Jeff Quirin: Backes Named to US Leadership Group. Who Makes the Team Besides Him? St. Louis Blues captain David Backes has been named to the US Olympic Team Leadership Group. What does that mean and which teammates have the best chance at joining him on the final roster?

Will he attempt to fight every member of Team Canada?

Shattenkirk is on my team ahead of either Jack or Erik Johnson 10 times out of 10.

I don't believe that Erik Johnson will make the team but for some reason Jack Johnson will make the roster.

Yes on NHL 14

Will he attempt to fight every member of Team Canada?
- jmatchett383

Hopefully Lucic make its then

I've always liked Backes and think he should probably be the Captain of the team, or Callahan.

And yes, a review of NHL 14 would be great. Thanks!

I don't see how Shattenkirk misses the cut (unless he grows that gawd-awful moustache again) and I don't see how Oshie makes it. Osh will have to have a monster 1st half of the year to make the Top 14 forwards list.

review of 94 on NHL 14 YES

Backes will be an alternate... Parise will wear the C only because more people in the EAST know who he is and if not Parise then it will be Brown because of CUP win.

Shattenkirk should and will make the squad.

Oshie unfortunately like many said already unless it is a monster first half will not make the squad.

The US squad is not going to “out skill” the likes of Canada, Sweden, and Russia. To beat them they’ll need to bring a good ole fashioned blue collar mentality and team work. Parise and Suter represent the top of the crop at their position, but bring a do it all and do it well mantra to the table. With Backes, Brown, and Callahan Poile adds known leaders (all captains on successful teams) that lead by example. Afraid to get in the trenches with their teammates they are not. Putting them ahead of more skilled, but more individualistic counterparts (think Kessel, Kesler, Kane, Jack Johnson), the hope is that the style of play needed to win at the Olympic level trickles down.

Kane just won the Stanley Cup for his second time, first time won it in OT, this time won the conn smythe, Kesler is a Selke calibre player that has been injured last too years and finally health. Selke is an award for defense and 2 way play. Kesler is one of the best 2 way player in the NHL and will probably be USA's leading ice time center again this time because of his competitiveness and 2 way leadership with USA. Kesler is the definition of Blue Collar, he'll be USA's top shut down guy again!

And why does Backes even make the team? Because he can check? No Gold again if we are stacking the team with goons!