Team USA

[TML]

Can someone give me the lowdown on these guys? I know they won gold last year, but they do not have many returning players, apparently. Their strength will be in goal with Montoya, and they have a couple flashy forwards.

Questions:

1) Will Fritsche be a go-to guy, playing on the top two lines and powerplay?
2) Is Ryan Callahan going to play on the first line, with O'Sullivan?
3) How does their defence look? I don't know any of the players besides Suter... any input would be appreciated.
4) Could you post the projected lines?

Thanks!

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[Rabid Ranger]

Can someone give me the lowdown on these guys? I know they won gold last year, but they do not have many returning players, apparently. Their strength will be in goal with Montoya, and they have a couple flashy forwards.

Questions:

1) Will Fritsche be a go-to guy, playing on the top two lines and powerplay?
2) Is Ryan Callahan going to play on the first line, with O'Sullivan?
3) How does their defence look? I don't know any of the players besides Suter... any input would be appreciated.
4) Could you post the projected lines?

Thanks!

1) Dan Fritsche will be a go to guy, and it's a virtual certainty he will be used on one of the top two lines and in all special teams situations. He's a leader on this team, and his physical play and scoring ability will be essential to the team's success.

2) Callahan has been playing on the top line with O'Sullivan. He reminds me of Mark Parrish, which means we'll see him in front of the net taking a beating to score a goal.

3) The defense is a question mark IMO. It is a smaller, finesse oriented croup that will rely on skating and puck movement to control the defensive zone. If they get bogged down, the U.S. will be in trouble. A guy like Brian Lee might surprise.

4) Lines:

Stafford-O'Sullivan-Callahan
Bourque-Hensick-Fristche
Porter-Schremp-Pineault
Weller-Brown-Dowell
Kessel

 

[TML]

Awesome stuff... thanks for the quick reply and input.

 

[Spectacular_Bid]

1. Dan Fritsche HAS to be the go to guy for this team to succeed. Totally agree with Ranger, Fritsche is a leader and will be heavily leaned on.

2. Sounds like Callahan is doing a nice job on the first line, I can't see why they wouldn't keep him with O'Sullivan and Stafford.

3. Suter will anchor the defense, Borer will be expected to be a physical presence, clearing out the front of the net and the smaller quicker guys (Hunwick, Hagemo, Likens and Goligoski) are going to be run and gun get the puck up the ice. I can't wait to get to Grand Forks to see Brian Lee.


4. The lines in the first exhibition game were as follows:

Stafford O'Sullivan Callahan

Porter Hensick Fritsche

Bourque Dowell Pineault

Weller Kessel Brown

Schremp

I didn't see the game but I was suprised to see Kessel centering a line and Schremp as the 13th forward. However, it sounds like Schremp may continue to play a "power play specialist" role.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

1. Dan Fritsche HAS to be the go to guy for this team to succeed. Totally agree with Ranger, Fritsche is a leader and will be heavily leaned on.

2. Sounds like Callahan is doing a nice job on the first line, I can't see why they wouldn't keep him with O'Sullivan and Stafford.

3. Suter will anchor the defense, Borer will be expected to be a physical presence, clearing out the front of the net and the smaller quicker guys (Hunwick, Hagemo, Likens and Goligoski) are going to be run and gun get the puck up the ice. I can't wait to get to Grand Forks to see Brian Lee.


4. The lines in the first exhibition game were as follows:

Stafford O'Sullivan Callahan

Porter Hensick Fritsche

Bourque Dowell Pineault

Weller Kessel Brown

Schremp

I didn't see the game but I was suprised to see Kessel centering a line and Schremp as the 13th forward. However, it sounds like Schremp may continue to play a "power play specialist" role.

Schremp might be used in a similar fashion as Canada is using Corey Perry.