kreider will stay in college, no doubt about that. He's not ready yet. Maybe the most raw prospect from the 1st round last year. He has a tremendous potential and I can'T believe that he fell so low that Rangers were able to pick him.
WC: USA at the 2010 World Championship
- Thread starter AmericanDream
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- Oct 28, 2006
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For the record, Paul Martin has said he would accept an invitation if he was asked, but he wasn't asked.
AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
people said the same thing about Paul Stastny a few years back....didn't turn out so bad for him....
in all honesty I doubt he turns pro, but like I said, if he has a hell of a tournament, I can easily see the Rangers pushing very hard for him to sign next year.
as for him being the most raw prospect from last year's 1st round, I will agree on draft day he was, but I am not sure what you have been watching this year to even say this for right now....being a TRUE freshman on a powerhouse team usually results in a lack of icetime, which in turn means little on the stat sheet. since the WJC, there isnt an ounce of raw with this kid, he has arrived, and has the chance to be something very special.
William H Bonney
Registered User
worstfaceoffmanever
These Snacks Are Odd
AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
I havent seen this anywhere....link? source?
if he said he wanted to play, there is no doubt Burke would have chosen him to play.
William H Bonney
Registered User
Yep. Burke picked Martin, who was injured at the time and had missed the majority of the season so far, for the Olympic team. I think that shows how much the managerial staff - the same group is now leading this team - thinks about Martin. No way they didn't ask him to join this team.
In reality, he probably thought about it more after saying he'd play if invited in the heat of the moment while cleaning out his locker and finishing up interviews for the season. He just came off an injury riddled season and he's now one of the premier UFA defenseman. He had too much to lose by playing.
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
Maybe I have the homer glasses on, but while this team is a bit short on forward talent (i.e. proven goal scorers), I'm not not sure that overall, it's going to be all that outclassed by the opposition. Canada has a good, not great team and Russia looks loaded, but we'll see how they come together this go around. The rest of the countries are having like issues attracting top-shelf talent in an Olympic year.
AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
completely off topic: but between you and Bonney, I am not sure whose avatar is more hideous to look at....
Seriously, it looks like you guys have terrorists for avatars....
but back on topic.....
I agree with Ranger, I think what we are bringing to the table isnt that far off the rest of the crowd...Russia looks great, but they looked the same in the Olympics and we saw what happened there....
IMO, I think whoever we can bring in with these final two spots can honestly make or break us. If we can land two of these players : van Riemsdyk, Wheeler, Kessel, Pavelski, Byfuglien, Gomez, or even Kesler, then we can make a case for two scoring lines, and two checking lines. If we can't add from this list, and have to get bottom 6 guys, then it is going to be very hard to win a medal.
I like the year Potulny had, and I think this kid is a player that just needed to get that full chance. I think he finished like second or third in goals for Edmonton (not saying much I know), but he could be a guy that steps up and turns into a player for us. Looks to be underrated on these boards...kid plays hard every shift and has some decent hands and finish.
usahockey22flyers
2 years away from being 2 years away
AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
usahockey22flyers
2 years away from being 2 years away
Pavelski is single handedly carrying the sharks... he already has a goal and a assisst tonight in the first period.. US Hockey must be thrilled... the potential is high for Joe
Isles4ever11
Registered User
Yeah I meant on the draft day. After WJC and the second half of the season, he looks much better than he did then. Nevertheless, he didnt look ready in WJC, he should be much better next year.
Jersey Fan 12
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- Nov 20, 2006
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Interesting list
First thing that popped out at me was the lack of depth among US goaltenders - although that may be exaggerated a bit with Howard, Boucher and Thomas still alive in the playoffs - as well as back-up Brent Johnson with the Pens.
Still, was surprised that only Miller and Howard are in the Top 20 among regulars in terms of GA.
A bit surprised that Leggio was named - figured if they were going to add a goalie that played in Europe, and Esche wasn't available, would have been one of the ones playing in Germany, possibly Adam Hauser, or Alex Westlund, who played with Team USA in the past and had a very good season in Austria. However, Leggio did win a championship in Finland as part of a goaltending tandem with Atte Engren.
As far as skaters go, I didn't realize that there were only seven Americans among the top 50 scorers in the NHL and only 15 in the Top 100. Of those 15, saw no mention of Pominville or Knuble and was wondering if either was invited or are being considered for the tournament?
I'm also a bit surprised that this team doesn't feature at least one or two players that played in Europe this season - over the rather non-descript group of 4th line/AHL fringe forwards and defensemen at the bottom of the roster.
I'd be curious as to how much of a role USA Hockey had in this team or is it more of a bone to throw to the NHL?
First thing that popped out at me was the lack of depth among US goaltenders - although that may be exaggerated a bit with Howard, Boucher and Thomas still alive in the playoffs - as well as back-up Brent Johnson with the Pens.
