Jan Levine: My World Cup All-Snub Team Could they contend?

This team is far better than Team USA.

This team is far better than Team USA.
- Victoro311

What will it take for Team USA to change their mindset? The current regime must have watched the movie "Miracle" so much that they actually believe it could work...

I'm not trying to discredit the 80 Olympic team either... They had over six months of practice to gel together. This team will get 3 at most.

What will it take for Team USA to change their mindset? The current regime must have watched the movie "Miracle" so much that they actually believe it could work...
- hipcheck_goalie

With Torts there is no changing the mindset.

With Torts there is no changing the mindset.
- smellmyfinger

While I agree that Torts is set in his ways, I believe a single victory or less will cause heads to roll and a shift in mindset. There is literally not a single team that I can say that we would be favored over in a game...

I'd have TJ Brodie on this team, though really only ahead of the extras you listed. He's arguably the best D on the Flames (yes, ahead of Gio). Admittedly, I'm a huge homer and think Brodie is one of the most underrated defensemen in the league.

Also, I'd swap Couture and Galchenyuk.

Rickard Rakell is easily better than both your 3rd & 4th line centers - bigger, better hands, more skillful -

Naturally I am biased, but I think Greene should have made it over jj and niskanen. I'd take Greene and ahatty or yandle and fowler over those 2 any day. Also, I like Callahan and the "intangibles ", but I think Palmieri can play the grit game as well as add more offenively. Palmieri only had one season so that is probably why and the less players the better for team purposes, but I would have been happy for Greene to be noticed world wide. I think he is very underrated. I would have done Larsson over kronwall and ekholm, but I get that and wouldve had klingerberg and lindholm above him and those 2 as well. Team Sweden d is stacked. I agree on hall, but Canada is just too good that they're going to have a lot of snubs even if they had 2 teams.

What will it take for Team USA to change their mindset? The current regime must have watched the movie "Miracle" so much that they actually believe it could work...
- hipcheck_goalie

Good D corp, best goalie (Schneider) and offensive player (Kane) in league. I think they have a better chance than the 1980 team..... just saying

Nice blog Jan. Hate to be that guy but I think Vasilevski made team Russia.

Good D corp, best goalie (Schneider) and offensive player (Kane) in league. I think they have a better chance than the 1980 team..... just saying
- tbreinold

You're right except the best goalie is Bishop

Mark stone would be a two way element this team lacks. Other than that, solid line up.

I'd have TJ Brodie on this team, though really only ahead of the extras you listed. He's arguably the best D on the Flames (yes, ahead of Gio). Admittedly, I'm a huge homer and think Brodie is one of the most underrated defensemen in the league.
- salumba

Brodie reminds me of McDonagh a few years ago. Every Rangers fan knew we had a special elite player in him but he was our own little secret until he made himself known in the playoffs and olympics.

I think Vasilevskiy is with Team Russia

Brodie reminds me of McDonagh a few years ago. Every Rangers fan knew we had a special elite player in him but he was our own little secret until he made himself known in the playoffs and olympics.
- rangerdanger94

And then reinvented his career as Glass Joe.

With Torts there is no changing the mindset.
- smellmyfinger

I think they did chane mind set. Everyone seems to want same team as Sochi . This team hasore grit and might be able to slow down and agitate opponents. Sochi team was too soft. Also, it's no coincidence that many guys left off roster are still playing in nhl playoffs or just lost.ight have thought they be too tired or disinterested . Ask Crosby what's it like to play against t dubinski.. cantatxh the skill of Canada , sweeds ,etc so why not try to bring an actual team and not and all star team?

Nice blog Jan. Hate to be that guy but I think Vasilevski made team Russia.
- rangerdanger94

Correct, apologies, I thought he had, then looked a bunch of times and missed it. Fixed to move Luongo in and make Cam Talbot, off his World Championships performance, as the extra.

I think Vasilevskiy is with Team Russia
- Amanion

Fixed, my mistake, as noted in my prior response. Apologies.

Rickard Rakell is easily better than both your 3rd & 4th line centers - bigger, better hands, more skillful -
- dozerD10

Good name, I missed him and brings some grit as well. Galchenyuk and Backlund had pretty decent years, especially Backlund, but could see Rakell on this team

Also, I'd swap Couture and Galchenyuk.
- salumba

Could see that, Couture is a top offensive talent.

Where are Hampus Lindholm and TJ Brodies? That should be your top pairing.

Where are Hampus Lindholm and TJ Brodies? That should be your top pairing.
- James_Tanner

Lindholm declined an invite, why he wasn't included, same as Jaromir. Brodie, could definitely add him over one of the extras and have him in for Gio.

Where are Hampus Lindholm and TJ Brodies? That should be your top pairing.
- James_Tanner

WHERE ARE KADRI AND GARDINER? THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!!!