Team USA's Olympic roster?

[Maken*]

everyteam has issues going into this tourney.

Our issue: Need more mantle space.

 

[God Bless Canada]

too bad dustin brown didn't make it...

We'll wait and see what the taxi squad brings. Expect to see three of Gleason, Mara, Martin, Brown, Parise or Connolly on that team. (Brown is a lock. Just a question of if they have two forwards and a defencemen or two defencemen and a forward).

Goalies were as expected. I think Miller would be a better candidate for goalie than Graheme, but Graheme's still a better pick.

Chelios is one of the top 10 defencemen in the history of the game. But he shouldn't be on this team. Hatcher's still a strong physical defenceman, but he could be a train wreck on international ice if the obstruction is called. Leetch's best days are behind him, but I'd rather have him over these two. Hatcher's selection came as a big surprise.

Guerin has struggled this year. In a transition year, he should have been left off the team. Drury was pretty much a non-factor in the World Cup and the 2002 Olys. But I would have had him on the U.S. as a 13th forward. I would have picked the speedy Mike York ahead of Guerin and a tried, true winner in Langenbrunner ahead of Parrish. But not many surprises up front.

It's a younger team, but not that young. A lot of guys in their late 20s who are in their first Olympics. The defence, with five guys in their mid-to-late 30s, isn't that young. Up front, Blake and Knuble are 32, Conroy and Rolston are in their 30s, Parrish turns 29 before the tournament. It truly is a transition team, as the U.S. starts to shed the players who were born in the mid-to-late 1980s that were part of so many strong teams; and moves to the next generation of players who were drafted starting in 2002. This team is mostly made up of players who were part of the gap in the pipeline from 1991 to 2001.

 

[Claypool_*]

Our issue: Need more mantle space.

I'm pretty sure Canada has plenty of space after going 50 years witout one.

 

[Herby]

Our issue: Need more mantle space.

Sounds like something they probably said about 26 years ago in Moscow.

 

[Randall Graves*]

To all the Canadian fans, ever hear the saying those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

You have plenty of your own problems.

- Martin Brodeur has had a marginal season with a GAA over 3 and a save% below 90

- 3 of your best d-man from past tournaments (Pronger, Niedermayer and Blake) are not playing like former Norris Trophy winners. Especially Blake who has been awful defensively this season.

- Shane Doan has fewer goals than Superstars like Jamal Mayers, Sean Avery, Jon Sim and Jonathan Hedstrom.

- Politics may prevent some of the best Canadian scorers in the NHL this year from making the team. Players like McCabe, Staal, Spezza and Savard.

Just something to think about, everyteam has issues going into this tourney.

Not to go offtopic but what's wrong with Scott Niedermayer?

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

To all the Canadian fans, ever hear the saying those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

You have plenty of your own problems.

- Martin Brodeur has had a marginal season with a GAA over 3 and a save% below 90

- 3 of your best d-man from past tournaments (Pronger, Niedermayer and Blake) are not playing like former Norris Trophy winners. Especially Blake who has been awful defensively this season.

- Shane Doan has fewer goals than Superstars like Jamal Mayers, Sean Avery, Jon Sim and Jonathan Hedstrom.

- Politics may prevent some of the best Canadian scorers in the NHL this year from making the team. Players like McCabe, Staal, Spezza and Savard.

Just something to think about, everyteam has issues going into this tourney.

If our biggest issue is having Brodeur in nets then I think we are in pretty good shape. Thanks for the concern though.

 

[Brad*]

Derian Hatcher is by far the most underrated player on HF boards, it's pretty sad actually. The guy has been playing really good hockey the past month and has been a defensive force (and his offensive game hasn't been too bad). My biggest concern with him would be the bigger ice because he clearly is a poor skater, but based on the beginning of the season, he's earned his spot on this team.

I don't know if he's the most underrated player, but he's certainly up there. He's been excellent for the last month or so after he got back in to to game shape. Based on the way he's played, there's absolutely no reason for him to have no been selected.

 

[Troy McClure]

I don't know if he's the most underrated player, but he's certainly up there. He's been excellent for the last month or so after he got back in to to game shape. Based on the way he's played, there's absolutely no reason for him to have no been selected.

Yeah, people think of Hatcher as being totally imobile based on his play after returning from a serious knee injury with the Wings.

