IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
I think JVR will fit in somewhere on this team. very hard to leave his big frame at home in 2 years. he plays on a loaded roster, doesnt get top line minutes, but was having a career year before injury. He should make this squad in some capacity.
I also think Colin Wilson is starting to put things together. we need size up the middle, and he could be our best hope. keep an eye on him for sure.
Forwards Definite:
Bobby Ryan, Zach Parise, Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel, Ryan Kesler Probables:
David Backes, Dustin Brown, Ryan Callahan, Joe Pavelski, Paul Stastny Questionable:
Jason Pominville, Max Pacioretty, James vanRiemsdyk, TJ Oshie, Colin Wilson Longshots:
Alex Galchenyuk, Blake Wheeler, Erik Cole, David Booth, Craig Smith
Defense Definite:
Ryan Suter, Erik Johnson Other possible
Dustin Byfuglien, Cam Fowler, John Carlson, Keith Yandle, Ryan McDonagh, Zach Bogosian, Jake Gardiner, Ryan Whitney, Jack Johnson
Forwards Definite:
Bobby Ryan, Zach Parise, Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel, Ryan Kesler Probables:
David Backes, Dustin Brown, Ryan Callahan, Joe Pavelski, Paul Stastny Questionable:
Jason Pominville, Max Pacioretty, James vanRiemsdyk, TJ Oshie, Colin Wilson Longshots:
Alex Galchenyuk, Blake Wheeler, Erik Cole, David Booth, Craig Smith
Defense Definite:
Ryan Suter, Erik Johnson Other possible
Dustin Byfuglien, Cam Fowler, John Carlson, Keith Yandle, Ryan McDonagh, Zach Bogosian, Jake Gardiner, Ryan Whitney, Jack Johnson
I like the list and your brackets, agree with most of it...
I dont think Blake Wheeler is going to be considered much of a long shot if he does this again next year. he is in the top 3 for US scoring, and is a 6'5 power type winger....I had him not on my team a bit back, but now you really have to think this dude makes this squad.
also love seeing Galchenyuk's name on this things!! cant wait to see that kid play for the US at the WJC!
Zach Parise (C) - Paul Stastny - Phil Kessel
Patrick Kane - Ryan Kesler - Bobby Ryan
Max Pacioretty - Joe Pavelski - David Backes (A)
T.J. Oshie - Derek Stepan - Ryan Callahan (A)
Dustin Brown
Defense (x7):
Ryan Suter (A) - John Carlson
Ryan McDonagh - Keith Yandle
Brooks Orpik - Zach Bogosian
Jack Johnson
Goalies (x3):
Ryan Miller
Jonathan Quick
Tim Thomas or Cory Scneider or Jimmy Howard
I think the one player that hasn't gotten nearly enough credit in the threads I've seen, outside of NYR fans, is Ryan McDonagh. He reminds me a ton of a younger Ryan Suter. I don't think he has the overall offensive skill of Suter but he has enough to put up points and the more comfortable he gets, I think his point totals will rise. If the team were put together now, I don't see how you keep him off of it. He's just an all around rock on the ice. If he keeps developing as he has, he'll be anchoring one of our top two pairs, along with Suter, heading into the future. Hope more start to take notice.
Lots of other guys in contention. Lots of time left for guys to play themselves in or out of contention and certainly they will.
The only quibble I have your roster is the omission of Erik Johnson. I think he will be on the team for sure.
The only quibble I have your roster is the omission of Erik Johnson. I think he will be on the team for sure.
I actually overlooked Erik when putting it together. Right now he would be there over Bogosian (even though I'm not sure either would make it right now other than that they're both right handed and Erik has the experience). I haven't really seen Colorado play much at all (maybe a handful of periods) this season though so I'm not sure how Erik's looked so far this year and if he's starting to take the next step in his development by becoming more assertive in his game.
__________________ "I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough." - Mark Twain.
In my opinion, these are the current players who are legitimate candidates to make the team at this point.
