Hockey

GOALTENDERS

Martin Brodeur: As his playoff struggles versus Carolina fade into the background, he remains front-and-centre for the starting job because of his resume and experience.

Roberto Luongo: The chance to play in front of hometown Vancouver crowd, in familiar GM Place setting, makes Luongo the 1-A choice as starter.

Cam Ward: The best of the young guns, his fade in the third round vs. Pittsburgh was attributed mostly to fatigue.

Others receiving votes: Marc-André Fleury.

DEFENCE

Scott Niedermayer: The decision to return for 2009-10 season makes smooth-skating, heady defenceman a lock for roster spot - and his experience makes him a candidate for the team's captaincy.

Chris Pronger: Even if he'll play next season with Flyers, his familiarity with Niedermayer makes them a logical pair.

Shea Weber: A darling of everyone's, Weber enhanced his chances with an excellent season and good work at world championships in Canada's silver-medal winning performance.

Jay Bouwmeester: Changing teams this week - and will probably land in Calgary, where he can develop chemistry with either Robyn Regehr or Dion Phaneuf.

Robyn Regehr: Not a sexy choice, but provides a physical stay-at-home presence on a team of skilled and agile rearguards.

Duncan Keith: Keith played early part of Detroit series with a bad case of flu, something that limited his effectiveness, but keeps him in the mix.

Mike Green: Second in the Norris balloting, but a bubble player in terms of top-six duty because the priority will be well-rounded, two-way players and Green is known primarily for his attack.

Others getting votes: Seabrook, Phaneuf, Braydon Coburn, Dan Boyle, Brent Burns, Marc Staal.

FORWARD

Sidney Crosby: May be Canada's best all-around player already, even at the age of 21, and enhanced his chances of getting named captain with gritty finals performance.

Ryan Getzlaf: Moved up the charts significantly with two excellent playoff rounds, Getzlaf is especially strong on the power play. If Crosby switches to the wing as expected, he may be Canada's No. 1 pivot.

Vincent Lecavalier: Injuries may be the only red flag, as he's undergone surgical tune-ups in each of the past three off-seasons.

Jarome Iginla: Mark Messier leadership award winner and One of the few holdovers from 2002 championship team, Iginla should wear a letter for the team, along with Crosby and Niedermayer and play a prominent role.

Dany Heatley: His NHL stock may be dropping, but Heatley is Canada's all-time leading scorer internationally and stayed in the running with another solid world-championship performance.

Rick Nash: Unparalleled one-on-one skills, received a valuable baptism under fire in his first NHL playoff series on behalf of the Blue Jackets, and might be the key to winning in the shootout.

Mike Richards: Recovering from major off-season shoulder injury, but unless it affects his performance in the early part of next season, a lock to make team because of his general all-around abilities.

Jeff Carter: NHL's second-leading goal-scorer this past season has a long history of playing internationally alongside Getzlaf.

Martin St. Louis: Former NHL MVP solidified spot in Canada's international pecking order with a strong world championship performance.

Eric Staal: Hurricanes' young star made the biggest jump up the depth chart in these playoffs, in leading Carolina to back-to-back upset wins.

Jonathan Toews: Candidacy also enhanced by strong play in second half and real impact in his first-ever NHL playoff.

Shane Doan: Annually provides leadership and scoring internationally, the perfect two-way game to play a secondary support role.

Joe Thornton: Would have been obvious choice with a better playoff, but cannot be overlooked because of his playmaking skills and the capacity to play a secondary role, if asked.

Others receiving votes: Joe Sakic, Brad Richards, Simon Gagne, Patrick Marleau, Brenden Morrow, Jordan Staal, Corey Perry, Marc Savard, Mike Fisher.

AT A GLANCE

A look at how Canada's 2010 men's Olympic hockey team might line up:

Forwards

Crosby - Staal - Iginla

Heatley - Getzlaf - Nash

Richards - Toews - Carter

Doan - Lecavalier - St. Louis

Thornton

Defence

Pronger - Niedermayer

Keith - Weber

Regehr - Bouwmeester

Green

Goaltenders

Brodeur

Luongo

Ward