 

[NYR2]

Our issue: Need more mantle space.

Oh geez, get over yourselves.

 

[Herby]

Not to go offtopic but what's wrong with Scott Niedermayer?

I am a huge Niedermayer fan, anyone who has posted here awhile knows I think he has been the best d-man in the NHL the last 10 years and should have won many more Norris Trophies than the one he has.

That being said, he has not been the dominant game changing d-man so far this season, he has still been good, but just not superstar good. Although I don't think his play has dropped off as much as Blake and Pronger's.

 

[joshjull]

Coming into tonight Dipietro 3.18 GAA .899 save% He got shelled tonight 6 goals on 17 shots against TO. When does he start getting evaluated on his play and not on potential and how high he was drafted. Esche 3.14GAA .890% Grahame 2.86GAA .890% Miller 2.77GAA .910 save % and that was before tonights game 1 goal on 32 shots. I hope Grahame gets the start but I am sure politics will ensure Ricky boy getting the nod

 

[joshjull]

Yeah, people think of Hatcher as being totally imobile based on his play after returning from a serious knee injury with the Wings.

I think Hatcher will struggle with the rink size but we need his size if we match up with Canada. Thats what killed us in the last Olympics with Phylis Housley chosen over him

 

[Synergy27]

I hope I'm not the only one who is glad that Leetch isn't on the team. He is a defensive liability whenever he touches the ice. Why aren't people crying that Andy Delmore isn't going to be picked for Canada? He can put up points and not play defense too.

So you are suggesting that Brian Leetch, quite possibly the greatest American born defenseman in the history of hockey, equals Andy Delmore? I'll take the fact that I'm the first one to respond to this idiocy that people just laughed and moved on after reading your post.

 

[sk84fun_dc]

To those questioning Tkachuk on the team, of the older guys, I think it is more appropriate to question Guerin's selection given his season; he is really the only surprise to me regarding the forwards

On D, I am surprised they named both Hatcher and Chelios, I expected one or the other and once both were named, I would have expected them to name 8 D-men; Gleason most likely, so I expect him to be on the "taxi squad"

Regarding goalies, Miller was hurt by his injury; he played well tonight in his return, but he was hurt by the early date that the men's hockey teams are required to submit the rosters; If Esche's injury is a sports hernia and not a "simple" groin injury, Miller could still find himself on this team.

To the person (Claypool) that said this is the 26 man World Cup roster; plenty of changes. No Conklin, Weinrich, Klee, Leetch, Martin (who replaced Leopold on the World Cup roster), Gill (who was replaced by Liles due to injury), Hull, Amonte, Halpern, Konowalchuk (IMO, he would be on the Olympic team if he was not injured), Langenbrunner, Smolinski

I agree that the 3 player taxi squad will be younger guys: Gleason, Connolly, Brown, York (not as young, but only 27), Suter, Mara, Martin

By the way, if this was posted I missed it, here are the specifics no the "taxi squad": "Any injury, upon which a request for a replacement player is filed, must be certified by the IIHF Chief Medical Officer and the Chairman of the IOC Medical Commission. Any replacement player must have been listed on the October 24th Team Entry Long List. The replacement players do not need to be named on or before the December 22 team announcement deadline"

http://www.iihf.com/news/iihfpr0306.htm

 

[djtino224]

Coming into tonight Dipietro 3.18 GAA .899 save% He got shelled tonight 6 goals on 17 shots against TO. When does he start getting evaluated on his play and not on potential and how high he was drafted. Esche 3.14GAA .890% Grahame 2.86GAA .890% Miller 2.77GAA .910 save % and that was before tonights game 1 goal on 32 shots. I hope Grahame gets the start but I am sure politics will ensure Ricky boy getting the nod

Have you seen the defense that plays in front of Rick? Yes, he lets a few softies in, but in his defense...the defense sort of below par. Stats don't say everything.

If Miller didn't just spend six weeks on the d/l, he would definitely be going.

 

[joshjull]

Miller was hurt by his injury but he was cleared to play over 10 days ago and played two games in Rochester on a conditioning stint. Well before the rosters had to be named. I think they do't officially have to be named until the 21st. I still stand by the numbers.