Forwards:
Bobby Ryan
Zach Parise
Phil Kessel
Paul Stastny
Ryan Kesler
David Backes
Patrick Kane
Joe Pavelski
David Booth
Ryan Callahan
T.j. Oshie
Jason Pominville
Dustin Brown
James vanRiemsdyk
Max Paccioretty
Blake Wheeler
Colin Wilson
Derek Stepan
Defensemen:
Ryan Suter
Erik Johnson
Jack Johnson
Zach Bogosian
Keith Yandle
John Carlson
Cam Fowler
Ryan McDonagh
Brooks Orpik
Dustin Byfuglien
Matt Carle
Jake Gardiner
Ryan Whitney
Goaltenders:
Johnathan Quick
Ryan Miller
Jimmy Howard
Cory Schneider
Tim Thomas
If I'm picking from that list, this is probably the lineup I end up with
Patrick Kane-Ryan Kesler(A)-Bobby Ryan
Zach Parise-Ryan Callahan(A)-David Backes(A)
Phil Kessel-Paul Stastny-Blake Wheeler
T.J. Oshie-Joe Pavelski-Dustin Brown
Max Paccioretty
Ryan Suter(C)-Erik Johnson
Keith Yandle-Zach Bogosian
John Carlson-Ryan McDonagh
Cam Fowler
Ryan Miller
Johnathan Quick
I think those forward lines could work really well together.
Last edited by orange is better: 03-07-2012 at 01:42 AM.
Gotta add brandon dubinsky, and Chris Kreider to the longshot category. I dont mean to be bias towards the rangers, but they have the best roster of american players in the NHL. Callahan is Captain America to the fullest and should honestly get the C, but it will probably be Parise. Ryan McDonagh should be a lock, guy is top 5 american defenseman in the league right now.
there has been some positive movement for me over the last few months that I am really thinking about how this team could look in two years. I think we are finally starting to see some of our more promising bigger/power wingers actually living up to their draft hype and promise. the size of our forwards in 2010 was a bit too small for my liking, now I think we can sprinkle in a bit more size and grit imo.
As of March, here is how I see team USA for the 2014 Olympics
Forwards
Zach Parise
Bobby Ryan
Patrick Kane
David Backes
Dustin Brown
Max Pacioretty
Phil Kessel
Blake Wheeler
Colin Wilson
Ryan Callahan
Ryan Kesler
Joe Pavelski
Paul Stastny
Defense
Jack Johnson
Keith Yandle
Ryan Suter
Brooks Orpik
Kevin Shattenkirk
John Carlson
Erik Johnson
1. Suter - Orpik
2. J. Johnson - Carlson
3. Yandle - Shattenkirk
E. Johnson
1. Miller
2. Quick
3. Howard
forwards - this was very hard for me to decide because I am very very high on James vanRiemsdyk and T.J Oshie. the emergence of Blake Wheeler and the size down the middle that Colin Wilson brings is just too good to pass up imo.
Wheeler just looks amazing out there most nights, and though Drew Stafford put on a similar display last year, I think Wheeler can continue doing this the next few years as well. I wanted more out of Stafford this year, but it looks like he is another of those players that played good during their contract year and cashed in.
Jason Pominville is still in the hunt, and could make this squad, but I still like a few more players overall then him.
Still in the hunt : JVR, Oshie, Okposo, Foligno, Dubinsky, Stafford, Pominville, Booth, Cole, Stepan, C. Smith, Peter Mueller
defense - this was by far the hardest group to pick from. leaving off Dustin Byfuglien, Zack Bogosian, Cam Fowler, Ryan McDonagh, and Alex Goligoski was so freaken hard to do! thats not even including such promising young men like Jake Gardiner, Justin Faulk, Jamie McBain, Jeff Petry, and John Moore.
Shattenkirk has stepped up beyond belief, this kid is the real deal folks. how he doesnt make this squad as it stands I really do not know. his plus/minus of +27 is simply amazing, and his 10 goals from the point is exactly what we need.
