USA WC Roster

ALF AmericanLionsFan · Feb 23, 2005

Just wanted to start a thread to see who has said they would like to play in the World Championships and who many of you think will be on the roster. I've heard Modano was interested in playing in Austria, but that is about it. Anyone?

GoBoltz56 · Feb 23, 2005

I assume since Smolinski signed in the UHL, he may be getting in shape to play. So, he could be a candidate. Hatcher and Chelios too, but I think Chelios said he wasn't going to play in anymore international competitions.

ALF AmericanLionsFan · Feb 23, 2005

GoBoltz56 said:
I assume since Smolinski signed in the UHL, he may be getting in shape to play. So, he could be a candidate. Hatcher and Chelios too, but I think Chelios said he wasn't going to play in anymore international competitions.

I was thinking that myself. I remember Chelios saying he was done representing the U.S. in tourney's I think with the lockout going all year he would want to play in some decent games if he wants to come back next year.. I hope he does as well as Hatcher.

Rabid Ranger · Feb 23, 2005

I'd like to see a team that is younger (maybe quite a bit) than the World Cup squad. Here's some names off the top of my head:

Forwards (12):

Modano
Legwand
Gomez
Drury
York
Malone
Weight
Tkachuk
Guerin
Hinote
Dustin Brown
Zach Parise

Defensemen (8):

Tanabe
Mara
Ryan Whitney
Brooks Orpik
Aaron Miller
Leetch
Leopold
Derian Hatcher

Goaltenders (3):

Esche
DiPietro
Ryan Miller

wilka91* · Feb 23, 2005

How about JR?

ALF AmericanLionsFan · Feb 23, 2005

wilka91 said:
How about JR?

Has he been cleared to play? I'm not sure he is over his concussion problem. Maybe he is, but I can't remember. Anybody know?

policegopher · Feb 24, 2005

Rabid Ranger said:
I'd like to see a team that is younger (maybe quite a bit) than the World Cup squad. Here's some names off the top of my head:

Forwards (12):

Modano
Legwand
Gomez
Drury
York
Malone
Weight
Tkachuk
Guerin
Hinote
Dustin Brown
Zach Parise

Defensemen (8):

Tanabe
Mara
Ryan Whitney
Brooks Orpik
Aaron Miller
Leetch
Leopold
Derian Hatcher

Goaltenders (3):

Esche
DiPietro
Ryan Miller

On D I would take out Orpik and whitney, and add Paul Martin and Rafalski. P-Mart really showed composure at the world cup. Plus he has much experience on the big ice sheet. If I remember right, Martin and Rafalski also played together at the World cup.

I like your forward picks, you threw in some young talent along with some veterans.

#66 · Feb 24, 2005

policegopher said:
On D I would take out Orpik and whitney, and add Paul Martin and Rafalski. P-Mart really showed composure at the world cup. Plus he has much experience on the big ice sheet. If I remember right, Martin and Rafalski also played together at the World cup.

I like your forward picks, you threw in some young talent along with some veterans.

Good call but I might keep Orpik and toss Tanabe. Just to keep some muscle on the team. Another thing to think about is who's keeping in shape and who isn't.

policegopher · Feb 28, 2005

I ran into Paul Martin last night at a local watering hole. He said that he is keeping in shape and indicated that his next venture will hopefully be the World Championship.

Rabid Ranger · Feb 28, 2005

policegopher said:
On D I would take out Orpik and whitney, and add Paul Martin and Rafalski. P-Mart really showed composure at the world cup. Plus he has much experience on the big ice sheet. If I remember right, Martin and Rafalski also played together at the World cup.

I like your forward picks, you threw in some young talent along with some veterans.

Martin and Rafalski would be great. I was just trying to throw some "new" names out there.

mikkoz · Mar 3, 2005

Rabid Ranger said:
I'd like to see a team that is younger (maybe quite a bit) than the World Cup squad. Here's some names off the top of my head:

York
Weight
Hinote

Weight has made 3+4 in 3 games in DEL, impressive? York also plays in DEL and Hinote in Swedish Elitserien. So if they are interested..

