Let’s leave the “What’s wrong with the Detroit Red Wings?” question at the door right now before we even start. That’s another article completely.

Many Red Wings fans were given good news on Halloween when the turned on their computers and went online and/or opened up the sports section of a newspaper and saw that Ken Holland worked his magic again:

Niklas Kronwall remains a Red Wings defenseman for seven more years.

And why wouldn’t he? He was given the title of “Alternate Captain” this season, swapping out with Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings need that physical kind of force on their ranks, and keeping Kronwall around is a smart move. Plus, with Nicklas Lidstrom on his way out at some point in the future, the team needs some defensemen on which they can rely and not have to worry about re-signing every other year.

Kronwall signed for seven years, $33.25 million; at thirty years of age, this lengthy contract pretty much guarantees he’ll be wearing a Winged Wheel for his entire career, unless otherwise traded. His contract gets a little tricky. The salary cap hit will be $4.75 million, but the breakdown is more intricate than that (naturally).

2012-13 sees him making $4.25 million. The following three seasons, he ears $6 million, then $5.5 million in 2016-17, and the last two years of his contract will be $3.5 million and $1.75million.

Kronwall will earn $4.25 million in 2012-13 and $6 million in each of the next three seasons. He’ll make $5.5 million in 2016-17 and $3.5 million and $1.75 million, respectively, the final two years of the deal.

With a cap hit of $4.25 million, it puts him in the same ranks as Chris Pronger, Kevin Bieksa, Mike Komisarek, Dan Hamhuis, Jack Johnson, and Tomas Kaberle, to name only a handful.

So how does Niklas Kronwall compare statistically with these other defensemen?

Firstly, he’s always been fairly prone to lengthy injuries (one to two months of the season); the 2008-2009 season only saw him missing two games and getting 51 points and 50 PIMs. 2010-11, he only missed five games and hit 47 points and 36 PIMs. Twelve games into the season, he has two goals and two assists, though let’s not forget the Red Wings went through a six-game slump of only scoring six goals total.

Now let’s compare these stats to some of the previously mentioned defensemen. Kronwall’s stats are fairly similar to Pronger’s, if you can believe it. However, Pronger has come close in several recent seasons to hitting sixty points whereas Kronwall still struggles to hit fifty. Last season, Pronger only played fifty games, but still scraped up 25 points, almost identical to Kronwall’s 48 game, 22-point season.

Against a player like Bieksa, Kronwall has more offensive output (and a lot fewer penalties), with Bieksa’s highest offensive season coming in 2008-9 with 43 points. The same goes with comparing him to Komisarek and Hamhuis.

Kronwall is also pretty identical to Jack Johnson, both in offensive output and penalties. They both get around 35 to 45 points per season and hit somewhere around 40 PIMS.

His comparison to Kaberle is very similar to that of Pronger. Kaberle hits anywhere between forty and sixty points per season while keeping his penalties to a minumum. One thing is for sure, Kaberle really hasn’t missed a majority of a season like Kronwall has in the past. But if the Swede can stay healthy and aggressive, anything is possible.

Now after comparing all of these stats, would you find it strange to compare Kronwall’s output to Pronger’s output? People usually rank Pronger up there with Lidstrom, Zdeno Chara, and Shea Weber, but Kronwall gets lost in the mix, and is usually only known for his bone-crunching hits. Well, it all started from the scouting level…

As Hakan Andersson, the director of European scouting for the Red Wings, once said, “I know one scout who tried to bring up Niklas Kronwall’s name with his team. They just laughed at him. They never even had a serious dialogue. They just stopped him. They said ‘a 5-11 Swedish defenceman?’ [The Red Wings] organization is more open-minded than that.”

But the Red Wings like their players to be under the radar and overlooked.

Christina Roberts
NHLHS Detroit Red Wings Correspondent
Twitter: @franzenmuth
Email: christina.roberts@nhlhotstove.com

By Brandon Macdonald
NHL Hot Stove Editor

On paper it seems that the Toronto Maple Leafs should have an impenetrable back end. Boasting the likes of Dion Phaneuf, Luke Schenn, John-Michael Liles and with up and comer Keith Aulie, they are a force to be reckon with for the forseeable future. There were, however, some question marks when it came to veterans like Mike Komisarek, Brett Lebda and Jeff Finger.

