Steven Stamkos: In or Out for Team Canada?
Steven Stamkos is giving Steve Yzerman something to think about.
Stamkos has pushed his way into consideration for the Canadian Olympic team in time for the 2010 event in Vancouver. In 21 games this season, he has 15 goals and nine assists. Playing between Ryan Malone and Martin St. Louis, Stamkos is seriously challenging teammate Vincent Lecavalier as the Lightning’s top pivot and that moves him into contention for Team Canada Olympic selection.
Of course, Stamkos wasn’t invited to camp in the summer for prospective Olympic players due to his age and depth at his position. But the times are changing and it looks like the 34 goals produced by his line so far this season are turning some heads where it counts.
“It was a little disappointing but it’s something you can use as a motivator this year,” Stamkos said of the summer snub. “(Making the team) wasn’t really on my mind at the beginning of the year. Now that I’ve had that good start, the possibility entered my mind that I could be part of the mix.”
Stamkos has scored what many are calling the goal of the year, too, proving his dynamic offensive upside to those watching for Olympic potential. But Yzerman and Co. will be looking for the whole package out of Stamkos and he may have to tighten up a few screws to be fully considered for the squad. Team Canada does not live by offense alone, after all.
Even so, Stamkos has the goods to be a contender for the final roster. He’ll have to challenge big time for the spot, as Canada is pretty deep at the centre position and generally wants well-rounded players to play the middle. Youth and inexperience will probably be the biggest roadblocks to his selection, of course, but some say he has enough upside to warrant consideration.
“I couldn’t envision the start that I’ve had this year,” said Stamkos. “But with that comes the talk and the rumours of possibly making the team. Obviously, that’s on my radar right now. I want to play as well as I can in the next month to make the decision as tough as possible for the Team Canada directors.”
Posted by Jordan Richardson.
Tags: olympics, steve yzerman, steven stamkos, team canada