First, let me say that GM David Poile along with Brian Burke and the rest of Team USA brass had a very difficult job selecting the team. For great insight into what went on behind the scenes, read the blogs by
Scott Burnside and
Kevin Allen, each of who were embedded with Team USA brass during the selection process. In addition, as Ek wrote today, if we think this job was tough, it pales to what Team Canada is going through picking their team for the Olympics. Let me add that I realize they are building a team, not an All-Star squad, but one that can compete using different styles and maximize the talents of each member of the team. However, we wouldn't be fans in general or in many cases of Team USA, it we didn't critique, criticize, disagree and think we could do a better.
The final USA roster is:
# FORWARDS CLUB HEIGHT WEIGHT DOB BIRTHPLACE
42 D. BACKES STL 6'3" 221 5/1/1984 MINNEAPOLIS, MN
23 D. BROWN LAK 6'0" 212 11/4/1984 ITHACA, NY
24 R. CALLAHAN NYR 5'11" 180 3/21/1985 ROCHESTER, NY
88 P. KANE CHI 5'11" 181 1/19/1988 BUFFALO, NY
17 R. KESLER VAN 6'2" 202 8/31/1984 LIVONIA, MI
81 P. KESSEL TOR 6'0" 202 10/2/1987 MADISON, WI
74 T.J. OSHIE STL 5'11" 189 12/23/1986 WARROAD, MN
61 M. PACIORETTY MTL 6'2" 219 11/20/1988 NEW CANAAN, CT
9 Z. PARISE MIN 5'11" 190 7/28/1984 MINNEAPOLIS, MN
8 J. PAVELSKI SJS 5'11" 190 7/11/1984 PLOVER, WI
26 P. STASTNY COL 6'0" 205 12/27/1985 ST. LOUIS, MO
21 D. STEPAN NYR 6'0" 196 6/18/1990 HASTINGS, MN
21 J. VAN RIEMSDYK TOR 6'3" 200 5/4/1989 MIDDLETOWN, NJ
26 B. WHEELER WPG 6'5" 205 8/31/1986 ROBBINSDALE, MN
# DEFENSE CLUB HEIGHT WEIGHT DOB BIRTHPLACE
74 J. CARLSON WSH 6'3" 212 1/10/1990 COLONIA, NJ
27 J. FAULK CAR 6'0" 215 3/20/1992 SOUTH ST. PAUL, MN
4 C. FOWLER ANA 6'1" 196 3/5/1991 FARMINGTON HILLS, MI
7 P. MARTIN PIT 6'1" 200 3/5/1981 ELK RIVER, MN
27 R. MCDONAGH NYR 6'1" 213 6/13/1989 ST. PAUL, MN
44 B. ORPIK PIT 6'2" 219 9/26/1980 AMHERST, NY
22 K. SHATTENKIRK STL 5'11" 207 1/29/1989 GREENWICH, CT
20 R. SUTER MIN 6'1" 198 1/21/1985 MADISON, WI
# GOALIES CLUB HEIGHT WEIGHT DOB BIRTHPLACE
35 J. HOWARD DET 6'0" 218 3/26/1984 SYRACUSE, NY
30 R. MILLER BUF 6'2" 175 7/17/1980 EAST LANSING, MI
32 J. QUICK LAK 6'1" 218 1/21/1986 MILFORD, CT
The lines may be:
Parise-Pavelski-Kane
Brown-Backes-Callahan
JVR-Kesler-Kessel
Pacioretty-Stastny-Oshie
Suter-Shattenkirk
McDonagh-Carlson
Orpik-Martin
For the most part, there was general consensus on most of the names, including Kane, Kesler, Kessel, Parise, Pavelski, JvR, McDonagh, Miller and Quick. But most of the consternation centered on those who were not selected vis-a-vis those who were. The list of those excluded drawing the most interest were Bobby Ryan, Kyle Okposo, Brandon Saad, Dustin Byfuglien, Keith Yandle as well as Jack and Erik Johnson. That list is then compared to Paul Stastny, Derek Stepan, Blake Wheeler, Justin Faulk and Cam Fowler. While between the pipes, the debate is Ben Bishop or Cory Schneider and possibly Craig Anderson sitting home watching Jimmy Howard.