Also:
Erik Cole plays in DEL 2004-05 Berlin Polar Bears 35 6 17 23 70
Adam Hall plays in finnish 2tier league - KalPa 33 22 + 14 = 36

Any more names?

mikkoz · Mar 3, 2005

Rabid Ranger said:
Malone

He broke his jaw, will he recover to WC?

mikkoz · Mar 4, 2005

Also Dave Tanabe and Andy Roach are possibilities.

ALF AmericanLionsFan · Mar 7, 2005

mikkoz said:
Also Dave Tanabe and Andy Roach are possibilities.

Roach did have a good tournament last year.

Rabid Ranger · Mar 7, 2005

mikkoz said:
He broke his jaw, will he recover to WC?

Doubt it. He would have been a nice *younger* player to have on the team.

Rabid Ranger · Mar 9, 2005

Here's a good article on the selection process that will be used to pick the team:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/2005-03-08-worlds-usa_x.htm

The right approach IMO. Primarily a younger squad with a few veterans sprinkled in. The roster will also be heavy on players that are actually playing right now.

espo* · Mar 9, 2005

Interesting decision.There are two ways to go and it looks like they've decided on staying young and concentrating on guys that are in game shape because they are playing currently.It could be a wise move but only time will tell.i think in the early games it gives a team an advantage and lessens out once the medal rounds begin.The Euro teams are going to bust out of the gate real strong this year....they(their top players) pretty much are all playing in europe this year and they will be ready to go from the first puck being dropped.Hockey's a team game and this strategy will help them get in synche quicker...that's where the U.S management decision looks wise.

But...talent is till important.........they won't leave off guys like modano....you can't,they are too talented and represent to cream of American talent,you've gotta take them,especially when a guy like modano has already indicated a willingness to play in that tourney .Management has to tell them early on what they need to do to get ready for this tournament conditioning wise and that they have to get skating somewhere on some team to get their legs as set as possible. Also,i question why gill is there..big but not the greatest skater.He'll lend some veteran toughness but i think there may be someone out there playing currently who would be a better fit.Overall,it's a safer strategy for them i think and it brings in new blood,it's the way i would go too if i were them. This time and for this tournament they are doing the right thing for them i think.

Rabid Ranger · Mar 12, 2005

It looks like Brian Leetch and Ken Klee are out: http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story.asp?ID=118014&hubName=canadian_hockey

It's almost a certainty the U.S. roster for the World Championships this year will be a younger one. On defense, I can see maybe a guy like Derian Hatcher on the squad, as he's been playing. Up from, maybe a guy like Doug Weight will lend a veteran presence, but that's it, and it's about time.

TomahawkSniper · Mar 12, 2005

Do you guys think Ryan Kesler has any chance in making the squad? Just wondering.

Rabid Ranger · Mar 13, 2005

Morrison_Rulz said:
Do you guys think Ryan Kesler has any chance in making the squad? Just wondering.

Depending on how the AHL playoffs shake-out, I think a guy like Kesler, along with Dustin Brown, Zach Parise, etc have a great shot at being named to the team.

Rabid Ranger · Mar 16, 2005

Here's another article on what kind of team the U.S. might ice at the World Championships: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?id=2012930

ALF AmericanLionsFan · Mar 17, 2005

Rabid Ranger said:
Here's another article on what kind of team the U.S. might ice at the World Championships: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?id=2012930

thanks for the article! :handclap:

red devil · Mar 18, 2005

Modano accepts invitation to play at the WC.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=118781&hubName=nhl

Rabid Ranger · Mar 18, 2005

Finnigan said:
Modano accepts invitation to play at the WC.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=118781&hubName=nhl

Great news. Given the parameters set for creating this team, he'll be only one of five "veterans" named to the team who haven't played this year.

nomorekids · Mar 18, 2005

there's a link to an article in the Tennessean over on the Preds board that states that Legwand has in fact been confirmed.

USA WC Roster

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