Many Leaf fans will tell you Finger is the first Leaf that needs to be traded, but Lebda wasn’t far behind on the list. GM Brian Burke came through on that today, dealing the rear guard to the the Nashville Predators, along with forward Robert Slaney. In return the Leafs received highly touted defenceman Cody Franson and speedy center Matthew Lombardi. Although Lombardi is currently suffering with a concussion, the real gem in this deal is the 23-year-old Franson.

Cody Franson (BridgetDS/Flickr)

In his first two seasons in the NHL, Franson has put up 14 goals for 50 points and is a plus-25. Franson is known for being reliable in his own zone, but also possesses the skills to jump in the rush and provide that much needed outlet pass. Since it’s so early, there is no telling where Franson will fit on the depth chart, especially with newly acquired Liles. But it’s expected for him to be a top-four on the depth chart and will likely see time playing along side Schenn.

Also in the deal the Leafs picked up Lombardi, who is known for his blazing speed. After only playing in two games this past season, it’s unclear whether or not he will be ready for opening night. Lombardi was injured in the second game of the season against the Chicago Blackhawks and did not see any ice time after the concussion. If and when Lombardi is able to make his debut to the Leafs lineup, it’s yet to be seen where he fits with the club. With the recent signing of Tim Connolly, along with Mikhail Grabovski, Tyler Bozak and Nazem Kadri the Leafs are pretty set up the middle.

Another trade could be in the works for Burke, as he tries to find someone to play on the right wing.

After signing Lebda in the 2010 offseason it provided a lot of questions as to what exactly Burke was doing. Aside from his $2.9 million dollar contract, Lebda brought experience and that highly sought after Cup ring from 2008 with the Detroit Red Wings. He was never known for his offensive prowess — he scored a career high 18 points in 2007 — and he did not impress Leaf fans in his first campaign in the blue and white sweater only posting four points in 41 games.

On paper, it seems the Leafs fleeced the Predators. Nabbing one of their strong, young defenceman. It’s the contract of Lombardi that Preds GM David Poile was looking to rid the team of, needing all the cap room to sign Norris trophy finalist and all around beast, Shea Weber. Luckily for the Preds, they have fantastic scouts who have stock piled their defensive core with prospects Ryan Ellis, Jonathon Blum and Teemu Laakso who are nearly ready for full time NHL duties.

The Leafs back end is strong and it should help second year net minder James Reimer avoid the infamous sophomore slump. Being able to roll out six solid defensive lines will help when the team is having problems scoring on any given night. It’s just a question now of whether or not they can gel as a team.

Brandon Macdonald
NHLHS Editor
bmacdonald@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter @bMacdonald8

For three years, Tomas Kaberle has been linked to trade rumors that would send the long time Maple Leafs star elsewhere in order to acquire bigger needs for the team.

This off-season has turned into the Ilya Kovalchuk heat wave however, Kaberle’s name has been discussed just as much – it just does not hit the headlines here in the states as much as Kovalchuk does. The Los Angeles Kings and the New Jersey Devils – two teams on American turf were the front runners in the Kovalchuk sweepstakes which placed a damper on all the Kaberle news for those of us south of the border.

The issue – if Brian Burke does not receive a package worthy for him to pull the trigger by the end of this weekend, all bets are likely off that a trade will indeed go down.  As of Monday, Kaberle and his No Trade Clause will kick in thus ending all speculation of being able to move the player without him agreeing to go to the team that has met Burkes demands.

If the weekend comes and goes without a reasonable offer for Kaberle, look for GM Burke to begin serious negotiations on a new 4-5 year contract.  At 32, Kaberle still has more then a few serviceable years left and look for a potential “home town” discount given to the only franchise he has known.

With no one of Kaberle’s skill set in the organization poised to take his spot, trading him for a top six forward only creates another hole to be filled at a higher cost.  Replacing someone of Kaberle’s caliber will require spending more money then re-signing him.  With the league set to potentially face another work stoppage once the current CBA expires, is it a smart move to significantly increase your payroll by $2 million?

