Team USA Line up/Roster Predictions

[Rabid Ranger]

I saw the game as well and I think you and I saw a complete different AJ. Thelen was the only guy who impressed me.And it is hard to impress when your team is lethargic from the get go. Seriously the guy cant do it all on his own despite his lofty draft status. I'd take him in a heartbeat on any teaam I coached. He was solid on the PK and in his own zone.
You want offense from him? Talk to the forwards who showed nothing. He cant win the game by himself (especialy when he is an obvious bust).

I agree with this. Even the most talented individuals look average much of the time on an ordinary team, and that description certainly fits Michigan State.

 

[Levitate]

i'm not really saying he sucked or anything, he just didn't really do anything special IMO. He was a guy i really liked going into the draft and he seems to have stumbled quite a bit this year, i was hoping i'd see something from him but didn't really see anything to distinguish him from michigans other defensemen

I watched that game as well, and Thelen didn't stand out, but didn't look awful either, just very average, kind of like the Spartan team as a whole. They were certainly outclassed by Minnesota, that's for sure. One D-man that appeared in the game that might have a chance to make the U.S. WJC team is Nate Hagemo. He looked great.

that's about how i saw it

 

[stardog]

i'm not really saying he sucked or anything, he just didn't really do anything special IMO. He was a guy i really liked going into the draft and he seems to have stumbled quite a bit this year, i was hoping i'd see something from him but didn't really see anything to distinguish him from michigans other defensemen



that's about how i saw it

See thats just it. I saw him certainly distinguish himself from the rest of the lethargic MSU "D" in a big way. He may not have been noticed much but for a defensive defensman isnt that a good thing? Plus he seemed to be the only guy who played positionaly well and with a consistent passion. Despite the score I came away thoroughly impressed with Thelen while disgusted with most of his team which says something in itself in the drubbing they took. Plus that was only 1 game and he has impressed me along the same lines (and for the same reasons) in each of those games this season.
Give him a bit of time to grow into his team and watch him carefully if you havent yet and you may see the things (the little things) which I am talking about that have impressed me.

 

[Hab Fan]

Hobart Hig... I mean db23... wait... hab fan is a big u of michigan fan so I'm not surprised to see he's down on Thelen (and Suter?).

I am NOT a UM fan, just a fan of a couple of their kids. I am very high on Suter and not impressed with Thelen at all. I tend to watch kids at a young age and enjoy their development. Many get accilades because of size, but real players have to be able to see the ice etc. I was a big fan of Scotty Bowmans. Remember when his team destroyed Philly in 4 straight? Philly was so big and going to crush and intimidate Detroit. Scotty countered with skill, kept Vlady away from the big line and won easily. I am just a fan with a lot of friends in the business, scouts, GM's etc. And I don't mean to dish on kids, just try to call it as I see/hear it.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

A guy that won't factor into this year's squad, but one to look for next year and beyond is Mike (Michael) Sauer from the Portland Winterhawks.

 

[Postman]

A guy that won't factor into this year's squad, but one to look for next year and beyond is Mike (Michael) Sauer from the Portland Winterhawks.

Yep, he's suppose to be real solid.

In other (bad) news, apparently there are reports Dan Fritsche re-hurt his shoulder this weekend playing in Sarnia.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Yep, he's suppose to be real solid.

In other (bad) news, apparently there are reports Dan Fritsche re-hurt his shoulder this weekend playing in Sarnia.

That's not good news. I hope he's okay. It would be a shame if a promising career is derailed because of constant trouble with his shoulders, which has been a key concern.

 

[Postman]

That's not good news. I hope he's okay. It would be a shame if a promising career is derailed because of constant trouble with his shoulders. which has been a key concern.

Yeah, Danny is one of my favorite prospects. I would hate to see it affect his career long-term, like it appears to be doing thus far.

Shame.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Yeah, Danny is one of my favorite prospects. I would hate to see it affect his career long-term, like it appears to be doing thus far.

Shame.

I noticed on the Jackets board that there is some question as to the nature/severity of the injury, as he didn't indicate something was amiss in an interview, so hopefully he's okay.

