Norstrom an Olympic Choice

King defenseman Mattias Norstrom got a strong vote of confidence as he was selected to play for Sweden in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

“In my mind, there was never any doubt that Mattias should be in the first group of players that we named,” said Anders Hedberg, manager of Team Sweden and a former player for the New York Rangers. “Together with our coach [Hardy Nilsson], I was looking for leadership and inspiration, and Mattias brings that to every team he plays on.”

Joining Norstrom, who played in the 1998 Games, on Sweden’s initial list were Daniel Alfredsson (Ottawa Senators), Peter Forsberg (Colorado Avalanche), Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings), Markus Naslund and Mattias Ohlund (Vancouver Canucks), Tommy Salo (Edmonton Oilers) and Mats Sundin (Toronto Maple Leafs). Jorgen Jonsson and Mikael Renberg, two former NHL players now playing for Swedish club teams, also were selected.

The United States will announce its first eight Saturday during the telecast of the King-Duck game.

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Coach Andy Murray got right to the point with center Jozef Stumpel before the morning skate Wednesday. Murray wanted to know when Stumpel, sidelined since March 4 by a broken rib, would be ready to play. Stumpel said Saturday. . . . With winger Scott Thomas sidelined by a concussion, Murray shuffled his lineup. Murray went with seven defensemen and double-shifted winger Ziggy Palffy at times. Defenseman Jere Karalahti was in the lineup for the first time since March 4.