Olympics: 2014 - U.S. Roster Discussion

[KittysGotClaws]

I've been debating it back and forth, but I think I actually like the idea of having Byfuglien in that specialist role. I'd love to see him against Luongo in a big game against Canada.

 

[magic school bus]

I've been debating it back and forth, but I think I actually like the idea of having Byfuglien in that specialist role. I'd love to see him against Luongo in a big game against Canada.

Awesome. I'm glad someone else agrees with the idea.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

I've been debating it back and forth, but I think I actually like the idea of having Byfuglien in that specialist role. I'd love to see him against Luongo in a big game against Canada.

Awesome. I'm glad someone else agrees with the idea.

As a Canadian, I also hope you bring him.

 

[stlblues57]

If Shattenkirk keeps progressing the way he has been...he will be on this team.

Also, don't count out Oshie. Especially with the chemistry that him and Backes have playing together. They are money together on the penalty kill.

A fourth line of Callahan/Brown - Backes - Oshie would be able to shut down opposing top lines and provide some offense.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

If Shattenkirk keeps progressing the way he has been...he will be on this team.

Also, don't count out Oshie. Especially with the chemistry that him and Backes have playing together. They are money together on the penalty kill.

A fourth line of Callahan/Brown - Backes - Oshie would be able to shut down opposing top lines and provide some offense.

Agreed on Shattenkirk and especially Oshie. Oshie appears to be taking his game to a new level and is extremely tough to play against in all three zones. An ideal 4th line guy on an Olympic team. I couldn't even imagine the mayhem he, Backes, and say Callahan could do.

 

[Jesus Christ Horburn]

If Bogosian continues to improve the way he has since arriving in Winnipeg (30+ minutes on some nights, on pace for 30+ points and a +2 rating thus far), I think he'll make the Sochi team.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

If Bogosian continues to improve the way he has since arriving in Winnipeg (30+ minutes on some nights, on pace for 30+ points and a +2 rating thus far), I think he'll make the Sochi team.

I agree. He seems to be trending up. I hope it continues, as he has high potential.

 

[magic school bus]

Who do you take off the team for Bogosian? He'd have to get pretty good fast to make up for the lack of experience in big games (compared to everyone else on the D). I don't see it.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

As a Canadian, I thank God Thomas will (most likely) be too old for Sochi.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

As a Canadian, I thank God Thomas will (most likely) be too old for Sochi.

It is not like Quick and Miller are chopped liver. The US goalie will still be very good and Thomas doesn't look like he is retiring anytime soon.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Team Canada has a thread so why not the U.S.?

The way I see it, the U.S. will have to put a premium on skating and puck moving-in particular from the blueline. That will probably result in a slightly different line-up than seen in 2010, but the good news is the current crop of U.S. skaters is by and large a very good skating group. Here's my early look:

Goaltenders (x3):

Tim Thomas *
Ryan Miller
Jonathan Quick

* If Thomas has hit the skids Jimmy Howard or Cory Schneider

Defensemen (x7):

Ryan Suter/Keith Yandle
Erik Johnson/Jack Johnson
Brooks Orpik/Cam Fowler
John Carlson

Forwards (x13):

Zach Parise-Paul Stastny-Bobby Ryan
Ryan Kesler-Patrick Kane-Phil Kessel
Drew Stafford-Joe Pavelski-Jason Pominville
Dustin Brown-David Backes-Ryan Callahan
JVR

Remember the name Seth Jones, I have a feeling even while he is that young he might make the team much like Doughty did. That kid has a world of talent and will be a top 3 draft pick in 2013 and play in the league from the get go.

 

[OttawaRoughRiderFan*]

It is not like Quick and Miller are chopped liver. The US goalie will still be very good and Thomas doesn't look like he is retiring anytime soon.

I know but Thomas reminds me of Hasek in his prime and it scares me.

