NHL rosters have been finalized and with that is the knowledge of which underage Canadian Juniors will start the season in the bigs. Congratulations are in order and for the young men starting the season in the NHL, its the culmination of a life time of dreaming about playing in the NHL. Yes, theres the understanding it may be only for nine games, an audition so to speak - before another reality sets in. NHL teams are not so eager to have a year of a players entry level contract lop off if there isnt certainty, or more of one, about a players capability to sustain play over the long season. For Team Canada, reality of a different kind sets in. How would the team look if all of these players remain in the NHL and are unavailable for the World Junior Hockey Championship? As I wrote in September, it is always a matter of trying to replace skilled, top end, impact players. Teenage goalies are not going to be in the NHL any time in the future, near or long, so Canada has no worries there. On defence, Aaron Ekblad appears to be a lock to remain in Florida. A luxury to think about joining the team but a reality that is rooted somewhere around zero. I cant envision a scenario where Darnell Nurse isnt returned to junior - a reality I think is closer to 100. One thing stands out for me about the defence - they have size and they can skate. Returnee Josh Morrissey will anchor the blue line and he will have plenty of help. This will be a group that will defend well, transition well and contribute offence. A well-rounded group that will be a strength of the team. The forward group could change significantly between now and Christmas. Whats clear is that the quality of player starting the season in the NHL is of a very high calibre. Some injuries also begin to factor in. None more so than Sam Bennett, who - if he needs shoulder surgery - would all but guarantee his absence. Morgan Klimchuk suffered a broken wrist in training camp, Jake Virtanen is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and Robbi Fabbri was injured in an NHL pre-season game. Jonathan Drouin is a player to talk about as being eligible but his availability seems to be remote. Hockey Canada eyes will closely follow the progress (or lack of progress) of Sam Reinhart, Curtis Lazar, Bo Horvat and Anthony Duclair. Those eyes will also be closely following other players as they prepare for all possibilities. Opportunity has opened up and while December seems a long way off, every game becomes important for the players who will be vying for a spot on the junior team. Ghost rosters will be contemplated over the next weeks for Team Canadas management and coaching staff as the evaluations continue both for the players in junior and in the NHL. Either way, play well and youre in. This isnt a new reality for Hockey Canada. CRAIG BUTTONS PROJECTED TEAM CANADA - OCTOBER Forwards Left Wing Centre Right Wing Nicolas Ritchie (Peterborough) Connor McDavid (Erie) Jake Virtanen (Calgary) Max Domi (London) Nic Petan (Portland) Jayce Hawrlyuk (Brandon) Michael Dal Colle (Oshawa) Robby Fabbri (Guelph) Zach Nastasiuk (Owen Sound) Morgan Klimchuk (Regina) Frederik Gauthier (Rimouski) Greg Chase (Calgary) To be determined - Jonathan Drouin, Anthony Duclair, Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, Curtis Lazar, Bo Horvat Defence Left Right Haydn Fleury (Red Deer) Josh Morrissey (Prince Albert) Samuel Morin (Rimouski) Madison Bowey (Kelowna) Travis Sanheim (Calgary) Shea Theodore (Seattle) Dillon Heatherington (Swift Current) To be determined - Aaron Ekblad, Darnell Nurse Goaltenders Zach Fucale (Halifax) Philippe Desrosiers (Rimouski) Eric Comrie (Tri-City) Mason McDonald (Charlottetown) Candidates Left Wing Left Defence Centre Right Defence Right Wing Nick Paul (North Bay) Ben Harpur (Guelph) Brayden Point (Moose Jaw) Roland McKeown (Kingston) Nick Baptiste (Sudbury) Brendan Lemieux (Barrie) Jason Dickinson (Guelph) Chris Bigras (Owen Sound) Jeremy Gregoire (Baie Comeau) Jeremy Roy (Sherbrooke) Milan Lucic Jersey . 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Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys .J. - The New Jersey Devils know the odds are against them as they chase a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.Baseball is coming back to Montreal, as Olympic Stadium plays host to the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets in the first of two spring training games tonight. The game is available on TSN Radio 690 in Montreal at 7pm et/4pm pt. Its the first time Major League Baseball has returned to Montreal since the Expos moved to Washington in 2005. The last professional game played at the Big O was on Sept. 29, 2004, when the Expos were defeated 9-1 by the Florida Marlins. According to The Canadian Press, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre will throw the ceremonial first pitch at tonights game. The mayor also plans to meet with John McHale Jr., an executive with Major League Baseball, who will be in Montreal watching the games. Coderre has been involved in the process of getting a baseball team back in his city. Late Hall of Famer Gary Carter will be honoured in a ceremony before the game, with his widow and family slated to attend. Carter died in February 2012 after a battle with brain cancer.dddddddddddd He was 57. Before Saturdays game, an event will be held to celebrate the Expos squad that was considered the best team in baseball before a players strike brought the 1994 season to a premature close. The 94 team had baseballs best record (74-40) when the season ended. The Jays will welcome Jose Reyes and Edwin Encarnacion back into the lineup, as both have been cleared to play in this weekends series. Reyes has been out of action since he suffered a mild strain in his left hamstring during Saturdays game against Detroit. He has been listed as day-to-day, but the club announced Thursday that he will be available. Encarnacion was struck by a pitch on his right forearm during Wednesdays game against the Yankees. He was removed, but has since received a clean bill of health. Encarnacion would have been available to play Thursday vs. Philadelphia, but the club opted to give him a day of rest. ' ' '