Olympics: 2014 — U.S. Roster Discussion (Part VII)

[KittysGotClaws]

The comments about he and Okposo and being able to play on the big ice are overrated too. Both excelled on the big ice while playing for Minnesota in the WCHA (where the majority of the rinks had Olympic or close to Olympic sized ice). Different level, understood, but I don't think it effected their play in the slightest.

There are no comments about Wheeler being a question mark on big ice. In fact, most people are pumped to see his size and speed on that surface.

 

[MNState0fHockey]

There are no comments about Wheeler being a question mark on big ice. In fact, most people are pumped to see his size and speed on that surface.

Sorry, should have been more clear. Wasn't referring to comments here regarding Wheeler.

 

[AmericanDream]

The sad thing is they will never bench Brown

agreed. I see Stepan as odd man out. no need for 5 centers during the game, unless someone gets hurt I can Stepan being odd man out

 

[Rabid Ranger]

agreed. I see Stepan as odd man out. no need for 5 centers during the game, unless someone gets hurt I can Stepan being odd man out

Yeah, I'd substitute Stepan for Wheeler.

 

[QJL]

I think with the extra forward we will see Wheeler cycle through JVR Pacioretty and Oshie.

 

[SirClintonPortis]

Parise-Kesler-Patch
Kane-Statsny-Wheeler
JVR-Pavelski-Kessel
Brown-Backes-Oshie

Suter-McD
Carlson-Martin
Shattenkirk-Fowler

Miller
Quick

My wing/defenseman natural sides are probably mostly wrong.

U.S. needs to out skate and out hit the other teams to win. I also think keeping Parise/Kane/Kessel separated will benefit the U.S.

Pacioretty is a LW, so playing him at RW would be an adjustment.

I say that Pacioretty with either Kessel or Wheeler would be tantalizing because they can absolutely stretch the ice. Not to mention Pacioretty's time with Erik Cole shows that having a true speedster on his other side can make for some great offense. Pairing him with Kane on his other would also be interesting, as Pacioretty can bury feeds from sweet passes.

 

[Sonofamitch]

I think with the extra forward we will see Wheeler cycle through JVR Pacioretty and Oshie.

JVR will play a top 6 role not cycle as a extra forward. Oshie probabaly has a spot locked up beside Backes aswell.

 

[GPF]

It is still a strength, I know the goals Quick gave up recently were as follows

Aside from the Pens and Hawks, I believe Quick has given up 2 goals or less every single game since his comeback from injury. Just that the King's scored 0 or 1 goal in virtually all of those.

Hmmm probably you are right .. stood up early today to watch the Kings vs. CBJ game.

At least in this it's less Quick than more the Kings ... Jesus since they started to struggle it's the first game I watched of the Kings. Even though they won they look horrible .. penalties they take, passing, give aways at the offensive blue line etc ... even though I'm a Bruins fan (or because of that) I'm a big Dustin Brown fan since especially his performances against the Canucks but he looks even more horrbile than the stat sheet is showing (Jeff Carter too for that matter). No life, no drive, no energy along the boards, nada nothing.

So, I'd go with Quick too.

Btw why does everybody here put Martin with Suter on defense with Orpik on the bench? Apart from fan opinion and given the fact Bylsma plays them together in Pittburgh the probability to me seems much higher he will ice them as a pair in Sochi as well and Fowler or Shattenkirk as PP especialists. Not that I would support that but I don't see Bylsma benching Orpik or did I miss something?

 

[Fongule]

Not with year he is having. He also plays with Backes. My picks to sit are probably Brown and Stepan.

I wish they'd sit him but they definetly won't, he got an A on his sweater.

 

[Jaykay]

I wouldn't mind this for forwards

Pacioretty-Kesler-Kane
JVR-Pavelski-Kessel
Parise-Stastny-Wheeler
Brown-Backes-Oshie

 

[Novacain]

Am I the only one who sees oshie on the bench? Wheeler/Callahan are much better IMO

TJ Oshie: 55 games, 13 goals, 32 assists
Ryan Callahan: 40 games, 11 goals, 13 assists

Both play strong defensive hockey, Ryan being more of a straight up hitter were as Oshie is just a very smart defensive player. Add in TJ's existing chemistry with Backes, and I just don't see it.

