After a disappointing season, Flyers captain Claude Giroux will jump at a chance to play for Canada at the World Championships, but don’t expect to see Devils warhorse Martin Brodeur in net. (Photo by Bill Streicher/Icon SMI)

By Allan Muir

It’s not Las Vegas that’s on Matt Duchene’s mind as Colorado’s season comes to a disappointing conclusion. It’s Stockholm. Or, more to the point, Sochi.

The fleet-footed center is ready and willing to extend his season if Team Canada wants him for the upcoming World Championship.

“Absolutely, I’d play,” he said after the Avs were beaten by the Oilers on Friday night. While many players have begged off from the tournament in the past, Duchene would welcome “another chance to put on the [Canadian] jersey and perform and have all the eyes on you that are making the decision for next season.”

“Next season,” of course, is code for the 2014 Olympics. Making that squad is clearly on Duchene’s agenda. “[That would be] an absolute dream come true,” he said.

Duchene, who’s played at the worlds twice before, will be part of a larger-than-usual contingent that’s willing to suit up for Canada next month. Although the late start of the playoffs (April 30) and the early start of the tournament (May 3) mean Hockey Canada won’t be able to count on first-round knockouts to supplement its lineup, it shouldn’t have any trouble icing a stout roster this time around.

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Wayne Fleming was one of hockey’s most respected minds at many levels of the sport. (Chris O’Meara/AP)

By Allan Muir

Hearts are heavy in the hockey world today with the passing of long-time assistant coach Wayne Fleming.

Fleming succumbed to brain cancer on Tuesday morning. He was 62.

Though he didn’t have the public profile of some in the industry, he was highly respected by his peers as a teacher, a consensus builder, a tactician and a confidante. On the occasions that I dealt with him, he was always courteous, patient and willing to lend his insight, even after a tough loss. Just a genuinely good man.

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Boston’s Brad Marchand has put himself in the mix for a roster spot with Team Canada. (Fred Kfoury/Icon SMI)

By Allan Muir

Safe to say, yesterday’s GM meetings in Toronto achieved little of note. They made some headway in the effort to further shrink the size of goalie equipment — although really, how much smaller can it get before we recognize the goalies themselves aren’t getting any smaller and we need to take a serious look at increasing the size of the nets? They moved toward increased use of video review in the shootout to determine if forward motion has been derailed and to double-check high-sticking calls.

Surprising they had time to get all that done and still eat lunch…

But even if they failed to get it together on much-needed items like hybrid icing and the coach’s challenge, the trip to Hogtown was hardly a loss, especially from the Olympic perspective.

Both the American (yesterday) and Canadian (today) brain trusts met to further discussions ahead of Sochi. And with fans waiting for the NHL and NHLPA to commit to the 2014 games, any news/rumors that come out of those gatherings will be welcome.

Steve Yzerman, the executive director of the Canadian men’s team, convened today with his management team — St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong, Detroit GM Kenny Holland, Edmonton Oilers president Kevin Lowe, Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland and Hockey Canada vice president Brad Pascall — to discuss players contending for roster spots. Although it’s thought that as many as eight forwards and five defenseman are inked in, there’s plenty of action on the fringes that the group will have to ponder.

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If you think Sidney Crosby made an impact at the 2010 Winter Olympics, just wait. (Yuri Kadobnov/AFP/Getty Images)

By Allan Muir

When it comes to Canada’s national hockey teams, the story is never who makes the cut, but who gets snubbed. Second-guessing the roster has become the country’s other official sport.

Such scrutiny is the price that comes with having the world’s most enviable talent pool, one so deep that a solid case can be built for literally dozens of choices. But it also points out the challenge facing Steve Yzerman and the rest of Canada’s management heading into Sochi. It’s not just a matter of picking the best players or the ones with the flashiest statistics, but the men capable of playing multiple roles…and meshing well with one another.

Team USA projected Olympic roster

And it’s about picking players who will be ready when Feb. 12, 2014 rolls around, not just those who’ve answered the call in the past. Experience is important, but the team can’t live in the past.

So maybe that means no Rick Nash, who has underperformed at his last couple international events. Maybe Jason Spezza, Joe Thornton and Ryan Getzlaf don’t have the versatility to find footing among Canada’s deep group of centers. Maybe some youngsters are ready but others, like Tyler Seguin, Logan Couture and Jeff Skinner aren’t quite there yet.

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Forward Jason Zucker, Team USA’s captain, will be playing in his third WJC tournament. (Sergei Grits/AP)

By Stu Hackel

The best hockey of any season is the Stanley Cup playoffs, but not too far behind is the World Junior Championship, the great international tournament that begins every year on the day after Christmas.

Canada, the U.S., Sweden and Russia are considered the favorites in this year’s 10-country tourney, which will be played in Alberta, both Edmonton and Calgary.

The WJC provides a great chance for fans to see many NHL stars of tomorrow perform in a high-pressure environment. Not only are they playing for the glory of their home countries, they’re also trying to impress pro scouts who jam the arenas to get a better look at their prospects.

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