Hockey

Team Canada will announce its 23 man roster on December 31, five weeks before the opening of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

That five week gap has become a serious topic of discussion among Canada's management group, based on the constant threat of injury.

There will be no taxi squads but injury replacements can be added right up to the night before Canada plays Norway in its tournament opener on February 16th. However, once the event begins non-roster players will not be allowed in.

There's a very good chance, soon after the team is announced, Steve Yzerman will quietly make a few more calls to players Canada would quickly airlift into Vancouver if the need arises. As many as four players - two forwards and two defensemen - could be put on high alert they may receive a last-minute invite to join Team Canada.

However, Yzerman says there will be no promises or guarantees made to any player who isn't officially named to the team.

Canada's management team is scheduled to meet in early December to continue finalizing the Canadian roster.

In the meantime, Yzerman and associate director Kevin Lowe are scouting California this week, attending four games in 3 days, to see games involving the Kings, Ducks and Sharks, plus visiting Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Calgary.