IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
The amazing thing about 2014 is that the USA is rapidly developing so much talent that it might be he first time you look at the guys that get left off Team USA the same way you look at Canada: as guys who you could make another competitive team out of. Right now Canada's B-team would be among the favorites to win a medal, and in 2014, I anticipate the USA will be the same way. Kudos to the USA developmental program, they've been doing a great job in recent times.
E. Johnson-J. Johnson
Bogosian-Yandle
Suter-Goligoski
M. Stuart
Miller
Howard
Quick
With four more years under their belts, this will be a sick team in 2014.
I agree almost completely, except I would sub Backes for Booth or Wheeler and I would fit Fowler in there somewhere. Even if he can't crack the top 6 I can promise you he will be better than Stuart, even at 22.
USA is looking good for 2014... I think Cam Fowler's chances of making the team are pretty good. If he makes the NHL next season, he'll have three and half years of NHL experience before the Olympics.
Kane - Stastny - Ryan
Kessel - Kesler - Parise
Brown - Pavelski - Connolly
Backes - Callahan - Malone
Bogosian - Suter
Martin - E. Johnson
J. Johnson - Fowler/Orpik
Miller
Quick
Anderson
Really, team USA will probably remain the same with the exceptions of a few players here and there.
I didn't realize how few guys that USA wouldnt return in 2014. From the look of it it's, Drury, Langenbrunner, Rafalski, Orpik and Thomas. While I know it remains to be seen on some these, the new guys could very well be upgrades.
Add Chris Kreider, David Booth and Okposo upfront. Drop Connolly & Malone due to age. Add Yandle, droop Fowler.
Connolly would be 32, and Malone would be 34. I see no reasson to drop them based on age, and there will certainly be a veteran presence on the 2014 roster anyways. Langenbrunner is 34 right now, and he made the 2010 team.
The way I see it, the U.S. will have to put a premium on skating and puck moving-in particular from the blueline. That will probably result in a slightly different line-up than seen in 2010, but the good news is the current crop of U.S. skaters is by and large a very good skating group. Here's my early look:
Goaltenders (x3):
Tim Thomas *
Ryan Miller
Jonathan Quick
* If Thomas has hit the skids Jimmy Howard or Cory Schneider
Defensemen (x7):
Ryan Suter/Keith Yandle
Erik Johnson/Jack Johnson
Brooks Orpik/Cam Fowler
John Carlson
Forwards (x13):
Zach Parise-Paul Stastny-Bobby Ryan
Ryan Kesler-Patrick Kane-Phil Kessel
Drew Stafford-Joe Pavelski-Jason Pominville
Dustin Brown-David Backes-Ryan Callahan
JVR
I think putting Tim Thomas on the team is being a little too optimistic about how he will age. Blum, Whitney, and Leddy might be considered for defense too.
