Rink Rap: Young Americans position selves for Olympics - USATODAY.com

Rink Rap: Young Americans position selves for Olympics - USATODAY.com: "In addition to moving to the front of the line in the NHL Rookie of the Year race, Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane might also be turning himself into a lock for the 2010 U.S. Olympic team. With the announcement of the team now almost exactly two years away, Kane, 19, looks like he is ready to play on one of the top three lines. Looking at how players are performing this season and projecting where they will be in 2009-10, the highly likely Olympians at forward would appear to be Paul Stastny (Colorado Avalanche), Zach Parise and Brian Gionta (New Jersey Devils), Dustin Brown (Los Angeles Kings), Chris Drury (New York Rangers), Erik Cole (Carolina Hurricanes), Chris Higgins (Montreal Canadiens) and Kane. Brian Rolston (Minnesota Wild) will be 36 in 2010, but my hunch is he will be on the team playing the role of the smart, skilled veteran who can handle a variety of roles. He could start as the 13th forward and finish playing on the top line. Ryan Kesler (Vancouver Canucks) is also a likely selection because he is a dependable two-way player with some size and tenacity."