Avalanche goalie Anderson could draw Team USA duty in Olympics

[AvsFanatic]

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Craig Anderson stood on Vancouver soil Sunday night and should be here again later this month in another game between the Avalanche and Canucks.

After that, Anderson and the Avs aren't scheduled to visit Vancouver until April. But would Anderson mind if he has to come here again in February?

Not in the slightest. Anderson, whom Canucks coach Alain Vigneault called "the best player in the NHL right now" and who was named the NHL's first star for October on Monday, would love to make a side trip to the Winter Olympics as a goalie for Team USA.

"To wear the jersey for your country, there's no greater honor," Anderson said. "If it just so happens that I get selected, that would be great."

Anderson tied the NHL record for wins in the month of October (10, shared with Detroit's Manny Legace in 2005) and tied the Avs' franchise record for wins in any month. Anderson is very much on the minds of USA Hockey brass, with team management official Jim Johansson telling USA Today that Anderson has "certainly played his way into the picture."

Anderson, 28, was not invited to the USA development camp before the season. The three goalies who were: Tim Thomas of Boston, Ryan Miller of Buffalo and the Los Angeles Kings' Jonathan Quick. But USA general manager Brian Burke said players not invited to the camp still could make the team with good NHL season starts.

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[thepolishkid88]

I would say he is a shoe in. Miller and maybe Thomas as the other 2.

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

I would say he is a shoe in. Miller and maybe Thomas as the other 2.

Yeah, this really does seem like a no-brainer to me. Anderson has been incredible this season and a major part of the Avalanche's very unexpected early success. Barring any injuries, Thomas and Miller are already locks to make the team as the other two goalies. So Anderson's only real competition (with DiPietro injured of course) would be Jonathan Quick. He looks decent early this year, but is truthfully no match for Anderson.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by Isles4life

Yeah, this really does seem like a no-brainer to me. Anderson has been incredible this season and a major part of the Avalanche's very unexpected early success. Barring any injuries, Thomas and Miller are already locks to make the team as the other two goalies. So Anderson's only real competition (with DiPietro injured of course) would be Jonathan Quick. He looks decent early this year, but is truthfully no match for Anderson.

The way Thomas is playing I would say he is no lock. I never have been a big fan of him anyway and with an outside guy such as Conklin or Quick, I think Thomas will make the team by default. If Miller does go down (GOD I HOPE NOT) I would rather see Anderson then Thomas in net.