I don't think either Johnson will make the USA team honestly. Guys like McDonagh, Fowler, and Carlson will have already passed them on the depth chart by then. I think this might be something the Americans might put together..

Suter-Yandle
McDonagh-Byfuglien
Fowler-Orpik
Carlson
- RAG$4LIFE

Erik Johnson has a shot, but I don't think Jack does. I just don't think he brings enough offensively to even come close to make up for his lack of defensive awareness.

Pietrangelo has absolutely amazing vision and hockey sense. His game gets elevated to another level when he's put on the larger ice surface because of those two things.

Just like how Karlsson from Ottawa will be absolutely killer on a large surface.
- Scruffton

Two other Swedes who could also show up in 2014 are former WJC team mates of young Karlsson in Rundblad and Erixan. I guess time will tell how well their development goes for them within the next two years.

Ehrhoff wouldn't make Canada or the US roster and Pietrangelo is much better then Myers especially in terms of international play on the bigger ice surface.
- keatondixon

Myers is a tremendous skater.
I'm not saying he would make the team or not, but if he doesn't it won't be due to the larger ice surface.

Ron Wilson is better than all those guys combined.

If you don't believe me, just ask him.
- Atomic Wedgie

Always thought he was an overrated coach. Although he does seem to be one of Burkie's favorites.

Eklund: In 2014, Will Team USA have a better D-Pairs than Team Canada?
- Eklund

ARE YOU (frank)ING SERIOUS!?

NO! Are you kidding me Ek? NO!

Weber, Keith, Pietrangelo, Myers, Boyle, MDZ, Letang, Doughty, Burns, Seabrook, Girardi, Fowler, Schenn, Coburn
should I go on?

Always thought he was an overrated coach. Although he does seem to be one of Burkie's favorites.
- RAG$4LIFE

youd be his favorite too if you were once his teammate

16% of the people that voted for USA are American Homers.

Two other Swedes who could also show up in 2014 are former WJC team mates of young Karlsson in Rundblad and Erixan. I guess time will tell how well their development goes for them within the next two years.
- Lohaus

Rundblad and Karlsson could be a fairly deadly 1-2 powerplay combo for the Swedes. Each quarterbacking their own unit.

The real advantage for USA is their goaltending.

Miller, Quick and a pick of Anderson, Howard, Schneider or Thomas if he's still playing at a high level.

Ward, Luongo and Fleury will be great but the American's get the slight edge.

As for defense:

Erik Johnson, Orpik, Suter, Yandle, Byfuglien, Fowler and Shattenkirk are my seven. Ryan McDonagh is my eighth. I like this set over Canada because of Orpik, Suter and Yandle. Those guys play bigger as the games get bigger.

Personally I'd love to see Suter and Johnson paired, Yandle and Buff, Orpik and Fowler/Shattenkirk

People leave out Shattenkirk way too often but he could be a dominant positional defenseman in two year's time. He's already third in defenseman scoring and is plus-26.

It's the forwards where the Canadians will own the USA.

Erik Johnson has a shot, but I don't think Jack does. I just don't think he brings enough offensively to even come close to make up for his lack of defensive awareness.
- Scruffton

As you said, his offensive is slightly above average but his D is horrendous. Really can't play a player like that against powerhouses like Canada, Sweeden, and Russia. I think USA is going to be a fast team composed of mostly solid 2 way players.

You could probably make the same case for Byfuglien. He's always pinching in the O zone and he more often than not gives the opposition a 2 on 1. However I think USA is gonna need Big Buff's size against the huge Canadian forwards. You could also throw him in front of the net on offense.

somewhere a leafs fan is thinking we have more stanley cups
- hubie

Kenora (2011 population 15,348), originally named Rat Portage, is a small city situated on the Lake of the Woods in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, close to the Manitoba boundary, and about 200 km (124 mi) east of Winnipeg. It is the seat of Kenora District.

The real advantage for USA is their goaltending.

Miller, Quick and a pick of Anderson, Howard, Schneider or Thomas if he's still playing at a high level.

Ward, Luongo and Fleury will be great but the American's get the slight edge.

As for defense:

Erik Johnson, Orpik, Suter, Yandle, Byfuglien, Fowler and Shattenkirk are my seven.

People leave out Shattenkirk way too often but he could be a dominant positional defenseman in two year's time. He's already third in defenseman scoring and is plus-26.
- martok2309

I'd bet Price is our goalie in 2014.

Canada vs. USA

Forwards: Canada>>>USA
Defence: Canada>> USA
Goaltending: USA>>Canada

Overall, Canada>USA.

youd be his favorite too if you were once his teammate
- hubie

No he wouldn't. You make team decisions based off what's best for the team, not personal allegiances.

The real advantage for USA is their goaltending.

