Steven Stamkos Won't Be in Ottawa

TSN is reporting that Steven Stamkos won't be participating in the Canada's World Junior development camp in Ottawa next week. The Tampa Bay Lighting made him the 1st overall selection in last month's NHL Entry Draft. Instead Stamkos will be participating in Tampa's rookie camp in Victoria, BC.

Right now I don't see the Lighting releasing him to play in the tournament in December. He will be in the NHL the entire season. It's been a growing trend that teams don't send their World Junior Championship eligible players to the tournament. It's all about getting as much NHL experience as they can. I have no problem with teams not sending their players to the tournament if they holding their own at the NHL level.

It's not like Canada will suffer without Stamkos. The Canadians have the deepest depth chart of any team. Thomas Hickey a Los Angelos Kings prospect and Zach Boychuk a Carolina pick will also not be at next week's camp. Nick Ross, Eric O'Dell, and Louie Caporusso have been added to roster to replace those players.

I highly doubt Kyle Turris and Drew Doughty will be on the team this year. They will also be in the NHL most likely. Doughty is the more likely one to play for Canada but I believe the Kings want him all season in Hollywood.

Here's the rest of the roster and my predictions who will make it next year.

BC isn't done adding players. A poster on the USCHO board says USHR.com is saying Berkshire School center Chris McCarthy will head to the National Champs in 2010. I will have more information later as USHR is a subscription based site.

That's My Take

(Nathan also is a writer for MVN.com. He's the writer for the Asylum which covers the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. He's also a regular contributor to the NHL Source also at MVN.com. He can be reached at fbbhgfan@aol.com)