Hockey

Canada's 2010 men's Olympic hockey team won't be named until late December, but CTVOlympics.ca has a weekly evaluation of many of the players under consideration for roster spots. Each Tuesday, we will consider the statistics of each player in their NHL games up to the previous Sunday and consult our Olympic hockey experts. These are our observations for this week:

Stock Up - Forwards

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Vincent Lecavalier - 4GP, 2G, 3A, +3

Apparently Lecavalier took our criticism to heart as he compiled his best week of the season these past seven days. Lecavalier looked like the Vinny of old as he was creating chances, driving the net and playing with an urgency that has largely been absent thus far this season. Is it a case of too little, too late? That remains to be seen as Lecavalier still has some time to 'wow' Team Canada's brass.

Joe Thornton - 3GP, 2G, 6A, +3

Not so long ago Joe Thornton was considered an automatic to be included on any Team Canada roster. However several playoff disappearances have reflected negatively on his legacy. Having been a very 'good soldier' for Canada in the past, Thornton obviously does not want to be on the outside looking in come February and has done everything in his power to shake the notion that he cannot be part of a winning team. He leads the league in assists and sits second in points while playing for the top team in the league. Regular season dominance is expected from Thornton, the question remains: Can he achieve when it really matters? Bet on him to be among those chosen to wear the Maple Leaf come February.

Mike Fisher - 3GP, 2G, 4A, +5

There has been more and more talk of Carrie Underwood's main squeeze to be included in the discussion of potential checking line forwards. Fisher put on an awesome display of his two-way prowess this week as he was an absolute monster for the Sens, wracking up five points and causing chaos for opposing teams. Fisher is a large reason that Ottawa went 3-0 last week. It's probably not enough to earn him a roster spot, but at least he has made his presence known.

Other forwards trending up: Dany Heatley, Brad Richards, Jonathan Toews.

Stock Down - Forwards

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Sidney Crosby – 3GP, 0G, 2A, -4

While there is no danger of Crosby missing out on the Olympics, his recent play is reason for alarm. Yes, the Penguins have been ravaged by injuries, however that does not excuse him for his nearly invisible performance in a blow-out loss to the Senators mid-week. He should be able to play himself out of his current funk and remains on target for top line duties (and possible captaincy) in Vancouver.

Dan Cleary - 3GP, 0G, 1A, -3

Cleary must have received a swelled head after we hyped him up in last week's edition of stock watch. Apparently he decided to rest on those laurels and he promptly went out and laid an egg this past seven days. While he was already a long shot to make Canada prior to this slump, the chances of him representing his country in the Olympics are growing slim.

Ryan Smyth - 1GP, 0G, 0A, +- (placed on IR)

What a devastating week for the man known as 'Captain Canada.' Smyth, who had been enjoying a rejuvenated run with the Kings, suffered a lower-body injury that will sideline him for at least a month. Sadly for Smyth it will likely be a case of 'out-of-sight, out-of-mind' as it is generally difficult to impress your suitors from sick bay. Thanks to his great start, Smyth was in contention for a checking-line role for Canada. Unfortunately this injury may well undermine all his good work.

Other forwards trending downward:  Andy McDonald, Brendan Morrow, Derek Roy.

Stock Up - Defence

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Stephane Robidas - 3GP, 2G, 3A, +1

Robidas may have been a bit of a 'forgotten man' at evaluation camp back in August, however he sent a memo to Steve Yzerman on Saturday in the form of a two goal, two assist game against New Jersey. While Robidas is having a nice season, he is way too far down on the depth chart for Canada at this point to try to force his way on to the roster. He should keep his schedule open however because an injury replacement spot is likely.

Mike Green - 3GP, 0G, 5A, +2

Green has put a mediocre playoff performance in the rear-view mirror this season and has shot out of the gate, quarterbacking the Caps lethal power play and grabbing the scoring lead among all defencemen. While his defensive conscious can leave a little to be desired from time-to-time, he is absolutely lethal in the offensive end, often acting as a fourth forward similar to the role Paul Coffey used to play with the Oilers. He may not have earned a top six berth, however he will likely be used as a power play specialist in Vancovuer.

