Blake planting seeds for Team Canada candidates

Rob Blake is the GM for Team Canada at the Worlds this spring and he shared some thoughts with The Vancouver Province on the task that lies ahead.

Roberto Luongo has already told Blake he won't be going. Dan Hamhuis, Alex Burrows, Kevin Bieksa and Jason Garrison are the Canucks who will receive an invitation.

“Burrows hasn’t had a very good year but he’s playing much, much better now, and sometimes those guys who have had tough years will say ‘yes’ hoping to have something to build on next year,” said Blake.

Blake noted Team Canada would be 'very young' and also offered this tidbit:

“I’m a little worried about the young Oilers guys, too, because some of them have been over there five years already and we might be pushing it,” he said. “But all you can do is ask. A lot of times, you just phone and plant the seed with guys and then let it sit for two or three days, and then you’ll sometimes get a call back with a ‘yes.’ I know one year that’s what I did. We were out and I got the call and thought about it for a couple of days and thought ‘what else am I going to be doing?”

Source: Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province