Another week, another countdown. Expect the races to get heated especially after Steve Yzerman announced that the team will be announced on December 30th, moving it up one day. Brian Burke has announced that he will be picking his Team USA too, as just for kicks I've done so as well.

GOALTENDERS

1 (3) Roberto Luongo, Van (best Canadian goalie this week: 2-0, 1 SO, .970 SV%)

2 (1) Martin Brodeur, NJ (NJ now division leaders with 103rd SO but 5 GA vs. Luongo)

3 (2) Marc-Andre Fleury, Pit (great showing against CHI but loses to lowly CAR)

4 (7) Marty Turco, Dal (Stars still inconsistent but Turco shining in last two with 1.45/.952)

5 (5) Carey Price, Mtl (loss to Toronto hurts but bounced back with wins over BOS, PHI)

6 (4) Steve Mason, Cbs (Hithcock not losing confidence, but 3.90 GAA and .831 SV% gives reason to sit him)

7 (6) Ray Emery, Phi (winless in last 5 starts with 5.36 GAA and .814 SV%)

DEFENSEMEN

1 (4) Mike Green, Wsh (4 points against rival Flyers, +4, 1 GWG)

2 (9) Jay Bouwmeester, Cgy (perfect on PK but 0-12 PP in December)

3 (6) Dan Hamhuis, Nsh (if not Weber it's Hamhuis - 2 points, +2, 4 PIM)

4 (2) Stephane Robidas, Dal (showed spark with fight but needs to score to get noticed)

5 (1) Duncan Keith, Chi (just one assist and -5 to start December)

6 (3) Scott Niedermayer, Ana (posting worst shooting % since 1997 and on pace for worst +/- )

7 (5) Shea Weber, Nsh (quiet week but one of reasons Preds 5 games over .500)

8 (8) Dan Boyle, SJ (Sharks score ten goals but Boyle has hand in only one, also 0-11 on PP)

9 (7) Brent Seabrook, Chi (struggling in December like Keith)

10 (10) Dion Phaneuf, Cgy (minutes continue to be taken by Bouwmeester)

11 (16) Drew Doughty, LA (great bounce-back ability: 2 points, +5, GWG)

12 (15) Francois Beauchemin, Tor (4 points and +7 in last five wins in seven games)

13 (11) Chris Pronger, Phi (8 games without point and -5 in that span, team in shambles)

14 (14) Adrian Aucoin, Phx (Coyotes winners of five straight and 2 assists from steady vet)

15 (20) Ed Jovanovski, Phx (just one goal but Coyotes are winning)

16 (12) Robyn Regehr, Cgy (also feeling the effects of Bouwmeester - just 18:40 TOI vs. SJ)

17 (19) Brian Campbell, Chi (only Hawk on list to post +, but still underwhelming)

18 (17) Kyle Quincey, Col (Avs had 2 PPG all week and Quincey on ice for both)

19 (13) Marc Staal, NYR (has a tough hill to climb and Rangers are plummetting)

20 (18) Cam Barker, Chi (can he? Teams hesitant to bank on young PP QB at $3m+)

21 (21) Michael Del Zotto, NYR (continues free-falling with -9 in last 5 games)

<img src="http://www.cyberpresse.ca/images/bizphotos/435x290/200909/16/108733-sidney-crosby-roberto-luongo-mike.jpg" class="imageFloatCenterFramed">

FORWARDS

1 (1) Sidney Crosby, Pit (losses hurt but can't fault his individual play - 3 G, 4 Points)

2 (10) Corey Perry, Ana (streak snapped, but 15 goals and 8th in SOG with 106, has to make team)

3 (2) Jarome Iginla, Cgy (losers of 2 of last 3 and zero goals from Iggy)

4 (24) Ryan Getzlaf, Ana (what possessed me to drop him to 24 last week? Oops.)

