Let's be honest, Dustin Brown has had a season of struggles so far in 2013-14.
As we approach the 30-game mark the King captain has nine points on the season, on pace for a grand total of 25-30 points. Those numbers, if they hold throughout the year, would be the lowest point total the winger has ever had outside of a 31-game rookie season in 2003-2004.
After a knee injury in the playoffs, I think everyone was expecting Brown to start off a little slow but as we get deeper into the season it seems like this is more a slump than an injury recovery. Brown did deal with some notable inconsistencies in his game very early on, as his shot, hit, and point totals were all well below average through the first 10-15 games. Considering it was the early goings of the season after an injury it was perhaps natural for everyone to point to that as the cause.
However, as we have rolled on further to nearly a third of the way through the season Brown is still looking like he is in a funk. Playing on a line with two tremendously hot players in Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams you would expect Brown to be benefiting from their exceptional play, but he hasn't.
The struggles couldn't come at a worse time for Brown as the selection process for the Sochi Olympics are right around the corner. While on one hand you have to give Brown the nod purely based on reputation, style, and experience. On the other hand, Team USA has a plethora of skilled wingers that deserve a shot. Just who is Brown competing with for wing spots?
Zach Parise
Patrick Kane
James van Riemsdyk
Phil Kessel
Bobby Ryan
Max Pacioretty
Jason Pominville
Ryan Callahan
T.J. Oshie
Kyle Okposo
Blake Wheeler
Brandon Saad
....hell you could even toss Chris Kreider in there given his reemergence.
That is a stacked group of wingers, most of whom are having fantastic years deserving of a roster spot. You can only take 25 men so with three goalies, five centers and eight defenseman that leaves nine wing spots available.
It seems like a silly question. Will Dustin Brown make Team USA? It seems like almost a lock. Of course he will. However, when I look at that list it's a combination of things that really make me think "well anything is possible." Particularly when former 'fringe' players to team USA like Okposo, Oshie, and Pominville are having such stellar years. While you shouldn't base any selection to something like an Olympic roster on one year or a half season performance, there are cases being made around the league by players who really want to represent their country. While Dustin Brown has a lot going for him in the intangibles department he isn't doing a whole lot to back up his case with a rather quiet and all-together streaky performance this year.
The question I pose to you, the reader, is not IF Dustin Brown will make Team USA (Because I'm fairly certain he will regardless) but rather this: If you were the GM of Team USA would you select Dustin Brown?
Follow me on twitter for news and notes about the Kings and the NHL
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»