The Team USA Olympic roster was announced on Wednesday, and it brought up a whole group of questions, all for good reason.
Before I get into it all, it is one solid team that the USA has set for Sochi. Here's a look at the roster:
I can't wait to watch these guys play in February. That'll mean getting up early to catch the 7:30 a.m. EST games.
If you haven't read the Scott Burnside article, I urge you to do so. It involves a lot of inside information on how the players were chosen. Based on that article, it does not sound like Ryan Miller is the clear cut #1 goaltender.
Because of Jonathan Quick's more consistent seasons, Polie may be leaning to him. Miller has struggled since the Olympics four years ago. The battle for that #1 spot is ongoing and it isn't going to end until we reach the break.
While Quick is looking to make a recovery, it's no guarantee he will be playing at his highest level immediately. Miller has been playing some of his best hockey as of late, but will he be able to keep that going for another month? Or two?
This is David Poile's team, and he made some interesting decisions. The biggest one may have been leaving Bobby Ryan off of the roster. I understand that Poile may be interested in finding the right players to win the gold medal, rather than the best ones, but how can you pass on Ryan?
It's not like he is struggling this season. In fact, Ryan is on pace for a career year, point wise. He has 36 points (18 goals, 18 assists) in 42 games this season. His highest point total came in 2010-11 when he put up 71, but he has a chance to pass that this year.
"The issue is where he fits. If he's not a top-six forward, his skating doesn't really lend itself to him being a third-line checker. He cannot kill penalties, and while in Anaheim, he was not on the team's top power-play unit."-Scott Burnside
Ryan is a 30 goal scorer, and this year looks to be no different. His shooting percentage is at 16.5%, and the NHL average is around 10.
I just find it very surprising that Ryan wasn't named to the team. I think he deserves to be.
Another player that didn't make it was the Islanders' Kyle Okposo. I can understand why the fans are upset after this one. Okposo is having a career year and has been playing very well. His career high is 52 points, but he is already at 40 (15 goals, 25 assists) in 41 games this year.
Okposo has not been a point-per-game player in the past but with such a strong first half, many considered him to have a good chance at making the team.
I can't argue against the players that were named, because they are all strong options. I can only look at some of the guys who didn't make it.
Of course, there is former Sabre Jason Pominville, who also didn't make the roster. Has he been playing poorly? Not at all. He's put up 17 goals and 28 points this year. He hasn't been any different than he usually is, but unlike the last Olympics, Pommers wasn't named to Team USA.
"Still, the belief is that neither Pominville nor Okposo is built for the big ice, and their names will rarely, if ever, be heard in relation to making the team going forward." -Scott Burnside
As always, thank you for reading!
