Countdown to the Worlds (because really, what else do you have to do?)

Well, it won't be the tournament of superstars that everyone was hoping for, but Canada at least should have a good chance at their third straight gold medal. Wayne Gretzky has stepped out of the GM's role to be with his mother, who is being treated for lung cancer; Canucks' assistant GM Steve Tambellini has filled the void there. Instead of Pat Quinn, Mark Habscheid will coach the Canadian contingent; he's a capable guy who has international experience, so this is a good time to give him a shot.

The players are a bit more of a mystery; several have refused the call already, because they're not ready to go. Mario Lemieux said he doubts he'll be ready, so take that as a "no." Joe Sakic and Jarome Iginla are reportedly on the fence; the latter has indicated that he will announce his decision today. Roberto Luongo and Robyn Regehr got invitations from Tambellini already, and Todd Bertuzzi might even be considered if his suspension is ended by Gary Bettman (given the Vancouver ties there, Tambellini will be loath to incite trouble by omitting Big Bert if he's able to go). TSN.ca is also reporting that Red Wings' forward Kris Draper has just accepted an invitation to training camp, along with three defencemen: San Jose Shark Scott Hannan, Ottawa Senator Wade Redden, and another Canuck, Ed Jovanovski. Martin Brodeur has been contacted as well, presumably to be the #1 to Luongo's #2, as it was in the World Cup last fall.

Many players who haven't played this season may be passed over, since there is a bevy of talented players who have been hard at work in Europe. Ryan Smyth, however, is one of those who will probably be contacted; they don't call him "Captain Canada" for nothing. He's represented the country at many international tournaments, including the last several World Championships (since his Oilers have such a propensity for getting knocked out of the playoffs early, if they evey make it). As for guys playing overseas:

• Look for Shawn Horcoff to get a phone call; he's been playing for Mora in the Swedish Elite League, and has been spending most of his time at the top of the scoring chart.
• Jose Theodore's name has been bandied about for a possible #3 goalie -he's been playing for Djurgarden in Sweden - but if he wants to sit it out, Andrew Raycroft also starred for Djurgarden, and most recently has been playing for Tappara in Finland; he's another solid young goalie that Hockey Canada should try and develop.
• Mark Recchi has been playing in Finland as well, for Turku; he hasn't been involved internationally since the Nagano Olympics in '98 (he was a sub for the concussed Paul Kariya), but he would be a good fit for the speedy European-style game.
• Wild defenceman Nick Schultz has been playing in Germany this season, and is another great young player that will be brought into the fold sooner or later - preferably sooner.
• This is the part where you'll get chills: besides Kris Draper, the list of Canadians playing in Switzerland this year includes Joe Thornton, Rick Nash, Martin St.Louis, Daniel Briere, and Alex Tanguay - Marty Gelinas has been hanging out in the magical land of Neutrality too, and his playoff performance last year was nothing short of impressive.
• More goosebumps: in Russia, Dany Heatley, Vinny Lecavalier, and Brad Richards all played on the same team, AK Bars Kazan. (Nicknamed the "New York Rangers East," they boasted a whole heap of firepower; fittingly, they also got knocked out of the playoffs early-on.) Granted, Richards is still recovering from surgery, but don't count him out.

The learning curve should be a lot shorter this year, too: with so many players having spent the season on international rinks, they're used to the wide ice surface and the two-line passes by now, and can help their teammates adapt as well. Bottom line, as long as enough of these guys are interested in playing some more hockey before their seasons are over, Team Canada should boast their best lineup this side of the World Cup and Olympic tournaments. Earlier in the year, thoughts were that some of the non-NHLers from the Men's National Team would be included, but that was before so many guys decided to go to Europe. Don't be surprised if Hockey Canada decides those guys can't cut the mustard - sure, they could include a few and still be better than most other entries in the tournament, but they shouldn't be going for a 3-2 victory in the final; fans should be given no less than another juggernaut of a team, and that's what's available at this juncture.

Elsewhere, Sweden, who lost the gold to the Canadians for the last two years in a row, probably won't be back in the final. Mats Sundin, Markus Naslund, and Nicklas Lidstrom have all opted out, citing rust as the problem; they know they won't be in peak condition by the end of April. This isn't like Alexander Mogilny and Nikolai Khabibulin refusing to play for Team Russia because of disagreements with the government officials who control it; Sweden is a country of hockey fanatics who expect the best of their players, much like we do in Canada, and the players know it. These three guys aren't turning Swedish hockey down because they just don't feel like it; don't think for a second that they wouldn't love the opportunity to get revenge for their last two defeats. But they know they won't be ready to play the best they can, so they're unselfishly stepping aside for other guys who have been playing all year, and are ready for more.