Duncan Keith - 3GP, 0G, 3A, +3

Perhaps no player has done more to ensure themselves a spot on the Olympic roster this season then Keith. The Winnipeg-native continues to move from strength-to-strength and further cemented his credentials as one of the game's top blueliners this week. Five assists and a plus five rating while his Blackhawks are in the midst of a seven game winning streak means that Keith can pack his bags in anticipation of the upcoming Olympics.

Other defencemen trending upward:  Jay Bouwmeester, Drew Doughty, Brent Seabrook

Stock Down - Defence

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Robyn Regehr - 3GP, 0G, 1A, -3

It was not a very good week for the Flames. First they blew a great chance to take over the Northwest Division lead with a loss to the Avs then they were blown out by the Blackhawks at home. Few players were as victimized in the rout by the Hawks as Regehr who was lit up by Chicago's forwards. He looked a step slow all night (although he was not the only one) and was unable to limit the damage. While he remains a solid bet to make the team, this performance surely did not help.

Dion Phaneuf - 3GP, 0G, 1A, -2

Perhaps the only Flame to have a worse week than Regher was his defensive mate, Phaneuf. The week started off poorly with allegations of a shouting match between Phaneuf and head coach Brent Sutter. Phaneuf did not help his cause in a blowout loss to the Flames in which he fought Brent Seabrook and was assessed a fighting major, along with a roughing minor with Nigel Dawes already in the box. With the Flames two men short, the Hawks struck twice on the PP and handed Calgary their most embarrassing loss of the season. Undisciplined showings like this are the reason that Phaneuf may be on the outside looking in come February.

Dan Boyle - 3GP, 0G, 1A, +3

In a week that saw the Sharks rack up 15 goals, it seems unfathomable that the versatile Boyle picked up one solitary assist. It is not so much that Boyle is playing particularly poorly, it is just that so many of the blueliners that he is competing for a roster spot with are playing so well. While he still remains a good bet to earn a roster spot, the path to the Olympics may no longer be so wide open.

Other defencemen on the downswing: Francois Beauchemin, Dan Hamhuis

Stock Up - Goaltenders

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Carey Price - 3GP, 2W, 1.89GAA, .940SP

Price did not receive an invitation to evaluation camp this past summer after struggling through a horrendous campaign last year. When he got off to a bit of a slow start and temporarily lost the starting job for the Habs, it appeared that the writing was on the wall. However a funny thing happened since then, Price has focussed on his game and has turned his season around. He looked stellar in wins over the ‘Canes and Caps and did his best to keep the Red Wings' snipers at bay during a shootout loss on Saturday. Price will not be in the equation for Vancouver, but he is once again on the radar.
 

Steve Mason - 2GP, 1W, 1.92GAA, .946SP

If anyone needed a bounce back week, it was Mason. After being shelled by the Red Wings last week, Mason looked more like the reigning Calder Trophy winner this week than he has been at any point this season. His lone loss was a hard-luck 45 save loss in a shootout to the Predators. While it might not be enough to earn him a ticket to the Olympics, at least he is headed in the right direction.

Other goaltenders on the upswing: Roberto Luongo, Chris Mason

Stock Down - Goaltenders

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Marc Andre Fleury - 3GP, 2W, 3.23GAA, .890SP

That nervous groan you just heard was Team Canada's brass after watching Fleury's performance this week. Following a Stanley Cup victory and a fast start to the season, Fleury appeared to be a virtual lock to represent Canada in Vancouver. A recent string of lacklustre play and injuries to key defencemen have conspired to dull a once glimmering star. While he continues to pick up victories, his save percentage and goals against average are not exactly instilling confidence in the eyes of his potential bosses. He will be in a dog fight for the final goaltender spot up until decision day.

Ray Emery - 3GP, 1W, 3.35GAA, .880SP

There appeared to be a bit of a groundswell of support for Emery to receive consideration for the Olympic team. That came crashing back to earth this week following back-to-back losses to the Sharks and Coyotes. Let's face it, Emery was never going to be on the team to begin with, however his recent play has given Team Canada an easy out to dismiss him altogether.

Goaltenders trending downward:  Marty Turco