With the pre-deadline acquisition of Dion Phaneuf, Kaberle finally has a booming shot on the backend to set-up on power plays that he’s been missing since Bryan McCabe was sent out of town for Mike Van Ryn.  Give these two a full season of playing together and maybe the Leafs power play can move out of the basement.  A good quarterback on the power play is something that doesn’t come cheap.

By keeping Kaberle in the mix it also creates quite the balance for the three defense pairings heading into the 2010-11 season.  With Mike Komisarek set to return from injury as well as Francois Beauchemin, the aforementioned Phanuef in the mix along with Luke Schenn, the Leafs have a season to look forward to.

As much as it would create joy to see a good young talent wearing a Blue & White jersey next season, at what cost does it come?  Players of Kaberle’s ilk don’t come around that often, and for an organization that hasn’t had the greatest track record of drafting and developing talent, he’s a rarity.

Personally, I (Jose) feel for Kaberle, and would love to see him win a Stanley Cup a la my favorite defensman Ray Bourque. There truly is, at this point in time, no current Leaf who deserves it more, but it would also be a treat to witness Kaberle do something that has not been done in our lifetimes -  no Leafs Fan Favorite have yet to play their entire career in Toronto.

Whatever happens in the coming days regarding Tomas Kaberle’s future, we wish him nothing but the best.  A most unselfish player deserves nothing less.

So Leafs fans, does it make sense for Brian Burke to exhaust every avenue to find the perfect, most thrilling deal for the services of Kaberle, or should the Leafs hold on to the long time power play quaterback? Would you enjoy witnessing Kaberle end his career right where it started? Or are you more focused on the potential return and how it could improve a major need for 2010-11 and onward?

Jose Simoes
NHLHS Writer
jsimoes@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @RTRHockey

Anthony Curatolo
NHLHS Writer
acuratolo@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @HockeyGuy_AC

Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Washington are all Stanley Cup favorites this year. What do these teams have in common? How did they build their successful teams? Through the draft, specifically through obtaining high draft picks for multiple years. Teams like New Jersey, San Jose, and Detroit, prove that a team can win consistently and still build a solid team from within. But the common thread within all these teams is that they have all drafted well.

The last nine years of Montreal Canadiens hockey have been at best mediocre. The historic franchise, known for its winning tradition, has fallen from grace. This fall is akin to the career of Robert DeNiro, a great actor, who due to poor choices in films to star in is no longer putting up the great results of the past. Like DeNiro’s poor film choices, the Canadiens’ lack of success can be attributed to their poor drafting. I have taken a look back at the Canadiens’ last ten years of drafting, highlighting their first round picks, to show their mediocre drafting has led to mediocre hockey.

In 2000 the Canadiens were blessed with two first round draft picks. With the #13 overall pick the Habs chose Ron Hainsey. Hainsey, who has found success after leaving the team, only played 32 games with the Habs before the Habs gave up on him, and released him on waivers in 2005 to be claimed by the Atlanta Thrashers. In his short career with the Habs, Hainsey put up 1 goal and 1 assist with a plus-2 rating.  With San Jose’s #16 overall pick acquired in exchange for Vincent Damphousse), the Canadiens drafted Marcel Hossa, otherwise known as Marian’s little brother. After putting up good numbers in the American league, Hossa never seemed to catch on in the NHL. In 59 games played for the Canadiens, Hossa managed to score 10 goals, with 9 assists, and a plus-2. Hossa was traded prior to the 2005-06 season to the New York Rangers in exchange for Garth Murray. Hossa is currently playing for Dinamo Riga in the KHL.

In 2001 the Habs continued to draft American born defenseman when the picked Mike Komisarek with the #7 pick. Komisarek proved to be one of the few successful 1^st round draft picks this decade, playing 361 games for the Habs, putting up 12 goals, 46 assists, +13, and sitting in the penalty box for 496 minutes. Komisarek’s success on the Habs can be attributed to his slow development within the American league, as well as benefitting from being paired with top-notch defense partner Andrei Markov. Komisarek went Benedict Arnold in 2009 when he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs for 22.5 million over 5 years.

