Patrick Sharp For Team Canada

Nov 9, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Patrick Sharp (10) with the puck in the third period of the game against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center. Chicago beat Dallas 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

In the last Olympics Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook were a part of the goal medal winning Canadian team in Vancouver. One fellow Canadian and member of the Blackhawks was left off the roster in 2008, Patrick Sharp.

Sharp went into this offseason as a two time Stanley Cup Champion and one time all star. There was one thing that was still missing from his resume, an Olympic Gold medal.  Sharp was interviewed at the Olympic Camp back in August. Sharp was quoted, “The Stanley Cup was a pretty big accomplishment in Chicago and I consider myself lucky to be a part of the organization and win it again”. Sharp went onto to say, “But playing internationally for your country, especially defending the gold medal, would be something that is amazing” courtesy of NHL.com.

Sharp wants to be on team Canada badly; he came into Blackhawks training camp in the best shape of his life. Sharp beat all other Blackhawks in the fitness test including the freak that is Duncan Keith.  Sharp has come into this season very focused, his numbers seem to reflect his focus. Sharp has scored four goals and registered 12 assists on the season. He is a plus seven on the season.

This season Patrick Sharp has become linemates with Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews to form the best line in hockey. If people disagree, look at the points recorded by this line and the Blackhawks record since its creation. All three members of this line say each member is playing at a high level.  Sharp throughout his career has shown that he can be a premier goal scorer and a big time player.

For his career Sharp has scored 203 goals and 218 assists. During the Blackhawks 2008-09 Stanley Cup run Sharp scored 11 goals and registered 11 assists in 22 games. In the Blackhawks second title run last season, Sharp recorded 10 goals and six assists. Sharp would score more goals than the Conn Smythe winner Patrick Kane. Sharp lets everyone on the planet know this fact at the Blackhawks championship rally.  Patrick Sharp should be a lock for team Canada this time around. His play after a short offseason should be more than enough to impress the team Canada brass. His ability to score goal in big moments should be a draw for team Canada. Sharp has pretty good speed and in my opinion he is an underrated checker.

In a sad away, the injury to Tampa Lighting forward Steven Stamkos might have aided Sharp in his quest to play for team Canada. Sharp would not want another person’s injury to help him make team Canada, but that is the reality of the situation.  If you don’t trust my opinion, on Sharp making team Canada. TSN had a panel of experts vote on the lines for team Canada back in August.

The TSN panel included Bob McKenzie, Pierre LeBrun, Darren Dreger, Ray Ferraro, and James Duthie. The Panel selected Patrick Sharp to be on the 4^th line with Ryan Getzlaf and Jeff Carter.  Those experts are better hockey minds than me.

If anything the opinion of the TSN panel and his PLAY should seal it, Patrick Sharp should be on team Canada.  If you disagree or agree with our thoughts please feel free to leave a comment below or tweet us at Blackhawk_up.