This talk has me convinced.

The world won't end in 2012. The hockey gods wouldn't rob us of the 2014 olympic games.

Vanek moved to the US when he was 14 and attended University of Minnesota. Has has all of the citizenship he needs.

I linked the rules in another blog earlier today and there was a clear answer saying that if a players team does not qualify and that player has citizenship in another country they are allowed to play for them.
- JVince117

I'd like to see that link.

According to the IIHF website, he'd have to apply for "the four year case" - so if he hasn't done so already, he's SOL.

http://www.iihf.com/home-...ips/iihf-eligibility.html

It's not just a matter of citizenship. It's being under the jurisdiction of the IIHF member nation hockey federation.

Spezza is not on my list cause he is up and down all the time. and in 2 years i RNH is improving he well be head and shoulders better then Spezza! i left alot of guys out : Burgeron, Hall, Lucic, Benn, Seugin, B. Richards, St. Louis and i would take most of thoses guys over Spezza! thats just my opinion!
- jonathonpeddle

It's okay to have an opinion but you clearly haven't watched much of Spezza this year then.

how would you compose the top 12? I think I'd go..

Parise Kesler Kane
Ryan Pavelski Kessel
Brown Stepan Callahan
Backes Stastny Pominville

Oshie, Gionta


Suter-Yandle
Orpik-Byfuglien
McDonagh-Fowler

Shattenkirk, Carlson

Miller, Quick, Schnieder (no room for Howard)
- RAG$4LIFE

for that last wing spot id rather have;
JVR or Blake Wheeler

Vanek is Austrian. Not Canadian. CLOSE!
- JVince117

Well, technically Vanek didn't make Team Canada. He didn't try out for them either, but thats another story...

I will bet by that time Gardiner gets a serious look for USA blueline

for that last wing spot id rather have;
JVR or Blake Wheeler
- hubie

The way Wheeler i playing this year, he's definitely playing himself on the team.

His play this year certainly hasn't been Miller like. I think the crop of goalies Burke will be choosing from will include Miller, Quick, Howard, Thomas, Schnieder, Anderson. Al Montoya maybe the dark horse if he continues to improve.
- RAG$4LIFE

Quick, Schneider, Howard

If I had to choose.

Miller has been up and down and seems to be a bit whiny lately.
Thomas will be about 206 years old by then.
Anderson is a decent goalie, but he's not olympic calibre.
Montoya could improve, but I don't see him getting better than the three guys I chose.

His play this year certainly hasn't been Miller like. I think the crop of goalies Burke will be choosing from will include Miller, Quick, Howard, Thomas, Schnieder, Anderson. Al Montoya maybe the dark horse if he continues to improve.
- RAG$4LIFE

Don't forget DiPietro.










If he can stay healthy.

And here's a bit of crazy IIHF trivia for you:

Petr Nedved has played for three national teams:

Czechoslovakia
Canada
Czech Republic
- Atomic Wedgie

Peter Stastny played for Czechoslovakia, Canada and Slovakia. Such was the world of hockey before the fall of Communism in Europe.

Ek proves once again he's an idiot. USA will have the 3rd best D. Behind sweden and canada.


DURP DURP.

"Its basically done"

I will bet by that time Gardiner gets a serious look for USA blueline
- Lee Denault

I don't think so, I think he's passed in favour of other offensive d-men, and then they'll solidify their lineup with some defensive d-men. He doesn't fit, even if he does continue to improve.

Quick, Schneider, Howard

If I had to choose.

Miller has been up and down and seems to be a bit whiny lately.
Thomas will be about 206 years old by then.
Anderson is a decent goalie, but he's not olympic calibre.
Montoya could improve, but I don't see him getting better than the three guys I chose.
- Scruffton

IM going Miller with the 3rd spot not on ability but on everyone loving him blah blah blah the 3rd goalie never plays so its just for show.

Don't forget DiPietro.










If he can stay healthy.
- Atomic Wedgie

Vanek is Austrian. Not Canadian. CLOSE!
- JVince117

im not talking specifically about Vanek bro,but thats cool, i see where ur comin from

Don't forget DiPietro.










If he can stay healthy.
- Atomic Wedgie

They could really capitalize on his puck moving ability on that big ice surface... if he can stand up on his own by then.

Don't forget DiPietro.










If he can stay healthy.
- Atomic Wedgie

Dipietro and stay healthy don't belong in the same sentence.


Unless that sentence is "DiPietro cannot stay healthy"

Hamhuis is better than Seabrook

Vanek would be a 3rd liner on Team New York State
- hubie

Vanek is a skilled shooter, but thats where it ends. He never hits, doesn't kill penalties or block shots.

Don't forget DiPietro.










If he can stay healthy.
- Atomic Wedgie

If the Olympics add a competition for getting punched in the face then maybe.

I'd like to see that link.

According to the IIHF website, he'd have to apply for "the four year case" - so if he hasn't done so already, he's SOL.

http://www.iihf.com/home-...ips/iihf-eligibility.html

It's not just a matter of citizenship. It's being under the jurisdiction of the IIHF member nation hockey federation.
- Atomic Wedgie

Vanek hasn't played for Austria since 2009. It says in there that the four year case can be back dated as well. he would be elgible to play for USA if he wanted.

Dipietro and stay healthy don't belong in the same sentence.


Unless that sentence is "DiPietro cannot stay healthy"
- Scruffton

id bet seguin, hall, eberle, and possibly RNH make the team.

it is possibly RNH doesnt make the team and they play a vet for experience...then u see RNH at the next 3 olympics.

I don't think so, I think he's passed in favour of other offensive d-men, and then they'll solidify their lineup with some defensive d-men. He doesn't fit, even if he does continue to improve.
- Scruffton

Who Jack Johnson? Mr.Minus

You're probably right, and I may be showing a bit (just a bit) of bias. But I think he gets at least a look.

international size rink + Gardiner skating ability = ??

Vanek is a skilled shooter, but thats where it ends. He never hits, doesn't kill penalties or block shots.
- Buffalo--Sabres

And that definitely doesn't fit the mold of Team USA. USA is gonna play a lot like the Rangers are this year. They're not gonna be the most skilled group, but they're going to have to be willing to work their asses off if they wanna make noise. Basically, if your not a solid 2 way player your probably not gonna make the team.