Why do people think this US team is going to be good? I just don't see it. Brooks Orpik on the big ice as one of your shutdown defenders? He's going to get abused to the outside by the top players in the tournament. Suter can't play 40 minutes a game. Plus Kane and Kessel have a LOT on their shoulders.
- rollpards19

They have an abundance of Hockey Buzz Commodity.....Red ASS. And for some, that counts for everything...

They have an abundance of Hockey Buzz Commodity.....Red ASS. And for some, that counts for everything...
- TrueGrit

I can easily see the US out of position repeatedly trying to chase the big hit on the larger ice surface.

Orpik may not dress, but he and Martin have been a solid shut down pair in pittsburgh when healthy this season.
- Brianandr1

Paul Martin is a -1 on team with a +48 goal differential. How good of shutdown guys is he when he guys like Niskanen, Maatta and Orpik are all + players.

Yeah I should just let you talk down on others who throw an opinion out there

then throw a sabre jab at me

typical leaf fan

(just a hockey fan 43 years old and never saw the leafs play in the finals)
- homiedclown

Ahh so you not responding versus responding means letting or not letting me have my own opinion...interesting. Because I wasn't talking down, just simply stating my opinion on your opinion. Difference was, I actually used facts to back mine up..

And it was only a joke to put things in better perspective for you

Typical Sabres fan, always gettin uber-sensitive. Keep watching champ because we'll be back there before you guys, that's for sure

Paul Martin is a -1 on team with a +48 goal differential. How good of shutdown guys is he when he guys like Niskanen, Maatta and Orpik are all + players.
- blacksheep1

Because Martin and Orpik always get the oppositions top lines ... At 20 plus min per night ... Both kill penalties ... Stats a little misleading

Because Martin and Orpik always get the oppositions top lines ... At 20 plus min per night ... Both kill penalties ... Stats a little misleading
- Brianandr1

They also play with the Crosby line the most, so I'd say that balances out. I just don't think those two are that good. Its Suter and McDonaugh are the only real #1 shutdown dmen on that team. And the scoring depth isn't there. I just just don't see it, but as an American I hope I'm wrong

They have an abundance of Hockey Buzz Commodity.....Red ASS. And for some, that counts for everything...
- TrueGrit

Honestly. There are plenty of Hawk fans who I'm sure are psyched to finally see a team of real men play

Because Martin and Orpik always get the oppositions top lines ... At 20 plus min per night ... Both kill penalties ... Stats a little misleading
- Brianandr1

Orpik is a +4 in like 15 more games played. So that theory goes right out the window.

Orpik is a +4 in like 15 more games played. So that theory goes right out the window.
- blacksheep1

Martin does not always play on the pp as they often use letang ( when healthy) and Malkin on the point with Neal Crosby and Kunitz up front, also niskenen sees pp time. Orpik never plays on the pp. Suter and mccdounagh play big pp minutes... That has a big impact on plus minus, but no question suter/ mcdounagh better then Martin/ orpik

Martin does not always play on the pp as they often use letang ( when healthy) and Malkin on the point with Neal Crosby and Kunitz up front, also niskenen sees pp time. Orpik never plays on the pp. mccdounagh plays big pp minutes
- Brianandr1

1. Why on earth or you bringing up Mcdonagh when the conversation is about Orpik and Martin?
2. Letang is the worst of the group at -6. Niskanen is a +29
3. Half on Martin's 12 points have come on the power play. 1/3 of Mcdonagh's points have come via the power play. A little less than half of Carlson's points have come via the power play.
4. Carlson get's 3:05 of PP time per game. Martin 3:00 and Mcdonagh 2:53


So basically you're wrong, about everything.

1. Why on earth or you bringing up Mcdonagh when the conversation is about Orpik and Martin?
2. Letang is the worst of the group at -6. Niskanen is a +29
3. Half on Martin's 12 points have come on the power play. 1/3 of Mcdonagh's points have come via the power play. A little less than half of Carlson's point have come via the power play.
4. Carlson get's 3:05 of PP time per game. Martin 3:00 and Mcdonagh 2:53


So basically you're wrong, about everything.
- blacksheep1

1) Letang > niskenen defensively, any pens fan will tell you that. Proves that plus/minus is a highly overated stat.
2) Martin when healthy has been the pens best all around d man for a year and a half. Again ask anyone that watches them day in and out. Your numbers mean almost
nothing.
3) someone else brought mccdounagh's name into it, I made a comment.
4) Orpik had a rough stretch after the Thornton injury, but has been generally solid, and one of the top shut down d men in hockey for a decade.

Thought you might like that.
- mohel

Who are these people?

Kane on the 3rd line? With Bylsma coaching I make the US a darkhorse for a medal.

Who are these people?
- Elbows15

The Hockey Lonely Hearts Club.

Kane on the 3rd line? With Bylsma coaching I make the US a darkhorse for a medal.
- Elbows15

Did you see that Sharp said the worst part about the Olympics is that he has to share a room with Toews for two weeks?

Did you see that Sharp said the worst part about the Olympics is that he has to share a room with Toews for two weeks?
- mohel

Really haven't been paying attention yet. Still trying to get over the trade doe Stiff 1 and Stiff2.

Really haven't been paying attention yet. Still trying to get over the trade doe Stiff 1 and Stiff2.
- Elbows15

If I'm the unicorn, you're the mule - get the phuck over it already!

If I'm the unicorn, you're the mule - get the phuck over it already!
- mohel

Looks they are putting Kane in a checking role.

You need a hobby.
- EKolb13

Maybe I need a hobby, too if I am seriously asking aboutb two failed Blackhawk prospects on Olympic rosters. Could they have improved much since their recent stint at Rockford? Not too much IMHO. But Eli you see probably as much Icehogs as anyone. You saw Olimb and Kontiola, both skill guys. Kontiola actually got into a couple NHL games. I heard some things about both as to why they didn't progress in North America. But I cannot substantiate what heard....just off the record remarks. I will say that Mike Peck, Icehogs guru, did comment that Olimb had fences to hurdle. Unsure what that meant. Olimb played 2nd unit point on pp. Perhaps you could shed some light on whether they dress for games. As far as latest information goes they remain on respective team's roster.

A European respondant did check in on a similar query made a couple JJ columns back. So maybe he can give input as well

yeah I should pick canada to win gold

the yanks or red sox to win world series
the heat to win the nba
the hawks or pens to win the cup
the seahawks to win the next super bowl
- homiedclown

So you're admitting canada is the best team, but you've chosen finland just for the sake of picking someone different....?

I bet vegas loves you...

If I'm the unicorn, you're the mule - get the phuck over it already!
- mohel

Actually, I'm the mule...literally.

Finland is my pick JJ. A hot goalie can steal a short tournament like the Olympics and the Finns have the goalies.
- Beaver-Warrior

Finland is my dark horse too, for the very reason you listed.

The Czech Repulic could take gold, you can't discount the Fro-factor.

So you're admitting canada is the best team, but you've chosen finland just for the sake of picking someone different....?

I bet vegas loves you...
- hugefemale dog77

Apparently reading comprehension is beyond your ken. Do you know what the term dark horse means?

Actually, I'm the mule...literally.


- Ogilthorpe2

*no comment*

Finland is my dark horse too, for the very reason you listed.

The Czech Repulic could take gold, you can't discount the Fro-factor.
- DarthKane

Olympics