Whether or not one player is better than another right now is only part of the equation. A player like Callahan who isn't playing particularly well this season has done plenty in the past to show what kind of player he is and to practically ensure his spot on the roster as long as he is healthy.

Parise has also done more than enough to get the benefit of the doubt for any slow start he may be in the midst of. And in fact he has as many goals as Okposo in 5 fewer games so Parise's having a solid season in his own right.

I may not agree with every decision they made but it is clear from the recounts by Allen and Burnside that the selection committee took their job seriously and made the best decisions in their opinion. There was plenty of debate on several players, although Okposo didn't seem to be one, and you heard a lot of the back and forth that goes into these decisions.

In all honesty I wouldn't be too upset if I was an Islanders fan that Okposo didn't make it. He's having a great year but it's only 40 games or so. By the same token I wouldn't have been upset or surprised had Stepan not made it since he hasn't played particularly well this season.

In the end there were a lot of ways they could have gone but aside from Ryan, I am not too unhappy with any of the forward selections. So Wheeler made it over Saad and Okposo. I don't think that is going to make much of a difference in the outcome of this tournament.
- gkmkiller

Thought this was a pretty good post till the last sentence. I think we all watch this sport enough to know this last sentence is way off base.

I'm a big Oshie guy, the 2 that surprised more than anyone else at forward were Stepan and Pacioretty, but I understand the 5th Center, I don't think he'll play that much, Fowler and Faulk over guys like Yandle and Jack Johnson plus Howard over Schneider especially I have a bigger problem with

Team USA is still in very good shape, Kane is going to amaze us some more
- cranford93

I'm more shocked about Ryan. That was a big mistake by Poille IMO.

I'm more shocked about Ryan. That was a big mistake by Poille IMO.
- Cptmjl

Well if anyone gets hurt Ryan and Okposo are probably on the short list of players to replace them

Well if anyone gets hurt Ryan and Okposo are probably on the short list of players to replace them
- cranford93

I'd think Ryan then okposo.

OK or KO but it is a bit suspicious that this team represents all of the big TV markets which also has alot to do with the big markets having many great players.

Just can't help feeling that we will be watching NBC game of the week and CBC game of the week or this is about a return on investment for viewership or throw the hockey altruism out the window. Sorry but I think Howie Rose has a point.

Just look at how they left out the small market players.
- Fan101

the Islanders aren't a small market, just because Wang runs them like they are doesn't make them small market.

Yeah that was me. The fact that he thinks Crosby's grow on trees made me go nuts. Then he just tried making fun of my name when I asked him how you go about getting player like that if you aren't terrible enough to draft 1st overall? Got no answer.
- tomburton99

Happy New Year!!

Still think NYR have won the cup? Do ya, do ya?

can we please stop the KO, cally, stepan, ryan olympic discussionit's not like we are going to change anything, rather talk about retooling/rebuilding our roster cause that we can change if sather has an 'accident'

can we please stop the KO, cally, stepan, ryan olympic discussionit's not like we are going to change anything, rather talk about retooling/rebuilding our roster cause that we can change if sather has an 'accident'
- webleedblue

unfortunately it's going to continue to be the Rangers fault that David Poile, Dan Blysma, Ray Shero and Brian Burke didn't select Kyle Okposo so we are going to have to continue to suck it up

unfortunately it's going to continue to be the Rangers fault that David Poile, Dan Blysma, Ray Shero and Brian Burke didn't select Kyle Okposo so we are going to have to continue to suck it up
- jimbro83

it is only going to get worse because i just don't see a way USA wins a medal.

it is only going to get worse because i just don't see a way USA wins a medal.
- webleedblue

Don't see how they don't medal, think this team is being underestimated, compared to every other country besides Canada I don't see how other countries are better, maybe Sweden but seriously the same was said about the Silver medal team

Don't see how they don't medal, think this team is being underestimated, compared to every other country besides Canada I don't see how other countries are better, maybe Sweden but seriously the same was said about the Silver medal team
- cranford93

I totally agree.

I think some people's 2014 New Year's resolutions were to "BRING ON THE NEGATIVE!"

can we please stop the KO, cally, stepan, ryan olympic discussionit's not like we are going to change anything, rather talk about retooling/rebuilding our roster cause that we can change if sather has an 'accident'
- webleedblue

Yea lets talk about fake trades with the flyers cuz this Olympic topic is sooo old and overtalked compared to trades

Yea lets talk about fake trades with the flyers cuz this Olympic topic is sooo old and overtalked compared to trades
- rangerdanger94

Bickel, Falk, Bourque and a 4th to the Flyers for Simmonds E5

I'd think Ryan then okposo.
- Cptmjl

Ryan, then dubinsky, then saad, then that 60-something year old dude from Vancouver, then my left nut, then MAYBE okposo

Ryan, then dubinsky, then saad, then that 60-something year old dude from Vancouver, then my left nut, then MAYBE okposo
- rangerdanger94

I thought your left nut played defense?

