Olympics: 2014 - U.S. Roster Discussion (Part II)

[Thesensation19*]

Blake Wheeler is many things, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone call him a goal scorer.

Always was a talented forward. Big guy with a sick sniper of a shot. He had 19 goals in 48 games played. Full season he could have easily had 30 goals this year. He tore it up.

 

[Pominville Knows]

I would find it nice if Pacioretty was just an extra forward, while Oshie plays on the bottom-6 instead.

 

[enviSAGE]

I think its definitely going to be a battle for the 2C spot between Stastny and Stepan. The winner will playmake for Ryan and Kessel and the loser the bottom six spot for some depth scoring. Too many factors to guess who will win it out, but it'll definitely be interesting to watch. A good start to the NHL season will be crucial for both of them.

 

[Thesensation19*]

I would rather have TJ Oshie than Blake Wheeler. But I rather have a few other guys than these two. Specialists who are actually professionally paid to do dirty work.

Not score goals

 

[Jaykay]

Here's NHL.com's take

Cannot believe none of the three guys picked Jack Johnson, I really don't see him being left off.

 

[Sojourn]

Here's NHL.com's take

Cannot believe none of the three guys picked Jack Johnson, I really don't see him being left off.

I agree. JJ puts on the red, white, and blue jersey and you'd expect a cape to be part of his regalia.

 

[Sojourn]

Now that I think about it I'm a bit surprised Petry didn't get an invite.

I don't think Petry has made a strong enough argument. If he was younger, I think he might be one of the future considerations, but he's 25 and I don't think he's put forth a body of work that suggests he should be there. It also doesn't help that he really hasn't seemed to step it up at the international level.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Here's NHL.com's take

Cannot believe none of the three guys picked Jack Johnson, I really don't see him being left off.

Not impressed with these lists at all, pretty mystified that they don't do a 25 man roster either, since we know that is what is coming. 14 forwards, 8 D-man, 3 goalies.

Jack Johnson is going to be on this team as is Stastny barring injury. Nothing in terms of USA Hockey has indicated otherwise. Also have a feeling Stepan is a lock by the time this tournament roles around.

At least they put this disclaimer of sorts.

It is worth noting that none of the NHL.com rosters include Jack Johnson or Erik Johnson, two staples of the American blue line in recent international play. It would be surprising if both are left off the team, Jack Johnson especially.

This year will tell us if Keith Yandle is the defensive version of Pominville over the last decade. Surprising to think he has only suited up once for Team USA in his entire hockey career.

 

[Pominville Knows]

This year will tell us if Keith Yandle is the defensive version of Pominville over the last decade. Surprising to think he has only suited up once for Team USA in his entire hockey career.

If so i guess it's a good new omen for Team USA. Ron Francis played in one WC while Adam Oates never got to represent his country.

 

[kingsfan28]

Here's NHL.com's take

Cannot believe none of the three guys picked Jack Johnson, I really don't see him being left off.

I have a hard time believing both Jack and Erik Johnson being left off the roster.Both have international experience and have played on the the larger ice surface. Remember these are media people voting in some informal poll, not the gm's who will have the final say. Paul Martin will not make the team.

 

[kingsfan28]

That's TJ Oshie's bag. He's a gritty speed guy. Pretty much the prototypical 4th liner for this team. Brown also isn't a defensive player. He's a big, fast, hard forechecker, who puts a lot of shots on net, but if you have an elite team you aren't using him to kill penalties.

You obviously have never watched him play a lot. He used on the pk in every situation for the Kings and is quite good at it.

 

[MarryMarner]

Parise - Kane - Kessel
van Riemsdyk - Stepan - Ryan
Pacioretty - Pavelski - Brown
Oshie - Kesler - Callahan

Suter - Shattenkirk
Yandle - Gardiner
McDonagh - Carlson

Anderson
Miller
Howard

 

[651*]

I can see guys like Jack Johnson and Erik Johnson getting snubbed.

lol.

 

[Xokkeu]

You obviously have never watched him play a lot. He used on the pk in every situation for the Kings and is quite good at it.

I love the phrase "never watched.. a lot."

Regardless... the US player pool features multiple elite defensive options. TJ Oshie, David Backes, Ryan Callahan and Joe Pavelski are all a step above Brown in defensive metrics. Brown's a lock to make the US team and he's a very good player, but we have better PK options.

 

[BeersHockey]

I really think that the Goalies locks are Quick and Howard. I think Miller is outside right now because Quick is the starter and I don't think Howard would be phased by being the back-up, whereas Miller might be slighted after his amazing performance in Vancouver. On the other hand, Miller might be the starter because, let's face it, he is awesome too (Go Green). Either way, Howard has a way larger body of work than Schneider and deserves to be on the team.

Also, I really think that Galchenyuk is going to be on the team. That WC performance as a rookie was pretty impressive, plus he will be bulked up come next Feb. I wouldn't hate the pick, just saying.

 

[kingsfan28]

I love the phrase "never watched.. a lot."

Regardless... the US player pool features multiple elite defensive options. TJ Oshie, David Backes, Ryan Callahan and Joe Pavelski are all a step above Brown in defensive metrics. Brown's a lock to make the US team and he's a very good player, but we have better PK options.

True, but to to dismiss him as "Not a defensive player" is a pretty shortsighted. The team will be good hands no matter where he plays.

