Team Canada GM Steve Yzerman wants Philadelphia Flyers forward Jeff Carter to fly to Vancouver.
That doesn’t mean there is a guarantee that Carter will suit up for Team Canada in next week’s 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, but it’s beginning to appear as if Ryan Getzlaff’s injured ankle might not allow the big Ducks forward to be 100 per cent for the Games.
Gertzlaf will likely play for the Ducks on Sunday night, the last night of the NHL’s regular schedule until the end of the Olympics. If Getzlaf looks shaky or misses a few shifts because of the injury, it’s likely Team Canada will opt to go with a replacement. In Torino in 2006, the Canadians used Wade Redden and Chris Pronger, even though they were both injured and neither one of them played up to the level necessary to win a medal in an Olympic hockey competition. According to Canadian assistant coach Ken Hitchcock, that situation will not occur in Vancouver.
“Earlier today, I contacted Jeff Carter of the Philadelphia Flyers and advised him that in the event that Ryan Getzlaf is unable to take part in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games due to injury, he will take his spot on the roster,” Yzerman said in a written statement. “I asked him to be ready and be prepared to play in case he has to join us in Vancouver later this week.
“In the meantime, we will give ourselves, Ryan and the Anaheim Ducks as much time this week as necessary to determine if he will be able to play for Canada in Vancouver.”
If Getzlaff doesn’t look good on Sunday night, expect Carter to play.
Remember every Team Canada game at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics will be broadcast live on 92-CITI-FM in Winnipeg. The first game is Tuesday night at 6 p.m. as Canada faces Norway.