Miller, Quick and a pick of Anderson, Howard, Schneider or Thomas if he's still playing at a high level.

Ward, Luongo and Fleury will be great but the American's get the slight edge.

As for defense:

Erik Johnson, Orpik, Suter, Yandle, Byfuglien, Fowler and Shattenkirk are my seven.

People leave out Shattenkirk way too often but he could be a dominant positional defenseman in two year's time. He's already third in defenseman scoring and is plus-26.
- martok2309

In 2 years id think the depth would be Quick-Schneider-Miller

Thomas will be like 80 in 2 years

If Myers plays it has to be for Canada. If I'm not mistaken under IIHF rules he's ineligible to represent USA because he had dual citizenship and opted to represent Team Canada at the WJC.

I could be wrong though.
- Scruffton

Correct Myers has to play for Team Canada because he did so at the World Juniors.

With Vanek and Ehrhoff though. If the country that you have played for in previous olympics does not qualify you can play for another country that you have citizenship in.

I beleive you to be correct. Myers has already chosen Canada. I dont think Vanek or Pommer have ever the slightest shot at making a team. I think they would be 3rd liners if you took play in New York Team.
- hubie

It's a pipe dream they even get consideration. It'd be like saying, as a Leaf fan, I think Clarke MacArthur has a shot of making Team Canada. I like Mac's Game but he is NOT making Team Canada. The only way he wears the Hockey Canada Crest is as the Third String Water Boy.

As you said, his offensive is slightly above average but his D is horrendous. Really can't play a player like that against powerhouses like Canada, Sweeden, and Russia. I think USA is going to be a fast team composed of mostly solid 2 way players.

You could probably make the same case for Byfuglien. He's always pinching in the O zone and he more often than not gives the opposition a 2 on 1. However I think USA is gonna need Big Buff's size against the huge Canadian forwards. You could also throw him in front of the net on offense.
- RAG$4LIFE

2014 will be back on Olympic-sized rinks.

Gotta bring your best skaters.

In 2 years id think the depth would be Quick-Schneider-Miller

Thomas will be like 80 in 2 years
- hubie

That's as solid a trifecta as you can get.

No he wouldn't. You make team decisions based off what's best for the team, not personal allegiances.
- RAG$4LIFE

DO you honestly think that doesnt happen? Has happned in Buffalo for far far far too long

as of right now i think my team Canada would be (if healthy of course):

Stamkos - Crosby - Giroux
Perry - Gezlaf - Nash
M.Richards - Towes - E.Stall
Iggy - Nuget Hopkins - Tavares

Webber - Doughty
Keith - Seabrook
Letang - Pietrangelo

Price - Luongo - Fluerry

and spares would be - Duchane, Embarle, Carter, Myers, Hamuis
- jonathonpeddle

I love how Spezza gets no love. I was more anti-spezza than anyone out there, and the his game has developed- it's worth putting him on the team. He's a two way center now and one of the best (top 3) play-makers in the league. Theres a reason heatley had back to back 50 goal seasons and now he can't even be a back to back 30 goal guy. (Spezza is great on faceoffs as well). But obv it all depends on how their playing.

Stamkos-Crosby-Giroux
Nash-Getzlaf-Perry
Bergeron-Spezza-Seguin
Hall-Toews-Eberle

*Benn*, Marleau, Thronton, Duchene key forwards to watch as well.
*Spezza> E.Staal, Marleau (34 yrs old), Thornton (34.5 yrs)

What Nationality is Karlsson? I bet he will get a look since he might break 80 points this season.

The real advantage for USA is their goaltending.

Miller, Quick and a pick of Anderson, Howard, Schneider or Thomas if he's still playing at a high level.

Ward, Luongo and Fleury will be great but the American's get the slight edge.

As for defense:

Erik Johnson, Orpik, Suter, Yandle, Byfuglien, Fowler and Shattenkirk are my seven. Ryan McDonagh is my eighth. I like this set over Canada because of Orpik, Suter and Yandle. Those guys play bigger as the games get bigger.

Personally I'd love to see Suter and Johnson paired, Yandle and Buff, Orpik and Fowler/Shattenkirk

People leave out Shattenkirk way too often but he could be a dominant positional defenseman in two year's time. He's already third in defenseman scoring and is plus-26.

It's the forwards where the Canadians will own the USA.
- martok2309

No McDonagh love?

I think it would be unwise for the Canadians to look at Michael Del Zotto for a spot on the team. 35 points and a plus-26 this year. He's only 21 and he's continuing to get better.

canada is hockey. just sayin.

Correct Myers has to play for Team Canada because he did so at the World Juniors.

With Vanek and Ehrhoff though. If the country that you have played for in previous olympics does not qualify you can play for another country that you have citizenship in.
- JVince117

well neither of them would be good enough to make the team

Kopitar on the other hand