With Washington’s #25 overall pick in 2001  (acquired in a trade where the Habs acquired Richard Zednik , Jan Bulis, and said pick in exchange for Trevor Linden, Danius Zubrus, and New Jersey’s 2^nd round pick in ’01) the Canadiens drafted Alexander Perezhogin. After briefly becoming the hope of Habs fans (playing in 128 games putting up 15 goals 19 assists and +16), Perezhogin fled to the KHL where he is currently playing for Salavat Yulaev UFA. If Perezhogin decides to return to the NHL, the Canadiens retain his rights. Montreal struck gold in the 3^rd round of the ’01 draft when they drafted current number one center Tomas Plekanec #71 overall, arguably Montreal’s best pick of the decade.

Montreal was so high on Christopher Higgins in 2002 that they traded up one spot to #14 overall to insure that they drafted him. Higgins played in 282 games for the Canadiens, never managing to find the offense that the organization and fans expected out of him (84 goals, 67 assists, -13). Higgins was traded to the New York Rangers in the summer of 2009 in exchange for Scott Gomez. Unable to produce the numbers the Rangers expected out of him, Higgins was traded this week to the Calgary Flames.

Habs fans were told that Andrei Kostitsyn would have been drafted higher than #10 overall if it weren’t for his health condition. Although he hasn’t been slowed down by the seizures that complicated his early life, Kostitsyn has yet to put up the numbers expected out of him (226 games played, 64 goals, 69 assists, +15). Habs fans can name off players who the Canadiens passed over to draft Kostitsyn, but Andrei’s game has been improving year after year, as he slowly develops into the 30 goal scorer that all Habs fans want him to become. 2003 was a fruitful year for this year’s edition of the Canadiens. In later rounds the Habs drafted Maxim Lapierre (#61 overall), Ryan O’Byrne (#79), and Jaroslav Halak (stealing him with the #271 pick).

2004 brought upon another disappointing draft for Habs fans. With the #18 pick Montreal selected Kyle Chipchura. The organization had high hopes for Chipchura, hoping he would replace long time captain Saku Koivu when he left the team as the new leader. After a disappointing 68 games as a Canadien (4 goals, 10 assists, -17) and taking way too many bus trips between Hamilton and Montreal, Chipchura was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in December 2009 in exchange for a 4^th round draft pick in 2011.

With one ball in the 2005 draft lottery Montreal won the #5 overall pick. At the surprise to most Habs fans the Canadiens selected goaltender Carey Price, just one short season after Jose Theodore’s Hart and Vezina season. After posting an incredible career in junior hockey, and leading the Hamilton Bulldogs to the Calder Cup, Price became the great hope for all Canadiens fans. Price has had an up and down career in Montreal. Price currently has a 58-45-17 record with a 2.72 GAA and a .912 save percentage. The Carey Price bandwagon is constantly being jumped on and off after every Habs game. While Price’s game needs improvement, it is too early in his career to call this pick a flop. In 2005, the Canadiens also drafted Matt D’Agostini with the 190^th pick and Sergei Kostitsyn with the 200^th pick.

With the exception Max Pacioretty, the #22 pick in 2007, (86 games played, 6 goals, 19 assists, -8), the Canadiens have yet to see a draft pick from 2006-2009 play a game in the NHL. Pacioretty, who the organization is hoping becomes the power forward that the team is missing, underperformed with the Canadiens, earning him a demotion to Hamilton to give him time to improve his game.

2006 pick David Fischer (#20) is finishing his senior year at the University of Minnesota. Fischer is projected to be a stay-at-home defenseman, but he will not be skating at the Bell Centre for at least another year, while he transitions to the professional game in the AHL. Highly touted defenseman Ryan McDonagh, the #12 pick in 2007, was traded in the summer of 2009 to the New York Rangers as part of the Gomez deal. The Canadiens traded away their #25 pick on draft day 2008 in exchange for Alex Tanguay. Tanguay would go on to play one injury plagued season in Montreal before signing with the Tampa Bay Lighting.

In front of a hometown crowd the Montreal Canadiens selected Louis LeBlanc with the #18 pick in 2009. LeBlanc represents the hope of Habs fans to become the power forward that the team has been lacking for a long time. LeBlanc is currently playing his freshman year at Harvard. The constant hope beaming out of Habs fans eyes with every new draft pick has brought upon nothing but mediocre hockey in Montreal. If the Canadiens are to succeed in the NHL they will need to start developing their drafted players into quality NHL players.