But then again I don't see the need for Dustin Brown to be on this team and he's wearing an A, so what do I know?

 

[fsanford]

Hmmm probably you are right .. stood up early today to watch the Kings vs. CBJ game.

At least in this it's less Quick than more the Kings ... Jesus since they started to struggle it's the first game I watched of the Kings. Even though they won they look horrible .. penalties they take, passing, give aways at the offensive blue line etc ... even though I'm a Bruins fan (or because of that) I'm a big Dustin Brown fan since especially his performances against the Canucks but he looks even more horrbile than the stat sheet is showing (Jeff Carter too for that matter). No life, no drive, no energy along the boards, nada nothing.

So, I'd go with Quick too.

Btw why does everybody here put Martin with Suter on defense with Orpik on the bench? Apart from fan opinion and given the fact Bylsma plays them together in Pittburgh the probability to me seems much higher he will ice them as a pair in Sochi as well and Fowler or Shattenkirk as PP especialists. Not that I would support that but I don't see Bylsma benching Orpik or did I miss something?

Not sure what Brown's problem is, he just has had a terrible year. I know he had a knee injury at the end of the playoffs last year, and is wearing a brace this year. Okposo should have gone over Brown, I would not have had a problem with it.

 

[GPF]

Not sure what Brown's problem is, he just has had a terrible year. I know he had a knee injury at the end of the playoffs last year, and is wearing a brace this year. Okposo should have gone over Brown, I would not have had a problem with it.

yeah and the A on his Sweater makes it almost impossible to bench him for Callahan f.i.

[/QUOTE] Pacioretty-Kesler-Kane
JVR-Pavelski-Kessel
Parise-Stastny-Wheeler
Brown-Backes-Oshie [/QUOTE]

I would definitely play Stastny with Kessel and JVR ... best playmaker on the Team to feed the two and swap Pacioretty and Parise to have a scary offensive-defensive-scoring-checking line with Pach Pavelski and Wheeler

 

[bigbadbruins7]

Oshie looked great last night against the Bruins. Got the game winning goal on a lucky bounce but was working hard on the forecheck to get the bounce. Finished his hits everytime he had the chance and had some beautiful setups. I could see him starting on the bench but I really hope that he gets the chance to play early on in the tournament

 

[sjci]

Aside from the Pens and Hawks, I believe Quick has given up 2 goals or less every single game since his comeback from injury. Just that the King's scored 0 or 1 goal in virtually all of those.

Quick's given up 3 or more goals to Phoenix, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Boston, and Detroit since coming back from injury (5 of the 15 games he's played in)

Just looking at January (and taking February out for both Miller and Quick because it's been bad for both of them), Miller had a .927 Save %, Quick had a .925 Save %.

Craig Anderson recently went on the record saying he believes Miller should be the starter:

"Based on what (Ryan Miller) has done in the past, you know he can get hot," Anderson said before the game. "Get him hot and let him run the table. I think (Jonathan) Quick can do it, too, but I think Miller has the upper hand just because he's been there before. He's done it. So I think he gets the nod. Unless he completely falters, then you go with Quick. If Miller doesn't falter, you try to let him get on a roll. That's what I would do."

"I doubt they've told them anything (yet)," Anderson continued. "I'm sure they'll be told over there. I'm assuming (Miller) has got to assume that he's playing, that he'll be the guy. He was the MVP of the tournament four years ago."

Yet many believe Quick is the best goalie in the world.

"How do you judge that, in a team game," Anderson said. "Put Miller on that team and see what happens. Put Quick on Miller's team and see what happens. So much depends on your friends. "(Stats wise) Ben Scrivens was the best goalie in the league. He's played well in Edmonton so far, but he has the best numbers in the league based on (his days) in L.A. They play a tough defensive game. I think he's definitely better than (Devan) Dubnyk, but how much better? You can only tell after a bigger sample size."

 

[Nordique]

TJ Oshie: 55 games, 13 goals, 32 assists
Ryan Callahan: 40 games, 11 goals, 13 assists

Both play strong defensive hockey, Ryan being more of a straight up hitter were as Oshie is just a very smart defensive player. Add in TJ's existing chemistry with Backes, and I just don't see it.

