Rabid Ranger said:Lashoff and Johnson's omission isn't going to be the reason the U.S. team (and in particular the defense) doesn't do well. All along it was going to be a smaller, finesse oriented squad. If the U.S. can play a similar game as last year, and execute, we'll be fine. If the D gets bogged down in it's own zone, we're in trouble, it's that simple.
Team USA probably missed the boat on Dustin Byfuglien out of the WHL. The guy is huge, strong, skates well, has undoubtedley the biggest shot in the WHL and is on pace for something like 30 goals as a D-man! And to top it off, he plays on a below average team in Prince George. I would almost guarantee he is better than at least 2 or 3 of the D-men picked for the team. I don't know why Team USA is taking so many 1986 and 1987 born players to this tourney on home soil if they truly want to win!