Steven Stamkos will not play for Team Canada at the Sochi Olympics.

[Smite 399]

Too bad for this kid, he has worked hard to get back.

http://www.tsn.ca/olympics/story/?id=443088

Edit: added poll for replacement

Edited February 5, 2014 by Smite

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

I feel for him. He did his best.

St Louis, Giroux, or Neal??

[dat's sick 1,002]

Definitely a tough one for him. You could tell he was heartbroken when he was injured but he seemed much closer to actually making it back in time than I ever thought he would be.

I was looking forward to seeing him in the Olympics but he shouldn't risk his health. Marty St Louis replacing him maybe?

[Dabura 12,207]

Them's the breaks.

So...St. Louis gets the nod?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Too bad for us Canadians. Hopefully the replacement is Giroux/St. Louis

But in the Wings case, anything less then 3 points out of the next 2 games is unacceptable

[Smite 399]

I would like to think St Louis for the same reason as Gus, He as lit it up since the the released rosters.

But if I were St Louis I don't know if I would want to go being turned away twice.

[Dabura 12,207]

I would like to think St Louis for the same reason as Gus, He as lit it up since the the released rosters.

And, come on, he's Martin St. Louis. Impossible to dislike, and this willl very likely be his last chance to play in the Olympics.

I doubt he'd be spiteful about it and turn down the spot.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

Stevie what the f*** are you doing ? First passing on MSL and now declining Stamkos after his amazing rehab? I don't get it.

Feeling so sorry for the poor kid he did everything in his powers, Stevie you are the GM of team Canada overrule them for crying out loud.

Edited February 5, 2014 by frankgrimes

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Stevie what the f*** are you doing ? First passing on MSL and now declining Stamkos after his amazing production ? I don't get it.

Feeling so sorry for the poor kid he did everything in his powers, Stevie you are the GM of team Canada overrule them for crying out loud.

It was the doctor's decision....not Steve's...

Did you read it??

[stillwater 186]

Stevie what the f*** are you doing ? First passing on MSL and now declining Stamkos after his amazing rehab? I don't get it.

Feeling so sorry for the poor kid he did everything in his powers, Stevie you are the GM of team Canada overrule them for crying out loud.

Serenity now!

He's injured.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

It was the doctor's decision....not Steve's...

Did you read it??

Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman, who is also Team Canada's executive director, says Stamkos "should not be participating in game action at any time in the near future."

TSN quoted Stevie so who didn't read it ? I really feel for Stamkos such an amazing player to watch, what a tough decision against him.

Pick MSL now

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman, who is also Team Canada's executive director, says Stamkos "should not be participating in game action at any time in the near future."

TSN quoted Stevie so who didn't read it ? I really feel for Stamkos such an amazing player to watch, what a tough decision against him.

Pick MSL now

You can't be serious...That was an opinion after he found out the doctors ruling....It's as if you ignored the entire article but that one line...

"Doctors say he has not recovered enough from a broken right leg."

"The decision to keep Stamkos on the sidelines was made by Lightning doctor Ira Gutentag."

"Although the doctor was very pleased to this point with the healing process, he explained that the callus surrounding the fracture site is not 100 per cent consolidated, and Steven will not be cleared to play in a game until that happens," said Yzerman. "It was a pretty clear-cut decision, no grey areas at all."

[frankgrimes 1,836]

You can't be serious...That was an opinion after he found out the doctors ruling....It's as if you ignored the entire article but that one line...

I've read the whole thing more than once to make sure I understand everything.

Anyway, why not take him as an extra the tournament is 2 or 3 weeks long maybe his bone is going to heal at an unforseen pace ? Don't get me wrong I understhand being cautious at all, but I just don't think its fair to Stamkos after everything he has done to make it. Wouldn#t you agree?

But if they name MSL I will be happy for him.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

I've read the whole thing more than once to make sure I understand everything.

Anyway, why not take him as an extra the tournament is 2 or 3 weeks long maybe his bone is going to heal at an unforseen pace ? Don't get me wrong I understhand being cautious at all, but I just don't think its fair to Stamkos after everything he has done to make it. Wouldn#t you agree?

But if they name MSL I will be happy for him.

Trust me, I'm Canadian. I want him there. But if his bone isn't fully healed then there's no way he can go. Injuries aren't fair but that's life. Health trumps all.

Speaking of fairness though...I don't think it'd be fair to a player like St Louis to bring Stamkos as 13/14 knowing you might possibly never play him.

[Guest Playmaker]

Good decision by Yzerman. I hope that Datsyuk will do the same should the medical experts advise it.

[stillwater 186]

What particular part of that article would lead anyone to come to the conclusion that this was a decision made entirely by Steve Yzerman on his own?

[SDavis35 140]

I've read the whole thing more than once to make sure I understand everything.

Anyway, why not take him as an extra the tournament is 2 or 3 weeks long maybe his bone is going to heal at an unforseen pace ? Don't get me wrong I understhand being cautious at all, but I just don't think its fair to Stamkos after everything he has done to make it. Wouldn#t you agree?

But if they name MSL I will be happy for him.

Paragraph #2: Tampa Bay Lightning doctors said they couldn't clear him to play after examining his most recent CT scan and will re-evaluate his condition again in two to three weeks.

If they won't even be evaluating him for 2-3 weeks, there's no way the doctors would clear him before the end of the tournament on February 23rd. I would love to see Stamkos playing on the Olympic stage but he can't jeopardize his entire career just because he wants to play now. Yzerman of all people knows what that would be like to have a leg injury hampering your skills don't you think?

[CMatt89 63]

So... dan cleary gets the nod? Make it happen babs

[number9 3,297]

I'd give it to Giroux just cause he's a C

[esteef 2,679]

Gold for USA all but certain now.

esteef

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

St. Louis deserves it, and it'll probably be his last chance at the olympics.

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

A rusty Stamkos vs MSL whos got a point in all but 2 games since Jan 7? Easy decision for in a quick tournament.

[amato 3,210]

i want to say st. louis to see him get one more chance at the world stage but i think it'll be giroux.

either way, canada has plenty of capable replacements.

[Smite 399]

Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning will be speaking to the media on Thursday about not being cleared to play in the NHL and the Olympics. Watch live coverage on TSN2 and TSN.ca at 11:30am et/8:30am pt.

Really, I am Canadian and know how hockey crazy this country is but do we need a press conference for this?

[toby91_ca 620]

I know St. Louis is the popular choice, but I'm not so sure they'll go with him. I wouldn't be surprised if they went with Neal. They lost their best pure goal scorer in Stamkos and Neal is probably the best pure goal scorer in the league behind Stamkos and Ovechkin....he's at least Canada's best.