But then again I don't see the need for Dustin Brown to be on this team and he's wearing an A, so what do I know?

Brown being on this team is a joke. Okposo, Dubinsky or Callahan would be stronger choices, AINEC.

Not sure what Brown's problem is, he just has had a terrible year. I know he had a knee injury at the end of the playoffs last year, and is wearing a brace this year. Okposo should have gone over Brown, I would not have had a problem with it.

He's peaked at 29 years old with one 60 point season to his name. This season he has fewer points than alot of NHL 4th liners.

 

[AmericanDream]

What a night for Pacioretty!

3 goals on the night, but 2 missed penalty shots!!

hopefully we do not need him to make any penalty shots in Sochi.

Max looked great out there last night, flying all over the place. For a big man he can fly, him and Wheeler on the big ice are going to be fun as hell to watch. Look out world!

 

[AmericanDream]

Brown being on this team is a joke. Okposo, Dubinsky or Callahan would be stronger choices, AINEC.



He's peaked at 29 years old with one 60 point season to his name. This season he has fewer points than alot of NHL 4th liners.

Callahan made the team too. he is as well underperforming.

 

[AmericanDream]

Oshie looked great last night against the Bruins. Got the game winning goal on a lucky bounce but was working hard on the forecheck to get the bounce. Finished his hits everytime he had the chance and had some beautiful setups. I could see him starting on the bench but I really hope that he gets the chance to play early on in the tournament

Oshie has been playing lights out as well. What impresses me is just how involved he gets in the game. He brings energy and jam while still being an explosive offensive player. I am glad the goals are starting to come for him as he should be at 20 with the way he has played (bad luck, posts, etc).

Oshie and Backes are going to be a great shutdown line that is capable of playing like a top scoring line w/ either Callahan or Brown on their flank.

 

[AmericanDream]

I was thinking about this last night - a simple question -

what if Dustin Byfuglien was moved to forward earlier in the season? would team USA give him a much harder look knowing that he can be that beast in front of the net offensively and work the point on power plays?

His skating isn't going to hold him back on the big ice as he wouldn't be playing 17-20 minutes a night as a dman, instead he could be a 10-12 minute grinder who could wreak havoc in front of the net.

would he have a better shot as a forward then a defensemen to make team USA?

 

[AmericanDream]

Just an update on our scorers so far:

name team position goals assists points


Phil Kessel TOR C 59 30 33 63
Patrick Kane CHI R 59 27 36 63
Joe Pavelski SJS C 58 29 25 54
James van Riemsdyk TOR L 57 23 23 46
Blake Wheeler WPG R 59 22 24 46
T.J. Oshie STL R 56 14 32 46
David Backes STL C 51 20 22 42
Paul Stastny COL C 51 16 24 40
Max Pacioretty MTL L 49 26 11 37
Ryan Kesler VAN C 59 19 18 37
Zach Parise MIN L 44 19 17 36
Kevin Shattenkirk STL D 55 8 28 36
Derek Stepan NYR C 58 10 25 35
Ryan Suter MIN D 59 6 27 33
Ryan McDonagh NYR D 58 8 22 30
Cam Fowler ANA D 59 6 24 30
Ryan Callahan NYR R 41 11 13 24
John Carlson WSH D 58 10 13 23
Justin Faulk CAR D 55 3 18 21
Dustin Brown LAK R 58 10 6 16
Paul Martin PIT D 32 2 10 12
Brooks Orpik PIT D 49 1 11 12


man did I have to search a bit to find Dustin Brown

overall, this team isn't going to have a lot of issues scoring unless a lot of guys crap the bed. very balanced from top to bottom.

 

[SimplySensational]

Just an FYI for anyone, Williams-Kopitar-Brown is by far the best possession line in the NHL. CF% for that line is consistently around 65% every season.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Callahan made the team too. he is as well underperforming.

Callahan has played very well of late

 

[AmericanDream]

Callahan has played very well of late

true, and good timing. but my comment was for the previous 35 games prior to this past month where he took a collective dump on the ice many nights. Callahan is capable of so much more, hopefully his head is out of his rear and we see the two way stud we expected to see this season.

 

[cheesedanish87]

Lots of players are starting to miss the Olympics with injuries, USA has been lucky so far, hopefully we can make it through these final 2 days with no injuries.