 

[Ace of Hades]

Parise-Kesler-Kane
Ryan-Stastny-Kessel
JVR-Pavelski-Backes
Brown-Umberger-Callahan
Stephan, Pomminville, Stafford, C.Wilson, Okposo

Suter-Yandle
E.Johnson-Orpik
Fowler-Gleason
Carlson, J.Johnson, Goligoski, Shattenkirk, Whitney

Miller
Quick
Schneider
(Possibly thomas)

 

[doakacola*]

Fair enough.

I also have to agree that in 2010, 3 U.S. players would have made Team Canada - Miller, Kane and Parise. In 2014 it might be as high as 5 - Kane, Parise (altho I am wondering if he will ever be the same), Suter, Yandle (not sure) and Miller.

But, as you say, so much can change.



Well, I don't want to brag but I did.



I agree.

You lose all credibility by not having Ryan Kesler on this list. Healthy he is one of the top 10 players in the NHL.

Please stop your in 2010 only three players would have made crap, Miller - Rafalski - Parise - Kane - Kesler all would have been on a Canada/US hybrid.

Right now if you combined the US and Canada this is what you would get based on current talent IMO.

G - Miller - Thomas - Quick

D - Weber -Yandle - Letang - Suter - Doughty - J. Johnson - Myers

F - Crosby - Toews - Kesler - P. Kane - Perry - Getzlaf - Parise - Giroux -
JVR - Stall - Kessel - Seguin - Staal

Thats a lot more than 5 US players.

 

[ChiHawk21]

You lose all credibility by not having Ryan Kesler on this list. Healthy he is one of the top 10 players in the NHL.

Please stop your in 2010 only three players would have made crap, Miller - Rafalski - Parise - Kane - Kesler all would have been on a Canada/US hybrid.

Right now if you combined the US and Canada this is what you would get based on current talent IMO.

G - Miller - Thomas - Quick

D - Weber -Yandle - Letang - Suter - Doughty - J. Johnson - Myers

F - Crosby - Toews - Kesler - P. Kane - Perry - Getzlaf - Parise - Giroux -
JVR - Stall - Kessel - Seguin - Staal

Thats a lot more than 5 US players.

Where do u come up with that J Johnson over Keith? JVR over Iginla? so many other options as well

i love usa hockey but ur roster isnt close

 

[Alberta tough]

Where do u come up with that J Johnson over Keith? JVR over Iginla? so many other options as well

i love usa hockey but ur roster isnt close

No Stamkos also. And Myers on the team I do not see that.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

You lose all credibility by not having Ryan Kesler on this list. Healthy he is one of the top 10 players in the NHL.

Please stop your in 2010 only three players would have made crap, Miller - Rafalski - Parise - Kane - Kesler all would have been on a Canada/US hybrid.

Right now if you combined the US and Canada this is what you would get based on current talent IMO.

G - Miller - Thomas - Quick

D - Weber -Yandle - Letang - Suter - Doughty - J. Johnson - Myers

F - Crosby - Toews - Kesler - P. Kane - Perry - Getzlaf - Parise - Giroux -
JVR - Stall - Kessel - Seguin - Staal

Thats a lot more than 5 US players.

JVR would not make a combined team and he certainly wouldn't make it over even some of his American teammates left off, Bobby Ryan. Cannot imagine J. Johnson makes it over some other players not listed here as well.

With that being said my biggest problem with this is while I guess maybe Kesler is the fourth line guy. What is the checking line here. This team is built to be an all-star team with player that are not necessarily as good as a rounded team that could be built. I personally think both Dustin Brown and Mike Richards bring so many intangibles they would be on this roster.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

My USA Roster:

Forwards:

Bobby Ryan - Ryan Kesler - Phil Kessel
Zack Parise - Joe Pavalski - Patrick Kane
Dustin Brown - David Backes - Ryan Callahan
Max Pacioretty - Brandon Dubinsky - Jason Pominville
JVR

Guys that will be in serious contention in my opinion Craig Smith, Charlie Coyle, TJ Oshie and Derek Stepan

Defense:

Yandle - Suter
Erik Johnson - Jack Johnson
John Carlson - Dustin Byfuglien
Cam Fowler

Guys that will be in serious contention - Zack Bogosian, Nick Leddy, Ryan Whitney, Seth Jones and Ryan McDonagh

Goalies:

Ryan Miller
Jonathan Quick
Tim Thomas

Should Thomas not go or injuries happen - Jimmy Howard, Cory Schnieder and possibly Jack Campbell


*I am aware that I left out Stastny out, he needs to be better to be one of our top two centers and he doesn't offer much in my opinion to the bottom 6, so that is why.

