OPINION

By Craig Custance

updated 12:38 a.m. ET Aug. 27, 2009

Roberto Luongo was still at the airport after arriving in Calgary when the questions started. How was he going to beat out Martin Brodeur for Team Canada's starting goalie job?

"The only thing I can do is play, I don't make the decisions," Luongo answered. "Obviously, Marty is tremendous, not only for the NHL, but Team Canada. That's going to be up to the top management to decide."

But the management has to decide more than just who will start. The depth in goal for Team Canada is impressive, but each of the top contenders prompt questions that could make the position the weakest on the roster.

Let the debate begin.

The case for Brodeur: He has the Olympic experience, having been the starter for Team Canada in the last two Olympics. He won the gold medal with Team Canada in 2002, and it's hard to find a more competitive person. Brodeur says he feels great physically and looks forward to the competition to start in goal for Canada.

"Brodeur's body of work internationally, in the NHL and at the most critical times, speaks for itself," said former NHL G.M. Craig Button.

"A guy like Martin Brodeur has always shown he's not going to let his team out of a game."

The case for Luongo: When he's on his game, there's not a better goalie in the NHL. "That's the one player I would have seriously moved Vincent Lecavalier to pick him up," said former Tampa Bay Lightning G.M. Jay Feaster. "He's such a difference-maker. By himself, he wins games for you."

Luongo had nine shutouts last season, despite playing only 54 games. He also finished in the top five in both save percentage and goals-against average.

Plus, he'd be playing in front of his home crowd in Vancouver.

"It would be a special feeling," Luongo said.

The case against Brodeur: There have been signs Brodeur's game is on the decline. The Devils have underachieved in the postseason the last two years and part of the reason is because of Brodeur's inability to make the big save at the most crucial of moments. But his teammates aren't blaming Brodeur.

"There are a lot of things that go into teams winning and losing. I'd never be the one to point the finger at Marty Brodeur," New Jersey forward Jamie Langenbrunner told Sporting News. "There's not a more competitive guy who has accomplished more in big games."

The case against Luongo: It's hard to forget his inability to hold Vancouver's lead against the Blackhawks in the Western Conference semifinals. While Brodeur has helped lead teams to Stanley Cups and gold medals, Luongo's postseason track record is spotty at best. For an elite goalie, his 11-11 career playoff record is anything but.

"What has he done? Last year in the playoffs, Chicago beat Vancouver because (Nikolai) Khabibulin was better than Luongo," said one NHL source. "For me, they might keep Luongo only because it's in Vancouver and who he is."

Our pick: Brodeur. His track record and experience will be too much for Team Canada coach Mike Babcock to pass up.

The fight for the final spot
If Brodeur represents Team Canada's goalie present, the three players fighting for the No. 3 spot on the roster could be the future. Carolina's Cam Ward, Columbus' Steve Mason and Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury are the contenders at Canada's orientation camp this week, and they're likely fighting for the same roster spot. The winner could also be an indication of who will carry the goalie torch in future Olympics.

"It was supposed to be handed over to Luongo, but all of a sudden there's a bunch of fresh faces that have shown up on the scene," said former NHL goalie Ron Tugnutt, a consultant for Canada's junior team. "Cam Ward, Fleury and of course, Mason — plus I don't even think Carey Price (Montreal) is that far off the picture, either."

Ranking the contenders:

• 1. Marc-Andre Fleury: Coming off a Stanley Cup championship, there are some people who see his athleticism and talent and think Fleury should be given serious consideration for Canada's starting job now.
• 2. Cam Ward: Ward's maturation into a player who realizes the importance of preparation and being in the best possible shape makes him a serious candidate. He certainly hasn't ruled out a spot on Canada's roster. "A lot of things will be determined from the start of the season until Christmas," he said. "You have to be at the top of your game."
• 3. Steve Mason: Mason earned an invitation to camp following one of the most impressive rookie season by a goalie in recent NHL history. He's a long shot to make the team, but he figures to be an important part of Canada's Olympics effort going forward.
  

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