I am still going to go with Erik Johnson as I love his size and experience for the 2014 games...but plenty of guys are right on his heels and could pass him by next year.
in the hunt : Byfuglien, Goligoski, McDonagh, Bogosian, McBain, Liles, Wisniewski, Petry, Faulk, Gilbert, Weber, Leopold, Fowler, Gardiner
goaltending - no real tough choices here, Schneider will need to be traded to make a case for this team, dont know when or if that will be. Anderson is a solid goaltender, but I like Howard and Quick better right now. Jack Campbell has zero shot to make an impact needed to make this squad, and Tim Thomas will likely either be gone or a veteran backup for a cup contending team by then,
overall I really like this squad as we are starting to see some of our young guys step up a bit and make things a bit difficult to predict. keep it comin boys!
Last edited by AmericanDream: 03-09-2012 at 02:44 PM.
He could steal the whole tournament the way he's playing.
As good as Ryan Miller (and not to mention Tim Thomas) is, its unlikely the US will get better goaltending than they did in Vancouver. I think they could really only hope for play as good.
This is the best team I've seen yet posted, but to be fair I didn't read the entire thread. Just the first and last page. I would swap Goligoski and Carslon though.
Couple things, goalies could change drastically, if the team were picked this season Miller wouldn't/shouldn't make it. I'm hopefully he can rebound because he was a big part of why we did as good as we did in Vancouver obviously. But it could be any of Howard, Miller, Thomas, Quick, and Campbell as a dark horse.
I can't even remember Kessel playing in 2010, I'd be hesitant to bring him back because let's face it, if he's not scoring then what the hell good is he? I'd rather have a spot for a bubble guy like Oshie or Malone where at least they can bring other intangibles to the team, and aren't exactly offensively inept themselves. I don't like Kane's style of play either but at least he did some damage in the last tournament.
I do like the amount of grit the team should have though. I am looking forward to another Pre-Olympic Backes headhunting fest of the Canadians, that was awesome.
Is Buffy American? He would be a good asset as a forward, definitely not as a Dman though.
Zach Parise - Ryan Kesler - Patrick Kane
Bobby Ryan - Paul Stastny - Phil Kessel
Dustin Brown - Joe Pavelski - David Backes
James Van-Riemsdyk - TJ Oshie - Ryan Callahan
HM: Derek Stepan, Ryan Malone
Ryan Suter - Brooks Orpik
Erik Johnson - Jack Johnson
Keith Yandle - John Carlson
HM: Alex Goligoski (could be Rafalski's replacement), Paul Martin, Tyler Myers? Think he's a dual citizen, not sure how that works.
Ryan Miller
Jonathan Quick
Cory Schneider
HM Campbell, Thomas if he's still around
Some of these names being mentioned are laughable, Dubinsky, Montoya? I would hope for our sakes we don't have to resort to that.
The reason we had success was due to our versatility. Burke creating a dynamic team rather than believing the US could win on talent alone. Having the well known strategy of 6 top and 6 bottom. So its not about how talented, how fast, how many points you can put up. Its how can you fit into the system?
1) Phil Kessel was a 2nd line player, he put up 1 goal and 1 assist in 6 games. On a team that relied on all 4 lines equally, thats pretty solid. And thats when he was 21, in 2014 he will be 26. Prime.
2) Yes Byfuglien is American, he was heavily considered by Burke for the last OG but was not selected. He would be a nice reserve player this time around easily.
3) Dubinsky played for our team during last years WC, he is highly capable of playing for us again. He is having an off year points wise but he does many many many things right and I am sure this streak of his will not be consistent as he has shown in previous years he has room to grow.
Blake Wheeler better not be on that 2014 roster the way he is playing. Hes offensively gifted and he is a big boy but hes soft and I personally want to see a similar to our 2010 roster.
You made a lot of changes to our 2010 roster which does not need to happen.
Ryan Malone can very well be back and if not I want to see a guy just like him stepping in, if that means getting Dustin to play forward on the 4th line so be it. A guy who LOVES to get in peoples faces and crash the net.
Parise Kesler Kane
Ryan Stepan Kessel
JVR Backes Brown
Callahan Statsny Kreider
Oshie
Yandle Suter
McDonagh J. Johnson
E. Johnson C. Fowler
Z. Bogosian
Quick
Schneider
Miller
People will probably underestimate the US again.
got to think pacioretty will be on the team after a great worlds. also maybe faulk if he looks this good in a year and a half as well. don't know who he would replace though