Ben Ostroff
bostroff@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @bensucks

Atlantic Division

• Original recipe served the Penguins well on Sunday. Winger Matt Cooke‘s deflection off a point-shot by defenseman Sergei Gonchar provided the Penguins a second power-play goal and a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at Wachovia Center.
• The Flyers’ nationally televised 2-1 loss to the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins Sunday can be explained in two words: special teams. The Flyers were just 1 for 9 on the power play, while Pittsburgh was 2 for 6, including Matt Cooke’s winning goal with 1:47 left. With the loss, the Flyers are 3-1 on the six-game homestand, which also has meetings with Atlanta and the Islanders.
• Sweep away the tumbleweed; Nassau Coliseum isn’t wasteland anymore. It finally is fertile ground again, a space where careers can blossom. Not to get hasty or anything. The Islanders still are not guaranteed a spot in the playoffs and they still have not won a postseason series since 1993. But they have succeeded in allowing players at least to get a foothold.
• The Rangers have 30 games to go in the season and there is a total disconnect within the team itself and between the players and the coaching staff. There is no better way to explain what became yet another blowout and yet another shutout, last night in an embarrassing 6-0 defeat to the Canadiens in which the Rangers competed only sporadically for one another and for head coach John Tortorella.
• Nothing is set in stone, but there is a possibility that the Devils could have center Dainius Zubrus back when they face the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night at Scotiabank Place. Zubrus said he will find out Monday, when his right knee is examined and he speaks with general manager Lou Lamoriello.

Northeast Division

• Despite web traffic that had him getting named as a substitute for the Russian Olympic team, winger Nikolai Kulemin had not heard anything as of Saturday. Tomas Kaberle (Czech Republic), Jonas Gustavsson (Sweden), Niklas Hagman (Finland), Mike Komisarek, (USA) and Phil Kessel (USA) are going. Mikhail Grabovski (Belarus) might not play due to a wrist injury.
• There are benefits to playing against — and losing to — the top team in the NHL. “Yeah, it shows we’ve got to learn,” Buffalo Sabres defenseman Toni Lydman said. The Sabres practiced in Vancouver on Sunday and tried to shake off Saturday’s 5-2 loss to San Jose. Buffalo held down the league’s best for long stretches while dictating play. It didn’t matter. The Sabres made several costly mistakes while the Sharks committed only one.
• Once again Saturday, the Ottawa Senators received the magic touch from the return of a long lost player. This time it was Jason Spezza who stepped off the injury list and into the starring role, scoring the winning goal as the Senators extended their winning streak to six games — their longest since December 2007 — in a sound 2-1 victory over the slumping Boston Bruins.
• The Canadiens appear to have grown tired of waiting for some of their young forwards to turn their season around and took action on Sunday. Early in the day, the team announced that Max Pacioretty had been assigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League. The team also assigned Matt D’Agostini on a conditioning assignment.
• If it turns out that yesterday’s game was not rock-bottom for the Bruins this season, it’s frightening to imagine what a worse performance might look like. Facing the last-place team in the NHL entering the game, the B’s accomplished little offensively and were even worse on the defensive side, absorbing a 5-1 thumping at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Southeast Division

• All Brandon Sutter could do was smile, shake his head and say, “Wow.” Sutter was on the bench, admiring a replay of a nifty move by Ray Whitney that set him up for a goal, but he could just as well have been talking about the Carolina Hurricanes’ play Sunday against the Boston Bruins.
• There’s a clear presumption of excellence, immediate or otherwise, attached to being a first-round pick, and that has been Eric Fehr‘s burden since the Washington Capitals selected him 18th overall in the 2003 draft. From virtually the first time the right wing began skating with the club, Fehr has fielded questions about when he would fulfill that promise and when Washington would be able to look to him as confidently as it does some of its more established players.
• Slava Kozlov‘s franchise record for consecutive games played ended Saturday. It was not a health issue that snapped the Thrashers veteran forward’s streak at 251. Kozlov was a healthy scratch against Tampa Bay.
• Speaking of Tampa Bay, Mike Smith will at least be on the bench Wednesday against the Canadiens after the Lightning on Sunday sent Dustin Tokarksi back to AHL Norfolk. Tokarski backed up Antero Niittymaki while Smith recovered from a neck strain that kept him out of six games. “I’m getting close,” Smith said. “The goal is to be ready for Wednesday.”
• It was the goal Kenndal McArdle had waited for since the Panthers drafted him five years ago. Gregory Campbell grabbed the puck after a Toronto turnover near center ice, streaked toward the net with it on a 3-on-1 rush and slid it over to McArdle, who fired a shot from the inner edge of the right circle into the top right corner. McArdle scored his first NHL goal with 6:55 left in Saturday’s 2-0 win against the Maple Leafs, and he did so against his hometown team.