I thought your left nut played defense?
- jimbro83

And it'll still get picked over okposo

KO should be on this team, an could easily play a top 6 role over Parise or JVR and have Kane shift to LW, and KO can also play a checking role. KO is on pace for 82 pts... I guess USA has too much firepower to take him

Byf Yandle KO and Bishop should be on this team over Orpik Fowler Wheeler and Howard
- Danformo

your overvaluing okposo big time. he's playing good hockey now, but he was drafted how long ago and he's actually only having his first good season now? no way he goes over JVR let alone parise. Parise and Kane are easily the best USA wingers.

Clearly, both of you have never watched TJ Oshie play. He's one of the best all-purpose players in the NHL, playing in every situation. Even a quick stat check will show you how inaccurate your statements are.
Poweplay specialist? 9 outta 35 pts. on the powerplay is not just some specialist
Benefiting from Steen? Oshie has 5 pts in the 5 games since Steen was injured.
Okposo with the GWG tonight? Oshie had 2 goals, inc. the game winner tonight.
Okposo with much lower powerplay points? Actually, he has 10 pts compared to Oshie's 9, inc. tonight.
Much better 5v5 than Oshie? Okposo with 30 even strength pts, compared to Oshie's 25. That's even with getting a chance to play with Tavares who is one of the top 5 players in the NHL, & better than any of Oshie's linemates.

The only thing you got correct was that no, Oshie has not.eclipsed 10 goals yet. He has 8, but Okposo's 15 is no record breaker. I honestly like Okposo as a player, and he is having a career year, but when he has only 7 more points than Oshie, while playing with Tavares, to say he is much better offensively & it's not even close is asinine. Also, he is not the 2-way player Oshie is. Therefore Oshie is more deserving of a spot on the team, IMHO.
- usmcaaron

Thanks for the correction and stats. I was giving my personal view of Oshie, who I have watched a bunch and owned in several fantasy leagues over the year. With Steen out, agreed, he has run a hot streak, though five games is not fully enough for me to say he is not in general a product of playing with Steen, though he clearly has shown he can score without him there. I never said nor was implying Okposo doesn't score on the PP and concur with your view he benefits from playing with Tavares. it's a personal view that Okposo would have been a better choice than Oshie, but can understand the argument, supported by the stats, that it may be closer than I first believed. Though I do think Okposo should have been selected.

your overvaluing okposo big time. he's playing good hockey now, but he was drafted how long ago and he's actually only having his first good season now? no way he goes over JVR let alone parise. Parise and Kane are easily the best USA wingers.
- GuidoDangles

No way I take him over JvR or Parise, but as we have all pointed out, there were others he could have been selected over. Also, Okposo is only a bit more than a year older than JvR and has scored 45 and 52 points in a season, more than van Riemsdyk has even notched, so think the argument he has had only one good season goes out the window.

No way I take him over JvR or Parise, but as we have all pointed out, there were others he could have been selected over. Also, Okposo is only a bit more than a year older than JvR and has scored 45 and 52 points in a season, more than van Riemsdyk has even notched, so think the argument he has had only one good season goes out the window.
- airjan23

yeah that is true, i guess if we were going at that, bobby ryan would be the much better solution. still baffled he wasn't chosen. The team seems geared to a defensive grind and grit type of game, one which may not be to effective against Canada, Sweden or russia on the bigger ice surface especially

Hope everybody is well and safe. I know LI was hit hard with this storm.

Ryan, then dubinsky, then saad, then that 60-something year old dude from Vancouver, then my left nut, then MAYBE okposo
- rangerdanger94

You don't have any balls so okposo would move up a spot.

your overvaluing okposo big time. he's playing good hockey now, but he was drafted how long ago and he's actually only having his first good season now? no way he goes over JVR let alone parise. Parise and Kane are easily the best USA wingers.
- GuidoDangles

I agree with the last sentence but nothing else. You're under valuing okposo. A lot of you guys like to say this is his first good season which is not the truth yet you all say it? Guy was one of the biggest reasons we made the playoffs last year.

You don't have any balls so okposo would move up a spot.
- Cptmjl

oh snap, you guys, so uncouth

You don't have any balls so okposo would move up a spot.
- Cptmjl