Olympics: USA Roster Discussion (Roster in post 1)

[adsfan]

This roster is even worse than I expected. What a garbage roster. My hope is that 2018 Olympic hockey will be so bad that people will come to their senses and the NHL will return in 2022.

The lack of top NCAA players is mind boggling. Leaving off guys like Gaudette, Brickley, Schuldt, etc. and retaining Greenway speaks of favors, not picking the best players.

I don't have a problem with Gionta. He's only a year removed from scoring 15 NHL goals, and that's the best you can find for a veteran. Wisniewski though seems like a stretch. It's been years since he was relevant. In general though my problem is that the roster isn't stacked with the best the NCAA has to offer.

Gionta will be like a coach on the ice. If he can chip in a few goals, it will be a big boost. Bobby Butler will be a fast skating sniper type player on this team. He has played 130 NHL games, has played in the KHL for a season and has 21 goals and 13 assists in 46 games for the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. He is leading the team in points. He came back to NA to be on the team. He is a young 30 years old. Jon Blum does not give me a good feeling. He is steady, not flashy, on defense. The fans in Milwaukee really did not like him, but his game is more suited for international play than the AHL or NHL.

I think your judgement of the roster is probably wrong. The USA may snag a Bronze. The NCAA has some good players, but seasoned pros should beat them 8 out of 10 times. My big concern is the lack of time and games together for the team. You will see mistakes because of that, but Chris Chelios and company will work hard to minimize those by the players.

The Czechs have a team full of guys from the Czech league, led by Martin Erat, and a bunch of KHL players. Sweden has Hellberg (G, 4 NHL games) and Stalberg (488 NHL games) on their team, both guys who played in Milwaukee. They could be a power.

 

[adsfan]

Ryan Stoa. There's a guy who could play a whole game with a carton of eggs strapped to him and not have one egg cracked until he gets into the locker room and makes an omelet to feed his lazy butt after the game. What a disgrace that a slob like that represents the USA. Shameful. USA Hockey really needs an enema, between this and that awful display of a tournament that they held in Buffalo.

When Blum was in Milwaukee, the description above would fit. I assume that he has improved with age in the KHL.

 

[Slimmy]

How Ryan Lasch doesn't get picked for this team surprises me. Perfect guy to pick up for international/olympic ice

Can't fathom it either. Chad Kolarik but no Ryan Lasch? The hell are they thinking?

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Can't fathom it either. Chad Kolarik but no Ryan Lasch? The hell are they thinking?

That's a debate no one wants to have. Lol.

 

[Bonin21]

I'd think they have a pretty damn good shot. Both Mittelstadt and Bellows had an outstanding showing. Who would you take over them in an olympic roster?

Dustin Brown
Zach Parise (who barely has played this year)
Ryan Kesler
Blake Wheeler
TJ Oshie
Cam Atkinson
JVR

I would take those 2 over everyone I just listed. I'm not impressed just by the name of the person and because they typically have a high ranking in a video game (not implying you are either-- just know some only pick who they pick based on it).

What on earth

 

[Mickey the mouse]

They would be in the mix for the last 2-3 F spots with around 6-9 other players and probably wouldn't make it.
Mittlestadt with a better chance

 

[Hanji]

Gionta will be like a coach on the ice. If he can chip in a few goals, it will be a big boost. Bobby Butler will be a fast skating sniper type player on this team. He has played 130 NHL games, has played in the KHL for a season and has 21 goals and 13 assists in 46 games for the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. He is leading the team in points. He came back to NA to be on the team. He is a young 30 years old. Jon Blum does not give me a good feeling. He is steady, not flashy, on defense. The fans in Milwaukee really did not like him, but his game is more suited for international play than the AHL or NHL.

I think your judgement of the roster is probably wrong. The USA may snag a Bronze. The NCAA has some good players, but seasoned pros should beat them 8 out of 10 times. My big concern is the lack of time and games together for the team. You will see mistakes because of that, but Chris Chelios and company will work hard to minimize those by the players.

The Czechs have a team full of guys from the Czech league, led by Martin Erat, and a bunch of KHL players. Sweden has Hellberg (G, 4 NHL games) and Stalberg (488 NHL games) on their team, both guys who played in Milwaukee. They could be a power.

I’m not sold on Butler yet as being one of our go-to snipers. Yea he’s been fantastic for the Admirals, but, at least stat wise, he did virtually nothing in his European stint.

 

[Fire Hockey]

Anyone know the possible lines for the tournament? I’m interested to see where the kids play, Terry and Donato especially.

 

[rj]

The whole no NHL in the Olympics has just bummed me. I get the arguments for why they don't, but the Olympic Hockey Tournament is one of the best things in the sport, it's such a wonderful tournament to watch up and down the teams.

As far as the USA, I don't expect a medal. Even other national teams that don't have their NHLers, there's much higher potential for Sweden for example to pick a mostly SEL roster and have a more natural cohesion. We'll see what happens. If the team flops, I think the media are going to place all of the blame on the NHL, and their media partner NBC may join in on it.