Hat tip to the now defunct Illegal Curve for their permission in taking over this daily series.

Anthony Curatolo
NHLHS Senior Writer
acuratolo@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @HockeyGuy_AC

Brian Burke stepped into the Maple Leafs organization promising to build a contender. His theme of truculence has not paid off.  The Maple Leafs currently sit in 14th place, nine points out of a playoff position.

Off-season acquisitions Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin, Phil Kessel, Wayne Primeau and Jonas Gustavsson signed to substantially upgrade the Leafs roster.  Spectators could only describe the reality of it as failure. From Gustavssons health issues to Toskalas “7-11″ five hole the team fell far from expectations.

Burke must now understand the time arrived to build around “Franchise” Kessel.

Of the aforementioned, only Komisarek would gauge the best return.  However, based on his play this season and inflated 4.5 cap hit he would certainly become a tough sell.

The issue with this Leafs club: UFA central. Lee Stempniak, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Rickard Wallin, Matt Stajan, Vesa Toskala, Jamal Myers, Mike Van Ryn, Garnett Exelby and Primeau all expire at seasons end.  Veteran wing Jason Blake and powerplay quarter back Tomas Kaberle omit themselves from trade talk with a NTC and immovability, respectively.  Burke believes Kaberle reserves the right to stay with his hard work in the organization and thinks Blake to be the hardest working player on the team, which makes him not worth trading at his value.

The question is are these players good players due to being on bad teams or are they held back by being on a bad team?

C: Matt Stajan, 26 – UFA with 734,456 million remaining

Is Stajan case of glorification or actual top line talent? Either way Stajan would make a useful edition for a playoff bound team as his two-way abilities, scoring touch and occasional grit solidifies most team’s top-six. When challenged he proved capable of stepping up his game but will any other team than Toronto bother?

W: Alexei Ponikarovsky, 29 –  UFA with 883,446 million remaining

As an original Leaf, sentimental attachment need not apply. This year the 29-year-old proved he can score without Nik Antropov, certainly a boost in value.  Comparable to Antropov he should fetch at least a second round draft pick and a conditional pick at the trade deadline.

W: Lee Stempniak, 26 – UFA with 1,049,223 million remaining

The lesser of the cast, Leafs fans often regard Stempniak negatively.  Only eclipsing the 20 goal mark once in his career fans hoped he would regain his scoring touch.  This year he may come close to 20 but nothing compared to the dominant power forward he projected to be.  At this point his game lacks great value and would not merit a substantial return.  Stempniak could be moved but low will Burke go?

D: Mike Komisarek, 28 – Signed through 2014 with a 4.5 million cap hit

The Leafs brought in this 6’4″, 243 lbs blue liner to add size. Unfortunately, Komisarek carries a hefty cap hit with very little return besides a physical presence.

Probably unlikely to be traded, but Burke should reconsider when looking at his effect on the current roster.  He does not throw his weight around appropriately which should be his strength.  A change of scenery might benefit the Long Island native.  Would the Islanders be interested in bringing in this hometown boy?

If history repeats itself Stajan’s abilities will show their true colors but not immediately. Observing the careers of other young players who left Toronto, Carlo Colaiacovo and Alexander Steen took over a full year to recover their confidence.  A full season away from a judgmental hockey city, who often find themselves on the losing end of the spectrum, should elevate a player’s game once more.  Ponikarovsky may not fit into this mold but Stajan and Stempniak seem a prime candidates to produce consistently elsewhere.