I also could see taking a Brooks Orpik type that is just a mean shutdown D over one of our more offensive guys.

 

[magic school bus]

There's a difference between being in the NHL and being an Olympic-level athlete in the NHL. Guys like Coyle could be NHL-ers, but they'll have to wait their turn.

 

[doakacola*]

My USA Roster:

Forwards:

Bobby Ryan - Ryan Kesler - Phil Kessel
Zack Parise - Joe Pavalski - Patrick Kane
Dustin Brown - David Backes - Ryan Callahan
Max Pacioretty - Brandon Dubinsky - Jason Pominville
JVR

Guys that will be in serious contention in my opinion Craig Smith, Charlie Coyle, TJ Oshie and Derek Stepan

Defense:

Yandle - Suter
Erik Johnson - Jack Johnson
John Carlson - Dustin Byfuglien
Cam Fowler

Guys that will be in serious contention - Zack Bogosian, Nick Leddy, Ryan Whitney, Seth Jones and Ryan McDonagh

Goalies:

Ryan Miller
Jonathan Quick
Tim Thomas

Should Thomas not go or injuries happen - Jimmy Howard, Cory Schnieder and possibly Jack Campbell


*I am aware that I left out Stastny out, he needs to be better to be one of our top two centers and he doesn't offer much in my opinion to the bottom 6, so that is why.

I also could see taking a Brooks Orpik type that is just a mean shutdown D over one of our more offensive guys.

Not a snowball chance in hell Jones makes it over Orpik and Coyle doesn't sniff the 2014 Olympics.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Not a snowball chance in hell Jones makes it over Orpik and Coyle doesn't sniff the 2014 Olympics.

I expect two of the younger recent graduates to get a legitimate shot at making this team. That doesn't mean they will, but they will get a serious look. Also important is with a lot of Americans on good teams this season some of these kids are probably going to get a chance to play in the WC. Kreider could get a sniff depending on how he does when he turns pro. But, Coyle will probably drop directly into the top six in Minnesota when he does turn pro. I like Orpik, but key to looking at this team is the bigger ice surface. Guys that can really skate are going to be important and I think that will hurt Orpik compared to a lot of his competition.

 

[ZetterBurger]

so this is the thread where everyone says their best american born prospect should make the team...with that said its an absoulte atrocity against mankind that nobody mentioned derek stepan ryan mcdonagh or chris kreider

only at HF

Right now, not a chance. But these tow have a very good chance to impress Burke and land a spot on the team. Stepan was a gem in the WJC. Gotta love a long shot.

As a wings fan I am gonna toss in...JUSTINNNNN ABDELKADERRR!!!

 

[ZetterBurger]

But seriously, I like these lines.

Parise-Stastny-Kessel
Ryan-Kesler-Kane
Backes-Pavelski-JVR
Brown-Dubinsky-Callahan
Oshie

Suter-Goligoski
Johnson-Johnson
Carlson-Fowler
Yandle

Miller
Howard
Quick

Boom. Gold.

 

[sh724]

If it is on the bigger ice Shattenkirk has a much better chance than most of you think he does. He is a great skater and pretty good speed for a defensmen

 

[californiahockey]

a lot of these lists are leaving out my boy big buff. Come on he for sure is going to be on that team. So will JVR. As for Timmy T i think he is long gone, and the way miller is playing right now... i don't know. We could see Jimmy Howard and Cory Schneider on that squad.