Hockey: Best Guesses

Enough silliness about Federal Elections and such nonsense! Time to get down to what's important: conjecture about who Canada is going to name for Turin (or Torino if you want to go native). I'm keeping it to the previously named long list, though there is an exception or two I'd have liked to see considered.

Who I'd take:

Forwards:

Ryan Smith, Edmonton (Captain or Alternate)
Joe Sakic, Colorado (Captain or Alternate)
Joe Thornton, San Jose
Dany Heatley, Ottawa
Eric Staal, Carolina
Rod Brind'amour, Carolina
Simon Gagne. Philidelphia
Patrick Marleau, San Jose
Steve Sullivan, Nashville
Paul Kariya, Nashville
Jason Spezza, Ottawa
Jarome Igina, Calgary
Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay

Defence:

Dan Boyle, Tampa Bay
Wade Redden, Ottawa
Scott Niedermeyer, Anaheim (Captain or Alternate)
Rob Blake, Colorado (Captain or Alternate)
Chris Pronger, Edmonton
Dion Phaneuf, Calgary
Adam Foote, Columbus

Goaltenders:

Curtis Joseph, Phoenix
Roberto Luongo, Florida
Marty Turco, Dallas

Taxi Squad (Teams are allowed three extra players in case of injury):

Robyn Regehr, Calgary
Brad Richards, Tampa Bay
Jason Allison, Toronto

I can't believe Hockey Canada hasn't called me yet; they'd be mad not to take my advice on this!
Ah, well, they did well enough last time that hubris may be setting in for them...

Oh, one player I'd take not on the long list? Goalie Manny Fernandez, leaving Turco home. Astounding save percentage this year (and over the past several seasons), and I think he deserves the trip, even if it is as a third.