Anthony Curatolo
NHLHS Senior Writer
acuratolo@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @HockeyGuy_AC

The title says it all.  This article will be no more than a comprehensive list of NHL (and some other players owned by NHL teams) players set to participate in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

For the sake of clarity we have sorted players by team.  Minor league players in red, injured players in blue.

Anaheim Ducks (8) – Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Scott Niedermayer, Teemu Selanne, Saku Koivu, Jonas Hiller, Bobby Ryan, Luca Sbisa

Atlanta Thrashers (5) – Ilya Kovalchuk, Maxim Afinogenov, Ondrej Pavelec, Pavel Kubina, Tobias Enstrom

Boston Bruins (6) – Patrice Bergeron, Marco Sturm, Tim Thomas, David Krejci, Zdeno Chara, Miroslav Satan

Buffalo Sabres (4) – Toni Lydman, Ryan Miller, Henrik Tallinder, Andrej Sekera

Calgary Flames (3) – Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Olli Jokinen

Carolina Hurricanes (3) – Eric Staal, Joni Pitkanen, Tuomo Ruutu

Chicago Blackhawks (6) – Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Tomas Kopecky

Colorado Avalanche (3) – Paul Stastny, Peter Budaj, Ruslan Salei

Columbus Blue Jackets (6) – Rick Nash, Jan Hejda, Samuel Pahlsson, Fredrik Modin, Milan Jurcina, Fedor Tyutin

Dallas Stars (4) – Brenden Morrow, Jere Lehtinen, Loui Eriksson, Karlis Skrastins

Detroit Red Wings (7) – Valtteri Filppula, Brian Rafalski, Niklas Kronwall, Nicklas Lidstrom,  Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Tomas Holmstrom

Edmonton Oilers (2) - Lubomir Visnovsky, Denis Grebeshkov

Florida Panthers (2) -  Dennis Seidenberg, Tomas Vokoun

Los Angeles Kings (5) – Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson, Jon Quick, Dustin Brown, Michal Handzus

Minnesota Wild (5) – Niklas Backstrom, Mikko Koivu, Antti Miettinen, Marek Zidlicky, Martin Havlat

Montreal Canadiens (6) – Tomas Plekanec, Yannick Weber, Jaroslav Halak, Andrei Markov, Sergei Kostitsyn, Andrei Kostitsyn

Nashville Predators (6) – Alexander Sulzer, Shea Weber, Marcel Goc, Ryan Suter, Martin Erat, Patric Hornqvist

New Jersey Devils (6) – Martin Brodeur, Paul Martin, Zach Parise, Jamie Langenbrunner, Patrik Elias, Johnny Oduya

New York Islanders (1) – Mark Streit

New York Rangers (5) – Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Henrik Lundqvist, Andres Ambuhl, Marian Gaborik

Philadelphia Flyers (5) – Chris Pronger, Mike Richards, Kimmo Timonen, Oskars Bartulis, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen

Pittsburgh Penguins (5) – Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc Andre Fleury, Sergei Gonchar, Brooks Orpik

Phoenix Coyotes (3) – Sami Lepisto, Zbynek Michalek, Ilya Bryzgalov

Ottawa Senators (6) – Jarkko Ruutu, Filip Kuba, Milan Michalek, Daniel Alfredsson, Kaspars Daugavins, Anton Volchenkov

San Jose Sharks (8) – Dan Boyle, Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Dany Heatley, Douglas Murray, Thomas Greiss, Joe Pavelski, Evgeni Nabokov

St. Louis Blues (3) – Eric Johnson, David Backes, Roman Polak

Tampa Bay Lightning (5) – Antero Niittymaki, Ryan Malone, Mattias Ohlund, Martins Karsums, Andrej Meszaros

Toronto Maple Leafs (6) – Jonas Gustavsson, Mikhail Grabovski, Phil Kessel, Tomas Kaberle, Mike Komisarek, Niklas Hagman

Vancouver Canucks (7) -  Roberto Luongo, Sami Salo, Christian Ehrhoff, Pavol Demitra, Ryan Kesler, Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin

Washington Capitals (4) Tomas Fleischmann, Nicklas Backstrom, Semyon Varlamov, Alexander Ovechkin

-Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Founder
amonaghan@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @NHLHotStove