Hockey

With 100 days to go and less than two months before Hockey Canada officials submit their team list, Olympic hockey analyst Pierre McGuire gives his updated version of Team Canada, based on those players who are playing their best right now.

GOAL
Marc-Andre Fleury
Martin Brodeur
Roberto Luongo

DEFENCE
Scott Niedermayer
Shea Weber
Chris Pronger
Dan Boyle
Dion Phaneuf
Jay Bouwmeester
Brent Seabrook

FORWARDS
Rick Nash-Sidney Crosby-Martin St. Louis
Jeff Carter-Ryan Getzlaf-Corey Perry
Brenden Morrow-Mike Richards-Shane Doan
Patrick Marleau-Jordan Staal-Jarome Iginla
Patrick Sharp

WATCH LIST
Drew Doughty
Mike Green
Duncan Keith
Dany Heatley
Steven Stamkos
James Neal

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Q: One of the biggest changes is Jarome Iginla being dropped from the first line to the fourth line.

"Talking to Jarome this morning, he said 'I've always been a slow starter' but he's a little bit disconsolate because, this year, he had the Olympic orientation camp and thought he would get off to a great start," said McGuire. "He's not doing it offensively, he hasn't been moving his feet, he hasn't been forechecking very well and after talking to Brent Sutter, the Flames coach, he said 'I had a heart-to-heart with Jarome yesterday', so expect him to pick up the pace. That's one of the reasons why he's on the fourth line right now. Any Team Canada has to have Jarome Iginla but he's on the fourth line because he hasn't been producing to the level that he should."

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Q: Patrick Marleau was considered by many a player on the bubble in the summer. Why do you have him on the team at this point.

"I think what we're seeing right now is Patrick Marleau is not very comfortable in a leadership position but he is very comfortable in a follower position where all he's counted on is to show up at the rink and score goals. He doesn't have to be the spokesman for the team, he has to be a big body that can skate and distribute the puck and when he has a chance to shoot it, shoot it. He's made a big difference for the San Jose Sharks. Everybody's talking about all these great players in San Jose, he's been the very best player on that team this year and if its not for him, San Jose's not at the top of the Pacific Division."

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Q: The most fascinating part of your choices is the Watch List - the guys you think are being watched very carefully right now. One of the names on that list is James Neal.

"When you talk to people around the league, he's become one of the more dominant power forwards. He's already got eight goals playing for the Dallas Stars, he's their leading goal scorer. But the biggest thing about James Neal in talking to Marty Turco and Alex Auld - the two Dallas goalies who have to face him in practice every day - his shot coming down the wing just eats them up. It's a (Mark) Messier-type release, Mark Recchi-in-his-prime-type release. A left hand shot coming down the right side and his shot is overpowering goaltenders. He's got very good foot speed and he makes things happen off the forecheck. One of the big things coming out of 2006 (Olympics) - not enough youthful enthusiasm, not enough speed and not enough guys that can bring new "jam" to the room. James Neal and Steven Stamkos and Drew Doughty can all do that."