Team Canada 2007 World Championships - Shitsburgh's loss...

Now that the Penguins are officially eliminated from 2007 playoff contention, Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal will be asked if they are able and willing to join their national brethren and play for Canada in the 2007 IIHF World Hockey Championships. Their addition would be a huge boon for a team that has lately been lagging in their recruitment. While the 4th line has been solidified with Jamal Mayers, Jason Chimera and Jay McClement, the team hasn't yet filled out its top two lines.

Still no word on Jay Bouwmeester, but there are a couple of defenceman whose teams are still in the playoffs who will probably be asked to play if eliminated.

If Calgary is elimated, expect Dion Phaneuf to get asked.

From the Dallas/Vancouver series, Phillipe Boucher, Stephane Robidas, and Kevin Bieksa.

Nashville/SJ, Marc Edouard Vlasic, Shea Weber

Brent Burns will probably be asked from the Wild (just eliminated tonight as well). Also from the Wild, Pierre Marc Bouchard is a possible candidate on forward, but he might not get asked simply because the top two lines are nearly full, and he's not playing on the third.

The Eastern teams still battling don't have many candidates, as mentioned in an earlier post, Dan Boyle is probably one of the only who could still be looked at. MA Bergeron has a wildcard chance simply because of his bomb on the PP and his recent point explosion, but it's pretty unlikely.