5 (13) Jonathan Toews, Chi (Hawks have lost only 2 in regulation since his return)

6 (5) Joe Thornton, SJ (ten game point streak snapped by Calgary)

7 (4) Patrick Marleau, SJ (crucial month for Marleau, 2 goals in win but nothing in losses)

8 (7) Brenden Morrow, Dal (in midst of 7-game point streak but Dallas not consistently winning)

9 (3) Steve Stamkos, TB (tough week with 4 games and inconsistent TOI given by Tocchet)

10 (14) Dany Heatley, SJ (playing responsibly - in one-goal games averaging more than 20 TOI)

11 (6) Rick Nash, Cbs (8-goal October, 7-goal November, 0-goal December thus far)

12 (19) Martin St. Louis, TB (scores in bunches but woeful -13 in losing games)

13 (21) Mike Cammalleri, Mtl (2nd hat trick, 4 goals, 2 GWG, Gainey's best investment by far)

14 (15) Travis Zajac, NJ (20 points in 20 wins, 5 points in 8 losses - it's not coincidence)

15 (8) Dustin Penner, Edm (how valuable is he now? Just saw him traded for Brodeur in fantasy)

16 (25) Shane Doan, Phx (on pace for worst year since 2007 - little urgency in his play)

17 (17) Jordan Staal, Pit (5-point October, 10-point November, 2 goals in last 3)

18 (9) Mike Richards, Phi (losers of 5 straight and zero points, in danger of losing spot, captaincy)

19 (18) Eric Staal, Car ('Canes 2-0 in December but Staal yet to score in winning game)

20 (26) Vincent Lecavalier, TB (picking up play or showcasing skill for potential move to MTL?)

21 (16) Brad Richards, Dal (half of points come from PP but Stars 0-9 last 3 games)

22 (23) Mike Ribeiro, Dal (gives up easily - 15 points in 13 wins, 8 points in 16 losses)

23 (22) Jeff Carter, Phi (six-game goal-less drought longest since 2007-08)

24 (12) Derek Roy, Buf (played just 15:56 against NJ - little versatility to speak of)

25 (28) Mike Fisher, Ott (2 more goals - crossing fingers for M. Richards to drop out of favour)

26 (30) James Neal, Dal (forget how November ended - 11 shots, 2 goals in December)

27 (20) Jason Spezza, Ott (drawing the ire of Melnyk and Murray, once again in the rumour mill)

28 (29) Dan Cleary, Det (3 goals in last 4... but probably not even considered anymore)

29 (11) Rich Peverley, Atl (naysayers singing "I told you so" - pointless in last 4)

30 (27) Andy McDonald, StL (last multi-point game was November 10)

Dropped out: Cam Ward (laceration), Brent Burns (concussion), Simon Gagne (hernia), Ryan Smyth (upper body), Milan Lucic (ankle)

TEAM Ryan USA:

C Chris Drury, NYR - A*

C Scott Gomez, Mtl*

C Ryan Kesler, Van

C Joe Pavelski, SJ

C Paul Stastny, Col

LW Ryan Malone, TB

LW Zach Parise, NJ

LW Bobby Ryan, Ana

RW Ryan Callahan, NYR

RW Brian Gionta, Mtl*

RW Patrik Kane, Chi

RW Phil Kessel, Tor

RW Jamie Langenbrunner, NJ - C

D Zach Bogosian, Atl**

D Erik Johnson, StL

D Paul Martin, NJ

D Brooks Orpik, Pit

D Brian Rafalski, Det - A*

D Ryan Suter, Nsh

D Ryan Whitney, Ana

G Craig Anderson, Col**

G Ryan Miller, Buf

G Tim Thomas, Bos

Omissions from original camp roster: Jon Quick, Tom Gilbert, Ron Hainsey, Jack Johnson, Mike Komisarek, Rob Scuderi, David Backes, David Booth, Dustin Byfuglien, Mike Modano, Kyle Okposo, TJ Oshie

Notable omissions: Tim Connolly, Bill Guerin, Jason Pominville, James van Riemsdyk, Keith Tkachuk

* = named to 2006 roster

** = not on original camp roster