 

[joshjull]

Have you seen the defense that plays in front of Rick? Yes, he lets a few softies in, but in his defense...the defense sort of below par. Stats don't say everything.

If Miller didn't just spend six weeks on the d/l, he would definitely be going.

That is the point. The USA is going to need above average goaltending to bail them out. Ricky D isn't a goalie that can carry a team.

 

[swflyers8*]

If our biggest issue is having Brodeur in nets then I think we are in pretty good shape. Thanks for the concern though.

Think again, that's what everyone said at the Worlds and who won:

 

[sk84fun_dc]

Miller was hurt by his injury but he was cleared to play over 10 days ago and played two games in Rochester on a conditioning stint. Well before the rosters had to be named. I think they do't officially have to be named until the 21st. I still stand by the numbers.

my point was that the men's teams have to be named early, generally speaking; the deadline is earlier than for the women's teams, for example; also, the USA team chose to name the team a few days earlier than they had to, I believe because of the OLN broadcast in Minny

Miller was hurt by his injury, hard to dispute that given his play earlier this season; yes, he played well in his second game in Rochester and he played well tonight, but 2 AHL games was not enough when compared to the other 3 guys season of play and history; being the youngest of those being considered probably hurt him as well; honestly, he may still be on the team, depending on injuries, etc.

 

[djtino224]

my point was that the men's teams have to be named early, generally speaking; the deadline is earlier than for the women's teams, for example; also, the USA team chose to name the team a few days earlier than they had to, I believe because of the OLN broadcast in Minny

Miller was hurt by his injury, hard to dispute that given his play earlier this season; yes, he played well in his second game in Rochester and he played well tonight, but 2 AHL games was not enough when compared to the other 3 guys season of play and history; being the youngest of those being considered probably hurt him as well; honestly, he may still be on the team, depending on injuries, etc.

Miller was not the youngest being considered. The youngest one that was considered made the team.

It really is a shame about Miller though. I saw him play a couple games before he went down with the injury and he played very well.

 

[Caroline Says ll]

I first want to say I am from Canada. There isn't a lot of things that piss me off more, then cocky Canadien fans. "lmao well canad'sds c team could beat your A team!!!1". Very good! And my first could beat your face.

Infact, I wouldn't mind seeing Canada not win the gold, just to see all the cocky ******* ones, eat a big plate of OWNED.

America isn't the hockey hotbed Canada is. Yet the are still producing quality players. Sure Canada's team may be better, but look at the number of kids who go to play hockey in Canada and the programs.

Meh, I'm finished with this post.

 

[Hockeycanada*]

Think again, that's what everyone said at the Worlds and who won:

I guess you must have missed the World Championships because Canada played without the majority of their top players.

 

[joshjull]

[QUOTE not enough when compared to the other 3 guys season of play and history;[/QUOTE]

Did you even look at their numbers? you can seriously make that statement: Dipietro 3.18GAA (31st in NHL) save %.899 (21st) , Esche 3.14 (28th) .890(29th), and Grahame 2.86 (17th) .890 (30th)
As for history, what championships or titles did these guys win?

 

[acr*]

I'm telling you, if we even make the quarterfinals it'd be a bigger upset than Eruzione and co. in '80.

 

[sk84fun_dc]

Did you even look at their numbers? you can seriously make that statement: Dipietro 3.18GAA (31st in NHL) save %.899 (21st) , Esche 3.14 (28th) .890(29th), and Grahame 2.86 (17th) .890 (30th)
As for history, what championships or titles did these guys win?

I meant history for Esche and DiPietro in terms of Team USA and the World Cup, World Championships, etc., not stats; and if you want to make it about stats, history would mean performance and stats over time not just this season, that is not an invitation to post those stats as personally, I would have taken Miller (I am a fan) and I am disappointed they did not name him to the team; also, as someone else noted, stats do not tell the whole story, Kolzig's 3.36 GAA does not tell the story of how well he has played this season (and I know he is not an American, just an example); if Miller kept putting up the performances from earlier this season (and tonight's), he may have forced them to name him to the team, but the injury gave them reason/excuse to consider/name others; my bad on the age thing, to me regardless of DiPietro's numbers this season they were going to name him unless he was horrendous, I thought the age might factor in because of the possibility of not wanting 2 young guys; still I would have named DiPietro and Miller, poor wording on my part if I implied otherwise