gamble on Souray given his age and recent injuries?

Game 54:  Edmonton Oilers at Minnesota Wild - Xcel Energy Center - Februar 4, 2010 - 6:00 PM - SNET

The Minnesota Wild (27-25-4) host the Edmonton Oilers (18-31-6) at the Xcel Energy Center tonight.  This season, the season series is currently tied with the Oilers winning Game 7 by a score of 5-2 while the Wild won the most recent game (Game 37) by a score of 3-1.  The Oilers have ended their 13-game winless streak with two-consecutive wins against the Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers.  Last night, Ryan Potulny scored the game-winning goal against his former team.

The Olympic Roster Freeze will being at midnight on Friday, February 12th and end at midnight Sunday February 28th, 2010.  Speaking of the Olympics, Columbus Blue Jackets coach, Ken Hitchcock, was fired yesterday.  He'll still be working with Team Canada at the upcoming 2010 Olympics.  I've always like the 'Hitch' as a coach and would have under different circumstances liked to have seen him coach the Oilers.

So far, the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs have been the most active teams heading into the Olympic Roster Freeze.  As well, the New York Rangers and Anaheim Might Ducks have been involved in making roster changes too.  The Edmonton Oilers are still rumored to be shopping a number of vets like Ethan Moreau, but it doesn't seem that there's a huge demand.  By tomorrow, we may head that Ilya Kovalchuk's been traded by the Atlanta Thrashers.  From Darren Dreger, it sounds like five or more teams are still in the mix for the Kovalchuk sweepstakes.  Apparently, Kovalchuk is seeking the maximum allowable salary for next season which is currently $11.3 million per season.

Flyer, Darroll Powe, takes a high-sticking penalty late in 3rd period

The Philadelphia Flyers lost to the Edmonton Oilers late in the 3rd period with just 17 seconds left in the game.  Darroll Powe took a high-sticking penalty drawn by Sam Gagner with a minute and fifty seconds remaining in regulation.  Jeff Deslauriers earned his shut out with 33 saves on the night.  Fourteen of which were in the first period alone.

With the Carolina Hurricanes losing to the Calgary Flames by a score of 4-1 tonight, the Oilers are now just 3 points behind the Canes and five points behind the Leafs.  Should this streak continue, the Oilers could be at risk of losing their top 2 pick for Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin.

Ethan Moreau's name came up as an Oiler would will likely be traded prior to the deadline.  I think this might be a mistake given how effective he's been stewarding the Oilers towards the Fall 4 Hall.  In other NHL trade rumors, Ilya Kovalchuk should be traded before he plays his next game on Friday.

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