Still, was surprised that only Miller and Howard are in the Top 20 among regulars in terms of GA.
A bit surprised that Leggio was named - figured if they were going to add a goalie that played in Europe, and Esche wasn't available, would have been one of the ones playing in Germany, possibly Adam Hauser, or Alex Westlund, who played with Team USA in the past and had a very good season in Austria. However, Leggio did win a championship in Finland as part of a goaltending tandem with Atte Engren.
As far as skaters go, I didn't realize that there were only seven Americans among the top 50 scorers in the NHL and only 15 in the Top 100. Of those 15, saw no mention of Pominville or Knuble and was wondering if either was invited or are being considered for the tournament?
I'm also a bit surprised that this team doesn't feature at least one or two players that played in Europe this season - over the rather non-descript group of 4th line/AHL fringe forwards and defensemen at the bottom of the roster.
I'd be curious as to how much of a role USA Hockey had in this team or is it more of a bone to throw to the NHL?
William H Bonney
Registered User
CaptPantalones
Registered User
I dunno for sure if Pominville even got the invite, but he was asked about it at locker clean out and said even if he got the invite he would turn it down. His wife gave birth during the season and he said he wanted time to "be a dad"
Jersey Fan 12
Positive Vibes
- Nov 20, 2006
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2006 team in Latvia had Mike Komisarek (was he really selected for the Vancouver Olympic team
?), Freddy Meyer, and Andrew Alberts on defense and had forwards like Stastny (Yan, not Paul), Jim Slater, and Marty Reasoner among others. Ironically, Craig Anderson opened some eyes in net for the USA with his play but the backups were Jason Bacashihua and David McKee.
Not exactly loaded.
William H Bonney
Registered User
I don't think Pominville is a favorite among USA Hockey circles, particularly with Brian Burke. He's a soft player and declined an invite to last year's WC team (heading into the Olympic year). He could have been invited and declined but there's been no word either way that I've seen (Note: Just saw a Buffalo fan say he'd decline if asked). Knuble is old and probably beat up from his style of play. He's usually been pretty good about playing when called upon but I don't think he really fits into the plan of USA Hockey going forward. They want to give some younger guys some experience to benefit the program going forward. With Knuble about to turn 38, his time of representing the National Team going forward is over so they may not have even invited him but if they did, I would expect that he declined.
Which European based players would you have looked to potentially add, other than a different backup goalie? More so, which of those guys would be more than a fringe NHL player if they weren't playing in weaker leagues?
On the last part, USA Hockey has a management staff that is assembling the team. The same group that put together the Olympic team is putting together the World Championship team, led by Brian Burke and David Poile.
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William H Bonney
Registered User
Team USA has their only exhibition game tomorrow against France at 2 PM EST. Here's the rest of the schedule:
Date Opponent Time (EDT) / Result
May 4 France (exhib.) 2 p.m.
May 7 Germany 2:15 p.m.
May 10 Denmark 10:15 a.m.
May 12 Finland 2:15 p.m.
May 14-18 Qualification Round TBD
May 20 Quarterfinals TBD
May 22 Semifinals TBD
May 23 Bronze-Medal Game 10:15 a.m.
Gold-Medal Game 2:30 p.m.
The final two players can be added to the roster after the game against Finland.
Also, here's the information on Universal Sports broadcasting the games:
http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=TU_01_03&id=286514
Date Opponent Time (EDT) / Result
May 4 France (exhib.) 2 p.m.
May 7 Germany 2:15 p.m.
May 10 Denmark 10:15 a.m.
May 12 Finland 2:15 p.m.
May 14-18 Qualification Round TBD
May 20 Quarterfinals TBD
May 22 Semifinals TBD
May 23 Bronze-Medal Game 10:15 a.m.
Gold-Medal Game 2:30 p.m.
The final two players can be added to the roster after the game against Finland.
Also, here's the information on Universal Sports broadcasting the games:
http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=TU_01_03&id=286514
Isles4ever11
Registered User
Little Psycho
I solemnly swear I'm up to no good
Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
Kind of off-topic, but the number of Americans in the top 50/100 in NHL scoring is roughly representative of the number of total Americans in the league.
William H Bonney
Registered User
Here are some Jack Johnson avatars if anyone is interested in using these again:
These are courtesy of Ailurophile, from the avatars he created for Team USA during the Olympics. Obviously Jack is the only returnee from that team but if you're interested in anyone else you can find them here: http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=729450&highlight=usa+avatars
These are courtesy of Ailurophile, from the avatars he created for Team USA during the Olympics. Obviously Jack is the only returnee from that team but if you're interested in anyone else you can find them here: http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=729450&highlight=usa+avatars
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