Travis Yost had a great
blog on Bobby Ryan today and think it explains why I also feel he deserved a spot. The argument on intensity is ridiculous especially based on his play last Olympics and in the 2012 World Championships, where he had five goals in eight games. It's a bit different getting up for example Buffalo in mid-Nov than Canada in the Olympics. Ryan was hurt obviously by Burke's and other GM's views and when you add in how they like pairings, Oshie-Backes, Stepan-Callahan, he was fighting even more of an uphill battle.
Callahan and Okposo are two totally different players. Callahan was a mortal lock based on style of play and his previous Olympics experience. Plus, when you play him with Dustin Brown and David Backes, it's a pretty impressive second or third line than can go two way. I could have seen Okposo maybe getting the nod over Wheeler, though a Wheeler might have a bit more grit and size, and if Ryan didn't make it, Okposo wasn't. I am not a huge Oshie fan, think he is a PP specialist who has benefited from playing with Alexander Steen, but he will see time on the man advantage in Sochi. Oh, and I just saw Okposo get the GWG in OT against Chicago on Thursday with the Coliseum chanting USA after he scored. Think they wanted him to go? I personally think he deserved a spot, possibly over Wheeler or maybe Oshie, but pretty close.
In addition, Ryan and Okposo were hurt by Team USA's lack of depth at center, which has forced them to move Pavelski back to the middle and select Stepan and Stastny, as I wrote yesterday, I would have preferred Dubinsky to either given the type of role he can play and ability to be used at wing and center. If there was room, my other preference was Brandon Saad, but he was viewed as a bit raw to make the team now. Stastny made it partially due to a stellar turn at the World Championships, where the U.S. won a surprise bronze medal, offsetting his so-so season this year.
To me, Faulk and Fowler were the last two to make the team. Faulk does have the ability to skate well, which will be needed on the open ice, and Fowler has come along way, especially this year. Of course, that brings up the debate on how much gains made this year should impact the overall view of a player since someone like Okposo didn't the same benefit of the doubt, same with Saad and Bishop. That said, unsure I view Yandle as purely a PP specialist, sheltered, as others have written, and a liability in his own end. Though, it looks as if the part of the concern was that he too was a lefty that couldn't play on the right. The questions on Buff were mainly about his weight, but having him on the PP with his ability to clear the net would be a nice add to the team. I don't have an issue with Martin, as I think he outplayed Letang last year and he has the ability to play on the PP, PK and even strength equally effectively, points all brought up by Ryan Wilson in his excellent
blog .
In addition, I could have seen Erik over Jack Johnson, beyond Jack Johnson getting hurt because he is a left-handed defenseman, McDonagh, Suter, Orpik and Martin are already portsiders and there is a desire for lefty-righty balance, since I think he has been solid in his own end and taken a major step forward, which is a reason why Colorado has been so good. In addition, as Rick Sadowski
wrote, Brian Burke really wanted him. Nice move by Burke calling him, though it would have been nice if each player that didn't make the squad found out from Team USA brass rather than via not seeing their jerseys being worn on the ice in the Winter Classic when the team was named. It may not be the popular view yet, but I think McDonagh will be the team's second best d-man behind Suter and this will be his national and international coming out party.
I hope I am proven wrong and that the team Poile etc. put together medal and win gold. As Glen
Miller wrote in the comments on my prior blog, when you compare the talent between the US and Canada, there is a gap between the two favoring Canada. The US will have to play like a true team, relying on a cohesive unit that meshes well with one another to beat a highly skilled team like Canada. In addition, Ryan Miller will have to be Miller circa 2010 in the Olympics for them it have a chance to advance and win.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»