News Article: Rangers in the Olympics

[TheTakedown]

Kessel is soft and one dimensional. But he's good offensively so it becomes worth it.

It is a good, most importantly young lineup. But it's still a poor knock-off of Canada's dream team. We lack a true top flight center, have a lot of great 1b options but that's it.

If the United States wants to Gold or even medal, they will need Quick to be in top form.

Howard is quite the beast, imo

 

[Trxjw]

As speculated, McDonagh, Callahan, and Stepan all invited to Team USA orientation camp.

http://olympics.usahockey.com/news_article/show/272491?referrer_id=844349

John Gibson but not Jack Campbell!? WOW.

Gibson is better, but he was also lights out at the WJC and again at the WC this year which gave him a pretty big leg up over Campbell.

 

[JohnC]

Woah...Seth Jones

 

[silverfish]

Gibson is better, but he was also lights out at the WJC and again at the WC this year which gave him a pretty big leg up over Campbell.

I have high hopes for both, but I believe Campbell will be the better NHL goalie.

 

[acapps10]

I think Callahan has a real good shot at captaining that team.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Callahan, Parise, Brown will get it. My money is on Parise, but that's just a hunch.

Lots of good leadership should be on that team. Suter, Backes, Kesler. McDonagh will wear a letter at some point in his career. Others too.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I think Callahan has a real good shot at captaining that team.

So long as everyone is OK with Bylsma, sure.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

I think Callahan has a real good shot at captaining that team.

I'd be very surprised if that happened.

 

[Raspewtin]

I like Team USA's odds. About half the same team from 2010 but with most of those players improved (Cally, Kessel, Quick, Anderson, Suter) are all much better than they were in 2010. Lots of skill, speed, and grit. I feel good about them! Honestly anyone but Canada....

 

[I Eat Crow]

Some shocking inclusions on the camp rosters on both Canada and USA, for me anyway.

Hamonic gets an invite over Girardi? We know he's good, but is he better than Girardi?

Also feel the US invited too many kids. Is Nick Bjustead really a better player than Brian Boyle at this point and time? They just probably want these kids to get a taste of the selection process, but if NHL isn't allowed to go in 2018, why bother?

 

[acapps10]

Some shocking inclusions on the camp rosters on both Canada and USA, for me anyway.

Hamonic gets an invite over Girardi? We know he's good, but is he better than Girardi?

Also feel the US invited too many kids. Is Nick Bjustead really a better player than Brian Boyle at this point and time? They just probably want these kids to get a taste of the selection process, but if NHL isn't allowed to go in 2018, why bother?

Forget Hamonic, what about Alzer, Vlassic and Methot? It's an embarrassment.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Since there is no German team in the tournament, I think I'm rooting for Sweden (and Russia) ...

Hank is the back bone anywhere he plays. Easy pick in net for the coaches there.

Yet in Finnland How in God's name do you pick a number one there? What? Lehtonen, Rask, Rinne ... three 92-94 goalies. Backstrom is 90-91.

 

[I Eat Crow]

Forget Hamonic, what about Alzer, Vlassic and Methot? It's an embarrassment.

Probably to get more lefties, which is why Staal is going to get a look. I only question Hamonic over Girardi only on the basi that they're both right handed shots.

Finland has a dilemma in goal, and that's a good thing. I think Rask gets the nod for now, with Rinne not too far behind.

 

[BroadwayBlues]

Who's the coach?

 

[broadwayblue]

Who's the coach?

blsysmama

 

[One Winged Angel]

I think for Team USA you have:

Parise Kesler Kane
Ryan Stepan Kessel
Pacioretty Backes Callahan
JVR Pavelski Brown

Galchenyuk, Oshie, Pomminville, Statsny could be there as well (no particular order)

Suter Shattenkirk
McDonagh J. Johnson
Yandle E. Johnson

Extras: Byfuglien, Orpik, E. Johnson

Quick, Howard, Miller in at G

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/columnist/allen/2013/07/20/team-usa-olympic-hockey-team-projections/2571391/

Kevin Allen's predictions. Callahan, Stepan, McDonagh all make his team.

G: Quick, Miller, Howard
C: Kesler, Stastny, Stepan, Backes
LW: Parise, Pacioretty, JvR, Bobby RYan
RW: Kane, Kessel, Callahan, Brown
Spares: Galchenyuk, Pominville
D: Jack Johnson, Suter, McDonagh, Faulk, Martin, Shattenkirk, Yandle, Erik Johnson, Orpik

Positions of strength for team USA are clearly in goal, and on the blueline. This needs to be an in your face kind of team. Tortorella would be an epic coach for this squad. No sarcasm. Maybe as an assistant? Bylsma (HC), with Torts and Scott Gordon? Any of those three could really HC this team.

In 2018 the strengths will likely be exactly the same. Jon Quick, Jack Campbell, John Gibson. Quick will be 32 in 2018. Campbell 26 and Gibson 24

Am I missing something about Pominville? He's Canadian born.

 

[Fitzy]

I'd say this is the best team the U.S. will field for awhile but... none of these guys will really be "too old" in 2018 either. Good longevity in international careers in hockey.

 

[GAGLine]

Am I missing something about Pominville? He's Canadian born.

He was born and raised in Canada, but his mother is American, so he has dual citizenship. He chose to play for the US in the 2008 World Championships.

 

[JohnC]

As an American, Quick being the likely starter is pretty reassuring

 

[One Winged Angel]

He was born and raised in Canada, but his mother is American, so he has dual citizenship. He chose to play for the US in the 2008 World Championships.

Wow, did not know that at all.

Thanks, GAGLine.

 

[aufheben]

As an American, Quick being the likely starter is pretty reassuring

I'm really excited about this team. Such a likable group, in addition to being ****ing awesome.

 

[Boruto]

Another year of lawls for me being a Canadian rooting for our players who are mostly American. Sure there's Staal and Nash but they're well liked and highly rated enough that there's less pride involved. Every year during the IIHF WJCs, I would become a traitor since all of our top end prospects have been largely American. Perhaps I should say we have 0 tier 1 Canadian prospects, or at least in the last few WJCs.

Over the years, admittedly, I've gotten into the habit of rooting for team USA. This year, I'll root for Sweden (being an underdog and all) and if SWE is out, then I'll revert to USA.

 

[Ola]

I like Team USA's odds. About half the same team from 2010 but with most of those players improved (Cally, Kessel, Quick, Anderson, Suter) are all much better than they were in 2010. Lots of skill, speed, and grit. I feel good about them! Honestly anyone but Canada....

Canada usually have some not so insignificant holes on their team. Ds who can be exposed. Too many players used to playing top minutes, and so forth. The usual curse of the too rich if you get what I mean.

But this year? This could be one of the stronger teams Canada ever iced, at least if Crosby is healthy and playing at top speed. Great goalie. They always have "names" on the blueline, but maybe not always guys who will play misstake free hockey in a 4th, 5th or 6th D position against really talented players. Usually there are a fair share of "Phanuefs" on their roster that can be exposed. Now they seem to be solid all the way.

 

[JohnC]

I'm really excited about this team. Such a likable group, in addition to being ****ing awesome.

You gotta figure the bottom 6 is gonna be a ***** to play against

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

Have they announced which teams are in what pool yet?

EDIT: Looks like USA is in a pool with Russia, Slovenia, and Slovakia.