- I'll take the grittier Erik Cole over Wheeler, who tends to go hot and cold. When he's cold he pretty much disappears.
- Dave Legwand should be considered as an extra forward for leadership and versatility, you know, that intangible thingy. He's played in 4 WC's and 2 JrWC's after all.
- Derek Stepan should also get a look-see, (he's 20 with a WC and JrWC under his belt).....and call me crazy but I'd love to see a Nick Foligno (2 WC's) installed into a line-up if the team is playing flat.
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I'm also not to thrilled about the defense either, especially with the bottom pairings.
- Tyler Myers (especially), Matt Carle, Alex Goligoski, Zach Bogosian and Brooks Orpik should get at least a look-see. Maybe Paul Martin?
- And even though I'm not a fan of his, Dustin Byfuglien has to be given a chance to prove himself.
I want to thank everyone who voted. I put together a mock lineup. Reserve players are in parentheses
Forwards
Parise - Kesler - Kane
Ryan - Pavelski - Kessel
Pominville - Stastny - Pacioretty
Brown - Backes - Callahan
(T.J. Oshie, Blake Wheeler)
Defense
Ryan Suter - Keith Yandle
Ryan McDonagh - John Carlson
Jack Johnson - Erik Johnson
(Kevin Shattenkirk )
Goalies:
Johnathan Quick
(Ryan Miller)
(Cory Schneider)
So what's everyone think of the roster?
Pretty lethal wingers.... good mix of size and skill. Defense looks good. I haven't looked at all the candidates, but can you do better than Jack Johnson? I'm not a big fan. Quick and Miller can go h2h against anyone. This goalie position is the biggest improvement in US hockey from a decade ago. Richter was decent and stole the WC in 96, but aside from that, I remember guys like Robert Esche and Mike Dunham getting the nod.... you have some serious upgrades now.
If I were to point out a weakness, its probably at centre. I mean, they are good, but no superstar material.
Tim Thomas will certainly make Team USA in 14'. Don't count him out so easily.
really? he will be old and hes not even guarenteed to be playing nhl hockey by then. its not like we dont have any good goalies to beat him out either...
Have Torts coach the team. Move one or two of those 4th liners up to get more playing time and just play hard and conservative. They've got the goaltending the play that way. I'm not crazy about Brooks Orpik but he would fit in pretty well.
Have Torts coach the team. Move one or two of those 4th liners up to get more playing time and just play hard and conservative. They've got the goaltending the play that way. I'm not crazy about Brooks Orpik but he would fit in pretty well.
I don't want Orpik anywhere near this team. There are guys that didn't get voted in that I would take before him.
May not be the sexiest team on paper but neither was our World Junior team...
Not sure why people are complaining about the 2nd pairing. Ryan McDonagh and John Carlson are better than anyone not the team, quite easily.
I think Scuderi should be on the team.
McDonagh and Carlson are question marks, Id group them with Shattenkirk, Fowler, and Bogosian as young guys who have excelled early in their careers, but they have only been in the league 1-2 seasons. I think the US can do better than Scuderi, too. The Johnsons deserve their chance as well. Goligoski, Wisniewski, and Carle probably deserve to be in the conversation, but a lot will depend on how small Team USA is willing to go on D.
Suter and Yandle are safe, but the other 4-5 spots are very open. I dont think you can leave Bfug off of the roster whether he is the exrta man or not. A lot to be decided IMO, but lefty depth after Suter leaves a lot to be desired. McDonagh, JJ, Goligoski, and Fowler all have their question marks.
McDonagh and Carlson are question marks, Id group them with Shattenkirk, Fowler, and Bogosian as young guys who have excelled early in their careers, but they have only been in the league 1-2 seasons. I think the US can do better than Scuderi, too. The Johnsons deserve their chance as well. Goligoski, Wisniewski, and Carle probably deserve to be in the conversation, but a lot will depend on how small Team USA is willing to go on D.
Suter and Yandle are safe, but the other 4-5 spots are very open. I dont think you can leave Bfug off of the roster whether he is the exrta man or not. A lot to be decided IMO, but lefty depth after Suter leaves a lot to be desired. McDonagh, JJ, Goligoski, and Fowler all have their question marks.
I think Carlson and McDonagh are more proven than Fowler and Bogosian as both have done it in the playoffs.
Scuderi has been a top shutdown guy on two Cup teams. Quite frankly I think the US can do better than the Johnsons. Not sure why they always seem to get automatic bids, there's better defensemen out there.
McDonagh and Carlson are question marks, Id group them with Shattenkirk, Fowler, and Bogosian as young guys who have excelled early in their careers, but they have only been in the league 1-2 seasons. I think the US can do better than Scuderi, too. The Johnsons deserve their chance as well. Goligoski, Wisniewski, and Carle probably deserve to be in the conversation, but a lot will depend on how small Team USA is willing to go on D.
Suter and Yandle are safe, but the other 4-5 spots are very open. I dont think you can leave Bfug off of the roster whether he is the exrta man or not. A lot to be decided IMO, but lefty depth after Suter leaves a lot to be desired. McDonagh, JJ, Goligoski, and Fowler all have their question marks.
Would any US hockey fan want to see Buff on the blueline? I'd be 10x more comfortable with Bogosian or Goligogski on there than Buff, but that's just me. I just think that with the firepower he'd be facing that Team USA can afford to have a guy his poor positioning and lateral mobility, especially on the big ice.
