OT: US Olympic Hockey Roster Announced

Submitted by nmumike on

After some searching on the board, I could not find this so I thought it would be a good conversation. What are your thoughts on the final 25 picked for the US hockey team. I think it shows that we have made some real strides as a country in hockey, with improved depth, and think that we are definitely a medal contender. Here is the roster:

Forwards

David Backes*
Dustin Brown*
Ryan Callahan*
Patrick Kane*
Ryan Kesler*
Phil Kessel*
T.J. Oshie
Max Pacioretty
Zach Parise*
Joe Pavelski*
Paul Stastny*
Derek Stepan
James van Riemsdyk
Blake Wheeler

Defensemen

John Carlson
Justin Faulk
Cam Fowler
Paul Martin
Ryan McDonagh
Brooks Orpik*
Kevin Shattenkirk
Ryan Suter*

Goaltenders

Jimmy Howard
Ryan Miller*
Jonathan Quick*

(* denotes member of 2010 Olympic team)

Edit: Two pretty good articles on the team and process(thanks to users 1329 S. University and skiptomylou for the link):

http://espn.go.com/olympics/hockey/story/_/id/10195703/how-us-hockey-te…

http://nhl.si.com/2014/01/01/cuts-show-depth-potential-of-team-usas-soc…

scottmaure

January 2nd, 2014 at 12:49 PM ^

Why do people feel the need to answer someone's legit question with "google"? Dick answer.



Bobby Ryan, Keith Yandle, and Ben Bishop deserve to be there. Robbed.



Does anyone match up with the top 3 lines for Canada? Crosby, Stamkos(he's almost back from broken leg), Tavares, Toews, Giroux, Getzlaf, St. Louis, Benn & Perry. Canada may leave 2 40 goal scoters at home in James Neal and Chris Kunitz. Crazy to think.

Spock

January 2nd, 2014 at 1:23 PM ^

Because you can get an answer much faster from a quick Internet search as opposed to typing the question on a blog and refreshing the page every three minutes waiting for someone else to do the work for you.

Fhshockey112002

January 2nd, 2014 at 1:56 PM ^

Counterpoints... Bobby Ryan is not the same player on Olympic size ice. His game simply doesn't translate to the large ice. He can't kill penalties, and was replaced most likely by Wheeler who does all those things well.

Ben Bishop has struggled in international competitions see 2010 World Championships. Also has zero playoff or big game experience. These are things to consider when bringing a third goalie.

Keith Yandle is high reward high risk player, yes he probably should be on the team but the US team has very mobile group picked as is.

speakeasy

January 2nd, 2014 at 12:28 PM ^

Jack Johnson got sort of hosed given the size/speed combo that USA Hockey was apparently going for, but it will be forgiven as long as we beat the commies and the canucks.

wresler120

January 2nd, 2014 at 12:35 PM ^

Ben Bishop got hosed!

21-5-3 this year for Tampa with a 1.89 GAA and .935 sv %

 

Jimmy Howard = 6-9-8 with a 2.72 GAA and .907 sv% (Howard can barely hold onto the starting job in Detroit).

Lionsfan

January 2nd, 2014 at 1:43 PM ^

If you read the ESPN article, they wanted more experience from their Goaltenders.

Jimmy Howard has had a .918 sv% with a 2.32 GAA since becoming the starter. He basically dragged the Red Wings to the playoffs last year, and led the league in shutouts last year.

One injury filled off year doesn't change the 4 previous years

Spock

January 2nd, 2014 at 12:32 PM ^

I am glad Patrick Kane is playing for the USA, but MAN do I hate that guy (as a player of course). I am a Red Wings fan and I absolutely despise the Blackhawks.

JeepinBen

January 2nd, 2014 at 1:31 PM ^

It's tough to remember that Kane first won the cup as a 21 year old. He's now only 25, he started in the NHL as a 19 year old. I know that at 19 many of us were making terrible decisions with alcohol, whether it was at Skeeps or a frat party - we just weren't national figures yet.

What's really impressed me is he seems to be taking his stick skills to the next level, and adding a level of "Datsyuk" to his game. Watching him the last few years he's really gotten better at stealing the puck from opponents, and become a more 2-way winger. Datsyuk's ability to steal has always impressed me, good to see Kane looking to add that to his game.

clarkiefromcanada

January 2nd, 2014 at 12:32 PM ^

Was surprised to see Keith Yandle and Bobby Ryan left off.  From what I've read Brandon Saad is somehow perceived as the better pick up than Ryan if anyone is injured, as well. That's just crazy.

 

 

Trebor

January 2nd, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^

I still have no goddamn clue why goddamn Brooks Orpik is on the team and not Keith Yandle - Orpik is a garbage player and he's going to get exposed big time on the big ice.

And no Bobby Ryan is kinda intriguing, but I'm also struggling to figure out who you drop off that roster to make room. Scoring isn't a terrible issue, and Ryan is kind of a one trick pony in that regard. I'd agree that Saad is the better pick-up in case of injury.

SAMgO

January 2nd, 2014 at 1:17 PM ^

As a Minnesotan it's great to see eight guys from the state make the team. Now if only we could get them all to come back to the Wild...