 

[Rillijuti]

Anyone know the possible lines for the tournament? I’m interested to see where the kids play, Terry and Donato especially.

yeah i cant find any info about lines. what a great tournament when no one cares team usa

 

[kabidjan18]

I think we'll get bronze.

 

[a79krgm]

Anyone know the possible lines for the tournament? I’m interested to see where the kids play, Terry and Donato especially.

Well. I can recall from my beer league days. First 3 forwards that jumped over the bench were "line 1".

 

[jj cale]

The whole no NHL in the Olympics has just bummed me. I get the arguments for why they don't, but the Olympic Hockey Tournament is one of the best things in the sport, it's such a wonderful tournament to watch up and down the teams.

As far as the USA, I don't expect a medal. Even other national teams that don't have their NHLers, there's much higher potential for Sweden for example to pick a mostly SEL roster and have a more natural cohesion. We'll see what happens. If the team flops, I think the media are going to place all of the blame on the NHL, and their media partner NBC may join in on it.

I doubt they will kick up much of a fuss, they had nhl'ers last time and they didn't medal. I think people understand it's tough to medal at this thing, one loss can sink you.

 

[hb13xchamps]

I think Bourque will have a pretty good tournament. His one-time on the PP is lethal and he's smart with the puck. He's a skilled, perimeter player in the AHL (he avoids contact like the plague) and I think he's game will fit the bigger ice very well

 

[Artyukhin]

Thoughts about USA pp-units?

 

[Northerner]

Don't know what to make of it. I thought I was a hockey mind but a lot of those names I'm not familiar with. Really would have been nice to see Middlestadt on the squad though.

 

[Xokkeu]

The tournament is a success if we can beat Slovenia

 

[Elvs]

With no NHL'ers, I havent't been paying much attention with roster announcements or exhibition games leading up to this tournament. Didn't realize the U.S. have David Leggio until now.

 

[Xokkeu]

With no NHL'ers, I havent't been paying much attention with roster announcements or exhibition games leading up to this tournament. Didn't realize the U.S. have David Leggio until now.

The USA have played zero exhibitions. One problem

 

[William H Bonney]

This team can skate and that’s about it. They can’t pass the puck, no one plays their assignments, and the turnovers are painfully predictable.

The legacy picks (Gionta, Wisniewski, Slater) don’t belong, they didn’t bring their best NCAA players, and the defense is awful. The Gilroy and Welch pairing is painful.

That’s an awful Slovenian team and they handed the game to them on a silver platter. Contrary to the opinions of Milbury, Albert, and Pierre, Team USA was never impressive but there’s zero excuses for ever losing to Slovenia. Even on Twitter, I don’t understand the folks that were so impressed by Team USA’s start. Yes, they cycled well and had the puck a lot, but that was a byproduct of their opposition.

I’d like to say USAH being embarrassed here will bring about change at USAH, but that’s an old boys club that will just dig in further.

 

[Hanji]

Roster selection is only half the problem. The complete lack of preparation is the other.

 

[Xokkeu]

This team can skate and that’s about it. They can’t pass the puck, no one plays their assignments, and the turnovers are painfully predictable.

The legacy picks (Gionta, Wisniewski, Slater) don’t belong, they didn’t bring their best NCAA players, and the defense is awful. The Gilroy and Welch pairing is painful.

That’s an awful Slovenian team and they handed the game to them on a silver platter. Contrary to the opinions of Milbury, Albert, and Pierre, Team USA was never impressive but there’s zero excuses for ever losing to Slovenia. Even on Twitter, I don’t understand the folks that were so impressed by Team USA’s start. Yes, they cycled well and had the puck a lot, but that was a byproduct of their opposition.

I’d like to say USAH being embarrassed here will bring about change at USAH, but that’s an old boys club that will just dig in further.

I was never impressed. I mean I was happy to be up 2-0 but I was significantly worried about this team competing with Slovakia and Fake Russia.

UNFORTUNATELY no teams are eliminated so there's a good chance this team goes 0-4

 

[Xokkeu]

Roster selection is only half the problem. The complete lack of preparation is the other.

USA Hockey clearly didn't care. I think the players care alot. I think most of hte players just aren't very good.

 

[William H Bonney]

USA Hockey clearly didn't care. I think the players care alot. I think most of hte players just aren't very good.

“We should have picked Ryan Malone, Mark Stuart, and Tom Gilbert. Maybe convinced Ryan Whitney to come out of retirement.” USAH’s reaction is probably along those lines.

 

[Mickey the mouse]

USA Hockey clearly didn't care. I think the players care alot. I think most of hte players just aren't very good.

That's not true. They put a lot of time and effort into this BUT you'll never beat the good ol' boys network.

The favors and very questionable picks and omissions are very obvious.

I posted weeks ago about Gionta and Wiznewski ....... BOTH SHOULD HANG UP THEIR SKATES.