a vague sense of who will be its No. 1; doubts surrounded Luongo heading into the Vancouver Games because the Olympics were in his home market, where he wasn't exactly beloved in those days. The previous time Canada won gold, in 2002, Pat Quinn's decision to start Curtis Joseph was seen as NHL-team favoritism and was met with further derision after an opening-game loss to Sweden. Quinn went to golden boy Martin Brodeur, as we all now know, but if that hadn't worked out, Quinn was left with Ed Belfour, who was on the decline.This time, it's doubtful there will be a Brodeur bedrock to fall back upon. The positive here for Canada is that it's in the weakest division, playing in the same group as Finland, Norway and Austria, so it should have time to figure things out. The negative: Without being able to play on the big sheet ahead of time, the goalies won't have long to figure out the angles. One bad-angle goal could be the difference in the early going ... So actually, on second thought, scratch that positive bit about having time to figure it out. Which brings us to ...Can the U.S. or Canada win gold on the big surface?Geez, good question. Neither team has been able to win gold outside of North America since the NHL's players returned to the Games in 1998. So, it's debatable. (The 2002 Salt Lake Games, where Canada won gold, were held on the bigger surface, however.) If Canada can get solid goaltending, it will have to be considered the favorite. But that's a massive if. The U.S. is expected to be stone-cold steady in net, but it has questions elsewhere (Such as: Who is the team's most mobile, experienced defenseman for the big ice?). Weighing just the current factors -- and not including those that might develop between now and February, such as injuries to frequently injured superstars ('ello Sidney Crosby!) -- the North American teams will find it tough to bring home gold. Which brings us to ...So, who will win it all, smart guy?You can't discount the awesome talent-laden lineups of Canada and the United States -- OK, I guess I just did -- but Sweden,Dan Carcillo Jersey, host Russia and maybe the Czech Republic have to be considered all up in there as well. If the Finns settle on the right superstar netminder to start -- they've got Tuukka Rask, Pekka Rinne, Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen playing the pipes -- and he gets hot, they could very well skate away with this thing in a huge upset.The odds favor Russia, and there's no debating the awesome firepower the team has up front, but I've got to think the hosts will figure out a way to screw it up. Sergei Bobrovsky and Ilya Bryzgalov (and/or Evgeni Nabokov and/or Anton Khudobin) and an entire defense corp,Patrick Kane White Jersey, consider yourself challenged!
CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks forward Michal Handzus said Friday he required two surgeries following the Stanley Cup, but he expected to be ready for the opening of training camp in September.Handzus, who was acquired from the San Jose Sharks at the trade deadline last season, had three goals, eight assists and a plus-7 rating during the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup run. It was revealed after the season he had played with a broken wrist and a torn MCL during the Stanley Cup finals.I had two surgeries, but Im healing and its coming along, Handzus said prior to the opening ceremonies of the Blackhawks convention on Friday. Right now, wrist, I still cant do anything. Its in a cast for one more week. After four weeks, Im going to start to do something. Its a little bit slower. My knee, its pretty much Im rehabbing right now. [The doctors] are saying [Ill be ready for training camp.]The 36-year-old Handzus re-signed with the Blackhawks to a one-year deal in early July. He said Friday the decision to return to the Blackhawks was an easy one.We won the Cup together, Handzus said. Ive only three months; I got traded in April,Kris Versteeg Jersey, but when you go through the playoffs and win it with a group of guys, you know, you get really close to each and you dont want to leave. Obviously, its a strong team for next season. Were going to have another chance to win it again. You want to put