Gold prospectors

Last update: November 7, 2008 - 10:16 PM

Michael Russo's look at potential candidates to be on the 2010 U.S. men's Olympic hockey team:

Shoo-in forwards: Dustin Brown, Erik Cole, Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Phil Kessel, Ryan Malone, Peter Mueller, Zach Parise.

Shoo-in defensemen: Mike Komisarek, Brian Rafalski.

Shoo-in goaltenders: Ryan Miller, Rick DiPietro.

Contending forwards: David Backes, David Booth, Dustin Byfuglien, Chris Clark, Matt Cullen, Brandon Dubinsky, Brian Gionta, Chris Higgins, David Legwand, Mike Modano, Kyle Okposo, T.J. Oshie, Patrick O'Sullivan, Joe Pavelski, Drew Stafford, Lee Stempniak, Brandon Sutter, Keith Tkachuk, R.J. Umberger, Blake Wheeler.

Contending defensemen: Keith Ballard, Matt Carle, Tom Gilbert, Tim Gleason, Ron Hainsey, Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Jordan Leopold, John-Michael Liles, Paul Martin, Matt Niskanen, Tom Poti, Tom Preissing, Mark Stuart, Ryan Suter, Ryan Whitney.

Contending goaltenders: Craig Anderson, Brian Boucher, Tim Thomas.

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