 

[goteam]

There was an article I read in a local newspaper that a player from the Saskatoon Blades (WHL) could sneak onto the US roster and that's forward Aaron Bader. I haven't been able to go to any Blades' games yet this year so I can't make any comment on him, but from what I've heard he's a very talented player who got into some trouble earlier in his career and was sidetracked for a few years and finally has his life back on track.

http://www.whl.ca/stats/player.php?id=22754

 

[Postman]

I noticed on the Jackets board that there is some question as to the nature/severity of the injury, as he didn't indicate something was amiss in an interview, so hopefully he's okay.

Yeah, I heard the interview, but according to the poster who watched the game, it's still something to worry about. We'll just have to wait and see if it truly is a shoulder injury, and if it's serious.

 

[Senor Rational]

THe chances of Zach Fiztergerald playing for USA? Hes a big mean nasty defensemen in the CHL.

 

[mazmin]

THe chances of Zach Fiztergerald playing for USA? Hes a big mean nasty defensemen in the CHL.

Good call. USA will need a guy like him deal with the powerforwards. I bet he skates better than Nickerson.

 

[Senor Rational]

Good call. USA will need a guy like him deal with the powerforwards. I bet he skates better than Nickerson.

Hes use to playing against gritty WHL forwards, was he even invited to camp?

 

[Postman]

Hes use to playing against gritty WHL forwards, was he even invited to camp?

No, and I think he has very little chance of making the team.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I saw this on the Oilers board: http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/Junior/2004/11/30/741647.html

Good stuff on Schremp, and the article indicates Fritsche's injury will be evaluated today. If Fritsche can't play, that's makes Schremp's inclusion virtually a 100% certainty (which it should already be).

 

[rebedom]

Is Patrick Eaves too old to play in this tournament now?

 

[orangeandblack]

hes an 84

 

[Rabid Ranger]

It looks like Fritsche is okay: http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/Junior/2004/12/01/751265.html

"Sarnia Sting forward Danny Fritsche, who stretched ligaments in his shoulder in his second game of the season on Saturday after recovering from shoulder surgery in September, will miss some games but shouldn't be out of the lineup for a long period, Sting GM Alan Millar said."

 

[FREE DENTAL CARE]

Lavallee

LaVallee is the "Rodney Dangerfield" -- can't get no respect -- of the CHL. He is putting up solid numbers (20-16-36, with +15), is tough as nails (played two times last season with a broken foot and never missed a game), and fits with any combination of C/RW that Quebec has put him with. His visibility been hurt (especially the case last year, but this year as well) by fact that there are games where he gets only 10-15 minutes of ice time. He in the top 10 in the "Q" in goals (20), scoring (36 pts), =/- (+15), shots (108), and hits (81). Good team guy. Would help the USA as role player.

 

[orangeandblack]

are montoya and schneider set in stone in goal, or do you guys think gerald coleman will get a look? last i checked hes having a real good season.

 

[MePutPuckInNet]

orange,

Montoya's got it locked up...but I think Coleman could overtake Schneider, or will at least be a serious contender for the #2. If nothing else, I think Coleman would at least be at the top of their alternate list. just my opinion, of course.

 

[orangeandblack]

i know montoya will absolutely be the number one, theres no reason he shouldnt. but just as a precaution, considering what happened last year, i was wondering if they were set to give the back up roll to schneider, bc i think coleman might be a better candidate considering hes having a great year playing on a great london team.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

i know montoya will absolutely be the number one, theres no reason he shouldnt. but just as a precaution, considering what happened last year, i was wondering if they were set to give the back up roll to schneider, bc i think coleman might be a better candidate considering hes having a great year playing on a great london team.

I'd be inclined to give the back-up spot to Coleman or Mike Brown (of the Saginaw Spirit), but the management team might want to give that job to Schneider to give hims some experience for next year.

 

[flip588]

Do you guys know if Bobby Ryan officially won't be named? I know he hasn't got an invite to anything, but is there still a chance? If not you'll be missing out on an amazing player. I would consider him a lock for next year.