The Capitals already have four players heading to the Winter Olympics. Forwards Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin and goalie Semyon Varlamov will play for Russia. Nicklas Backstrom is on Team Sweden.
Forward Tomas Fleischmann, meanwhile, is considered a lock to make the Czech Republic team. The announcement is set for Wednesday morning.
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So the one player waiting on pins and needles is defenseman Mike Green, who would be an Olympic lock if his last name was Sandstrom or Kozlov or Koivu. Alas, he grew up in the hockey-player factory that is Canada. And while Green is in the mix for one of Team Canada’s final spots, it will be close. After answering Olympic questions for months, Green’s about done speculating. So what do his teammates think of his chances when Team Canada is announced Wednesday?
“In that tournament, roles are so specialized and I think they could really use him on the power play,” said Brooks Laich. “I think he’s a catalyst … and you need all the firepower you can get.”
Green is making a late push. He scored again Saturday and had six points in his last seven games prior to Monday’s game against Carolina. He led all NHL defensemen in points (36) and was tied for third among defensemen in goals (8). But his addition hinges on Canada’s decision makers actually wanting a power-play specialist for that final spot.
“He’s showing everybody why he’s one of the top defensemen in the league controlling a game,” Backstrom said. “I think if he’s not on there it would be a joke.”
