Hockey

Steve Yzerman and Team Canada's management group will give Olympic prospects a few more games before the process of aggressively scouting these players begins.

The 46 men invited to this past summer's orientation camp are clearly on the radar, but others are expected to emerge based on their play.

Carey Price played himself out of contention last season, however providing he can sustain his current level of play, Price's involvement may require further discussion.

Steve Mason, last season's rookie of the year has been sensational, while both Roberto Luongo and Martin Brodeur have staggered out of the gate, and while there's a lot to be said for the experience these two goaltenders provide, Yzerman and company will fill the crease with whoever is hot.

The pressure to win in Vancouver will trump any sense of obligation.

With Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St Louis on the outside looking in, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be heavily scouted. Steven Stamkos will get a good look because of that and he could play his way on to Canada's Olympic team.

Boston's Milan Lucic had an impressive orientation camp. While his play is being carefully monitored this season, so will that of his teammate, non-invitee Marc Savard.

As early as this Thursday's game in San Jose between the Sharks and the Columbus Blue Jackets, we will start to see familiar faces such as Yzerman's, Doug Armstrong's, Kevin Lowe's, Ken Holland's...and, potentially Wayne Gretzky's peering down from the press box.

Gretzky's role as a consultant remains the same. How active he intends to be remains in question.

What won't be questioned, according to Hockey Canada is the amount of preparation management intends to invest to win gold in Vancouver.