 

[BlueDream]

Seriously, YOU need to know what your talking about before you speak...

Look, that easy. I can demand things too.

1) TJ Oshie may be able to play the role of a "specialist" but I am not looking for actors. I am looking for guys whose JOB it is to be a role player night in and night out in their club team so theres no confusion. You hire an experienced plumber to do your dirty work, same goes here.

Its the same thing in 2010. You may be able to come up with "better players" who could have done the same "thing" Callahan and Drury did for USA back then, but you couldnt find guys who do certain things as well.

I would not put Oshie in that role when there are far better players who can play that role and be more efficient for USA




2) Backes is a GREAT player. He is one of the best Americans. But for the same argument many Canadians are having for Getzlaf, Perry and etc, is he maybe just to big and thus to slow for this ice size?

personally, I dont think so. I think were overrating the need for speed in this size rink. No team should be willing to sacrifice GREAT players for the need of getting the fastest guys in the world. Backes stays I think, just brought it up

So basically you didn't refute my point at all.

T.J. Oshie is one of the best defensive American forwards in the league. He's a gritty guy who can play physical and all that jazz.

I really find it hilarious you don't think he's made out for that role. That's exactly the type of role he should be in. That's his forte.

He has never even scored 20 goals in a season, why would he be in the top 6? He's not a scorer. He's a hard working guy. He plays in all situations, a lot of PK time, etc. He's a reliable guy for this role and he's in the same mold as a Ryan Callahan. I'd love to hear who you think would be better...

 

[and 99 others]

Parise - Kane - Kessel
van Riemsdyk - Stepan - Ryan
Pacioretty - Pavelski - Brown
Oshie - Kesler - Callahan

Suter - Shattenkirk
Yandle - Gardiner
McDonagh - Carlson

Anderson
Miller
Howard

You left out our starting goaltender!

(p.s: it's quick.)

 

[Bardof425*]

Sorry but you seriously need to stop posting until you actually know what you're talking about.

T.J. Oshie is a gritty, two-way player that is PERFECT for the bottom 6. He's not a top 6 player on an Olympic team because he's not a goal scorer really. But he will easily have one of the best defensive games up front on Team USA. I still don't know if he beats out guys like JVR, Wheeler, etc., but he'll probably be fighting for a 4th-line or extra forward spot.

David Backes is a lock for this team. There are not 13 better forwards than him to replace his size and physicality, ability to play center and wing, great defensive game, and can also score.

I think the biggest toss up is with the RHD.

And Blues Nation weighs in. Not nice to say someone doesn't know what they're talking about. If Oshie doesn't make this team you are going to look really bad. Not to mention if Backes is left off the roster.

 

[Pominville Knows]

And Blues Nation weighs in. Not nice to say someone doesn't know what they're talking about. If Oshie doesn't make this team you are going to look really bad. Not to mention if Backes is left off the roster.

I think i would put money on them getting into the 25-man roster. Will not yeild any real money but it's a rather safe bet. This aint no NHL-team they are picking, it's a best on best team. There is no place for NHL third and fourth liners, even the role players must have some skill. It's actually how perennial winner Canada has always done it.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

I have a hard time believing both Jack and Erik Johnson being left off the roster.Both have international experience and have played on the the larger ice surface. Remember these are media people voting in some informal poll, not the gm's who will have the final say. Paul Martin will not make the team.

Don't forget Poile, Shero, and Bylsma all like Martin, and with good reason. He also is more comfortable on his off-side, which is in his favor. No reason both he and JJ can't be on the team.

 

[kingsfan28]

Don't forget Poile, Shero, and Bylsma all like Martin, and with good reason. He also is more comfortable on his off-side, which is in his favor. No reason both he and JJ can't be on the team.

How much weight does Bylsma have on player selection, or is it just the GM's who select the roster?

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Not sure, but again, Poile likes Martin, and so does Shero, who is one of the assistant GM's, and also used to be Poile's assistant in Nashville. They'll definitely consult with the coaching staff.

 

[BlueDream]

And Blues Nation weighs in. Not nice to say someone doesn't know what they're talking about. If Oshie doesn't make this team you are going to look really bad. Not to mention if Backes is left off the roster.

Yeah I'm going to look REALLY bad if Oshie doesn't make the team considering I predicted him to barely make it as the 14th forward a couple pages back...



Seriously, pay attention to what I'm actually saying instead of just insinuating. I'm saying he's really good defensively in a bottom 6 role since that guy was saying he wasn't at all. I never said he will/should make the team. I won't be shocked if he doesn't. People amaze me.

Backes is a lock.

 

[VictorLustig]

No on all fronts. Franzen? Steen? Really? A 40 year old Alfredsson who wasn't even on the pre-lim roster? A defense that could feature the likes of Oduya, Murray, and Tallinder?

Trouba and Seth Jones have not even played against men yet, and they were on the U.S pre-lim roster. This group of D is better than the U.S group:

Karlsson - Edler
OEL - Hedman
Enstrom - Kronwall
Hjalmarsson

Alfredsson wasn't on the Swedish pre-lim because nobody knew if he would still be playing. This top-6 is better than the U.S top 6 IMO, especially on big ice:

Sedin - Sedin - Eriksson
Zetterberg - Backstrom - Landeskog

The average age is 29, that's hardly old.

When it comes to goaltending the most important piece by far is the starting goalie, the backup and especially the third guy won't get to play much, if anything at all.