With Olympic teams set to announce their rosters next week, the past few days have been filled with more talk about who won't be going to Turin than who will make the trip.
Canada lost two veteran leaders when Detroit captain Steve Yzerman and Pittsburgh owner-captain Mario Lemieux announced they were withdrawing from consideration.
The 40-year-old stars, who played on Canada's 2002 gold-medal Olympic team, have been bothered by injuries this season and decided to step aside for younger players. That has Sidney Crosby and Jason Spezza in the running to make the team.
Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky also has to decide whether to add Todd Bertuzzi, who is three months into his comeback from a 17-month suspension for his blindside punch to the head of Colorado's Steve Moore.
Through 31 games, the rugged Vancouver right wing had nine goals and 18 assists.
"That's probably the last thing on my mind. It's not something I have even thought about," Bertuzzi said. "If I get picked, obviously I'll be extremely excited and happy, but if not then I'll just continue to move on."
Bertuzzi said he doesn't need to be included on the team to feel like he's back in ice hockey's warm embrace.
"I feel accepted already," he said. "I've played against the majority of teams already and I've spoken to a lot of the guys. It's a dead issue with everyone."
Another notable withdrawal this week was Columbus forward Sergei Fedorov, who took himself out of the running for Russia's team because of a groin injury that has troubled him this season.
Team USA also has decisions to make before announcing its roster tomorrow.
One player who appears to be on the brink is Boston defenseman Brian Leetch, a three-time Olympian. The 37-year-old veteran of 18 NHL seasons had four goals and 10 assists in his first 22 games this season. Leetch missed 10 contests after spraining a knee in the Bruins' 14th game.
Tampa Bay goalie John Grahame has entered the American mix. Ty Conklin, who was invited to USA Hockey's Olympic orientation camp in September, has been limited by injury to six games this season with Edmonton and isn't expected to be picked.
Grahame wasn't at the camp, but his 14 wins and 2.73 goals-against average put him in competition with Philadelphia's Robert Esche and Buffalo's Ryan Miller for the two spots behind New York Islanders netminder Rick DiPietro.
Miller has played only 10 games because of a broken thumb and began an AHL rehab assignment last week.
Esche has battled injuries and inconsistent play this season and likely has lost the No. 1 status he held in last year's World Cup to DiPietro.
The 24-year-old Islanders goalie was 11-10-2 with a 3.15 GAA in his first 25 games this season.
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