Team USA 2014: Forward #6

[Lonewolfe2015]

Originally Posted by Machinehead

Stastny had 2 more points than him last year. Backes had 3 more. The gap isn't as big as you think it is.

Like I said, to have a shot I think he needs to have that big season that Backes and Stastny have already had, but in terms of average he's already right there with Backes. Backes has only hit 60 points once.

Backes played in an offensively starved system and Stastny played at a 62 point pace once he started getting linemates again. Both are significantly better defensively than Stepan, Backes moreso of course.

In fact, Stepan will not only have to be standout offensively, producing at least at a 10+ P/82G pace to the other 4, he will need to demonstrate his offense overcomes the disadvantage he has to them all defensively.

Back on Pominville, part of my belief with Cally + Backes stems back to the last Olympics where I am pretty sure they played together (and well at that). Pominville had a career reviving season, but I don't see him as being a much better scorer than Callahan. Better producer/playmaker and better in the offensive zone, but not particularly goalscoring-wise.

[The Zetterberg Era]

The lockout might cost Stepan more than any other player in terms of the Olympics. We will see, but I think he needed 2013 to establish his value and really push Stastny or somebody else into a danger zone. One interesting thing when I think about this team is man they are going to be very young.

[Stop Winnin]

Originally Posted by Lonewolfe2015

Backes played in an offensively starved system and Stastny played at a 62 point pace once he started getting linemates again. Both are significantly better defensively than Stepan, Backes moreso of course.

In fact, Stepan will not only have to be standout offensively, producing at least at a 10+ P/82G pace to the other 4, he will need to demonstrate his offense overcomes the disadvantage he has to them all defensively.

Back on Pominville, part of my belief with Cally + Backes stems back to the last Olympics where I am pretty sure they played together (and well at that). Pominville had a career reviving season, but I don't see him as being a much better scorer than Callahan. Better producer/playmaker and better in the offensive zone, but not particularly goalscoring-wise.

Huh?? Career reviving season? His lowest season was 52 points which is 2 less than Callahan's career high. This was during the same season where he came back early from a concussion by a hit from Hjalmarsson.

So you're pretty sure that Backes and Callahan played together and had chemistry so Callahan should be there right? Callahan gets seriously overrated on these boards, and I love Callahan and believe he should be on the Olympic team.

[Exit Dose]

Originally Posted by Lonewolfe2015

Backes played in an offensively starved system and Stastny played at a 62 point pace once he started getting linemates again. Both are significantly better defensively than Stepan, Backes moreso of course.

In fact, Stepan will not only have to be standout offensively, producing at least at a 10+ P/82G pace to the other 4, he will need to demonstrate his offense overcomes the disadvantage he has to them all defensively.

These are the sorts of arguments that fans concoct. The selectors aren't going to make these excuses. If they feel player A has an advantage over player B, they aren't going say, "well, player B had a scoring rate/pace of..."

They won't even care if that player's best season to date is beneath his peers, so long as they see him as able to be better.