Team USA finished about where they were depth-wise. Although Kessel was playing exceptionally well leading into the tournament and carried that through the tourney, that belies the fact that the US Team is piddly in comparison to the Canadian team, and really to the Swedes and Finnish team as well.
I think the US and Russian teams were probably similarly valued in terms of talent, and both teams had high expectations that were unfair given their respective talent levels. Team Russia was expected to win due to home ice and Team USA was expected to at least repeat their berth to the Finals... Seems to me had Canada faced either Finland or Sweden they would've faced USA in the Finals.
Anyways, you'd be hard pressed to pick more than maybe 3 players on Team USA that would be better than players on Team Canada.
The weakest links being Kunitz, St Louis and Mike Smith... Jonathon Quick would probably rank ahead of Smith, but it'd be a serious debate to justify him ahead of Luongo or Price.
Likewise, outside of Kessel, who'd be worth having the the Team ahead of St Louis or Kunitz? Backes...? Kesler??
No one really jumps out on that US roster.
Had Sweden and Finland had full rosters, the US wouldn't even be worthy of consideration among the top 3.
